Freedom
"It's hard to be free, but when it works, it sure is worth it." - Janis Joplin
I think that we figure out a lot of things about life upon reflection. Well, it could be just me. But for the sake of this piece let's just say it's not. We rarely realize how important moments are until after they've passed.
My little excursion to that pond the other day has got me thinking about simplicity and true freedom. My religion, Unitarian Universalism, highly values simplicity. I was always skeptical of this, since my religion's followers are primarily upper middle-class, middle-aged white people. But, I have come to realize that by "simplicity," they mean "simplicity of the heart and spirit."
Being out on the banks of that pond with the peacefulness of nature all around me made me understand how insignificant it all is. I, for one, worry way too much over stupid shit. College, driving, weight gain….
When you're out there on that pond, nothing else matters but you and that muddy water. It's the ultimate in Buddhist unilateral thought. Going back to the basics, to nature, really reminds you of what is important, especially my being out there with Andrew, someone who enriches my life. Life, laughter, love, soul, and song are the only things that matter in this life. Nothing else should be the focus.
I personally forget that a lot. I get so wrapped up in college that I neglect my family, my creativity, and my spirituality, among other things. College just sucks me dry of everything that I am, and I’m sure it's the same way for others too. We spend so much time in college so we can be free that we become prisoners to our own narrow-minded thoughts of what freedom is.
Maybe freedom is not financial security, or a good job, and I know freedom sure as hell ain't found in a syllabus. Then what is freedom?
Freedom is when we let go of our baggage and insecurities, and just allow ourselves to love.
Freedom is finding the humor in everyday life.
Freedom is a newborn baby, or a dying lady.
Freedom is in those brief moments when someone's words set your bosom afire and you can literally feel your soul spark to life again.
Freedom is when a song puts your entire physical being in a trance, and your true self comes through.
Freedom is picking up a book and educating yourself instead of having The System telling you what you should learn.
Maybe it's just the country girl in me talking, but I say that freedom is free. Revel in it.
Unpublished work © 2006 Aryn Wood
I think that we figure out a lot of things about life upon reflection. Well, it could be just me. But for the sake of this piece let's just say it's not. We rarely realize how important moments are until after they've passed.
My little excursion to that pond the other day has got me thinking about simplicity and true freedom. My religion, Unitarian Universalism, highly values simplicity. I was always skeptical of this, since my religion's followers are primarily upper middle-class, middle-aged white people. But, I have come to realize that by "simplicity," they mean "simplicity of the heart and spirit."
Being out on the banks of that pond with the peacefulness of nature all around me made me understand how insignificant it all is. I, for one, worry way too much over stupid shit. College, driving, weight gain….
When you're out there on that pond, nothing else matters but you and that muddy water. It's the ultimate in Buddhist unilateral thought. Going back to the basics, to nature, really reminds you of what is important, especially my being out there with Andrew, someone who enriches my life. Life, laughter, love, soul, and song are the only things that matter in this life. Nothing else should be the focus.
I personally forget that a lot. I get so wrapped up in college that I neglect my family, my creativity, and my spirituality, among other things. College just sucks me dry of everything that I am, and I’m sure it's the same way for others too. We spend so much time in college so we can be free that we become prisoners to our own narrow-minded thoughts of what freedom is.
Maybe freedom is not financial security, or a good job, and I know freedom sure as hell ain't found in a syllabus. Then what is freedom?
Freedom is when we let go of our baggage and insecurities, and just allow ourselves to love.
Freedom is finding the humor in everyday life.
Freedom is a newborn baby, or a dying lady.
Freedom is in those brief moments when someone's words set your bosom afire and you can literally feel your soul spark to life again.
Freedom is when a song puts your entire physical being in a trance, and your true self comes through.
Freedom is picking up a book and educating yourself instead of having The System telling you what you should learn.
Maybe it's just the country girl in me talking, but I say that freedom is free. Revel in it.
Unpublished work © 2006 Aryn Wood