When I refer to freedom as a myth it's because of something I've come to learn over the years. A woman is married to an abusive husband but does everything to protect his image, not because she's under a spell or because a gun has always been pointed to her head, but because she feels she can't leave. Another example is a horse, I noticed that a well trained horse doesn't run when the owner leaves as long as it sees an anchor in front of it. It automatically imagines that a rope is in its neck and tied to the anchor. And another example is a man who is tired of his job, he wants to leave, but finds himself going back day after day. Not because his boss is pointing a gun to his head, but because he feels he can't just afford to leave. From the three examples I've given, it's crystal clear that freedom is very much connected to how a person feels.
You hear about Big Mafia lords and drug Barron's who are in jail yet control their operations smoothly from the comfort of prison. Some might even prefer staying in prison even when they have the power and connections to leave. The average man is always afraid of something (Myself included). And it is that fear that keeps us from moving forward and makes us feel like captives in our own body. For some it's the fear of what people would think of them or how people will see them. For others it's fear from trauma. For some it's fear of the unknown or the fear of death. Whatever the fear may be, it is what makes freedom a myth. Truth is that we are always free, but we are just too mature to act free.
Only children act carelessly not minding the consequences of their actions. What shows we're adults is that we do not allow that sense of freedom to deprive us from the consequences of our actions. There was a time when I felt so free, I broke a lot of hearts without remorse. I did things without considering how it will affect others and it cost me at the end of the day. When I say it cost me, one might think I suffered for every action I take. I like to think so too, but in the real sense, I didn't. The fact that I started caring a lot was enough consequence for the things I did. I started realizing that just as not everyone was like me when I was mean, not everyone was like me when I became kind. The realization of this kept me humble.
This is why I call freedom a myth. If there is one thing I'm afraid of, it's the disappointing look on someone's face because I broke their heart, or broke their trust. This fear stems from my past experiences and that is why for a start, I hardly give promises and I make sure to always pay my debts even at my own expense. A good name is what I try to get and preserve and it has hindered me from doing a lot of things and acting on impulse in Many situations. It's safe to say it has in a way taken away my freedom. I remember receiving a slap one time from trying to separate a fight, I couldn't fight back because I didn't want to be seen as a fighter. That restriction took a toll on me just imagining the different ways I would have reacted in the past. So I think I can safely say that we are as free as we are care free.
THIS IS MY RESPONSE TO HIVE LEARNER'S PROMPT FOR WEEK 152 EPISODE 3
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This actually got me laughing so hard, omo you get mind sha, i don't usually separate two fighting.
I'm glad you maintained self control and kept your cool. Cheers 🥂
I like your point of view on freedom, it's very peculiar. I have a reasonable job and I don't have the courage to leave it, because I'm complacent and I'm afraid to venture into another better job for better pay. The fear of the new and of leaving our comfort zone causes us to get stuck in the same everyday life. Some people try something new and are blessed with new results.
True, freedom is more of a state of the mind, our mind keeps us chained the more so it is left for us to free ourselves