FREEDOM!

What is Freedom?

It reminds me of Pharell Williams’  ‘FREEDOM’. If you haven’t heard this song, go download it. I first heard it in the movie ‘Now You See Me 2’ and fell in love.

A little digression: I’m VERY selective about what I choose to listen to. Music is very much a part of my life, it inspires me, it soothes me, it plays over and over in my head and can be my mojo for the whole day. I’m not one of those who go “Yeah, I don’t care much for the song, but I just loooove the beats”. The lyrics of a song matter to me, ‘cause I want to be able to sing along, out loud and in my head. It’s just impossible to sing along to lyrics about self-glorification, a lot of sex, money and just plain nasty stuff. That’s why I’m an oldies girl, a bit of country, some jazz, carefully selected Naija tracks and banging gospel music. But this is me Dears, you do you and what’s comfortable for you.

Now, back to topic.

So, what is freedom to you? Is it-

• When you get that new car you’ve always wanted?
• When you’re living in your dream house?
• When you can go on that holiday you’ve been dreaming of?
• When you can finally spend like you’ve been imagining without being worried about savings, ‘cause your account is now fully blue?
• When you now have a rich boyfriend/girlfriend, or just plain have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
• When your weight is finally sorted and you now look like Halle Berry (I’m thinking James Bond’s Halle Berry), or for the guys, you can now give Chris Hemsworth a run for his money?
• When you are finally accepted in the in-group, rolling with the it-crowd and attending all the on-point parties?
• When your wardrobe is swimming with colours, shades and styles of different clothing, shoes and bags (or man-purses as the case may be).

Is that freedom? Does it finally bring the joy, peace and victory that is associated with freedom?

I found various definitions of freedom, but this is one I liked the most, it’s simple, easy to remember and hits the mark for me; Freedom is the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved. 

In my opinion, I believe Freedom is more a mindset thing, it’s more mental, than physical. I don’t think being free has all to do with material stuff, acquisitions, wealth, environment, people and their approval.
Of course, I know living in a prison and living in your house are two different things. I get that. But I put it to you, that you can have all the things you need, all the things you want, all the right people around you and still be in bondage or caged. And in a weird way, someone living in prison (and has learnt to make the best of his/her situation) might have more joy and happiness, feel a sense of ‘freedom’ than you.  Do you see where I’m going with this now?...Good. Let’s keep exploring.

Here’s a scenario: You were the ugly duckling in secondary school, you had two or three ‘uncool’ friends, zero social acceptability, no talent to even display. Then fast-forward to years later, You are now grown up, puberty (which is God's handiwork on you) was very nice to you; you filled out in all the right places, you look really good, you now have correct friends, you even attend a cool church. Now everyone wants you at their gigs, you’re an Instagram lord/lady, if you even post something as simple as ‘HEY’, in five minutes, 500 likes. You love this, who wouldn’t? Finally, the center of attention. You thrive on this, it has become the highlight of every day for you; Being liked, being wanted, being accepted, hearing all the right stuff from your crowd. That’s what makes you happy, what makes you whole…then SNAP! Someone cooler, finer, more in-touch, more on-point, more everything, moves into your world, your circle. At first, you’re like ‘Whatever’, then it begins;

• The people around you start comparing you to this person. And find you lacking.
• People are not really ‘liking’ your pictures and posts so much, and even when they do, they find it lacking. And shade you on your own page. What’s going on?
• The cooler you try to be, the more this other person effortlessly one-ups you. You start coming up lacking. IN EVERYTHING! Oh no!!

(Insert fast-paced action movie soundtrack here) You panic, run around, try to form a clique of loyal friends, try to act like it doesn’t matter, then you start back-biting, gossiping, plotting, trying to discredit this other person, trying to let everyone know you’re cooler, better and sticking with you will be a dream come true. You throw parties so you can show people you still know what’s up…and the crazy acts go on. PHEW!

You see how pathetic this looks? You see what life has become for you? I mean, come on! There’s a lot more to life than these little cages we sometimes like to live in. How can you say you’re free, yet you’re running around like a rabbit wanting EVERYONE ELSE and EVERYTHING ELSE  to validate you so you can feel relevant? Feel like a human being?...ARE YOU FOR REAL?!

Who are you really?  Where is the joy in just being you? With your imperfections, mistakes and all. How did you lose that? Who did you give the key to your life?  By now, we all really should be tired of living everyone else’s lives, ideas, ideals and opinions. What do YOU really want from life?

Let me tell you what I want; To be happy, joyful, play like a child when I want to, laugh when I want to. And laugh at myself when the situation warrants. Pray whenever I want (I know I can’t do without my connection to God), Sing whenever I want, Eat what I want (and go on a diet, or to the Gym when my jeans stop fitting), be sad when the mood dictates but quickly snap out of that and watch a good comedy so my mood can be light again. I want to be great at what I do, but keep learning every day even when I’m old and weary. I don’t want to base my happiness and freedom of being on what is perfect/not perfect in my life or how many things I’ve been able to acquire/not acquire.

All I’m saying is, I want to have a healthy mind, a cage-free mind, and I think you should too. Nothing should have so much power over you that you can’t truly be happy unless that thing/emotion/person approves. The only Being that deserves that kind of power is God. He is the only One that loves unconditionally.

THAT, my darlings, is true FREEDOM!

Remember, Freedom is the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved.

Catch ya later!