Freedom

Freedom

loveinlinesandspaces

Freedom. Defined by Oxford’s Dictionary as : free·dom  [free-duhm] noun 1. the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint. 2. Exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.

Freedom has come a long way from the times of slavery, when the blacks were forced to work. When Hitler controlled the Jews. When women couldn’t vote and even when women couldn’t work! As those are not the case now,  it is safe to say that freedom has been achieved. This is undeniable as they are recorded in History books. But is that really the case?

Freedom. The ‘thing’ that everyone yearns for. The ‘thing’ that people in communist or third world countries are denied. The ‘thing’ that the UN dubs as a ‘basic human right’. Something that is a necessity, not a choice. 

The UN believes that everyday we should be able to wake up and eat what we want, dress how we want and say what we want. Seems simple enough. But I know for a fact that that isn’t the case. There’s two sides to every story, and a simple everyday routine like that is no exception.

Ever heard of stereotype? We all know what it is. There’s nothing but honesty when I say that the word stereotype to me attracts the word guilt. We are all guilty of stereotype. Most of us will be to prideful or ashamed to admit to that fault.  

Some of the most common stereotypes are ; black people are good at sport. Another is that all white Americans are obese, lazy, and dim-witted. Homer Simpson of the The Simpsons is the personification of this stereotype. Mexican stereotypes suggest that all Mexicans are lazy and came into America illegally. The stereotypes I am most familiar with are that all Asians are good at math. All Asians like to eat rice and drive slow and finally that all Irish people are drunks and eat potatoes. Stereotypes are not only concentrated on races but  also to genders and social groups. Men are strong and must not cry while women are weak and are more prone to breakdown. Goths wear black and hate society. There are many more and I know that you are listing them all in your heads.

These stereotypes are the root to one of the worst problems in modern society. Bullying. Stereotypes (for decades) have been the origin for bullying. For example, ‘Oh she’s Asian but she’s not smart?! Then what’s the use of her?’ or the phrase ‘You’re Irish but you don’t drink!’ is usually followed by a degrading smirk. Just because you don’t fit their pre assumed norm. Careless words. Said in a light manner can be the trigger to self-consciousness. The belief that this is the way, and there is no other choice. 

This self-consciousness has been augmented and utilised by media to feed us with more lies that we are not sufficient enough. That there is always room for improvement. Anti-aging creams or even women’s daily essential. Make-up.

It is unfair to say that the companies are the cause of this phenomenon. There had to be a root for the stem to grow. These companies wouldn’t have marketed these products if there was never a targeted demographic.

But they are the main culprits for the epidemic. They use celebrity endorsements to place us in a false belief that ‘the look’ is achievable and highly possible. I mean she looks like that and I’m using that, so it will definitely happen. The same with the predefined image of today’s perfect girl. Body of Megan Fox. Face of  Mila Kunis etc etc. We all strive for that ‘perfect body’. Some doing extra hours at the gym while some take the extreme option of diet pills.

Although we hate to admit it. Our lives are influenced by other peoples opinions. To the smallest aspect of what foods we eat, to large scale matters like what our occupation is. To the clothes we wear, the BRAND of clothes we wear and even to the miniscule things like the eye shadow colour one may wear.

So to say that freedom is a necessity not a choice is not false. But also not fully true. Although physically we may be free. Unbounded visible chains. I believe that we are not truly free unless we can detach our minds from others. To do what we want without outside pretences. To just live, not be influenced.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

That is my philosophy and my ultimate dream.

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Memories

Memories

loveinlinesandspaces

“Memory is a way of holding onto the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose.”  ~From the television show The Wonder Years

My biggest fear in life is getting amnesia. Losing myself and having to start anew with no recollection of who I was. Although it may seem appealing to some, a fresh canvas, a new start, a second chance. No matter how hard I try, I can’t envision a different life (or maybe I just don’t want to). 

When I was younger, I never understood the adults constant talk of ‘feeling young again’. Wishing they were me. Without a doubt I can tell you that back then the feeling was mutual. Growing up equals freedom, being able to do what you want. No restrictions. Being 18, I now know that those thoughts were nothing more than childhood fantasies. 

My childhood consisted of palm trees and blistering under the raw heat of the sun. Disobeying my parents commands of “you better get inside now or else!” and replying to them with an “or else what?” Then I would see the enlarging of my dad’s eyes and I knew. I was in T R O U B L E! Out of nowhere, you would suddenly hear a voice saying “let them play, they’re just kids”. An authority to my authority. My Granddad. I would then run to the direction of that voice and take his hand. Despite the sweat and the smell of animals, I would hug him as if my life depended on it. It kind of did as I had just angered my dad. But my granddad was my shield, I was a cunning bundle of skin and bones. I knew very well that around my granddad, my parents powers where revoked.

The troublemaker I was, I can easily recall when my sister and I would sit on the railings of our 2nd story apartment window. Our tiny legs dangling above the pedestrian path. Occasionally spitting onto those innocent pedestrians. 

My dad worked in the radio station below the apartment  ( that’s how we got the free accommodation) and they would constantly receive freebies! Who doesn’t love freebies?! I could never forget the excitement I had when I caught sight of that familiar orange plastic bag in my dad’s hands. We would then anxiously wait by the front door. Two puppies waiting for their owner and tear apart the bag at first sight. Measly things like pens, markers and sometimes food would provide us with unwavering happiness.

The ability to recall memories is unconsciously done. But so is the inhibiting of  certain memories. Our minds purposely inhibit us from remembering certain memories, or even details of a certain memory. It does this to protect us. A memory might be one in which we experienced pain. My memories are easily triggered my pheromones. It isn’t just a mild reaction. It places me in a state of coma. One where I fail to recall my location or who I’m with.

Edward de Bono believes that 

“A memory is what is left when something happens and does not completely unhappen.” 

My memories are where happiness was nothing more than new pens. The only place that my Grandad lives on. How would I’ve known back then, that time would untimely take him away unannounced. A prominent figure in my life, disappears just like that. Bob Dylan once said 

“Take care of all your memories. For you cannot relive them”. 

For me, there’s nothing more important than memories. They are essential scenes of my life story that only I can ever access.

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