Freedom

We all have different views on different subjects. We all think differently. We are only united in our search of likeness in others. We are searching for people that are similar to us in appearance, in ability, in taste, in something... to connect.

I wrote in an early blog that we like others because we are similar, but love them because we are different. Just the same as we like someone because of their virtues, but love them because of their flaws.

This is basically the same thing... we all want freedom, but freedom means something different for each and everyone of us. For some it might be a big number on their bank account, being their own boss, living in a trailer in the middle of nowhere, ... but in the end it all comes down to this.

Freedom is the possibility of being yourself without the fear of repercussions.

Doing what you love without the fear of being judged.

Saying what you feel without the fear of being laughed at.

Loving who you feel like loving without the fear of getting beaten up or killed or discriminated against.

Freedom exists where we conquer our fears. So let's all start there. Sit on your bed. Quiet. Listening to the world. Close your eyes. Look inside yourself and ask... what are you afraid of? It might take a while, but you will find many things you fear... and when you know what you fear, start somewhere small.

Tell someone on the street that you love their outfit if you're afraid of voicing your opinion.

Go outside and take pictures if you're afraid of others judging what you do.

Go to the movies alone if you're afraid of people pitying you.

Start with the little things and work your way up to the big ones.

Telling your friends you love them for who they are.

Asking the cute guy in the office our for a cup of coffee.

Telling your boss you want more responsibility.

Ask in your local gallery if they might be interested to display one or two of your photos.

Life is too short for fear.

The picture above is the view from my bedroom window. If I see this, my fear just goes away. Find your strength, I'm sure it's there somewhere.

Lyrics of the day: The Fear by Lily Allen

I wanna be rich, and I want lots of money

I don't care about clever, I don't care about funny

I want loads of clothes and fuck loads of diamonds

I heard people die while they're trying to find them

And I'll take my clothes off, and it will be shameless

'Cause everyone knows that's how you get famous

I'll look at the sun, and I'll look in the mirror

I'm on the right track, yeah I'm on to a winner

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore

And I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore

And when do you think it will all become clear?

'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear

Life's about film stars and less about mothers

It's all about fast cars and cussing each other

But it doesn't matter 'cause I'm packing plastic

And that's what makes my life so fucking fantastic

And I am a weapon of massive consumption

And it's not my fault, it's how I'm programmed to function

I'll look at the sun, and I'll look in the mirror

I'm on the right track, yeah we're on to a winner

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore

And I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore

And when do you think it will all become clear?

'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear

Forget about guns and forget ammunition

'Cause I'm killing them all on my own little mission

Now I'm not a saint, but I'm not a sinner

And everything's cool as long as I'm getting thinner

I don't know what's right and what's real anymore

And I don't know how I'm meant to feel anymore

And when do you think it will all become clear?

'Cause I'm being taken over by the fear

Time for some stories

I have always felt that the stories behind the story are the important ones. The interesting ones. Most of the time we only see the facade of life. We see the masks and the stories people want us to see. We hear what they are telling us. But these are not the stories that are true and immediate, those aren't told in the front of the shop.

TV gives us a peak at the real stories sometimes. In some TV shows you have a plot that entertains you throughout an episode, but in fact it's the interaction between the protagonists that keeps you watching, that keeps you interested and involved. I could name several shows where this is the case but I don't want to put pictures in your head or labels on your mind. Just imagine the interaction between collegues, between family members that transcende episodes, that are the core of a show. That is the reason why in some cases TV can be better than movies (as strange as that might sound). But only on TV (and maybe in the greatest of movies) we can grow with a character, we can get accustomed to seeing them like friends, like family.

In our digital age, the relationship between us and our favourite characters has in some places replaced our real life, which is sad, but it shows you that it doesn't matter which case is solved in CSI, Bones, Mentalist, Supernatural, but it does matter what's behind the picture.

In life, it's the same. While it might be interesting and entertaining what people tell you, it's who they are in relation to you what makes it relevant. Makes it matter. If someone tells you a story about their late grandfather who baked a killer cake, it doesn't really matter to you. You didn't know the grandfather, you never tasted the cake. What does matter, however, is that it tells you something about the person telling you the story. It gives you background, depth. It helps you understand. This is why stories matter. Not because of the apparent content, but because of what stories tell you about the people and their relations involved. Weird, isn't it? To realize that life is just a canvas with a pretty picture that stands in your view and blocks it. Hinders you. Doesn't let you see the real picture unless you dig in deep. Try.

Do me a favour. Try. Next time when you hear a story, try to see the meaning behind it. Don't listen to gossip, listen to the voice, the person telling you gossip. What do you see? What does it tell you? It might take some practice, but you might be able, in time, to see the life behind the veil. Have fun. And be scared, because life might change for you.

Lyrics of the day: Life is a Song by Patrick Park

You say life is a dream where we can't say what we mean

Maybe just some roadside scene that we're driving past

There's no telling where we'll be in a day or in a week

And there's no promises of peace or of happiness

Well is this why you cling to every little thing

And polverize and derrange all your senses

Maybe life is a song but you're scared to song along

Until the very ending

Oh, it's time to let go of everything we used to know

Ideas that strengthen who we've been

It's time to cut ties that won't ever free our minds

From the chains and shackles that they're in

Oh, tell me what good is saying that you're free

In a dark and storming sea

You're chained to your history, you're surely sinking fast

You say that you know that the good Lord's in control

He's gonna bless and keep your tired and oh so restless soul

But at the end of the day when every price has been paid

You're gonna rise and sit beside him on some old seat of gold

And won't you tell me why you live like you're afraid to die

You'll die like you're afraid to go

Oh, it's time to let go of everything we used to know

Ideas that strengthen who we've been

It's time to cut ties that won't ever free our minds

From chains and shackles that they're in

From the chains and shackles that they're in

Well life is a dream 'cause we're all walking in our sleep

You could see us stand in lines like we're dead upon our feet

And we build our house of cards and then we wait for it to fall

Always forget how strange it is just to be alive at all