How Free Is Free?

I finally got the blind rolled up again and let the sun peeking in and smile. One thing that makes a good start for me is the morning light. It reflects hope.

I was talking to a close friend the other day about freedom.

Freedom to do whatever you want to do.
Freedom to feel however you feel it in your heart.
Freedom to write, to photograph, to listen.

Are we free? Are you free?

I remember the famous quote "Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains".

Probably I am. I mean, how can I be, when my mind thinks from the moment I wake up in the morning until I fall asleep at night. No moment of rest. It creates thoughts and also receives thoughts from the outside.

I want to make my mind quiet and enjoy real freedom.

You know the feeling of being tied down to something and not be able to wriggle free? That’s exactly how I feel right now. Break the chain, my friend said.

I’ve been dreaming of my late dad these past few days. The kind of dream that told me I’ve forgotten about him.

I have forgotten about a lot of things, a lot of people.

I realized these during the time I was really sick for three weeks back then. I could count with fingers how many people who were really there for me, been kind enough to send sms-es and asking about my condition. Some even take the effort to visit.

And I realized, those that did, were my friends whom I’ve known long enough to know that friends, no matter how close or far away they are, would always stick to you without asking for anything in return.

Without asking where I have been missing.
Without asking why I have not ring for so long.
Without having to be emotional about the whole concept of having friends.

*pause*

There are people who complained about not having many friends or how friends dumped them etc. These people should know how lucky they are that no matter how few friends they have, this and that, they are still be able to just give a single call and say ‘hey are you free to hang out?’ and meet them.

The only time for me to meet my late dad is in my dreams. And he was my best friend who came to ‘see me’ and told me that I have forgotten of him.

How sucky I am. How lucky are you?

Perhaps, most of the time we only have the idea in our head that we have forgotten or being forgotten.

Gosh, i think too much. I have to be above my own thoughts to enjoy the state of mind. Here I list out forty freedoms (to awaken and stir that secret part of you that knows living in any kind of bondage is a lie) by Guy Finley.
You're Well Along Freedom's Path When:

1. You have no desire to change places in life with anyone else.
2. You step over setbacks without stopping or looking back.
3. You accept and appreciate praise, but never take it to heart.
4. You don't overeat or feel driven to diet.
5. You don't think about your sex life.
6. You meet and do what's true without fear of the consequences.
7. You really don't want anything from anyone.
8. You stop thinking about how much money you may or may not have.
9. You don't carry any upset from the last moment into the present one.
10. You have no interest in old resentments.
11. You start spending more time alone and enjoying it more.
12. You stop dreaming of the perfect vacation.
13. You're neither frightened nor shocked by the evening news.
14. You stop making deals with yourself.
15. You dress for comfort, not for compliments.
16. You lose all interest in trying to win mental arguments.
17. You don't blame anyone else for the way you feel.
18. You forget what it was you didn't like about someone.
19. You're awake to and spontaneously considerate of the needs of others.
20. You see beauty in life where you never could see it before.
21. Your life gets progressively simpler.
22. You see where you're wrong sooner than later, and stop defending yourself faster.
23. You do what you don't want to do, and you do it with a lighter spirit.
24. You're not afraid of having nothing to say or do, if that's your true condition.
25. You can take criticism without cringing away from the truth it may hold.
26. You have no concern for what others may think of you.
27. You stop trying to make others see life in your way.
28. You enjoy the sound of silence as much or more than the sound of your own voice.
29. You see the same unpleasant traits within yourself that have made you shun others.
30. You say what you want, and not what you think others may want to hear you say.
31. You actually enjoy hearing about the good fortune of someone else.
32. You see more and more just how unfree you and others really are.
33. Your moods are fewer, lighter, and move on much quicker.
34. You see that society is destroying itself and that the only solution is self-change.
35. You can listen to others without the need to tell them what you know.
36. You don't find a thrill in any kind of fear.
37. You know that forgiveness of others is the kindest thing you can do for yourself.
38. You realize that the world is the way it is because you are the way you are.
39. You'd rather not think about yourself.
40. You can't come up with one good reason why you should ever be anxious or frightened.

Something to ponder on a Friday afternoon.