Only a free man...
“I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think its the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.” (Red – Shawshank Redemption, 1994)
“The excitement only a free man can feel..” and sadly most free people disregard or don’t recognize. It is a feeling, a condition of the soul that most take for granted, but not I. Of course the character in “Shawshank Redemption” was speaking about freedom from prison to live in society a free man, but there are many other places you can fill trapped, restricted, unable to make independant choices. The military is one of those places and before going any further, I full heartingly know that it is a necessary evil. Still.. It is a sub-culture that requires obedience from its members. After you've adopted the values of such a sub-culture, eventually the "walls" between you and independant thought/action that seemed so apparent when you first joined, start to fade, becoming invisible.
The walls reappeared a few months ago. But now, I see them literally crumbling under the force of time and the eroding nature of a changing wind. Suddenly I feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders, I smell winter in the air and with it my freedom. Like the feeling of pins and needles prickling in your leg when it falls asleep, I can feel my life half asleep, finally awakening in an almost surreal shock of becoming a normal person again.
I hope that the grass is as greener on the other side, as I dream it is..
If you feel constrained, trapped, imprisoned by some facet of your life whether it be a person, a job, or a frame of mind… free yourself of it.. and life will be sweeter, let today be the day. And if you don’t have that option, keep the dream alive and someday you’ll make it come true. Those are my thoughts to share today.. ;)
(Thanks to a friend of mine who gave me the quote.)
“The excitement only a free man can feel..” and sadly most free people disregard or don’t recognize. It is a feeling, a condition of the soul that most take for granted, but not I. Of course the character in “Shawshank Redemption” was speaking about freedom from prison to live in society a free man, but there are many other places you can fill trapped, restricted, unable to make independant choices. The military is one of those places and before going any further, I full heartingly know that it is a necessary evil. Still.. It is a sub-culture that requires obedience from its members. After you've adopted the values of such a sub-culture, eventually the "walls" between you and independant thought/action that seemed so apparent when you first joined, start to fade, becoming invisible.The walls reappeared a few months ago. But now, I see them literally crumbling under the force of time and the eroding nature of a changing wind. Suddenly I feel a weight being lifted off my shoulders, I smell winter in the air and with it my freedom. Like the feeling of pins and needles prickling in your leg when it falls asleep, I can feel my life half asleep, finally awakening in an almost surreal shock of becoming a normal person again.
I hope that the grass is as greener on the other side, as I dream it is..
If you feel constrained, trapped, imprisoned by some facet of your life whether it be a person, a job, or a frame of mind… free yourself of it.. and life will be sweeter, let today be the day. And if you don’t have that option, keep the dream alive and someday you’ll make it come true. Those are my thoughts to share today.. ;)
(Thanks to a friend of mine who gave me the quote.)
9 Comments:
Greg - I am so happy that you are in blogland. Your writing is poetic and thought-provoking. This post of course made me think of mental illness, being trapped in the walls of my mind, imaginary walls that tell me what I can and can't do. I wish you could be my therapist!!!
:* Princess
Princess- Thanks for visiting again. Although those walls might exist, it's good that you recognize them and know exactly what they're made of... and I think that the support sites that you promote are extremely helpful to those who may be dealing with Bipolar Disorder and not even know it.. understanding yourself (your disorder) is half the battle.
Be well my blogger friend ;)
This is why I like you so much..
and trust me..I am trying to free myself from some things..but it harder than it seems:-)
I am happy and proud of you. I know that feeling you described and can feel your happiness.
Actually lately I have been feeling freedom to a degree from the reclusive lifestyle I have lived now for a long time...beginning to feel alive somewhat again. My health is doing better too....Do I have my seasons messed up...is it Spring? (smiling)
Christina- Hard doesn't mean impossible ;)
Suzie- Get out there girl! It's Spring if you want it to be ;)
G- Cheers...
Words of an inspiring person are taken for granted too often. Good luck in becoming a civilian again.
Jas- A great many things are taken for granted in this life... its up to us to realize that its happening, and do something about it.
Thanks for the encouragement. Cheers.
Happy Thanksgiving to YOU and YOUR FAMILY!! Hope it is a WONDERFUL ONE!!!
Suzie- Ahh... I didn't call my family!! I think in all the excitement of going home, I just figured I'd see them soon enough.. haha
Be well...
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