What does it mean to be free

What does it mean to be free

To be free.

What does it mean to be free?

To be free from that which owns us. Our addictions, our hate, our sense of powerlessness. Our self-loathing. Our experience of being a victim. Our righteousness.

The world might tie us in chains. We might have limited choices of opportunity, education, networks, access.

Our soul, our identity, our dignity, our self-respect, and the ability to choose how we respond in every moment cannot be constrained by anyone but ourselves.

Nelson Mandela walked from 27 years of incarceration truly free of soul and spirit. In his forgiveness of his jailers, he became free of hate. He chose how his years of imprisonment would define him.

Today I am a humble student of his demonstration.

May 8th 2018

Photo Taken July 26th 2016