What is freedom?

Ever feel like you're being watched? Do you feel like you are never truly alone? I wish I could say you were crazy because the tragedy of the situation is that you're not being haunted by a supernatural force of energy; reality is much less extravagant. Sadly, you are being watched by a poorly paid hawk eye who is spying on your every move.

Glad I caught your attention.

We are told that we are free. We're told that we were born into a developed country in which you have the power to control your own fate; as if it was ever yours to control. Statistics are shoved down our throats as if the government feels we are completely starved of their supposed invaluable information concerning the way we should live our lives. We follow their monotonous blue prints of how we should eat, drink, exercise, work, stay positive. Honestly, I wouldn't be at all surprised if they told us we should fold instead of scrunch our toilet roll due to the economical and environmental benefits; how adorable.

The point is, can we confidently agree that we are free. Or is the term 'freedom' much too general. Because, what is freedom? Is it having the choice to scrunch or fold? Is it having the choice to become a highly respected Lord when you are from a deprived, abandoned industrial estate? Is it having the choice to be completely alone in this world?

Of course, we could altogether flip the coin on this whole article. Maybe freedom is an ideology we should be afraid of. Freedom must surely mean choice. Yet in monumental choice is the greater possibility of failure. We don't let sheep wander in a territory that's well established with unforgiving predators, but somehow we wish the government would just let us be wild. Somehow, I can see being herded into a secure pen is not all bad.

Unfortunately, being in that pen must certainly mean the same destiny for everyone? A destiny in which all life within the enclosure is stripped of worth then left to die. Slightly dramatic metaphor that puts a long working life into perspective but I'm sticking by it. Is the sacrifice of twenty sheep worth the utter excellence of one.

I can never see myself being at peace with this issue. I am certain I wouldn't appreciate being abandoned on a lone island and told superiorly 'freedom is all yours'. I can appreciate that with fewer choices in this world, their are fewer chances I can land flat on my face; it's a secure safety net. With the exception of the inevitable 'but'. Will anyone ever feel genuinely emancipated from their leaders?

Who am I to say...

Kind regards,

Klinkmillie.