Family Obligations & Freedom
When they taught us about universal human rights in school, especially the freedom to religion part, a clear paradox confused me. I was not free to choose my religion, since my family would disown me for it. Nor to choose my family in the first place, although I did grow up with generations of sitcoms telling me I can find mine as opposed to building it (hasn’t happened… yet?).
I could not choose my country, only change it or add to it (as I did) but I will forever be from where I was born and raised in. I’m certainly not free to choose my circumstances, but simply inherit their randomness, much like my genes.
I could sort of change, transform or rewrite some of these presets, but for a high price that will not erase what happened before it. Just as much as I’m “free” to commit a crime, but will suffer consequences if caught and tried. *We are all free to do much but most of it is rarely in our best interest. *
This is in mind today because I had a day long obligation, requiring me to start a long trip to a city I despise, starting in 6 am, through the cold and snow. I woke up before the sun, something I’m studiously avoiding since it used to be a daily occurrence through all my schooling.
*It’s days like these that test your endurance and build your motivation. I can feel mine bubbling up like a geyser, ready to blow. *