Come to think of
it, everyone has their own way or has had experienced in cutting themselves
loose from bondage, whether it be physical or emotional. A certain type of
satisfaction, or others may say 'eternal happiness that kills', is achieved when
that certain stumbling block, which stopped and hindered ones progress since
the rock of ages, is finally leaped over. Relief beyond degree oozes out from
every pore making one feels as though he or she is untouchable and the term
'infinity' does not mean a thing but just another stone.
Independence. Just one word that gives a deep meaning to
those who cherish yet understands it. Many people take independence as
something revolving around chaos, machine guns, the adrenaline of warfare and
bloodshed. Is that the true meaning of independence? Or does the underlying
meaning is only apparent to those limited and selected? Or it is something of a
secretive meaning hiding and awaiting to be discovered? Only those who have
gone through it will truly understand this simple concept, said most, but is
that reality or is that just a myth?
One thing is for sure, it is not easy to obtain it but once gained, it is
owned for life. At least, that is what John thought as he looked, day after
day, dreading attending school. John had nothing happening in his life. His
family; a stranger he is felt, his class; an enemy he is seen. Innocence was
just a stage, and a fool he felt, being on it acting all his way through life.
Continuously, he thought of how he could escape everyone and everything. What
is seen is a sore to his eyes, what is felt is an ache to his heart, a striking
spear that pierced the core of his being? Because of his parents distrust
towards him, he paid for his tuition fees leaving nothing to himself. Getting
tricked and deceived by siblings was what he felt, abandoned and alienated, he
had to make his own decisions and fend for himself. No matter how hard he
struggles, his seemed blissful life dragged him down, over and over, again.
What is he to do? He firstly opts to re-try; accompanies
by his two best friends, he tries to pick up the pieces but defenseless he
feels and again, falls until he hits rock bottom. Luck was soon at his side
when he stumbles upon his old tuition teacher who pulls him to the surface.
Then, this particular old tuition teacher had actually
noticed and detected John's suffering, plastered over his naive face, reading
him like an opened book. However, no action was taken, no deed was done, to
ease John's burden and to alleviate John's troubles. He did not want to impose
and pry as to what had brought this young boy to be in this rut that he was in.
He thought that if the boy needed his assistance, the boy would come to him.
Unfortunately, the boy he had just seen had changed considerably. The battered
soul was now evident from his appearance; a hunched back, a shambled walk and a
wrinkled face, depicting years beyond his true age. He approached John in his
free will, pleading John to accept his assistance. John, in turn, was out of
his wits, opened up his trust to this man whom he saw 'from another world', and
embraced the offered help. Among the aids extended, this man left him with a
phrase of his own, 'Dear John, do seek your own selfish longing'. John was left
to ponder and understand what this means and what would his life be if he
executed the true meaning of this powerful phrase.
Ergo, John picked up the pieces and continued with his
life. Holding a stable job and a steady income, he was much appreciated of life
and what revolved around him. Is this still considered independence? If it is
then, in what term is it considered? It all started from the moment he decided
to change, the moment he said, 'No more!' That very moment when he started to
not just walk, but run, competing with the speed of light, that very moment he
wanted to trash down the bonds of unhappiness. So, is holding a secured job not
satisfying enough? It is definitely better than a poor soul being lost forever,
in itself, being defined as, independence.
