Caged birds always sing of freedom. Free birds fly and soar. All good things are un-caged and, thus, free. Freedom means you are unobstructed in living your life as you choose. Anything less is a form of slavery.
Humans are born free but are habituated by society to obey. Flex your freedom muscle by questioning instead of blindly following authority. Just stick to your principles. And rest assured that, if you remain true to them, the same people that may have made fun of you, or ridiculed you, will come to admire you.
The effect of life in society is to complicate and confuse our existence, making us forget who we really are by causing us to become obsessed by what we are not. Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one’s definition of your life. Define it yourself. Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don’t let anything stand in the way of the light that shines through. Risk bring seen in all of your glory. If you are ever tempted to look for outside approval, realise that you have compromised your integrity.
If you need a witness, be your own. Listen to your heart more than the opinions of others. A decision made because of the opinions of others is one we often come to regret. Choose people who also respect you for who you are. Be aware of their activities to check whether they really intend to keep you in their lives.
I’ve learned that there’s nothing more consistent with unhappiness than spending your time in a way that does not serve who you really are. Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it’s better to be absolutely different than being absolutely boring.
Socrates said: “I would rather die having spoken in my manner than speak in your manner and live.” To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.
Remember: the definition of a free spirit is someone who lives by his or her own wishes and is unconstrained by society. The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage.
With permission from Azad Iqbal, Barrister from Lincoln’s Inn, London; he is a renowned Poet and an accomplished Musician.
Excellent article and very true and relevant to our current way of life. Thanks for sharing this deeply thought affirming post.
Found this article very meaningful, In a society often dictating paths, living life on your own terms can be challenging but being ‘brave is beautiful” and living life without society pressures and having the freedom to do what matters the most to you can be truly fulfilling
This reflection is deeply empowering and beautifully written. It captures the essence of individual freedom and the courage it takes to live with dignity.
The metaphor of the caged vs. free bird sets a strong emotional tone, and the message flows with a consistent reminder to trust oneself over societal pressures.
The references to thinkers of the calibre of Socrates enriches the narrative – grounding modern self-expression with timeless wisdom. It reads like a manifesto for self-assertion and inspired thinking, bold, and resonant. Thanks for publishing this message!