Liberating the captive by Livy

Liberating the captive by Livy

The struggle for freedom begins with the earnest realization of being a captive, in bondage. Such knowledge can be spontaneous or otherwise but its effect like a creative force comes with lots of impact, bringing about a total turn around.

When we become dissatisfied with the status quo, we see the urgent need to free ourselves and fly, and at such moment, we can go out to pay the price for freedom regardless of the cost. When we see problems that we are much concerned about, we can task ourselves to proffer lasting solutions. When we discover a need, we should endeavour to fulfill it – and good enough there is no challenge we cannot overcome if we choose to!

There is no gainsaying the fact that problem is part of the living process thus pains remain integral parts of gains. But today, more than ever before in the annals of our individual and corporate existence, it looks as if the world, our world, is faced with legions of problems, troubles – both natural and man-made – that require urgent attention else they degenerate to more disastrous, lethal conditions. To remedy the situations, there is need to do ordinary things even extra-ordinarily. There is need to think out of the box and even go the extra-mile. To remain afloat amid the tides, we must search for pearls in the pains. We must look straight to the stars to gather momentum to strengthen us for real exploit.

It has been said that every problem has its own seed of solution; and to every disadvantage, there is a corresponding advantage – and this maxim is true because there is always a day after the night. There is light at the end of the tunnel. There is also ability in disability for everyone that listens to the silent voice of greatness. Rise up and demand, claim that which is yours. Pay the price for that great prize – and now!

Though it is not good to stop a war with another war but someone rightly asked, “…how do we stop a despot?” How best can we stop our pains without addressing the sources and remedy the cause? Can we be truly free without a fight? “You wanna fly,” asked Toni Morrison, “you got to give up the shit that weighs you down.”

Through countless acts of courage, we have to make our society, our world, great and peaceful. And to do this, we must disabuse our minds with such assertions that change is never easy and never quick for whatsoever we can conceive, we can achieve and in time. We should rather live with the mindset that sees solution to every problem and be out to get the best from every circumstance even if at exorbitant cost but through competing productive ideas that break down barriers for worthy breakthroughs.

Take the risk and break forth. Embrace your fears and demystify that mystery. Become too dangerous in your danger zone because according to Robert Frost, “Freedom lies in being bold” so be bold and demand all that belong to you. Refuse to be intimidated in pursuit of your rights. Don’t allow the fear of death make you have a life of misery. The bitter truth is that we live to die, and funny enough every passing second takes us closer to the grave so knowingly or unknowing, we gradually but constantly approach our exit point!

It was Robert Ingersoll who said, “What light is to the eyes, what air is to the lungs, what love is to the heart, liberty is to the soul of man.” However, like power that is fought for through intrigues and sagacity, freedom is never given; it is won. Liberty comes at a price. Little wonder Nelson Mandela said, “There is no easy walk to freedom anywhere, and many of us will have to pass through the valley of the shadow of death again and again before we reach the mountaintop of our desires.”

To make maximum use of our time, we should be free in our souls and make fidelity our watchword. We must relate with people in such ways that inspire, encourage and support others that they realize their potentials and bring out the best in them. We must work in such ways that beautify the world and make it a better place where through unconditional love that resists every form of injustice we feed the flame of optimism and ingenuity to appreciate our differences and respect one another.

If we resolve to make our world great and take it upon ourselves to do it, there is nothing we cannot achieve. If we set out to re-orientate ourselves and redirect our priority as a people, there is no limit to where we can go and what we can do especially when we reform our mindsets, converge divergent thoughts, views for uniformity of purpose and then pull resources together for efficient output.

With a reformed mindset devoid of fear and prejudice, we can rise up and challenge every bad system including bad policies and misrule. When we are free and know the beauty of freedom, we can go out to demand and build a free society for all that no one will be a captive, living in bondage. But to do this, we must be ready to make life miserable for anyone that abuse the act of living – and now is the time.

-Elcon Emereonye