Freedom (II)

Free, yes I am, but with common sense,
Free, yes I am, but not stupid,
Free, yes I am, but so is my neighbor and thus we have to compromise,
Free, yes I am, but so are the other 7 billion human beings that populate this world and thus we have to respect and help each other,
Free, yes I am, but thanks to the precious gift of life my parents offered me and thus I have to honor them,
Free, yes I am, but so is my girlfriend and thus we have to pursue both our individual and common dreams together,
Free, yes I am, but so I want my children to be and thus I have to care for them and for the planet,
Free, yes I am, but still got to fight for it everyday,
Free, yes I am, but “to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others”,

Free, yes I am,
but with responsibility.


“I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom comes responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended.”
–Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela