FREEDOM AIN'T YOUR MOTHER!

Ignorance is bliss, until the point where folly starts to make failure fonder to your life’s door. At that point in time, growth is necessary, and the helm of principles, beliefs and routine, that once clothed you have to be tailored into much larger garments, with an optimism that you would one day fit into them; maturity.


When that time comes, dear toddlers, an abstract gift shall be handed unto you. Be it from your parent, guardian, mentor or teacher; that would be immaterial. Most importantly, it shall be entrusted unto you in its entirety. It shall not be your first encounter with it, since as from your infancy it was handed to you, but in wieldy doses.


Compelled to say, I’d remind you of the first time your loving mum, kicked you out of her matrimonial bed into your own crib, then later on into your own bedroom. The other time it was your father refusing to hold your hand while you paced along the streets and sooner you were left to use the tissue on your own, whether for crayon painting or the liberal act of self-cleansing, only you can tell. Then you could do your laundry, respond to stimulus as hunger and treat your tummy to satisfaction. Those were just small doses of what is conventionally referred to as Freedom.


Yes, it was handed over to you in bits and at the most trivial of level, such as personal hygiene where it was all up to you whether you picked your nose or resorted to be a lady or gentleman and use your handkerchief. Now, the time will come, and maybe it has; when the full dose of Freedom will be left all to you. You will be the judge, jury and execution of thineself. Your word will be final unto yourself, and yet you could prosecute it at your own convenience.


Your principles would become your principalities and when need be out of laze, lax and discomfort, you could bend the rules as you please; just for self-amusement. At that time, dear kid, watch out because the hedge that once protected you known as ignorance or innocence shall be long gone. This Freedom that shall be given unto you, could be a spring board to a well formulated facet of life known as adulthood or a twisted ordeal or misoccurences that spirals you into cycles of stagnation, defeat and frustration.


Let it be known to you that in as much as you are your own guardian, you do not belong to yourself. And if in your stupor you embrace Freedom, in her wholesomeness, including her nix, she will destroy you. Do not despise her, you need her to grow and make informed mature choices. However, make an acquaintance with her, then feel free to serve her with a long wooden spoon. Do not let her interfere with the morals you were taught when still young. As a matter of fact, only use her if you need to.


Make her an asset not a dependency. Create a rapport with her but don’t let it get into familiarity. When she visits, let her in through the front door, don’t let her get to your kitchen, I am so suspicious of her, she may poison your food. She may smile at you with a variety of many options, some of which you may escape the consequences, but I warn thee dear toddler, she does not care about your well-being. Freedom is not your mother.