The right to be free and happy, but with courage

Hello Weekend Experiences,

This is my first participation in this Community that I have been observing for some time and I am very interested in what is being discussed here. They are very interesting topics that invite collective reflection, introspection and why not, to explore new paths in the field of creation.

Before I begin, I would like to thank @galenkp for this beautiful opportunity, and also apologize because I wanted to participate before, but life in a way kept me tied down. In other words, I lost certain freedoms.

You already know the topic I chose just by looking at the title of the post.

"The secret of happiness is freedom.... And the secret of freedom is courage." -Tucydides

I would like to debate a little with you, Mr Thucydides, I know that you come from far away and that in your main work, which deals with war, you address issues related to freedom, this being its cause and consequence, and furthermore you present it as an ethical dilemma. I understand that happiness and slavery do not go hand in hand, no sir. And I also understand that it takes courage to fight against those hands that oppress, wear down, that mutilate and annul. But you have come to our world today, with those premises, and not only do we have wars between countries, between families, we also fight many, many internal struggles and I would like us to talk about it.

I have to disagree with you, for example, because not necessarily the secret of happiness is freedom. Both are correlated to the values, beliefs and experiences of each of us.

I could be happy if I had the freedom to choose as I please, or simply because I believe I am capable of achieving whatever I set my mind to, or -perhaps- because I feel part of a universe where I achieve fulfilment by interacting with others, as I recognize myself with a heightened sense of belonging. I could also be happy because my whole life flows creatively and coherently around what I love to do, either while I work or while I delight in the countless pleasures that life puts within my reach. But another way to be happy could be to adapt to anything, without complaining, whether it's good or bad experiences. It's just a matter of accepting reality as it comes, being grateful and always looking for that positive side that life shows us with its imperfections.

How do I like it better? Well, now that you have made me think about it, Mr Thucydides, I feel that I am free to choose any of these variants or mix them a little. In fact, I think I not only mix a little, but the mix is quite potent here, as far as my life is concerned. Something is missing, I recognize it, in relation to the sense of belonging. But I believe that it is given by social and even political conditions, which have made me isolate myself, in a certain way, and I do not believe that isolation is a great solution, as I recognize that it does not bring me happiness either. Here, tacitly, there is a reason for sadness.

It is also a fact that the freedom to act and choose implies a high degree of responsibility because we will have to assume the consequences of what we do or what we decide. Many times I feel sad to choose and do things that do not bring the same happiness to others as they do to me.

So, I could say that I am somewhat happy, and sometimes I am not so happy. It all depends on how far I am able to assimilate reality and feel comfortable with it.

You see, Mr Thucydides, as I was saying, the secret of happiness is not necessarily freedom.

Courage, on the other hand, could be the secret of freedom. In my case, I had the courage to assume that my life would not be delimited by the designs of normality, in a difficult time. I was repudiated, ostracized, and stigmatized and even so, I went ahead, with many tears on my face and in my soul. But I proved that a human being is more than a sexual preference.

SCREENSHOT FROM MY INSTAGRAM PROFILE

Today I have the respect and admiration of those who rejected me because of false beliefs and social stigmas. This of course makes me very happy and although I was free from the moment I assumed myself, I loved myself, I committed myself, I expressed myself, I took care of myself, today I am more so. Today I am freer than yesterday. And I will continue to be free from the conviction that with courage, whatever the situation we have to face, we are infinite, unique and invincible.

I have courage, yes, but there are many things that bind me, both subjective and objective, and courage is not the only remedy to get rid of certain chains. If you have no possibilities or the possibilities are remote, one could say almost unattainable, then what do you do with so much courage? Only to accept with courage that you are bound. In other words, to accept and be free without being free. Metaphorically free? Philosophical questions, friend Thucydides. We have the right to be free and happy but with courage. Can I now call you a friend after so many words in this Hive blog?

I'm a bit sleepy now. I'm going to take the liberty of going to sleep, being happy because I have given this matter so much thought since yesterday and finally, I was able to concretize some ideas. Also, I have had the pleasure of chatting with an Athenian historian and military man, a time traveller. What courage you have, Thucydides! I admire you.

(You can still participate in this weekend initiative. There are several themes to choose from. Just follow this link for details)

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