Each morning on my way to work, the subway train I take passes by a prison. One morning, I saw how the prisoners were walking in a line up a flight of stairs. It looked so mechanical and it was obvious that it was a standard routine that they were familiar with doing. It truly looked like a line of robots.
My immediate thought was how sad it was to have to live life on autopilot. I then looked away from the window and looked at my fellow morning commuters and you know what? They were just a better dressed version of robots. No one looked full of life. It was as if they were on autopilot as well.
After seeing that, I felt sad. Prisoners go to prison (those who are truly guilty of committing crime) because they violated the law. Prison is a punishment. The concept is that if a person commits a crime, then he/she has to pay the price by being denied freedom. Living in a cell is definitely a loss of freedom.
Yet so many of us who are law abiding citizens are living our lives as if we were in prison. We live in fear and take jobs that we hate because we have to pay the bills. We stay in relationships that do not serve us because we are afraid of being alone. There is this silent belief that life is hard and although we may have dreams, they won’t come true because that is how life is supposed to be.
So we wake up each day and go through our routine because “that is just how it is”. How sad is that? Life is full of so many possibilities. We can look back through history and see how many defied the odds and made a difference. Christopher Columbus set sail and held the belief that the world was round even though no one shared his belief. Thomas Edison created the light bulb and tried so many times until it worked. Oprah Winfrey became a beloved talk show host although so many people thought she would not succeed. There are so many examples of people who went after their dreams and succeed. Yes, there are many who don’t succeed but at least they tried.
Life is precious. What a gift it is to be able to walk, talk, listen and think. The world is at your feet and ready for you to jump in. So why stand on the sidelines and watch the world go by? Freedom is a prized possession yet so many do not take advantage of it.
Break free from the chains that bind you and go live. Go express your joy whether it is cooking or knitting or whatever. Fulfill your responsibilities that you have but do so with love and joy. Life is not meant to be a prison or a form of punishment. Life is a gift so enjoy it! You do not know how much time you have left so why waste a second?
{ 38 comments }
Hi Nadia,
“Life is precious.” – after reading this, those three words gave me chills. Life IS precious, and what are we doing with ours? I choose to live. I wasn’t always there, and I think that there are days yet that this can be still difficult. On this journey I’m on, though, I’m learning just how important it is to listen to my heart, to be open to what it is saying, and to live life. Your words continue to speak deeply to me, thank you!
Lance’s most recent blog post..The Destination
Hi Lance,
We all have easy and rough days. I do not think anyone is immune to that reality. I do think we have the power to choose how we handle the reality that we are confronted with on a daily basis. There are chores that none of us love to do but we can learn to look at them with love or put a positive perspective to it.
Happy Lotus (I know – Nadia but I just love saying Happy Lotus!)
I lived too long feeling trapped. A lot of it had to do with worrying about what others think and expect (I suppose that boils down to insecurity). Now, I’m like a woman possessed. I can’t get enough of the joys of life. I loved reading this and I just know it’s going to touch loads of people to break the shackles. Enjoying life and following your dream is not selfish – it’s an obligation. Thank you Happy Lotus!
Paisley’s most recent blog post..Instinctive Words, a Painting, a Pawnbroker and an Invitation
Hi Paisley,
I am happy that you are happy! Woo hoo!!!! Good for you for breaking free, that is awesome!
Nadia,
I love how you turn what appear to be mundane life observations into valuable lessons. I think you’re 100% right. It’s easy to let your life slip away without paying attention. Life is precious and I don’t want to miss a moment in mindlessness.
Roger – A Content Life’s most recent blog post..Raising Sane Children
Hi Roger,
Have no worries. You will not be lost in mindlessness. Once a person becomes aware of being mindful, it changes their life, so you are going to be fine, my friend!
You’re absolutely right, Nadia. Truly free people are rare. It is part of our culture to be bound to a particular job, or a particular city. I think the worst belief is that life is supposed to be hard. I try and remember that everything I do, no matter how much of a sense of obligation I feel about it, is a choice. Good post Nadia, thanks.
David Cain’s most recent blog post..Get Up, Stand Up
Hi David,
I have always found it said when people say with conviction that life is hard. I think we have made it hard. It is heart breaking to know that so many people are so unhappy with their jobs and yet that dislike is considered normal. How messed up is that logic???? Unfortunately, truly free people are rare but I sincerely hope that it will be more common.
This is beautiful, and very inspiring, and I completely subscribe to this theory… but it’s easy for ME because I don’t have to work. I choose everything I do with my day, whether it is homeschooling my son, or working on my blog, or playing in the garden, or even shoveling cat crap out of the litter box! (Okay, maybe that last one is more of a duty than a choice, but I get to choose WHEN to do it.)
However, this sort of thinking absolutely tortures my husband who feels more like the prisoners than the people on the train, because he doesn’t feel he has much choice. He is the most adventurous, outdoorsy person I know, with a passion for all things natural and exciting… but he’s stuck at a desk job. The easy answer is: he should find something ELSE to do for a living; and it’s not that he hasn’t tried. But the reality is… unless he gets real lucky, or is extremely entrepreneurial, he’ll have a tough time paying our bills doing one of the things he loves. He could GET to that point… if I paid the bills in the meantime, but I don’t work. He feels trapped because he needs (and wants to) provide for us.
Granted, he makes the most of his weekends, and relishes every moment he gets to spend with us. But for at least 40 hours each week, he is essentially a prisoner “serving time” and waiting for a day when he can “break free.” He knows life is precious, and is tortured by the feeling that he is missing out on it and can’t do otherwise… not yet.
Lisis | Quest For Balance’s most recent blog post..10 Parenting Tips for Guaranteed Success
Hi Lisis,
My heart goes out to your husband. I know his pain because I have been there. It totally sucks when you feel trapped. For me, there reached a point where I just could not take it anymore so I quit. The cost of that choice was huge but eventually it paid off. Actually, your comment gave me idea for a post on this phase of my life and what I learned. Thank you for providing inspiration. I appreciate it!
Oh Nadia,
Must you speak to my heart so? When I am stuck here in the cold, gun-metal grey cubicle, wishing I had the courage to live free, imprisoned in my golden handcuffs of my own making?
Soon, I will escape my prison, and fly like my namesake brethren, soaring, gliding, diving, attacking other birds and stealing their nests…oh wait…probably not that last part
Jaybirds really are snotty little things, you know?
The still, small inner voice keeps telling me that if I leap, the net will appear, but the vocie of logic and reason tells me to formulate a plan and ease into the transistion. Perhaps if I build my courage slowly, then I will finally leave my perch and fly…
Jay Schryer’s most recent blog post..The First Swim of Summer
Hi Jay,
Don’t steal any nests!!!!!
I think when the time is right, a person knows when to make a change. I have done both (leaping and formulating a plan) and I can say that formulating a plan is far wiser and easier on the nerves. But what is even more important is listening to your heart as to when you should act. Fear kind of makes everything look all blury so when you come from a place of love, the picture becomes clearer.
I think we’ve observed the same thing. In the Corporate world, people are often treated like robots with no feeling nor special needs, no uniqueness or individuality at all. But it’s not that all these people want to remain like that, some really want to break free and are in the process of doing that. It’s just not an easy task, especially when the collective consciousness suppresses you into evolving into a unique person that does not conform anymore to what others consider as the norm.
Hi Jocelyn,
You raise an excellent point. I do think many people want to break free but they just do not how to do so. Fear is a very powerful motivator and people are more likely to give in to fear. Plus, as you said, the collective consciousness does suppress people so that they conform. Kind of sad.
This post really inspired me. Like so many of us, I feel like I just go through life, day by day, living it just because that’s what I do. I need to break free and grab life and live it! Thank you for this reminder. Now I feel really inspired!
Positively Present’s most recent blog post..unlock 10 ways to be more open
Hi P.P.!
Glad that you feel inspired. Go out and live your life to the fullest!
Reminds me of a saying, “the perfect slave believes he is free” … correlates nicely with your point about the robotic nature of our existence, and questioning “that’s just the way they’d have us believe it all to be” which includes, “working to pay the bills” ie the system that has been created not for our “freedom” but for giving thirty percent of our hard earned time for what? Better roads? Schools? Thank you for this blog as it is time for all of us to WAKE UP, and at least be aware of the answers and conclusions that are blatantly and imperceptibly given to us at almost every turn.
Hi Molly,
Thank you so much for the support and kind words.
I think we lose sight about what life is about because we are constantly worried about stuff. If people fully understood that life is not forever, I think they would change how they live. However, the weight of surviving sometimes is too much to bear and so people numb themselves in order to cope.
“Yet so many of us who are law abiding citizens are living our lives as if we were in prison. We live in fear and take jobs that we hate because we have to pay the bills. We stay in relationships that do not serve us because we are afraid of being alone. There is this silent belief that life is hard and although we may have dreams, they won’t come true because that is how life is supposed to be.” I used to my life this way, too, Nadia. And I know many people who still do. I feel very lucky because one day I did realize that this was not what I wanted any longer. While to some it seemed like a had a sudden realization, I had been on the path toward it for quite some time.
Living, truly living, takes courage and a willingness to take risks. I’ve met some wonderful risk takers in my life. But I think there are a lot of people also held back by fear. Fear is so crippling isn’t it?
Thank you for sharing yet another wonderful post.
p.s. There’s a little shout-out for you on my page today.
Chania Girl’s most recent blog post..I’m Not The Only Genius: What I’ve Learned From My First Month of Blogging
Hi Chania,
I did see the shout-out! Thank you so much! I really appreciate the mention.
As for what you wrote about fear, it is so true. Fear does cripple…that is its purpose and yet so many of us feel that fear is how life is supposed to be.
Ah, great post once again! I have felt this way so many times as I got off the subway on my way to work each morning here in Chicago. So many times, I watched my fellow passengers with their nervous, apprehensive energy. I was right there with them. I lost my job about a month ago and realize that, as much as I feared losing my job, it was a blessing. Things happen for a reason, I truly believe that.
The night before I got laid off, I met with a guy who works in the voiceover industry. Ten years ago, I had taken seminars in this area and dreamed of working in voiceovers. I put that dream down because it felt too risky and far-fetched to pursue. Today, I am again thinking about the dream that I once had. This time, this dream does not seem so far-fetched…it seems more crazy NOT to pursue this.
Tim’s most recent blog post..More Thoughts on "Like"
Hi Tim,
We used to live in Chicago. It is a great town except for the winter! Talk about cold weather.
I share your belief that things happen for a reason. Sometimes we have no idea why until much later. I also believe that we are given little signs and hunches but it is up to us to pursue them. Maybe meeting with that guy the night before you were laid off was a sign? I guess time will tell but I seriously hope that your dreams come true. I actually that is my wish for everyone along with great health and happiness.
My head said, You are a widow, you have two small children, you cannot quit your job. My heart said, You do not belong here, have no fear, the universe will support you, leave now.
I left. The universe supported my decision. A job opportunity opened up that allowed me to work from home online. The experience taught me how to trust my heart, the place of love, more than my head, the place of fear.
Brenda’s most recent blog post..Poor Kitty
Hi Brenda!
Thank you so much for sharing your story. What an inspiring story…good for you for listening to your heart!
Most of us live in our world of fear and sadness, and we don’t realize we have choice to get out. The ego will tell us that it’s scary to get out; ironically, it gives exactly what what it says we’ll get if we try to get out.
It’s wonderful that you portray this in your gentle and compassionate style. Keep spreading the optimism!
Kaushik’s most recent blog post..Over on…
Hi Kaushik,
Thank you for the support and enthusiasm. I really appreciate it.
The ego will do whatever it can to assert its control and the best way it can do that is by cultivating fear.
Nadia, your post encourages people to break out of the prison they create inside their own minds. The traditional senses and assumptions limit one’s experience. As aperson steps outside comfort zones, the world around you takes new shape. It is form and formless. It is more and less than you imagined.
Liara Covert’s most recent blog post..10 reasons to be grateful for difficulty
Hi Liara,
I loved how you used the phrase “prison they create inside their own minds” because that is so true. Limiting thoughts do create a prison. Also, I loved how you mentioned how the world around us is shaped by our thoughts.
Hi Nadia. I was feeling this way a couple of days ago and I don’t miss the morning commute at all. People are robotic, you’re right. I was realizing the other day that although I’m not working for anyone, as an entrepreneur, I still feel “trapped” by the reality that I “have” to earn money to pay rent and buy food — the simple necessities.
Trust in “the powers that be” is my challenge these days, as things don’t always click when you think they will and then you are surprised when they click in another way soon after. We don’t always have choice in what happens but we have choice in how we see it. That is what I’m being fed these days
Davina’s most recent blog post..Positively Breathing — A Series Intro
Hi Davina,
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with all of us.
Trusting in the “powers that be” is hard for all of us but in the end no matter what we do, life has a pace of its own. We just need to go with the flow which makes the whole experience much more fun. We can choose to resist or we can choose to go with the flow and surrender. For me, I just give each situation my absolute best and surrender the outcome. That way my conscience is at peace because I did my best. That is the choice I made.
Wonderful post, Nadia! I wish I could urge your readers to get coaches – take advantage of free sessions, get together and hire a coach in a group. It really doesn’t have to be like this, not even in these terrifying financial times. If we connect what we’re doing to our deepest values, like knowing we’re loving our families enough to do that daily commute, then we can feel grateful we still have jobs. My husband – in a Monday to Friday office job – liked the film ‘The Pursuit of Happyness’.
There are many ways of having a dream life and they don’t all involve giving up the day job.
I had an emergency operation to remove a tumour after being exposed to rainclouds after Chernobyl. I was told my voice would probably never be the same, even if the operation was a succeess. Thousands of miles away from my parents, and just as far from my loved ones in Greece. The only person I had with me was the man who would one day become my husband. I asked him to bring me writing paper. And I wrote.
Since the moment I realised I would live and be fine, I’ve tried to avoid anything that would make me feel like a prisoner. I’ve never done this before in a comment, and I know today’s commenters may not be back to read this thread, but please could you share this link, Nadia.
http://sharingthejourney.co.uk/coaching_moments/loving-letters/
janice’s most recent blog post..Finding Your Voice in the Silence
Hi Janice,
You never have to ask me if you can share a link!
For those who are reading this comment, please check out Janice’s link. It is to a beautiful post. All of her posts are like songs so I strongly recommend everyone to head on over to her site.
Thank you also for sharing with all of us your experience due to the rainclouds after Chernobyl. I know that must have been hard. I am happy that you were able to find meaning in the experience. I agree so much with you about being able to have a dream life even if you have to stay at the day job. I am planning a post on that very topic because I think it is important for people to realize that your dream life will not magically appear at your doorstep but you have to do your part to create it. Thank you so much for stating this fact!
Interesting article and just as interesting comment thread! Your pieces are so consistently varied and GOOD!
I didn’t know much about chakras at all until someone -over the phone- told me I had big problems, blockages, whatever, with my throat chakra. Spookily, I’d just bought a chrysocolla stone, been drawn to it.
janice’s most recent blog post..Finding Your Voice in the Silence
Hi Janice,
Thank you for the compliment!
Years ago when I was in the midst of a very tough time in my life, I went to a lecture of someone who could read people’s chakras. Part of the lecture was that she would read each one of the participants. So when it was my turn, she told me that I had a blockage right in the center and which was so true because I was struggling with my sense of identity at the time. I have heard crystals are powerful too but I do not know much about those but I have heard some amazing stories.
Nadia,
This article is just awesome. I love the way you arrive at your conclusions from ordinary day-to-day life. Keep up the good work!!
Hi Alotus!
Welcome to Happy Lotus! Thank you so much for all the kind words.
I’m a little late to the party but just wanted to tell you how much I loved this post. I’m dreaming of a world where we all throw off our chains and really live!
Ian | Quantum Learning’s most recent blog post..Falling in love does not make you telepathic
Hi Ian!
It is never too late to post a comment. I am with you on having the wish for living in a world where everyone is free and truly lives!
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