An Inherent Value

Source: V for Vendetta

       'Abstract liberty, like other mere abstractions, is not to be found.' – Edmund Burke

       There is, as ever there has been, too much darkness in this world of ours – too many threats for any one of us to face alone. So we learned, in time… To stand together, to fight side by side for what we have and what we crave.

       It would be safe to assume that recent advances in technology have contributed, at least to a certain extent, to such forms of societal development. Freedom – it has become an inseparable, fundamental value to us, essential to the way we view the world. We have grown to love the ease of communication with people from around the globe; the liberty to access and share the combined knowledge of our species is today at our finger tips. But we have grown accustomed to such comforts. And we have grown complacent.

       We assume that no one shall ever endeavour to deny us our freedom. We presume to believe that there are not those who would take our freedom – lock away both our distant brothers and sisters and the sum of human knowledge. Our knowledge. Do not forget, my dear, vociferous readers, that there will always be darkness in this world of ours. There are, as ever there shall be, people who crave, above all else, power and control over others – they would snatch away your freedom to see, hear and even think for yourself.

       And they will, if we allow them. But I choose to believe that together we shall keep that light of love, liberty, respect and that desire for knowledge we all possess. We shall keep it burning. We will stand together, as one, for what we have and what we crave.

       We shall face the darkness of this world. And prevail.

Onwards...

A Path to Inner Peace by InertiaK

‘Long you live and high you fly.

And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry,

And all you touch and all you see

Is all your life will ever be.’

              – Pink Floyd

       I know not a person who is unencumbered by a strange lack – by the odd sense that there is something missing in these lives we live. It is, perhaps, an inevitable consequence of the human condition… Maybe we are not meant to be completely satisfied. Maybe happiness is but a dream, an ephemeral vision of another world – both close to our grasp and irrevocably distant at the same time.

       Personally, I have come to see happiness as a state of the soul, rather than just the heart or the mind (as people so often endeavour to believe). There is something deeper about that feeling than we could explain through means of logic or emotion alone. It must reverberate within our souls; we must embrace it – lest it flee beyond our understanding once and for all.

       I know not a person who is truly content with his or her lot. It is within our nature – on a very basic, fundamental level – to strive, to endure, to persevere, to accomplish. This, I believe, has brought us to where we stand today. But it might just be our downfall… I wonder what happens when the process we have defined – the stairs we climb on the path to any kind of success – becomes devoid of meaning.

       I wonder what remains when there is nothing left to crave, no more dreams to follow. It should be rather interesting to discover what happens then, I think. Or perhaps not… It does sound like a lonely road, that one. And there is too much lost along the way.  

       It is much better to make your own way, I would say. And stride onwards with those who love you at your side.

And Another One...

       'Know how to live the time that is given you.' – Dario Fo

       It has been stated, perhaps far too often, that a new year will bring us new fortune. Whether it will be good or bad remains to be seen. What we may be certain of, as ever, is that another year has passed by…

       Time, with its flight through our clinging fingers, is an ever-present aspect of life – but it is also a fine companion. It reminds us of what is truly important, if only because it shall never let us forget our own mortality. Time, that subjective, deeply-ingrained habit that our species seems to have so much trouble shaking off, is our dearest friend in one very fundamental respect – it makes us cherish what little we have, it nags at our lonely souls to make us better.

       My dear, vociferous readers, I hope each and every one of you saw this New Year arrive while standing close to those you love the most. I hope you imprinted those joyous moments in your minds. They are our greatest treasures, I believe.

       For we are none of us infallible. And all we really have is the love of those who will stand by us, as we walk the winding paths of life.

       Happy New Year!