To Be Free

by Cynical

An Odd Feeling

To Be Free
By M3lancholy

An Odd Feeling

It's an odd feeling, to think and to wonder.
It's a strange sensation to describe or perceive
And an exceptional experience with no substitute.

My name is Luna, the alicorn of the night. You've probably heard of me, I can see the look on your face… just, hear me out, ok? I'd like to tell you a story of sorts… it might make things clearer, or just obscure my true meaning, I'll let you decide.

Like it or not, we are all bound by chains.

Some are bound by chains of gold-ish.
Most are bound by the atmosphere and the absence of air.
And all are bound by the flesh, the heart and the body.

We go along our lives within these constraints and think nothing of it, we aim to improve our 'wriggle' room perhaps, or to remove a few lesser chains from our spirits, but none of that matters in the end. None of it matters when the pony trying to break the lock is attempting to fit a key into a hidden orifice.

No, but it does matter when we sleep, when we raise our minds and let them roam unchecked through our hopes, our dreams and desires…

We dream up fantasies and wondrous inventions.
We dream foreign landscapes we could never hope to see.
Of creatures only one could hope to meet.
And of lies and truths that are inconsequential to everything.

That is why we must focus on our dreams, so that we never lose sight of our hopes , so that we may never forget what it was that we originally set out to do, whether it was to change the world, or to change a life. It is important we always remember where we started and why.

But, my Child, there are chains there too.
Formed by our life around us and the culture we prize above all else.
For imagination will always ground itself in small realities.

Gravity will still prevail in a plane of no up or down.
Water will still flow to a clocks tick and tock.
And we will always cap ourselves at the height of the conceivable.

This is why we must strive to imagine, to perceive and to observe. To look at the world and shape it as your own, for this is truly the only way we can ever make the world a better place, by letting the pony who knows what is broken, fix it. Indeed, neither myself nor my sister, wrought any change. Never doubt, my Child, that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has.

But I haven't finished, there's still more.
I'd like you to imagine.

I'd like you to imagine with no boundaries and no constraints.
With no themes to base an idea from or thoughts to borrow.

What do you see?

If you don't see anything, don't worry, that's normal. Imagining the inconceivable takes some considerable skill and mental fortitude. But by now you are probably wondering why I would ask you to imagine an impossible scene? What good could come of dreaming a pipe dream?

Only a vision.
A vision of enhancement and progress. A dream within a dream if you will.
What happens when you dream of a dream?
You dream a dream.

You dream a dream for tomorrow, or the day after, or maybe ten years hence.
But you still dream the impossible and you still remember that you must do the things you think you cannot.
Fulfilling ones dreams is one of the true worthwhile activities that anyone, be they pony, griffin or snapdragon, can hope to achieve. It may take them a lifetime to reach their dreams, but in the end, they will.

But until then, they will dream each night, of a freedom to be, then wake up in the morning and work towards a future they saw.

That may not seem like much of a story from a Princess, I admit, but listen to what I have told you and learn from what I preach. There may never be another dream to follow and some ponies may never realise their own.
That is one of the few scenarios in which I weep for a lost future.

I'd like you to remember a few things from our talk, just a few tips and a few pointers.
Freedom is an illusion, we are never truly free from the constraints of the mind or soul, just as we are never free from our flesh until we pass our last breath.
Our dreams can hold our darkest fears or our long-lost hopes, just make sure you remember which one you aim to beat.
Everyone has their own dreams, the trick is finding a pony with a similar one to your own.

It’s a constant debate when you realise it. When you realise just what it means to be free and why you are not free. I think that that is one of the reasons why ponies rarely dream freely… because the chains of reality have taken effect and held them there, under their exertion.

Being free is more than just being allowed to do what you want and to make your own choices. Being free is being able to choose between what you want, and what can be. Being free is being able to dream the impossible, the illogical and the improbable with no repercussions. In short, being free is being able to live a life where you make your own choices from the choices you set, being able to keep to your choices and follow your dreams with someone to stand by you… in short, being free is being who you are.

Before I go and leave you to what remains of your slumber, I'd like to say thank you for listening to me, and to leave you with a final thought… a parting gift from me.
We are only ever truly free, when we stop imagining the reasons why, and instead wonder, why not?

Author's Note:

This is another introspective look at freedom and the chains that bind us.

There are two quotes that I borrowed and one slightly obscure reference at the start.

See how many you can spot.

~M3lancholy

Comments

[DoomPie]

Omg what? Mind blown. I can't think straight. To much complicated philosophy. Good job, you made my brain derp.

[Cynical]

2071983
*Mission Accomplished*

What can I say, I like my philosophy...
You should be glad that I didn't break out my symbolism card like in Stormy Nights and Cloudy Days
:)

[DoomPie]

Symbolism? My you are a fancy writer I shall have to follow you. It's a shame that this doesn't have more attention :/ I guess that's what happens when you don't have a thumbnail. Although reading this made me uncomfortable, it's very densely well written. Pretty much any quote from this story could be in a book labeled great quotes. I'm off to find your symbolism fic. Literary tactics are almost unheard of in fan fics so I'm impressed that you used them.

[Cynical]

2072251
Thanks for the compliment :)

A few other things, I was listening to a mix of Blur: Think Tank, and David Housden: Thomas Was Alone, whilst making this at 6 AM for an hour straight.

Also, anyone know what the references are yet?

[Sunken EldritchSpires]

" that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has."

Got one :P

Anyway I liked that, made me thoughtful and I think I can understand from where Luna is arguing from. Ah delicious philosophy.

[Cynical]

2115906
That one was the most obvious, yes. I messed with the other two slightly.

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.

~Margaret Mead

Current philosophical topic for me is perspective...
Fun times.

[ThunderChaserCreate]

Overall, excellent! I think that the only problem you're having is switching between formal and informal writing styles. 'Gold-ish' and 'just, hear me out, ok?' don't fit with the rest of the mood. A slight tweak, and it'll be perfect!

[Cynical]

2425835

I suppose it depends how you picture her saying the words, admittedly the latter is slightly awkward, but the former is sufficiently weighty if you picture how she says this and with the significance behind it.

[ThunderChaserCreate]

2425972
Hmmm... I suppose you're right. WE-- ahem. I am sorry for the misunderstanding. Still, maybe 'seemingly gold' would have the same impact, with a better fit to the story/poemy thing... I don't know what I should call it...

[Cynical]

2425977

Thing suffices I think.

[ThunderChaserCreate]

2426039

That would imply that I have no appreciation for literature. I'll call it a 'piece.'