Freedom..

"Man is free at the moment he wishes [chooses] to be." — Voltaire

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I was flipping through the TV channels the other day and came across an episode of America's Next Top Model. Now, I have never been a big fan of the show, or watched it on a regular basis, but usually it was the only thing to watch on days where I would stay home sick from school, or there would be special marathons so I would watch it from time to time. For all the trashy "reality" shows that are on now-a-days I don't find this one to be quite as bad in most aspects.

So let me preface a little; this particular episode was the first episode of this particular season after the contestants were narrowed down to 14, and thus began challenges and photo shoots. Well, the photo shoot for this episode had to do with bullying. Specifically it was a focus on and aiming to target bullying within schools and that bullying is the number one leading cause of suicide among America's teens and young adults. The task for this photo shoot was for each girl to pick out a word or name that they were bullied by when they were younger, bringing back painful memories of when they were bullied and teased and you saw a lot of raw emotion and left over pain from someones childhood. However, with the choice of these bullying words, the girls also had to find their "strong word" - or the contrast to a word which pained them for years

The thing is, most people, even those who bully others, have at some point been hurt or bullied by other's words and actions. What gets me is especially when those who have felt such pain and know what it's like still turn around and will bully others or try to tear people down. How does someone know and have lived with such raw emotional pain sometimes taking a physical effect or toll on them and then turn around and do that to others? Do they not remember how much it hurt them, and if so then why would you ever wish such pain to be inflicted on someone else? I saw on a friend's profile the other day: "If people are trying to bring you down, that only means that you are above them." - LOVE IT.

Everyone always tries to say how if someone is making fun of you, or picking on you, or being mean/hating/disliking you for no apparent reason, [[especially when they can't even give a reason for such deep rooted hate when someone asks specifically what your issue with them is]] that is is a result of jealousy. While I don't think that "jealousy" is the most correct term I do agree with the quote that the reason they do such things is because they are unhappy in their own lives, and they see you rise above them, above their hate and cruelty towards your or others and so they try to disguise it in whichever way they can.

I have been thankful and appreciative that I was blessed with discernment and the ability to see through people's facades. It has helped me out much and even if I didn't pick up on anything right away after the fact I have always realized why I carried and funny feeling with me through a relationship or experience...

..but back to where I was heading with the bulling words and then the alternate positive word these aspiring models were asked to choose - - one of the positive word chosen by a specific individual was: FREE.

In terms of bullying or even life in general how liberating is such a word? We live in America where "freedom" is what we advertise - but being free is so much more than that. To have the freedom to be yourself without reservation, and to be free from the worlds hatred and those who spend the majority of their free time and lives trying to degrade you, or harm you whether it be emotionally or physically.

Being FREE in yourself and knowing that you are so much more than what others might think or say about you is such closure when you feel you've hit nothing but defeat your entire life...Most recently in my life have I finally felt like I am free to be me; and free to go where God has destined me to go. I have been granted such peace and assurance in my own personal freedom lately and it is truly inspiring. I hope that everyone - someday will be able to be free in their own way and experience the joy which comes with it! I am so glad to finally be free...

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GO & BE FREE