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eternally_singing
Member
since 2007-12-18
Posts 123
PA, United States

0 posted 2008-05-13 09:32 PM



Janis Joplin claims that “Freedom’s just another word for nothing left to lose” but is that really true? Is not freedom the foundation of the American dream, a dream of equality of justice, a dream for which thousands have died? However, what drives the fight for freedom? What are the building blocks of the desire to improve life? Hope. Hope can make anything possible because it gives one the strength and motive to move forward; to improve.

Without hope one cannot act, without action one cannot succeed, so one must start at the source. The source of freedom, of success, is hope, a wish or a desire for something and a belief it is possible. Derived from the Old English word hopian, hope contains the associated translations of to "wish, expect, look forward (to something)," and "leaping in expectation." Hope is the leap in expectation to a better existence. It is necessary for the ‘leap in expectation’ so one may realize his or her due in life, otherwise one will forever wade in a mire of misery, always maintaining the status quo, never wishing for more. Leap to a mind set where the impossible is possible, the unquestionable is questioned, and the inevitable is avoidable for there the seeds of freedom are sown, watered and fed by imagination, passion, bitter tears and bloodshed. From where did the idea of free speech arise, of free religion, of human equality? Those concepts arose from hope, the leap in expectation.

Furthermore, humanity’s ability to hope is inviolable. Hope is deeply entrenched in the very essence of human nature. Even the most broken of souls possess the freedom to hope, the freedom to hope for a better life, or at the very least, escape. When it appears as if nothing remains, hope surfaces and keeps one moving, aiming for a distant goal. American history illustrates the power of hope. Beaten down under heavy taxes and unfair treatment, hope arose, strengthening into a desire of freedom. The desire for self representation led to death and hardship but still the hope of freedom persevered until freedom as a new country was achieved. Hope continued to arise in the hearts and minds of individual races and genders until they clamored for justice, for equality. Measure by measure, hope beats out a tune of freedom, a battle tune leading an army to advance. Hope leads on, surrounded by its companions Action, Determination and even Sorrow because without sorrow and misery, there is no need for hope.

In and of itself, hope creates a unique and monumental freedom which every individual possesses; the freedom to hope. The freedom to hope for a life of equality, a life where no one is afraid to speak his or her mind, the hope to live a life without fear of persecution; in other words, a life where the once impossible is now possible. However, this life has not yet been reached but the freedom to hope for such a life does exist and it is powerful and earth-shaking. It causes humanity to change to meet the demands of hope, even at the horrible cost of lives. Terrible and life saving, hope creates strength and determination from the burning tears, sweat and blood of the people. Though sometimes hope is borne of laughter and joy, lightening the burden of achieving one’s goal. Born from despair or from laughter, hope resides in every person and it gives them the power to move forward.

Thus, hope, the unbreakable right of human nature, is the building block of freedom, for without hope, the desire for the betterment of life would not exist. Hope is the foundation of action, of success and of freedom. Hope, the last gift out of Pandora’s Box, is needed to rebuild the prison in which life’s miseries may stay for nothing else is strong enough to challenge them. Why else would hope be in Pandora’s Box if not for the express purpose to counteract the miseries of the world?

© Copyright 2008 Caroline G. - All Rights Reserved
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