freedoms

A quote I read on another friend's blog (thanks for sharing this, DLee):

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” -Mark Twain

My ability to chase after my wildest dreams has been afforded by my hard-working, self-sacrificing parents who have continually denied themselves to provide me and my brother with the freedom to pursue opportunities. My ambitious nature stems from a v. pure (some people call it naive) understanding that everything and anything is possible. It has been afforded by and in a country whose citizens fought damn hard to make sure freedom is a fundamental, irrevocable right for everyone. And oppression & repression is not a thing-of-the-past only to be found in our history books: institutionalized poverty, racism, genocide, classism, ageism, sexism - all that still exist (sigh) in obvious and not so obvious places. Though this deeply saddens me every stinkin' day of my life, I continue on with the knowledge and excitement that true freedom (and justice) lies at the end of our road.

Exploring, dreaming, and discovering. Freedoms. Thanks, America.
Happy and safe 4th!