The Breaker of Chains

“To see the world, things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.”

-          The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

There are some quotes, which the more you think about it, the more it affects the core of your life. They shake the very outlook you have on this world. They demand you to change your life forever. This, for me, was such a quote. And it’s from an awesome movie which is so close to my heart.

I always wanted to write a blog. It’s the laziness that has formed its deep roots in my veins that prevented me. This is my first attempt at trying to make a change, to break free.  And I begin by writing about the one thing millions have searched to find the meaning and purpose of, from the beginning of mankind - Life.

What is the purpose of my life? I haven’t found a better answer than the quote above. The dreams and ambitions of people vary. Some want fame, others money. Some choose service, others business. But all these are just means to live. You can live a rich life, a famous life, but is that the purpose? Why do you live?

Most people I've known are too busy even to think of such a question. People most often live about their lives in ways they are always expected to. It doesn't mean they never give a thought to such a question. It’s just that they have stopped caring. You study, you get a job, you earn money, you get married, and you raise a family. That’s the norm. Why?? That’s never asked. That’s ridiculous to ask, would say most. I find no fault in their outlooks. People are always the product of their societies. It’s the way people have lived over the years and the society expects you to continue living the same way. And it is the way you’ll most likely end up living.

There are indeed, people who think different. People who contemplate the nature of life they are living, people who want to change the usual ways. Education and media have empowered us to think better. In your early twenties, when you are getting matured, when you acquire knowledge that changes your views about life, you start thinking about what you want. You come up with all the glittering dreams of you travelling the world, meeting people. And then, the society intervenes. It’s like a machine that checks for imperfections. An imbalance in the system and everything comes with full force to role things back to order. You just can’t escape it.  Dreams are shattered. Maybe, it’s more like, dreams are neglected. Compromise is the word. You abide by the choices of your ‘well-wishers’.

Now the question arises. Is that how you really want to live? Without even realizing the very purpose you’re alive? I believe there is only one life. Even if there’s more, we can’t just be sure. So why not dare to live it the way we want to? Life is to excel in the way we go about living it. If you ask me what you think is the purpose of your life, I would say that it is to feel that sense of accomplishment you’ll have, when you finally do something you always dreamed of. It is to see, to know, to understand, and appreciate the beauty of the world we live in. To know the people and their cultures, to live in far off areas. To feel the love, the human connection. It is to live such a life, so that the day you die, you’ll not regret, you’ll feel blessed to have lived it.

And I believe it is possible. I see Instagram feeds filled with mesmerizing pics of the world, I see the lives of people who do just this. But in this society, can you really do it? Tough, but not impossible. There are chains tying you down to the ground. Chains that makes it impossible to fly. Dreams, shattered, lie all around us. Hopes, neglected, surround us.

Yet, the world is calling. Life is calling. How long can you ignore? The breaker of chains reside in every one of us. Bring him out. Dare to break free. Attain heights. We can’t keep being slaves to the system, the society. Let’s just change the society, give wings to dreams of future generations. Let us be the ones who lead the way. I believe the only ones whom we are responsible to, are our parents. And every parent wishes the good of their child.  So if we have it in us, the courage to tell them, to make them understand, we could really give them back what they gave us all these years. Just think about that visit to Venice with your parents. Tempting isn't it?

Life is short, yet it is the greatest possession we have. Think about your life, think about what you really want to achieve, and not just what you can achieve. Society might try to keep you behind fences, but think, do you live to prove anything to the society? It’s your life, and live it the way you want. Break free, live a rocking life.