Belonging, Loyalty, Freedom and Independence (Late I.P.) 566 words

Belonging, Loyalty, Freedom and Independence (Late I.P.)  566 Words

There are many definitions of all four words, but I have taken just one from each word for the purpose of this essay, if that is what it is.  So, these are just my thoughts on this week’s Inspiration Point.

Belonging is something almost everyone wants. It is a person looking out.  Not belonging is a person looking in from the outside. The word itself suggests its meaning as with most people there is a fundamental longing for acceptance.  We want to be part of our peer group looking out…If we are not part of the group then, we can feel isolated, inferior and depressed which in turn can make some people resentful to the extent that they want to damage the group that excludes them.

Loyalty is something we take for granted from our family, but also something we expect, sometimes mistakenly, from our friends.  A truly loyal friend will be there for you whenever you need support.  However, some friends who seem to be loyal are instead self-serving individuals following an agenda of their own.  These people are not to be confused with people we may regard as two-faced.  I think it is in the nature of humanity to be two faced.  I see nothing wrong with that as it is not necessarily malicious. I think it is a very rare person indeed who never says anything that could cause offence should the person in question overhear.          

The supposed friend who seems to be loyal is the one that makes a point of criticising you to all your mutual friends.  But always makes sure you are not within earshot when he or she does it.

Freedom is something else one takes for granted but, of course, there are many different kinds of freedom.  But the definition that concerns me here is not to be afraid of defying convention. It is the ability to tread one's chosen path and the opposite of this kind of freedom, for me, is being chained to convention.   My definition, although narrow, is a very liberating way of life.  However, it can be more difficult than it sounds because it can impact on the first subject of belonging.  But allowing oneself to be chained to convention is a very life limiting way of living.  Therefore, my conclusion is that one must walk a fine line where freedom is concerned.  Too much can have an impact on belonging, but too little impacts on one’s ability to enjoy life to the full.

Finally, we come to independence and as one grows older this, more often than not, can become more significant.  I think most people dread the thought of being dependent on someone else for their every day needs.   We cling to independence as if we were on a raft in a heavy swell.  It is something one holds onto long after a person has, in reality, become dependent.  It is when we say ‘It’s okay, I can manage.’ when it is obvious, we can’t.

So, these are my thoughts for this week’s Inspiration Point.  I haven’t gone into too much depth for any of the four words because I realize there are many different definitions, probably more important, than the ones I have chosen but what I have written is just my personal view of what these words mean to me.