I didn't "get free" until "I gave up"

Goodnight, Good Morning, Good Day,

"Your lives are so incomplete, and nothing, and no one, can replace it" -Lauryn Hill

  The first time I heard this I was 16 and had not a clue what she was taking about. I thought... maybe Lauryn Hill has really gone crazy, why else would an artist retire at the peak of their career... abruptly after releasing arguably the best album of the decade?  Why would anyone in their "right" mind say audios to a music career so profitable, so prolific, so promising? (The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was nominated for 10 Grammy's, won 5... Sold over 423,000 copies in its first week, 18million over the next decade)

  After 8 years of extensive research I can finally say I've discovered the answer. I tried to live up to a life   that society created. I cared more about what others expected rather than following my own passions. I feared being myself and tried considerably to fit the norm. I cared more about what people thought about me more than who I actually was. All of these fears repressed my spirit and made me chase material, women and fame for security. I didn't "get free" until I "gave up".

 "Your lives are so incomplete, and nothing, and no one, can replace it"

    Lauryn was done living the life society had expected. Miss Hill had created a persona. A persona that she felt was keeping her hostage and not allowing her to be who she really was. She had grown tired of being a slave to the music industry, her passion became her burden. Lauryn had been living a facade and needed time to grow, to flourish and be alive. 

  The same battle Miss Hill started almost 10 years ago is the same battle we fight on a daily basis. Waking up each morning feeling drained and tired. Working to acquire "security blankets". Creating persona's of the perfect your name here.Trying to live up to the life others have created for us...their vision and dreams for what they believe we should be. Nothing allowing our passion to grow, flourish and live. We ourselves allow these chains of expectations to be placed upon us. Afraid to face reality and be ourselves. Afraid to seem human and make mistakes. Afraid to substitute happiness for wealth.

  Let this morning, noon or night be the moment  you "get free" as Lauryn did, as I did, and as many others will. You are the only ones who can complete your life. I did it by repenting, (Giving up) my insecurities and worries to God. Whether you believe in a higher power or not... no money, material or person can set you free.  You must do it yourself. You must stop measuring yourself , stop comparing yourself, stop trying to fit into a standard. You are the standard. Life is supposed to be a pleasurable experience; not a torment. Sit down and clear your mind, take time out to discover how you can "Live" each day. Stop fronting. Accept  your reality and "get free".

"The real you is better than the fake someone else" -Lauryn Hill

Reality is Life As We Know It...