Why Freedom is a Myth

I wrote this for something else, but I have't updated in a long time, so here you go. 

Liberty, equality and fraternity.  Perhaps one of the most famous phrases of our times, these ideals were to be granted to all in the Utopian world imagined by the French Revolutionaries.  Unfortunately, the world today is no utopia. Let’s take just the first of these great ideals for now-liberty. Freedom. Independence. We may have won the latter years ago, but mankind in general is yet to attain the former, at least according to me. Freedom is a wonderful ideal, but in the end, that’s all it is. An ideal. A myth. A dream. An unattainable dream. Having to finish that presentation for work when you don't really give a damn about what you're talking about. Having to study for that test tomorrow when all you want to do is sleep. Having to smile, and talk to that lady when you’re bored out of your mind. Having to choose a career, a stream of study, anything because that is what pays, and that is what “society” respects and expects. Having to think five times before buying that pretty diamond necklace. Having to pander to social mores when all you want to do is kick and scream and shout and scratch. Is this the liberty we all believe we have? Is this “the right and power to act, believe, or express oneself in a manner of one's own choosing", which is what thefreedictionary defines liberty as?  Is this freedom? To me, freedom is, more than anything, the gift of choice. The choice to do what you want, when you want and how you want; to live the way you want, and die the same way.  To not be tied down by responsibility, or work, or grades, or marks, or ties, or anything. To be free, of judgements and expectations; discontentment and distress; fear and facade. Unfortunately, that is, always has been and in all probability always will be, just a dream.

~Sam