When we were in junior high school, our Chinese teacher asked us to keep excerpting quotes from famous people. On the first page of my excerpt, there are these two sentences -

Although I didn't really understand what love was when I was a teenager, I began to yearn for freedom from the bottom of my heart. Unwilling to be restrained or controlled, I feel like the most painful person in the world under the majesty of teachers and parents. I long to grow up quickly and live the life I want as soon as possible.

In my memory, I had two very intense conflicts with my parents.

The first time was to fill in the application form before the entrance examination.

At that time, I had no problem with my grades reaching the provincial key high schools. But when faced with which key high school to apply for, my parents and I had a disagreement. The district where our home is located has the best schools in the city. They think that I should be listed in No. 1 Middle School. It takes less than ten minutes to ride a bike. I can go home to eat every day and I know relatively more classmates.

And the high school affiliated to the Normal University that I long for spans the entire city. The school requires all students to live on campus, and I feel excited at the thought of living in a group. The Affiliated High School is adjacent to the Normal University, and the university is undoubtedly the biggest attraction for a prospective high school student.

During those days when dinner time came, we would start arguing, and no one could convince anyone. It wasn't until the last day to submit my application form that I made up my mind to apply to No. 1 Middle School. Although I was not convinced, I listened to what my parents said and comprehensively analyzed the suggestions from teachers and classmates. If you can spend less time on daily chores, you can devote yourself to studying better, and you can also go to and from school with your friends who are in the same school.

The second time was when I was about to graduate from college.

During the summer vacation after my sophomore year, I went to Beijing New Oriental to participate in IELTS training. At that time, I didn’t think about going abroad. I simply thought that studying IELTS could improve my English level. After the training, you can take the exam as a matter of course, and then return to school to continue your study life step by step. Regarding the future, I am confused. I don’t know what I really want and what is really suitable for me. The only thing I decided very clearly was that I didn’t want to go back to work in my father’s workplace, the place where I grew up.

On the eve of graduation, by chance, I came across an opportunity to study abroad. It happened to be my major and my IELTS score could also be used. I was ecstatic. The validity period of IELTS scores was approaching, as if this was the opportunity I had been waiting for. I went home excited, but what I got was all kinds of worries from my father. The prospect of going abroad in my imagination was bright, but in his eyes it was all darkness.

In the end, without the emotional and financial support of my parents, I had no choice but to compromise.

If you cannot become an independent person, how can you control your own destiny, and how can you pursue freedom?

In the last issue of "The Bizarre Conference", a rich second-generation man said when talking about his extremely controlling father, "The biggest trouble that being a rich second-generation person brings to me is that I have no sense of happiness. ." His father's request for him was just eight words: "You must be obedient and you must succeed."

After listening to his sharing, Gao Xiaosong talked about his feelings, "A person must have a consistent worldview. He cannot use the Western way when he wants freedom, and the Eastern way when he wants money. "Take it out."

How can your parents believe that you can do it while asking for money and freedom at the same time? Proving yourself with practical actions requires courage and time.

Looking back at my youth, I have no regrets. A young heart is always ready to do something, regardless of the consequences, regardless of winning or losing. Be grateful for every experience that makes you a better self. Although I am already thirty years old and have heavier responsibilities on my shoulders, I still breathe more free air than when I was young. Doing as you please is not freedom, but indulgence. To enjoy true inner freedom, one should have self-discipline.

Take control of yourself, freedom is in your hands!