Batanes Isles: The Day I Stripped

I would like to think that I was born free. I would like to think that I was made free. There is a scientific and a romantic illustration; and there is an evolution that only the heavens or the universe would know. For now, I would like to focus on freedom. And the feeling of being free.

Maybe, what caused me to even think of starting to scribble thoughts in my mind is the feeling of being prisoned by an indiscernible normality and scheme of things. When I felt that I can no longer move. That moment when I can no longer sense. Days when I am drowned with matters that I do not consider basic and important to even breathe a year longer. It is bizarre. But I am sure many experience the same way. And in times like this, I always imagine that hero in a movie who was riding a horse, ready to battle and shouted, “Freeeeeeee-doooom!”. Yes, Braveheart. I also picture myself riding a horse, by the chasm, viewing the sunrise in an island, and shouting the same word, “Free-dom!” Or another scene would be me, aboard a boat, in a vast open sea, with dolphins around, with not-so-big waves, and while approaching the island would yell, “Free-dom!” And another scene of me, on top of gorges, being swayed by really strong wind chills, and would dive from the cliff to a clear beach, uproaring “Free-dom!” Wherever you would like to visualize me in those scenes while I scream   “Free-dom” on top of my lungs, so be it.

It had been lingering in my dreams. So I set up myself. To be truly free. Even for a day. And one more. Or maybe two. Or three. Or less. It would be fine. It may have not been enough. But I did. 

In a not so abandoned shore, with some unique rock structure, in one of my favourite Philippine Islands, I stripped. 

I stripped all my senses. I stripped all the strain. I stripped all hassle that the scheme of the world has brought into my mind & heart. And my soul.

I undressed the imprisoned sentiment. I undressed the locked-up spirit. 

I exposed myself to the only hum I heard. I exposed myself to the wind, to the waves, and to the simplicity and magnificence of the wonders around me.

I uncovered the limpidness within me. I uncovered the vulnerability.

I revealed the gentle fierceness. I revealed the authenticity of my character.

I was naked. And I felt serenity. 

I was nude. And I felt pure. 

I was bare. And I felt beautiful.

I had nothing. And I felt freedom.