Breaking Free from the Illusion
Turning 62 is more than a number; it's a powerful vantage point. Life now looks much different from where I stand, not because the world around me changed dramatically, but because I did. In a world driven by external validation, social media clout, and the accumulation of things, I've chosen another path—a quieter, freer, more meaningful path. One that reminds me daily that life, in its truest form, is not supposed to feel like a cage.
So many people live boxed in—not just physically but mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. They’re trapped in routines, expectations, and social constructs that feed off their energy and creativity. It’s not always visible, this cage. It can be as simple as obsessing over likes and followers, or as serious as being locked into a toxic job, relationship, or mindset. Most people think they’re free, but they’re not. They’re simply functioning within the confines of someone else’s design.
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that I was never materialistic, and I never sought fame for the sake of ego. Still, I achieved recognition and respect, not because I chased it, but because I focused on purpose and authenticity. That’s the irony—when you stop running after validation, it begins to find you.
Now, more than ever, my joy comes from simplicity. From walking when I want, resting when I please, creating without pressure, and flowing with nature. That is life. That is freedom. And I want to share this experience with those who may still feel trapped in their own invisible cages.
THE ENGINEERED WORLD: A Man-Made Maze of Dependency
The modern world we live in is largely artificial—an engineered system built on dependency. You need money to live. You work to get money. Then you spend that money on basic survival needs that nature once provided for free. Food, water, shelter—things that were once gifts from the Earth—have been commodified and taxed. And even after you've worked hard and paid for these things, you're still taxed again.
This isn’t natural. It’s a hamster wheel. And most of us are running hard just to stay in place.
While I’m still somewhat tethered to this system, I’m mostly out of it. Retirement brought a different type of clarity. But more than that, it was my decision to build a life outside the matrix. I built a three-story compound in the mountains of the Eastern Region of Ghana. Here, nature is abundant, time slows down, and the rat race feels like a distant dream.
I can walk outside and pick a mango or avocado, not because I bought it at a store, but because it grows on my land. I wake up when I feel like it. I sleep when I'm tired. I don't answer to a clock, a boss, or a system that values output over well-being. This is freedom. This is life beyond the cage.
SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE STATUS TRAP
Another layer of the cage is the obsession with social media. People crave fame, likes, followers, and status like it’s currency. But what are they really gaining? Often, it's validation from strangers while losing connection with themselves.
I’ve had popularity. I’ve had a platform. But I never craved the spotlight. Ironically, when you stop chasing attention and start living with intention, the world pays attention to you anyway. And even then, you realize that it doesn’t matter. What matters is peace. What matters is purpose.
So many are trapped by their own egos, addicted to being seen rather than being real. Life becomes a performance, a series of posts and updates curated for digital applause. But when the screen goes dark, many are left feeling empty.
THE POWER OF NATURE AND STILLNESS
Nature has become my sanctuary. In the mountains of West Africa, I’ve reconnected with something timeless and powerful. Here, life speaks a different language—one of stillness, of listening, of appreciation. The birds don’t compete. The trees don’t rush. Everything moves in its own divine rhythm.
When you live close to nature, you realize how unnatural most of our lives have become. We’re not designed to be in cubicles under fluorescent lights. We’re not meant to breathe recycled air or consume synthetic food. The body, mind, and spirit crave what is real, what is grounded, what is alive.
That’s why my creativity flows more freely now. I write, I speak, I create—not to meet deadlines, but to express what’s on my heart. I’m not bound by trends or expectations. My art is a reflection of my truth, and that truth is nurtured by the peace that only nature can provide.
ESCAPING THE CAGE: A CALL TO LIVE INTENTIONALLY
This life I now live wasn’t handed to me. I had to choose it. I had to break free from mental cages, societal pressures, and the illusion of success. I had to unlearn what I was taught about happiness and redefine what freedom looks like.
You may not be able to escape the system overnight, but you can start shifting your mindset today. Reevaluate what you truly value. Invest in experiences over things. Disconnect from what drains you and reconnect with what feeds your soul. Stop performing and start living.
Freedom begins in the mind. Once you realize that the cage was never locked, you begin to see the open door.
Living Life on My Own Terms
At 62, I feel more alive, more clear, and more centered than ever. I’ve realized that life is a sacred gift, not a prison sentence. It’s not about accumulating things or impressing others. It’s about waking up every day with peace in your heart, clarity in your mind, and joy in your spirit.
I don’t need external validation. I don’t need permission. I’ve built a life that reflects my values, honors my journey, and protects my freedom. And I want you to know that you can too.
Wherever you are in life, ask yourself: Is this freedom? Or is this survival? Are you living by design or by default? Are you chasing dreams or running from fears?
You deserve more than a cage. You deserve to walk in freedom, to live with purpose, to feel the wind on your face and the Earth beneath your feet without guilt or restriction.
Life is a gift. Don’t let the world convince you otherwise. And above all, never forget—you were born to be free.
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