When I look at the world around me,

I see a world full of restraints;

restraints placed on me by my parents,

restraints placed on me by the law,

restraints from finances,

restraints from my boss,

restraints from my college professor,

restraints from society as a whole,

restraints from life's circumstances.

But when I look at a sheet of paper,

I see a world of possibilities

where my thoughts

and the thoughts of those greater than me

can be heard and interpreted,

can enter a door through which thoughts are turned to actions,

and can thrive in God's creative flow.

My words and opinions are always banging at my brain to come out,

and like them, I long for freedom.

So much so that when it comes the day

that my voice be heard

I pray that with it the world and the world around me

be renewed with compassion and encouragement,

while we bask in His eternal glory.