"True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right." - Brigham Young

I find this quote intriguing. While we managed to take our so called freedom 71 years ago, we clearly have not done a great job keeping it. If you're Indonesian, or familiar with what is happening in my country, you would not need anymore explanations. For the sake of those who aren't, google the keywords: corruption, education, healthcare; and you will find heartbreaking statistics and numbers that belong to this independent country. Yes we are independent, but we are not where we are supposed to be.

If doing right is the main component that keeps independence and freedom alive, then we are very much applying it in a different context. The fact is, everyone is trying do what's right for themselves. For example, the government is doing what they think is right for themselves by taking as much money from the people. While they are doing that, the educated are doing what they think is right only for their next of kin, leaving the uneducated remain never-educated. 

I don't think that the same context is what Brigham Young was trying to communicate in that quote. I believe he was talking about doing right for the greater good. The fight for independence was won because the whole country was fighting for one purpose: freedom. Today, it seems that everyone is fighting for their own agenda, let it be family comfort or even individualistic plans. Who would even have the time to think, or care enough, about what's right for the country?
True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_independence.htmlT
True independence and freedom can only exist in doing what's right.
Read more at: http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_independence.html
Those few first paragraphs seemed to be so pessimistic. That is totally how I felt before my hike to the summit of Rinjani. In case you missed my Instagram post, I had the privilege to celebrate Indonesia's 71st independence day on the summit of Mount Rinjani with @lintang.indonesia.

As I reached the summit of Rinjani a few minutes before the sunrise, locals were singing national songs with pride bigger than Victoria Secret's models walking on the runway. This is pretty much how it looked at the top of Mt. Rinjani. It nearly made me cry.
If you are looking forward for a comprehensive post about Rinjani, you could come back again next week. This week, I am addressing something even more important than the journey itself, which is hope. 

Hope is what keeps me positive for a better Indonesia. Indonesians are too nationalists and too hopeful to be stuck in the present. On the summit of Rinjani, I saw Indonesians whose pride and love of their country triumphs above existing situations and conditions, no matter how terrible they are.

Indonesians, keep on hoping for a better future and stay as a prideful nationalist. We might not have the smartest people, nor the biggest resources, but our spirit will change the country day by day. Keep on singing our anthem loud and proud, as if freedom is what we just won yesterday.
Sincerely, your proud Indonesian travel blogger.

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