august 17 is the day my nation celebrates its independence. these past two years it's been an especially memorable day for me. last year: merauke, papua. for one full day the whole city came out on the streets bedecked in liveries, celebrating under a hot sun with dust flying all around. this was after a night spent in remembrance of fallen heroes. who said they want independence and freedom from the ties that bind? no, they want to be free from the oppressors--military, robbers, the elites who squeeze their lifeblood. we long for the same thing.

this year i spent it at a flag-raising ceremony 10m underwater. in bali. it was dusty too, with sand being brought up and swished around. could hardly see the flag, but it was there like a magnet above us. here too are people who have broken off their old ties and are flying toward new possibilities.

everywhere i am reminded that we ourselves are responsible for breaking free those ties that bind. and celebrating in places where freedom is not taken for granted is awesome.