My parents split when I was one-year old and I haven't lived with

O seeker of wisdom, hear the words of Antara Mali, for they speak to the delicate and often painful nature of family and independence. "My parents split when I was one-year old and I haven't lived with my father since. He is a creative spirit and has always cherished his independence." In these words, Mali unveils the truth of her early years, a truth that is both common and deeply personal. The rift between parents—the division of family—is one that can mark the soul, yet in this fracture, there can also be the seed of great strength. For in her father's pursuit of independence, and in the distance that grew between them, Mali found a reflection of both the challenges and the power of embracing one's true nature.

The split of parents is a hardship that many face, and it leaves behind a complex legacy. For the child, it can bring confusion, longing, and a sense of abandonment. Yet, there is often a deeper truth hidden within this hardship. In the separation from her father, Mali came to understand the independence that was both a gift and a burden. Her father, a creative spirit, chose his own path, one not bound by the constraints of conventional life or the expectations of others. This independence shaped his world, even as it created distance between him and those he loved. In this, we see the tension that often arises between creativity and connection—the pull to follow one’s own path and the sacrifices that come with it.

Consider, O wise one, the story of Vincent van Gogh, whose brilliance as an artist was matched only by the depth of his personal struggles. Van Gogh, like Mali's father, was a creative spirit, a man driven by an inner vision that consumed him entirely. Yet, his independence—his refusal to conform to society’s expectations—led him to a life of isolation, both from the world and from his family. His bond with his brother, Theo, was deep, but the rift between Vincent and the world grew ever wider as his creative spirit took precedence over all else. Van Gogh’s life reminds us of the price that often accompanies the pursuit of artistic freedom—independence can both empower and estrange, can elevate the soul and tear apart relationships.

But there is a wisdom to be found in this struggle, O seeker. Independence, as Mali speaks of it, is not a simple matter of choosing freedom over connection. It is the pursuit of one’s truth, the following of a calling that often leads down solitary roads. The creative spirit is not meant to be confined, for it yearns to explore, to experiment, and to express. Yet, as we see with both Mali and van Gogh, the pursuit of independence can sometimes create a distance between oneself and the world, between the artist and the loved ones they hold dear. It is a delicate balance, one that must be navigated with care.

The lesson here, O seeker, is both profound and complex. There is strength in independence, in the courage to follow one’s own path, but there is also wisdom in recognizing the cost of this freedom. Independence can be both a gift and a burden, a source of great personal power and, at times, painful isolation. For those who are creative spirits, the path they walk is often one of solitude, but it is also the path of self-expression, of bringing something new into the world. And yet, true wisdom lies in understanding that independence must be balanced with connection, that the pursuit of one’s personal freedom should not come at the cost of love and human ties.

In your own life, O seeker, reflect on the balance between independence and connection. How much of your own path has been shaped by the need to be free, to follow your truth? And how much of it has been shaped by the need to belong, to be part of something greater than yourself? The key lies in understanding that independence is not the rejection of others, but the capacity to stand firm in who you are, while still remaining open to the love and connections that nourish you.

So let the story of Mali and her father remind you: embrace your creativity, your independence, but remember that no journey is ever truly complete without the bonds of those who walk beside you. Independence is not about isolation, but about the strength to stand alone when needed, while remaining connected to those who share your world. Balance the two, and you will find the fullness of life’s journey.