A prisoner is not free because of strong limitations. Why? Because he or she committed one or more crimes. So this is the effect of one's own actions when they go around like ripples and create wrong. There is a difference in sentence to be stupid and do wrong or to be wrong and do wrong or be right in the wrong environment...
In case of our own past and our own life own can be only stupid or wrong because life, it's physical, psychological and spiritual laws are to be considered as true, impartial and stable. So when you feel sentenced to suffering then you have been not too stupid but aware, which concludes one case: you have been wrong and you haven't learned the many lessons life teaches but ignored the interactiveness. Modern science, art, philosophy, mysticism and religion converge that life is a complete and total web of layers, grades, levels and depths. In life nothing goes asymptomatic. The symptoms are interwoven with the lessons we could have learned in order to sustain health, feel joy and create a successful happy life. Not to mention to be free from guilt and remorse.
In order to learn one needs to be aware of lessons, one needs to practice change of thoughts, beliefs, thinking, mentality, behaviour and consequently one's character. Who is ready to change in all possible depth?
"We’re in a freefall into future. We don’t know where we’re going. Things are changing so fast, and always when you’re going through a long tunnel, anxiety comes along. And all you have to do to transform your hell into a paradise is to turn your fall into a voluntary act. It’s a very interesting shift of perspective and that’s all it is… joyful participation in the sorrows and everything changes."