In our shells, we feel well, we feel safe
Plagued by boredom that routine breeds
And though we dream, yet we settle
For certainty of the bird at hand
Until the day we choose to divorce doubt
Bury fear, and in peace step away, just a bit
Then we learn that the fate we awaited
Has been waiting for our step of faith.

I bet everyone will agree with me that life can be a tough nut to crack! Yet despite this common point of agreement, everyone’s definition of life is as varied as we and our experiences are unique. Oftentimes, our views are defined by our experiences. Everyone defines life differently based on where they are at the time of definition so even for the same person, life takes on different meaning at varying stages and places of living. Given where you are right now, what is your definition of life?

Many of us nurture great expectations only to find their hopes disappointed because nothing seems to change and when they do, it is often not for the better. To many, life has become routine that defeats noble expectations. I am one of those who, despite my love for adventure, capable of living a very routine schedule of convenience; go to the same restaurant and order the same thing all the time despite a million and one other exciting items on the menu. I jog the same route everyday despite the countless tracks I pass on my way; waiting, beckoning to be explored. I see others too like me, every day on the same route, and the biggest change we make is to start at a different point each day, go round the same circle and end at the other end – add it all up and it’s still the same old route.

Sure we all love something new and great, some excitements in life, but no we don’t dare, we don’t change. Why? You can’t tell how far it goes and how much it costs. For some of us, it is fear, for some others – we just don’t care. Some of us are sitting, waiting, hoping, not doing anything in particular. Then at the end of the day, we wonder why life is so boring! We blame it on family who always want what they want when and how they want it. We blame it on a job that demands we do the same thing all the time to earn a piece of living. We blame it on the government that makes bland laws and on the city that compels us to comply with monotonous conducts. We blame the roads and the weather. We blame everyone and everything else we can imagine and nothing changes. Why?

Because until the culprit is discovered, wisdom that leads to recovery may not be recovered. And who is this culprit that throws sands of apathy into what should have been an exhilarating life? Our passion for familiar, our craving for safety, our clamor for comfort and convenience. So life is not stifling because of ‘they’ and ‘what they are doing’. Life is the way it is because of what you and I have chosen to do with it. So you see, they can influence many things but they can’t change it for us. We are directly responsible for the change we so desire to see in our lives. And until we begin to take steps that lead toward that change, it won’t happen. Until we get up and away from where we are right now and deliberately begin to move in the direction of our desired destination, we won’t get there. Not by waiting, not by hoping, not by dreaming, not even by praying. We have to discern the seasons and make the most of our moves if we are to arrive in time and enjoy the good of the land.

(To be continued)

Glory!