Recently, I read a meaningful autobiography of a man who changed the face of America’s Athletic history book forever! The story of a man named John Baker – an athlete diagnosed with cancer yet miraculously became a legacy in the history of Aspen School of Athletics, USA – is worthy than a thousand words to be shared. Being the one who had been selected to represent the country for the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, West Germany the prestige and honor was indescribable. He was such in a great dilemma of whether to continue the task – knowing a fatal cancer waits – or tearing down every single piece of opportunity and hope into debris.
The situation was much tensed that he decided to commit suicide at the well known Sandia Crest – rising 10,678 feet above sea level at Mt. Albuquerque, New Mexico. As he was waiting for the proper timing to the “point of no return”, he coincidentally stumbled upon an ancient, wrinkled-black colored-stone that lined a few yards in front of him. Irritated by the stone, he tried to bury the stone in a hole situated just to the left of where he stands and to his dismayed, the stone never ceased to fit in the hole – it was said that he tried until dawn that he forgot his real “purpose” coming all the way up there!
So, what happened to him next? From that very moment he realized that all this while he was not doing the right thing. Knowing that his life is brief yet meaningful, he decided to personally train the national Olympiads-wannabe by his own, and they did won most of the 1972 Olympics although John Baker passed away in 1971 – unfortunately, a year before the event.
The story is not merely a story as it is applicable to our daily life. Have we ever felt that life seemed to be unfair – just because we could not finish our so-called life-death-matter, final exams in time? Or, are we being biased to God whenever we faced challenges, saying that He is omnipotent but yet allowing series of ill-fated things happening to us – why doesn’t He answer prayers?
We are easily pissed of whenever things seemed to be against our way. Our itchy-boastful-pointed fingers will surely begin to search for any targeted culprits. Sometimes we lamented too much and blame on life when we feel uncomfortable in our present unstable state. Amazingly, we begin to complain by portraying up protests just because we missed out our favorite sitcom which we used to watch everyday!
On top of that, we often compare ourselves with others. We normally asked, “Why did he or she have this and that, while I am not?” Sometimes, we wondered, “I have been working very hard but still I cannot achieved such desirable success?” Worse still, to a certain extend, some may be like John Baker – up to the point to commit suicide as an escape!
Well, I must say that as a normal human being, this kind of scenario is indeed happening. But the question is, in the midst of all the adversities, are we willing to make a difference? Are we willing to make our own waves – maybe against the current wave – and go into the direction we- by choice- want to go? Sounds ridiculous right? That’s why it is “ridiculous” because it is now the time to “ready to loose”™ everything once and for all and turning over a new leaf!
As practiced at the battle field, a field-marshal must know who are his adversaries – their strengths and weaknesses before a battle took place. Only when these basic things are in hands then, the attack will strike. I believe those who fought with strategies will have a higher and better probability to victory. The notion that the strongest will rule – as stated in Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution – no longer fit in since they hold no avails, as nowadays those who are strong but contributing nothing are categorized as consuming food and taking up space!
Therefore, we must know our endeavors and their consequences. Whenever faced with challenges do not be hesitated but on the other hand, adjust ourselves to the situations. Someone in May said to me that “we can’t choose what happen to us BUT we can choose our responses”. In short, the way we act and look upon life that matters the most.
By and large, that is why we should be reminded of what type of puzzles are we playing on – is it the square pegs or the round holes? Once we comprehend the trick of this intertwining thread, only then can we easily thwarting it back-to-back. One thing left for sure is… square pegs really do not fit in round holes! Try as you may.
Till the next posting.
p/s - I don't give a shit to the so-called April Fool's Day - although, the whole world is bragging about it - simply because I'm no kind of a fool who's cracking pranks around without knowing the exact meaning of the event.
I believe that if we have the courage to die, we should also have the courage to live on! There is nothing to loose anyway since *we are going to die* eventually.
ReplyDelete*-literally.
p/s - i know u don't give a sh** about April fool, but does anyone actually knows the true meaning of it? clueless...
From what the Wikipedia said, April Fool is marked by the commission of hoaxes and other practical jokes of varying sophistication on friends, family members, enemies, and neighbors, or sending them on a fool's errand, the aim of which is to embarrass the gullible.
ReplyDeleteYou see, the exact purpose of the celebration is to make fun of someone else - which to me is faulty & out of place.
If there is ever so much time in a day to mock somebody as practiced in this so-called day, why not campaigning for a day @ at least an hour for the world without major silly wrong doings - such as the economic oppression by the elites, people dying of some diseases etc.
To me, these are some type of awareness that the world leaders should make into the public & not some lowly pranks that embarrass one's stature.