When I found out that my name meant "Strong Spear", the divine impartation in me suddenly took off to a higher ground. My eyes opened; and the reasons I had survived the storms of my life became crystal clear. I began to reflect on my life in a more meaningful way. I began to question the purpose of the elements around me: a spear, a knife, a gun, a rock, a flower, water, fire, and so on. I became more curious about the common things, and began to pay attention to their symbolisms.
When The Bible evokes God's Word as a sword with two edges, it opens one's mind to the fact that everything in life can converge only towards two different directions. It points out the reality of good and evil, life and death, joy and sorrow. The tree of the knowledge of good and evil suggests a choice between two possible trajectories: one toward doing good, and the other toward doing wrong. The world of opposites was created right in The Beginning of our world. The world of light and the world of darkness strongly divided since its inception. It has been up to us to utilize or manipulate the world around us to promote, or to destroy life.
Let's consider water for example. According to scientific research, water makes up 60 - 80 percent of the human body. It also stipulates that we can live up to 21 days without food, but cannot live without water for more than three (m.livescience.com). Yet this same essential water destroys us when we fail to manage it properly. No one in his/ her right mind will go too far in the ocean without the proper gears and the mastery of natation.
Another element vital to our survival is fire. Attractive by its flamboyant color and flame, this divine wonder keeps us warm, cooks our meals, entertains us. Yet, when let out of hands, it becomes deadly and destructive.
A knife, another essential tool, is used across the world in cooking, science, medicine and arts. When used carelessly, this master piece becomes a deadly weapon as well.
The locomotive collection that carries us from the cribs to the graves oftentimes had turned out to be our coffins.
The Internet, this latest discovery, has propelled us beyond our imagination. Yet its dark side so dense and terrifying seems to be taking us faster and deeper towards our decimation.
Reflecting on this simple exercise, I can hear my mother's voice echoing: "drink the wine, respect the bottle". This axiom supports the idea that the source of every thing is a giver or maintainer of life as well as the decider and finisher of life. Consequently, a sacred entity should be approched with respect and reverence. In this light, whatever we use, let us use with respect. Whatever we uproot to consume let us replace. Let us rebuild whatever we destroy in our path, refill whatever we deplete, repair whatever we brake. Let us be mindful of each of our actions, for they are seeds released in the universe.
The way we live our lives testifies of the trails we will leave behind. Remember that whatever one sows, one shall reap. It is up to us to plant seeds of righteousness, or else. Even if the trees of our actions fail to produce fruits during our life span, they will certainly in due time. Our children and those of our children's children will reap the fruits of life, health, joy and happiness. Or they will bear the fruits of death, sickness, misery and bitterness. Our children and the children of the world will dance and rejoice if we consciously individually and collectively make their world a better place. Or, our children and the children of the world will be grinding their teeth if instead we leave them a hellish mess. It is up to us.....
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