"The Serving Soul"--May 22nd, 2011
In light of the comical following to a fanatical belief [that] the world was supposed to end yesterday, May 21st, 2011, I thought I'd interject with my own poetic rendition to this possibly historical event, by sharing a tale that was relayed to me when I was a child.
There is a passage in the Book of Matthew (first book of the New Testament) where Jesus is asked point blank by his disciples when the world will end. I remember the first time I read this particular passage because as I was spending more time dissecting the scriptures, I couldn't help but ask myself: Why doesn't someone ask the real questions!? Then, ironically, I ran across the scripture myself. I remember feeling justified in that, yes, it seems these disciples were human after all.
I remember asking my father this same question when I was young. I thought it was harmless and my father must have seen in me, the same inquisitiveness stirring at an early age that has since defined my life path--my approach to all aspects of life. His answer was simple and it has been the very response I share to the multitudes of people who have posed the same question to me over the years.
When does the world end?
Simple.
It ends the day you die.
That was the response my father gave me and looking back, I realize it had a very powerful implication in that one, it did answer the immediate question and secondly, it offered some sense of peace to an inquiring soul like myself. It is no doubt obvious that people can spend so much time tending to the details of this possible known event [that] they put their life on hold and almost quit living altogether. Worse still, if you aren't careful you can find yourself spending a vast majority of your time judging or scaring others into following particiular religious processions because of their own indecision. I think the response is enlightening because it offers a sense of tranquility that says: You only have to worry about what you can control, while you are living, and because of this, your only real obligation to the fear that the "world is going to end soon" is [that] you fulfill a life of purpose until that day.
I have no doubt there are people and groups or organizations who dedicate every resource available to determining a solid answer to this common question: When is the world going to end? But I ask this particular question in return: Is the purpose of such a discovery to help offer a greater sense of life, for the rest of humanity, while we yet live? If not, then there is no reason to chase this illusive tail (or tale for that matter). I see this research and study (or worry) no different than someone who says, "I know which team is going to lose the game!" Then, during the entire course of a sporting event they chant, parade around the house and interrupt other spectators to share their own conclusion on what the final outcome will be. Yes, there is always a 50% chance they might be accurate in their hypothesis. Then, if they are, the euphoria is telling everyone "I was right!" And yes, if they guessed (or somehow evaluated correctly) I think they missed the greatest treasure and reward: They missed the entire game and in focusing on the end result, they caused others to miss the game as well.
Life to me is similar in pattern to a sporting event. There is heightened enthusiasm leading up to the event, then the announcement--the birth of the life participants. Then, the game is commenced and we watch, we look for mistakes, we celebrate the small victories and then we almost die with the hero as they fall short. There are break periods, for the hero's and for all the spectators. There is advise, counsel and coaching along the way. Support is rallied and faith is lost. Then, as the game comes to a close, there are multitudes of professionals offering insight and in time, the hero is forgotten, remembered only on special occasions. We honor their attempt over time and we try not to focus on the losses, but rather the victory their game offered us in mere entertainment--entertainment that pulled the rest of us away from our ordinary, mundane sports of our lives.
I say celebrate the life you have been given, and the time you are aware of, now, as it matters. Because, at the end of the day, what else truly matters, when the game is over?
...serving the soul of humanity...
~Bobby Ozuna
When does the world end?
In light of the comical following to a fanatical belief [that] the world was supposed to end yesterday, May 21st, 2011, I thought I'd interject with my own poetic rendition to this possibly historical event, by sharing a tale that was relayed to me when I was a child.
There is a passage in the Book of Matthew (first book of the New Testament) where Jesus is asked point blank by his disciples when the world will end. I remember the first time I read this particular passage because as I was spending more time dissecting the scriptures, I couldn't help but ask myself: Why doesn't someone ask the real questions!? Then, ironically, I ran across the scripture myself. I remember feeling justified in that, yes, it seems these disciples were human after all.
I remember asking my father this same question when I was young. I thought it was harmless and my father must have seen in me, the same inquisitiveness stirring at an early age that has since defined my life path--my approach to all aspects of life. His answer was simple and it has been the very response I share to the multitudes of people who have posed the same question to me over the years.
When does the world end?
Simple.
It ends the day you die.
That was the response my father gave me and looking back, I realize it had a very powerful implication in that one, it did answer the immediate question and secondly, it offered some sense of peace to an inquiring soul like myself. It is no doubt obvious that people can spend so much time tending to the details of this possible known event [that] they put their life on hold and almost quit living altogether. Worse still, if you aren't careful you can find yourself spending a vast majority of your time judging or scaring others into following particiular religious processions because of their own indecision. I think the response is enlightening because it offers a sense of tranquility that says: You only have to worry about what you can control, while you are living, and because of this, your only real obligation to the fear that the "world is going to end soon" is [that] you fulfill a life of purpose until that day.
I have no doubt there are people and groups or organizations who dedicate every resource available to determining a solid answer to this common question: When is the world going to end? But I ask this particular question in return: Is the purpose of such a discovery to help offer a greater sense of life, for the rest of humanity, while we yet live? If not, then there is no reason to chase this illusive tail (or tale for that matter). I see this research and study (or worry) no different than someone who says, "I know which team is going to lose the game!" Then, during the entire course of a sporting event they chant, parade around the house and interrupt other spectators to share their own conclusion on what the final outcome will be. Yes, there is always a 50% chance they might be accurate in their hypothesis. Then, if they are, the euphoria is telling everyone "I was right!" And yes, if they guessed (or somehow evaluated correctly) I think they missed the greatest treasure and reward: They missed the entire game and in focusing on the end result, they caused others to miss the game as well.
Life to me is similar in pattern to a sporting event. There is heightened enthusiasm leading up to the event, then the announcement--the birth of the life participants. Then, the game is commenced and we watch, we look for mistakes, we celebrate the small victories and then we almost die with the hero as they fall short. There are break periods, for the hero's and for all the spectators. There is advise, counsel and coaching along the way. Support is rallied and faith is lost. Then, as the game comes to a close, there are multitudes of professionals offering insight and in time, the hero is forgotten, remembered only on special occasions. We honor their attempt over time and we try not to focus on the losses, but rather the victory their game offered us in mere entertainment--entertainment that pulled the rest of us away from our ordinary, mundane sports of our lives.
I say celebrate the life you have been given, and the time you are aware of, now, as it matters. Because, at the end of the day, what else truly matters, when the game is over?
...serving the soul of humanity...
~Bobby Ozuna
