One of the things that helped me understand life is a lesson that came from a dear friend in Bali. In the midst of my confusion of the track that had strayed away from my idealism, he told me that life is nothing more than a series of role that we have to play on for and with other people. Just like the late Nike Ardilla's epic Indonesian song (written by Ian Antono in 1997): dunia ini panggung sandiwara (this world is a theatre)!
(Kalau ga ngerti, baca Bahasa Indonesia-nya di sini ya..)
I pondered on this for a long time, and found peace in the contemplation. We all get through episodes in life that are basically the same: a baby who doesn't know and cannot do anything; a child who starts to learn; a teenager who learns more; a mature person who knows much and is independent; a parent who shares and teaches his/her child/student/other people; then an elderly who, again, depends on others before finally leaves this world.
But in between those phases of life, there are many other roles that are smaller and more detailed, that if we track it deeper will only divided into two basic roles: as a giver or receiver. Sometimes we are the 'victim', who seems to be the toll of a condition or event, but sometimes we have to be 'the bad guy' who seems cruel/mean due to our role to give the lesson to others (and to ourselves as well.)
All these are not more than role playing, but let's put aside now those people 'who are evil' or who do crime in bigger and graver scale and really costs that much; because even they are playing a role in this world. You can see it from the changed Hollywood style, that don't longer presenting an antagonist just like an evil who appeared from out of nowhere, but now they show us the past and the human side of them (like the movie Maleficent, for example.) So it's not our job to judge here: there will always be a reason behind one's decision and action if we care enough to look broader and deeper, if we mean to cure and fix them from the root.
Back to the role of life, if we can really understand this, will be much easier for us to understand life itself. Why sometimes we are the victim of infidelity, but sometimes we become that third party in a relationship. Supposedly they said that life is basically like a wheel that is continuing to turn; sometimes we're above and sometimes below.
But if you take notice deeper, what is really going on is that when we're above it's time for us to give more, and when we're below it's time to learn that we don't always possess the power or freedom to take action in life, learn to be grateful for our limits and to surrender, learn to be humble to receive God's blessings through the kindness from the others, and learn toughness and persistence to get back 'up'.
Maybe not many of you have realized this, but can you feel the difference once you understand these 'roles'? Good people don't always do good things. Sometimes we have to be tough and firm to our children to teach discipline, but also show them love so they appreciate life more. Sometimes we have to be the one who brings the bad news, to make a seemingly unfair decision for the continuity of something bigger, and so on (but remember to always do it based on faith, hope, and love just like we already discussed in this post!)
Whatever the role that we are doing and experiencing in life, let us always remember of the opposite possibility, to be in the shoes of the person who is our opponent role, and to base all of our mind, words and action on love. Be introspective, cuz it's important. Eling, as Punakawan would always advice the Pandawa knights. So don't forget to always reflect on yourself, OK!
God bless. Namaste. Rahayu.
(Kalau ga ngerti, baca Bahasa Indonesia-nya di sini ya..)
I pondered on this for a long time, and found peace in the contemplation. We all get through episodes in life that are basically the same: a baby who doesn't know and cannot do anything; a child who starts to learn; a teenager who learns more; a mature person who knows much and is independent; a parent who shares and teaches his/her child/student/other people; then an elderly who, again, depends on others before finally leaves this world.
But in between those phases of life, there are many other roles that are smaller and more detailed, that if we track it deeper will only divided into two basic roles: as a giver or receiver. Sometimes we are the 'victim', who seems to be the toll of a condition or event, but sometimes we have to be 'the bad guy' who seems cruel/mean due to our role to give the lesson to others (and to ourselves as well.)
 |
| via Variety |
All these are not more than role playing, but let's put aside now those people 'who are evil' or who do crime in bigger and graver scale and really costs that much; because even they are playing a role in this world. You can see it from the changed Hollywood style, that don't longer presenting an antagonist just like an evil who appeared from out of nowhere, but now they show us the past and the human side of them (like the movie Maleficent, for example.) So it's not our job to judge here: there will always be a reason behind one's decision and action if we care enough to look broader and deeper, if we mean to cure and fix them from the root.
Back to the role of life, if we can really understand this, will be much easier for us to understand life itself. Why sometimes we are the victim of infidelity, but sometimes we become that third party in a relationship. Supposedly they said that life is basically like a wheel that is continuing to turn; sometimes we're above and sometimes below.
But if you take notice deeper, what is really going on is that when we're above it's time for us to give more, and when we're below it's time to learn that we don't always possess the power or freedom to take action in life, learn to be grateful for our limits and to surrender, learn to be humble to receive God's blessings through the kindness from the others, and learn toughness and persistence to get back 'up'.
Maybe not many of you have realized this, but can you feel the difference once you understand these 'roles'? Good people don't always do good things. Sometimes we have to be tough and firm to our children to teach discipline, but also show them love so they appreciate life more. Sometimes we have to be the one who brings the bad news, to make a seemingly unfair decision for the continuity of something bigger, and so on (but remember to always do it based on faith, hope, and love just like we already discussed in this post!)
 |
| via komsas |
Whatever the role that we are doing and experiencing in life, let us always remember of the opposite possibility, to be in the shoes of the person who is our opponent role, and to base all of our mind, words and action on love. Be introspective, cuz it's important. Eling, as Punakawan would always advice the Pandawa knights. So don't forget to always reflect on yourself, OK!
God bless. Namaste. Rahayu.
