Faith in Fate

Faith in Fate

First posted 11:13pm (Mla time) July 15, 2005
By Katrina Holigores
Inquirer News Service



Editor's Note: Published on page C2 of the July 16, 2005 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer


ANY GREAT detective will ask himself a series of questions in order to solve a mystery. Fans of "CSI" are treated to theories in every episode as each forensics team double guesses the COD of their victims. We on the other hand, do not have the storyline and script written out for us, so we search endlessly for answers to our future. The question we should ask ourselves though is, how much do we really want to know? We are spoiled by a deluge of pirated DVDs which enable us to finish an entire season of a show without having to wait like the rest of the world. I admit that if I had to sit through "24" without finding out what happens in the next episode I would go mental. It is probably because we now have access to quicker answers (don't know something? Google it) that takes our attention away from the present and finds us fixated on how everything is going to turn out in the end.

Reality

Ok, here's the reality, there are no guarantees in life except one, we are ALL going to kick the bucket someday. So, what you do between today and bucket-kicking should be worth something. Here are some actions or attitudes that most of us are guilty of (myself included): We want to be told the future, instead of being mindful of the present. We rely on others for answers instead of finding them on our own. We keep asking for advice, suggestions, people's opinions instead of trusting our own instinct. We preach, scold, reprimand, are quick to come to judgment and forget how much we resent being on the receiving end. We boast of being more "spiritual" than religious, yet not really sure what either means. We compare, compete with those around us later realizing that there is really nothing to be won. We let the fear of loss outweigh all other feelings and deny ourselves a life lived to the fullest. (Risks have to be taken every now and then you know)

If one or two, or all of the above ring a familiar bell in your head, not to worry, you're just as human as the person next to you. What supposedly separates an adult from a child is being able to believe in something that is intangible. To have faith or to trust in what the eye cannot see but what the heart, or for some, the soul can feel. There is an eastern philosophy that suggests when you "pray" you should simply say "I am grateful because everything I need is on its way to me." Oh, if only it were that easy to just trust in that and believe it to the hilt. If you are young, active, ambitious then just the thought of NOT HAVING TO WORK to get what you want is almost incomprehensible. Oftentimes we hold on desperately, needily to something we feel we cannot live without. When life forces you to let go you are often shocked at how much you didn't really need said thing (or person) at all. You see, Life is a lot smarter than we give it credit for. Fighting for something you believe in may just turn out to be defending one's pride. There are times when we really just have to surrender gracefully and allow things to take their course.

Religion

Religion may sometimes provide us with answers on what to expect down the line. For Christians if you follow what it says in the Bible, you go to Heaven, for Buddhists, it's about Karma and celebrating the Divinity in oneself and others, for the Hindus, how you live this life will determine what you will be reborn as in your next life. (Do you really really want to come back as a cockroach?) In Western astrology, your natal chart indicated the position of the planets on the day, hour, year and place of your birth. These planets are said to send energies that may influence your behavioral patterns throughout your life. All the practices mentioned above claim to be based on fact, but what keeps the believers going is faith.

It would be a lot easier if we used acceptance instead anger when things don't work out the way we expected. That actually surrendering to the notion that if it was meant for you it will come. Or even harder, that everything that happens in our life is absolutely perfect and happens at a perfect time. If we are to believe that there is something out there that is indeed concerned about our welfare then we should also believe that whatever hurdles we face are just part of the process, they are not there to turn us into miserable, bitter people. If this weekend you indeed choose to find your religion or revamp your faith in a Higher Plan, then I wish that everything you truly need is on a celestial express package enroute to you.