A Story.

Have I ever told you the story of the viper and the rooster? No? Well set yourself down.

Once, on a farm between nowhere and anywhere, there was a rooster. This rooster was a standalone kinda bird. He'd perch himself on different posts along the fence and watch as the other animals busy themselves and work about their daily lives on the farm. I'm not saying he was a loner, but he would never stick his wing in another chick's (or hen's) beak. He'd shout out 'Good morning' to everyone as loud as he could, every morning; for it was his nature.

Then, on a star speckled night when the Rooster visited the river, he encountered a viper. The viper greeted the Rooster--but the rooster was wary, for he knew of the viper's venom. The rooster told the viper to keep her fangs away, but the viper assured the rooster that her fangs were dull and wouldn't be able to pierce a leaf. So the Rooster relaxed and he didn't retreat. He enjoyed the Viper's company, they were suited to match. But time didn't slow its march, and as the sun crept off, the Rooster had to make his way back to the farm.

"Will I see you again?" Asked the Rooster.

"Definitely," retorted the Viper, "but first I'll make sure you get home safe and sound." And so they slithered and trotted; all the way back to the wooden fence of the farm, opposite the chicken coop. The Chickens saw the Viper, and they were scared.

The next morning, before the sun rose, the Rooster walked away from the farm, towards the river once again. He hoped to find the Viper, but she was not there. The Rooster's orange eyes wept and wept, his tears being carried off by the uncaring river. The Rooster waited and waited, but he was disappointed, and heard not the voice of the Viper. He went back to the farm, his feathers dragging behind. Upon his arrival, the Chickens glared.

The next morning, before the sun rose, the Rooster walked away from the farm, towards the river once again. This time he ran with anticipation, and she was there.

"Why did you not come again the day before?" Asked the Rooster, seeking relief and sound thoughts once again.

"I had not the chance." the Viper replied.

But while the Rooster was happy with the Viper, he was often caught staring at the uncaring river, with a look too morose to bear.

"Why are you sad?" asked the Viper.

"Because the day will end, and I know not about time." replied the Rooster.

The Viper contemplated, and then she spoke, "Then here, let us drink, as a promise to the walking sun."

The Viper and the Rooster drank from the uncaring river, but the venom from the Viper's glands was carried down to the beak of the Rooster, and the Rooster coughed, splattering blood. The Viper was shocked and still with fear.

"How'd I get poisoned if your fangs are dull?" asked the Rooster, his speech slurred.

"The venom leaked out from my glands!" cried the Viper.

But the Rooster made no reply.

The Viper cried and cried, so hard and for so long that the venom was cried through her eyes 'till there was no more venom to be taken by the uncaring river, 'till the viper turned white. As the walking sun made 400 journeys, the Viper shrunk as leaves shriveled, the Viper grew frail as ice thickened, the Viper grew wings as flowers bloomed and the Viper took flight as the sun shined. One never steps in the same river twice, and the Butterfly never became the Viper again.

Draft from the mind.

Blogging again and again and again. Oh sweet tap-dancing omelet chefs. Since I seem to be in a bit of a trough today I'll blog. Why? Because I write better when I'm in a bad mood. Go figure.

So, last Saturday at Y4J a thought brewed in my head. It was continuous and random and had very little to do with the actual mass there. Oops. Well, I think it was productive nonetheless.

The most common argument against the idea of a 'caring and loving God' is: "How can you say there is a loving and caring God when there is so much suffering in the world?" I can go and answer this in two ways. I can use a theological approach, or I can bring forth a simple observation, one that is objective, rather than subjective.

According to Theology and Doctrine

OK, this'll be quick. The main idea is that God has given us free will, in order to be able to choose between right and wrong, to choose to follow him and so on and so forth. This is based on the argument that love has to be made out of choice and be true to our beliefs and ourselves. Thus if God were to just make everyone good and rid the world of all wrongdoers it's more of a forced coercion rather than free love. Another thing, some people say 'why would God put the 'snake' in the garden of Eden?' Well, the short answer is that he didn't, but the snake is the Devil, an angel, and thus a free spirit, that chose to rebel and oppose God. But all this doesn't lead to the point I'm trying to make.

The stuff I really want to talk about

Yes, the world is full of horrible things like war, famine, death, strife, tragedies, fallacies, crime, abuse, misuse, exploitation, devastation and many other scary words. True, but then you must think a little. Is the world all bad, or is all you see bad? Well, that's a rhetorical question, but the correct answer is that yes, while everything in front of your eyes may be bad, it in no way means that the world is bad.

Just as there are natures of despair, misfortune and cruelty in the world there are natures of hope, blessings and benevolence. I can humbly vouch for the authenticity of that statement. So if you don't see these wonderful aspects of life, you really only have yourself to blame. For I promise you, if you seek you will find.

But, for the sake of the argument, let's say that you've looked for more pleasant aspects of life in this existence but you still cannot find them. Well, if I were to overlook a very possible attitude problem I'd suggest you would, in the words of Ghandi; "Be the change you want to see in the world." In other words, if you don't see good-natured things in the world then you should try and be the source of such good-natured things. But, in all probability, you can't find the nicer side in life and you're not trying to make the world better; in which case you really only have yourself to blame. So before you start playing the blame game it would be best if we discuss the whole 'trying to make the world better' part.

Gonna make the world a happier place to be!

You might discourage yourself, in all probability, by saying any act of yours that attempts to bring a better, more positive colour to the world is dwarfed by the lethargic, apathetic and close-mindedness of your society; but I tell you, if you take up reckless abandon and freely attempt this you will in all probability touch someone's heart. You won't expect it, and all your plans could go to hell in a hand-basket but someone will be inspired by your act of good will. And you'll also need to adjust your attitude a little, you'll need to be able to expect failure and be able to appreciate the little things in life, the little triumphs and glimmers, of hope, peace and love. For it's in the little things that you can accomplish the greatest deeds.

Alas, you still probably would not see this act as something feasible. You'll argue that you'll be mocked and that "it's not your thing." Well, screw that. If that's the case then you've got three things holding you back.

Fear, fear that you'll get in trouble, or fear that you'll be vulnerable, or fear that you'll waste resources. Any fear that is impairing you.

Ego; very strongly-linked to fear. You fear for your ego, for your 'self'. You want to protect that image of your 'self', you want to feed your ego by doing what you do best and sticking in your comfort zone. That comfort zone you're so verily addicted to.

Addiction; you can't break out of the mold. You're trapped and stuck inside a comfort zone that gives you a social approval. Showing that you're addicted to the social standard and general approval of others.

The only way you'll ever come close to doing something charismatic to deliver more benevolence and hope in the world is to overcome those three 'demons'. You have to be nonchalant and care not of your image, you have to be ready to sacrifice time and materialistic things. You have to be ready to risk your reputation. For fear, ego and addiction are the dead weights to your wings. Only after unshackling yourself from fear, ego and addiction will you be able to act freely out of love.

Alright, so you've started to see the nice things in life and appreciate the little things in life too, you decided you want to be a source of Joy to others and you are also freeing yourself from the three weights Fear, Ego and Addiction. Alas, even after all this, you still can't take those steps forwards, even though you want to. You find yourself unmotivated and lacking spirit. Well, if you're a Christian (which is what most of my reader's are), you'd probably do what I'd do. That is, pray for God to give you motivation and strength. To fill you up with inspiration till you are, not full, but overflowing, and you will never never feel empty. I mean, how does a cup that drinks from the ocean feel thirsty? How does a cloud that is driven by the wind feel stagnant? Hopefully those metaphors better illustrate my point.

To summarise, if you think there is no joy, look for it. If you do not find joy, be it. If you're scared to bring joy, humble yourself. If you're lacking strength, ask for it.

A handy website that always lifts my spirit is www.givesmehope.com. The only site and media that makes me cry on a regular basis. Oh yeah. I cry.