BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ
While it is hard for me to recall who, where or how this little tale was related to me, there was that impression by me that this snippet must be told to my class of English students in response to a query by a student.
The teaching of English is interdisciplinary and relates to other fields of study and when this particular student whose hormones often rage asked me: “Is there any meaning to life, teacher?”, there was a sense by all of us in class that he was asking in real despair.
It then dawned on me what a wise philosopher once wrote in response to a similar question: “Is there any meaning to life?” which seems to be a heartfelt cry shared by despairing individuals all over the world who often wonder if there is any meaning in living.
The Philosopher’s Wisdom
When posed with this larger-than-life question, this was what the philosopher said: “Life itself has no real meaning. But it is what you do and make out of life that gives it meaning and purpose. It all depends on what you want to make out of your life.”
This certainly means that my student, who believes life has handed him a lemon, should go and make the most of his life, and what this particular student really needed to do was to badly change his attitude and behaviour before it destroyed him.
Attitude determines altitude. How far and how high a person rises in life largely depends on having the right attitudes, values, principles, convictions and beliefs to steer a person in the right and positive and profitable direction.
When life hands us a lemon, don’t just take it sitting down. Learn to rise to the occasion and make the best and sweetest lemonade out of it, squeeze the fruit of this life dry and learn to counter negative, oppressive circumstances.
Not only should there be an understanding by each and everyone of us that life has its ups and downs. But the vicissitudes of life are such that in a twinkling of an eye our circumstances can change drastically and dramatically.
Keep an even keel
The only constant in life is change and for us to live a meaningful and purposeful life there is a dire need to keep our lives on an even keel to ensure that there is never a moment when the feelings of listlessness, despair and despondency envelops us.
By keeping our attitude, behaviour and emotions always healthy, there is that recognition that no matter what life throws at us, overcoming these negatives will be easy and by constantly putting these traits into practise life becomes healthier and happier.
It really is as the saying goes: “It’s all in the mind,” and by focusing our minds to choose the sound and normal path, there is a revolution that takes place in our thinking and being immediately transforming us to a higher level of consciousness.
This is when life becomes nirvanic and blissful, there is that enjoyment of purpose and joy in living and a person is elevated within a moment to embrace transcendental experiences that are like glimpses of heavenly life.
This motivation enables us to keep moving forward, countering all evil and negative influences that are likely to drag us down or keep us bogged down in helplessness and despair and lifts our lives out of the doldrums and humdrum of everyday living with consummate ease.
Striving for meaning in life
Making sense out of life can be a difficult task for a growing many of us like the particular student who asked us if there is any meaning in life and in order to assist and help people like him there is a need for us to study life extensively.
It is not enough for us to give some lip service to people who struggle daily to find meaning in life but like the student in question it is necessary to engage him in all spheres of life and not just offer once off counsel.
People like him and others in a similar predicament must be led till they are able to see the light at the end of the tunnel and not the mail train coming through to overrun and wreck their lives up beyond redemption.
There needs to be frequent, constant and consistent engagement with people who are all at sea in life to direct them towards striving for a powerfully meaningful and purposeful life that they might never again be distraught or despair.
There is a need to banish all despair and despondency in the lives of people and although life will naturally pose challenges, problems and crises it is important not to be overwhelmed or overcomed but to be on top of our game in life and triumph over all circumstances.
Be a guiding light
If necessary, in life, there might be a need for some of us to act as a guiding light to others and hold their hand and lead them out of the maze of life into calmer, tranquil waters where they can find sustenance in life.
This requires sacrifice and a commitment to journey with a person who is struggling to find their way in life and to undertake to spend some time to steer them and assist them to move in the right direction in life.
But the joy of seeing them come out of their struggles will be just compensation for us, but like mentioned earlier, it is also important for us to study life as it is and be knowledgeable and acquire wisdom.
By equipping ourselves with the right expertise and knowhow, there can be confidence and assurance that our affirmation of persons undergoing turmoil and confusion in life can turn out well, and these “lost souls” can be sorted out to appreciate and enjoy life once more.
Even healthy and right-thinking persons can sometimes drift into the void of the unknown and lose bearing in life but this does not mean that all is lost and they just need to be led back by using a shepherd’s staff to get them back into the fold.
Looking back with satisfaction
When, in the course of going about our lives, there is contact or encounter made with people who are lost and drifting through a seemingly meaningless life, it is important to take the situation in our stride and not be anxious or excited or panicky.
It is important to be composed and calm and to give a listening ear and be open in whatever the issues the person is grappling with in life and to establish ties if necessary or direct them to persons who will be in a better position to help them.
Don’t bite off more than you can chew and if assisting these persons is beyond us, there should be recognition of the fact there are others more capable and qualified to turn things around for the better for them.
Take into consideration seriously the enormity of the task and see if you are up to being a guiding light to them and be willing to pay the price but believe me all heaven and the heavenly angels rejoice if a person can be led to find great meaning and purpose in life.
(Christopher Fernandez is an ardent social critic and commentator who has been teaching and writing throughout Asia since 1984)
-THE MALAYSIA VOICE
** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher
