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COLUMN: I have learnt that...

───   10:37 Tue, 28 Mar 2017

COLUMN: I have learnt that... | News Article
Fannie Zim

Wait... before that: Let me tell you a story.


The story is about an old man who was sitting with his grandson at the park. While listening to the sweet beautiful singing of the birds... the soul-soothing effect of the fountain water... adoring a beautiful view of the ducks swimming in the pond; kids joyfully playing; couples having romantic picnics; tranquility being the order of that moment... The old man turned to his grandson and said: "Son, there is a battle going on in my mind and spirit. It's a battle of two strong tigers. The one tiger has a spirit of revenge towards all those who hurt and pained me, it is filled with hate and lacks peace of mind. While the other tiger is filled with the spirit of forgiveness, love, kindness and joy. Now, my question to you is this: Between these two tigers, which tiger do you think is going to win?" The grandson took a moment, to deeply think about what his old man had just asked him... and two minutes later he responded: "The tiger filled with hate; anger and revenge." Being displeased with the answer, the old man shook his head and said: "The tiger that will win the battle; is the one that I FEED. The one that I choose to entertain and dwell on."

It is from the above story that I’ve learnt that people's actions are the result of their thoughts; that we need to be careful of what we occupy our minds with as that is what we will exhibit in our actions and behavior. I have learnt that we have no control over what happens to us and to our lives... but we definitely have control over how we see, take and react to what happens to us. I have learnt that no matter what happens in life; you always have a choice. You can choose to dwell on the good things happening in your life... thereby radiating positive energy for yourself to face and defeat the bad things in your life... or you can dwell on the negative and bad things happening in your life with the result being that you’re going to wake up every morning emotionally drained and not looking forward to anything in life.

You see, I have learnt that acknowledging and admitting when you have wronged someone is a sign of strength and not weakness, as it allows you to take responsibility for your actions and opens up a room for lessons and growth. I have learnt that life comes with no guarantees, that the only guarantee we have in life... is DEATH! Thus we have to wake up each and every morning, appreciate our loved ones, cherish and adore those who hold us dear, forgive the ones who have hurt us, make the best of our lives and take each and every day as it comes and goes.

I have learnt that the greatest form of strength that any human being ought to possess... is the ability not to say something when most tempted to, for once the words have been said, you cannot take them back and once they have caused the damage; that damage is irreversible. I have learnt that, no matter what you do in life; someone out there will always have something to say; you can save a child's life and they will have something bad to say: "Ag, he/she did it for attention." I have learnt that the most joy-filled and happiest people in life, are not the ones that have everything and anything they need in life but are simply the people that count their blessings more than their sufferings; they are people who have learnt to be grateful and make the best out of what they have.

I have learnt that, at times, it's the people who you trust the most, the ones you least expect who will disappoint, hurt and betray you. That loving someone wholeheartedly and showing them how much you love them doesn't guarantee that they will love you the same way as you do. That you should never let people's inability to appreciate, cherish and embrace you the way you deserve to be, harden your heart. I have learnt that you can always be there for people when they need you; that you can move a mountain for them, walk barefooted on top of hot coals for them, but when shove comes to the push; they won't even move a sand grain for you.

I have learnt that this world is not for the soft-hearted; that it's either you do something or you don't! That there's no time to try, because while you’re busy trying to do something and/or trying to make something work out; people out there are actually doing it and making it work out against all the odds. I have learnt that you alone are the master of your own destiny. That you are solely responsible for your own life, happiness, success and whatever you desire in life. Thus, you need to stop seeking people's approval for how you should live your life.

Last but not least, I have learnt that each and every single human being is going through some sort of a struggle/battle, thus we need to always brighten and enlighten each other's day with love and kindness. That it costs absolutely nothing to be kind, considerate and selfless. I have learnt that it's good to have money and everything and anything that it can buy... but that it's more important to realise that there are things that no amount of money will ever buy you. And that you need to guard and nurture those things.

I have learnt that... there is more to life and things that happen to us, more than what meets the eye. That life is simply what you make it out to be!

I have learnt that nothing will ever bless and shape up your life, more than the choices you make today!

Happy CHOOSEDAY!

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