It’s funny how life always seems to hit us with a series of events. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. But they just keep on coming. We end up thinking, “Is this ever going to end?” even though deep down inside we know it isn’t. People respond to these incidents in different ways, and it’s important to keep in mind that the way we respond to things can either make ‘life’ easier or harder, acceptable or unbearable.
Looking at people, you always find them ‘thanking God’ when something good happens in their life. On the other hand, when something bad happens, they either end up blaming Him or cursing themselves or their luck. Why isn’t it possible for us to enjoy what’s sweet while we can, and thank God for the sour because, whether we know it or not, it makes us stronger and better people if we ‘respond’ to it in the right way.
What breaks my heart is to see people throwing their lives away in response to a tragedy that takes place in their lives or a dark tunnel that they don’t know how to get out of. There’s always a light at the end. It’s just a matter of figuring out:
1. How do you get there?
2. By what means do you get there?
3. How badly you want to get there?
Once we realize this we stop reacting in a way that hurts others and ourselves and send out more of a positive reaction that will leave us feeling positive and leave the people around us feeling inspired.
I’ve come to the conclusion that the reason why we react the way we do is because as soon as we get hit, beaten down and fall, we ask the ultimate question “WHY?” Why did this happen to me? Why do I have to go through this? Why can’t the good outlast the bad? Why can’t life hand me a chocolate sundae with hot fudge and sprinkles instead of constantly throwing lemons at me? The reality of the situation is: you will never find the answer. You can come up with theories of why it might have happened but you will never really know why.
If we had all the answers to life’s questions then what’s the point of life itself? Would the words ‘faith’, ‘hope’, ‘wish’, or ‘dream’, hold the same meaning? Contemplate that.
By Shamma Al Suwaidi
