If you search through the internet, you will be astonished of the voluminous metaphors of life by the creative writers. Life is compared to a butterfly, to an ocean, a road, a coffee, a tea cup, an elevator, etc. I am astounded on how they observe the meaning of life for them.
I remember a classic Filipino song sang by Basil Valdez, “Diyos Lamang ang Nakakaalam”. That particular line that becomes meaningful to me: “ Ang buhay, tulad ng isang awit lamang; Mayroong simula at may katapusan…” As I pondered on this, I realized that the composer of this classic Catholic song is absolutely true. Life has the beginning and its ending, and only God knows about it. For me, we must make this life meaningful to live.
The Bible also records a metaphor of life when St. Paul likened life to a person running in a race; which I considered a good comparison. Hebrews 12:1c stated, “…and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” This gift of life is meant to live with patience and endurance.
Life’s goal is to finish the race which has three stages: the beginning of the race, during the race, and the ending of the race. Initially, if a person committed to run the race, he needs a tremendous preparation. In this stage, discipline is very important. The runners need to allocate time for practices, they lack sleep for training needs to be done earlier, they have to exercise self-control from eating their favorite meal, and they have to endure the body pains they experience until they are fit to run.
During the race, the runners have to get ready for all the possibilities of what has to come in his way. They have to be focused with the goal of reaching the finish line with the flying colors. Excited at the beginning of their run after the gun shot, they then feel exhausted and running out of breath as they run. And what if along the way, they trip and fall?
The life we live is like a race where we have to run what is set for us, and to reach the goals that we desired in our hearts. We have to be well prepared as we grow: study hard, learn more about life, and endure the pain of overcoming our weariness, problems, even sickness or death of a loved one. Time comes when we want to get away from a troublesome situation, but there is no way out from whichever side we go. What should we do?
Problems naturally come, it can hit us rock bottom. I watched this cartoon film entitled “Sing”. Mr. Moon’s secretary revealed to him that he is broke, that there is no way he can pay all the bills, and he is hitting the rock bottom. His answer amazed me. Mr. Moon replied, “You know what’s great about hitting the rock bottom? There’s only one way to go, and that is UP!” That’s right! When we feel that there is no way out wherever side you face, look up above. Pray! Pray harder. Pray until something good happens. Pray, continue to live, never give up till we reach the finish line. Never give up even if you feel like giving up!
What metaphor of life are you facing right now? Life may seem hard. It may be like what Langston Hughes tells in his poem, “Mother to Son”. He describes that life has not been a crystal stair, nevertheless the mother is still going on as her advice to her son. No matter what, life is still beautiful. We have to keep going, whatever the metaphor of your life is right now. Never give up. Let us finish the race that is set before us.
By: Mrs. Marivic C. Casimero | Teacher I | City of Balanga National High School | Balanga, Bataan
