Monday, October 15, 2007

Destiny's Child

In my native tongue, the phrase "bahala na" is very much overused in instances that we have very little control over. In other words, it happens most in times where we have no sodding idea on what to do. It is derived from the phrase "Bathala na" which quite literally means "Leave it to the hands of the gods." One who is new to the concept would think that it's an endearingly spiritual way of thinking but someone like me who has grown accustomed to it thinks of it as a glorified way of saying "Whatever!" It never kept me from using it though *grin* Over and over at that.

I probably join the millions who believe that there are no accidents, just incidents. And that, yes, everything happens for a reason. It's not so much that believing such things easily gives meaning to situations that we cannot make sense of, but it's more of -- I really do believe that everything happens for a reason. Perhaps it partly stems from my background as a Catholic. You know, believing in a God who has our lives mapped out given the twists, turns, options and choices that we make. Then again, when we think about it, is it really possible to have that many coincidences in our lives? When everything seems to just fall into place without ample reason or logic?

Accepting the idea of fate or destiny is, at the same token, also accepting the idea that there is someone or something out there that is guiding our life. Though it isn't utter surrender to a superior power, it is acknowledging the presence of something else having a hand in what happens in our lives. Happenstance, destiny, fate, serendipity, kismet -- all these beautiful and meaningful words all mean one thing. We often allude incidents to these and resigning to the fact that it's just meant to be. It makes it difficult for one to deny that sometimes, it really is just meant to be.

Though I promote and approve of this paradigm, I do not indulge in the idea of completely resigning one's self to the hands of predestination. Just like anything taken in excess, it can be abused and be rather unhealthy. I know of some people who have a little too much faith in the stars that they presume that everything will just fall on their laps. They reason that if something is truly meant to be, then it shall happen. They miss one detail in the scenario -- that they need to help themselves to achieve it. If only life were that easy to maneuver, then wouldn't we be all happy... in a dull unfulfilled way? We arrange our lives in a way that makes it easier for destiny to shoot for the target. We engineer it, we arrange it, we reinforce it. Tempting fate, if you will. If it doesn't happen the way we want it to, then maybe, destiny has got something bigger and better in store for us around the corner. Admittedly though, the distance to the corner can be a very long one sometimes.

I learned that the gods smile kindly on those people who pull their weight. Eighty percent along the way, we are awarded the rest of the twenty percent. Or maybe more if we're lucky. Very rare are we given the whole hundred percent for simply swinging our legs under the table whilst tapping our fingers impatiently (or patiently). Those who have experienced such miracles must have done something right in their past life.

Even God has bestowed on us the free will and intelligence to make our own decisions. We cannot expect Him to answer all our prayers -- may they be devoted or whimsical -- without working for it. God supposedly has our lives mapped out on the palm of His hands and it's entirely up to us to find our ways to our end. However, the question on whether we choose the right path or not can only be answered at the end of time.

Believing in destiny is a beautiful thing, I at least like to believe. It gives life a mysterious flavor and it gives me something to look forward to. It's like putting the pieces of a puzzle together and only seeing the picture after it has been worked on for a while. It is when secrets are unfolded before us, and when everything finally starts making sense. Going with the flow and rolling with the waves are not exactly bad things to do as long as it is done with care. After all, how else are we expected to explore life's essence if we don't get lost in it?

From here to eternity... bahala na!

18 Comments:

Blogger Irreversibly Screwed said...

Que Sera Sera... what will be will be...
Bahala Na...
Whatever...

interesting read..

1:25 AM  
Blogger Crashdummie said...

God helps those who helps themselves...

or something like that :)

3:02 AM  
Blogger thisisme said...

Glorious thought provoking post.

4:10 AM  
Blogger Utopia said...

yup i believe it too. everything happens for a reason. though sometimes it is too hard to see the bigger picture right princess! we get too caught up with right here, right now. but later on when we look back we see how everything fell into its rightful place so beautifully.

5:53 PM  
Blogger Nasia said...

Awesome!

:)

11:56 PM  
Blogger Libby said...

i think everything happens for a reason, but God gives us the freedom to make choices too!

3:26 AM  
Blogger Still Searching said...

Amazing post... perhaps just what I needed to read right now! And ofcourse I totally agree.. we have to make our efforts, and then only the fruits will come to us... and if they don't, then it was not meant to happen! Very insightful thoughts...

10:33 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bahala na...What's your native tongue? It's somehow like when muslims say; "Inch Allah".

I am more like crash dummie ... "God helps those who helps themselves..." I was raise in that and educated among French christians, agnostics and frog eaters... In French it's "aide toi et dieu t'aidera", which is the same. In spanish, which is my native tongue there is the same saying. "Ayúdate y el Cielo te ayudará"

I don't know which is the Jewish vision on destiny. I saw a movie explaining that they beleive that the destiny is already written like in a movie at the cinema. The movie is already written but you chose which one you want to see...

What do I think? I think that ifee want something to happen we have do make everything to make it happen, avoiding to be machiavelic. We all like movies with happy ends.

5:03 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Destiny fulfills itself - amazing post - great read....

9:00 PM  
Blogger the walking man said...

Every language has a similar saying..."in the hands of God"
yet God is not a butler to just bring you what you order up.

I could tell you of all that I have learned at the feet of God but then it would be a tale of my journey.

Banter all I will say is that in all of the sacred writings it says that God himself will teach you. And this is all I can share of truth.

God waits for you to ask the questions thathe might answer them himself not some old Road Dog like me.

Peace

Have a good journey

TWM

5:06 AM  
Blogger :-) said...

... my thoughts on this posting ... hummmmmm ... whatever! ... ;p

1:39 PM  
Blogger riseoutofme said...

It is very easy to just drift.

That is not necessarily a good thing.

Well written, thought provoking post.

3:54 AM  
Blogger William said...

The idea of surrendering everything to God sometimes scares me. It is not in our nature to do so. But then, there is a Buddhist saying that when there is nothing to do, do nothing at all. Also perfect for those "out of control" situations.

10:34 AM  
Blogger Astraeus said...

drifting... floating... swaying....

beautiful post
:)

1:58 PM  
Blogger AVIANA said...

i like this....

yeah...i go by this saying...."the life you have lived does not have to be the only life you will live...."

i guess it kind of goes with what you're sayiing in that you have control of your life..if you're unhappy, then you can change it..you're not doomed...

have a nice weekend!

12:13 AM  
Blogger zanas said...

a great one...but it is sad that sometimes some of us don't make an effort to even try, and pushed all to HIM to work it out for them.

11:47 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Hay nakoh! I have nothing in my ref but been sprouts and five chicken wings...Whatever can I cook with that...prince sharming is on his way home asking if dinner is ready..I said..yeah when actually here I am typing this..

been sprouts..chicken wings...hmmmm...bahala nah!!

Luxie doo'

6:40 PM  
Blogger Confessions of a Born Procrastinator said...

AWESOME
Loved it... [:)]

3:57 PM  

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