The Looking Glass
pmonteiro@theguidon.com
A few days after graduation, I had a Star Wars marathon—six movies and The Clone Wars series. This comes not without the usual criticism, of course. Time that could’ve been spent looking for work was instead used up in front of the TV, with a bag of Cheetos and a can of Sprite.
At the risk of sounding geeky, besides my awe at green telekinetic aliens, purple lightsabers and armored clones, I was fascinated with the ways of the Jedi. While their restraint and kindness are noteworthy, it is their patience that struck a chord. Though that saga took place a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, we here in the Solar System have much to learn from them.
Admit it. Our lives are dictated by the clock—we are strongly encouraged, if not forced, to capitalize on our limited time before the final buzzer sounds. Life is indeed a race, especially over the last few weeks. Resumes were given out like real estate flyers, interviews became more frequent than gimmicks, and the corporate attire became a wardrobe staple, probably surpassing t-shirts and jeans. There was a palpable fear of getting left behind if one chose to stand still, even for a minute.
Thus, it is with great shame—but also with pride—that I say that I remain unemployed—which is not to say that I haven’t been looking. I also admit that I do not have a definite plan for my life, both in the short- and long-terms. Indeed, the anxiety of being a backmarker often crosses my head, but along comes a question: If life is indeed a race, what exactly then are we all racing for?
Pardon my sudden outburst of idealism, but the meaning of the race of life has become clouded. More often than not, our decisions on what direction to take ourselves are made with much hesitation and after much confusion, because of multiple interests—financial stability, prestige, even higher ideals.
Thus, the value of patience comes to light. My philosophy teacher said patience is like gardening—one can never rush the growth of a plant; one can only facilitate. True to the teachings of Obi-wan and Yoda to both Anakin and Luke, life-decisions should never be rushed; everything has a proper time and place. Hurrying things recklessly would only lead, as the story goes, to the Dark Side. In our context, it’s the path of meaninglessness, maybe even of corruption. Decision-making requires proper discernment. Proper discernment demands a whole lot of patience, amidst a world of haste.
It goes without saying that we live in a universe of instants. Patience has become greatly underrated, if not ignored nowadays. The demand for speed and practicality urges us to have a false sense of carpe diem, which may result to a false sense of happiness later on in life.
By the time this column comes out, I, with some from the Class of 2011, may have yet to find suitable employment, or definite life directions. Nevertheless, the unemployed and undecided status can be worn with pride and hope. After all, good things come to those who wait.
