Something Worth ...

I love movies about dreams. About passion. About going against the odds. About second chances.

Movies like Dummy, The Rookie, Shall We Dance, Million Dollar Baby have made an impact in me. When these people started out, they had big dreams. Big visions. They can see what other people can't see. Until the storms of life took over and wash out their dreams until they appear blurry. A mere figment of their imagination. Harsh reality sets in and they take a bow. They give up. Until someone else saw what they couldn't see and ignites that spark in them again. And they became alive. More alive than they had ever been. Because they were doing what they were meant to do.

Unlike the above, the movie Amadeus was a sad one. It's about a wasted life of a musicial genius, who had the talent but not the character to sustain it. It's also about the life of a dignified and passionate court composer who lacked what that vulgar genius had. It's a tale about jealousy and how ugly its paths are. For who can dictate to whom God chooses to bestow His giftings and talents?

Salieri had it made. He had money, good standing in society, a good career and written good operas. But he let his jealousy and hatred towards God for bestowing musical genius to an unfit character such as one Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart get the better of him.

Like Salieri, I am well-acquainted with the feelings of jealousy, mediocrity, inferiority and envy. Blame shifting, too. Why didn't my parents ever send me for piano classes? Why did my dad make me give up on my writing dream? Why are my folks so like that wan?? Fact of the matter is, my folks lovingly did what they thought best for me at that time. So there's no point in blame shifting.

I hate having to feel all of the above and have disciplined myself to not brood upon those feelings. One should not think so highly nor so poorly of one's self. Our task is to live to the best capability in accordance to the resources that God has given us.

The world is big enough to contain talents of many kinds. And I find that when I'm honest with myself and with God and admit that I'm envious of someone, and surrender that feeling to God and pray blessings upon that person, God does take away my jealous feelings and gives me peace and joy of present living in return.

There will always be someone more talented. More popular. More beautiful. More everything than me. Than anyone else. And to fester upon such negative feelings brings good to no one. Why waste precious time dwelling on negative stuff when you can focus on honing the strengths that God has given you?

You may not be a Billy Graham, nor a John Maxwell or Mother Theresa. But to that little child who looks up to you, or to those students in that classroom that you teach, or to the subordinates that you manage - that, that is your sphere of influence. That is a place where you can impart a legacy that will last even beyond your lifetime.

And that's something worth living for.

To him who is faithful with little, more shall be given ~ Matt 25:29