Everything has a season
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
A time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
A time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
A time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.”
The passage above was quoted from the book of Ecclesiaste by King Solomon aka Nabi Sulaiman. The passage comes from a biblical studies that i "stumble" upon and read. They might have the same equivalent passage in islamic literature.
No matter if the passage comes from the quran or the bible, it gave me a refreshing perspective of how i should act daily and how i should perceive my predicaments and blessfull gifts in life.
There is always season for everything. So, just bare with hardship as it will pass or be grateful of what you have as you will not have it forever. We should also know how to pick the right time to do or not to do an action.
Overall, nothing is certain in life other than death and paying tax.
I am gratefull that i live in the season of ‘peace’ in malaysia. =) Hopefully this season will stay long. Maybe not forever but as long as it possibly can.
interesting note (or not): the passage was quoted by Ian Parsley, leader of the Democratic Unionists, the dominant party among Northern Ireland’s Protestants during the northern ireland devolution ceremony yesterday. The devolution is the start of re-establishing a power-sharing local authority of once implacable foes. A centuries long season of war between the nationalist and unionist ended when everyone understand that you can never get 100% of what you want. Hopefully the peace they have now will last for centuries to come.
May 10th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
hi munir!
June 7th, 2007 at 11:09 pm
I read this in Paulo Coelho’s Eleven Minutes.
I gave the book to my friend with a note
“A time for small gifts, ” and a time for something which I couldn’t remember here. well, hey, I gave the book away didnt I.
I think I like this the most:-
“A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing”
we need the comfort of embrace ie security. but at times, we need our space becos we need the faith from others that we can do things ourselves.
June 7th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
In the words of Lao Tsu:
If there is to be peace in the world, the nations must live in peace.
If there is to be peace among nations, the cities must not rise up against each other.
If there is to be peace in the cities, neighbours must understand each other.
If there is to be peace among neighbours, there must be harmony at home.
If there is to be peace at home, we must each find our own heart.