[Ponderings] Wanting Things

By Philip Suzara

Pondering… as I sit here at the edge of my mythical life pond.

One can see many things happening at the edge of life’s pond, as in any pond. Decisions are made there, life changing decisions, defining moments… to get in the pond, or not. The pond is encircled by its edges in different forms and kind: straight, jagged, rough, rocks, pebbles, sand, soil, or mud. Very much like people. No matter the differences we have, we all belong there… around the life pond, inside, outside, at the edge, but there.

If you missed my Ponderings after the elections, well, it was because I was jolted with what transpired and found myself falling out of commission. It took a while for me to smart up and collect myself from the electoral debacle we had all gone through. I felt that the conduct of the process was not fair and square; there were trolls who were churning out and peddling their fake news and revisionisms many years ahead before the last elections, there was also the electoral body that gave a questionable decision of allowing the candidate son of the despot to run for public office despite the impediments disqualifying such. I have attended many rallies, felt and saw the groundswell of the people. The campaign was definitely volunteer-driven, everyone gave whatever there was to share for the campaign – money, time, and other resources, and we all felt that victory was at hand.

Suffice to say that I don’t think the last election was a clean and honest one.

With that said and done, back to writing, again.

There is a point in one’s life where and when areas of productivity and earning capacity has taken the backseat upon retirement; this is the time when you make ends meet with the savings and monies from projects that come your way. You manage your resources to stretch it to as far as it can possibly go. Has it ever occurred to you that you get that feeling of insecurity deep inside you, with the thought that what you might have with you will not be enough to make you last for the trying times ahead that will surely come?

I had such a moving and humbling experience at the supermarket cashier the other day when I was checking out my groceries which amounted to something of a quite reasonable amount with my very prudent purchases. Right behind me was another senior man who looked of meagre means and was checking out a small can of sardines, my heart fell for him and, in my heart, I wanted to pay for his sardines but the gesture would have robbed him of his dignity, then I thought it may have even angered him!

He was very pleasantly going about his business, refusing even the paper bag packaging for his single purchase saying he'd open the can for his family meal as soon as he got home, anyway - no big fuss but great insights and lessons there for all and sundry.

He was going home with food to lay on table and share with his family. And somehow, I felt they will have good and hearty meal with their little can of sardines.

I thought to myself, I am now looking at the richest man this side of Earth.

Yes, that little incident was so full of insights and humbling lessons in life.

We always worry about tomorrow and how we will fare out when it comes. We feel that what we have may not be enough for our tomorrow. We often find ourselves wanting things, wanting more. Even with our enlightened minds, we unconsciously find ourselves wanting more --

Christ says “not to worry about the morrow for the morrow will take care of itself”.

That old man became my teacher and life coach at that very moment – it was just like what Christ had always been reminding us in the Bible, that He’s got us covered for our needs, and mind you, just our needs. We have to discern and know of our needs, our wants, and even our greed. Blessings, they will surely come, and they come as bonuses for jobs well done.

I am reminded of this wonderful song from Burt Bacharach and Hal David, released in 1968. You ponder on the words and relate it with how we manage our realities now, our simple, and sometimes complicated, everyday lives.

Wanting Things

“Tell me how long must I keep Wanting things, Needing things, when I have so much. There are many men who have much less than me, Day by day they make their way. And they find more in life than I can see. Tell me,

When will I learn to resist Wanting things, Touching things that say "do not touch." People that I meet seem to think I am strong,

They don't see inside of me. So they don't know I'm weak and often wrong. Tell me, Why must I keep wanting things,

Needing things that just can't be mine!

(yes, wanting things, That just can't... Be... Mine...)”

We simplify our lives as we find ourselves stepping into the future. We shed off the glam and glitter, finally settling down to our basic humanity. We evolve, we become, and we shine because we are!

Pondering, as I sit here at the edge of life’s pond.

Philip Suzara

Creature of God. Child of the Universe. Global Citizen. Lover of Life. Freedom Fighter. Agent of Change. Lone Wolf. Occasional Consultant for Strategic Communications.