At the Edge of Serenity

We always hear the term "humans are never perfect". The Almighty Lord creates us and destines our fate to become the leaders in His universe. Society evolves, technology is born, yet the world gently tip-toes toward destruction. Who's to blame? The Almighty Lord? Nature and the universe? Or us, the failed leaders? If it is because of us, is the evolution of society (in which we are parts of it) to be blamed?

I heard that long ago the air was so thin, so relieving that it seems that we were breathing through a can of pure O2. But now you can only have that when you are in the countryside or pay a couple of bucks for a can of O2. I love animals, mostly domestic animals though. To me, they want nothing but your love. If you love, protect, and treat them, they will give abundant love in return, no hidden purposes, unlike some humans. But I can't see or pet them anywhere, anytime I want. I have to visit local zoos or petstores for that. I realize that most animals can't live side-by-side with humans. But should I pay a couple of bucks just to pet a puppy or a kitten? This is a similar case for plants and trees. My Dad has to pay a huge some of money to obtain and grow orchids (growing orchids is his hobby). I know that orchids are mostly endagered. But why can't he take some and others non-endagered plants directly from the soil instead? Plain water, which is supposedly abundance, is bottled and priced as expensive as $1.00. Not all tap water and drinking-fountains are safe to consume, especially in third-world countries.

Are money and the demand of evolution responsible for this? Why should technology advancement devastate nature? Everything starts to become rare that it becomes a commodity. Is it that costly ineficient to use alternative raw materials (those that are abundance and are likely to have smaller effects on environment) or environment-friendly materials? Firms and businesses claim to adapt environment-friendly policies. Only a small percentage abide to their own statements, mostly otherwise, in an excuse for cost effective. Frankly speaking, I don't know what to do or what to say anymore, but I always dream of building a mansion in the middle of a huge meadow, filled with colorful flowers, rabbits and deers running around. I always dream of walking through a meadow, showered by abundant falling cherry-blossoms. And then there would be a huge crystal-clear lake behind my mansion, filled with kois (a japanese-goldfish breed). It seems so peaceful riding a stallion around the meadow under a clear blue sky during the early spring season. And that would cost me nothing, at least in my own imagination. We are all longing for this, and I believe that we can protect nature and prevent devastation while mostly we are still living at the edge of serenity.

[My child, long ago when I was young,
The cherry-blossoms dropped gently on Her laps
The geese and the wolves serenaded in harmony to entertain Her
The Aurora enjoyed Her reflection on the ocean
Some people worshipped Her for Her bliss
As one of His creations, she was so beautiful that others just loved being around Her
She was a perfect subject to rely on

My Child, today as I am older,

Timbers fall vigourously as a slap on Her face

Sardines and albatross float motionless on the sea

These peculiar fogs and liquids blinded and blurred the sky and the ocean

People now worship Her no more, She is turned down for money and power

She looks so old, so pale, exhailing on the edge of despair

She is longing for rejuvenation]

Restless: The Maiden and Her Unicorn

It's been a week that I don't have stable bedtime. I sleep whenever I feel I want to, and wake up whenever I am distracted. Actually, I often have difficult time trying to get myself to sleep, but once I start to sleep, it will last at least seven hours! (and not to mention the melodious snore I produce)

And again, it happens. It is 4:00 AM St. Louis time when I write this article. The laptop and MP3s seem to separate me and my bed. They seem to beg for more attention! If it's not because of them, it will be that my imagination lurking back and forth in my mind. Yes, I know, I am a very imaginative person. Well, take a look at what I have in mind right now.

[And the maiden floats gayly toward the unicorn. I lost her fragrance and was left alone in a desert. Dust and sands occupied my eyes. I lost her. She has crossed the river and now heads to the meadow. I could still catch her glimpse riding the cheval. Her fine white robe matches perfectly with the silver-white unicorn. With the unicorn as her ride, she enters the meadow and is greeted by a shower of cherry blossoms. She won the struggle of crossing the desert of sin. Ah, how could I lose to a maiden much younger than I am? Why can't I wipe the dust and sands off from my eyes? Why am I so blind?]

Okay, let's talk about my interpretation of this short paragraph and how it came from. This imagination came as I repeatedly listen to Ryuichi Sakamoto's Rain. The light yet fast beat of the instrument preserves me with a vivid imagination as though I am trying to reach for something precious as well as trying to free myself from burdens and problems. Well, what is my precious thing to reach in life? Of course, building a family and work for the sake of my family. What is my burden? Laziness :-) And the fact that I've been wanting any fine thing in this world (as though I want to grab the world in the palm of my hand). Or you could say that the precious thing is faith, the consciousness of the existence of God. And what are the burdens, the typical burdens that block human kinds from their precious One? The ego of the human kinds and the materialistic passions of the world! ;-) When human thinks he/she is on the top of the world, he/she forgets who he/she is.

Anyway, I forget that as a human, or obviously a daytime creature, I need some time to sleep. I am not a nocturnal creature :-) Well, some other time, I will continue to share with you my imagination or issues concerning myself and my surrounding. Good night everyone, have a pleasant dream.

Picture source:
- The Art of Kevin Wasden