From some morning onwards, I started to notice few snails scattered along the jogging path. At first it was just one or two, and then, it slowly increased to more than half dozen. I had to be careful not to step on them because the shape and color of their shells were very similar with the fallen leaves’ on the grass. Whenever I reach to that particular corner during my morning walk, naturally my curiosity arises as to see how far they have advanced from the previous day. Not so significant, but surely they ARE moving, steadily and consistently, though it might not be obvious in our naked eyes. It seems that they are just the most amazingly patient creatures in the world which reminds me of the following story;
The animals met in assembly and began to complain that humans were always taking things away from them.
“They take my milk,” said the cow.
“They take my eggs,” said the hen.
“They take my flesh for bacon,” said the hog.
“They hunt me for my oil,” said the whale.
Finally the snail spoke, “I have something they would certainly take away from me if they could. Something they want more than anything else. I have TIME.”
Yes, the snails live as though they have all the time in the world, whereas we human rush through lives as if there is no tomorrow. Whenever I spot some motorists who are so impatient to overtake other cars or zooming through red traffic lights, I wonder how fast could they be able to reach their destination by driving so madly like that. Even if they arrive 5-10 minutes early, what does it make difference within the 24 long hours we have every day? We all have 24 hours a day, 7days a week, 52 weeks a year and years and decades... when we count like that, certainly we have plenty of time. Ironically when there is nothing to do, time moves so slow that occupying 24 hours per day seems death sentence like. That is why many spend hours daily on TV, Video games or internet. They REALLY have a lot of time.
And yet many people seem as though they are getting bankrupt with time, constantly rushing and chasing after time while ever falling short of time to attend what really matters in life, to do the very things needed to improve ourselves that will move us forward in life. Exercise tops the list and meditation is another, despite their proven physical, mental and spiritual effects and benefits that come by regular practices. No time to do exercise, no time to meditate, no time to cook or read one decent book for years since finish school… Maybe it is one of the commonest conspiracies of ours to pretend how busy we are, keep giving excuses for our shortcomings…so that we could avoid taking responsibilities for our own health, wellness and happiness. Many rather complain of the problems they have rather than work on solving the problems. Being busy is the most wildly used one.
It is easier to pay money to the slimming centers to lose weights than doing exercise and watching diets. It is easier to get prescriptions from doctor for anxiety and hypertension than moderating lifestyle and release stress through regular meditation. It is even easier to tapau for dinner than troubling to do marketing, cooking and dish washing while the shiny kitchen with tip-top facilities remains ever collecting dust.
Why is that? Because, when things go wrong, we have someone else to blame but ourselves. Everybody wants shortcut, things that could pamper our insatiable sensual cravings, but not discipline or moderation or patience like snails…That takes too long to highway.
One of my favorite quotes from the epic Mahabharata is “Time is God.” I did not understand well of its meaning when I first heard it. But somehow it stayed deep inside my awareness ever since. I haven’t managed to become an economist after majoring in Economics for my undergraduate. However when it comes to managing time, I used to be a master piece. Like many typical Koreans, I was very fast and efficient when it comes to action. I didn’t like wasting time. I talked fast, moved fast, think fast and always on the go with one project after another. Many of my friends still live in the same house, stay in the same job, doing the same things every day for years I’ve know them. On the other hand, I moved countries, houses and relocated my Yoga center few times already even in my 13 years of Malaysia. At first, I didn’t necessarily planned on it changing so frequently but certain circumstances always arose to push me out when I was just about to get comfortable. Every time when I move, I had to rewire my entire brain circuits. But it was alright thus far though not easy every time. One of the biggest challenges was moving into the new township, Putra Heights.
I saw a vision when I first sighted the landscapes of Putra Heights. I instantly fall in love with the place to book for house and center immediately. Yes, the vision was correct because it is developing in the way I saw in the beginning; not as fast as I would have wished but slowly, bit by bit, of course, not as slow as snail either but it is getting there. Most of all now I am at ease and peace; not because everything is going well in the way I wanted it, but because having surrendered everything into Time. It no longer really matters now what it comes out from what I am trying to do here, for myself or people or even with my lifelong love of meditation and Yoga. I continue teach them passionately but how others embrace it into their lives are beyond my reach, I realized. Whether I have adopted more of tidak apa like Malaysian or my not-so-little age and hot tropical sun slowed down my warrior Korean spirit…I am not quite sure. But there is the desire in me now, wanting to be rooted, be able to withstand winds and rains by enduring in one place long enough, rather than constantly moving, so that I can become more strong and firm. So that I could continue learn to understand and embrace different people and lives in all shapes and colors. Thus much realization, many blessings I have had ever since I moved here. One of those blessings I can count is, experiencing a semblance heart attack some time ago.
One day, as I lay down in the bed to sleep, I felt fast palpation and sharp pain in my heart. I didn’t get panic but placed my hands on it after turning flat on my back. Then I thought to myself, I see this is how people get heart attack… Strangely, I wasn’t afraid but became curious instead, in trying to figure out the reason why I was feeling the pressures in the way I did at that time… it was the sense of urgency, the sense of wasting time, the sense of trying to do more but the circumstances and Time was not aligning in the way I thought it should be. So I was deeply frustrated. When I saw that, I just let go, I decided just to surrender… Then it went away. But I have not forgotten the experience. In couple of days, I was up early morning to start walking around the jogging path in our housing area, not jogging or fast walking, but Yoga walking, taking one step at a time slowly and steadily. I could smell the morning breeze; feel the moist in the grass, befriend with the shining morning stars and the moon, sleepy stray cats and dog and frogs… I see…I realized that I have been missing so much in life, just because I was in a hurry to accomplish what I ought to be accomplishing… silly me, how could I have forgotten the truth, “Time is God.” I ain’t almighty and yet, in my hindsight, I thought I could influence Time…
Yes, we have all the time in the world, if we would give it to ourselves. What’s stopping us? It’s our own foolishness thinking we could control time and life if we rush and work hard, while neglecting to do our due responsibility to live well and happy today, and another day, and another day... The snails are beautiful teachers of life. This morning, they were already in another corner extending their territory to the one quarter of my usual walking path. ..
