Tsunami

D and I went to catch the film, “Tsunami” yesterday in quite a blur way…. Firstly, I thought it was a Japanese movie. Secondly, I thought it was just another screamy and loud disaster flick.  I sat down to watch hoping that it will be entertaining without the cinema’s sound system drumming my heart to doldrums with it’s over the top loudness.

As the story unfolded, it turned out to be quite not what I had expected. It was enjoyable with its storyline concentrating on characters in a peaceful and simple fishing town turned holiday resort. The town folks did have to grapple with bullying corporations taking over their home. How many of us remembered similar places of beauty and natural that we used to go to in childhood only now we find it raped in the name of development, growth and capitalism? Anyway, that shall be another story…..

Before long, I was totally engaged with the drama the characters were playing out. The story and its pace built up nicely, with some humour thrown in, in the wake of the approaching quake and ‘big water’ splash of over 100m in height. Though I thought the effects could have been better, I enjoyed it nonetheless. I have refrained from divulging too much of the storyline here incase I spoil anyone’s intention of catching it too.

Walking out of the Cineplex two hours later, having enjoyed the movie with less than half dozen other souls on a Friday afternoon, I found myself checking my thoughts and emotions. Instead of feeling dread or terribly sad over the drama involving loss of life, I was actually quite high in spirit. No… I am not an evil being feeding on people’s fear and sorrow. I was happy because, the movie had demonstrated human kind’s resilience and ability to rise again having faced life and death situations. Despite the adversity and loss of many family and friends, the characters shown hope in their attitude to life. They were joyful for having survived (and yes they did grieve for their dead families and friends) and didn’t choose to wallow in self pity or dread of facing a tough future in rebuilding everything from scratch.

Walking out I thought to myself, “Hey! That was a good reminder to live life to the fullest in every moment!” Too many of us spend our energy worrying and thinking to death about what has happened. “I could have done that better…” “I wish I had been like this, like that…” All the coulds, shoulds and musts! I am so guilty!

The wisdom behind the movie isn’t something new. We read about it. Talked about it. Probably even wrote about it in attempting a high-brow ‘Guru’ mode. But too many of us are so easily stepping back into our automatic mode of living too. Back to worries, back to blaming, to fear, to being affected.

Let me put ourselves into the shoes of the movie characters? What if today, this moment is my last on earth. How would I have spent that last day or moment?

Yes… I do have to put into place earthly wisdom of making sure I am not starving, not thrown out in the street, cowering in a corner with a cardboard box on a rain-soaked pavement. I do need to make that buck to pay for the loan on the house or the car. But aside from doing my duties to my level best, how am I making use of each moment that’s left of the day?

Is anyone guilty of dreaming about that holiday I have always wanted to take? Worrying if I have a Hugo Boss jacket that will boost my ego in the next social event? Is my car classy enough amongst my friends’ new fleet of Beemers? If my boss will give me that raise that I am convinced that I so deserved? Steaming over that incident at work when we thought we were victimized? Angry at my sister, brother, parents or best friend for not having things our way? The list goes on….

I find my worries being so minute when put side-by-side that hypothetical next moment departure from physical life. So now, with a gungho in my gut, joy in my heart, love in my spirit, I am going to be more conscious of how I want to live my next moment, my next day! With a level headed dose of good spiritual responsibility, of course!

For starters, one of that which I have put off long enough is to put my two cents (or sen) worth into this site. Not to exhibit any wisdom, but to see my own words printed on a website read by many (I hope) for purely self satisfaction reason. Ha! Ha! Ha!

Having shared that, I am now going out to re-start that process of co-creation positively for that joyful, love-filled and bountiful life I want to live! I so deserve the good life! Yes I do!

Blessings of bountiful life to all! Oh yes, and World Peace!

Kok Wai