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.
I remember when we were little kids, in our varied states of innocence; so full of dreams of what we thought we could be, of what we wanted to be and imagining the immense possibilities of what the future holds for us. It was not unusual for us to be found daydreaming, many times even acting out and role playing our future selves.
Such fun times these episodes have brought us, leaving us with so much inspiration to welcome the rest of our tomorrows.
Have you also found yourself making a wish upon seeing a shooting star feeling so fortunate that you, alone, were gifted with showing itself to you? And, do you remember staring intently, and in awe, at the colours of the rainbow. We were always fascinated with their gentle and inviting colours; wondering if we could walk on that ephemeral bridge, wondering what is on the other side? Is there really a pot of gold at the end of that rainbow? We always wondered then and the dreamer in us always believes there is.
We grow up and still get fascinated at the sight of a rainbow, still in awe and looking intently at that rainbow. We chase the rainbow; setting our sights closer and we lose sight of it when we come close to where we thought it was, and we find that it is not there. We see them, but it is not really there. Was it a vision, or just an illusion?
A rainbow, in the Bible, is God’s covenant with His children; He made it appear after the Great Flood which Noah and the survivors endured. It was, and is, His promise of love for all of us. A rainbow was His first visible covenant with us, assuring us of better tomorrows. What it leaves us with is HOPE that there is something better at that proverbial end of that rainbow.
We know that, at the end of the day, shooting stars don't grant wishes, there's no pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, there's even no "end" to be found. Even with our abject cynicism, some part of us still believes in magic, and it gives us hope and drives us to chase our dreams. Imagination and wonder are not childish things you grow out of; they grow with us.
Let me share a recent inspiring journey where I was gifted with images in the past with sights of shooting stars whereupon wishes were made and of many a rainbow that gave inspiration and hope to many young hearts and minds in a very remote part of a very remote place. I saw two people from different walks of life that saw the same shooting star and rainbow – it was them who were driven and inspired by that magic that provided HOPE for countless other dreamers and lovers. I lay witness to a culmination of one of their many dreams when they turned over a new and “wired” school, with bags and accessories for the students, in one of the communities they involve themselves in.
Let me share this beautiful song with you, a song so full of hope and magic about finding yourself and following your dreams. This iconic and signature Muppet song was written by Paul Williams and Ascher Kenneth Lee in 1979, sang by Jim Henson as performed by Kermit the Frog.
The Rainbow Connection
“Why are there so many
Songs about rainbows
And what's on the other side
Rainbow's are visions
But only illusions
And rainbows have nothing to hide
So we've been told and some Choose to believe it
But I know they're wrong wait and see
Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me
Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
Look what it's done so far
What's so amazing
That keeps us star gazing
And what do we think we might see
Someday we'll find it
That Rainbow Connection
The lovers the dreamers and me
All of us under its spell
We know that it's probably magic
Have you been half asleep
And have you heard voices
I've heard them calling my name
Is this the sweet sound that call's the young sailors
The voice might be one and the same
I've heard it too many times to ignore it
Its something that I'm supposed to be
Someday we'll find it
The Rainbow Connection
The lovers, the dreamers and me”
I am with a heart bursting with admiration for you, Anton and Josh, and inspiration for what you do.
Surely, many others will look up to you with the HOPE that you offer - and yes, what is really at the end and the other side of that rainbow?
I guess one will never find out without HOPE -- that is the rainbow connection.
God bless you, dear Anton and Josh, God bless all of us... lovers and dreamers!
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.
