Rubber Duck (Float 'n' Sink)

As a kid who took many baths, I often wondered why the rubber ducks gathered together in the corner. They would bob in one place, but that place always seemed to be the corner. And to top it all off, they would do it with the water moving up and down repetitively. They would even remain in the corner while the water tried pushing them away. Up and down, up and down, up and down they would go. Then, worse yet, as the toddler I was, I would push the decorated ducks toward the middle of the tub, only to see them float back to the corner of the raging tank. It was actually quite vexing.

But, After a good talk on this night with a dear friend of mine, I made an analogy between the ducks and life that is fitting in the circumstances of being a senior in college.

It simply goes like this:
While we have an entire "bathtub" before us, we choose often the corner of the tub. We float in synch with the other "ducks" around us for fear that if we were to part ways, we would sink in the nefarious waves. We propound that life is better lived in safety; while the rest of the world is out there waiting to see your face in it. That is all they know; the corner of the bathtub is all they know.

And while the corner might be much more safe than the rushing waves in the middle, we only go as far as the chatter we experience with the other ducks. We only talk; we don't experience.

My advice is that you look at the waves and quack, "Bring it on." Don't let the nasty bite of the waves swallow you whole, but accept your place and let them teach you. Go for it. Don't be the duck in the corner, but go out and face the waves. Your best lessons learned are when you take risks, even if you fall flat on your face. Don't miss out. For the joy is in discovering what could not be found if you never went out and tried to find it.

So go, young duck, and explore the waves before you.

The Escapist

Ever wonder why we are given an imagination?

A question that gets placed in the cluttered closet never to be seen again is this one. It is not only forgotten, but it is one of the most underrated questions that people like myself do not find the time to seek out. Of course, there is no conducted study I have done to elicit any truth that people do not explore this idea (the imagination). I have only proceeded to make this assumption with the knowledge that many choose to ignore the deepest questions that make you really stop and think about who you are and why you are the way you are.

Recently (as in the past two weeks), I watched a low-budget film titled "The Escapist." This film was insipid at times, yet relayed a rather ingenious twist at the end of the film. In fact, I would see it again if I had the chance and the time.

However, what really intrigued me about this film was a simple phrase actor Brian Cox said. Unfortunately, I cannot provide proof that it was in the film, or furthermore that Brian Cox said it. However, whether it was actually said or only an audible illusion, it has absolutely no relevance to the fact that this simple quotation (or whatever else it could be) had some sort of impact on my line of thinking.

"Imagination protects you. It keeps you alive."

When life becomes boring and repetitive, our imaginations keep us motivated, makes us try new things, and helps us avoid ordinary thinking. Furthermore, it protects from losing jobs, losing hope, and losing our dignity. If we did not have an imagination, we would not be capable of reviewing the intricacies of life; we would not be able to discuss unearthly ideas. Life would be filled with robotic zombies discussing only what the eyes can see. In fact, since our eyes can also be used as bridges to our supernatural thinking, we would even have trouble focusing one what is in front of us without imagination. Logically, we use our eyes to imagine what we are walking into, from, and around. We imagine what we will see on the other side because of what we have already seen. Imagination is crucial because it keeps us alive. Plain and simple.

But, most importantly, for those who believe in the Heavenly Host, our imaginations allow us to think about our future resting place. We contemplate the "yellow brick road"; the place where our worries, doubts, sins, troubles, and struggles will disappear like the dust in the wind. Our imagination keeps us alive in the moment, but keeps us alive for the future as well.

Don't ever take for granted your ability to imagine. Your imagination keeps you entertained more than any HD plasma screen television can.