Well here I am again, taking solace in the expression of my heart and the everyday encounters that many are oblivious to but with each passing moment, there are lessons to learn, memories to capture and the inevitability of our sojourn here on earth. I’m behind the window side counter of Birley Sandwiches in the very busy Canary wharf, just had to take the weight of my feet before I succumb to the pull of the floor eagerly beckoning……just a little rest, maybe a little slumber but I know that isn’t what I should give in to for now.

It’s amazing when we as individuals choose to give in feebly to the erroneous feelings of the very emotions that hold us captive without acknowledging the meaning of the liberty and freedom we have been created to walk in. I am glad that I made the effort to go across town after having my morning appointment rescheduled, in a bid to understand why some of us cling desperately to what we shouldn’t whilst that which we ought to, floats past us completely evading our unstretched hands. Life in itself is dynamic, putting aside my desire for the solace of the Sloan Square park, I pulled my weary limbs yet again to make this unappreciated trip and console myself with these very words “in the effort lies victory” and so whether my trip across town regardless of my weary limbs, is an effort in futility, I know I am victorious.

I recall my very first role in my elementary school play and vividly recall the huge velvet drapes condoning us of from the vast auditorium filled with parents and guardians, even as we hastily tried to put finishing touches to our respective roles before emerging. Finally the moment dawned and with the flutter of a million butterflies in my stomach and the parting terrifying words ‘break a leg’ still resounding in my ears, I made my way timidly onto the stage and the rest passed in a whirl of vague minutes. As we all made our way to the stage for our stage bow, I admittedly acknowledged that all the hours of practice had come and gone, irrespective of how sterling a performance it was, it was over.

As I ponder upon these memories I recall the words of my just concluded phone conversation with a friend who feels that life without commitment in any form is safest…..”Cowards die many times before their death but the valiant taste of death but once” -W.S….to this I dare say that it is better to wear out than to rust out and he who can but conquer his fears, be it result in a moment of vulnerability or a lifetime of faith unflinching, that is truly a life lived ….

“All the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, and one man in his time plays many parts, His acts being seven ages….” – William Shakespeare

As I sojourn through this life, I acknowledge that life is indeed a stage and as we put our final rehearsals to our roles whether wholeheartedly or haphazardly, we must at some point make our way past those curtains and play our role. And just as those huge velvet curtains shield us from our audience, we must emerge and do that which we were made to do. The question that begs asking is how well we played our roles because whether in a lead role, supporting or even as a voiceless member of the cast, life must at the end, like any movie come to a finish, reveal your name and your assigned role.

For many of us, we must come to terms with these options and choose. To simply be in a name in the cast or be more than a name, be a memory that will go unforgotten in the lives of those that we encountered. “You can’t leave footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to leave butt prints in the sands of time?” -Anon E. Moss
I dare to believe that we are much more than an unrecognisable pair of butt prints in the sands of time but now we must choose to get off our butts and emerge from behind the curtains and play that role to the best of our abilities because that is what has been assigned to you.

As I make my way through life, besieged by the mysteries shrouded from medical science, I choose to make sure that no double plays my role and whether I am weary beyond imagination or isolated by incessant pain experiences, there are multitudes out there beginning with that one person who just craves an injection of hope, a glimpse of some ray of light in their darkness, a kind word or gesture, a token to say ‘you’re not unappreciated or alone’…..and I choose to be that answer to that unheard prayer. And just as I’ve had and still experience the joys of fatherhood in the life of my daughter and share similar moments with other worthy parents, so also do I look forward with pride to seeing the results of seeds sown blossoming in all of its finery.

We all have a role to play and someday, we will know beyond a shadow of uncertainty whether we treated life in itself as a stage or just chose to ignore and continue in our deceitfully spun cocoon of falsehood and lies. Make your appearance on life’s stage such a memory in the sands of time with each day that we live in, that when the curtains are finally dropped, ours will be a life devoid of regrets. Now I must continue my journey, for every second counts and I want it to count for something and for someone so get out of that comfort zone and make your stage appearance such a phenomenal one that even after your exit, your audience will forever be glad they met you.

And remember………………we were made to live for His pleasure and not just exist.

 פרידהעדשנפגששובחבריםיקרים ….. 

Adios!