things i learned from yoda
When Marj texted me this morning one of my favorite Yoda quotes (ever), I knew I HAD to write something on the Star Wars trilogy – in particular, The Empire Strikes Back. Let me get this out of the way before they release the limited edition DVDs (this September, woohoo!), and maybe a few more people will be a little more “enthusiastic” about the Trilogy marathon I’ve been harping about. Hehe.
Now, because I’m a big fan of happy, sappy endings, The Empire Strikes Back isn’t my favorite film in the Trilogy. But can you imagine having Neapolitan ice cream without Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry? Exactly. If not for The Empire Strikes Back, we would never learn of Yoda, Lando Calrissian, or even get to see Luke have his arm chopped off. ;)
And so, without further ado:
5 Lessons I Learned From Yoda
“Do or do not.. There is no try.”
A lot of us are content leading half-baked lives because we’re afraid of failing. There are times when I’m faced with a major decision and fear gets the better of me. Still, no regrets diba? It’s either you do it or you don’t, decide to take that jump and choose to fall. That’s the beauty of free will – that your decisions are your own. The point is, choices MUST be made.
“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?”
It annoys me when people judge me because I’m, herm, “petite.” I suppose the reason why I’m a little defiant is because I want people to take me seriously. People automatically assume that because I’m small, all girlie-girl and bubbly I’m such a ditz. So I always try to break the stereotype by being competitive, strong, and self-reliant. This doesn’t always work to my advantage because then I become “an intimidating scary little girl,” a deranged Little Red Riding Hood of sorts. I suppose this all points to a deeper insecurity that I need to get over, one that really requires the grace of God, especially since the only opinion that really matters is His and not of those around me.
Luke: What’s in there?
Yoda: Only what you take with you.
Baggage.
I remember being so affected by last Sunday’s lesson on Faithfulness, especially when Pastor Joey started talking about how some men will promise you the sun, moon and stars.. Ouch. I suppose my recent “anxiety attacks” only serve to validate my fear of vulnerability, of being susceptible to hurt. :P Everyday, my struggle is to acknowledge that people can be trusted, relied upon, and that they can and WILL come through for you. To trust without abandon is a scary thing indeed, and that’s why you need faith. :)
Luke: Is the Dark Side stronger?
Yoda: No no no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.
It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, a lot of will-power and self-control to do the things you’re supposed (and ought not) to do. That’s why “Do or do not.. There is no try” diba? It’s so much easier to leave your heart unguarded, be crazy and reckless with your life, and enjoy all these worldly pleasures without having to care who gets affected. This is about choices. The choice to live a good life, a “holy” life is never easy. No one is perfect, and do we every wonder why that is? Not because temptation is stronger than our will-power (that's why there's grace!) but because we usually go for “quick-fixes.” On the other hand, the satisfaction you get from making quicker, easier choices is usually more fleeting.
Luke: I can’t believe it!
Yoda: That is why you fail.
Sometimes, all it takes is FAITH. Anything is possible. Matthew 17:20 says “.. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." All we need do is BELIEVE.
That goes for X-Wings as well. ;)
Now, because I’m a big fan of happy, sappy endings, The Empire Strikes Back isn’t my favorite film in the Trilogy. But can you imagine having Neapolitan ice cream without Vanilla, Chocolate, or Strawberry? Exactly. If not for The Empire Strikes Back, we would never learn of Yoda, Lando Calrissian, or even get to see Luke have his arm chopped off. ;)
And so, without further ado:
5 Lessons I Learned From Yoda
“Do or do not.. There is no try.”
A lot of us are content leading half-baked lives because we’re afraid of failing. There are times when I’m faced with a major decision and fear gets the better of me. Still, no regrets diba? It’s either you do it or you don’t, decide to take that jump and choose to fall. That’s the beauty of free will – that your decisions are your own. The point is, choices MUST be made.
“Size matters not. Look at me. Judge me by my size, do you?”
It annoys me when people judge me because I’m, herm, “petite.” I suppose the reason why I’m a little defiant is because I want people to take me seriously. People automatically assume that because I’m small, all girlie-girl and bubbly I’m such a ditz. So I always try to break the stereotype by being competitive, strong, and self-reliant. This doesn’t always work to my advantage because then I become “an intimidating scary little girl,” a deranged Little Red Riding Hood of sorts. I suppose this all points to a deeper insecurity that I need to get over, one that really requires the grace of God, especially since the only opinion that really matters is His and not of those around me.
Luke: What’s in there?
Yoda: Only what you take with you.
Baggage.
I remember being so affected by last Sunday’s lesson on Faithfulness, especially when Pastor Joey started talking about how some men will promise you the sun, moon and stars.. Ouch. I suppose my recent “anxiety attacks” only serve to validate my fear of vulnerability, of being susceptible to hurt. :P Everyday, my struggle is to acknowledge that people can be trusted, relied upon, and that they can and WILL come through for you. To trust without abandon is a scary thing indeed, and that’s why you need faith. :)
Luke: Is the Dark Side stronger?
Yoda: No no no. Quicker, easier, more seductive.
It takes courage to stand up for what you believe in, a lot of will-power and self-control to do the things you’re supposed (and ought not) to do. That’s why “Do or do not.. There is no try” diba? It’s so much easier to leave your heart unguarded, be crazy and reckless with your life, and enjoy all these worldly pleasures without having to care who gets affected. This is about choices. The choice to live a good life, a “holy” life is never easy. No one is perfect, and do we every wonder why that is? Not because temptation is stronger than our will-power (that's why there's grace!) but because we usually go for “quick-fixes.” On the other hand, the satisfaction you get from making quicker, easier choices is usually more fleeting.
Luke: I can’t believe it!
Yoda: That is why you fail.
Sometimes, all it takes is FAITH. Anything is possible. Matthew 17:20 says “.. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." All we need do is BELIEVE.
That goes for X-Wings as well. ;)
posted by dystopian dreamland @ 7:41 AM
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