The journey of life is never for the weak and faint hearted.
At the compound where my parents live, there's a big mango tree well known for producing abundance of big fruits. The fruits are often plenty that their weight usually bend the branches down, almost reaching the ground.
Owning to the abundance of fruits, some often fall to the ground before they're even mature or ripe. The immature mango fruits will scatter all over the ground that you might even get angry at the tree for littering the environment, lol.
This has become a familiar scenario. In fact, that's the case with fruit trees, especially the ones that produce abundance of fruits. Sometimes, when passing by the tree, I'd step on the fallen fruits. But today, as I approached the tree, something struck me and I stopped in my tracks. I stood gazing at the sight before me. First, I looked at the fallen immature mango fruits scattered all over the ground, and also at the rest hanging on the tree.
I was even moved to pick up a fruit, and immediately I did so, a phrase echoed in my mind:
Not All Will Survive
I shuddered, goose bumps all over my body as the reality of the message hit me. As if on cue, thoughts about the fleeting nature of life swarmed my mind. Thus, a reflection on the impermanence of growth, the inevitable cycle of change which is an inherent part of life followed suit.
The more I gazed at the fallen mangoes, I had a strong belief that when they were forming newly, they were enthusiastic and hoped for the day they would ripen and become nourishment for man, animals and birds, but fate planned otherwise. And by the whims of nature, some fruits were cut off, fallen, and were even trampled upon. Others were fortunate and still hung on the tree branches, enjoying nourishment and waiting for when they'll ripen, or maybe, meet the same fate as the fallen ones.
Life can be unpredictable.
These fallen mangoes, once full of promise, now faced an uncertain fate.
A fate which they never chose or wished for. A fate which they had no control of, but was perhaps, determined by a gentle breeze or the tree's own inner workings.
Fate also controls the course of man's life.
The story of the mango fruits is our story. A story about the journey of life, the twists and turns, the ups and downs, the wins and loses. There's no neglecting the fact that the life comes with challenges and everyone will, no doubt experience theirs according to the natural order and rhythms of the world. That is inevitable.
Here's a point to note - starting out on life's journey with enthusiasm, hoping that it would be a smooth ride all through is nothing but vain hope. There must be unexpected challenges and twists in the process.
Unforseen circumstances can affect our journeys and outcomes.
Just as the fallen mango fruits were victims of circumstances which led to their early fall, some individuals might also fall prey to fate, and in the process be swept away by the storms of life.
That is the sad reality of life.
Not everyone will thrive well in this journey or even exhibit a strong will to pass through difficult times and
survive life's challenges. Yes, everyone will not make it to the top or get to the finish line. There will always be winners and losers.
This is my response to #marchinleo day 12 topic.
Thank you for reading.
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