Struck by a question my professor asked in class, my mind whirled with countless streams of thought and ideologies. The very framework of existence and what we know to be true was shaken by the weight of what this question caused me to ponder. To see beyond what i knew and to dive into what could be.
In a lecture on genetics, my microbiology professor asked in passing,
“Does everybody have to live a beautiful life until 80?”
She continued on in her discussion about how this was in regards to couples with genetic diseases that they knew would be present in their children, if they so elected to even have children. The idea that if you lived with a debilitating disease and knew that you would give it to your children, would it not be better to choose to not procreate? To allow nature to weed out the mutated gene?
How could a loving parent wish that kind of life onto their offspring? who could be so callus and cold as to bring a child into a world of pain & suffering?
It seems so clear cut and yet; would it not be even more selfish to refuse that child a chance at life? To experience their first breath, to feel the love of a family. To bask in sunlight and feel a spring rain on their skin?
What gives value to life? Are only those physically able and well given the gift of living?
Does a paraplegic person’s life have lesser meaning or value? Yes the struggle and hardships are real. The strain on finances and family are incomprehensible. And yet, does that dictate the decision to refrain from giving life?
Any parent of a child whom they lost at a young age will tell you that they treasured every moment. That even 5 years spent with their child was of significant worth and will forever impact their lives. What about the teenager killed in a car accident? Their life, while fleeting, shapes those around them. How ridiculous to say it would have been better for them to not have lived at all rather than to lose them so soon.
On a cellular level, the dance that happens between sperm and egg to create life happens so delicately, the combination of DNA and Chromosomes. The blueprints that set the foundation for a new individual. Any slight variation changes the resulting person completely! Who your parents are determined things that are only true for you! While traits may be similar among siblings, there is still only one you. A fixed moment in time brought you into existence. If the factors had been different, mere seconds in the flux of time, it would have been someone else.
What then does it mean when life is denied? This is every time a decision is made to not procreate. What would we think of a brief sexual encounter if we knew that by our choice of various birth control methods, we just told Einstein he could not be born? I’m not talking about the abortion debate, I’m talking about the thought patterns that lead us to choices, and the results of those choices. We hold the power in our hands and how humbling to think that as we fight to make a living in this world, each decision leads us in one direction or another that will then shape the rest of history.
Back to the premise of the question, “Does everybody have to live a beautiful life until 80?”
Growing up in America we are inundated with the promise of the American Dream. The success stories and victories of our forefathers blazing the trail ahead of us, that we might prosper! Yet the cold hard fact is that many do not prosper, many are jobless, homeless, and living in despair. There is no hope for many, no get rich quick scheme that will rescue them from this vicious cycle in which they have become trapped. Yet even if life is not beautiful, does that make it of less value?
In some parts of the world, the average life span is 30-35 years. When life is cut short, it’s a tragedy. Yet I propose that a greater tragedy still is to have lived until 80 and never understood what life was all about. For surely it is not about the possessions we so eagerly cling to, nor the pile of accomplishments that rust in our attic. What leaves a lasting legacy? What tools do we give the future generations to come? How do I want to be remembered? What is it I seek to do with this life I have been given? Is it enough to appreciate the beauty around me? Or to help a person in need? To be a listening ear when someone needs a friend? To give when you have, whether it be food, money, time, expertise, wisdom, or love?
Ah, this be the aged old question, the answer to which many seek, “What is the meaning of life?” Some are content with never wrestling with these questions, to simply go on with living and neglect their entire purpose. Again i propose that in asking, and then seeking it out, an answer can be found, and it is mind blowing!
Tuesday, November 18, 2014
Friday, April 4, 2014
The Road to Bree
pu'u ma'eli'eli is a 1.5 mile round trip hike that ends at a small summit that overlooks all of Kaneohe Bay. A good view of Chinaman's hat, MCBH, and Coconut Island.
Needing a somewhat short hike. I consulted the ever trustworthy Yelp to discover something fun & new. For directions read Grace N's review http://m.yelp.com/biz/puu-maelieli-digging-hill-kaneohe
With much stopping to take pictures and think. It still only took me about 45mins to reach the end and a light jog got me back in about 25 mins
A beautiful day in the valley of temples as I park on Hui Iwa Street
New flora unknown to me... Beautiful
As an amature tracker, these prints baffle my imagination... What made them? They were everywhere!
As the title of this blog suggests. This trail reminded me of Lord of the Rings excessively, specifically the Road the hobbits took to Bree.
Approaching view from 2nd WWII bunker. Breathtaking!!
*thanks for checking out my blog!!!!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The Neverending Hike
Today I hiked the 9.3 mile Maunawilli Trail. (Not to be confused with the Maunawilli Falls Trail)
The trail starts at the Pali Highway lookout just past Kamehameha Hwy
A fun water tank on the trail
View of the 3 Peaks aka Olomana
FYI: Olomana means "Divided Hill" and according to Wikipedia
" Olomana was a giant warrior who ruled the lands on the Windward side of Oahu fromKualoa to Makapu'u. During this timeʻAhuapau, the king of Oahu sent the great warrior Palila to battle Olomana, subsequently cutting Olomana in half. His upper torso was said to be in the Pacific Ocean near Kāneʻohe Bay leaving his lower half where Mount Olomana is today."
But the terrain varies and there are a couple fallen trees in the path.
View of the Koolau Ridge. This trail hugs and loops around the side of the mountain. Lots of cloud cover today
Koolau and my new fascination with all things Fugi
The trail is also Heavily used by the wild boar in the area. Tracks everywhere!!!
There were moments when the amount of tracks increased and the jungle was particular dark that I had PTSD flashbacks of my time lost in Kauai. So I resorted to my motto of "Carry Big Stick and Sing Loudly"
The hum of bees could be heard from the canopy of blossoms above. The hum completely surrounded and was a constant background noise admidst the calls of the birds. One bird had its own take on the "nana na nanana" which I of course tried to imitate and almost mastered :)
Some wild Strawberry Guava fruits. Yummy but sadly one of the most invasive trees in Hawaii http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/topics/biocontrol/strawberryguava/strawberry_guava.shtml
Each loop takes me closer to Waimanalo... Will I ever get to the end??
More Koolau Ridge
Panoramic Views
I can see Rabbit Island from here!!
Finally made it to Waimanalo!!!
...But there were so many splits off the trail and none were marked. Only signs saying:
I did find the Big Tree from Harry Potter!!!
after my legs were well depleted and aching to rest, I stumbled onto hole 9 at the Royal Hawaiian Golf Course!! A multimillion dollar course that encompasses acres of prime real estate in Kailua. Wearily I walked half the course to get to a public road and hoped I wouldn't get yelled at for being on private property!
Thankfully my parents were only a phone call away and they gave me a ride to where I had parked my car! Overall I think it was about a 14mile hike and in about 6 hours. Whew!! What a hike!! Can't wait to try it again and see if I can find the actual end of the trail.
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