One of my companions has an ear for music. She enjoys listening to music and singing various genres including pop songs. She often sings to herself while driving, but it seems that adopting a religious way of life reduces this tendency little by little.
One day while climbing a mountain, she let me listen to one of her favorite pop songs entitled "Life is a journey," first presented in the album, "The Third Place" in 2007 by Lee Sang-eun. I couldn't hear all the lyrics through the earphones because of the passers-by; anyhow I was touched by the rhythm and the meaning of the song.
When I came back home, I searched for that song on Youtube, and tears rolled down my cheek. I listened to it several times.
I want to share the story of the song with you because it includes the deep meaning of life. Singer Lee Sang-eun said that it took three years for the song to gain popularity because there were too many words. I translated the lyrics as follows:
When you don't know the meaning,
look at the white sun.
Your frozen soul will be melted away.
The mystery flows away as if dancing peacefully
to anywhere in this vast world.
Today, the way that I've walked with you
is shining like the glassy blue sky.
The way I used to walk alone after parting from you
was hurting like the steps of a mermaid.
Life is a journey, and it will end someday.
I was afraid that I would lose you, so precious to me.
However, I now realize that we were born to live freely.
Forgive, forgive, and be grateful.
Then, the withered heart will be flowering.
Bearing that vast night sky in the heart,
the bright and clear stars are abundant.
Yesterday I drew a bird blown away
and cried while putting it in a bird cage.
From now on, I will embrace what I have
instead of being sorry for what I haven't,
for life is continuing.
I was just afraid of walking alone
in the midst of various scenes.
However, I now realize that I had to walk alone
in the midst of rain and wind.
A poem written with the tearful ink…
The melody that lost its way…
The heart and the soul, the mind and the body
are remembering them all.
I'll rise again and leave for the journey for the eternal,
for the life is a journey
and it will end someday.
I might not be able to walk further
if I don't become stronger.
Look at those people who are walking
to be united with that abundant light.
As this song confesses, our lives are truly a journey toward the eternal; we are constantly and patiently coming and going. While walking along the way, we meet various people searching for freedom. We are interrelated and we can't love only one person.
To have a freer and more balanced relationship with others we encounter on the road, we need a wise sense of distance and balance.
Keeping some distance is very important in driving also. Especially when we turn a corner of a street or building, we should move at a distance. If there is no proper space or distance, the car will scrape against the wall and be scratched. One day I turned a corner too closely, and the left side of the car was scratched. Pulling a cart in the building is the same. We need some space to turn around the corner.
It is the same with human relationships. When we are too close and lose a sense of distance or balance, we might be hurt and have a distorted and prejudiced view of others. Attachment and possession always block broader and freer relationships with others.
Living as a sister within a religious congregation demands me to give up personal desire and passion. From time to time, I wish to be with those with whom I feel more comfortable, lovable, and peaceful. However, I have to give up personal preference and tendency to be a freer and more faithful person following the footsteps of Jesus. By being conscious of keeping a distance not only while driving but in relationships, I train my emotion and thoughts.
"I'll rise again and leave for the journey for the eternal, for life is a journey and it will end someday. I might not be able to walk further if I don't become stronger. Look at those people who are walking to be united with that abundant light."
https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/opinion/2012/07/137_114926.html
The Korea Times/ Thoughts of the Times/ July 12, 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment