In the previous article, we spoke about those who keep deluded by fear of failure, which strays them from trying to develop. They await their lifetime’s chance. Likewise, we spoke about those who stumble and stop full of despair and depression. Today, we shall tackle those who decide to achieve their goals by all means, repeating Dale Carnegie’s words, “I’ve decided to achieve my goal. Either I succeed… or I succeed!” Such people try, stumble, rise, and retry in a new way, only to be faced by more difficult challenges. Yet, they insist and persevere until they become adept at sailing through life’s storms: not only their lives’ storms, but others’ as well. This is the challenge of life.
This challenge is clear in the story of a Japanese emperor. He had a coin which he used to throw before plunging into the war that he might declare the result of the war before fighting it. He used to do so before the soldiers. If the head of the coin remains upward, then he declares victory. If the tail does, then they will be defeated. During that emperor’s lifetime, matters were strange for it never happened that the tail appeared. The head always did, which filled the soldiers with enthusiasm and made them fight bravely until they emerged victorious.
Years elapsed. The emperor and his army remained victorious until the emperor approached death. So, he assigned his son the country’s affairs. On his deathbed, his son came over and asked him for the coin that he might follow suit and lead the country to further victories. The emperor gave his son the coin who held it happily. He looked at it to find the head which declared victory. Then, he turned it to see the tail which never appeared. Yet, it was a head too. The son was confused and asked his father, “Why have you deceived us for all those years? I can’t disclose this to your soldiers and people!”
The emperor answered, “I never deceived anybody. This is life’s rule. When you plunge into a battle, you have one of two choices: either victory or victory! Victory is achieved if you trust, get ready and strive for achieving it; but if you keep thinking of defeat, you will be defeated.”
The challenge of life does not face the body and soul only. It faces the spirit as well. When man decides to take the spiritual path, abiding by God’s commandments: love, mercy, giving, and honesty, he face many obstacles embodied in misconceptions or evil people. Though these obstacles never stop, God has always been there and supported all good doers.
General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
