In the previous article, we began talking about the ability through which some of us influence the lives of others, which changes their way of life and adds meanings to the journey of life. The first example was that simple cook who had the most impact in the lives of his sons, who in turn became influential in their society. The second example is a teacher who has not only taken up teaching as a career, but also a life she offers to her students; her story may be real, perhaps a movie scene, yet it carries a profound meaning to life.
This teacher has been interested in clarifying to her students the real purpose of education and knowledge. She believes that taking study as a duty so one could join a good university and then occupy a prestigious job shall not be the main purpose of the journey of life, but rather it must go beyond the limits of duty into the depths of real desire for knowledge and learning, she says: “Study is not something you shall do, but rather it is something you shall desire to do. In the future, you will pass through many things you will not know, and you will not realize how beautiful, enjoyable and mysterious they are … Hence you would desire to know more as people’s nature craves for knowledge…At the moment you lose your desire for knowledge, you would be counted among the dead!”
A true desire for knowledge within man opens up the horizons of thought for him to search and dig for knowledge which allow him to realize many issues of life and the world around him; thus he begins taking steps towards a meaningful life which bears the attributes of greatness “If you do not try to understand the world around you, what can you do then?
No matter how intensively you may study, there must be aspects of science that you do not understand … Study is not something you do in order to pass exams; it is rather a lofty mission that gives you the ability to become great.” Great people are those who have their minds and hearts expanded to contain the meaning and purpose of life.
Not only has she talked to her students about knowledge and study, but also her talk has gone beyond these limits and widened in accordance with life. She was stirring up a lot of questions in their depths as she resolved the troubles they may encounter: “In the future, if someone harasses you, the most important thing is to be featured with endurance and try to find the appropriate means to solve this problem …”
As for the appropriate means, it shall not be through harming others or destroying their dreams, but rather it is through man getting elevated above the waves that are trying to block his path; towards more successes and achievements.
In life, man will inevitably be mistaken, however, the strongest is he who faces his mistakes and modifies himself, developing them. While he who chooses the path of evil, he will surely find nothing but deviation among the paths of life that will be like a heavy burden void of the meaning of happiness: “Keep this advice in your hearts: whoever commits a crime will be arrested, and if you could escape, you will suffer remorse and pricking conscience throughout your life! People will flee from around you and you will remain lonely until your death! You will never be happy again!”
This is the justice in life that everyone must realize.
The General Bishop
Head of Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center
