In the 2011 comedy movie “The Big Year”, the three main
protagonists Bostick, Brad and Stu have chosen the same year to go for their
“big year” in which they will have to travel the whole of North America trying to
find and name the most bird species in a given calendar year. They share the
same passion and drive to meet their goal. But their commonality ends there.
Bostick who was the previous year’s record holder of 732 birds, was also on his
second marriage wherein they are trying to conceive their baby. His bird passion
turned into his obsession that led to the demise of his relationship. Brad, a
struggling “underachiever” in the eyes of his father, turned his passion to
improving his father-son relationship as well as finally meeting the girl of his dream
during his course of birding. Stu, already successful as a CEO of his own company,
used his passion to fulfill his dream, to gain friendship and to appreciate more
his existing and ultimate passion - his family.
Do not let love and fidelity forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart. (Proverbs 3:3)
We all have personal ambitions, individual passion,
private pursuits or our own special goal that we believe can bring fulfillment and a
sense of accomplishment. However, the question that we need to answer as well
is - at what price are we willing to achieve that goal? Is our personal dream
indispensable with what is truly essential – to seek first the Kingdom of God?
It is lamentable to note that a lot of powerful, famous,
successful and influential people in world are also at a loss in their personal
and spiritual lives. Powerful people in the government succumb to greed and
corruption. Famous people battle vices and failed marriages. Successful career
and business people are highly-risked to be alienated from their own family
members because of lots of unspent times with them. Influential people suffers
from secret struggles when the camera if off and they are alone.
All because their pursuits of personal ambition is not
linked to the pursuit of heavenly rendition.
Before they know it.
The powerful is disgraced.
The famous are unfulfilled.
The successful has failed.
The influential is shamed.
And at deathbed, the emotional regrets out-pour with
the slimmest chance of even being heard.
Sad but true.
Seventy is the sum of our years,
or eighty, if we are strong;
Most of them are toil and sorrow;
they pass quickly, and we are gone. (Psalm 90:10)
(Remarks: The world's one of the well-admired funnyman, Robin Williams allegedly took his own life after years of battling clinical depression. It is a mental ailment that is not related to his personal beliefs and life-goals but still leaves a sad mark in his grief-stricken family members. He was also a meaningful and funny movie hero to me. Zek and I love his "RV" movie about family vacation. Rest in peace, Mr. Robin Williams.)
