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Vitamins for the Soul -- Nov. 24, 2005
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Yali Shi
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Nov 24, 2005 02:35 PST
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Vitamins for the Soul -- Nov. 24, 2005
Happy Anniversary, Don!
"Too much sanity may be madness. And maddest of all, to see life as it
is and not as it should be!" —Miguel de Cervantes (1547-1616), Don
Quixote
Don Quixote is the story of an elderly man out of time with his
generation who sets off on a chivalric quest to right the wrongs he sees
in society. Don Quixote was actually written as a satire of the knights'
tales that were being written in abundance at that time, but it soon
took on a life of its own.
First published in 1605-400 years ago this year—it is considered the
first and arguably the greatest of modern novels. It has been translated
into more languages than any other book in the world except the Bible,
and has been printed in several hundred different editions. It has
inspired countless art works, poems, novels, ballets, operas, and comedy
routines.
I vividly remember the first time I saw the musical play Man of La
Mancha, based on Don Quixote, performed at our city's theater. What a
thrill! It moved me so much that at the end I stood up and clapped
wildly. It didn't bother me a bit that I was the only one giving the
performance a standing ovation. Quixote's romanticism had struck a
responsive chord in my idealistic teenage spirit. I too wanted to "dream
the impossible dream" and "reach the unreachable star." I wanted to
better the world, not just be content with the way things were.
It has been said that either you are part of the problem or part of the
solution. I, like Don Quixote, wanted to be part of the solution. Soon
after watching this play, at the age of 19, I decided to devote my life
to full-time Christian volunteer work. I am sure that Don Quixote was a
motivating factor in that decision.
I don't recommend that you try to do battle with either windmills or
sheep, or that you emulate Quixote by strapping on rusty armor and
riding off on a broken-down horse, looking for adventure. But what we
can take to heart from this story is the importance of having a dream to
improve the world we live in, regardless of how difficult the
circumstances. We are not only to dream the impossible dream, but to
live that dream, no matter how absurd it may seem to others. What
endears to us this insane dreamer, this crazy crusader who wanted to
right all the injustices of his day, is that he saw life not as it was,
but as it should be.
Was his quest really so foolish or futile? I think not. Consider the
lives that were changed. At the story's close, Aldonsa the lady of the
night has become Lady Dulcinea—a better person. Quixote's faithful
squire, Sancho Panza, has found happiness where he had never known it
before. And his family and those that knew him, while not turning away
completely from their selfish and materialistic ways, have gained deeper
insight into life. And as long as a copy of the book remains, Don
Quixote will continue to change people.
May each of us find and be true to our heavenly quest.
Sound familiar?—Expressions we have inherited from Don Quixote
The pot calls the kettle black.
Many count their chickens before they are hatched.
Too much of a good thing
Let us make hay while the sun shines.
When thou art at Rome, do as they do at Rome.
I have my own fish to fry.
Familiarity breeds contempt.
A finger in every pie
Mad as a March hare
There are only two families in the world … the Haves and the Have-Nots.
Wee Words of Wisdom from Don Quixote
Truth indeed rather alleviates than hurts, and will always bear up
against falsehood, as oil does above water.
Virtue is the truest nobility.
Tell me what company thou keepest, and I'll tell thee what thou art.
Many go out for wool, and come home shorn themselves.
A closed mouth catches no flies.
* * *
Best Regards,
Shi Yali
http://www.sunshin.org
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