Embracing Change and Taking Risks
On Thursday, at 4:00 p.m., I was already at my usual spot, waiting for the Payakumbuh-bound bus. This impromptu stop is actually a small shop with a partially open front, where the terrace or shop yard is used as a waiting area for the bus.
I’m uncertain whether the shop came about because of this impromptu stop or if this impromptu stop was created due to the existence of the shop. Regardless, what is clear is that a mutualistic symbiosis has formed here, where both entities depend on and benefit each other. The distance to this stop is quite far if I were to use a GL pro (shaky knees pro) transportation or walk from my rental place.
Speaking of walking, I’d like to share a brief story about my journey from my rental place to this impromptu bus stop. When walking, we inevitably face fatigue, exhaustion, and sweat, depending on the distance we travel. These factors can either increase or decrease. Well, during my journey to this impromptu stop, I encountered sunlight, the evening atmosphere, the cool evening air, the touch of nature, the gentle breeze, the brightness, and an invigorating sensation.
During my journey, I recalled a story I saw on television about pursuing hope. It was a tale about a frog that was born in a well, right on the edge of its wall. Throughout its life, the frog believed that its current existence was more than sufficient, content with the water available in the well. One day, out of curiosity, the frog climbed the well’s wall to see what lay beyond, only to be confronted with a different reality from what it had known. Outside the well, the frog witnessed a larger body of water.
The frog saw a river! It settled in the river and left the well behind. Some time later, the frog continued its journey and discovered an even more vast body of water—the sea, which amazed it.
So, the point is, we need to break free from the safe box we’ve been confined to, the comfortable box we deemed sufficient, which has made us complacent and reluctant to seek more, causing us to become complacent with our circumstances or even fearful of being different, afraid to step outside the box. This rectangular box limits our thinking patterns to the size of the box we occupy, even though its true potential is much greater, similar to the frog’s misconception about the perfection of the well.
Beyond the confines of the box lies much that is unseen, wider, and different. And if you ask, “What does all this motivation have to do with your walk?” I can honestly say there is no direct connection. While I walked, basking in the bright afternoon sunlight, I looked up at the sky, felt the breeze, and realized the vastness of this world, as well as the numerous things and events that I have yet to discover, experience, and embrace.
In conclusion, my experience of waiting for the bus at the impromptu stop, coupled with the reflections on the frog’s journey, reminds me of the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones and embracing the unknown. It is easy to become complacent and limited by the familiar surroundings and patterns of our lives. However, by venturing beyond the confines of our perceived limits, we open ourselves up to new experiences, opportunities, and a broader understanding of the world around us.
The impromptu stop, the small shop, the sunlight, the evening atmosphere, and even the frog’s story all serve as reminders that there is so much more to discover and explore. Life is filled with surprises, and by embracing change and taking risks, we can uncover hidden reservoirs of joy, knowledge, and personal growth.
So, let us not be afraid to step outside the box, to venture into the unknown, and to embrace the challenges and opportunities that come our way. By doing so, we may find ourselves immersed in a world far grander and more fulfilling than we ever imagined. May this reflection inspire us to approach life with curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to embrace the limitless possibilities that lie beyond our comfort zones.
...
…
Comments