So I Turn to Books for Solace

21 Jan 2010 1 Comment

by TLT in 2010, Books, Uncategorized

This adversity is only temporary. I have set my goals to overcome this adversity realistically and clearly that I see them now as so very possibly achievable. The situation is like paving my escape through a dark narrow tunnel when I already see the light at the end of the tunnel. The only issue is whether I would endure the escape , whether I have the energy to carry on to the end of the tunnel ?

For the strength that I need, I seek solace in the lettered words of consolation. Shakespeare amazes me with his wonderful quotable on adversity. He must have been put under tremendous adversity to be able to write something as beautiful as that.

 

Sweet are the uses of adversity,
Which, like the toad, ugly and venomous,
Wears yet a precious jewel in his head;
And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks,
Sermons in stones, and good in every thing.

Beautiful, isn’t it ? Oooops… we’ve got to feel and endure adversity before we can actually appreciate the beauty of what Shakespeare says here. They are not merely beautiful words.

Adversity is a good thing to me. They are trials and tribulations that actually call forth my wisdom, my strength, my creativity, my resourcefulness, my …. macam-macam.

Ralph Parlette found some meaning in this quote also. Adversity becomes an open book to you when you realise how instructive adversity is. That’s why the books in the running brooks…

But long before I discover this beautiful words from Shakespeare I was taught this one hadith when the Prophet Muhammad says

It is miraculous the business of the faithfuls
whenever a good thing is bestowed on them
and they be grateful for it
it becomes a good thing for them

whenever a bad thing is inflicted on them
and they become patient, endure it and persevere it
it too becomes a good thing for them
(my poor translation from the arabic)

 So now I ask you does not Shakespeare’s “and good in everything” summarize the Prophet’s hadith above on all fours ?