The One about the Parable of the Talents and Mediocrity

I've been saying over and again how slow and uninteresting my days have been since moving from the tropical island to the Arctic land of Northern America. The year before today I was convinced that to live in Canada would mean work, house, work, house and more work kind of routine. At one point, I thought there is nothing else to experience in this prairie province of Manitoba besides ice skating on Red River in winter and freezing in the cold beaches during summer (sounds ironic but unfortunately true). I dread the dry and humid summer simply because I can't escape to the beach whenever I want to because there is no such place here like the one I grew up in the Philippines. And I dislike the unapologetic coldness of winter because it is just so unbearable. But despite these extreme weather conditions I told myself never to utter the word hate in describing them to my family and friends back home. I have conditioned myself to just think of the cold summer night breeze and pretty snowflakes whenever I look up at the weather forecasts.

Fast forward today, I am eating my own words. After my second year of Winnipeg summer, I remembered how the weather could have been worst; and by that I mean what could be any worse than a wet summer. I am falling head over heals about the Fall season. I am beginning to understand and "feel" why most Canadians love the autumn season. I am not sure about this coming winter though, the last one I was told is mild winter. Duh, who are they kidding?Whatever you say it was darn COLD to the nth power. And Spring, oh Spring will always be a season of miracle to me. To see how gray turns to green is such an exciting season to wait on.

This past September long weekend gave me a new insight about two things: how to be really grateful and how I abhor mediocrity.

To be thankful for your blessings is one, but to make the best out of each is another. I sat on my study desk today after a long-day at work and I am reminded of the Parable of the Talents. Matthew 25:14-30 is often used used to emphasize the need to use our "talents" wisely - by investing our time, money and gifts for the kingdom so that when the Lord comes again, we will hear his words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!". *

It dawned on me that boredom will never leave you if you keep a mediocre life. If you just wait for things to go around or until an opportunity knocks on your door then, chances are you will wake up one morning wondering where all the days have gone by. And believe me, you wouldn't like the feeling. More often that not, we need more than saying a prayer, we need to actively seek our own adventures and consciously decide on our next best option. We don't need to know how it will all turn out. Baby steps are sometimes better than long strides.

Last Sunday's teaching mentioned about sowing and reaping. Whatever man sow, he will reap. What we do today will echo in eternity. Simply put, what I decide to do now will either make me proud when I turn 37 or regret that I was being lazy and not achieve anything given my circumstances. And I couldn't bear the thought really.

I took my first baby step Tuesday morning and cheered myself on. Fun times! But to the next I hold some people accountable for constant encouragement and motivation that my efforts to make something out of my dream is not a work in vain. I am setting my foot here by trying to go back to University to get a second degree in Human Nutritional Sciences and get involved in Sports Nutrition. If things do not work out there, plan B is Culinary Arts. To be honest, I am intimidated. But I got encouraged by a friend I recently met. Eleven years my senior and he talks about his career with passion. I didn't see nor hear any hint of regret when he talked about it. And when we part ways I am really motivated to get my act straighten up and just do what I have been contemplating of doing. And for that alone I am thankful! Merci à vous!

And yeah there is more to Winnipeg than I have assumed. Fishing, overnight stay in a cabin by the lake, bonfire, smores, road trips, more cold beaches, ice sailing, Aurora Borealis, more ice skating, frost, winter wonderland, four seasons, more road trips, cultural diversity that let you take advantage of great tasting cuisines without having to travel too far to taste it. And my list go on..

Life is what we make it according to our talents and giftings. One step at a time. One dream at a time. And a big nudge every now and then.

*Women of Faith Study bible