Courage in the Dark

I just watched the last episode of ‘Shooting Stars’ on Channel 5. I knew that it was the finale, but I didn’t expect it to impact me so much. Cheers to Ken Lim for his remarkably intriguing adventure therapy storyline in this last episode!

What is adventure therapy? I first learnt about this word when I attended Pastor Andrew’s seminar (earlier this year) on how to help people. Adventure therapy is the method of using the environment to teach lessons, ideas or concepts to someone else. And this is what Ken Lim successfully concluded with, in this local drama serial, also perceived by me as a ‘postlude to Singapore Idol’.

In this final episode, George (the singing instructor) didn’t want any singing in their last lesson together at his home. Instead, he brought them to an all-familiar bridge – the Tree Top Walk right at the top of Bukit Timah Hill! I recognized this overhanging bridge when we went there during our first training session for Mount Kinabalu.

George didn’t plan to teach them anything in this last lesson. He wanted them to teach themselves something which no one else can teach nor do for them. That is, to face themselves.

And the plan is to make each one of them walk blindfolded across this long & shaky overhanging bridge, 400 over metres from the ground. Trust me, I was there & I know how it feels like. It is the ultimate experience of tranquility, as one walks step by step across this bridge, high above the ground, with a strong breeze blowing in your face. And this time, the Singapore Idol contestants had to do it blindfolded! I’m kidding when I say that it’s not a piece of cake, even if anyone watches it calmly nicely seated on his / her comfortable sofa at home.

As each person began to cross the bridge, many thoughts & images began to crowd around their heads. Worries, fears, anxiety, etc… All these swarmed in that very instant that they began this challenge. Taufik was unsteady because he had so many worries about his Mum. But he braced himself & continued moving forward till he reached the end of the bridge.

Sylvester struggled a lot mentally, as he clutched onto the ropes of the bridge, didn’t know how to find the strength nor direction to move forward against this tremendous foe which he began to see in himself. He thought about his past experiences with his girlfriend, his Dad & whether he could really do it in his aspired singing career. I watched him, blindfolded, leaning at a corner, both hands clutching the rope that kept him from falling… & there, slowly he began to sing out the chorus of his song ‘There With You’, moving slowly yet steadily towards the end of the bridge. And he made it.

Daphne faced mental struggles too, with a guy that she likes, as well as her own self-image because of her Mum’s perception of her. Slowly, she gathered courage & crossed the bridge.

The same goes for Jesse & Olinda. Each had to face their own-self. For that is one of the greatest obstacles in life - rising above our worries, anxiety & fear. No one can do it for you. You have to do it by yourself & for yourself.

I just felt so moved as I watched this scene, coz deep inside I knew that it’s that same obstacle that I’m currently facing within myself. Finding & keeping the courage to live my dream & aspiration of a career in the sports industry. For starters, being a Fitness Professional & then a Personal Trainer. No one (except God) knows what’s in store for me now & what’s more, in the future. But nothing ventured, nothing gained. Most importantly, it is to seek God’s guidance & pray for open doors of golden opportunities. And lastly, to believe in yourself.

Believing in yourself is not wrong, neither is it unchristian. Of coz, the Bible speaks about not having confidence in the flesh. But it doesn’t mean that we have to live our lives, head bowed & with as much low self-esteem as possible. This is definitely not an act of humility nor a positive example to follow & live the victorious life which Christ has already given us.

The question is – do we dare to move forward to live & build our dreams? Unless we find the answer & courage inside, we will not dare to move across this overhanging bridge in our lives. For forever we will be worrying & thinking about how high we are from the ground & how badly it would hurt if we fall.

Inspiration is what everyone needs to live our lives & our dreams. To come full circle with that special personality, interest or gifting that God has built inside us.

Everyone needs a hero, an example. Be it biblical stories, real-life testimonies or bibliographies; everyone needs a something to look forward to, even if it’s just heaven that they look forward to.

I came across this book written by the late Christopher Reeve titled ‘Living The Impossible’ at Bugis Kinokuniya bookstore this afternoon. I didn’t read the book, but the back-cover of his book stated this statement that “Paralysis is a choice for able-bodied people”. And this statement was immediately imprinted in my mind.

It’s true. It is a choice. We can either choose to live in fear & regret ever grabbing hold of the opportunities given to us in life. Young or old, we still have a life to live. And even an almost paralyzed ex-movie star, Christopher Reeve can say that. That we can actually choose to sit there & not do anything with our lives… And your whole life will just pass you by. Same words said by the retired one-legged Navy Diver, Carl Brashear.

Life is like a jigsaw puzzle. Our past experiences may & can be used to build our future.

It’s really our call. Just like faith without deed is dead, so is it with our aspirations. For dreams without action is also… dead.