So, in the Fool's Day, the strange feeling comes. On this day, generally speaking, you can make jokes or tell lies as per your wish, and the one who listened would need to judge on the message and provide a feedback, ranging from "This is funny!" to "Is this for real? No joke!". If you search your memory, and it should not be difficult to find some examples. In April 1st, 2003, a famous Hong Kong singer, Leslie Cheung, who was suffering from severe depression, decided to end his life at the Centre of Hong Kong (Mandarin Hotel in Central of Hong Kong Island). Most people, including me, was in disbelief when we got this news that afternoon. Someone says "Life is a joke!" and this one certainly ends like a joke! Especially if you (purposely or not) chose the Fool's Day to act!
St. Augustine (354 - 430 AD), also known as Augustine of Hippo, who is famous of his work The Confessions (written 398AD), i.e. more or less the same age as I am now. In his Book 6.5, an important piece of work, it says "The written law inflicts death, whereas the spiritual law brings life." I even find this statement poetic!
To blend the above points together, allow me to "take you for a ride": On this Fool's Day, no matter whether or not you have the strange feeling or difficulty of separating a joke and a real life incident, whether Leslie chose today purposely as his last day around (and to make a stronger impact on others), or even you may struggle (half jokingly) in arguing if Your Life is a joke or not! (And smile please!) ... The message here, the spiritual law is really what you should be looking for, as it brings life! ... And by bringing life, you are no longer a hostage of death! You actually enjoy the process of death!
[The Picture: Portrait of St. Augustine by Philippe de Champaigne (1602-1674) painted 1645-1650, now kept in Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Downloaded from Wikimedia Commons.]
Matthew, it seems you could read my mind! Recently I keep thinking about this issue - life is a joke! Perhaps my life really sucks! Thanks for another fantastic and fascinating blog message. How I wish we don’t have to go through hell to get to heaven!
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are many theories, no one seems to know the exact origins of the April Fools Day. So next time when we have one of those 'life is a joke' moment, try think of it as a 'temporary' passing of another April Fools Day, the pranks that being played on us will soon pass. Don't try to make sense of how and why it happens; because tomorrow will be another new beginning.
ReplyDeleteLife is NO Joke if you take it too serious... On the contrary, Life can be more fun if you take it as a Joke! Joey @..@
ReplyDelete