Solidity of Purpose III

Prelude: Introduction

A general builds his soldiers up. They are preparing to battle the toughest enemy they have ever faced. As they paid millions of dollars, to get their largest force ever, everything seems to be ready. However, as they wait for the enemy a large tsunami comes upon the general's navy, an earthquake destroys the general's fortresses, an F-5 tornado tears apart the general's air forces, and a hail storm destroys the general's ground forces. Despite calculation and constant training this general found his efforts meaningless.

Chapter One: Questions...

What is meaningless, and what is meaningful? This general had fought against tough enemies all over the world. Yet as he prepared to face the best force around, his forces were wiped away by natural disasters despite his calculation. How often do we prepare for a storm because of a meteorologist's prediction only to face sunny weather for the entire week? How often do we train hard only to get injured as we train? How often do people who are foolish get rich only to waste their money? The truth is no matter what we do something will come to upset its balance making our work fall apart.

What do I speak of one may ask. However, it is quite simple to understand. I remember how I was a long time ago. Constantly, I strived to be the best in what I did. I work hard and slept very little to get ahead. I became very quick, agile, and strong. Then I got into a wrestling match and my left shoulder was pulled out of socket. Hours I ran after my arm had healed. I had become well endured. Then I fell off of the track only to sprain my ankle for a very long period of time. All of my efforts had become useless. I kept on pressing, but sometimes it is hard to press on when you are injured. Thus, I fell into a great sadness.

I saved up a lot of books only to have them damaged by a flood in my dorm room. I did my best to run from my past only to have it regurgitated in my face. I did so much to do a good job at work only to have someone else take credit for all of my hard work. What was all of this work for? Why did this cycle continue?