Staying True

Curiousity has caused me to surf on the history or origin of a wedding tradition. To my astonishment, wedding/marriages has been shaped through THOUSAND OF YEARS of cultural roots, ancestry, and religious beliefs. And can be traced alllllllllllll the way back to the time of Adam & Eve.

Imagine from the genesis of mankind, through the purest of heart, a vow was confessed. And as of today, proclaimed in all solemnization, a wedding vow.

"I ______, take you ______, to be my wedded wife/husband. To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness or in health, to love and to cherish 'till death do us part. And hereto I pledge you my faithfulness."

I recalled attending my close friend's wedding solemnization last year 2007, and these were the exact words that was recited. In matrix sequence, my surrounding came to a halt. Dreaming of me and my destined love one going through the same solemnization? *Smack*! Of course not. It's the vow! The seriousness of that vow hit me. I said "this is no joke! It's a promise of a life time. A 2 become 1 moment where living, growing, experiencing, encountering and decision making are no longer done as an individual, but a pair!!!"

How many of us have questioned that?
1) Will the level of love and commitment remain like that moment, despite going through life's trials and temptations?
2) Imagine yourself at that stage, do you really mean it when you proclaim it?
3) If right now, you're asked to say it to your love one, can it flow out truthfully?
4) Even if yes, would you stay true to it till you return to dust?

I stopped and think......."What seriousness this involves........." Time began ticking again. This time i asked myself, "Does it only apply for wedding vows?" Firm "NO". It applies in many stages of our life too. How about 2 school kid proclaims, "when i grow up i wanna be a doctor to save many lives." The one who stays true to the proclaimation, will become a doctor that he desires. The one who says it out of emotion or happiness, will lose track.

That's why many a times, i thought i'm the person who say what i mean and mean what i say, but when testing comes, i find myself free falling (*smack head* Should have invest in a mirror before i conclude who i am). Don't you all go through the same phase? Oh no no no, I'm the only one who's fits the bill (Diplomacy kicks in). "I proclaim seriously i want to do this!!!", and over the months, i lost track and it doesn't matter to me anymore. A familiar scene?....."that's me".

Throughout these few years, i realise trials & temptations are both good and bad. Good because if you STAY TRUE, it builds you. Whereas the opposite breaks you. As of today, my resolution is always, staying true to my words, and i pray for strength to uphold this vow till i return to dust.

This entry is in your hands now. What's your call?

And as a chorus goes:
There's a race that i must run, there are victories to be won, give me power every hour to be true..... (Song: Keep Me True)