The parents and I finally made it to the Suarez Family Circus on Tuesday, October 22nd. There was a very small number of persons there, but each artiste executed his or her act as though it was being viewed by thousands. As wonderful as the show was, though, the purpose of this article is not to comment on the performances. I have heard many complaints over the last few weeks concerning the admission fee to the circus. I have also heard complaints about the prices of items at the concession stands. The basic truth, from which this all stems, is that as humans we are hardly, if ever, satisfied. We keep wanting more and more, but at no cost to us. We say we want better, more wholesome entertainment, but are only willing to pay the price of a poorly put together show. To attend the circus anywhere in the world one would pay no less than the equivalent of G$2,600.00-and this is at a discounted price which comes with several restrictions. I do understand that there is a big difference between the price of a drink at the circus and the price one is used to paying on the road, but be fair – the organizers have incurred expenses which they must take care of. They have the several performers and a maintenance crew to pay, equipment to maintain, as well as traveling costs to cover. Apart from these, there is also a giraffe and not one or two, but seven Bengal tigers that need to be fed. Now unless you intend to volunteer your body for the greater good –to allow others to attend the show at a slightly lower cost- your complaints are really unreasonable.Further murmuring stems from the G$2,500.00 price tag put on having one’s photograph taken with the tiger. No, I do not have a job and those who “work hard for their money” will probably say that because I am not spending my own money I do not value it as I should. But let us think this through. Were you to focus on the $2,500.00 and decide that that was just too much to pay to have a photograph taken, tell me when would you get that sort of opportunity again? We have no such creature here, so in order to see this animal again one would have to travel abroad – transportation costs + the possible admission fee to the zoo + whatever miscellaneous expenses. You do the math. Very often, people hastily take things at face value and immediately push them to the side because of cost. But I think it is very important that we all think each situation through and seriously weigh the benefits against the disadvantages. Consider the likelihood of another such opportunity presenting itself, then make a well thought out decision, that was not based solely on finances. The next time you’re tempted to be cheap, remember the French proverb which says that “It is a wise man who lives with money in the bank; it is a fool who dies that way.”
– Bless
Timing in Nature
When each of us was a baby it was natural for us to “do our business” whenever and wherever. We sensed the call of Nature, and responded as was natural for us. As we got a little older it became natural for us to raise our hand, or tug at our mother’s dress to indicate that Nature was on the line. For most of us, we are now at the stage where it has become natural for us to hear the call of nature and respond accordingly only when it is appropriate; we respond once we have found a clean toilet. There are many males to whom this does not apply, however, as they just find a post, a tree, a wall, anything that’s stationary really, and carry out the task at hand. For the sake this article, we will politely ignore these young men.
During multiple discussions on sex, the recurring argument is that “sex is natural.” This is true. We are sexual beings created to feel the urges we feel, but as with the above illustration, what is natural changes as we mature. In the immature stage, we let go whenever we felt that tingle. Likewise, in the immature stage of sexual and emotional development, we may tend to give in to the urges we feel by engaging in sexual activity. However, as we mature we should understand that though the urge is natural, there is a more appropriate way of dealing with it than simply giving in. I mean what would this world be if we all went around urinating and defecating on ourselves? Just as with wanting to use the toilet, we ought to wait where sex is concerned. We owe it to ourselves and our partners to wait until we have gotten to that safe, secure and private place, that place where responding to the urge is truly acceptable and without shame and regret. In the first example, this place is the toilet; in the case of sexuality, this place is marriage. Regardless of the arguments offered, this is the only safe institution. This is the only institution in which sexual activity will come without regret and a sense of empty and momentary pleasure. This is the only institution for which God created sex. He created it. He knew it would be pleasurable, but as with all things there is a time and a place.
I do understand that initially, decisions may have been made in the heat of the moment. But I am one of those who believes in what is known as “secondary virginity.” I believe that there is something honorable in a woman wanting to, after having made a previous ill-guided decision, keep herself for that man she plans to spend the rest of her life with, that man who also wants to spend the rest of his life with her, and proves it by making her his wife. It is simply not enough to promise without the ring, that you are “gonna get married anyway.” This doesn’t cut it; it just doesn’t. The same goes for males. A major part of a relationship is compromise, but sex is one thing that should not be compromised. If you love someone you will want the best of him or her, you will want to be a part of his or her mental and emotional growth. The only way to help someone grow is to hold his or her hand and politely decline the sexual advances. Let the person know that you too feel what the urges, but that giving in to the strong temptation is not the best decision you can make as a couple. I believe that whatever is meant to be will be, regardless of how long it takes. If at the time your partner decides he or she cannot wait for you, let him or her go. This is easier said than done, I know, but he or she will be back if you are meant to be together.
Remember that we grow by learning to control ourselves. We avoid being laughed at in primary school by learning to control the urge to go to the toilet and waiting for permission from our teacher. Gymnasts perfect their skills by learning to control their moves. Swimmers become internationally recognized as champions when they learn to control their bodies and their breathing. We become our best selves by learning to control the urge to do what seems easy at the time, but really is detrimental in the long run.
-Bless