it's not about what you've done, it's about what you're doing.

You never know beforehand what people are capable of, you have to wait, give it time, it's time that rules, time is our gambling partner on the other side of the table and it holds all the cards of the deck in its hand, we have to guess the winning cards of life, our lives.

- Jose Saramago

----------------

The little girl grabs onto her teddy bear and ventures through the woods. A little bold, yet a little afraid; she steps through the trees and little bushes. She attempts to make friends with the little birdies sitting around the tiny branches, and start a small talk with the pretty little white rabbits prancing around the fallen leaves.

Peeking from behind the big trees, the little girl wanted to avoid the big wolves. The big bad wolves, she heard, could eat her up in one piece and leave her with nothing. No way was she going to risk getting spotted by the wolves, what would happen to teddy? A part of her was hesitant on pursuing her adventure to reach the end of the forest - there was a castle full of magical flowers and beautiful horses, just like in a fairytale.

Holding her breath in, she stood still, teddy in arm, and leaning closely against the tree, she heard rustling by the bushes. It better not be those wolves, or foxes, or scary creatures that mama told me about every night before I went to bed. A little raccoon jumped out of the bush and scurried away, it seemed to be panicking. She asked teddy, should I take the gamble? Should I continue on, or head back? Teddy looked back, silent and without a sound. In her mind, it was clouded with thoughts about the magical wonders of the castle, and all the happiness that the satisfaction of conquering the journey would bring.

Placing teddy on a safe branch, she starting to take a few steps forward. Turning back to look at the teddy sitting securely on the tree, she said softly, I'll be back for you, Teddy. Wait for me. She advanced further into the woods, leaving trails of yellow sunflower petals to lead her back to teddy once she had found a safe route to travel by.

The castle was ahead, she could see the illumination of the castle walls, where all the beautiful magical creatures and lovely garden of flowers would be awaiting her arrival. Determined to complete her journey, the little girl stopped. She turned back and ran. I never forgot about you, Teddy. She ran back to where she placed teddy, following the trail of petals she left. There, sitting at the exact spot, was teddy. Teddy never once left, and teddy never once abandoned the little girl.

Hugging the teddy bear as tightly as she could, the little girl smiled and started to run towards the castle, knowing that teddy gave her the strength to venture on this adventure, even if it was a gamble. For there was no sure thing in this adventure, even if the castle was right ahead, many obstacles lay ahead - the vines, the wolves, and the little potholes that could trip her. The little girl held on to teddy, ready to take on this gamble in the adventure, and see for herself if the castle was real; because no matter what, teddy never said anything to put her down, and teddy was always there for her.



--------




Life is an adventure, full of uncertainty.
At times, we have to make a decision, a choice, a gamble.

Not everything in life is certain,
but the only thing certain in life is death.




Whether or not we choose to see the end of the adventure as death,
or something as wonderful and magical as a castle,
it's all up to our own free will, and our personal perspective.
No one can change your mind, except for yourself.

----------------

M.

it's all about where you going, no matter where you've been.