Through The Eyes of Trouble and Peace

Photo by Sunguk Kim on Unsplash

Trouble and peace. Opposite ends of a spectrum that describes the state of the world. Separate in theory, but intertwined in reality. 

It is like a hurricane, with its violent surface obscuring a quiet core; or perhaps like a fire, with a touch that scorches and destroys, and soothes and warms; like a rainstorm plagued with bouts of thunder and lightning that rip through the sky, giving way to the scent of petrichor as the morning rays grace the earth at the start of a new day. 

My world is one of competition, where spectators in sky-high stands bear witness to struggling athletes, swimmers, who grab and kick at the water, desperate to outmaneuver the rest; desperate to be recognized. We fight fiercely for a chance to represent our clubs, our country, our progress, our potential. Oftentimes, there are bickering sessions amongst coaches as they demand explanations for a disqualification; there are tears and yelling and the occasional violent outburst. It gets messy. 

Yet, in spite of all that, my world is also one of sportsmanship, where athletes would hold no animosity nor ill-intent after a race. The same spectators would see us exchanging smiles and laughs as we exit the pool, relieved that our ordeal is over. They would watch us make faces at each other from the stands, cheering for our friends, supporting them even if they belonged to a different team. Then, when the competition music stopped playing and the spectators had left, we would swim not with the intent to outmaneuver, but for the sake of swimming; to chase that feeling of gliding through the water, alone in your own world, guided by nothing but the rhythm of your heart. 

So, ultimately, what is trouble and peace? Trouble is turmoil; it is pain, inconsistency, uncertainty, chaos. Being at peace means realizing the calm amidst it all. That’s life. My life.

Uma Rahardja