"Times have changed and you can no longer afford to put everything on your own shoulders and be the only sacrifice. Even the happiness of one person is complicated these days. If you should fall as a sacrifice, the young lady who came to Kyoto with the one wish of seeing you will, without a doubt, be devastated by that loss. Think about it! No matter how powerful you become, you're still just a human being. Do not ever try to become something more than that." - Hiko Sejiro
In 1996, I learnt from Kenshin that to protect others, I needed to protect myself. Or I would not be able to be there for those I love.
"I see now that the circumstances of one's birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are." - Mewtwo
In 1998, I learnt from Pokemon that despite my past and how I started out in life, it's the what I do today and tomorrow that really defines me more than anything else.
"The only thing that the people left behind can do is to remember them and not forget them. Bart, you have taken on the flame of her soul. Your life is no longer just yours now. Now lift your head. Embrace the memories and move forward. For her sake as well. There's no need to hold back. Cry as much as you want. Tears you shed for others are not something to be ashamed of." - Captain Magno
In 2000, I learnt from Vandread that all the times I've let myself cry... Is a sign of weakness on my part. It's an emotional engagement that I can't escape, be it to feel the pain on behalf of people or to feel the loss of someone.
In 2004, when I finally read the bible, I learnt how to empathize and accept my tears as a weakness. I learnt how to decide to live my life. I learnt that "protecting myself to protect others" can mean hurting myself mentally and emotionally to protect others, even if they don't think that my actions protect them.. Simply because I believe that they'd be stronger and better with or without me in a few years time.
I also learnt that God supplies me the strength in times of toil, trials, and tears, to be content and cope in times of need and want. I also learnt that God supplies me with the wisdom to make decisions and deals with the repercussions of my decisions. I also learnt to cry for myself, for others, and to commit the tears to God, knowing that there's something incomprehensible in this intelligent design but that I am still learning more each day because He makes me able to.
"Cherry blossoms in Spring. Stars cover the sky on Summer. Full moon shines on Autumn and in Winter, the snow covers the ground. All these things make sake taste good. If it tastes bad, it's because there is something wrong in you." - Hiko Sejiro
Now if only he could grant me with the tastebuds to appreciate sake better too. Hahahah
