Did you know that the Spanish national pastime of bullfighting is as revered in their country as football and cricket are in ours? That a matador can earn the equivalent of $1 million per day from perhaps five or six fights? That there’s only ever been two deaths in the history of professional bullfighting (though many non-fatal injuries are sustained)? And I learned that the cruelty of death for the bull at the completion of the fight is counterbalanced by the fact they’re ‘groomed’ for at least four years in the best pastures -- most cattle apparently don’t live much longer than two years. The things you learn whilst you’re waiting for a meeting to begin...
s
It’s fascinating how some first-up interactions go. I met the guy who told me all about bullfighting before this meeting for the first time the other day and we suddenly were into another world -- he had holidayed in Spain last year.
It’s fascinating how some first-up interactions go. I met the guy who told me all about bullfighting before this meeting for the first time the other day and we suddenly were into another world -- he had holidayed in Spain last year.
s
I got to thinking afterward of the life cycle of the bull, and its eventual demise. That life must be like that for many of us -- a fairly docile thing until we make the sudden transition from living to dying.
I got to thinking afterward of the life cycle of the bull, and its eventual demise. That life must be like that for many of us -- a fairly docile thing until we make the sudden transition from living to dying.
s
The point of life is dying. It’s got to be the final test or examination. All our lives must point toward death and what is wrought from the legacy that was our life. Like the bull we’re grazing in the pasture right now, but at a pre-determined time unbeknownst to ourselves, the collector or our spirits will await us. Will the end we meet come suddenly or will it be protracted? Will it be painful or not? Tragic -- will our death be tragic? I’m sure it will be for at least someone, and possibly for many people.
The point of life is dying. It’s got to be the final test or examination. All our lives must point toward death and what is wrought from the legacy that was our life. Like the bull we’re grazing in the pasture right now, but at a pre-determined time unbeknownst to ourselves, the collector or our spirits will await us. Will the end we meet come suddenly or will it be protracted? Will it be painful or not? Tragic -- will our death be tragic? I’m sure it will be for at least someone, and possibly for many people.
s
We live in the present and though there are more than six billion others who claim that privilege currently, there are billions more that no longer do, having passed through into eternity, and the chasm separating.
We live in the present and though there are more than six billion others who claim that privilege currently, there are billions more that no longer do, having passed through into eternity, and the chasm separating.
s
And one day we will be there; no longer alive in this world -- survived by our children and grandchildren one would hope. Looking at death from this perspective, should that change our approach to living? I wonder if the bulls know of their fate. I wonder what more we can do or what we can change to bring about a better result in the end?
And one day we will be there; no longer alive in this world -- survived by our children and grandchildren one would hope. Looking at death from this perspective, should that change our approach to living? I wonder if the bulls know of their fate. I wonder what more we can do or what we can change to bring about a better result in the end?
s
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
Copyright © 2008, S. J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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