It's Not Fair

labyrinth5
Originally uploaded by andebos.

"That's not fair! You say that so often, I wonder what your basis for comparison is?"

"Somewhere on the edge of your imagination, there is a Labyrinth. It twists and turns like wicked thoughts, and no one - no man, woman, or child - has ever reached its centre. There standing within the walls of Goblin Town, is the castle of Jareth, the goblin king." The movie Labyrinth was produced a long time ago. I absolutely love this movie and all the little lessons it has to teach, go figure Henson and Lucas could make something so magnificent! One of the lines in the movie is a phrase repeated by the main character Sarah. She frequently comments, or makes a comment relating to, on the unfairness of life. The classic line from the movie, "that's not fair" where Jareth replies, "You say that so often, I wonder what your basis for comparison is?" It's a terrific line. I actually used it with my kids several times this year...to which I got an odd and bewildered stare. Typically they were confused by the phrasing. But I think there confusion is mirrored with our confusion when we hear this reply to our thoughts, "it's not fair!" or "why me?" Where does this idea of fairness originate with us? Does it come from parents trying to tell us we can become anything? Is it just a notion we are born with? Is it societal...who knows. My mother usually would say, life isn't fair as I was growing up...but, I don't think I really took the time or had the experience to understand her words. As I grow older I think there is a lot of truth is this idea of unfairness. Life isn't fair and we would be disappointed if it was. I once heard Joe Belzer say he had heard it actually isn't fair to try and treat your kids equally...or fair. You can't treat kids the same, because, they are all unique - fair by our capabilities means you have to do same for all...but that's impossible and more than likely damaging. Really, for life to be fair, it must me unfair. All I can say is...thank goodness we have a fair judge in the end. But remember, life isn't fair - the sooner you accept that the sooner you will begin to realize your own strengths, weaknesses, problems, and power to call on God to change. When you think life is fair that's where we begin to blame others and sit around falling deeper and deeper into self-pity and shame...life isn't fair - so get off your butt and do what must be done. Perhaps David Bowie can help!