You’ve likely experienced flying a kite. When it soars high, when you first launch it, and when it engages in battles with other kites, how do you feel seeing it up against the horizon? It’s exhilarating when the kite maneuvers just as you wish. But what about when you lose it during a fight with another kite flyer? You may feel a rush of emotions, from high to low, reflecting the fate of your kite. What does this mean? You are the true player behind the kite, an extension of your hopes and desires. If your kite is severed from its string, you might momentarily feel a sense of profound loss, as if a part of you has died. But isn’t that an exaggeration? You realize it’s just a game—you’ve simply lost some string and a kite, that’s all. Your mind plays a pivotal role in determining how you feel, from ecstatic to miserable. But why does your mind, which you know is not grounded in reality, convince you that the loss of your kite is so significant?
The truth is, you’ve only lost a kite and some thread, not your entire life. We live in a world where our minds often lead us astray. We know that events or circumstances are not inherently good or bad; it’s our perception that colors them so. In daily life, challenges like a demanding boss or a difficult task might seem too great to be overcome, but is that truly the case? Both the good and bad aspects of life contain their opposites hidden within. Caught up in our limited perspective, we can be overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, and a sense of loss.
If we could see the bigger picture, we’d realize we don’t lose or gain as much as we think. In a holistic view, gains and losses are two sides of the same coin. So, what have we really lost?
Consider a story from an American prison where a man sentenced to death was told he would be executed by a cobra bite. On the day of his execution, he was blindfolded and shown a large cobra. In reality, he was merely pricked with a needle, simulating a snake bite. Within minutes, he died. The autopsy report shockingly attributed his death to venom—which was impossible. This illustrates how our fears and beliefs can have physical consequences, even to the point of manifesting symptoms of non-existent poisons.
Our emotional responses can be harmful or healing. Do you let fear of your boss or life’s pressures affect your well-being? Or do you find joy in simple pleasures that nurture your health? The choice is yours. Fly your kites, but remember it’s just a game. Life, with its ups and downs, is the grandest game of all, and our universe is the playground. Your mind is like a kite, influenced by unseen forces. Who then, is the one playing with your mind? That is for you to discover.
