Who Moved My Cheese?

Cheese. It has many variations. Theres swiss cheese, blue cheese, parmesan, gouda, gorgonzola, ricotta, and many other. Still there are lots you can do with cheese. It can be baked into cakes, toppings for spaghetti and other pasta dishes, or simply a filling for a sandwich. All of these conventional uses of cheese might be taken for granted by humans, but for a mouse, it is their life. Its their life force. Its what sustains their health and keeps them alive.

The story of Who Moved My Cheese? might be about mice and their cheese but reading the context between the face value of the words, reveal a more worldly humanistic reality that has been going on ever since time began. The search for contentment and satisfaction. Though the ideas presented in the story might contradict some of the ideas already believed by most people.

The analogy of the story in reality is that we should not be afraid o take risks and not be afraid of change and the unknown. Nothing in this world will stay forever. Even mathematics change, but ironically, change is the only constant thing in this universe, and it is not bound by time.

Another point n the story is that we should strive for more. To want more out of life and have/get everything that we can to its full potential short of being greedy.

These are good points. They truly give good intentions to those who will take them to heart. The slightly contradicting ideas are wanting more out of life and being content with what you have. We were always told to no be selfish but be contented with what we have and give thanks to God even for the smallest of thigns He has blessed us with.

My opinion on this is that, yes, we should be content with what we have and be happy with it but theres also nothing wrong in wanting more, especially if what we want helps not only us but the people around us. Wanting more starts from being a single dream or ambition (pangarap). We might be content and happy today but by dreaming we are subconsciously wanting more. It is just up to us if we reach for that dream and work hard for it. Thus, the Filipino adage of Nasa Diyos and Awa, nasa tao and gawa. God may want us to do something. He may want us to reach for our dreams. Sometimes, even, He is the one who gives us the first steps of reaching our dreams by giving us hope and opportunities that land right in our front doors. He may do all these things out of mercy and love but it is still up to us to open the door, grab the opportunity and work hard at it. Sometimes, its just Gods will.

Update On Oct 18, 2010: To give and not to count the cost;
To fight and not to heed the wounds;
To toil and not to seek for rest;
To labor and not ask for any reward
Save that of knowing that we do Thy will.

Saint Ignatius of Loyola (1491 - 1556)

Spanish theologian.

"Prayer for Generosity"