"I long ago realized that my personal life was to be subjugated to my political responsibilities. When my democratically elected father, Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was arrested in 1977 and subsequently murdered, the mantle of leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party, our nation's largest, nationwide grassroots political structure, was suddenly thrust upon me. It was not the life I planned, but it is the life I have. My husband and children accept and understand that my political responsibilities to the people of Pakistan come first, as painful as that personally is to all of us. I would like to be planning my son's move to his first year at college later this month, but instead I am planning my return to Pakistan and my party's parliamentary election campaign."
"I didn't choose this life. It chose me." (as written by Benazir Bhutto this past fall in a Blog for the Huffington Post).
Upon reading about the death of Benazir Bhutto, Prime Minister of Pakistan, I came upon the above passage she wrote for the Huffington Post. It was requested by her long time friend Arianna Huffington when they last visited with each other. Her death is a great loss, not only to her followers in Pakistan, but to the world itself. Her long struggle for democracy and the rights of her people has been a lifelong mission, alas the one that would end her life. I am propelled to feel such sadness for the loss of such a remarkable woman. Her life, so reflective of generosity, strength, courage and self-sacrifice makes me wonder if one is born with such ordained character strength.
"I didn't choose this life. It chose me" - may be a lesson to all of us when we are so ready to complain and not easily accept certain situations in our life. It is a true statement, because in fact, life just is. As much as we'd like to think that we have control over it and the events that surround it, it is just going to happen. Life is a gift and we should live it with purpose as best as we can. Embrace it all, for all things are a gift, even those that are painful come with some meaning and lesson. It is God's way of teaching us to make whatever necessary changes need to be made to make way for a purer, happier and more purposeful way of living.
Her death and her words are a reminder to me to become more conscious about my own life.
5 comments:
Great post! I love how she looked at life and what responsibilites were bestowed upon her. Her death is a loss to so many.
I do disagree that life is what it is. I do believe we have much more control than we realize.
Take Benazir Bhutto, she made choices, she could have handled her life in a much different way and had a totally different impact on herself and her country and the world at large.
Happy New Year Mark - Yes, I do agree to some degree we do have some control/choices. We can chose to be kinder, bigger, more conscientious. Yet in some some ways, many things are out of our control and we need to have a finer understanding of what is available to us and how to utilize what we do have to promote change.
For example, many years ago I realized that I could not change my ex-husbands behaviors or attitude, but I could change how I reacted to them. This helped me to bring change and goodness into my own life. The rest, I think is destiny.
I think I will meditate on that quote today. It really hit home for me just now.
Oddly, that very sad movie we saw the other day hit home for me, too...she reminded me so much of myself, and he reminded me so much of my Al (yes, even the little striptease dance...don't ask).
After she said that she was in school for art (and knowing that in her future, she went through many jobs, not one that had anything to do with art), I just really sat there and got even more depressed. That's why I was so sad when I left the theater, but I didn't want to sound dramatic.
I came home and looked at my husband in a whole new light. What a dear, wonderful soul he is. Just my calm in the middle of every storm. I don't want to be Holly...so I'm appreciating every minute with him in our little, cramped home. It is what it is, and for some reason, at this time, it chose me. So I will learn how to deal with it.
...I guess I could've made this a post on my own blog, hahaha!!!
Dear Simply me,
Thank you for sharing these quotes and your thoughts on Benazir Bhutto. Her life was fascinating, and she will be remembered as a hero.
A post like this one puts everything into perspective, which is very helpful as we approqch the new year.
Hugs,
Betty
Well, I do believe that sometimes 'life does choose us'. I did have plans for my golden age..but it seems God had others. I have to admit He was right!
Wishing you and your family a healthy, happy & prosperous New Year.
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