Stanziliëri

Yesterday I was sitting on the train from Rotterdam to Amsterdam. At Holendrecht station the girl next to me suddenly jumped up and rushed out of the train. Just on time. However, she had forgotten her iPod (120GB edition) so I rushed after her, but the doors had already closed.

Shortly after, the train stopped at Bijlmer ArenA station, and I jumped in a metro to take me back. I happen to be working right between the 2 stations, so it wasn't a big deal. Back at Holendrecht she was not there anymore. Guessing that she was a student at the hospital (AMC) hospital area but oh well... gone.

During lunch hour I put up a poster stating that I had found her iPod and how to contact me. I mean... she had to get back to the station at some point... right? Turned out I was right, and in the evening she got in touch, and later today she'll have her possession back again. To identify herself as being the real owner she stated some things about what was on the iPod, and recommended listening to something.

While doing so, I discovered loads of beautiful music on there. Most importantly a folder called 'Taizé'. Checking this out it really turned out to be a folder with music from the French monastery. So, I started listening to it...

Laudate Dominum
Laudate Dominum
Omnes Gentes
Alleluia

Beautiful.

And thus I continued thinking. What's this faith business? Religion?
Everybody has a religion. Religion is your view on life, the universe and everything. Often it involves one or more Gods, however that's not a necessity. But what about faith? We all believe in things. Say you believe in nothing, and you do exactly what you just stated: you believe (in nothing). With faith people usually mean their believe in (a) God. The question "do you have faith" basically meaning "are you or are you not an atheïst?"

Atheïsm is a strange thing. How can a person claim that he has no faith? It often occurs to me that atheïsts do their very best to try and kick against the faith and believes of others, ridiculing their God(s). But why? An often stated claim is then that believing in a man possibly called Allah, sitting on a throne, maybe with the head of an Elephant, who has created the universe is bullshit.
And I actually agree with that. But those people fail to see what faith really is. It's not a childish believe in bedtime stories and fairytales. It's believing in a God who doesn't exist, and knowing it, and living a happier life because of it.

It is rejuvenating to be amongst people who have experienced the ultimate peace you achieve once you realise this. "There is a God, but he doesn't exist. It's here, among us." It's our faith that pulls us through days of misery and troubles. We talk to him, possibly out loud, without realising we talk to ourselves.

My heart goes out to all those who still have not, but will undoubtedly one day discover the beauty and happiness of it.

Darwin was probably right. Yet, I believe. It's complimentary, not exclusive!

Now I'll go and do some work, listen to some more of this gorgeous music, and then go meet this girl. Let's create one more happy face :)