CHARLIE BROWN SYNDROME

We are what we read.

Fascinated by comic strips, I try to find reasons why merely reading pages from Dennis the Menace or Peanuts become a daily "food supplement" for me. As Dennis takes time each day visiting his neighbor Mr. Wilson, his never-ending tale of mischief adventure begins. Usually during the day, Dennis greets the morning with enthusiasm, has breakfast with his parents and asks them endless questions usually kids age of 5 ask like - Why do balloons fly?, Why does Mr. Wilson have no teeth when he's an overgrown man?, Why won't mice chase cats and not always otherwise? Eventually, Dennis gets his answers by the end of the day. He considers having conquered after realizing Mr. Wilson does have a set of teeth! Only, he wears it when he's outside and keeps them in a jar when he gets home from working in the garden. Mr. Wilson always shuns Dennis away and considers him a pest because of this kid's endless inquiries but nevertheless, Mr. Wilson gives answers. This is why Dennis never quits asking anyway.

Curiosity is found in each of us. Dennis may be described as a menace but he counters that with his effort to learn and discover. I consider myself very much like Dennis. I do ask a lot of questions and get answers in the end after making an effort to find it out for myself. I've almost given up finding answers about the Bible and what it was really meant for. Are the words really relevant to supplement my daily living? Is there really a loving GOD? How do I get to know Him? Am I living my purpose? This is an endless journey of searching and learning. A build-up of hypotheses surmount before one comes up with conclusions. Questions rely on what we sense. We see a rainbow and ask where it got its colors. Do we have to see to believe?

In Peanuts, Charlie Brown always asks why. Whenever he plays baseball with his friends and throws a dud ball, he lifts up his chin as if asking God - Why? Why does this happen to me? Then Lucy comes up to him and tells him - "You're a loser!" This adds insult to injury as Lucy walks away grinning, laughing her heart out and Charlie Brown opts to find his dog Snoopy to seek comfort. I am also like Charlie Brown whenever I don't get answers to certain problems. I blame God and seek comfort on something that would keep my mind off the problem like ignoring it and letting others find the solution for me. People like Charlie Brown often find it hard getting answers to questions because there is always an effort finding to answers. Charlie Brown always asks why and he seems to blame God for his misfortunes. He is the type who is weak and is easily swayed.

These are just some of the cartoon characters I can associate myself with. Like me, maybe there is also a Charlie and a Dennis in you.