Has anyone ever warned that you are “opening Pandora’s box?” Or maybe it was your own voice, that deep-down voice of truth, struggling to get your attention over the chatter of that other voice in your head, the one that flatters and bribes and coaxes and entices you with empty promises and cravings. Whatever the source, it’s a warning. Don’t open Pandora’s box. Why not?
Mythically speaking, Pandora held the fate of mankind in her hands. It all started with the Greek god, Prometheus, who pulled some shenanigans that angered Zeus, who then ordered the creation of the first mortal woman, formed of earth and water, made of clay. The gods gave her gifts – femininity, grace, and beauty from Aphrodite; Athena draped her in beautiful clothes and taught her to be clever with her hands; Poseidon gave her a pearl necklace to keep her from drowning; Apollo taught her to sing. But, Hermes gave her a deceitful mind; Zeus, a mischievous and idle nature; and Hera, Zeus’ wife (and sister, by the way), the supreme goddess and protector of marriage and childbirth, gave her the gift of curiosity.
Thus her name, Pandora, meaning “all gifts.”
Pandora was also given secret gifts – gifts sealed inside a pithos (Greek for storage container/jar) – but the jar was to remain sealed forever. Had she left the lid on the jar, mankind would have been blessed with only good. But no, she unleashed all manner of evil out into the world.
The only gift left inside the jar was HOPE.
HOPE remained.
Why did Pandora open the jar? She was already stunningly beautiful, desirable, irresistible. One of a kind.
Was she curious or cunning? Tempted by power? Tricked, lured? Bored? Was it her destiny?
Was there a moment, just as she was about to open the lid and peer inside the forbidden jar, when she paused to listen to that voice inside her head, her voice of truth, struggling to rise above the chatter of ego and temptation, “Don’t do it Pandora!” Stop! Think!
We’ve all held that box in our hands at one time or another. We’ve all heard that voice, from outside or from within. “Don’t do it.” “Stop!” “Think!”
Maybe you’ve only lifted the lid a little bit. Only let a little of the not so good out. Maybe you’ve blown the lid clear off. Unleashed it all.
HOPE. HOPE remains.
But along with Hope, we mortals also have FAITH.
“Faith is a knowledge within the heart, beyond the reach of proof.” ~ Kahlil Gibran
And, above all else, we mortals have LOVE.
LOVE can heal a world of hurts. Love can slam the lid back on Pandora’s box.
Dante Gabriel Rosetti (1871)
vivinolavita 