To be Happy

                                                      Photograph of Me carrying Isaac

I named him Isaac because God gave a new life to me and the name "Isaac" means laughter, happy. Just like God had given Isaac to Abraham and his wife at old age, God had given me another new life at my older age too.  As I had not learned much about my faith, now that he is attending catechism class, sometimes I am learning from him also -- I had always been learning from my children.  

Received a message from the catechist and I thought it was so good to share over here:

A homily from our pope that's worth a read: 

 *You can have flaws, be anxious, and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. 

Many appreciate you, admire you and love you. 

Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments. 

To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in anonymity. Being happy is not a fatality of destiny, but an achievement for those who can travel within themselves. 

To be happy is to stop feeling like a victim and become your destiny's author. It is to cross deserts, yet to be able to find an oasis in the depths of our soul. It is to thank God for every morning, for the miracle of life. Being happy is not being afraid of your own feelings. It's to be able to talk about you. It is having the courage to hear a "no". It is confidence in the face of criticism, even when unjustified. It is to kiss your children, pamper your parents, to live poetic moments with friends, even when they hurt us. 

To be happy is to let live the creature that lives in each of us, free, joyful and simple. It is to have maturity to be able to say: "I made mistakes". It is to have the courage to say "I am sorry". It is to have the sensitivity to say, "I need you". It is to have the ability to say "I love you". 

May your life become a garden of opportunities for happiness... That in spring may it be a lover of joy. In winter a lover of wisdom. And when you make a mistake, start all over again. For only then will you be in love with life. 

You will find that to be happy is not to have a perfect life. But use the tears to irrigate tolerance. Use your losses to train patience. Use your mistakes to sculptor serenity. Use pain to plaster pleasure. Use obstacles to open windows of intelligence. 

Never give up.... Never give up on people who love you. Never give up on happiness, for life is an incredible show.* 

(Pope Francis).

I was just writing about me -- mentioning about "...the purpose of life is to be happy...", and I received this message... what a coincidence...

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Purpose of Life

 

Photograph taken at Church of St Mary of the Angels on 26.12.2021

Is it too late to discover your purpose in life now?  I discovered the meaning of life when encountered Jesus.  During my childhood years, I often had chance to sit in my father or brother's car to travel around.  There were times where we went to far away places like Malaysia, so the journey is extremely long.  The feeling was no good.  I did not feel well sitting in car most of the time.  Sitting in the car, I often looked out of the window and I love to see trees, different sort of trees and plants.  When the car stopped, I would look down, bend my head down on the car seat and I would think of questions.  

I wondered what is the meaning of life -- why parents give birth to children and then children grow up to become adults, married and then the life cycle continue.  I thought why there must be sufferings where the parents died and the children are so sad.  The life cycle of birth, death and sufferings continue like that.  Children crying over the death of parents.  In some cases parents crying over the lost of their premature death of their children.  

I finally came to the realization in the year 2008 where my questions seemed to be answered.  Our lives on earth is to know God as God serve as our parent on earth.  By knowing Him, our burden can be lighten when we shared them with Him.  By turning to Him, we are not walking alone.  Finally, there is someone we can commune to when we needed help.  By our Faith, there is a HOPE.  Hope that on the last day when breathe our last, we will finally able to meet our departed loved ones.  Though we cannot see them after they died, but we know that they still exist.  And it will be everlasting life with God.  

All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him. Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.… ~ Matthew 11:27-29

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Proclaim Good News

We Are Sent Into The World 

 I have not update my blog since July 2021. It was 7 months since I last update it. 

Life had been smooth sailing until now, the tragic death of Dora...

Cebest died at the age of 3.  Dora died at the age of 3 too.  Besides this similarities, both seemed to be planned...  Cebest saw the death angel came and Dora's death angel was like being sent.  Her death happened at a 'good' timing...

 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.” ~Matthew 26:34 

 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” ~ John 2:19

 Cebest died on 7.6.2006.  I was 'converted' in the year of 2007, the belief of spirits, the spirit returned, and I went back to church, our catholic church.  There, I 'met' Jesus again at the Church of Saint Anthony of Padua in the year 2008.   My sins were forgiven.  I had a new life then.  Isaac was born.

Last year, my father died.  This year, we celebrated his first year anniversary on 25.1.2022.  Then on 31.1.2022, dora died.  Unlike me, I was given a second chance to live.  I was dead but resurrected on 8.3.2008.  I was converted on 31.12.2007.  With all the explanation at night told to Richard and the children as regards to the noise that I heard at night.  

So similarly, I believe that my father would be resurrected after death.  So did Cebest and Dora.  And definitely my unborn baby.  These are not learned in our school.  I had to experience it first hand to believe.  And today I believe that my faith would guide me through the remaining days of my life so that I would eventually meet my dearly departed loved ones again...

  

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