life is beautiful

 January 22nd, 2007 at 9:59 am

Dealing with difficulties

Posted by jns in Reflections on Life

For as long as we breathe, we will never be spared of human difficulties, troubles and pains along the way. Life is a constant struggle. 

Some of our problems are innate, while others just occur without any rational explanation as if we are doomed by fate. But many of our predicaments are actually the result of our erroneous disposition, miscalculations and human frailties.

Some take even the slightest difficulty with a very heavy heart as if it’s the end of the world. Others who are put in a graver and more serious situation take them with a pittance. Ironically, many times our own reaction to our personal difficulties becomes the root of even bigger and deeper difficulties.

During our trying times, it is always best to accept things or situations as they are, first and foremost. If the solution to our problems is within our control, by all means, let’s do our best and put consistent efforts to resolve them. Otherwise or if our best is not enough, let us not forget to live in the thought that nature or fate have always the means of resolving them sooner or later.

Don’t despair. Instead, let us always appreciate what we have and not, what we do not have. Let us count our blessings and be thankful for them because I am pretty sure that there will always be another person whose situation is much more pitiful, unbearable and unfortunate than us, and yet continues to have the fortitude and faith to move on with life. Think about them. Gain inspiration and derive strength from them.

Take every problem as challenge to our human existence because this is what makes life beautiful and meaningful, especially when it is time for us, or others, to reminisce, or even laugh at, what we have been through. But if we opt to fall into the trap and the attitude of defeat and surrender, it is almost certain that we will be buried in oblivion as we dig our own graves.

Our Creator did not promise us a rose garden on earth. All He has given us are our options.

source: http://soriano-ph.com/archives/category/thoughts/

For me who has been troubling my self for the past few days on facing life's difficulties, and even having written my thoughts on the matter, i came across this entry of Atty. Jaime Soriano, too bad i didn't get to make it in his class. Anyhow, his entry is really very inspiring.

For someone who is still young like me, I know I have more time to make things better for my family and I am not losing hope that easily. I may seem broken at times but at the end of the day I know I am strong and will make it through, God will make a way, and everything will be alright. I still believe that everything that comes to our lives are blessings in a variety of disguises, for us to learn, grow and be thankful. I know I am.

I remember writing an essay in our religion class back in DLSU about the movie "Life is Beautiful". It was set during Hitler's reign, a foreign language was used and we get to read only the subtitles, or was it dubbed I am not sure anymore. All that I can recall was that men were caught and Jews were assassinated, separated from their families. The male protagonist had to hide his kid from the authorities who have captured him. He cannot dare tell his son that there is war and people are dying. He only told his son that they are playing a game. The child was all excited. Amidst all the war and killing, the child was able to see it all differently, i.e., life is beautiful. It made me cry. Our nun professor assigned us to write an essay on "why life is beautiful". I got a 100% grade and I was really happy about it but not as ecstatic as I was writing the essay.

I can't somehow recall the very words I put into that essay but one great thought remains to sum it up, that amidst all suffering and difficulties, when you see life through the eyes of a child, you will see that life is beautiful.

So when I am truly down and depressed, crying or not, but breaking apart inside, I remember my childhood. What makes me smile and laugh as a kid. What makes all the children in this world happy. Simple things that adults take for granted or consider stupid but make them smile anyhow. Then I get to appreciate life once again and smile with my head held high.