ARE WE REALLY DIFFERENT?

With all the political turmoil that has been going on in the Middle East recently, I started thinking of all the countries I had been to in my life - many countries multiple times as it was during the course of my working career. It was one aspect that I enjoyed thoroughly. I loved travelling and meeting people of different cultures, learning about their customs, and most of all, enjoying their local food! I truly appreciated their hospitality and understanding their own aspirations for their country, their families and for themselves. One thing has been ingrained deeply in me -most human beings are good, kind, and decent people! Unfortunately, quite often, it is the few "bad experiences" that we tend to remember. 

Over a year ago, I decided that every day I would wake up and pray - "God, I cannot do big things but what I can give You is joy - so help me to be joyful today!" Initially, I repeated this in my heart many times a day. Now, I do so in the mornings and if I feel that I am about to become irritable or annoyed. All it takes is this one simple line to make me look at myself first - how I will react and how I choose to live my life.

The amazing thing is despite whatever personal struggles and difficulties that I have had to face, I have truly felt a deeper sense of calmness and peace within me. I have learnt to look at others and realize there is good in all of us. As I focus on the positive qualities of each person, my irritation and feelings of dislike have reduced significantly!

Having friends of different races, religions and culture is one of the greatest gifts I treasure in my life. It is one of the most memorable experiences I have of my childhood in Malaysia. It has truly broadened my life perspective knowing them, living abroad and visiting different countries. It makes me realize what a great blessing I have had in my life. All of us want to live in peace and harmony; we want the best for our families; we try our best to do good and we enjoy having joyful moments with those we love and care for! I have never found anyone from any part of the world who did not have some goodness in them. Admittedly, at times,the goodness was not directed at me unfortunately but there was still goodness in that person!

In fact in my family, all my five brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law are of different nationalities. It was not something I had consciously thought about until a number of guests mentioned it to my happy parents  at one of my sister's wedding! The multiculturism in my own family is a joy - what's more I have just wonderful nephews and nieces! 

So as I deeply pondered about all the people I have known in many parts of the world, I do know the answer to the question - "Are we really different?" The answer is an emphatic "NO"! We are all children of God - each of us have a right to live in this world in peace and harmony and to have the freedom in practicing our faith.

We should not let tyranny, extremism of any kind, bigotry and hatred to overwhelm our human spirit to live a blessed life! The words from the song "Ebony and Ivory" by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney always soothes me when I listen to it especially the following verse:

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony
Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh lord, why dont we?
We all know that people are the same where ever we go
There is good and bad in everyone,
We learn to live, we learn to give each other
what we need to survive together alive

Well, I am now going to sit back and let the music video of "Ebony and Ivory" bring back happy memories of all the people I have known and have made me a better person today! 

THIS VALENTINE"S DAY - LET US BE THE WORLD!

I have never been one who really got caught up with Valentine’s Day. I always like spontaneous little acts of love throughout the year -  that just seems more meaningful somehow.

Here in the retreat centre, I am not bombarded by the commercialism of Valentine’s Day that I would otherwise be subjected to mercilessly – which is a relief!  Now, I do not mean to come across as Ms. Scrooge because if Valentine’s Day makes people show that they love and care for others, well, then it is great! Better one day in the year than none at all…

For me 14 February will always be special because that is the day I first stepped foot into Divine Retreat Centre 13 years ago to attend a retreat– and my life has never been the same since! I still feel I received a Gift of Love from God to finally understand what I needed to prioritize and treasure in my life.

Besides giving gifts and having an expensive romantic dinner out, let us also think of doing an act of love to someone less fortunate – for whom just being able to survive another day safely is a great achievement.

I came across the remake of the “We Are The World” music video that was remixed in 2010 for Haiti. This Michael Jackson / Lionel Richie song is truly touching and I would like to believe it reflects the kind of person Michael Jackson was in his heart.

Let us not be stingy with our love and only show it one day of the year or to only shower it on those we know and care about. Let us make each day a Day of Love for someone –  even if it is stranger passing through a few moments in our life. Most of all, let us look beyond our comfortable lives and take a good hard look at our world and decide to be agents of change – you and I! Let our world be one powered by love and not hate or fear.

After all, we are the world! Let us all share our love  - it is something  our hearts will never run out of. Happy Valentine’s Day!

“Love is eternal”

(1 Corinthians 13:8)

LIVING OUR CALL – NEVER GIVE UP!

In the past year, for some reason, many people have asked me to share how it is one can be sure of one’s mission in life. I was asked to share my personal experience. I had never openly discussed why I chose to serve fulltime as a volunteer in India. Yet, in 2010, it somehow became necessary as I knew what I would share would make a real difference to people I knew who were trying to combine their jobs and to also serve wholeheartedly in church ministry.  It is definitely not easy for them. But then neither is it easy for me to stay in a community all the time in India.

Life is about making the right choice in our lives with courage and to live our life’s mission to the fullest. I am a firm believer that material security and wealth can never make any human being happy! We need to nourish and strengthen our spiritual lives – to live our faith. I have often seen in friends who are wealthy and yet seem constantly fearful and worried of the future. At times, I believe it is a case that when one has more, one wants more so “joy” becomes elusive!  I look at the poor we care for in our mission here and I see a wonderful contrast – they are at peace and there is a tangible inner joy from the youngest orphan child to the elderly who are part of our Divine Family. I have realized over the years that it is love and concern for one another that makes the biggest difference in any person’s life. Those who were so desperate and marginalized in society now feel love and hence there is no fear. They know the Vincentian Fathers of this retreat centre will always care for them – there are no strings attached.

Do not imagine that those who do ministry or mission work fulltime are holy and hence find it easy to serve God. Each of us has temptations and worldly desires or human and worldly attachments we have to guard against and conquer. The quest to be humble, not to expect recognition, to be filled with God’s Love and Grace are very difficult to master and especially to be living examples of Christ. Indeed, that is what those of us, as Christians, are called for!  I have yet to meet a person who can confidently say, I have the “Fruit of the Spirit” – “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

Every one of us has a call – a mission in our lives. Our life on earth is temporary. We all return to our Maker one day. We cannot take anyone we love or anything we own in this world with us – all we can take up with us are our own good thoughts, words and deeds; the love we showed for our fellowmen/women and most importantly, our Love for God and our Christian mission to live for Him.

We all arrive at “crossroads” in our lives. I too was at a major crossroad in my life. From mid-December 2010 until 31 January 2011, I have gone through the most spiritually challenging phase of my life – where I had to look so deeply into myself, to spend a lot more time in personal prayer and to finally hear and understand the firm and gentle call of God in my heart. It was like a jigsaw puzzle finally being put together! It only became clear when I made the decision to be totally committed to "my call" - no matter what it was. I remember the day and the exact moment I did so - on 22 December 2010 upon hearing a homily. Immediately after that, I felt a joy and calmness in my heart and mind and I felt liberated! The process continued until I attended my personal retreat 8 days ago - and now I know. There are no more doubts. There were quite a few fears I too had felt about fulfilling the call I am strongly feeling in my life. The wonderful part I have learnt is I must never give up because God will never give up on me! After so many years, I finally have a great spiritual confidence of living “my call”. The following bible verse is so real to me now – “Do not be afraid – I am with you!” (Isaiah 43:5) I used to receive it often in moments of uncertainties about my life but it did not penetrate to the depth of my heart until now.

It is God who will lead each one of us - you and me! Tonight, I felt that I should write a new post for this blog but my mind was blank on what to write about. I do not believe it was a mere coincidence that I came across this music video on YouTube – “Never Give Up” by Yolanda Adams and I felt inspired!

 God found a special way to touch my heart and reaffirm me – may He speak to yours too!