A Joke I like.

It goes like this:

There are 3 sisters who live in an apartment.They live harmoniously and always have the interest of another at heart.

One day, while the Eldest of all was bathing in the bathroom
She called out to her sisters who were cooking in the kitchen saying:

'One of my leg is in the bath and the other one on the outside. Am I in the bathroom or outside?'

Her siblings were surprised at the question and the older one rushed to know where she actually was.
Climbing up the stairs to the bathroom, she stopped and asked:

'Am I halfway up the bathroom or halfway down the kitchen?'

Their younger sister who was in the kitchen suddenly heard a knock on the door and asked:

'Is that on the front or on the back door?'

Does this joke tell you anything...?

The Quest for a better way of life.

Most times, we spend a lot of time doing things that we think that are really important to us. Some times, we feel the we would be better off if we had 25 or 26 hours a day. There are too many things that need to be attended to and we try as much as we can to make ends meet.
Yet, we fail to spend quality time with God in prayer.

We think other things are of utmost importance and end up leaving out the most important of all.  There are either work or school  activities and personal needs issues that seems to consume all our time and we have reminders to ensure we are punctual because the penalty would not be fair on us but when it has to do with praying or going to church we tend to drag our feet.

Nowadays, we spend so much time on our bodies, decorating our faces, styling our hairs, checking out which section of hairs needs to be waxed or combed, think of what to wear, try them out, worry about how others are going to view us and the rest of them. I am actually referring to everyone, I think guys are worst these days. Yes! Times have changed, it is no longer applicable to women alone.

Nevertheless , the quest for a better life, to climb up the academic ladder, to gain promotion at work, become a successful  trades-person or performer and becoming richer should be likened to, if not same for our spiritual life.

We should endeavour to set some time for our own welfare by praying. Quality time in prayer is very essential as we might need not only to ask but to listen quietly. Most times we ask and ask and never listen.

Group and routine or recitative prayers are equally beneficial and shows that we have interest and are somewhat committed. However, we need to make an extra effort to communicate with God alone.

We need to unwind ourselves and absorb Him, in our own time, talking to him in our own language and pace as though we need to make Him know our unique voice and style. 

We Have A Pope.

What a movie!

During announcement in church last Sunday, the Priest mentioned about an Italian movie that will be shown on Wednesday. Its' tittle is  ''We have a Pope'' with English subtitle.

At first I said to myself, it might be cool going to watch it but the fact that am going to have to listen to the I-have-no-idea-whatever-they-are-saying-ITALIAN and the supposed plot of the movie made me think that it could turnout being very boring.

Well, on that evening I was disposed to seeing it so, I went for it. It followed the evening mass and was more like fun time. During the church time we were few but more people came later for the movie.

We all went down to the lovely decorated hall and the large screen made it all look magical. I am in a Cinema after all. Wine was served and the Priest gave a brief introduction before the film kicked off.

It was a very good and interesting watch. It portrayed the degree of secrecy in the Catholic Church and how issues are being handled.

On the contrast, it showed how most Cardinals instead of praying more for a fair election of a new Pope rather  prayed that they do not get voted for. Another funny instance was when the elected Pope ran off the Vatican and on one occasion told a stranger he met that he suffered 'Parental Deficit. At his age!

He felt he couldn't do it. Despite wearing the Papal regalia, greeting the Faithful posed as a huge problem for him.

Prayer Times.

Indeed, it is a humble attitude that we seek the face of God in times of difficulty as it implies we know He is our Sovereign Master; Who knows the unknown and sees beyond human comprehension.

These moments draw us close to Him. We try to mend our ways while relying on His mercy to see us through. I can recall in my school days that at various institutions we only indulge in Novena, fasting and praying mainly during exam periods. We tend to act so religiously and would even be willing to make trouble with anyone who seems to be acting in a manner we think would disrupt our prayers.

We do set all sorts of standards for ourselves during these periods. At one occasion, we extended our rituals to the due date of our result. It almost caused trouble based on the fact that by then we must have graduated and might be carried away by the euphoria that comes with graduating from school and all it's stress. It sounds funny now but that was how desperate we were at that time.

Meanwhile, what amazes me is the fact that we never declared a thanksgiving Novena or fast. We only buy petty gifts for thanksgiving and it ends there. I know this is applicable to all of us( including you reading) in our various lives and could be seen also in the way we relate with one another, in the sense that we pester others when in need and can forget them for a very long time or till God-knows-when when all seems so well with us, as long as we do not encounter a problem that would mean going back to them.

That makes me wonder if most of us would have turned to prayer if not for hard times. Perhaps, tests, hardships and disappointments makes us more committed by putting us in the  actively praying mood which would not have been that strong  if we flourish effortlessly all times.

They continually remind us of our dependency on God and fill the gaps we might have created during the very good times. However, we still need to pray at all times.

Forgive and Let go.

In life, it is very essential that we willingly forgive our fellow men, no matter what they do to us. This is very important because nobody is perfect and can overtly boast of not erring. Indeed, it sounds like a task that could be impossible to achieve but with the true definition of Christianity at heart, it is actually achievable and of considerable benefit to those that indulge in it. In addition, our lives seem to be a model for other people as it reflects the Christ-like image divinely bestowed upon us all.

Although, it is a unique and selfless way of living, it is an exceedingly tedious and demanding dutiful life.It transforms our reasoning but does not affect our relationship with one another. To most people, you act in a manner they cannot comprehend and wonder why you think that is a good way of life but you alone know your inner drives and happiness.

I was in a middle of a conversation with an elderly Woman the other day and she made me understood the concept of forgiveness the more. Being a staunch Catholic, she thought she was living the ideal christian life and practising her faith. She usually says the Lord's Prayer and chants it till a problem she never imagined befell her family and all they have lived for, made her meet a powerful Priest that made her read meaning into each line of Our Lord's Prayer. For the first time in her entire life, she realized she isn't that worthy of saying such prayer;a mere prayer she easily rattles within the twinkle of an eye.

She kept living like that for a while but couldn't understand her life anymore and knew she needed to let go of all that have wronged her in one way or the other. Not that she does not talk to some of them, she does for talking sake but in her heart she is not at peace with them.

She narrated many ugly encounters she had had with people and how life can be cruel,sometimes. It was a touching story but I at least understood her for who she was. At a point, she broke down. There was so much betrayal from trusted friends,deceits and all sorts of malicious acts.

She lacked words to express the way she felt the very day she truly let go of her past and in her heart of heart forgave all that have wronged her.

Surprisingly to her, it reflected on the way she currently communicates with them, in cases of those she has been able to meet. She felt lighter than ever, as though a heavy burden was lifted off her chest.

Personally, I think it would have been better if most times we sincerely forgive and forget. I can recall hearing it often when I was younger and even said it a couple of times but now, I doubt whether it is feasible or maybe one of those instances of 'easier said than done'.

Well, I guess there are issues that find their way off our memory while some depending on how probing we found them never leave us no matter how hard we try.

All in all, it is of our best interest and duty to forgive others just as we would want our Creator and fellow humans to treat us.

Your analysis could be irrelevant.

There are times we seem to worry a lot whereas all we need to do is simply forge ahead.

Although, certain level of anxiety is normal in the sense that they guide us rightly, we may have noticed we are better off without it. Besides, we function effectively when less tensed.

Well, I have observed that there are moments that what we have actually calculated to be an outcome as humans totally take a different turn.

Perhaps, all we need to do is simply do our bit and leave the rest. The words are " play your own part" and the remainder falls in place. Moreover, always live a happy life.