by: Beryl Anne Louise P. Tan Sr. D
Happiness can be brought about by many things. It can also be fleeting or consistent. We could also
think of most of the things that made us happy as a blessing.
think of most of the things that made us happy as a blessing.
I consider my good relationship with God a blessing and a source of happiness. It is because there are many people who do not believe in God, not because they chose to do so, but because they do not know about God. I am fortunate that I am able to know about God and was given a chance to try building a good relationship with him. My parents also make me happy for the reason that they are very supportive and they genuinely care about their children especially since not everyone experiences the same. My sisters are also a cause of joy even though we also have our conflicts since when things matter the most, they are there for me. Friends also give happiness because they are concerned about me. Another “thing” that brings happiness to me would be the opportunity to learn in a wonderful school because only a very few people are given the chance to learn in a good school since there are many obstacles that needs to be faced in the world. Having a home or simply put, a roof on top of my head is another blessing for there are many people who are homeless and live on the streets because they have no where to go. These people also suffer during calamities or typhoons. I feel the same way with having the things that I need and eating at least three meals a day because out of the six billion people in the world, there is only a small percentage that is composed of people who do not experience poverty.
If God takes away all my blessings, I could honestly say that my pain might make me question at first why he has done that, but later on, I would realize that God has a purpose for everything. Let’s say I am unable to study in a good school anymore. I believe that if I truly persevere I could still study in school by obtaining scholarships. It is possible that God tries me to show me the value of perseverance and blessings and that maybe I could meet someone in the new school who would need my help.
I think that God has never really taken away from me something that would help me lead a meaningful life. He has even replaced those meaningful things like material objects with more important things such as a good relationship with others to make me more happy.
Having a good relationship with God, my family and other people as well as being able to contribute to society and helping others in different ways can only be the true source of happiness because the worldly goods could just simply disappear. The material things are just temporary, but the positive effects of our actions and our relationships could last until the day we pass away. Also, I believe that nothing could be compared to the feeling of having accomplished something for our love for God and “neighbors” or our “brothers and sisters in Christ.” I am unable to fully achieve everything yet, but once I do so, I think that would make a great impact on me.
Though worldly goods for me are not a true way to achieve a meaningful life, they still do not have any conflict with my spiritual life because I consider them as another form of God’s blessings and I am grateful for that. Worldly goods are not bad if we use them properly and if we do not give much importance to them most importantly over the others.
One should remember that whatever blessings we receive should not be misused, but instead, should be used for the good of the others. We should also be grateful and thank God for them. We shouldn’t forget that God is the reason why we are so fortunate. We should not simply remember God because we need something from him, but because He is there for us always.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and all the rest will be given to you.” The kingdom of God could only be achieved when we follow God’s will and if we truly love God and the others which could be shown through our words, actions and thoughts and when we “found” the kingdom of God that would mean we are united with God and for me, that is the greatest thing of all for God has loved us so much and he has proven that by sacrificing His own son.
