I was thinking about what it meant when people say that all they want in their life is to be happy.
A few years back, I told a friend that my goal in life was not to be happy. He must have thought I was sadistic.
Then I realised that I must have shocked him.
There's a line in Sophie B Hawkin's "As I lay Me Down" that says "I wonder why I feel so high, though I am not above my sorrows". I do realised that a lot of things in life are many good things which do not make you happy, but they bring your joy.
Obedience, perserverance, responsibility, commitment, being patient, faithfulness, kindness... how happy can we possibly be waiting for someone, committing to something, doing something because out of responsibility, sticking on and pressing on when we don't really feel like it? The ways of the world teaches is to do whatever that makes you happy, and leave the uncomfortable things in life belongs to realms of the religious and overly moralistic.
Happiness is a feeling, joy isn't. Joy is knowing that you are bearing the fruits of the spirit inside you, knowing that even when that moment ends, you come out more like Jesus, who was not above His own sorrows, but walked in joyful obedience to the way of the cross.
Oh yes, how I got this thought.. I was climbing up the stairwell from the first to second floor in between meetings, thinking about what Jack Neo would have done if he resisted his extra-marital temptations and fought the thought that the pursuit of his own happiness isn't just the only goal his life. Very miserable, but hopefully responsibly and obediently joyful.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Monday, March 01, 2010
Still a special bunch...
At 11.30pm, my phone rings. Wonder who can it be.
Voices came on the other side, it was Audrey. Then more voices, and I remembered that it was 27 Feb. They have included me in the email for the CNY gathering at Angie's.
They took turns to talk to me, every one of them, except Angie who was tending to the baby. I don't know if they knew I was envious, and was also touched. For the short moments, I caught myself laughing. They are such happy, generous, thoughtful and amazing people.
I missed the tribe. I must have been very blessed to know people who still thought of me after 6 years of absence.
Happy new year to you all too. God bless all of you.
Voices came on the other side, it was Audrey. Then more voices, and I remembered that it was 27 Feb. They have included me in the email for the CNY gathering at Angie's.
They took turns to talk to me, every one of them, except Angie who was tending to the baby. I don't know if they knew I was envious, and was also touched. For the short moments, I caught myself laughing. They are such happy, generous, thoughtful and amazing people.
I missed the tribe. I must have been very blessed to know people who still thought of me after 6 years of absence.
Happy new year to you all too. God bless all of you.
