It’s My Life

Life is so uncertain and unexpected, regardless of where we stay and what we do; and it is so short and so random, that we mustn’t take anything for granted. Every moment of our lives is so precious and so fleeting, that we hold on to them and refuse to let them go.

Nothing really stays forever; they grow up, leave, and die.

Some suggest we live a better life and enjoy all that come our way.

As we grow older, some suggest going vegetarian, eating balanced meals, watching one’s sugar intake, and tackling obesity head-on. Yes, a healthy lifestyle is a must.

Some suggest we cultivate and maintain strong family ties and a good parent-child relationship. Some insist that we be more sensitive to the plight of the elderly.

Some say that we must reach out to those in need; some say we must discover out potentials in life; and some say we must be environment friendly inhabitants.

They are all beautiful and splendid ideas and suggestions.

But just how many of us are living a healthy lifestyle, having solid family ties, helpful and friendly, and become self-help, self-improved and self-managed individuals? And what about environment friendly?!

The key to living a better life is to know we can do that; not mere talk, conversation or argument. It is to firmly settled in our beliefs and go on with our practices.

Life is so uncertain and so unexpected.

But just how many of us care about it until it is too late?

Stubborn Principles In Life

I was doing an analysis on my ex-students’ performance in the public examinations.

It was a tedious work; much time and effort was spent before I could complete it.

Then I sat back, concentrating on the report, and pondered over all that I had done for the past years.

As I thought through, a sense of disappointment and regret sank into my heart; I realized there was much room for improvement.

If only I could establish a better rapport and relationship with my students, I could make them score better.

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Sometimes we are too keen to solve problems at hand that we don’t realize there are better and more effective ways.

We are too narrow and rigid in our mindset that we wouldn’t listen to counsel and advice.

Now that damages are done, we are living to regret them.

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Sometimes it is the problem of communication.

We put so much emphasis on delivering our lessons that we forget we are communicating with people.

Humans are like that. We know what we are supposed to do but we never consider the human aspect of everything. What is important to us is efficiency or effectiveness, and we are satisfied.

If only we can be more considerate and friendly, and learn to develop some empathy and understanding, the students will listen to us more.

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Many times I had regretted on my actions and decisions.

I never knew they could bring serious and lasting problems until later in life.

Now that relationships have become tense and ugly, sometimes I do feel guilty and depressed.

Why not rather be wrong?

Why so assertive in winning?

Oh! Those stubborn principles in life!

Turn Over A New Leaf

We can’t determine the length of our life span or the impression we can make on others, but we can always live life to the fullest and be a great help to those in dire need.

Our daily lives needn’t revolve around certain individuals who have dominance and power over us; we needn’t feel scared or threatened if we are doing what we are supposed to do and we have done it to the best of our ability. Living up to his or her expectations is desirable but needn’t be the only goal in life.

We are masters and leaders of our own lives, and we determine the roles we play in the societies. Our failures and successes in life will be determined by the decisions we have taken for ourselves.

While saying so, I am not denying that we are servants and stewards of God doing His biddings. And this realization and contemplation should spur us on to reach our full potential and give our best in life.

Nervous and uncertain people always love to shy away from challenges in life. They dare not try to address pressing issues at hand; they rather wallow themselves in self-pity, anger, and misery. And I believe we needn't be like that!

I believe none of us is born a loser; we are not defeated people. We all have potential and we all have wonderful qualities and gifts that we can use and share with others. We just need to find out what they are and what we actually want to achieve in life.

Everything comes naturally in time.

We will have our turn and we will make our world come alive.

Just learn to take things one step at a time.

But don’t tarry.

Make quick and careful decisions and move on fast.

Life is a constant struggle and an endless adventure.

But it’s fun and it’s rewarding.

There's no time like now to turn over a new leaf.

Get Along Better With Everyone

Below are some of the beautiful words of wisdom on how to cultivate better relationships with your family, friends, colleagues...

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Before you say anything to anyone, ask yourself 3 things:
1.  Is it true?    
2.  Is it kind?    
3.  Is it necessary?

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Make promises sparingly and keep them faithfully.

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Never miss the opportunity to compliment or say something encouraging to someone.

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Refuse to talk negatively about others; don't gossip and don't listen to gossip. 

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Have a forgiving view of people. Believe that most people are doing the best they can.

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Keep an open mind; discuss, but don't argue. It is possible to disagree without being disagreeable.

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Forget about counting to 10. Count to 1,000 before doing or saying anything that could make matters worse.

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Let your virtues speak for themselves.

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If someone criticizes you, see if there is any truth to what he is saying; if so, make changes. If there is no truth to the criticism, ignore it and live so that no one will believe the negative remark.

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Cultivate your sense of humor; laughter is the shortest distance between two people.

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Do not seek so much to be consoled, as to console; do not seek so much to be understood, as to understand; do not seek so much to be loved as to love.

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Please share them to your friends... Everyone needs them.

Usha's Story

I received the following story through an email and I pass it on.

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with a galloping malignant secondary cancer. It was a very fast spreading cancer and although I underwent chemotherapy and radiation, I faced imminent death, and it was a terrifying experience.

For the first time in my life from the depths of my soul, I cried out to Jesus, "Lord, Help me. Please, help me."

There was no answer. One night as I lay down, preparing to face death, my 14-year-old son, Roshan, came to me with his Bible. He attended Sunday school regularly and had developed the habit of reading the Bible every night before going to bed. That night, he felt his mother too should read the passage he was reading. (When I look back, I marvel at our God’s compassion and the means He used to reach out to me.) Although from a Christian family background, I had never ever opened the Bible in all my life.

This is what my son asked me to read that night. Mark 11: 22-25 (New King James Version) So Jesus answered and said to them, "Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be removed and be cast into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them. And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses."

These words of scripture came alive and spoke directly to me. It was as if Jesus himself was speaking to me. With childlike, simple faith I believed every word I read. I realized Jesus had the power to heal me. However, it was the last verse that He highlighted for me that night, about forgiving others. My heart was so full of bitterness, resentment and anger. These feelings were rooted in me against people who had hurt me over the years. The hurt was too deep and intense, and I had bottled it all up. Unforgiveness weighed me down, but I did not know how to deal with it.

That night I asked Jesus to help me forgive and to help me let go of all the resentments buried in the depths of my being, unknown to any human being but known only to our God. It was as if a dam burst inside me and I wept through the night, reliving the agony of my unforgiving heart and as I did so, I placed all my negative feelings at the feet of Jesus. In the early hours of dawn, I experienced a peace, which passes all understanding. Jesus had cleansed me, as only He can. I felt light, as if a heavy weight had been removed.

Thereafter, I said a simple one-line prayer for the healing of my cancer. After which I thanked Jesus, accepted His healing (just as the verses of Scripture said), and drifted off to sleep in the early hours of the morning.

The next day, and for the next 3 weeks, my body was tested and retested. The doctors were puzzled. There was not a cell or trace of cancer in my body.

This happened 10 years ago. Deep-rooted unforgiveness had become a physical cancer and Jesus set me free through His Word. He healed me physically and spiritually, changing my life and my way of thinking. Later, I went to Bible School , and today He enables me to help others know that The Word of God is living, pointing us to our risen Christ Jesus who has the power to change lives, attitudes and circumstances.

There is no one like Jesus, our God of all compassion and mercy.

(Usha Chandy is a post graduate in Management from Xavier Labour Relations Institute, Jamshedpur, India. For 19 years, she worked for the Syndicate Bank in India . After her miraculous healing in 1992, she resigned her job and joined a Bible College in Bangalore and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology. She is now involved in leading women's Bible Studies, visiting cancer patients and counseling people going through various crises. She is married to Vijay Chandy and lives in Muscat., Sultanate of Oman. They have 2 sons who are doing their Master's in New York.)