Happiness Licensure Exams

Obstacles in life are tests which mold us to our better selves. This is a common line we used to hear from those whom we seek advice in times of doubts and troubles. Also, this is an assurance from God that all the bad things happening in our lives are just tests if we are worthy for His love and if we are deserving to experience greatness with Him. Although this cliché per se is convincing, having only the words won't bring us any good.

I was inspired by Kuya Ayel's current post, Gaining Control Over Desire. The thought of controlling one's desire sounds easy, but the test comes if we really show discipline on wanting something badly. This reminded me of what my Rel. Ed. teacher have said: You are just thinking about stealing one' property, you already have committed a sin against God. Considering this fact, how are we able to control ourselves if the mere thought of desire which is not yet done into execution is already considered a sin? How are we going to avoid thinking about desires which pleases our materialistic senses? Plus, how are we able to do away from these things if we are surrounded by them? These questions now blur our vision about obstacles in life. We now think of desires as sinful things. Now this idea tests how disciplined we are in times when desires are just a grip away from our hands. There can only be two things involved: the right and the wrong. The right tells us to do away with luxury and live life in simplicity, while the other dictates that we can live with all pleasure with almost no efforts done. If we do the right thing, we feel self satisfaction. If we do wrong, we feel satisfaction as well, but eventually the consequence just arrives without having the idea how to deal with them. That's the difference. Shortcuts won't give us any good. It's better to go through rough than with conscience bugging you when you most needed a good night sleep.

Just be optimistic, and have this optimism reach God's channel, and everything will turn out fine. When you go through bad, then you have every right to enjoy what bitterness has brought you. Through worse we can only be awarded the license to obtain real happiness.

-Again, I give credits to Kuya Ayel for his wonderful post. This is yet another eye-opener. (:

"Twixt optimist and pessimist -the difference is droll:the optimist sees the doughnut; the pessimist sees the hole."-McLandburgh Wilson (1892)