What's Your Glory?

"Everyone belongs somewhere." "To be able to understand the essence of your existence in this world, you have to "do for others". Do not only be ecstatic of what worldly things can give you temporarily but learn to understand the pains of those people around you and those close to you. We are our "brother's keepers". Only by then can you perceive and answer the question, "What's your glory?" -Elizabeth's Quotes

The latter quote I just made up was inspired by the movie adaptation of Mitch Albom's book, "Have A Little Faith". Too often when we are at the crossroads of our lives, we ask ourselves what is our purpose in this world? How come we are here and what is our ultimate mission? There also comes a point when we question why do we have to experience sufferings, failing to vividly see there are other people carrying far heavier burdens than us. That we ought to feel blessed and be thankful at least that we are luckier than some unfortunate souls. If you haven't experienced the dreaded pain yourself, you will not be able to understand the sufferings of others as well as the beauty and essence of living. "It is only through suffering can we see the light after some realizations have kicked in."

In the movie "Have A Little Faith",  the main character  was actually Mitch Albom himself but portrayed by an American actor, a Jewish sports journalist who was requested by a pastor to write a eulogy for him that he found rather absurd at first but did it anyway. He was able to meet also a pastor from another religion who was a former drug dependent and criminal but whose life had a turn around after choosing to offer his life to God. One rainy night the man was supposedly be ambushed by his former drug Lord boss but he prayed to the heavens earnestly and made a pact that if God save him from this mess, he would serve Him in church. It's true that God listens to each everyone's prayers and forgives those who repent from their sins - either a criminal or not. He looks into the hearts of each one no matter how dark their pasts are.

The pastor who requested for a eulogy from Albom wrote this book "What's Your Glory" and that's how my blog title came to be. During the last days of his life he was provided with the best home care of his wife and said his glory was  "teaching" people how great God is. Th ex-criminal who became a pastor himself's glory he only got to realize after experiencing his "pains" too. From a family whose Mother was a convict to a father who was irresponsible to having a messy life, losing his child from his wife's miscarriage and succumbing to worldly things that are but temporary, he finally landed in his own glory- to proclaim God's goodness too. So what was Mitch Albom's glory then? Of course to write and touch people's lives using the gift of words God has given him. Religion is not a question here in the story but rather our FAITH.

So how about you? Do you now know what's your glory? Each and everyone of us has a mission we ought to discover."Everyone belongs somewhere."

The Last Three Leaves

This blog is inspired by the movie I have recently watched starring Eddie Murphy- A Thousand Words. The words we utter leave a profound impact to the universe. As the self-help guru Dr. Signia played by Cliff Curtis in the movie have said, we are all connected. The power of our words greatly affect our destiny. 

Murphy known for his stand up comedy did justice to his character in the film and what's  more interesting is that there's a mixture of drama and not just all gags we are all used to seeing him in. In the movie, Jack McCall, a literary agent portrayed by Murphy was somewhat connected to a magical Boddhi tree which sheds off its leaves each time he says a word. Yes, he was put under a strange curse.(ain't all curses weird?) A thousand words were left for him to speak and so must be careful in opening his mouth. Even if he plays deaf mute or writes them down, all are counted to the 1000.When all of the leaves have fallen off, he will also die. This tells us to carefully choose what we utter for words have the power to either lift people up or hurt them.Words also have the power to solidify or strengthen one's relationships. Jack in the movie has an unresolved conflict with his deceased father and his forgiveness was the one which saved him on the brink of death.

The last three words he used for the last three leaves hanging on the tree branches- I forgive you. This is a kind of a spoiler, pardon for those who haven't seen the movie yet.(and the disclaimer was purposely placed  at the middle of the blog) Expressing and affirming our love for those dear to us is also vital and not just mere words but coupled with actions. Also in the movie, McCall's wife is yearning for affection and affirmation which also mirrors why some relationships break at times with one partner who feels taken for granted while the other is busy with other things. If you love someone, say it but mean it! Spend quality time together and let them feel they are special while they're still alive.

How long do we hold on to grudges? It could be the one eating us up all this time. We often search for inner peace somewhere which could transform our lives when we just have to examine our inner selves first and find out what it is. "A life well-lived is one in which we only not have lived fully but one that is inspiring and have lead us to our inner peace."

So I leave you with this question : What would be the last three words you would choose to utter before you bid good bye to this world?