Life...

How does one learn to embrace life and not run from it? What does it mean to live life to the fullest? Each person I guess would have his own definition of a full life. For me, a full life isn't something I shall have in the future. It is something I have each day, each moment. It's a challenge to live in the PRESENT -- being present to my present.

I tend to think of the past and what could have been or the future and what might be rather than squeeze all that I can from the particular moment I am NOW in. It's an ongoing lesson but I've learned enough so far not to let most of today pass unnoticed and unknown. There are no replays for life, nor delete buttons. The more precious therefore life and living becomes.

There are many analogies for life -- it's a tapestry, a movie strip, a stage, a cycle, a roller coaster, an adventure, a journey, a landscape of mountains and valleys, a mission, a script and even a box of chocolates. Whichever analogy one chooses to use, the reality is that Life, my life is given to me only once. I'd like to think I have learned enough to embrace all of its facets for after all, I have but one life so I better LIVE it! :)

TGIF thoughts...

Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way.

What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.

Fall in love, stay in love and it will decide everything.

Pedro Arrupe, SJ

I remember reading this quote while I was passing through the hallways of my Alma Mater. I found myself walking away deep in thought afterwards, for I found all that Fr. Arrupe wrote, resonated with my own experience of having come to know God a little more personally than just being a subject of study in class. Through the years I find myself going back to these words, using it as a compass of sorts whenever I find myself living my life as if it was ordinary and routinary. A shame when there is so much that life has to offer and that these are often unrepeatable moments. I pray on this Friday afternoon, that I may never be bored with life. I pray that the Lord will disturb me, if need be, if I ever begin to let life pass me by unreflected, unexperienced, untried. May all that I do begin and end with Love. :)

Check out this link and find people who do things because of Love: www.misyononline.com