Everything Looks Like a Struggle... In the Middle

“Real obstacles don't take you in circles. 

They can be overcome...

Like a maze.” ~ Barbara Sher

The year started a little unfortunate.

I have not spent the New Year's Eve with my family but we are in good terms. I know, because we have to be in good terms during this time of the year. If the year won't start good, the rest of the year will be troublesome. You know, the superstitious folks.

I dropped my phone on the toilet while taking a pee this morning. It's not working now. Panic Alert! Does that mean my whole year won't be working?

Kidding aside, we all have these superstitious beliefs. On New Year's Eve, I wore my one and only polka dot shirt and red underwear. My 2012 horoscope says I'll be doing fine this year.

You might not lose anything in faith. If you truly believe in something, it will likely happen. Not because destiny's doing it's thing to make it happen autopilot but because you believe it enough to make it happen. It's not about believing or not believing. The real question is: is it worth believing? Will it change the quality of your life?

I said my first prayer this year an hour ago. And by praying, I mean talking and not just praising and asking. I think I just had a love quarrel with God. Too many questions, life's too uncertain. The plans that weren't materialized last 2011 were things I wanted to be materialized this year. I wanted to change the system, I don't even want to live under a system. But sometimes reality has its own way of making your life miserable. It really is perhaps designed to make our lives miserable. The fun part is beating reality.

Life is designed to be uncertain. It has to be. It's an obstacle. I have learned through years of experience that there's nothing certain about life. You get in to the maze without knowledge about how the labyrinth looks like, where the paths go... You just get in and live it. You shouldn't fear about getting lost and stuck in life. The greatest fear that anyone could have is living and just passing. Passing, without footprints on other people's lives. Existing for the sake of existence. Breathing without feeling or feeling without loving.

The struggle between birth and death is what makes life colorful. So be thankful for all the obstacles along the way. 'Cos if there wasn't a labyrinth and the path's just straight, you live the years in consistent boredom. Cry, if you must-- you are born to feel.

Remember that obstacles are designed and made. If there's an obstacle, there's a goal. We are given challenges because God knows we can solve them. I don't think God would want to waste our time putting us through things without purpose. Winning or losing a challenge give us lessons. Winning makes us confident, failing makes us strong.

Several people have lost loved ones last year. Most of them have spent their Christmas away from home. They have lost their homes and so as their lives. Be thankful that despite all the pain you're going through, you still have some of your essentials intact.

Start your year with a new mindset.
May you live the best year of your life.