Better, Wiser, Happier

“THANK YOU for the 300+ Facebook greetings. I am better, wiser, and happier mostly by God’s grace but also because of those I encountered in my life’s journey…My face value still defies my age. For these, I am grateful.”

So says my wall post yesterday and following is the back story behind it…

Another year was added to my age two days ago. No evident celebration occurred because I was broke both literally and figuratively. I am not ashamed to admit that for I know it’s just another fleeting season.

Broke But Not Lonely

I am literally broke as I just started a new job back in a night shift industry which I thought I’d never return to again. That’s what I said to myself years ago…but I was wrong. That is why I am one broken man figuratively speaking.

The harder way this time, I have come full circle to some lessons I needed to learn extensively. It’s a painful process to which I apply myself to with reckless abandon because I don’t want to be a repeater all my life.

Moving on to greater challenges, I want to absorb whatever insights I can muster from these events. I am becoming a guru at making the most out of the lot I am assigned in this life; no matter how unfortunate other people may consider it.

‎”I am grateful for all of my problems. After each one was overcome, I became stronger & more able to meet those that were still to come. I grew in all my difficulties.”-J.C. Penney

No gimmicks, surprises or gifts on that day but my family at home and friends whom I have communicated to only virtually that day. They are my precious treasures. Ostensibly, I did not celebrate my birthday but I have an awful lot of inwardly celebration going on.

Returning home exhausted and almost dreamy from graveyard shift yesterday, I recounted the past years’ blessings that swelled my heart with gratitude. I had to stop joyful tears from falling because it’s a shame to weep in a public transport.

“Ruin is a gift. Ruin is the road to transformation.”- From the film “Eat. Pray. Love.”

My Evolution

Over the years, I evolved as a person. My passion for life-long learning became stronger even as I read far and wide, watch movies, do simple travels here and there, and significantly relate with and really listen to people’s stories.

In a greater way, I now know how to overlook an offense and to even forgive my own shortcomings sometimes most of the time. I became fearless of other people’s opinion about my decisions based on convictions.

I can be odd, boring, unique (sometimes even weird) yet still special when I want to. My sense of humor improved and I am getting better at flaunting wise cracks while mostly laughing at my own jokes. I grow secure as I keep maximizing my potentials and fully embracing my weaknesses while not giving up working on them.

No longer having high demands or expectations from people mean less expectation, no dramas. I pray more intensely now and worry less.

With much striving, I cast all the broken pieces of my life to God, the Divine Maker of masterpieces in this world and beyond while I am learning still in choosing to be happy and content in every circumstance.

Fine, I had an unconventional birthday but I don’t feel bad about it. Anyway I can turn my life into one grand series of celebration so why sweat the small stuff, right?