Being the best

I slept very late some nights ago. As it often is these days, my mind is preoccupied with the idea of success and failure (i.e. what it means to be either one of it). But something about what I had read earlier that night on my Facebook feed led me to realize one thing and that is people often think about success and failure but easily overlooks what's in between: mediocrity. But more on that later.

The next night, my husband imposed one new house rule: that we stop using our gadgets from 11PM-6AM everyday. He stressed the importance of having enough time to sleep but I knew he had in mind the fact that I was so weak the next day, I had to depend on a caramel macchiato to keep myself awake enough to attend a playdate.

At face value, that rule is very easy to follow. Drop whatever I was doing (which is really just checking on my social media accounts), sleep, and continue on the next day. But you and I know that it's not that simple. And as I reflected on my reluctance, I realized that the reason I was so hesitant to follow the rule was because my heart was not in it.

Then I remembered what I heard in church last Sunday about discipleship. The pastor said that the concept of following Jesus is really very simple. What makes it hard is because it is not easy to do. How many of you know that people, at the sight of any inconvenience, go and run for the hills faster than one can say RUN?

Applying that to my situation, the real deal is that I didn't want to give up my unligadget time at night.

And then I was reminded that when I married my husband, I vowed to submit to him all of me. I married him because I decided that he is the perfect man to lead me and my children in this life. I told myself that I will willfully and happily submit to his leadership. I may be inconvenienced by his rules, but I will follow him. That vow stands strong then, now, and forever.

Just as God is our Father, Ruler, and Lord of our lives, we should submit to His perfect will without any hesitations. We may not understand the purpose of all His rules, but we can be assured that it will only do us good if we follow it wholeheartedly until the very end, with no delays and no distractions.

He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose. 

- Jim Elliot

Translation: A person is not a fool to give up all the reckless ways of the world to gain eternal life by being good and following God.

If you're wondering what happened next, I did agree with my husband's imposition proposition to limit our gadget use. Not only because I have to (for the reasons I stated above), but also (and more of) because I decided to put my heart in order and set my priorities straight.

In the last few weeks, along with my thoughts on success and failure, I've also been concerned about how I do things and how for the longest time I feel like I'm living a life of mediocrity. And I decided that I am so tired of that. I am tired of being just in between. So from now on I'm going to be the best. I'm going to be a success.

But what does it take to be a success?

Being a success, in my opinion, means doing your very best, and not being successful as how the world perceives success, in each and every aspect of your life, whether it be at work, your finances, your relationship with God, your health, your relationships with other people.

So whether it's honoring one's husband's rules or deciding to really follow Jesus in your life or even the simplest thing like finishing a long overdue blog entry, let's be a success. Let's be the best that we can be in each role that we play. Let's be a success is each area of our lives. It's time to stop mediocrity and make the most out of this one life we're given.

Disclaimer: While I may be mediocre in some areas, I am at least proud to say that I've never been a mediocre wife or a mediocre mom. I've always given my family the best of what I can give; time, attention, love, and even material things. My husband says I am the best on where it matters most. And because he thinks that, I would like to think that I didn't do so bad.

The poem of my life

And again, I am reminded of this. Life is a funny thing. It never ceases to teach us lessons we need to learn. The more stubborn we are, the harder the hammer is used to whack us in the head. It hurts. It sure does. But you come out a more experienced person. And perhaps, a better one too. Time will tell when all will be healed. Because like any other person in this world, I can only take so much.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be critical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

© Max Ehrmann 1927

#pasensyanamaypinagdadaananlang

Realization

What will it take for a person to make his mark in the world? If one goes about his life doing nothing, thinking of no one else but himself, what will he have in the end? A life wasted. But if one lives his life touching the lives of others, inspiring them, being present, sacrificing his time and resources for others, then, isn't that a much better way to spend his life? No one makes a mark by thinking only of himself. Rather, it is measured by how much one has affected the people around him. For when one shows love and respect to others, so shall it be returned to him.