Begin with the End in Mind

Libingan ng mga Bayani. Photo courtesy of Balita.ph.

Despite of the flu, I managed to visit my elders this holiday weekend at the Himlayan and Libingan ng mga Bayani. Though feeling under the weather, I find that there is something sobering and calming about visiting our dearly departed loved ones.

Stephen Covey once said, "Begin with the End in Mind," in dealing with projects and management tasks. His wisdom though resounds to all of life. 

How do you want to be remembered when you die? This is how you should start living your life.

Facing death as a reality we all must face sooner or later (hopefully much later on after a full life) puts everything into its proper perspective.

Suffering these past few days with this sickness makes me think of those who are seriously ill especially the young ones. I feel deeply for them today.  I will never understand the extent of their suffering and endurance, one that is for them a daily reality. I will remember them in my prayers from now on.

There is something about shared suffering that unites humanity.  Why do people suffer?  This is an old-age query, a multi-faceted one. There are those who suffer because of the consequences of their actions. Others suffer from the consequences of other people's actions. How about those who suffer without having done anything wrong? They are our living saints.

Only the Lord's wisdom can answer why children suffer. All I know is that the good kind of suffering helps us to grow, builds our character, makes us truly human, in that, we become sensitive to the needs of others. The suffering of one soul is best eased by the comfort of another who has gone through the same pain and who better understands what is felt by the sufferer.

Death is a time of rest. Perhaps, it's the living that is hard to do. Yes, there is pain, but thank God there is more joy. I am grateful to feel this, too. Joy in spite of the suffering. It is a great gift. And yes, you only truly understand joy when you have endured and overcome suffering.

After all the pain felt, and a better tomorrow comes, I pray not to forget those who continue to suffer. There is something we can do, a simple helping hand, a listening ear, a smile perhaps, or a tap on the shoulder, if only to say: Everything will be all right. It will be alright.  Keep the faith.

^"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." (Romans 8:28)