DEAR GOD,
It’s my birthday, today.
I’m sure You know that, don’t You?
In Your divine sanctuary, I present my celebration.
Thank You for 40 years of life. It was hardly a good life but it was full of lessons to which I can now ponder on and live through the rest of my years. I am not as good-looking as I want to be, I am not young as I used to be yet the esteem I possess now comes from the inner glow that radiates from wisdom and understanding. I am not wealthy and rich as I wish to be, I am not strong and agile as I strive to be but my worth as a person generates loving kindness and genuine friendships.
Thank You for all the people who have remembered me today;
for all the people who touched my life even for a moment. I am particularly grateful for my family, no matter how dysfunctional and broken, has shaped the person I am now;
for the relatives and friends, who tried their best to understand me, have been very accepting of who I am, who were concerned or just there to give me a shoulder to cry on or lend an ear for all my cares.
Thank You for all the experiences,
the successes and happy memories; for times of failure and frustrations; for times of joy and serenity; for times of sadness and despair; for the bad days filled with stupid mistakes. Also, I am thankful even during the times when nothing matters anymore because the void allows You to fill it up and inspire me to go on instead of giving up.
Thank You for making me poor in more way than one, because if not for these poverty I would have depended solely on my own strengths and means while forgetting You, altogether. Because of these, You were able to awaken my sense of empathy, compassion and justice.
Forgive me for all my failures; the hours I have wasted; each moment of opportunity I deliberately missed; for the chances I failed to take; for making the wrong decisions because I wanted the easy way; for my follies and mischief; for not using my talents and skills to the fullest because of my indolence; for using Your gifts and blessing for the wrong intentions.
Forgive me for the times I choose to draw my own line, decided to cross it then blame You when things go wrong. I shamed that I was irresponsible in so many ways and did not live up to many obligations because I was too busy nurturing my “inner child”.
Forgive me for neglecting my health; for not paying attention to what is essential because I was too distracted or too wrapped-up in myself. I ask forgiveness for not giving enough reverence to my body; in times I submitted to the lure of the flesh.
I ask forgiveness to those I have offended, hurt in anyway, or have taken for granted. I apologize for my indifference; for my brashness and my temper. I didn’t realize how angry a person I was until recently. I resolve to be more patient and tolerant.
Teach me to be more forgiving and loving. Foremost, I forgive my parents for their inadequacies and those who were hurtful or made my life difficult.
Shield me from the fragility of my own spirit and protect me from my own powerless will. Empower me to conquer myself, my fears and vulnerabilities. Add to my shortcomings. Hush me when I complain too much. Advise me in my doubts. Console me in my troubles. Heal my brokenness; turn my bitterness to sweetness; turn my weakness into strength. Give me the courage to leave my comfort zone, if I wanted progress. Unload the remaining baggage that I have and teach me to face life’s challenges squarely instead of turning away from them.
Help me to remember the lessons of the past; to relinquish that which I can not rearrange; to look forward with courage and make the best of tomorrow’s promises. Keep me sober in difficult times, patient in suffering and steadfast in tribulation. Grant me the patience to overcome petty intrigues and the courage to rise from every mistake.
Help me in the days which lie ahead; lead me to the path You designated me to take; train my sight only to that which is true, pure and malleable, lest I be filled with envy and desire. As I search for meanings in my daily undertakings, help me to be at peace with myself and others.
Lastly, let me be Your effective instrument of blessing and cloth me with newness of heart reflecting inner peace and enlightenment as I continue to journey through this life.
Thank You, God, that I can look forward in faith knowing that I am not alone; that You will be there for me, always.
AMEN.
DJ FLAME
28 June 2009
P.S.
I quit smoking almost two years ago, that too I thank You!
It’s my birthday, today.
I’m sure You know that, don’t You?
In Your divine sanctuary, I present my celebration.
Thank You for 40 years of life. It was hardly a good life but it was full of lessons to which I can now ponder on and live through the rest of my years. I am not as good-looking as I want to be, I am not young as I used to be yet the esteem I possess now comes from the inner glow that radiates from wisdom and understanding. I am not wealthy and rich as I wish to be, I am not strong and agile as I strive to be but my worth as a person generates loving kindness and genuine friendships.
Thank You for all the people who have remembered me today;
for all the people who touched my life even for a moment. I am particularly grateful for my family, no matter how dysfunctional and broken, has shaped the person I am now;
for the relatives and friends, who tried their best to understand me, have been very accepting of who I am, who were concerned or just there to give me a shoulder to cry on or lend an ear for all my cares.
Thank You for all the experiences,
the successes and happy memories; for times of failure and frustrations; for times of joy and serenity; for times of sadness and despair; for the bad days filled with stupid mistakes. Also, I am thankful even during the times when nothing matters anymore because the void allows You to fill it up and inspire me to go on instead of giving up.
Thank You for making me poor in more way than one, because if not for these poverty I would have depended solely on my own strengths and means while forgetting You, altogether. Because of these, You were able to awaken my sense of empathy, compassion and justice.
Forgive me for all my failures; the hours I have wasted; each moment of opportunity I deliberately missed; for the chances I failed to take; for making the wrong decisions because I wanted the easy way; for my follies and mischief; for not using my talents and skills to the fullest because of my indolence; for using Your gifts and blessing for the wrong intentions.
Forgive me for the times I choose to draw my own line, decided to cross it then blame You when things go wrong. I shamed that I was irresponsible in so many ways and did not live up to many obligations because I was too busy nurturing my “inner child”.
Forgive me for neglecting my health; for not paying attention to what is essential because I was too distracted or too wrapped-up in myself. I ask forgiveness for not giving enough reverence to my body; in times I submitted to the lure of the flesh.
I ask forgiveness to those I have offended, hurt in anyway, or have taken for granted. I apologize for my indifference; for my brashness and my temper. I didn’t realize how angry a person I was until recently. I resolve to be more patient and tolerant.
Teach me to be more forgiving and loving. Foremost, I forgive my parents for their inadequacies and those who were hurtful or made my life difficult.
Shield me from the fragility of my own spirit and protect me from my own powerless will. Empower me to conquer myself, my fears and vulnerabilities. Add to my shortcomings. Hush me when I complain too much. Advise me in my doubts. Console me in my troubles. Heal my brokenness; turn my bitterness to sweetness; turn my weakness into strength. Give me the courage to leave my comfort zone, if I wanted progress. Unload the remaining baggage that I have and teach me to face life’s challenges squarely instead of turning away from them.
Help me to remember the lessons of the past; to relinquish that which I can not rearrange; to look forward with courage and make the best of tomorrow’s promises. Keep me sober in difficult times, patient in suffering and steadfast in tribulation. Grant me the patience to overcome petty intrigues and the courage to rise from every mistake.
Help me in the days which lie ahead; lead me to the path You designated me to take; train my sight only to that which is true, pure and malleable, lest I be filled with envy and desire. As I search for meanings in my daily undertakings, help me to be at peace with myself and others.
Lastly, let me be Your effective instrument of blessing and cloth me with newness of heart reflecting inner peace and enlightenment as I continue to journey through this life.
Thank You, God, that I can look forward in faith knowing that I am not alone; that You will be there for me, always.
AMEN.
DJ FLAME
28 June 2009
P.S.
I quit smoking almost two years ago, that too I thank You!
