Prepare for Your Next Trip
The first few weeks of the year usually welcome us with stories about trips and holidays. Everyone is energised and so full of hope and excitement! Well, have you already started planning what you want to do next this year? I know that some are planning to go on a cruise or an overseas trip. I am sure you are so looking forward to it. They always say that half of the fun is in the planning and telling everybody about your impending trip.
Late last year, I finally decided to go overseas for twelve days to visit my parents and to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a short yet a really meaningful one knowing that I was able to visit them, especially my Dad, who is sick. I also had a chance to meet high school classmates I have not seen since I was 17 years old! I was also hoping to spend a bit of time with two close friends which did not happen. So, the overseas trip was both satisfying and also disappointing.
And then, early this year, my family, with three other families, flew over to Tasmania for seven days and drove around Hobart, Launceston, Wine Glass Bay, Port Arthur, Bruny Island and other nice places. It was very good to see new and beautiful places with family and friends. However, my boys were always up to something while we were either driving or flying. They really made me so stressed out! Again, this trip was both satisfying and stressful.
I told my husband that I need another holiday with no driving, no flying, no kids but just myself lying on a beach cottage, reading a good book and eating green mangoes!
Now, why am I telling you these stories? Simply because, often, we look at holidays as a break away from our daily lives. But, we realise very soon that holidays are actually … life itself. We have good times and not so good times. We look forward to it with full of excitement. Much like when we were children, toys and holidays were exciting to look forward to. Then, it happens. Then it’s gone. A cycle of ups and downs. Excitement and disappointment.
Even when we try to run away from the routine of life, it keeps coming back at us. So, is there something that is bigger than life? Something that will always be beautiful? Restful? Joyful? Peaceful? Exciting? Everlasting? And so full of love? Well, yes. A future with Someone who Himself is Love. Eternal. Joy. Peace. Jesus. Saviour.
I know someone who is in his mid-forties but so paranoid about death. His athletic father passed away last year before his sick mother (who is still alive). His healthy Aunt died recently while on holiday in Spain.
It all really depends on how we look at life. We can plan our year the best way we could. We can plan our holidays to be the most enjoyable experience. But I believe we have to plan the best journey we will ever take. Our journey to eternity. Have we planned it? Are we ready to take on our next trip? How do we embark on this journey? It is up to us to prepare. St. John Bosco encouraged his pupils to prepare for a happy death. They may not have to worry about life insurance, but they had to learn the ways to live a pure and faithful life so they will “see their Father who is in heaven.”
Do you know how to prepare for a happy death, please see a spiritual director, a priest or a pastor. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Have a happy and restful journey, fellow pilgrims!
Ros
Late last year, I finally decided to go overseas for twelve days to visit my parents and to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. It was a short yet a really meaningful one knowing that I was able to visit them, especially my Dad, who is sick. I also had a chance to meet high school classmates I have not seen since I was 17 years old! I was also hoping to spend a bit of time with two close friends which did not happen. So, the overseas trip was both satisfying and also disappointing.
And then, early this year, my family, with three other families, flew over to Tasmania for seven days and drove around Hobart, Launceston, Wine Glass Bay, Port Arthur, Bruny Island and other nice places. It was very good to see new and beautiful places with family and friends. However, my boys were always up to something while we were either driving or flying. They really made me so stressed out! Again, this trip was both satisfying and stressful.
I told my husband that I need another holiday with no driving, no flying, no kids but just myself lying on a beach cottage, reading a good book and eating green mangoes!
Now, why am I telling you these stories? Simply because, often, we look at holidays as a break away from our daily lives. But, we realise very soon that holidays are actually … life itself. We have good times and not so good times. We look forward to it with full of excitement. Much like when we were children, toys and holidays were exciting to look forward to. Then, it happens. Then it’s gone. A cycle of ups and downs. Excitement and disappointment.
Even when we try to run away from the routine of life, it keeps coming back at us. So, is there something that is bigger than life? Something that will always be beautiful? Restful? Joyful? Peaceful? Exciting? Everlasting? And so full of love? Well, yes. A future with Someone who Himself is Love. Eternal. Joy. Peace. Jesus. Saviour.
I know someone who is in his mid-forties but so paranoid about death. His athletic father passed away last year before his sick mother (who is still alive). His healthy Aunt died recently while on holiday in Spain.
It all really depends on how we look at life. We can plan our year the best way we could. We can plan our holidays to be the most enjoyable experience. But I believe we have to plan the best journey we will ever take. Our journey to eternity. Have we planned it? Are we ready to take on our next trip? How do we embark on this journey? It is up to us to prepare. St. John Bosco encouraged his pupils to prepare for a happy death. They may not have to worry about life insurance, but they had to learn the ways to live a pure and faithful life so they will “see their Father who is in heaven.”
Do you know how to prepare for a happy death, please see a spiritual director, a priest or a pastor. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Have a happy and restful journey, fellow pilgrims!
Ros
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