Beauty From Within

October 12, 2011
Reading: Luke 11:42-46

42 The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
43 Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces.
44 Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”
45 Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”
46 And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”


My Reflection

I am a very competitive person, and whenever I am in a contest, race or anything that will bring fame, I always put my 100% into it; just to win it. And sometimes, I have the tendency to bring this competitiveness in me in my life, in my relationships with my family and friends. Most of the times, I don't want others to be over me; that I need to be always ahead of them. I've got to have the coolest and latest gadget if my friends have them already. Or, if not, I need to have the more upgraded version just to stay ahead of them.

I guess it is just but human to feel envious of others, of what they have, of what they have been receiving or what they can do. But at times, if we make these things our inspiration to live, then that's where everything starts to fall apart. If we do things for the wrong reasons, then I am pretty much sure that we will not be able to see through it.

It is that child in me that tend to have these attitude towards materials things. I should not blame it on my past having not to have the luxuries of life. Ever since I got to have a good pay, I always justify the things that I buy. I always tell myself that this is to reward myself for the work that I am doing, and for sacrificing a lot while I was still sending my brother to college. That it is about time that I enjoy the pay that I am working for. But I know this is wrong. I should learn how to control especially if there are things that after using it for a handful of times, I would stop using them because I already have the more latest version.

I remember Atchi telling me before... Your way of life or lifestyle improves as your pay increases as well. When she told me that, I told her, "Nah, that will not happen to me... I am different. I am a simple person and I do not need much..." But look at me now, I have lots of things that I just keep in my cabinet and don't use them anymore. I've got to learn to control myself in buying more.

Simplicity is beauty as they say... I believe in that. Because if you have too much on your face or body, noone can no longer see the natural beauty in you; but rather, only see the shallow things that enhances your physical aspect. And besides, like what I said yesterday, the beauty inside is enough, once that is good, it will radiate beautifully outside.



My Prayer

Lord, Thank You for reminding me that I should not based my beauty or my importance as a person in material things. These are shallow things, and that I need to invest more in making myself better inside.
Please do teach me to learn not to compete with others but most especially not to be too envious of them. Also, give me the strength to live a simpler life; that I can appreciate even the littlest things that come my way. Thank you...