Darwin John Moises and Michelle Mendez-Palmares
Michelle (M): The bar results were released several days ago and I was both happy and sad at the same time.
Happy because the first and second placers are from my alma mater, San Beda College of Law; and sad because some friends did not make it. It is difficult to console those who failed and words are not enough to ease their pain. But I read something that I hope those who did not pass would take to heart: “When God takes something from your grasp, He is not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better.”
We do not always get what we want and for everything and anything, there is a reason and a season.
Darwin John (DJ): I am no stranger to disappointments myself.
And they cost me sleep, too; not to mention being a bit depressed about how things have turned out. But I learned that we can only grieve up to a certain point. After that, we already need to make a decision to collect ourselves, stand up and move forward. It’s a tough decision.
At first, we at times have to walk on wobbly feet. But we need to keep moving. Life has its ups and downs and it is essential that we make that crucial decision not to give up after a fall.
M: Bell, one of our readers, asked if it is better to stay single or to get married to the wrong person. The question is easy to answer. Stay single. But I think Bell thinks staying single is not a good alternative hence the question. Getting married does not assure anyone of happiness. One can be happy whatever his or her state of life.
In fact, there are several who are married and not very happy and this is normal. Marriage has its ups and downs and the only way to make it succeed is to work on it every day. Being single does not mean being incomplete and unhappy. On the contrary, there are many happy, fulfilled singles and there are many reasons to celebrate singleness.
DJ: As a single person myself, I can say it truly has its ups and downs. It’s cool because you can make decisions without having to consider a lot of people who will be affected by such move. You can do last-minute travels and engage in adventure, make that all-important career shift, fearlessly stand up for a cause or be able to do what you are passionate about.
On the flipside, though, whether you’re celebrating a victory or nursing a defeat, you come home to a dark apartment. You’d be lucky if you have a dog that warmly welcomes you.
But ultimately, no one promised as a perfect life. But in each one of us is the grace to be happy amidst life’s challenges.
Happiness is not a destination we aspire to be in. It’s a journey. It’s in how we live each moment, and how true we are with ourselves and in the decisions we make.
M: We aspire, we dream, we hope and sometimes we get disappointed, we fail or we lose.
Life is like that. But life is still good. We should still be thankful for blessings, and even for trials.
Trite as it may sound there’s a rainbow after the rain. And even if we are in a drought, or some things are not yet happening in our lives, we should remain firm in our faith, continue to hope and expect for the best.
It also helps if we work on things that we want to get done. To get something you never had, you must do something you never did.
DJ: And as we celebrate Easter, rise up and shine! Whatever you have, wherever you are, you have what it takes to be a success.
Have faith because it makes things possible. Love because it makes life easy. Love yourself for who you are. Love others as you love yourself. Happy Easter!
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