Lately I've been feeling rather down. Actually I've been feeling this for quite sometime already, but it seemed to have gotten worse in recent months. I suppose I could say that I'm depressed. I think I do, although I may not show it. Why you'd say, am I feeling depressed?
Apart from feeling depressed, I also feel disappointed. Disappointed with the way things are going in my life. Disappointed with myself for making avoidable big mistakes in my life, hurting the ones who love me dearly and betraying their trust in me. Maybe I'm unhappy too. Unhappy that my career path is going nowhere, at the same time debts mounting and expenses ever increasing. When I look around and see some friends of mine, they are doing really well in their life. That made me even more depressed.
Recently I was invited to a mini reunion at one of our ex-classmate's newly completed resort-like bungalow and I was totally bewildered at seeing his achievements. This guy was in my class from Year 1 to Year 6, so I know him well and we've been friends ever since. However, we drifted apart when I left for UK and only managed to hook up again after graduation. He left for Switzerland to major in Hospitality and started landing jobs in Hotels soon after he graduated. His current job is a GM of a 5 star hotel and a director of the company.
Now, just imagine the typical life an average Joe would dream of. Let's say, a big house with a freeform swimming pool and perhaps a jacuzzi thrown in, a nice big German saloon that growls with its V8 engine, a home theater complete with Dolby's latest surround system and a job to die for. Now imagine having all that at 34 years old.
Whilst I'm very proud of what my friend has achieved and my heart is with great admiration for his achievements, I can't help but feel green with envy. I kept thinking what could I have achieved if I had chosen a different path in my life. Why is my life now less fulfilling? When can I be free of debt? Where is my dream car?
Some people may call this a mid-life crisis, but I'm only thirty something so I don't think this is the case. It's just that after 10 years in a rat race, I wonder how to get out. I'd like to achieve my financial freedom now, without having to worry about supporting me and my family adequately. I like be somebody that people can look up to and be the one who inspires the people around me. Unfortunately, I don't see that coming...
The Help
Sometimes, God has a way of sorting you out. I believe that God listens to your heart and that if your heart is sincere, He would open the doors to you. Just earlier today I came across this DVD titled "The Secret". I'm sure some of you have already heard of the book, this is the documentary adaptation from it. For those who are in the dark like me, this latest phenomenon started with Rhonda Byrne's discovery of the secret from a 100 year old book that was given to her. She then went back through the centuries, tracing and uncovering a common truth that lay at the core of the most powerful philosophies, teachings and religions in the world.
Anyway, what I can tell you about The Secret is this. It's about The Law of Attraction, the power to attract the things you like or the things you hate by using your thoughts. It's about using the power of visualization to turn dreams into reality. Without exception, every human being has the ability to transform any weakness or suffering into strength, power, perfect peace, health, and abundance. The Secret explains with simplicity the law that is governing all lives, and offers the knowledge of how to create - intentionally and effortlessly - a joyful life. This is the secret to everything - the secret to unlimited happiness, love, health and prosperity.
Finally, the answer to my prayers!! This is what I've been looking for. Come to think of it, I've come across a similar concept not too long ago whilst on a pilgrimage to a Holy place. I met a wise man there who explained to me the concept of "Ikhlas" and how he and his people helped to build a place of hope from nothing but the power of visualisation and faith (but that's another story for another time perhaps). For your info, The Quran even has a surah (verse) called Al-Ikhlas. Anyway, I digress.
One of the ways of using The Secret is to get rid of your negative thoughts or bad energy and focus on the positive thoughts or energy. To start with I shall try to remember and list down the things that I'm grateful for. I shall call this My Grateful List.
To be continued...
