Wednesday, October 9, 2013

How to Feel Happier and Younger


For the second time, I had my body scanned to determine my body fat and body age. My first scan a few months ago indicated that I have the body of a forty-six year old, almost two years younger than my chronological age. This time around, I was pleasantly surprised when the scan calculated my body age to be forty-three years! I am not 100% sure about the accuracy of this body scan but a verse I read this morning gave me a spiritual perspective. Psalm 103:1-5 says:

Praise the Lord my soul!
All my being, praise His holy name!
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and do not forget how kind He is. 
He forgives all my sins
and heals all my diseases.
He keeps me from the grave
and blesses me with love and mercy. 
He fills my life with good things,
so that I stay young and strong like an eagle.*

I feel younger because many good things have happened to me recently. Four weeks earlier, my newest book, Life in the Middle, was launched at the Manila International Book Fair. Two weeks ago, I visited Singapore for the first time mainly to attend a training seminar. I met my Asian colleagues and gained insights about my learning style and how I can improve and utilize it to mentor others. While I was away from home, I also received the wonderful news that my daughter was accepted to her first job and that my son's musical band won in a contest. And this week, I acquired my first smartphone. 

I thank God for these "good things" and many more. More than a good experience and a good material blessing, these things are a testimony of God's gracious and powerful work in my life, answers to prayers, and opportunities to be in awe as I discover new things. It's not just the achievements and material blessings themselves that make a person feel happier and younger but it's the joyful, grateful recognition that all these good things come from God. Do you want to feel happier and younger? Begin now to count your blessings and feel happier and younger. 

*Good News Translation


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