[i've always known with you, i am home.]

sometimes, i would either sit in a chair or lie in bed, with my eyes closed, to think about why we live.

tonight, i looked back, to the materialistic self i left behind years ago, and i thought about the many things in life i have learnt to look at from a different perspective.

my life has been short so far, but so much has happened. all around me. within my family, my friends, their families, and people that just brush shoulders with me at different phases of my life. and so much has led me to where i am now. to understand that my perception towards so many things used to be so shallow, so superficial. yes, this is growing up.

our lives are not defined by status, nor money. neither is it by our history or past mistakes. instead, it is shaped by our personality, our character, how we think and our values. often, we neglect the simplest blessings in lives when we are bogged down by our problems. be it work, school, money, or relationships with people. we forget how we are blessed with a chance to live and how much love we have in our life. no one is alone. no one is homeless.

no one is homeless. when we casually say "i am going home", it may be casually defined as the house we live in, the comfortable bed we lie in. but because we acknowledge it deep in our hearts that that is home, we call it home. it wouldn't be sweet if we don't feel it. it wouldn't be warm if we don't feel safe. what is home to you?

i know home to me, is being with the people i love. it can be my family, someone i choose to spend the rest of my life with. but it's that security and warmth you experience just being home. i don't think it's logical for anyone to want to go somewhere they are not comfortable with, unless they truly don't have a choice.

like they always say, home is where the heart is.

i'm not really good at expression, but i'm just thinking about it.

[ephesians 4:32]

sometimes, we all just have to be nice to each other, do the right things.

and the world would be a better place. yes, we would inevitably hurt each other, because we are human. we are weak, we are vulnerable. we sin, we do the wrong things, and we don't even know it at times.

yes, recently, or maybe not so recent, i have been hurt by people. i was accused, attacked. yes, it's childish and yes, it's damn stupid. we will always encounter people who just do stupid things to you just to hurt you on purpose. i lost friends, people i cared about. but i'm consoled because i still have the few who believe in me. my true friends are the people who believe i didnt do what they claimed i did. the bigger lesson i can learn is that, Jesus was betrayed too, but with faith, and love for the world, He still died for us.

i do admit, i still am angry with the people who have hurt me, regardless of when it happened. but the least i can do, is to do what is right. we do not have to retaliate just because someone hit us first. and i have risen above what has happened, makes me feel a bit more grown up than before :)

a certain someone taught me forgiveness goes a long way. it's difficult to forgive someone. and without forgiveness, i think i would have been extremely lost. so many times i have made mistakes, and so many times i have been forgiven. i'm thankful, for being granted so many chances. and for people who love me.

love gives us a reason to smile everyday. at least i know i'm happy because people love me. and i'm more than contented, happy enough with my friends, and the people in my life who care :)

love is the most powerful thing God has given to the world. this may sound cliche, and boring, but... love makes the world go round :)