Philosophy of Life

The most important thing is to live, not driven by bitterness, public, opinion, or greed, but by an innermost desire to thrive like an adventurer, tirelessly journeying on a quest to find the Spring of life. It is a journey of shedding the old self and seeing ever more clearly the reflection of who I am, what others need, and why God loves us all.

"To God I give my life" is my personal motto, and it is the principle I strive to live by. I want to live and work and experience life both in the way God wants me to, and in the way He wants all humans beings to. Each life appears on several scopes of schemes, and thus the meaning of life is found in multiple definitions and footnotes. Though I fail--and fail even more as I try harder, it is the range of multidimensional perspectives that I've come to love.

It's the notion that I can keep God's commandments in the most traditional ways yet still have the surest fun and joy and laughter. It is being so sure of one's way of life as one pleasing to God, yet knowing full well that I am nothing without the grace, mercy and compassion of others, and of Christ. It is in striking this balance that I hope to continue my life. Otherwise, this journey is just a serial bouts of interspersing joy and pain that have oftentimes proved too miserable and hopeless.

Where do I see myself in 10 years' time? To be sure, two friends talking with me one day were shocked when I answered that question in one word, "Dead." I have lost the naivety to believe that my body will always hold out beneath me, yet at the same time I have never lost the conviction that life is worth the living and there is always hope in seeing another beautiful day go by.

How do I want people to remember me? As a girl who loves to think, to ponder, to wonder, and to taste the sweetness of life, even in the face of bitter truth. My vision in life is to reflect the love of Christ when He said, "I will not leave you like orphans."

- Elaine 2006 Spring
SWAU Sorke Philosophy of Life project

Today is the first anniversary of the passing of my aunt Nancy. I thank God for life.