Though our life under the sun is fleeting and transient, still it is an inexplicable gift from God to celebrate every bit of it, experiencing all ups and downs. Movement is the celebration of life. Our life should not be like a stagnant water of a pond but it should be like a running river and hence should keep moving forward.

Some want to avoid sufferings and scars in life. But, some find a way out to change the stumbling blocks into stepping stones. “No Cross, No Crown” is a natural truth. As we know, success comes after suffering. People, however, have a misconception as well with regards to sufferings. That’s why they think that suffering is an outcome of our past sin and wrongdoing.

The cross is symbolised as Christian faith which figuratively refers in the real sense to an untold suffering and inexplicable pain. On the other hand, a cross is also used as jewellery and hung in ears and worn as necklace around the neck.

But majoring the internal character is more important than on external decorations. We are often captivated by the latest fashion and we try to compete with each other in dress and hair-style.

Glamour is artificial and external; true beauty is real and internal. Glamour is something a person can put on and take off, but true beauty is always present and it comes from within. Glamour is corruptible; it decays and fades away but true beauty from the heart grows even as the years pass by. It does not wrinkle. Moreover, handsome is he/she who does a handsome work.

To be identified with the cross in the real sense is to be identified oneself as a person of suffering, sorrow and sacrifice. The way of the cross is the way of hardship and adversity. It is not the short-cut way that opens the door for us to be crowned with glory, success, victory and triumph. It teaches us to have experience of blessing in life we should have experience of bleeding and bruises.

Having aspiration for achievement is a wonderful thing in life. But we should always remember that “no pain no gain”.

It always pays off if we inculcate the habit of hard work and patience. Just like a candle can’t give light without the wick, success is not possible without patience. People want instant results for everything. So, they prefer short cuts, oblivious to the fact that it could ultimately bring their dream to tragic end. Our reaping will always be in proportion to our sowing.