Easter at Ease

Here’s a celebratory selfie I took right after finishing and publishing my first ever blog post!

Hi everyone! Thanks for taking the time to read my blog. This is my first ever entry and I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to share what's truly in my heart. I'm doing this because I want to express my gratitude to those who made this past year and Holy Week incredibly fruitful and enriching. I hope that those of you who are reading this will get something meaningful out of it or at least, realize that you're not alone. Everyone has something bogging them down and there is no shame in that. Being open to others and showing vulnerability once in a while is not actually as bad as you think. In fact, you can even help others avoid and overcome hardships. Most importantly, by sharing, you set yourself free by letting go of whatever it is that's holding you back. 💭

There has been this burden in my heart for quite some time now and the thing is I've never actually fully confronted it until last Monday. It's like a cancer tumor that constantly sucks up all the life, energy and positivity in me. On Palm Sunday, I woke up from a nightmare that reminded me of a negative experience I had long ago. It felt so real and within the present that it took me a while to recover from it. It haunted me throughout the day and this old wound suddenly felt so fresh...as if everything just happened yesterday.

As I made my way to church, I thought to myself... perhaps these rehashed and nonsensical feelings would fade away as soon as the pastor begins his enlightening sermon. I was right -- Pastor Karl delivered a phenomenal message, reminding me to live in the present, be open and turn to those who are actually there and genuinely care. It's ok to feel lost and broken at times because there is beauty in and a purpose behind your brokenness. This made me think of a scene from The King's Speech where Queen Elizabeth tells her husband, King George VI, how much she loves and admires him for stammering so beautifully and eloquently. His beautiful struggle gave her the courage to live a life of public duty and tours. Their love for each other was strong enough to withstand hardships. So whatever you're struggling with, always remember that you have the capacity to overcome it with flying colors and even help and inspire others that are about to or are going through it. 🙏

If there's one thing I'm absolutely thankful for this year, it would be the new yet unexpected friendships I built in NYU, especially family group and Sienna. I don't think I've ever met such pure, genuine, wise, and selfless people until this year. I never really knew what friendship truly meant, felt like, and entailed until I encountered these people. I feel so fortunate and so blessed to have such a loving and supportive community because it keeps one grounded. Having one in the midst of university is extremely important.

I'm writing this to all of you this Easter Sunday because a massive weight has been lifted off of my chest thanks to some friends and most of all, God. The impossible is only made possible by God. Since Palm Sunday, this burden got lighter and lighter. Last Monday, I managed to confront this burden with courage as I wrote it all out on paper, read it aloud to a friend (addressing absolutely everything that bothered me), ripped it into pieces, and threw the ripped pieces away for closure. It was definitely emotionally draining recalling the past but also very cathartic. It was effective too because I managed to get closure out of it.

Through forgiveness, I got a better picture of what love truly is. Jesus died on the cross to save all of us. Imagine how many times he has to forgive us and how difficult it must be because there are just so many of us to forgive? So who am I to not forgive those around me and most of all, myself? Forgiveness and salvation are gifts from God and they are real. I think it's important to remind everyone of that. Each Holy Week and year, we all have the chance to start again. In a way, I feel re-born this Easter Sunday because I was saved by God through friendship. 👥

Lastly, always remember that God's love for you is steady and unchanging. He is someone you can always count on. In times of doubt and pain, always remind yourself of what you have and how far you've come. He's always there. He's just waiting for you to come knocking. ✊

Have a Happy Easter everyone! 😃