Success is a choice

The picture you're staring at is the fruit of strenuous work, effort and above all, lots of passion and commitment for what a person believe's in.

For about two years, has it been the longing of my heart to own a bike as good as that one. One week ago, has the accomplishment of that dream become true. All due to God's unfailing faithfullness for me. He provided it at the right moment and at the right time. He grant me a job (a magnificient one), enough amount time, and when I needed it the most, the bike. I am now ready to ride on it. I am prepared to mount those pedals and cruise through roads, pathways and mountains getting every time, a bit closer to those ideal dreams yet so far away from me.

Only by God's grace, lots of support, and steadiness, will this dream be fulfilled. This is not a one man's dream, but a dream which belongs to all of those who together fight and believe that it may become true. You may decide to be successful by truly believing in what you're able to do and devoting yourself to it, or otherwise see the mountains ahead and be discouraged wihout even trying that prusuit at the very sight of it.

The decision lies nowhere else but deep within your heart. My decision to be successful has been made. I've put all my trust in God and stepped off from the safety of the boat into perilous waters searching for answers to the truthfulness of Faith. God led me so far, and I'm deeply grateful for it. I ceaselessly pray and trust that He may lead us all the way through regardless of mishappenings, disappointments or deep failures as what has happened the week before.

A battle may have been lost, but the veredict of this warfare will solely be determined at the end of it all.

Success is not the position you stand, but the direction in which you look.

Keep up your faith,
David.

Peace after the storm

A beautiful sunset at the end of a very tumultuous weekend.

As written on my last story, today would my very first competition of the year take place. However, sadly enough has the story ended up being completely different than longed for due to a series of incidents which at the end of it all, would lead this day of competition to a total failure.

Friday:

After having a delicious pizza and a long chat with a good friend mine, we went together to the marriage of some friends of ours. It was a nice event, the whole place was re-decorated and happily we we’re among our best friends that night. However, at a given moment I saw three of them smoking joyfully together. That image brought uneasiness on me. The friend of mine who not so long ago had ‘quit’ with smoking, was not only smoking again, but both of my ‘non-smoker’ friends were joining him and accepting his cordial invitation to smoke with him. It really frustrated me to see that. I had really hoped he had moved on. Now, he had not only quit on himself and that addiction but he was shamelessly sharing it with others who hadn’t been on that road before!!! At that same night, I met a person with which I have had very good contact before, but after some disagreements and due to a lack of communication with each other, had the relationship been broken. I had never again had the chance to speak to him personally until that night. He asked me how I was doing and after exchanging a few words, the last words I remember from him were “every one goes on his own path after all”. There would be no more caring nor would he watch over me anymore. I had expected too much from him. Nevertheless, those last words cut deep into my heart since he had been an example to me long time ago. That night ended up with disbelief and disappointment towards those whom I appreciated the most. One way or the other, they wouldn’t care less for their own attitude towards those who expect the most from them, but they would only think on themselves...

Saturday:

The Saturday before this one started with a sunny day as well but ended up being completly dark as the night covered the day. I had an appointment with a special friend of mine that day and it went fine until we went together to the youth group. Due to a misunderstanding, had I realized that at the end of it all she wouldn’t even speak to me anymore! Never again, did I have the chance to speak to her personally again; hence, I lost an appreciated friend of mine who’d fill up my lonesome days in the city of Eindhoven. Due to my own lifestyle, it’s really difficult to get to know good friends close to me who’d care. Her loss had a very negative impact on me when I realized that her friendship was gone. Once again a week after that, feeling lonely and a longing for someone who’d care, I felt obliged frustrations of reality's hardships.

This Saturday, I had an appointment with the massagist but to my surprise, all plans had being changed on the very last minute. That way, with no massage, my legs would remain fatigued for next day's competition. In other words, it meant bad news for me.

Sunday, the 1st competition day.

Despite the stress of getting everything prepared for this day, on that very day not everything was under my control. I had no comfortable means of transportation to the competition. Normally, I’d be picked up by a friend of mine, or something would be arranged so that I would make it to the competition. However, I was on my own this day. The competition was 30kms. away from my place so I decided to go on my bike. It would anyhow be a good way to get “warmed-up”. Sadly enough, those words are relative to the weather conditions. That particular day was gray, wet and cold. I didn’t care about it. Having the chance to ride my brand new bike for the first time and after longing so much for this day, had I decided to go to the competition anyway.

I left 2,5 hours beforehand so that I’d be on time. That way, I wouldn’t have troubles getting changed and relaxing before the competition. Those were my thoughts but the situation ended up being completely different. Riding through rain, wind on my head and unclear pathways I got totally lost halfway through. I rode about 10kms extra only to get back on track. Once I finally got to the competition area, there was no competition to be found! Apparently, I had ended up at the completely wrong place! With no one to be found and nowhere a competition to be seen, did I have to accept my defeat and head back home. I had to do so completely wet, cold and certainly frustrated due to the failure of that day...

All you read are negative stories: deception, disappointment, lack of communication, lack of clearness... Why do I write this then? I just want you to learn something:

If you say something, live it! If you promise something do it! Let you YES be YES and you NO be NO! Those three days are the results of peoples who say something and don’t live what they say leaving others in troubles! If you say something, mean it and don’t simply say it because you just ‘feel’ like saying it. It is uttermost painful and frustrating when there is no truth in the words said by somebody whom you trust.

This may be harsh words, but reflect upon it and make sure that you please, never disappoint others the way those whom I relied upon, disappointed me. Thank God, after every storm comes a moment of peace, that picture is a proof of that. I took it on Sunday evening. The Lord was regardless of it all, there to teach me another lesson of life...

Wishing you the very best,
David