Life After; Day 1357

for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. http://bible.com/59/1ti4.8.esv

It is hard to imagine yourself without life. It is hard to imagine life without death. It is hard to imagine death without heaven. It is hard to imagine heaven if no one mentioned that there is life to come.

We are going to face death by choice. Our body has a life span. There is a beginning and there is an end. Thinking about it is mind boggling and depressing at times. Imagine that you will be gone forever – meaning forever.

Yesterday, I’m reminded again that I need to prepare. I am currently experiencing a pain in my left arm during exercise, a symptom that showed up before my stent#2 in July 2010. It’s been Day1357 now since that dreadful day. I did not choose my body to have a heart problem. All the things that I do on a regular basis are healthy stuff. I personally call it "being chosen" to have blockage in my LAD so that I will be motivated to live a great life in my adversities. By chance a cardiac patient, by choice – a motivated person. Every morning since 2008, I try to find ways to wake up motivated and alive. Even when I’m faithful to God, I still sometimes feel sad about my situation. I know that God is in control and He knows what He is doing in my life. But how do I motivate myself to look at life beautifully even if I know that at any moment – my heart can fail.

I’ve been back with my long distance swimming and cycling. I’ve added a 25-yard subsurface swim in my swimming routine where I swim underwater for 25 yards holding my breath. Yes, I’m that crazy. Right before I do my 1-mile swim workout, I will meditate for 3-5 minutes and do breathing exercise and fill my lungs with air as much as I could and then slowly dive-in underwater without using much effort and execute an gentle underwater dolphin kick while I blow tiny bubbles out from my lungs for 25 seconds until I reach at the end of the pool.

My family is not comfortable knowing the things I do physically. Honestly, in my mind, I’m already dead and everyday that I wake up is just a life extension. A life extension that I cherished because it is a left over- a gift.

But how do I really motivate myself to face life with courage and optimism?

The Bible mentioned this thing called "heaven". Looking at the things to come, what’s out there, what it’s like and what will I do there – that motivates me and gets me excited.

I think heaven is much better than life here on earth.