Ben's Thoughts on Life and Spirituality
who I am | my spiritual journey
>I have a positive outlook and I’m very optimistic. My friends would say that I’m always smiling, that I do what I say, and that I’m going places in life. I take advantage of every opportunity. I know what it takes to succeed and I focus on that goal.
>My dad gave me the advice to Carpe Diem (seize the day) and follow my dreams. Future possibilities make life worth living…knowing that God has the perfect plan for my life.
>I’m proud that I have the ability to make a difference in the world and that I use that ability.
>I don’t like spare time… it makes me tired so then I’ll just sleep. Some of the things that I do in the time that others may think of as "spare time" include running, playing guitar, watching movies, hanging with friends, thinking, etc.
>I don’t really have a room right now… but when I do I like to think of my room as organized chaos. To others it may seem like quite a mess, but there really is a system, it just constantly changes. It is my sanctuary.
>I really like ska music. I also like just about any kind of music if it’s live. Watching the band makes the music even more enjoyable.
>Food I would consider dying for: Whatever is served at the Academy Awards after-party.
>My hero? Han Solo!
>Most influential movie you’ve seen: Well, there are a lot on this list. The most recent is Oh Brother Where Art Thou. Some others are Dead Poets Society, Gattaca, Memento and the Back to the Future trilogy.
>I used to be driven by success… success in the eyes of my friends, family, teachers. I relied a lot on them and their praises of me for happiness and confidence. I would depend on my own attempts to understand the world.
>One of my good friends was killed in a car accident the summer between high school and university. Burying him was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. It made me think seriously about life and death…
>I came to realize that we’re not in control. As much as I like to think that I can control where my life goes, I realized that only God can do that. From there it was only a leap of faith and I surrendered my life to God and began a personal relationship with God… I have to trust God to lead me through this crazy life that would otherwise swallow me whole.
>I’ve always believed there’s a God, some sort of divine creator. When I was a kid, I went to church, but it was like going to school — you accept that 2+2=4. I didn’t realize how real God is, how he can really be a part of my life and not just some religious teaching.
>It wasn’t until I started searching for deeper meaning that Jesus became real to me. I had to step back from what I learned and figure out what it meant for my life.
>I still struggle with my faith… it’s an ongoing process of growth. As I get to know more about God and how he works, my faith grows. But my faith is also challenged to grow when life takes unexpected turns.
>My whole perspective has shifted from simply thinking about the future here on earth to realizing that I should be living with eternity in mind. My priorities have changed – now my relationship with God and living for him is much higher on the list.
>Having confidence in God allows for much more freedom in life. Knowing that God is with me and guiding me and always loving me helps me to go through life with a positive and optimistic attitude because he promises a full and meaningful life and gives hope for the future.
Related reading:
- Questions about spirituality? Read our spirituality articles
- What’s your Spiritual Interest Quotient? Take our SIQ quiz and find out
- How you can know God personally
- Back to Student Profiles