Each and every student desires to lead a joyful life by successfully completing his or her school education.

The recent economical, social and political crises and the subsequent consequences have eluded happiness, joyous and peaceful moments due to struggles and straggles faced by the students of Sri Lanka. Future seems to be bleak for many students in our country.

Hence, the word “happiness ” has become obsolete to them. Also, joyous living has become a distant dream for most of the students in our Motherland.

Yet, they are eagerly waiting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

But, if majority of the parents, teachers and students and the public are muttering impatient imprecations under their breaths. But do you think it will bring back the current Economical, social and political crises to normalcy?

In my humble opinion, words expressed by a person have a positive or negative vibration and power.

If the majority is thinking negatively and express negative emotions and opinions then perhaps it will adversely affect the country in terms of Peace and Prosperity.

Hence, we must always have a principle in our lives to have positive thinking and possess positive attitude besides values for our lives. This principle will equip ourselves to meet and overcome adversities, hurdles, obstacles and multiple problems, changes and challenges ahead of us, more confidently and successfully.

This in turn will invoke God’s plan, mercy and his abundant blessings for our lives.

WHICH IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR LIVES? – HAPPINESS OR SUCCESS

Should you want Happiness focus on Small & minor matters & If you want Joy you need only to work with a broad mind “ Joy “ will be with you forever.

Apart from seeking “Happiness” many also expect “ Success” in their life.

People want to be successful in their Education, Job , Career,Family Life, Business, Social Life, Politics & Spiritual life.

One may ask me now, then what is important in Life? What do we need?

Is it “ Happiness” or “Success” or Both.

In my opinion both are short-lived.

Seeking Happiness & Success are to a greater extend become selfish acts.

The main objective of an individual would be “only taking or receiving”.

But , more than happiness and success “ Fulfillment provides you with “ Joy in abundance” and the indivividual needs to “give or offer” to others without any expectation .

Simple acts such as Gratitude & Thanks giving, Being Passionate, Lend a helping hand, Give, Show & Express Love to your self, Family, frinds & Society would definitely will yield “ Fulfillment”.

Fulfillment is a must if you want to live a peaceful life.

Even the most affluent people in our society lack Fulfillment in their lives.

This is why the so called Billionnaires cannot lead a True and joyous life inspite of having a Successful Business as they are “solipsistic”people.

Instead, if they become “empathetic” they could be be joyous forever in their lives.

RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE- THE NEED OF THE HOUR

As per the Religious belief, we must have implicit faith in God, destiny and self, in that order.

In my humble opinion, Spiritual belief and spiritual life will mould and craft you to have implicit faith in you, your destiny and God, in that order.

Both beliefs are detrimental in our lives as without passing the religious life, it is ardorous to step in to spiritual life.

Furthermore, leading a Spiritual life does not necessarily require to give away everything that you have in your possession. It is rather ” totally surrendering to God by believing in yourself and God. Non-attachment is the key word here.

If you practise the values of religious life, you will be glad and when you follow the spiritual life in the “correct manner” it will give you Joy,serenity in particular inner peace besides happiness in your lives.

GET CLOSER TO GOD – GET CONNECTED WITH GOD TO BE EBULLIENT STUDENTS:

In summary, as you become older and older you need to increase and improve the quality and quantitative aspects of practising your Religious and Spiritual beliefs and life and ultimately and eventually “realising God” through “realising your inner-selves”. In the very old age, we may not hear properly, find it difficult to talk and lack strong mind and the strength to walk or go on pilgrimage. Though you may like to start your spiritual life at that time, it will be too late for you.

Hence, it is adviceble to start your journey towards rewarding and peaceful life early in your student life, by practising religious and spiritual life.

This means those who want to lead a life full of joy, serenity, fulfilment, tranquillity, wisdom, holistic life should realise that Spiritual life will immensely help you to reach the above-mentioned goals and your religious beliefs and life are the stepping stones to lead successful spiritual life.

The government and the Ministry of Education should kindly consider to ensure that the religion as a compulsory subject to be implemented to all schools in our country and give priority to the religious and spiritual leaders in schools and the societies, as the pivotal role played by them are of paramount importance to shaping and moulding the Sri Lankans in particular the younger generation as “Moral Citizens of our Motherland”.

An individual cannot single handedly halt the hurricane waves and floods, but a group of people collectively can build bridges beforehand to save people and properties.

Similarly one should not pray to God for personal gains rather collectively pray for God’s mercy and love for the betterment of all people, nation and the globe. In this way, as God’s servants we will be working and fulfilling God’s plans for us.

Hence, be religious and be spiritual in your life and bring glory to God.

Pray to God to dispel the “inner and outer darknesses” from our lives and be prepared to witness new horizons in our lives by fully surrendering ourselves to God.

God always listens to our prayers. Our Chief Shepherd at St.Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, has preached us that God is available for us 24/7. Hence, ” get connected to God”.

Hence, let us all together pray to see the “light at the end of the tunnel”.

In order to see that, let us be the “Children of God” and make efforts to “get closer to Him”.

I am grateful to all Reverend Father Rectors and Rev.Fr.Vice Rectors past and the present, Reverend Fathers and Reverend Sisters, of St.Joseph’s College, Colombo 10, including Rev.Sr.Maria Goretti for transforming my life as an editor and Educators past and the present, including my Grade two Class Teacher, Mrs.Rohini Gnanasekaran, for transforming me as a leader and my Religious Teacher, Mr.Eladius Fernando, for instilling the Catholic Values and all the above-mentioned respected and eminent personalities, for moulding the Josephians to be valuable and respected citizens of our Society, Motherland and the Universe.

Let us all realise the value and importance of living Religious and Spiritual life.

“May the tomorrow’s rising Sun brings us rays of hope, peace, prosperity, divine grace besides joyous lives to all of us and our Motherland and the Universe.

Maruthai Ravindhiran is a Language Specialist.

He is also a Specialist in Professional Communication Skills, Group Communication Skills and an Inspirational Speaker and a Life Transformational and Life Management Coach and an English Teacher.

Ravindhiran is eligible to follow Certified Professional Marketer programme the highest recognition awarded to the Marketers in the Asian region by the Asia Marketing Federation (AMF).