Life's challenges are not supposed to paralyze you;
they're supposed to help you discover who you are.
-Bernice Johnson Reagon

Usually we are so grateful about many things,
we can laugh from the top of our lungs,
we love playing our favorite sports,
we want to eat foods while watching our favorite film ,
we are so happy because we are surrounded by many friends who really love us,
we have a great and almost perfect family.
And sometimes we question life like.
“Is there any challenges out there?”.
And even in our prayers, we usually ask God..
” Is there any challenges out there?. "

According to the book of “The Secret” by Rhonda Byrne, “Your Wish is My Command”
In reality, there is a truth in that line, whatever you wish in a joke or funny mode,
always come true. There is really a power in our words.

One day in my unusual prayer, I ask God, Can you try giving me a challenge?
Many days and years pass by, my life is so smooth and happy..but one day my dad was hospitalized and diagnosed with kidney failure.
At first everything's okay because I do have a savings to support for his hospital expenses,
but I never realized that one day i will see myself crying in a comfort room
because i don't want any of my love ones or people notice that I am crying.

On the third time my father has been hospitalized, i was really scared because his blood drops tremendously and needed a lot of blood transfusion. After a while the doctor told me, my father will be okay and needed to undergo dialysis and more blood transfusion.

At that time, I went straight to my father and i am happy to see him smiling but crying.
He asked me ..
“Do we still have the money son? I know you already spend much money on me.
Son, Please, Son, I still want to live.”
Wow! That is the most dramatic scene from a father and son.
I told him with full smile and hope.
“Father, I still have a lot of money in my savings account, and I even asked the Admission Office of the hospital to give us the V.I.P room. “

But in all honesty, I don't even have a single centavo in my pocket.
I went to the comfort room and cried. I prayed to God and keep asking Him,
“God I am really sorry, I will never ask again to give me a challenge.
Please help me, I don't have a money in my wallet, no savings account in my ATM.
I need to deposit a large amount of money for my dad.
God right now, please help me. “

I went to ATM machine out of desperation and tried to check my account ,
I am fully aware that I don't have any more money in my account.
When I made a balance inquiry, I was surprised and cannot believe what I saw in the screen of my account.
I saw P18,000.00 , I really cried in front of the ATM machine and
keep thanking God for this miracle.

Right after that, I received a Text Messages from unknown persons
extending his symphaty for my father and telling me that
He did sent me a financial help for my dad.
He doesn't want to reveal his name.
I keep on thanking God for sending that person to help me.

My father still undergoing a lifetime dialysis, still needs to monitor all his vitals sign periodically and of course, I still needed money to support for his medical expenses.

But despite of all these trials, I can smile genuinely and can pray without challenging God.
I can say right now, that challenges and problems of life is my Vitamin.

I realized how to value more the love of my parents, I am privileged in taking care of my father and mother, I am now aware that we don't need to ask for a miracle, but all we need is to be a miracle, and share it to the people.

I do believe that trial, difficulties , challenges and problems of life will always be there, not to destruct us but to remind us that we are human beings and not human doings. We still need to attune ourselves from time to time, we need to pause, and we need to talk to God not only in times of distress but also in times of happiness.

As you face those challenges, you will realize that you are beginning to see yourself as a change person. You can now smile coming from your heart even you are holding your vitamins of life. You are now growing as a human being, you are starting to choose the words and actions to be used and you are now taking your vitamins everyday.

God bless you always!

Pat Ballecer Jr.

Author's Bio: 

After working for more than 10 years in the Philippines, he took a risk of working as an
Agency Sales Manager for Seet Kui (Holdings) Limited,
one of the biggest Distribution and Retail Company in Papua New Guinea.
He also spend his time doing training for private companies and schools.

Aside from a corporate world experience, the true passion of Pat is to do a community service.
Since 1995, he started going around different places in the Philipines to do an outreach program.
And even in Papua New Guinea, he never stop serving even to the locals of Papua New Guinea,
giving training, seminars, workshop and outreach programs.

When he decided to go back to the Philippines and try again to do a business of his own.
He put up High Impact Training to continue what he really wants in life, to motivate and inspire people.

Aside from Training, He also venture into some business partnership in trading, printing and business development consultancy.

Pat Ballecer's personal motto is: All our dreams can come true – if we have the courage to pursue them. He believes that if we all did this,
we could work from the inside out and enjoy more personal and professional success.
Pat creates opportunities for self-discovery, utilizing his expertise in the areas of group dynamics and holistic leadership development.
He designs a personalized program in which participants explore their own talents, strengths, apprehensions and knowledge base.

Pat Ballecer’s motivation has always been to make a difference in the lives of others.
Pat truly believe that he was destined to do this type of work. He love hearing comments from workshop or training participants
who are surprised that they can be learning so much in an exciting and fun environment.

His simple style of inspiration and humor all wrapped up in one.
Pat is one of those rare individuals who has a unique ability to appeal to young and old alike by bringing laughter and learning together.