I Become Contemplative as I Age

I'm in my early forty now and I fell that as my age increases, I become more reflective and contemplative. The search for the meaning of life is always integrated in my thinking. I usually think that life indeed is short and we are all but just moment sunlight here on Earth. I reflect before sleeping that we're all pilgrims journeying to the eternity according to the religious inclination that we believe in.
I entertain works or achievements that not only benefit me but will also serve as my legacy to other people. Money to me is also important but only secondary to what is really essential in living. Good name and refutation are more important to me than the glitter of gold. Money without a good name for me is nonsense; money is useless if the source is not good.
I always wish good things to everyone. Though sometimes I'm also angry for those who brags and proud yet I control myself not to wish evil thoughts for those people.
I'm not so combative now in my argument which is unlike before that I loved to debate in every issue.
Maybe this feeling is associated with aging because my aggressiveness is lessening too. But this feeling is good for me and I love it. I love the peace of mind it gives me. Problems to me now are not hard to solve as before.
I hope my contemplative nature will continue to bring good thoughts and ideas which can help me transform them for the good of all people I come in contact with. Amen.

Will the World End in 2012?

Many people in different nationalities are afraid now to the natural disasters that brought miseries and deaths. Lately, tsunami in Japan caused by earthquake has awaken our fear. The nuclear meltdown also adds to fearsome future. Will the world end in 2012?

This question is so prevalent today maybe because of the influence of the movie 2012 where a Mayan calendar predicts that the world will end through water flooding on December 21, 2012.

I remember when I was in Elementary, a magazine ran a story that in the 8th month of 1997 the world would witness the fear that was never before because of the impending doom. That was if Russia unite with the China against America as predicted by Nostradamus--the end would be coming because of nuclear war? That year had passed and true Asian crisis had happened but not the end as foretold. When year 2000 was approaching, doom sayers said that computer problem may cause big trouble and even war among nations. That year also passed and the end was not coming.

Now that disasters in New Zealand and Japan had happened, here's again the prophecy based on Mayan calendar become once more popular. If we based on the Bible, it was clear that not even the angels in heaven will know when the world will end except God the Father.

So, why we afraid? If the end will really come, let's prepare according to our religious beliefs, world outlook or philosophy. Let's remember, thinking of the worst will not give us sound mind but only miserable outlook.