Universal Magazine November 2018 Universal Magazine November 2018 | Page 4

4
Editor’s note
Good News
Near You
H
ow often do you read negative news
that deflates you and leaves you
feeling glum? ‘More often than not’
is the common answer. It is usual to turn the
pages of a newspaper or to switch channels
on the television only to be confronted with
negativity, so much so, that positive news
is becoming increasingly rare.
But contrary to how things may seem,
there is good news near you! Throughout
this magazine, you will read positive stories
from people who have attended Universal
branches around the country (find your
nearest branch on page 14). These people
decided to challenge their faith in order
to achieve their goals. What was once bad
news became good news. Be inspired by
their stories and see if you too can benefit
from the concept of the Challenge of Faith
(find out more on pages 8 and 9).
In a world where happy news is not as
common as sad news, we want to spread
courage and optimism and to help everyone
who comes across our path to be aware of
all the great possibilities and opportunities
that are available to them. We want good
news to spread and we want your story to
be a part of it!
True happiness
from within
‘I was always in pursuit of happiness. On the outside I looked content
and confident but the truth was, inside I was very insecure, always
comparing myself to others. Every other guy looked and seemed
better than I did. My complexes played on my mind constantly
and that often left me feeling lonely and empty because I felt I
couldn’t show this side of myself. So, this quest for true happiness
lead me on a wild goose chase that seemed to always end up in
disappointment.
I
thought that if I married I would be
happy but when I did, I still felt as though
something was missing. Physically I was
no longer by myself but inside, I still felt
lonely and couldn’t understand why. I had
a good job, a new car, a beautiful home—
everything the average person would ask
for—and yet, I was unhappy.
At the Universal, they helped me
understand that my problem wasn’t
external. It wasn’t about finding someone
or being part of a social group. I had to deal
with the root cause of why I felt empty.
Through the Challenge of Faith, I came to
know that what was lacking inside of me
was faith—in God but especially in myself.
From then, I worked on my character. I
went against myself and the way that I saw
certain things. I realised that I didn’t need
to compare myself to anyone—I am unique
and that’s a good thing.
I went to all the
wrong places in
hope of filling
the void. I
visited brothels
and
started
drinking a lot of Today, I have the peace and happiness that
alcohol. Needless to say that this wrecked I had sought for my whole life. The inner
my marriage and we ended up divorcing.
change turned me into a better husband for
my wife and made me more driven in life.
I remarried hoping to get things right the I’m happily married with a great job and
second time around but this time, it was most importantly, I no longer feel empty.’
a lot worse. We would constantly fight to
the point of breaking things in the house.
My finances nose-dived and finally, I
recognised that I needed help.
Marcelo Amaral
I was
encouraged
to go against
myself'
YOU DON’T NEED TO
PRETEND
THAT EVERYTHING’S OK
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