So recently I was at Church and was talking with the priest about the topic of Heaven. He gave an example that was so good that it really made me stop and wonder whether or not I am ready.
Once there was a kingdom who elected a new king every 3 years. This king would rule over the people for 3 years making sure everything was in order, all taxes were collected, all lawful matters were judged equally, and there was peace within the land. At the same time he was able to live the life of a king, gold, silver, crowns, robes, feasts, everything. After 3 years the king would have to leave the kingdom and be put on an island which was not properly upket. Trees were never trimmed, there were wild animals, no running water, no houses, no roads, just an island with nothing but the absolute basics to survive.
As one king was chosen, he served his three years and left to this island, and what did he find? Vines, moss, insects eating the plants and vegetation, he found a horrible island. Yet there was one king who was very smart. When this king was elected the first thing he declared right away was going to make the rest of his life after being king easier. So what did he do?
This king went to the island, tore down the trees and built a castle in its place. He plowed fields and built up pens for animals to graze. He transferred some of the riches to the island so he would be able to trade later. Why did he do this? He knew where his final destination was and started to prepare for it. Is that what we do with our spiritual lives? Do we really focus on the end and Heaven?
I think if we did, we would have more joy in our lives. How can someone not be joyful at the thought of Heaven? Think about what will be there: God, God’s family, all the Saints and Martyrs that founded the Church, the mansion that Christ has prepared for us, all the Heavenly hosts, peace.
I think if you haven’t done so already, or even in a while, just sit down for a bit and imagine what Heaven is going to be like. Compare it now to the life you lead and see if it is going to be better and how you can prepare yourself. If you are like the first king in the story and get caught up in the worldly pleasures now, maybe Heaven isn’t for you (I am not judging, only God is the judge, but those that want separation from God here will probably want separation from God in the after life, though He wants us all to be with Him). If you want to prepare for Heaven and focus on the things to come, start now. Start with the image of Heaven and getting to know who else will be on the island with you, so when you get there it wont be strange, but even better than the kingdom you once ruled.
G.L.A.R.E. 
Mr Patrick, what you have written here is amazing. Your post enabled me to address some issues I had regarding heaven and how my choices influence where I end up in the afterlife. There is a saying in Namibia that “Everyone wants to go to heaven, but no one wants to die.” Let’s take “die” in this context to mean dead to the world and alive to God. I will be honest Mr. Patrick, being dead to the world (i.e. not caught up in the materialism of this world) extremely hard. It is the one thing we must all strive for, and it is the one thing that is very hard to achieve.
With this in mind, I think it is imperative that we should also consider the words of our Lord God and Savior Jesus Christ, when He said “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it? For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him, saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish” (Luke 14:28-30). Sitting down and pondering the cost of Heaven is quintessential because it helps you to not only evaluate yourself, but prepares you for the arduous road ahead. For example, you can ask yourself, “will I really enter the Kingdom of Heaven if I keep living like this; in sin and separation from God?”. With this we are able to change the way we live and adequately focus on the things to come, namely the Kingdom of Heaven.
Please pray for me Mr. Patrick because I have been struggling with this a lot. Which is why I asked you about disciplining the body and bringing it into subjection. I have read your email and will continue to read it when I see myself straying. Thank you and may God bless you and keep you always.