GROW WITH LIFE

It is quite easy to be content with what you have become and with your own stack of experience or knowledge. And even easier to boldly think that you know everything there is to know and that nothing else will and can surprise you now. Maybe -- or maybe not. But I think it's not how far you or we have gone up the ladder of knowledge or fame or stature that makes the real score. Not really. Because I have seen men of high position, wealth, or education make big and bigger fools of themselves with something or someone lesser than themselves. Not so much of why but rather of how they did that to themselves.

----- How often do we hear of an unknown inconsequential person steal the thunder from a much more famed intellentual or personality by the sheer strength of his argument or presentation? And that isn't because he had more talent or was much more brilliant than the other. It was imply because this insignificant person did his homework, studied harder, and was determined to learn all there was to learn and more about the subject in question. He apparently didn't stop where others already have. He wasn't contented with what he had, no matter how sufficient it may appear to be, and doggedly strove or explored more ways to make it even better if not the best. His goal may not be perfection but definitely he aimed for excellence. By the way, somebody once told me that perfection is a dead-end, meaning no growth. No more.

----- In contrast to that, we see our man of stature stopping where he was made content by his achievements or personal gain.

----- To sum it up, our inconsequential hero continued to grow where our famed intellectual stood smugly on status quo. So it isn't very hard to see that growth, wherever and whoever you are in your life with whatever you have, will undoubtedly take you quicker to your goal and win you the coveted prize. You see, it's not really what you have accumulated in your head or how big and full your pockebook is, or of the absence of one or the other or both. Nope. Rather what defines you is whether you continue to grow regardless of your situation or circumstance. Then by this you become unstoppable. And that is how man made his first flight to the moon - discovered new horizons - broke sound barriers - created new wonder drugs - or rose from rags to riches where it was once thought to be impossible.

----- "It matters little where a man may be at this moment; the point is whether he is growing." - George MacDonald

HAVE SOME MAGIC

The other day I heard someone say that life was 'boring - boring - boring!'. Yeah, he said that three times. And he was right inside the mall with all possible distractions that could take a person's mind off cares and woes even if it be for just a few hours. Well, so what makes for 'boring'? I could venture a few descriptons, like --- absence of activity, lack of interest, dearth of inspiration, scarcity of surprises, or decline of hope and belief in life and living. Everybody has his own reason, I am sure, but valid or not it still is no excuse for giving up on feeling alive.

Alive - that is the one big word that explains everything and anything there is in our life. Anything means the good, the bad, the sorry, and the glad -- and everything else in between all that. It includes all the people you meet - the goodies and the baddies and yah some in-betweens too.

And yet despite a ful plate we still get to be bored. Why is that?

It's because.. we lost something somewhere back there.

I think what we need is to gain it back -- that special something we once had or were when we knew how to --- marvel, be in awe, feel the stars in our eyes, laugh with gless at a big surprise, feel the adrenalin rush in our veins, feel our steps quicken, or hear the warm thumpity-thump of our heart for someone or something.

It's something you can't fully explain but I think you don't need to anyway. it's enough that it brings the sparkle in your eyes, puts a gorgeous smile on your face, makes you feel up there on cloud 9, or walk about with a song in your head and heart -- or maybe sing in the rain. It's this wonderful joyous sense of living.

It's magic!

And everybody needs a little, and more if you can, MAGIC in their lives. So get back the magic into your life. See life and the world as --- magic and magical. You can if you try. It's all up to you. Don't lose that little kid inside. :-)

DO AND DO NOT

Have you been through this situation -- when you come up to something so hugely confusing and mind boggling that it leaves you stunned not knowing what to do. Then suddenly something kicks you from behind and makes you say ‘Okay I’m going to DO this. No wait, I should NOT do that!’ Well, I hope that you stood your ground whatever it was you chose. You can’t backtrack if you chose the wrong one. But then as the old folks would say -- ‘one step backward for two steps forward’ – have hope.

Anyway, let’s look at these things which I have had the wonderful privilege to, see, hear, or observe. It’s also about ‘doing’ and ‘not doing’ something.

- Do make up your bed before going down to breakfast. Do not expect your mother to pick up after you every time.

- Do put on your cheeriest smile before coming into the office. Do not bring your problems to the office or vice versa. Leave problems behind.

- Do give your seat to the elderly or the handicapped on the bus. Do not expect courtesy when you don’t know how to give one yourself. Remember that people around you mirror you, good or bad.

- Do stop awhile to smell the roses. Do not ignore Mother Nature’s display of awesome beauty meant for your pleasure and enjoyment.

- Do give your job the best you’ve got. Do not regard work as the only thing there is in life. You simply are half alive if you do.

- Do humbly think of yourself as God’s special creation. Do not regard yourself as so special that anything or nobody else matters. Not even God. Because people know that isn’t true.

- Do respect all people regardless. Do not believe that your color, education, riches, talents, culture, or religion is the best. It’s what you are and not what you have or born with that people acknowledge and respect and admire.

- Do be honest, truthful, and sincere in your dealings with everyone. Do not make the other person look bad or make him feel inadequate or lead him to hate himself. How would you feel if you were in his shoes?

- Do stick to your values. Do not follow the fad or trend just to be in with the popular crowd. It’s the good man who’ll be the last man standing when everyone else have fallen to the ground.

- Do live in the present. Do not heap on all your hopes and dreams in your tomorrows. You can also do them today.

There you go. There's more of course. Say maybe you can add up with some yourself. But I have to end up here for now because I see a lovely morning outside my window and I sure would love a piece of that sunshine and that gorgeous breeze. See yah! :-)

THROUGH THE EYES OF A CHILD

My grandfather Pedro was a fisherman. A hardworking one. He woke up with clockwork precision every early morn to catch fish along with the other fishermen of this small barrio by the sea. I would like to tell you this little story ………….

GRANDFATHER PEDRO AND "IT"

One early hour before dawn, grandfather was getting ready to set out to sea. Lifting up the fishnets to his broad and strong shoulders, he then took a lamp with the other hand and walked to the boat he sat by the shore. As he drew closer, he noticed a figure that seemed to be sitting but not quite at the edge of the boat nearest the waters. Peering closely he saw that it was a small man with pointed ears and nose, piercing slant eyes, and though heavy seemed to float in the air. It’s one of them, he thought. This was common in the barrios. Barrio folks knew about them. Many times he had encounters with these eerie little creatures others called elves or gnomes-- but he never paid any of them attention----- simply regarded them as irritations to his early morning fishing chores. He drew closer, dropped his fishnets on the coarse sand and said ....

“What do you want?”

“What do YOU want..whatever thing in there kicking and swirling and turning in that head of yours?” countered the elf with eyes gleaming and lips curled up in what looked like an evil grin.

‘Get out of my boat. I’m late.’ gruffly replied Pedro under his breath.

'Ahhh but you could fish treasure from the sea. I can make that happen… far beyond your wildest dreams’ said the elf in a voice so low sounding like gurgling treacherous waves lashing out with ugly fury.

This sent a chill up Pedro’s spine.

‘You can rebuild your old house…. send your children to America, study there…. own a fleet of fishing boats…. get so very… VERY… very RICH.’

Pedro turned away from the elf and looked out to sea. Gad! how'd he know that..... and thought of last night when Pining (his wife) riled him for the leaks on the roof, unpaid debts, food running short, tuition due next week, and on and on about this and that. Ugh!

‘--Well-l-l-l..?’ came the chilling voice of the elf which seemed to have drawn closer now.


Pedro wrested his eyes from the sea, faced the elf and looked him in the eye. He never was afraid of them. ‘And if I agree...?’

‘Then it shall be as promised……’ replied the elf gliding back to the edge of the boat. ‘But for one tiny thing......…’ the elf stood up and his face transformed and revealed an ugly wrinkled gnome --- ‘your first born son-- will come with me back to my kingdom.’

Pedro felt shivers run up his spine, head throbbing; heart pounding seemingly drowning out the furious waves on the shore. 'Why are the waters so angry now?' wondered Pedro. But between the man and the ugly gnome was dead silence for what seemed an eternity.

Pedro said no more, willfully he turned his head back towards the sea but now suddenly became so still and calm -- as if sensing what was to come next. He looked out farthest to the horizon now showing a thin line of light and seeing the other fishermen hauling in their nets oblivious to the drama onshore.…'still have time for a catch', he thought, 'not enough but Pining can still sell them at the market. Got to hurry because it’ll be light soon.' With new found strength Pedro determinedly shoved his boat out to the waters...… pushing with all of his might feeling his strength grow with every push. He pushed harder until he felt the cold but what felt like welcoming waters under his feet— then jumped into the boat, got the motor up, and pushed out to sea. Never looking back.

And nothing was ever heard of the gnome since.

While Pedro -- well, he was back to worrying over bills, school fees, and with Pining still nagging him about everything. But how I love this wonderful man – Grandfather Pedro ---- He didn’t trade my dad for the deep treasures of the sea!! Yeah, my dad was born in that tiny fishing village of Tapon, Cebu. :-)

End of story.

MOTIVATION IS RIGHT THERE WITHIN YOU

There lies in the heart a real but silent wish that one day we would meet or have beside us our super hero, big brother, guru, life coach, inspiration, or mentor. Somebody who would give us that push when we need it, explain things to clear our muddled brains, beat us to the ground when we act like jerks, take the bigger brunt of mean criticisms thrown upon us, defend us when we're unfairly pushed to the wall, and tell us we're still okay even if we messed up big time.

Well, sometimes we find that person - and we become our better selves because of him. He becomes in our life the proverbial ‘wind beneath our wings’ ... (to quote Bette Midler's song). We soar to greater heights, master the intricacies of the game and come out champion, unveil abilities and talents we thought never existed within ourselves. We are transformed to a better version of our selves and applauded, celebrated, copied, idolized, fantasized, and adored. And all because of this one person who took time to make us see our good and our best and helped us work it towards a big or bigger dream.

But sometimes... we do not find that special person.

So then here we stand alone feeling so small gathering up our own might-be-feeble strengths, energies, abilities, resources trying with all our might to leap over that huge hurdle or break down that menacing wall which resolutely separates us from our goal. We face up to the enemy of disappointment, frustration, and failure with a hard learned one-two-three punch. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don't. We fall many times, get up and stagger, far more confused and muddled than we were when we started. Then something happens taking us off the track and soon enough we begin to lose sight of our goal.

And yet …

Maybe nobody is or would be there for him... but certainly he is there for himself. Never ever underestimate the spirit of man.

"I was thinking one day and I realized that if I had somebody behind me all the way to motivate me, I could make a big difference. Nobody came along like that, so I just became that person for myself." -Unknown

TRUE BEAUTY IS SEEN WITH THE HEART

Most of the beautiful things in my life came via my heart. I feel so lucky and thank God to be so blessed to have seen them through the eyes of my heart. Such a beautiful experience of which such delight and pleasure is unparalleled by anything man can conceive. But funny that some of them were the ordinary taken-for-granted unnoticed sometimes mundane things which most people would simply pass by or ignore. Oh they missed it and so missed the chance to be one with beauty - peace - joy - love in its purest form. What is its purest form, people may ask. I can say a thousand words to describe it but none would be adequate. Maybe I could draw it but it won't do justice either. Or maybe I could sing it but the song would come out flat. And do you know why those tangible expressions won't do? It's because.....

"The most beautiful things in the world
cannot be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart."

Magnificent, isn't it? Golden lines from Helen Keller. I admire this strong and courageous lady. She contributed so much to the world, far more than people who have sight and hearing. She knew so much more how to live life than most of us do or pretend to.

EVERYTHING HAS ITS OWN TIME AND SEASON

Imagine living in a place overlooking a garden such as this and to have the privilege of gazing out to its exquisite beauty for endless hours all day long. Wouldn't that be simply wonderful? But flowers too have their seasons, don't they? All of God's creation has its own time for being and living. A time for happiness, sorrow, sadness, joy, anger, disappointment, love, live, die.

Everyone and everything has its season. Thus the wisdom of learning how to savor moments, the times of your life, and appreciate the blessings God so wisely showers upon every person anywhere in the world would make every thread of life and moments so precious -- such a treasure.

Treasure -- that's what we have right here in our hands. But it's not the kind which we oftenly stubbornly seek to further material gain, prestige, or fame. These things don't connect to our inner core. If I may use the language of my brother, 'it's superficial -- skin deep.' It will wear off or tire you down.

The real treasure I so speak of lies where we are centered in our hearts. Whenever we see or touch or feel or appreciate or live... beauty - truth - joy... and feel it engulf our whole being down to the very core of our existence, that is our treasure.

But as we may want it to last a lifetime, it won't and it can't. Because it has its natural flow of life -- just as we are born, live, and die -- it stays in its own time and season and then passes on.

But if we have listened well and paid attention, we can hold on to its memories and remember the moments long after it has gone. Everything has its season, that is true... but memories are timeless. Memories are for all seasons.

YOU ARE FAR MORE THAN YOU THINK YOU ARE

I found this in a book just recently. Wisdom right there in every line. So I'm sharing this with you. Listen well and listen with your heart.

To quote...

DON'T EVER DOUBT YOURSELF

You have so much to offer,
so much to give,
and so much you deserve to receive in return.
Don't ever doubt that.

Know yourself and all of your fine qualities.
Rejoice in all your marvelous strengths of mind and body.
Be glad for the virtues that are yours,
and pat yourself on the back
for all your many admirable achievements.

Keep positive.
Concentrate on that which makes you happy,
and build yourself up.
Stay nimble of heart, happy of thought,
healthy of mind, and well in being.

-Janet A. Sullivan
Unquote.

Don't let anyone make you feel small. You are so much more than you think you are. Your power is right there in you. It's not in external things although people will tell you it is. Agreed that money, power, position have their uses too but it waits for the right person to take it to even greater heights. It is a willing slave to a worthy master. It will definitely need someone worthy to work it to good use or serve a better purpose. And you have the power to do that. If you see something which you must do to improve your life, other people's lives, or make this world a better place (which we all pine for), then do it. Don't wait for someone to do the job for you.

Believe in yourself... believe in you.

PERFECT MOMENTS CAN FILL AN IMPERFECT LIFE

A wonderful gentleman and friend Parthasarathi sent me this in email recently -- "Life never seems to be the way we want it, But we have to live it the best way we can. There is no perfect life, But we can always fill it with perfect Moments..." Thanks, Parth. -- Lovely, isn't it? And I particularly loved this line.... 'There is no perfect life, But we can always fill it with perfect Moments...'

That seemed to be my guiding principle when I started in retirement. When one comes to a close in one chapter of one's life (one of several chapters, of course), he has then to change gear and move in another direction to fill in the void created. Because there is a lingering void or a brief spell between chapters of life. It's like a landing on a long flight of stairs wherein one is given the chance to catch his breath and energize for the next flight up that stair.

I took that chance to rethink my directions in moving forward. The plans I had before seemed insufficient now and irrelevant with some things taken away and some more added which I didn't plan for. This made me think how fragile life can truly be. So I decided to scratch off 'forever' from my dictionary and resolved to live in -- moments.

Moments cannot be bought or bargained for, I thought then that I will and should create my own. But it turned out that I was going to be blessed far more that I expected wished or prayed for!

MOMENTS.....

-when my youngest daughter surprised me with a gorgeous bouquet of flowers on Mother's Day

-when my second daughter gave me a surprise treat on my birthday by taking me to lunch in Tagaytay City overlooking the magnificent Taal Volcano

-when my eldest daughter gave me a fantastic massage on my back which pain made my day grumpy

-when my pet dog came to me as I sat on the sofa watching TV and lovingly nestled her head close at my side

-when the soya vendor with a warm smile added two free packs to the ones I bought

-when I watched the most beautiful sunset I've ever seen

-when I heard a tiny bird somewhere up the treetops singing his tiny song and a gentle breeze nudged the leaves to a dance

.....and zillions more through the years!

What I'm trying to say is --- FILL LIFE WITH MOMENTS, PERFECT OR IMPERFECT; THAT DOESN'T MATTER. WHEN IT MAKES YOU SMILE... THAT IS PERFECT.

BLESSINGS COME IN SMALL AND BIG PACKAGES

Well, the day is not turning out as expected. The same sluggish feel is hounding the neighborhood too it seems, but.. it's okay still. There's a nice gentle breeze blowing outside, I hear the sound of perky roosters crowing in the distance (from a breeder's yard outside the subdivision I think), and a strange symphony of song coming from birds atop tree branches lols. All well and good. Sometimes God's blessings come in small packages. :-) 'Tis something a person should be on the lookout for or teach himself to. Because it's not always that blessings come wrapped up in huge bright paper tied 'round with colorful ribbons and fireworks blasting away up in the startled sky Lols! Sometimes a blessing is in a smile, a loving look, a warm and gentle hug, or in a small kind word.

I like to look at how God spreads out blessings and what those are. It always astounds me to find out that there is so much we do not see around us or in our day. Maybe it's because we were conditioned to look for what is beautiful, noble, or great in a manner of a grand or grander scale, like something drenched in high drama or coming out in spontaneous combustion that blows the mind away. Lols! Yeah, that can be really exciting to receive or see blessings wrapped up in that manner and meant just for you. Makes you feel very happy and special.

It happens, true. But what happens more often are those blessings which come wrapped in 'small ordinary packages', 'delivered by small ordinary people', and via 'unlikely events'. Those are figures of speech of course, but I think you know just what I mean.

A blessing can be..... a baby's cooing, grandma's grateful smile when you hugged her, dad's proud boasting over your achievement, a kind gentleman helping you with your packages up the stairs, a spouse who'd rather spend the evening with you instead of working the night away at the office, a friend who patiently listens to your woes, a bouquet of gorgeous flowers sent by Mr. Anonymous, or someone praying for you.

You know these and I know that you know there's so much more like it.

Have a blessed day, my friends.

THE DIFFERENCE LIES IN THE CHOICES WE MAKE

We all get the same stuff in life. I'm referring to those things which make us happy, cry, angry, love, lose, succeed, bitter, foolish, brilliant, or just downright stupid. Because you and I are the same. You may not fancy the green bitter gourd I eat but you have your own idiosyncrasies about food like a peanut butter and mustard sandwich. I like walking boots anywhere I go and you like dark leather jackets in rain or sunny weather. I like soft soothing music to calm my hassled nerves at night while you like the loud ear-screeching sounds of an electric guitar to wake you up mornings. I guess we can put up with all that because we know that we're so much different as we are so much the same with one another.

But in things which matter in the course of trying to live a life the best we can, it would be wise to pay attention to certain things. We all aim for happiness and success. But to get there in the best possible time and in top form we must learn what or where we should put our emphasis or attention. Why? It’s because so many things could and would encroach on our territory thereby taking us off the track or derailing us from our goal. But we can do something about that.

If our emphasis is on ...

...hard work, responsibility, determination, excellence, persistence, consistency, accountability, knowledge, self-confidence, respect, hope, faith, the willingness to learn, the ability to bounce back from a disappointment or failure, and the passion and love for doing what is right

--we will get there no matter the road we take or challenges we face. If we put in our best effort into our goals, the universe can do no other but grant our heart's desires.

On the other hand, if we engage in ....

--lackadaisical effort, are content with mediocrity, are lazy, can't leave our comfort zones, can't make commitments, resent authority, prone to moods of procrastination, evade responsibility, and would opt for the shorter easier (yet not always the smarter) way to do things

--we won't get there, that's certain. We'll simply end up as miserable as we started - Perhaps twice as miserable. To this the universe will simply say to us -- 'Buddy, you've got a problem.'

Both kinds of activity use up the same hours, days, weeks, years and energy put into it. What would make the huge difference is on deciding which road we would choose to travel -- the road to success or the road to misery. The choice is solely ours to make.

"The trick is in what one emphasizes.
We either make ourselves miserable,
or we make ourselves strong.
The amount of work is the same." -- Carlos Castaneda

NO DAY BUT TODAY

Have you seen the movie 'Rent'? It's a Broadway musical turned into a movie. If you haven't yet, then go see it or get the cd. You won't regret it.

"No Day But Today" is just one of the several beautiful songs in it. This one is on my list of all time favorites.

You know why? Because it tells me this...

No day but today......

...to follow your dream
...to take dance lessons
...to finish that book
...to paint that masterpiece
...to get a sauna with your wife..or husband
...to treat your kids to Disneyland
...to be friendly to your neighbor who hates your red hair
...to write to your congressman about misfits in the government
...to give away your old stuff to people who might have need for it
...to pray - and pray - and pray not just for yourself but for others too
...to believe in yourself - there is only one you
...to forgive and be forgiven
...to sleep under the stars
...to hug your parents and grandparents
...to be kind to your household help
...to be a friend in both good times and bad
...to teach your child how to bike
...to buy yourself a bouquet of your favorite flowers
...to write that long overdue letter
...to eat healthy foods and stay with it
...to exercise regularly and stay with it
...to believe in God
...to not wait for a special occasion to give
...to say thank you
...to do a good deed
...to say 'no' when you should
...to say 'yes' when it's good
...to get down from your ivory tower and get down to real life and true living
...to plant a tree -- lots of it
...to love and take care of Mother Earth
...to recycle garbage
...to not throw garbage into rivers and streams
...to clean up your clutter
...to listen to reason and good intentions
...to get a job and not bum around anymore
...to use your college education to better lives... yours and others
...

There's more, much more. So how about adding to this list? Or create your own in your blog. Let me know 'cos I'd love to visit. Or maybe share here what list you have now. I would be interested to see it and I'm sure our readers would too.

LOVE WILL TURN THE TIDE

It's quite easy to turn your back to the misery of others. But not so when misery hits you. Then you wish that friends wouldn't turn their backs on you.

-"Love one another as much as I love you." - I've heard this spoken so many times, read it a thousand times over. I have realized that none can be more truer than this. God in His magnificent love has given us all of the earth... land - sea - air... under our care and management, for our living joy and pleasure. And too each other to love and care for. Every individual does not stand alone no matter how he says he does and can.. or tries. For no man is an island, each one is dependent to and on another for many different things. I need you as much as you need me. So how is it that we can't... love?

Love will turn the tide. Believe coz it's been done for ages, by many, in different circumstances, with the smallest or greatest of hearts and hands. Love breaks down all barriers -- real perceived imagined.

Don't make it difficult for yourself or for the next guy beside you or for the rest of the world. Love... and you will make a reality your and everybody's wish that the world were a better place . It'll start with you, me, them, us.

NOW SHALL WE PAY ATTENTION?

AFTERMATH OF TROPICAL STORM ONDOY IN THE PHILIPPINES
SEPTEMBER 2009

What's on my mind? How fragile life is. How things - possessions - memories - can easily be lost. How the unexpected can touch & alter people's lives. How miserable this world can be. And how we have contributed to this misery in some stupid way or ways.

Are we learning our bitter lessons now? Or do we need another disaster or calamity to tell us to CARE FOR AND LOVE.........

ourselves, life, people, Mother Earth, and our God BETTER!

MUCH MUCH BETTER!

Because these are the things which truly matter in life. Not our money, material possessions, titles or positions --- these things can disappear in a flash. swept away by the floods of tsunamis and super storms, flown to bits by tornadoes, buried deep under landslides, or turned into ash by monster fires.

What we truly have is --- our life, our relationships, our families, our values, nature and the environment, our world and the people inhabiting it, our faith and friendship with our God. These are our true treasures. We have been so irresponsible in our stewardship of such gifts and blessings. Let us care for those precious things better... unlike the shabby treatment we have given it all through the years with our irresponsible disposal of garbage, of polluting the air and rivers, of irresponsible cutting down of precious trees, of constructing buildings in places where they shouldn't be, of wildly depleting our natural resources, of loving things instead of loving people especially the underprivileged and deprived.

But sadly what we have been doing is push the button to self-destruction. Can't we see just what we are doing to ourselves and our Mother Earth? Must we wait for a disaster or catastrophe to knock some sense into our stubborn heads and hard hearts?

Wake up, people! Wake up!

IT'S ALL FOR A REASON

I said this to someone recently who was suffering a setback:

"Nope, you don't always get what you want in life. Not always. But when you get the chance, try to you look hard at what's happening, you'll see that it's for a very good reason.

Oh maybe you won't understand why now, but at some point in the future when the dust has settled and you look back to today... you will see and understand. Because by some Divine Design, it always works out well for your good in the end."

You know, it always does. By some strange design, everything has its reason for being. Everything that goes on in your life was put there for a reason. Yeah, good and bad. But the lessons are there for us to learn. And learn them well, we should.

BUSY IS NOT WHAT LIFE IS ALL ABOUT

The day is almost over. So what was today like? Overcast skies, dreary news on TV, and people everywhere I look just plain darn busy. Oh but busy is okay. Yeah, we need to be busy to put bread on the table, to send our children to school, to put clothes on our bodies, to buy things and stuff, to feel secure, to be important, to be respected, to achieve something, to reach for the stars.

The only problem I can see is -- they seem such a huge burden, like life is nothing but...

getting busy, doing busy, thinking busy, talking busy, dreaming busy, playing busy, praying busy.

Really. Is that all there is to life and living?? No joy?? You tell me.

WRITE FROM THE HEART

The other day someone said to me 'Love reading you.' I thanked the person and smiled carrying those words in my heart. It could mean two things really: she loves the writing -- or -- she loves seeing 'me (or bits of me, she thinks hehehe..)' in those lines that I write.

A writer can be both. Because a writer true to his calling and passion will only write from the heart. Life, within and without, as seen through his eyes translates itself unto the printed page. But why does a writer write?

In pursuing a 'passion', you don't bother to ask why. You simply relish enjoy - delight in the process. But writer or not, when you feel that you have something to say and you feel that nudge in your heart, go ahead and say it or write it. Just be sure that it's something which will bring a smile to another person's heart or day.

God's gifts are meant to bring joy and smiles into your life and if allowed -- to somebody else's life too. :-) God bless you!!

Be Blessed

We never can comprehend the magnificence of our God. See all the love, mercy, care, blessing, healing, provision, protection, forgiveness, guidance that God delights in pouring out upon us each day.

Savor it, receive it, rejoice in it, grow in it, serve with it, and remember to appreciate it with the fullness of childlike humility honesty sincerity and gratitude from the heart.

Understand how very blessed we are. Because we truly are!

GIVE

How do you spell the word 'give'?

It's spelled as ... c-o-m-p-a-s-s-i-o-n.

When you give, it simply means that you ---

--- clearly see, can understand, can relate, do sympathize, do care, do love -- the other who may not be as bright, as well-positioned, as educated, as rich, as healthy, as well-dressed, or as beautiful as you are.

You give because you can see the other person's need to receive.

And you respond as God responds.

Giving straight from the heart..... is the blueprint of GIVE and giving.

LIFE - PEOPLE - ME - YOU

My neighborhood is an average one and small. This is a subdivision settled at the foot by the side of a mountain range in my city that nestles atop it - Antipolo. Here, where I have made my home, one sees about dozens of modest houses sitting side by side and housing families within carrying on with the regular routines of each day. A paved road ragged in some areas winds round the neighborhood up hill and down and leads out to the main gate passing the guardhouse where a sentry stands watch day and night. And mingled with the houses are trees lush and green dotting the place everywhere you look. Adding to the green landscape are mini gardens fronting almost every home lining almost every street. If not a garden, in lieu would be potted plants neatly set in a row. Nice and green.

I love this place. And I wish that life and people were so much the same – serene, calm, and peaceful. But it isn’t. Life as we know it is an interesting tapestry of ecstatic moments, surprises, near mishaps, misfortunes, fragmented dreams, and challenges. And people --- they are just as diverse as that fascinating mix we call life.

So I like studying people. There is so much I can learn from watching them. They teach me things and stuff I would have not given any thought to at all; they inspire me to be better than I could ever be; they show me how to understand my own weaknesses and strengths by looking at theirs; they tell me what hope is by their show of courage and faith through trials; they increase my knowledge and wisdom by their own display of wit and intelligence; they remind me to laugh by their humor and delight over mundane things; and too understand my own foolishness by watching them stumble with theirs. When I see them in their human form, the complete package of mind, body and soul God so designed --- I see me, myself, and mine. And I begin to understand that we are at best each both teachers and students to one another.

DO IT ANYWAY

ANYWAY
By Mother Teresa of Calcutta

People are often unconscious, illogical and self-centered,
Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish and ulterior motives,
Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies,
Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and frank, people will cheat you,
Be honest and frank anyway.

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight,
Build anyway.

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow,
Be good anyway.

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough,
Give the world the best you've got anyway.

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God
It was never between you and them anyway.

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Just one word yet so much attributed to it. How beautifully she has written this poem. Had read this beautiful poem late last night and it still stuck in my mind when I woke up this morning. Having got up leisurely from my bed, I sauntered over to the bedroom window, looked out to the day-- it looked like it was going to be a good day despite the clearly overcast skies. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s a feeling one gets when everything within is peaceful, serene, and quite content. Not that nothing is bothersome or ‘kicking butt’ mine or somebody else’s, it’s just that some mornings do give us that ‘feel good’ feeling. Well, this is that particular morning.

Apparently the neighborhood has had a good head start getting on with the day’s routine of chores. I hear a neighbor’s washing machine spinning away with their usual laundry. Coming down the street are young children in their blue crisp uniforms on their way to school. Following not far behind are two housewives perhaps on their way to the market, too. (‘Wonder what they’re going to cook up for lunch today.) A car passing them slows briefly down to a halt; Mr. Perez, behind the wheel on his way to work, takes time to greet the ladies. Right across my window stands a proud mango tree with its trimmed branches (done ‘bout 2-3 months ago by Mr. Noble, my favorite neighbor) now growing new leaves in places where it used to be bare. And seen below at the foot of the tree is a small low-lying bush happily holding up its new blossoms for everyone to see. (‘Wonder though if people passing by do notice.)

Quite an ordinary scene repeated in many places everywhere. In fact, I think it’s down pat to routine, for the human part that is. As for nature, it does what it does best always --- live. So it really is this – that no matter the threat of terrorist bomb scares, a heavy downpour, or whether somebody is gravely sick or has died today – they’ll do it anyhow. People get on with their lives. Nature does the same. Even if war explodes this very minute, it won’t stop the roses from blooming. They’ll do it anyway.

In just the same manner, do the good that you want to do. Teach your students well, close that major contract for your company, minister to your sick patients, police your area, speak up for the underprivileged, serve in a civic program for the handicapped, or continue loving your unlovable friend. No matter how you may feel - or despite the risk of being misunderstood - or if friends tell you that you’re overextending yourself this time, do it anyway. It’s not meant to please anyone; it’s something you must do because you believe in it. And by the way, has it ever crossed your mind that God despite our unworthiness loves us anyway? Lovely, isn’t it?!

YOUR BLESSINGS ARE FAR MORE THAN YOUR TROUBLES

That must be hard to understand when your troubles mount like a huge tornado above your head. Exaggeration, of course, but it means only one thing – troubles suck. So I’m not going to heap on advice because that’s not what one needs when the going gets tough. Nor am I going to plug in the cliché that ‘when the going gets tough, the tough get going’. We’re not going there this time; we’re going in another direction but still on the plane of troubles.

Indisputably, trouble is on the plate on every person’s table. No one is spared although we fight it with everything we’ve got. At times we succeed in licking it, but most times it stands there immovable like a rock. So why doesn’t it leave no matter how much we want it to-- despite the tons of prayers we throw up to God? Honestly, I don’t know. But I do know one thing from my own share or experience of it -- there’s something in there for us to learn.

This is how I understand it. Trouble, problem, struggle or whatever name it is called is not the ‘enemy’. It is a friend and like a good friend, it does everything in its power to jolt us to our right senses. It shakes us to our roots to make us see and confront our weaknesses, correct what may be corrected, and move ahead with renewed resolve and fresh new hope. Troubles aren’t there to destroy or mess up life for us. We do that to ourselves using our fogged-up brains and wrong attitudes. Rather what it does is tell us that we need to stop-look-listen – because maybe something isn’t working anymore and may need to be changed.

But we seem not to see that, instead we are quick to ‘point the finger’ - heaping blame on anyone or anything, except ourselves. Well, how bout we try something different this time? How bout we shift our eyes away from what hurts us? Hard as it must be, yet what more can we lose? We’re already in the deepest mire of our woes, so if we get anymore it can’t possible hurt us more than we are hurting already. So want to give it a try?

Let’s do this then.

Whatever you’re doing, stop awhile -leave it—instead sharpen your senses and focus. See your surroundings try not to miss people or things or movement, catch the scent or scents flitting to your nostrils, feel the wind brushing your face, listen to the different sounds of life around you. Then let your mind meander through the snippets of thoughts roused by your senses come alive. Filter nothing. Instead recognize faces, occasions, experiences, memories. Now tick off in your mind those times you felt so much joy and happiness – the experiences which heightened your feelings of contentment and peace – the love and devotion of family and friends – the excitement of achievement and success – the satisfaction of good health and wellness – the security of provision – and other God-given fortune and pleasure in life.

Pretty soon you will be smiling with those memories. Not only because you remembered but because your heart has grown lighter – happier. The troubles you have been feeling will then seem to be pushed far to the back – forgotten in the joy of the moment.

There’s a name to what you’re doing, ‘counting your blessings’. If you look closely at the list you have ticked off, you will see that they are many—and if you break it down some more, it will double-up in number. See how it works? Your blessings are far more than your troubles. God made sure of that from the start.

So how then can one or two problems put you down – when you’ve got ten or twenty good things on your side working for you? Isn’t that more than enough to get you energized and recharged to get back on track again? Won’t that even spur you anew to more creative and aggressive solutions to your problems? And when you have triumphed or conquered at the end, you may even find yourself appreciating your troubles as blessings, too. Perhaps then-- that is the lesson and the reason for all our troubles after all.

So shall we start counting blessings now? I’ll race you to it.