CHOICES -- MAKE IT GOOD

It's a sunny morning. I can choose to be irritated by it -- or go outside and enjoy the blessings of a lovely day. Anything and everything in life has choices attached to it. Choices. Therein lies the potential for both good and bad.

My grandma would always say --- 'be careful what you pray for - it might come true'.

In the same vein, I say now ---- 'be careful your choices - the wrong ones could make you lose your smile'. :-)

Choices - make it good.

EVERYTHING IS THERE IN OUR TODAY

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be something good." -- Author Unknown

When was the last time you did something good --to others and yes to yourself? Well, you have another chance today. Today is meant to be good but you have to get involved in making it so too. God has already placed in it good things-- the beauty of nature, wonderful people, the blessings of life and living but you are expected to render your own good more than what you receive. Is that right? Yes it is!

Everything is there in your today -- the challenge, opportunity, the reasons, the whys and hows, and time as contained in a day. Now the rest is all up to you to create that good. Be like a garden water sprinkler -- it sprinkles and showers good ole water on all the plants in the garden and helps them grow into something grand and spectacular for eyes to see and appreciate. That's precious.

That's what you-we are here for - to make this world a better place to live in, to cheer up weary hearts, to give joy and hope to them who think there's none, to make another person feel brave and strong in the midst of trials, to make others see that God is there even if he seems to be not, to help someone see his worth and feel good about himself, to help someone understand that it's okay to make mistakes but must learn from them well enough, and to believe that the power to make life and the world better is all inside of us.

We can do that with kindness, love, understanding, sympathy, compassion, and the willingness to stop awhile from our busy lives to listen to a weary heart and soul.

Today is where we should. Because .....

"when tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever,
in its place is something that you have left behind.....
let it be something good."

GROW WITH YOUR CHILDREN

Now this question asked me long ago 'How do you raise your children?'

--- I came into the mother role with nothing. Just me, my heart, and God. Now many years after I see my children doing so well. Thank God. As for me -I have turned out a better person too. You see, it's not only children who grow; parents do too. :-...) I've done it alongside my children - being a mother to them and them being good daughters to me.

PERFECT MARRIAGE WITH IMPERFECT COUPLES

Again I've been asked 'what is a great marriage?' Oh I can answer that & it's gonna fill up a book I assure you. But then Dave Meurer is better at it with these short lines -----

"A great marriage is not when the 'perfect couple' comes together. It is when an imperfect couple learns to enjoy their differences." :-)

HOW DO WE PRAY

I've been asked several times 'How do you pray?' I'll let Victor Hugo answer that for me --------

"Certain thoughts are prayers. There are moments when, whatever be the attitude of the body, the soul is on its knees." :-)

HUMAN BEINGS HAVE FEELINGS

"Don't be afraid of showing your feelings; be afraid of regretting it when you didn't." - (Laura Springer)

------- Feelings. Yeah, we've been told to keep it all inside. Why? Were humans created not to cry, be angry, be afraid, nor to show disappointment or frustration, loneliness, sorrow, displeasure? Then we must have been given the wrong name cos that isn't being human -- we should be called zombies instead.

LET'S BE SERIOUS WITH BEING

Love this one from Rick Warren ------ "God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do. That's why we're called human beings, not human doings."

------ Isn't that just right, we're so self-engrossed on doing things but are we just as serious in ... being?

THE SECRET IS HERE IN THE PRESENT

'The secret is here in the present. If you pay attention to the present, you can improve upon it. And if you improve on the present, what comes later will also be better.' ----- the seer in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

---- How else can that be better said?! In the present is so much contained sufficient to plan a future... with. But why do most of us miss it? It's because we spend so much time wishing for a good future.. instead of preparing for it today - in the present. So then finish college, be excellent in that job you chose, determinedly work on opportunities and potential which may display itself. That should take care of the future you want. Your tomorrow is only as good as what you do with your today. :-)

BOTHER TO TAKE THE TIME

'Why bother?' I heard a friend say that only recently. And couldn't get my mind off those words. When he said that he was not in a friendly mood... to himself, that is. Apparently something was bothering him. So maybe in frustration or irritation he uttered those words out of despair or surrender. I didn't try to find out those reasons because I thought it best that he sort it out himself. Besides he didn't seem inclined to reveal or consult or as the usual get it off his chest... as most people would.

But I thought again.

I think those words are so mean and unkind and unfeeling. Insensitive. 'Why bother' is like putting up a huge wall - a barrier - to keep out the 'unwanted' into your own 'hallowed' ground. Oh it's true that people have problems and that we are to mind our own business, or so we're told, if we are to keep our turf sane and safe. But that's just the big problem. We've been doing that for so long that we now have lost touch with feelings, emotions that go through the heart and mind of another person... who happens to be a human being too.

But why should we not connect with that anymore. Isn't it that whatever pain the other person goes through is so much the same as ours.. maybe only packaged differently? When he hurts, we feel that hurt - are familiar with it too because we've been through the same things before or are going through something like it in the present.

You know what, not everybody is very good at hiding his or her pain or difficulty... although they would certainly try. But it shows on faces, in the eyes, in the drooping mouth, in the silence of unspoken words that speak loudly. You can easily see through it all. Doesn't need a brilliant mind to do that.
But you know something else more? It takes a human heart to bother to care and offer his helping hand to the other. It takes the best of a person to bother to take time to lift up a person when he's down in the dump. It takes a human being to care over another human being.

So, bother... cos you'll never know when one day a person at the receiving end of your giving could be your own.

IT'S NOT ALL ABOUT HURTING - IT'S ABOUT GAINING TOO

Have been through a lot in life. Yeah, life is tough. We get shoved, pushed, bashed to the ground, and every hurt you can think of comes to us. We try to fight back with courage, spirit, dignity, faith, and the will to survive. Sometimes we win, sometimes we don't. Life!

We hurt. We cry. We die to ourselves a zillion times over. is it worth it all?

Yes. A big YES to that. You know why?

Because all that is not for naught. Everything happens for a reason. Oh sometimes that reason may not be clear to us now. But later when time allows us to look back we begin to understand and become glad for everything that we went through.

Pure gold is tested through the fire. So much the same with a human being. We come out wiser, stronger, more courageous, enterprising, determined, smart, and so much more after having gone through the trials and difficulties of our lives.

How else would or could we have gained all that? Look at yourself now and see the difference. Honestly, it's not all about hurting... it's all about gaining too.

FIND THAT TIME NOW

We don't have all the time in the world. We know that. Still we waste time with non-nonsensical things that edge out those which we should be paying much attention to. Time really does fly. Today goes by so swiftly that at the end of the day we wonder just where it all went.

There's so much we want to do... with our lives, with people, with things and stuff, with the world. But we wait for the right time, the right moment or perfect moment to do it. Why oh why?

There is no perfect time, no perfect moment, no perfect person, no perfect reason. You have to create that now with who you are, what you have, what you can. Because it is all in there in your day. You work with it. Put it to work.

It's often said that taking care of your todays -- will take care of your tomorrows. Isn't that just the best reason for it?

Your today is waiting.

ALONE ISN'T NECESSARILY LONELY

That all depends on you, me, or the other fella. It's how we look at our day or time or circumstance. And too on what things matter most to us. If we put all our expectations for happiness or joy on external reasons, then we won't be able to stand being by ourselves. If we're not so centered in our core --- understanding who and what we are and respecting that --- there won't be anything to draw from when alone hits us.

On the other hand, being content simple and positive will actually keep us on an even keel. It wouldn't matter if we're alone to comprehend the universe or retrospect on the meaning of our existence. Might even be such a fulfilling experience. Far from being lonely. In fact, there's so much joy in discovery.

Keep an open mind and a gentle heart open to the wonders of life and living. Alone needn't be lonely.

WHAT YOU PUT INTO YOUR POT DEPENDS ON YOU

Do you know that you, me, and everybody else are nothing but pots? Yeah, pots! Or would you prefer to be called a vase or a vessel. Whatever it is that signifies a container meant to hold something, you are it. We all are. But I would like to use the word.. pot.. for this post. Now what do we do with that? Let me tell you what I did with mine.

I am a pot... When I was a baby I put in all that was about being a kid. Innocence, pleasure, delight, awe, fun, birthday cakes, ice cream, warm beds, doggies, and... mommy and daddy. It was great. Everything centered on me and I was everybody's priority. All I had to do was smile my cutest and throw in a tantrum or two to get them to my side pronto. That filled my baby pot.

Then I was ten. I couldn't be a baby anymore although I would have preferred to be as it seemed that mom and dad would always be coming at me to do this and do that. But school was great, had new friends, lots of fun things to do with them, was more aware of my newly found likes and dislikes. I was liking chocolate bars and cakes, coca-cola, nice teachers, field trips to museums, and always loved Sally and Susan -- my cute walking dolls. That filled my pot a notch higher.

Then they called me a teenager. Oh there was much in this new world that I never had before. I discovered that I loved the colors pink and blue, dresses, ladies bags and shoes, still loved cakes and ice cream, adored my first crush next door, enjoyed sketching and designing clothes, hoarded good books and magazines, delighted in poem-writing, and wrote for the high school paper. That filled my cup two notches higher. Plus up another with college that followed.

Then I found myself wearing size 7 high-heeled shoes walking it to a place called an office. I soon discovered that I was good at making tons of reports -- weekly, monthly, annually -- and did some travel, lectures and trainings for newly employees, reveled in office banter and camaraderie, events and more. That brought my pot fuller almost to the brim.

Then life turned more adult. What does that mean? Marriage, children, sickness, death, disappointment, sorrow, fear, anger, betrayal, change, trials, challenge, growing older, and all the stuff which makes an adult even wish in exasperation for the good years past. My pot now went on full and over. So to be able to make sense out of all that... I thought I needed to do something. And fast. Or else so much would be lost. All of my history, all that made me, all for nothing if I let something like a full pot have its way. A further thought on the side, I can't and shouldn't get stuck with a full pot because there's still so much out there to learn, experience, enjoy, and live for. It's never over until it's over.


I emptied my pot.

... and by so doing have made room for insights, perceptions, retrospection, wisdom which I wouldn't have done being so involved in the living aspects of life. I needed to empty my pot so that new things could come in --- things which made sense of everything that I had gone through. It was there all along simply waiting in the wings for its turn to be inside my pot so that it could do its work. This is where I believe that everything in our lives, no matter how tiny or insignificant it may be or maybe bigger than what we want it to be, is there for a reason. But reason which cannot reveal itself until or if we don't give it that needed room or space to do so.

Emptying our pot makes that possible. An empty pot invites it in. And this would give us all the treasure we may want or hope to acquire. This takes us higher to a better place of self and of understanding life, people, the world, and God. That's right. Whatever we want our day or our life to be, depends on how much we are willing to empty ourselves... and make room for more blessings.

One unknown writer puts it this way.... "We shape clay into a pot, but it is the emptiness inside that holds whatever we want." --Anon.) Yeah, how much you can put into your pot really depends on you. God bless you.

OLD SELF - NEW SELF ... TRANSITIONS

I am not what I used to be -- my old self which worried over every nitty-gritty detail of a mess-up, mine or somebody else's. I don't fret if the house is a mess, at least not anymore. But cleaning up goes on normally as it should. I save not for a special occasion because I've learned that everyday is a special occasion. So then I would buy ice cream, cakes, pretty clothes, shoes, bags and use them for no special reason. It doesn't have to be my birthday to look pretty or be happy.

Flaws, imperfections, weaknesses, or differences displayed by other people now amuse me because I have understood that we are all different and that being so does not make one person better or less than the other. It just makes us different. People's foibles are now better understood and forgiven, including mine. I draw close to people I like.. and if I don't like someone I simply stay away and forget that person. No point in having someone like that stick around to ruin my parade. I try not to go crazy when plans bomb out or when appointments are missed. Because if and when they do certainly it must be for some reason. Eventually something much better takes its place. But I try to make sure that I don't miss the good idea - thought - benefit or lesson behind it. Better to see it with a positive eye, otherwise it's bound to cause more stress in trying to figure out what happened.

I believe in miracles and blessings which certainly come plenty if one takes pains to find out or see it. I indeed seek for blessings because my mom said I should. Funny isn't it, so many things mothers tell their children and which children often forget. Glad that I remembered this one. You see mom would always tell me that there is always one when you come looking for it... and sometimes even when you aren't looking. Blessings don't always come wrapped up in gorgeous ribbons or other fancy trimmings or make a huge dramatic entrance into your life. Nope. Sometimes it's just there beside you or within you making you feel... peace calm serene joy hope strength inspiration faith... something you thought you'd never experience as the rest of your world comes tumbling down or has already.

I am happy where happiness finds me.... and if sorrow should come I'd probably cry too. Oh yes, probably hurt and ache, grieve, be miserable... but I know better now that these things are fleeting and would easily pass just like all of life. Besides things which I have no control over are no longer mine to worry about. Troubles are plenty it's true and nobody's spared of it, but we can choose how to face them. Thus if I don't have the solutions, then I leave them at the foot of the Cross for God to handle. He's better at it you know. So much better. I've learned that wonderful truth too. ---

PAY IT FORWARD -- ALWAYS

Miracles happen everyday. It's true because my life stands witness to that. God works in strange ways beyond man's ordinary comprehension. Come to think of it, our life has been nothing but ONE MIRACLE AFTER ANOTHER! Who can beat that?! When many are searching far and wide for the miracles they want to see in their lives... we have it in ours EVERYDAY.

Trials.. what are they? If not opportunities to see God work his power and might. Opportunities to make us see just how much HE loves us, no matter our unworthiness. We are petty, weak, flawed, not without sin -- but that doesn't matter to HIM. HE sees beyond that. HE sees our heartbreaks.. disappointments.. hurts.. pain.. hopelessness.. struggles.. helplessness.. our smallness and mortality. And understands!

Thus out of the great love in HIS heart HE moves to comfort.. heal.. save.. strengthen.. encourage.. enlighten.. inspire.. provide.. guide.. and so much more HE becomes simply to match our need. HE becomes everything we need HIM to be, with or without our asking HIM to. That is how much GOD loves HIS children... and that means all of us!! When HE does that it's not like one formula applies to everybody. Rather HE connects to us one-on-one! You're a person to HIM, not just a face in the crowd.

How can we match that? We can't! But we can try to be the best of what we can be with who we are-what we have... and walk beside HIM in trust and love. A life journey we take with HIM side by side.


Lest we forget, God wants us to understand too that in the same way HE is good to us... we must also be just as good to our brethren. We must not let God's love stop with us but it must be moved on along or passed on to the next person who too has need of God's magnificent love. You probably have seen that movie "Pay It Forward" -- that is God's love in action through ordinary people.

This is how we honor HIM, this is our thanksgiving to HIM, and this is what children of GOD do. Don't hesitate, don't be scared. One need not be faultless or sinless or perfect to do God's work nor wait till one is worthy. Because mortals can never be worthy in this lifetime. What we can do instead... is to be and do what we can with who we are and with what God has blessed us with. God does not wait or need perfect servants but HE uses WILLING servants to do HIS work. We need to understand that in doing God's work it is not all about you... it is all about GOD. And the best way to do that is to love and serve one another in the spirit of God's love.

Be blessed and stay blessed. God's love be with you always.

HOW ARE YOU LOOKING AT THE WORLD

There are two ways of looking at life, people, the world. One is from your own standpoint and the other is from the other person's. Both don't always agree and that usually makes for the inconsistencies that we see around us in most everything. But life is actually lived in personal terms sieved through our individual beliefs, preferences, insights, opinions, knowledge, and understanding. We don't usually bother about what people may think, as much as we can anyway. We do our thing with what is dished out to us trying as best as we can to be worthy of being alive... of life. We all do that... you, me, the guy next door... everybody. But whoever we are or where we come from, we have our story and we matter. Honestly the world will look like a messy place when we would look out to it from a heart that isn't quite sorted out. That's true because we have to figure out how we want to see the world and with what. We can't just take what's there and work something out and hope to God it turns out alright. That's not how things work out.

So then from where I stand now these are the stories I've seen and heard, and lived quite a few myself .....

-- joining the band wagon won't always get you to where you want to go... especially if you had joined the wrong one. Know when to leave. Leave!

-- when life hands you lemons, it's okay to cry because that's what you're supposed to do with it.. cry. But when you're done crying, shake yourself and say 'nope, you've seen nothing yet'. Then work hard with everything you've got. Walk your talk.

-- people won't always agree to everything you say unless you have succeeded to pull familiar strings in his heart or memory.

-- when you give a piece of praise, give it not because you aim to please. But give it because you agree that that person is indeed wonderful.

-- it could be true that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence. But also true is the fact that your side of the fence can be greener too or so much more if you simply remembered to nurture it.

-- you are the only one in the world, there is nobody like you elsewhere... and so does the rest of humankind think about themselves. But that is not the problem. The problem is we can't seem to agree that we all belong here -- together, side by side.

And so much more and we know them all, don't we?

PUT GENIUS TO BETTER USE

I’ve met a lot of geniuses in my life – real honest to goodness brilliant people. Okay, genius per se is a big word to use everyday. But intelligence– they’re everywhere. I have so much respect for intelligence – clever brainpower. Am not speaking of the intelligence of books or mathematical acumen but rather of the kind which leads a person to do what is right and correct at the right given time and place with real understanding, zeal and compassion. One that cuts through the mumbo-jumbo of complex facade, veneer, or pretense which people oftentimes put up in many situations but for a certain reason.

Are we getting confused there?

Okay, I sort out intelligence into two kinds – the CC (cold cerebral) and the WI (warm intellect).

The first one is behind all the brilliant inventions or creations of our times then and now and in the future yet. It establishes principles, theories, formulas, systems, doctrines, ideologies, and space flights to outer space. It writes outstanding essays, books, manuscripts, and reaps oodles of recognition which our society could ever invent for them. And they deserve it all. I won’t argue over that. They have my respect and admiration.

The second one is where I would put my last money on, if I were to choose who I’d want to be marooned with on a deserted island somewhere-nowhere on the map. And I wouldn’t even care to be found or rescued or miss the companionship of my three lovely dogs…and a lazy but cuddly cat.

Hmmm, I sense a question forming in your mind now. :-)

Let's try this.

Marooned on an island with CC may assure me of an effective make-shift shelter or a regular supply of fish caught with an intelligent contraption made out of coconut trees would probably be a creative comfy and secure stay on the island until help comes along. But I’m such a big nervous wreck when things go amiss. I cope in extremes by either nagging on the issue or shutting up keeping it all inside. Now I wonder how CC would cope with something like that.

Maybe he’s going to quote me the emotional principles contained in psychology books to explain my fears, or the possibility percentage of being found and rescued, or at worst be so angry or flare up with my irregular behavior, or scoff at my efforts to want to contribute to his plans for a rescue. Duh! he's as cold as the icy wind blowing over the island.

Let’s try WI.

The shelter would still be made though but maybe not as sophisticated as the other one and the fish will still be on our menu but sometimes we may have to do with fruits if there would be some on the island or just have to go to bed without it at all.

When at times my fears get the best of me, he would be right there beside me and be such a comforting presence, explain things in a gentle genuine manner, or engage in a story to take my mind off my fears. Or if I opt to be a recluse instead, he would try to draw me out of it with gentle coaxing or maybe even with playful humor. He’s be so much in control of himself, the situation, and even of me (which I certainly wouldn’t mind lols with a genuine fella like that).

Such an environment of down-to-earth concern (which I would think is both his brains and heart working together) would succeed to calm down my fears and effectively draw me out to reciprocate in like manner towards him too. That would certainly earn my trust and confidence in his leadership in the situation to which I’d give my full support. So the situation now becomes an ‘us’ situation – where not one or the other would serve as the protector or the one being protected – but of two people working together intelligently to solve the problem.

Now isn’t that a show of good sound healthy intelligence of the right kind?! Something that warms the heart so.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against brilliant minds, nope. I admire intelligence or brilliance in any person. It’s a God-given gift. But it would help if such brilliance is tempered with a more humane approach towards life and the people around you. Genius may take you to the big time, fat paychecks, top scale jobs, and the adulation of your peers – true. But what worth is all that when there is so much lack in the other areas of your life.

- When your kids see you only on birthdays, sometimes not (why can’t you find time for that but always keep tab of your boss’s anniversary?)

- When your wife can’t even discuss some important event in the family without you muttering an obviously lame excuse and leave (are things of the home so mundane for your precious time and mind?)

- When close friends can’t do lighthearted banter around you without you brushing it all off as a waste of time (do you know that some worthwhile things are not found inside the boardroom at all?)

- When your small kid comes to you with a broken toy and you instead opt to buy him an expensive intricate brand new one as replacement (do you really think that’s what he wants from you?)

Know where you should put your brilliance. Put your genius to better use with people who mean the world to you. Okay, be the brilliant person that you are to the world, but be even a better one to your family and close friends.

"A man may be a genius but he can still do things
that practically break your heart."
–James Q. Du Pont

SOMETIMES I WANT TO BE ALONE

It’s not all the time that I want company, or listen to the noise of endless banter, or watch the chaotic human parade of other people’s lives. It’s vexing to the mind, is wearying to the heart, and tires the soul down. It leads to confusion and troubling vibrations in the air turning my world upside down. It’s startling how all these can touch your own sphere of life and leave you so drained. But don't we all feel that way some time or another?

Sometimes … I simply want to be alone. To be there in the my own moment just being - To feel the soft breeze on my face – To feel the warmth of the sun on my skin – To hear birds chirping on the trees – To feel the waters under my feet walking by the seashore – To touch the petal of a flower – To watch the sun go down on the horizon – To let the rain touch my skin – To write my dreams on clouds of flight – To be still - To hear my heartbeat.

Sometimes I simply want to be that little child on God’s lap – to tell him about how Peter and Jane have hurt me – to ask him to make Billy the Bully a good boy so that he won’t bother me again when I walk by his house – to tell my mom and dad to please know why I cry when they leave for the office – to tell him how bad I feel because Santa Claus didn’t give me a Barbie Doll for Christmas – to ask him to make grandpa well again so that we could play – to thank him for letting Mom cook my favorite spaghetti with huge meatballs every Saturday YUMMY!

Sometimes I simply want to be with my thoughts – thinking of the past and the things it has left me with – thinking of the present and how it’s forming my tomorrows – wondering what my tomorrows will be like or when I will be finally gone.

Sometimes I simply want to be – seeing my flaws, mistakes, imperfections – seeing how fragile and vulnerable I truly am – looking at my limitations, my borders, my walls – and yet understanding that I too have my own strengths, potential, and the power to dream. That everything there, good or bad, has shaped who I am. That all that I was, is, and will be is the story of my life.

Sometimes I simply want to be here – with nothing – doing nothing – yet loving everything.

"Inside myself is a place where I live all alone and that's where you renew your springs that never dry up." - Pearl Buck (1892-1973)

STAND BY ME

"No matter who you are, no matter where you go in life, at some point you will need somebody to stand by you."

That's a beautiful line from the song 'Stand By Me'. If you think that you can go through life all by your lonesome independent self, think again. Because that isn't so. You can't be all those things you want to be nor do everything you think you can do. It does not work that way. In your every thought, idea, or action lies within a special need which not even you can provide for yourself. Why? Because admittedly there are things which another person's thought, idea, or action could serve perhaps better than you - like it or not.

You can't know everything there is to know, you will need a thousand lifetimes to know or learn them all. And if mistakes are the tools for learning, you can't make all the mistakes you need to do to gather those lessons. You have to learn those from others as well. You can't be the sole reservoir of talent or skills or brilliance. Others have it too in great measure. Perhaps even more than what you know.

We all stand connected in many different ways. I need you for something in my life in the same way you need me for something you have to fill to get on with life too. Whatever it is -- intellectual, social, spiritual, physical, moral, political, business, relational -- whatever it is the bottom line is we need each other at some point or another.

And when life gets tough don't we look around for something or someone who could help us get through and out in one piece? I do. I need somebody to be here or there for me. Somebody who through thick and thin would --- stand by me. That, by the way, is also by God's design.

At this point, I'd like to say 'thank you to lovely people -- my gorgeous family, steadfast friends, strangers who were angels in disguise -- who in my small life have stood by me whenever-wherever-whatever'. And to our wonderful Father up there in His Holy Throne --Hugs, Daddy! Thank you. :-)

IMAGINATION -- A MAGICAL WORLD

The voice told us to get ready to board Philippine Air Lines flight for Kalibo, Aklan. My family and I were on the first leg of our journey to Boracay Island for our big family holiday -- all of four days! I was already running images in my mind of the sun, sea, sand feeling the excitement gurgling through my veins followed by the quick rush of anticipation of lovely times waiting for us ahead.

Inside the plane, after tucking in our backpacks in the bins overhead we then settled into our seats. My daughters understandingly let me have the window seat. But of course even if they didn't I would use my maternal authority to wrest that privilege from them and have that priced seat for myself. Selfish old lady! hahahah.. But I wouldn't miss that for the world.. and we all knew it. Lovely kids!

After the usual checking and instructions by the crew, the plane taxied on to the runway and poised itself for take-off. I took a glance at the sky above and said to it --- 'I'm coming to you, be ready for me.' Then the engines roared to life and like a huge dragon spitting out fiery energy balls it thrust us forward and lifted us up - higher and higher - and off to the gorgeous blue highway at 26,000 feet.

Clouds! In different sizes and shapes. I could also say colors but this time it was only white, pure white. And cruising at this height there was nothing for you to see but white clouds and the blue sky yonder. Taking my eyes away from the window for a bit, I looked at the long row of seats ahead. We have a full house in this flight I thought and the flight stewards were busy with serving snacks to passengers. Most of the passengers seemed to doze off apparently already bored by the sight outside.

Bored! So okay I turned back to the window and got ready to be bored too myself. But couldn't. Out there I saw bustling cities of clouds, skyscrapers of clouds, mountains hills valleys islands of clouds, and many figures and faces. I saw a horse galloping on two legs -- a child's button nose and puffy cheeks -- Casper the Ghost's adorable round head -- a pirate ship with broken sails -- an old man with long flowing beard -- a bird with one wing -- an ice cream cone of white chocolate (tho dark chocolate is healthier so they say) -- and cotton balls popping out from nowhere! And I saw this cloud which seemed like an uneven closed hand with a jagged finger pointing upwards. I followed it with my eyes expecting to be surprised again... but nothing there -- just the blue wide space... limitless border-less, timeless. Then the thought struck me -- but of course... GOD. My eyes grew misty as my cup of joy flowed over the top in my grateful heart.

Oh yes, the sky was indeed ready for me. It put up a wonderful display and extravaganza of magic and too magical memories. It took me back to places and moments of joy and happiness. It showed me wonderful treasures. It gave me back my soul. It spoke to my heart about a God so magnificent and divine.

As the plane descended gradually geared up for landing, I looked back to the clouds and whispered a soft --- "Thank you."

The plane came to a final halt. We had landed at Kalibo Airport.

WHEN MOTHER NATURE SPEAKS, PAY ATTENTION

It was just an ordinary afternoon -- warm, breezy but it felt right for a walk. So I told my daughter to stop whatever it was she was doing in the kitchen and come with me. We dressed and put on our rubbers and hied off to our one hour of escape... she from her chores and me from my reading.

Out on the street to begin our first leg of the 'journey' we looked up at the sky as we would always do to check for rain. Oh but it was such a lovely sky -- the clearest of blue and cotton-like clouds traipsing across the wide azure expanse. We literally basked in its glorious beauty.

Then we walked. Finishing one block of our huge neighborhood and rounding the first corner we were met by two barking dogs trying to run us off like we had stepped on forbidden ground -- their ground. But we paid them no mind. My daughter herself said Hi! to one which apparently was caught by surprise and left bewildered. We both caught that expression and laughed with great amusement. I'll give it to her -- she knows dogs.

Then the walk took us to higher ground and thick foliage seen lining the right side of the road while opposite it were rows of houses. Nothing new there, seen them many times before in other walks.

But not when you see Mother Nature....

Exquisite flowers wild and free. A rust colored leaf softly drifting down from a tree. The new sound of birds' song filling the air. The interplay of light and shadow on leafy branches here and there. Or the grace of a clingy vine rising up the gnarled bark of an old majestic tree. Always she gives us new reason for falling in love with her again and again you'll agree.

And my daughter saw these with her eyes. She lost no time to record each discovery with her phone-cam taking countless pictures while I stood by watching. Then I thought if she can see and appreciate beauty from ordinary settings then I know that it won't be difficult for her to see good where good can be found whatever the circumstance. It is important for her to learn this.

As it was getting close to sunset we decided to head back to the house. It was at the last incline before walking down and back to our street that my daughter called my attention and excitedly pointed to a glorious sunset on the far horizon.

Ablaze with the brilliant colors of red-orange-yellow it was one of the loveliest sunsets I have ever seen. It took our breaths away standing there gazing enthralled at such a magnificent display. Until the sun finally bid adieu and made its graceful exit home. Thus the afternoon walk came to an end. With hearts full we walked back home content and happy..... and so in love with Mother Nature once again.

(Photo courtesy of my daughter and her digicam.)

TEARS, BEST FRIEND, AND ME

This is a good piece; says it all. There are many ways to unburden ourselves of our fears or demons so to speak. One as mentioned here is to share with a close friend. And I agree. Also, there is private journal writing... and too Prayer. I resort to all three... with attention to the right place, time, person, and the weight of concern or issue at hand.

I have my close friends here, Lody particularly who knows all my cares and woes, joys and happiness. I appreciate her for standing by me through it all. As I do the same for her.

Friends I hold so dear to me. Every friendship through the years is valued and treasured. Truly they are my gold. But as life always would, some of them have gone and those who have remained are called to other directions in life thus severing the ties thru no fault of anyone. New ones have replaced them, true. But I do know that people come and go in our lives - not one meant to stay forever. Of such is life. Sadly.

So on most occasions I would rather pour out my heart in prayer. God is always there, will never leave me, and can work miracles which no human hands can do. In prayer, I find my peace... my burdens become light... my tears and fears washed away with His hand. Prayer is my help -- God my bestest friend. :-)
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Allow me then to quote:

Plunging Into The Deep - Life Can Be Scary

Life can take us on a roller coaster ride full of highs and lows and twists and turns. Even for those of us who enjoy unexpected thrills, it’s frightening to suddenly find ourselves heading for a deep plunge. Yet, it happens to all of us. At these moments, it is important to remember that you are not alone in your experiences. No matter how brave, strong, or levelheaded we are, sometimes, we all get scared.

Our fears may revolve around our physical safety, particularly if we are not feeling well, living under difficult circumstances, or doing work that exposes us to hazardous conditions. Or, we may be experiencing financial woes that are causing us to be fearful about making ends meet. We may also fear the loss of a loved one who is sick, or we may be scared of never finding someone special to spend our life with. We may be scared to start at a new school, begin a different job, move to a new town, or meet new people. Whatever our fears are, they are valid, and we do not need to feel ashamed or embarrassed that we are, at times, afraid. It may be comforting to know that everyone gets scared, and it is perfectly OK. Sometimes just acknowledging our fears is enough to make us feel better. And while it sometimes takes a lot more to ease our mind, we can console ourselves with the knowledge that life can be scary at times. Giving ourselves permission to be scared lets us move through our fears so we can let it go. It also makes it alright to share our fears with others. Sharing our apprehensions with other people can make our fears less overwhelming because we are not letting them grow inside of us as pent up emotions. Sharing our fears also can lighten our burden because we are not carrying our worries all by ourselves. Remember that you are not alone.
Unquote. ----------------------

NOTE:
This piece was forwarded to me in email by a good friend today. Its author unknown. Have highlighted my favorite lines.

NEVER THINK THAT YOU CAN'T

Never think that you can't. Just because you see somebody shining brilliantly in what he does, it does not mean that you can't do just as well if not better with your own. Maybe the problem is - you haven't given it a big try. I say Big because there are admittedly small tries, feeble tries, fearful tries, and indifferent tries. What you get depends on how much you put in. Make that your first and only rule.

Humility is good. But again there is false humility, misplaced humility, fake humility, and proud humility. The genuine kind is one that honestly knows his own capacity for greatness alongside his limitations. But the latter does not worry him at all because he understands that it is not his inadequacies which define him as a person but his strength to be the best of what he can be and with this do the good he wants to see in the world.

Ordinary maybe but sometimes there lies within a miracle waiting to be born. A miracle when someone does an ordinary thing extraordinarily. And the world applauds. Never underestimate ordinary -- within its cover is potential.

So then.....

"Hide not your talents, they for use were made.
What's a sun dial in the shade:"
--- Benjamin Franklin

WE CHANGE IN LAYERS

At the mall one fine afternoon, I came across my childhood friend who I hadn’t seen for quite a long time. He was quick to recognize me and did it with a rousing bear hug ...

“Heyyy, pumpkin, great to see you!!” Ugh! He still calls me that. Seeing my grimace he laughed “Yeah pumpkin!!" and laughed so loud apparently enjoying my embarrassment. "Btw, meet my wife, Liza”.

I shrieked with surprise and delight when I saw her as she came walking towards us – Liza, my pal in school! We were buddies in our last year.

“So this is why you hadn’t been in touch all these years!” I giggled. She laughed heartily showing her familiar dimples. “We moved to San Francisco after the wedding. I didn’t know where to write you then because you were nowhere to be found, silly!”

I grimaced “Yeah, I got busy with a job in the big city.. and lots of things. Ugh! Tell you all about it.”

We then moved to a coffee shop nearby and continued with our endless chatter and updates. Time flew until Martin reluctantly and halfheartedly broke off the chat and reminded Liza that they had yet to shop for a birthday gift for his mom. So we parted ways but agreed to meet for dinner at their place the following week.

Looking at them as they walked to the parking lot, I felt a sudden twinge of sadness. They have remained the same, true; and yet have changed too in some. I remembered something I have read before —

“We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension; and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm; childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.”

That quote brought me to this new understanding. Truly, we change unevenly, partially, in layers. We may be brilliant to one and childish to another person all in the same breath. We may be the cherished pumpkin of the past and yet also the modern career person of the present. A friend may tell me that I have changed in my perceptions about love and money. While another friend would tell me that I am still the homespun girl he always had known me to be. And all true for I have indeed changed from some old held viewpoints of long ago but have too retained and treasured the same homespun values my mother had taught me in my growing up years. On that thought, I realized that we don’t really leave the past behind even if change moves us along in time. We take it with us to the present and on to the future. This is what people see in us mixed and mingled as change does its work in bits, portions, areas, and layers of ourselves.

So as I stood there watching Martin and Liza pull away in their Chevy, I smiled to myself and bid goodbye to the sadness felt earlier. Nothing has been lost after all. More mature and changed in some ways as they appear to be now, still Martin and Liza carry with them the traces of good old friendships of long ago. We stand connected despite change. Amazing and beautiful, isn’t it?

JUST BE THERE - STAY

Our world is a hurting world - its people hurting suffering struggling with so many demons real or imagined. That's us. Oh yes, we try to be strong and brave -- most times succeeding. But at the end of the day in the middle of the night, we cringe under our sheets in our cold beds fearful of the coming dawn.. afraid for what it can do to hurt us again and again.

Scary but real. We all have to wrestle with a myriad of troubles, issues, and challenges, none exempted. We have our troubles and it comes as diverse as pebbles of sand. Some of us have it in manageable terms while others simply cruise down the bumps with undeniable ease. A good number battle it out with fangs and claws as would a female tiger when her brood is imperiled by an enemy. As some others more would simply sulk away lost and defeated. Problems are like huge great weights resting on our small frail shoulders and can easily crush us forlorn and defeated down to the ground.

At this broken point we desperately look out and up from our troubles for something or someone to take our hand and help us up on our feet again. Lucky if some permanent answers would come along with it thus ending our misery and we get to move on with smiles restored on our faces.

If you know someone like that.. right there where you are, give your hand and help him up. When a friend knocks at your door carrying his cross, let him in and give him rest from his burden. When a colleague comes to your desk with eyes close to tears, drop what you're doing and listen. When you see your mother quietly sitting in a corner forlornly, go to her and give her reason to smile. When your child comes to you with a broken toy in the middle of your reports, hug your child and fix that toy. When the maid asks for a leave to run to her ailing parent, grant it without any moment's hesitation or rebuke. When someone in your neighborhood comes to you for a small loan to buy medicines for her sick child, give even if that money was supposed to be for a nice dress you saw at the mall yesterday.

Small things - yes. But you'll never know how much it means to that person.

Someone kind and gentle said this....

"The next time someone needs you ... just be there. Stay."

INNER PEACE

Have you had this kind of day when everything seems to turn upside down, when every nook and cranny of your day spells doom and gloom? Oh maybe that’s an exaggeration but it does happen. I know because I have had that kind of day or days when nothing seems to work and anything that I try to do falls flat on my face. And I rush here and there frantic to find a solution. It’s crazy. It gets me huffin’ and puffin’ like the big bad wolf in that nursery rhyme but the problems just won’t go away. So it leaves me with frazzled nerves and holding a bucketful of odds and ends that don’t fit. And then I lose my composure, my calm, my peace.

So where do I go from there?

Slow down. That’s what Mom would always tell me. “Slow down, child. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day.” But I paid no attention. I never really appreciated what that meant. Because I saw slowing down as a big waste on my time. So I plodded on with my usual so-called brilliant maneuvers to sort things out. Don’t we always smugly think that we have all the answers?!! Yet it didn’t work out, things just got more messed up in the rush and flurry maze I got myself into.

That afternoon sitting at my desk I felt the world tumble down on me, felt like everything I did suddenly were falling apart or have already. I pushed my chair away from the desk angry at myself, stood up and walked to the window. Nope, I didn’t find any answers there – not in an empty lifeless street, not on that old man idly standing on the corner seemingly enjoying his cigarette, not on that street dog lazily curled up sleeping on the sidewalk content and uncaring, not in the boring sky with an equally boring spread of boringly white clouds above. In fact, the scene before me seemed to have been frozen in time – no movement, no action, just very still.

Slow down, Mom said.

That empty lifeless street in a few minutes will come alive with people and vehicles passing to and fro going about their day’s usual business. That old man after finishing off his cigarette will probably head back home and carry on with his tasks as father and grandfather of the house. That lazy street dog when he wakes up will resume his barking at anything that catches his fancy or threatens his turf. And that boring sky will change from sunny to gray, from sunrise to sunset and will move all of life along with it.

But they all stood briefly for one moment to simply slow down.

"Never be in a hurry; do everything quietly and in a calm spirit. Do not lose your inner peace for anything whatsoever, even if your whole world seems upset." --Saint Francis de Sales

PROMISE WHAT YOU CAN - AND DO IT

A promise, they say, is a word or words offered another person which contains a pledge to do something at an appointed time regardless. Promise! I remember an uncle say that when someone promises something to him – correspondingly he pours out to that person a bag of expectations, anticipation, trust, hope, and zeal. A promise he pointed out is a guarantee, an assurance, or a pledge of truth and stands on one’s integrity and honor. Well, don’t we actually lean heavily on such things in our day-to-day lives? Isn’t it part of a two-way human communication traffic built on a desire to keep things moving along? Thus we promise loosely, tightly, falsely, or truthfully just to get things done or undone. Don’t we?

Promising to come back on Tuesday to return the book you borrowed as you know how important it is to its owner to have it back -- and doing it, reflects your concern and thoughtful consideration towards your friend - a sentiment coming from the heart. But on the other hand, your brain may sometimes tell you differently, that …

--you can do it another day as you’re very busy (just when are you ever not busy?!)

--and that it won’t be missed anyway (are you sure of that every time youdelay or put it off?)

--or say to yourself that your friend would understand it if you delay (stretching it again for the __nth time?).

Let’s go over a life scenario or two, real ones (names changed).

“Billy, we’ll go to the carnival on Saturday night…..and ride on your favorite carousel for as long as you want.” ------- a beaming father tells his 5-yr-old kid whose eyes sparkled with glee over the prospect of getting on his favorite carnival ride. Come the promised day, the father stayed at the office till 11pm on overtime work. He forgot about his promise. Do you think that it crossed his mind at all while working at his desk that his child was waiting back home expectant and trusting over a promised ride? Can you imagine the fragile thoughts and feelings of a little child who must have hoped so hard for that promised thrill only to have it crushed just like that?

“Darling, I’ll be away for only a year to work there and save up for our wedding. When I return, you’ll be my Mrs. Jose Rivas.”….… He sweetly promised as he gently wiped away the tears from his sweetheart’s eyes. A year and several months after, a relative who flew in from that same country told her that he was living with a girl with whom he has a son. Distraught and stunned she cried her heart out locked in her own room. The following morning they saw her lifeless body on the bedroom floor with a locket clasped in her cold hand. Inscribed inside were the words ‘Love Forever’, signed Jose.

So tragic how empty or careless promises can shatter a heart or snuff out precious life. A dear close friend once told me this, referring to her suitor --- “I don’t really care what he says, he can promise or not promise the entire world to me; but what he DOES or WON’T DO --- will tell me all I need to know ‘bout him.”

That brings to mind another of my dear uncle’s wise sayings -----

IT IS NOT WHAT YOU PROMISE -- BUT WHAT YOU DO THAT COUNTS.

JUST BELIEVE

What am I saying, am having enough problems believing that myself. It's hardest when the chips are down or when future prospects seem bleak or when doomsayers say that our world is wildly spinning round and close to tottering out of control.

But you know what... I must believe or I will simply go nuts with this wild crazy world of ours. I must believe that there is hope, courage, faith, goodness, compassion, fair play, honesty, love, truth, trust, kindness, integrity, talent, professionalism, justice, and ... believe that people everywhere do really care about our world - mother nature - and of each another.

I will -- believe. Even if prices go skyrocketing high pushed by greed and materialism, I will believe that good people out there will band together and lend their voices to reason and right. Even if justice is misused and mismanaged, I will believe that the rule of law will catch up sooner or later. Even if wrongdoing, cheaters, power, wealth, beauty and fame are idolized out of proportion, I will believe that not everybody adheres to that point of view. Even if politicians manipulate the ignorance and poverty of the small man of the streets, I will believe that a hero will rise and champion the poor and underpriviledged. Even if they say that the good won't survive our world, I will believe that the good will prevail no matter the obstacles placed in its way. Even if friends tell me that I am wasting my time being nice cos people are generally bad, I will believe that people deep inside are basically and truly good. Even if we have our differences, I will believe that we can always find a common ground. Even if my dreams are frustrated and shattered now, I will believe that I can dream again another time. Even if they tell me that I can't be this or that nor do this or that, I will believe that I can be anything I want to be and that everybody has talent and potential. Even if they say that there is no God, I will believe that He is there or better yet right here in my heart.

And even if our world looks bleak and dreary and that the year that passed staggered heavily weighed down by so many troubles... I will believe that this NEW YEAR could be better because many do still care enough to make it better.

A HAPPY PROSPEROUS AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!