DON'T QUIT - KEEP ON PLAYING

I got this in my mail today..... to quote ---

They tell the following story about the famous Polish pianist Paderewski. A mother had a little boy who was learning to play the piano. In order to encourage him she took him to a concert by the famous Paderewski. Both of them arrived at the music hall a bit early and soon the mother got into a conversation with one of her lady friends. Meanwhile, the little boy wandered off....When it was eight o'clock, the spotlights came on and the stage curtain opened. And there was that little boy seated at the piano innocently playing that children's song, "Twinkle, twinkle, little star."

Paderewski came on stage and quickly moved over to the piano. "Don't quit. Just keep on playing," he whispered to the little boy. Then he leaned over the boy and put his hands onto the keyboard right alongside the little boy's. The little boy kept repeating and repeating "Twinkle, twinkle, little star" and meanwhile the genius was weaving all kinds of new melodies around it, a different one each time. The crowd was thrilled by this unprepared concert.

As we play our little melody in our daily life, God whispers to us, "Don't quit, --Keep on playing..." And He makes a masterpiece out of our simple music!

Unquote.


That's what I've been trying to say all of this time...... 'Don't quit, keep on playing'. Keep playing the little melody of your life. It may be rough, flawed, imperfect, insignificantly small (that's what you've been saying to yourself), ordinary, simple, boring, mundane, spark-less,  hopeless (?), out of step and out of tune to the beating of the universal drum. But it's still your music....  uniquely your own. Just keep on playing your music.....  keep living your life as best as you can manage it..... and leave the rest to God. Because without any doubt he, as Paderewski did, will be playing alongside you and will turn the music of your life into a masterpiece.

You say that you believe in miracles. Well then, believe in yourself. You are the miracle. And God who is right there beside you continually works to guarantee that.

Don't quit, keep on playing your little melody of your life.
It's the concert God loves watching everytime.

Here's a dose of God's Divine Hug....... Blessings to you and yours.

THE DAY IS SUFFICIENT IN ITS OWN

Everyday comes to us with a story of its own. That's what mom would always say. The day has enough to provide us with surprises, love, anger, fear, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and other things contained in the emotional spectrum of life and living. God was right when he said that the day is sufficient in its own. It's packed with its required share (as Divinely orchestrated -- you gotta believe that) or allotment of joys, sorrows, problems, or challenges.... sufficient to engage our minds, hearts, and bodies. It's made so that we get the right measure or burden to carry on our frail human shoulders. No less, no more. Just right for the right amount of learning we are expected to gain.

Now we are to rethink our own responses to that. 

Yup those things are not put there while we simply coast casually down life's journey day by day. We should or must take our day by day seriously, attend to what's on our plate whatever it may be in big or small measure which was laid out for us (again by Someone up there) when we get up mornings. We must learn what is there to learn ('twas guaranteed that we would never run out of lessons)... cry when we should (there's always a soft side inside somewhere)... even be mad at things that deserve righteous anger (oh yes, there is such a thing)... love and care when such is the order of the day (just care for something - someone)... be silly and funny when the opportunity presents itself (make that a mainstay on the day's menu)... and other situations more that fill up a day.

Be true to ourselves... that's the whole point of each day's story. It gives us all the tools for a story... we decide how we honestly want it to unfold and how it's going to end. Our responses to the day defines it.

Someone once said that 'Yesterday's gone... tomorrow's still a dream.' ..... That being the case then all that we have is TODAY --- live it! Make God smile everyday.

Blessings to you and your loved ones!

AND STILL WE LIVE AND LOVE

"We never get what we want,

We never want what we get,

We never have what we like,

We never like what we have.

And still we live and love.

That's life....."

(Unknown)

I don't know who wrote this; 'twas in my mail today. But nothing could be truer than that. We are all the same in this truth. There's no ignoring it because that is just what life is all about. And too why we lose some things that we should not be losing at all... and get what we should be really trashing out our door. 

Still it behooves us to give it our best shot -- punching where we should be punching with all the strength and courage we could muster .. and loving where we should be loving with all that's there in the heart. In either one, we should be the best we could ever be. God meant us and enabled us to be winners in every which way delighting His fatherly heart. No other way to live and love. Just with the best....  your best.

Wishing everybody a pleasant weekend up ahead.
God placed blessings in your day. See it with your heart.
Blessings!

YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW

What's on my mind today is this.......  "Giving people a little more than they expect is a good way to get back a lot more than you'd expect." -  Robert Hall

That's so simple. It operates on the premise of a wonderful verse in the bible --- 'whatsoever you shall sow,  so shall you reap'. And sometimes it can come back to you with even so much more. Because God loves a giver..... a cheerful giver. 

The reason why we don't usually have our expectations met is because we fail to operate on that divine rule. We set down such high expectations from people, from things, from life. But what do we do to insure that we receive it in the measure we expect? How are we also ever to receive anything at all if we have our palms and hearts closed? Nothing can grow out of nothing. Only a miracle but that is not the point of this post.

Everything comes from a seed. And this can be an idea -- a course of action -- a thoughtful gesture -- a compassionate display of care -- a good grasp of genuine insight and understanding towards others -- a belief that is held strongly when others try to bring it down -- and others more. These are the seeds which we are supposed to plant in our daily mundane lives.. in our relationships... in our social structures.. in governance.. in ministering to others.. in our homes and neighborhoods... even to our self.

Plant the seed and allow God to do the rest. And He will! When He does, you will see blessings pour out in the same measure of your planting.... and sometimes even so much more.  All because you have pleased and delighted your Heavenly Father who always loves a giver.... a sincere serious giver who simply and humbly understands what true giving means.

After all HE started it all..... GAVE His only SON for our sakes.
Blessings to you and your day.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO BUT HOW YOU DO IT

I was watching 'Kung Fu Panda' (the first one) today with my daughter. Oh I've seen this other times before but I just love this movie. There's a line somewhere there by Po the Warrior Panda which says..... 'there is no secret ingredient ... it's just you'.

And that is correct. I once heard someone ask another 'what's your secret to your success?'  or  'what's your secret to your young looks?'  or  'what's your secret to raising good children?' -----  I don't wait to hear the answer ..... all those contrived answers pang showbiz (showbiz style) with the end effect of wanting to make it look special or intriguing or having one's ego sated.

Because all that is unnecessary ---- they don't have to or need to gild the lily any further. It already stands beautiful and exquisite by itself. If only they understood that.

What do I mean? It's this. Everybody knows that............

There is  no secret to success; it's simply hard work, consistency, dedication, high ideals, courage, believing in one's self, and the willingness to succeed.

There is no secret to youthful looks (let's not talk about genes here, we know what it can do too); it's simply adhering to good healthy choices and regimen and the attitude of positivity which is the sole beautifier of one's mental outlook, heart, and soul.

There is no secret to raising good children; it's being the person of high values, good breeding, and god-centered. These are the things which are transmitted to the children unawares. Live your values and your children will certainly live off it in their own.

And many more.

So you see, it's just like what Po said in the movie...... 'There is no secret.....  it's just YOU.'  -- You with your best. Be the best of what you can be. It's as simple as that. That's God's blueprint for your life too.

Blessings to everyone.

MAINLY VEXATIONS WEAR YOU OUT

'Shoe…shoe…’ cried out the little boy to his mother. She immediately took the little one to the safer side of the pavement; bent over to his shoe unlaced it and peeked inside to see what the problem was. Out poured grains of sand! As what mothers would naturally do, she got rid of it made sure there was nothing left inside the shoe and then helped the kid put his shoe back on again.

I was watching the whole thing a few meters away from where I stood at the bus terminal waiting for my ride. The scene brought to my mind this thought.......   what is it about small things that they can make you cry and stop your world for a moment?!

Certainly having grains of sand or a pebble in my shoe would surely be quite prickly and hurt my foot, just like the kid. More so would it would irritate, vex, anger me, and potentially turn my otherwise happy frame of mind askew.. out of kilter. That in itself would take care of the rest of the day for me – ruined for sure!

Let’s take that over to the bigger picture of life.

What are those things which bog you down, divert you from your destination, annoy you, or make you rage with fury? What is it that makes you stop dead on your tracks or take you up to an immovable block that suddenly shows up? What would upset you so much and make you want to give up?

Plenty and you would be surprised to find out that a good number is made up of the small irritations or vexations of the day. Not only that but include the bigger issues of life and living too which may keep you from moving forward or sometimes take you down to a full stop.

Altogether these can absolutely wear you down. No doubt about it cos no one can stay on tough and punching hard 24/7 through it all. Chaotic for anyone there for sure. Well, nobody said it was going to be easy. Instead we have been distinctly forewarned by those around us that things may even get tricky, tougher, risky, thorny, uncertain, and vague. True enough life is truly everything that’s been said about it... and even so much more.

I had my share of it just like everyone else. I battled issues and concerns, big and small, and have cried buckets. I got beaten and tired, worn-out ... thinking I can't go on.

But Mom would insist that it is at this particular point that one must pull one's self together and stand up mighty, strong, and tall. And I replied obviously hurting 'with what?'. She replied with her usual quiet wisdom......  -- With a clear understanding of this …..

"It isn't the mountains ahead that wear you out,
it's the grain of sand in your shoe."


.. a quote she plucked out of somewhere (she was a voracious reader). And she was right;  it sure is wisdom that hits you straight to the core -- It’s the nitty-gritty business of’ pursuing or chasing a battle -- goal or -- dream that almost always shakes us hard. Yet hard as it may be, one must push one's self even harder --- deal with it, cope with those vexations, fight back with everything that one is and with everything one has. And somewhere there is revealed the strength which one thought wasn’t there at all..... nor seen before.

And last but certainly not the least, remember that we have been fully equipped for tough jobs by a wise and loving Benefactor.  So then what to do? Simply dig deep within yourself and retrieve that power just waiting to be called forth to do its job. It's right in there. Give it life! And start living.
------------------------
Blessings, everyone!

BEING A MAN OF VALUE

"Success comes in a lot of ways, but it doesn't come with money and it doesn't come with fame. It comes from having a meaning in your life, doing what you love and being passionate about what you do. That's having a life of success. When you have the ability to do what you love, love what you do and have the ability to impact people. That's having a life of success. That's what having a life of meaning is."      ----  Tim Tebow
 
This, I believe, is the best definition of success I have ever heard. Its true measure. Have read of several writings on the subject, listened to so many learned people explain or try to define it, but all of that fall short of these wise and simple words of Tim Tebow. Reminding me of Mom who in her own simple way spoke of same as she saw me through my journey.


(Tim Tebow, whose birthplace is Makati City, Philippines, is an American football quarterback for the New York Jets of the National Football League (NFL). Is known for sharing his Christian faith with fans and in clinics, hospitals, market places, schools, and orphanages.)

GIVING UP ENTHUSIASM WRINKLES THE SOUL

Two women were walking past my window and obviously engaged in lively loud chatter. Am amazed really with these ladies how they can talk so loud that you can hear them a mile away. Gosh, you can't keep secrets with that voice! Anyway the lady (let's call her lady#1) suddenly broke the chatter which apparently seemed not to go anywhere and slowing down her steps enough that I was able to catch what she said in Tagalog: ..... 'ang bilis ng panahon noh?!'/'how fast time flies'. To which lady#2 replied: ..... 'oo nga. eto tumatanda na tayo'/'yes and here we are growing older'.

Growing older. I have heard that said a hundred times by friends and strangers alike. Don't we say that too in our own circles. It has become a cliche -- a convenient local expression of resignation to the passing of time and of life.

Well, some years back I thought I was smart using that cliche to my friends. It sounded smart, like I knew much about 'growing older' or its mysteries and that when you get to be called 'old', it also means that you are wise or wiser. Now I know that's not necessarily so. Oh yes. It's like what Mom would say ... 'not everybody who goes to universities are truly educated in that sense where it matters most.'

Life, my biggest teacher, showed me that -- and to quote Samuel Ulman............

"Nobody grows old merely by living a number of years.
We grow old by deserting our ideals.
Years may wrinkle the skin,
but to give up enthusiasm wrinkles the soul."

Yup that quote packs in such wisdom for both young and old alike.
May God bless your years with the greatest joys of discovery and wonder.




May your Monday be so blessed to start the week with.

CHANGE IS ALL UP TO US

'People are so mean' 'There's so much bad around' 'Nobody cares' 'It's a bad bad world' ----- Well, that observation is both a Yes and a No. Because yes people can be so mean and selfishly unkind, that selfish-interests usually dominate many things, that some people steal fight betray cheat bully kill, and with all these in the forefront of the news one indeed gets the impression that it is indeed a bad bad world.

But..... truthfully, people weren't created that way. Basically, people are good. Good where it matters most. Now the question is.... so where did all that go?

My answer to that is NOWHERE. That good is still in there inside the person. The only trouble is the person allowed trash or junk into his mind heart and soul, including the body i.e. smoking, drugs, etc. pushing the good down to the bottommost. And when that gets into a man's system.. everything else will follow negatively. Life simply becomes how man lives it.

So how do we get back our old self again -- the self which God created -- and get back on the track of good?

You and I and others, we DIG!! And I mean seriously dig hard and harder.

Where? How? We go back to where it all started --- the self. Do some house cleaning.. I mean self-cleaning. Dig and deeper. Throw out the garbage that's accumulated and is rotting the system. Poison which eats you up bit by bit but steadily and more often unconsciously until it succeeds to disfigure and transform you into a monster. An ugly monster. Imagine a world of disfigured humanity.

The digging is gonna wear us out Yes.. but nobody is going to do the work for us. See the irony there? It was easy getting the trash into our lives but quite so difficult to be rid of it. WE own the trash... WE get rid of it. And no amount of drama or excuses will take us off the hook. Small effort or big, great or grand --- it doesn't matter, just DIG! We won't be sorry we did.

But DIG! Because good is just waiting to be resurrected... to bubble up and shine out to a world sorely in need of it. That's who we really are. By God's wisdom and design. Until we decided to mess it up ourselves (woe to us!).

I've come across a nice line, in essence it goes this way...... 'the world may seem to be bad but because good people do nothing about it' And this....... 'you want a better world, then be the change you want to see'.

"Dig within. Within is the wellspring of Good;

and it is always ready to bubble up, if you just dig."
-- Marcus Aurelius

LET'S START THE DIGGING!
Blessings to everyone!

DON'T LOOK FOR OBSTACLES - LOOK FOR MAGIC

My computer at home is situated by the front window. On this particular morning while thinking what to write, I unthinkingly looked up in the direction of the skies. Amazing blue skies! Clear... soft blue.... with distant patches of cotton-like clouds. And a warm bright sun shining with such gusto making everybody it shines on sweat buckets. That's the downside of a glorious sunny day.

Anyway, easily I could have paid no attention or it would probably just have simply passed me by just like that. Oh yes, we do let it go by unnoticed. Our fault, not nature's.

Who in his human mind and attitude would go through his or her day looking for amazing blue skies such what I had this morning? Normally we would not because there is so much down here below that engages our attention. Rushing to work, taking the kids to school, doing the laundry, running after deadlines, cursing the traffic, hating the government, wrestling with our problems, and a thousand-and-one other things we'd rather do in the name of living. Added to all that we have this queer attitude of expecting the bad or worst in our lives thus pushing ourselves even harder to raise a buffer or shield against it.

Funny, it all started in the home, with our parents. When everytime our mothers would say..... 'eat this.. sleep early... do your homework... behave... don't cry... clean your room... or the monster will come and get you!' So the child in his young mind would certainly think that if he doesn't do as told, something bad will happen. That's a thought carried forward unto to adulthood. Translated as ... 'if I don't do something good, I will be seen as a failure..' So the crazy chase for wealth, success, achievement, positions and titles... and others more.


It can be both good and bad, depending on how you look at it. But it certainly is sad. Because in that crazy chase we tend to push aside that which is essential... a process which dries up the soul. Life is not just the chase, getting, or acquiring. It's part of it yes ... but not the whole of it.

The following lines which I'm quoting here may or may not have anything to do with what I've just written..... but it struck me as lovely. It's from an old movie "My Life In Ruins", a light romantic comedy. Enjoyable. But I liked best this line said by one of the main characters Irv (played by Richard Dreyfuss, my favorite) ------ 'Don't look for obstacles..... Look for magic!'

Look for magic. In blue skies, in rainbows, in the rain, in a rosebud, in the distant mountains, in a baby's smile, in your doggie's loving eyes, in lovely sunsets, in all of nature, in your walk in the fields, in trekking a beaten path, and in people.

May your day be filled with magic ... and blessings by the dozens.

YOUR CHOICE DEFINES YOU

Been away for a bit from writing here; just got busy with things. Anyway in my inbox this morning, saw this from a friend. Am glad that he sent it to me. It's one which should engage our thoughts and hearts. Seriously.

Here's the story........

Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt ........


He said, "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one."

The grandson asked him, "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?"

The grandfather answered, "The one I feed."

That's a good one, don't you think? The biggest battles that we fight are those with self. Anyone who says it isn't is not paying much attention to life. Either he has got himself so entrenched in his comfort zones or is feeding something else other than the two choices mentioned in the story..

Remember what has been said about 'you are what you eat'? In the same sense it can be said that 'you are what you feed'.

Maybe we should be asking ourselves which of the two wolves do we feed.... the vengeful, angry, violent wolf --- or --- the loving compassionate one. In our everyday lives is an opportunity or several to make that choice. Choose that which would make the heavens smile. Choose that which would make you a blessing to others and to yourself as well.