" The heart is willing but the flesh is weak " -- we hear this adage very often. Jesus knowing that He was about to be betrayed and put on the cross felt alone while praying at the Garden of Gethsemane. He was placing Himself unto God's hand and would have liked to have His disciples join Him in prayer but could not wake them up.
They call it the agony in the garden where He sweated blood as He prayed to the Heavenly Father - it was the beginning of His glory.
In our life just the same, we sometimes have the same kind of feeling - that of being abandoned and forsaken even by the people closest to us. A moment of chaos not knowing what to do and desperation caused by the thoughts of being misunderstood. Yet out of the miseries comes the good - the strengthening of bonds between wife and children and the enlightenment that comes out of the experience. Its either you break apart and be led into a darker kind of life or it could a sort of re-awakening and bridging your relationship with your God. In those times of miseries I found out that the kind of l ife you lead after spelled the difference between gloom and happiness.
A lot of doors were closed as I tried to make peace with myself. I have to cut them off some ties, burn some bridges and travel a different route and make some detours. I tried to clear up some issues with my parents, my brothers and my sisters, but soon have to let go for they only see what they want to see. I love them but their version of truth doesn't leave me a comfortable seat so the best alternative for me is to allow time to patch up those misunderstandings. Maybe time will come when the tides will settle down and we could swim in the same pool they are in and worry not bringing back the ghosts of the past.
Right now I have my own family to worry about. It had been a real rough ride for all of us and we were so used to just having our noses above water, but still have high hopes that someday we'll be able to get on the high ground. There is this satisfying feeling that its really not about how much food we are able to share on the table but tasty foods are when we have some to share. We have fun licking excitement each time a better food is served that the taste lingers even to the last bite. Some people may eat better but we enjoyed the food a lot lot sweeter.
Three months with no electricity - turned out to be a real memorable experience int in the family. With no lights, no TV, no PC, we only have our corny jokes to share as we as we get ourselves ready to sleep. Hot and sweaty with no electric fans we still found some ways to get our much needed rest. Nothing beats being together. Its not really about how bad things are, its about how good react to it.
If there are shadows there must be light.
Friday, November 25, 2016
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
XIX. THE UPSIDE OF BEING LONELY ALONE ..
Nobody wants to be lonely. It breaks your heart if for some reason you have to break ties with friends and relatives and seek peace in solitude. It happened to me about 20 years ago when some misunderstanding regarding the handling of family properties led me to detach myself from almost every people who were once close to me including my siblings. Someone in the family painted a bad picture of me and no amount of explanation would suffice for them to shift blame unless I go mud-slinging. Since nobody cared enough to ask question and instead resorted to cold shoulder treatment I thought it would be best for me to just keep my silence and just hope that someday that things would fall into their proper places and go back to normal.
In those 20 years I rarely went to parties, weddings and even funerals hoping that I would soon be forgotten and start a new life. When my Nokia 3210 conked out 15 years ago I did not bought another one and I found my self more alone but not not unhappy as I should be. In those years I read all the books I could get my hands on, watched movies and documentaries everyday and in between stay tuned to AM radio for news and commentaries. After store hours, all my remaining time I devoted to my wife and my kids and I can't remember of any night when I found it hard to get my much needed rest. I lived inside a shell and my only contact with the outside world was when I get to talk with customers about my favorite topic - books and history. Out of the misunderstandings that sent me to reclusive way of life I came to know myself more and what life is really all about.
I've had a wonderful life. My pre-school years with my grandparents were worth pondering about. My elementary days at Cecilio Apostol Elementary School was also memorable for its where I really discovered the joy of having friends. High school days at UST was a real downer for I was like a square peg trying to fit a round hole but it where I learned the joy of falling in love. It was work at Hooven Comalco Aluminum Industries after secondary school and I've had my first real adventures in the adult world. But the best years of my young life was during college at Technological Institute of the Philippines where I became some sort of a good, funny guy to my course mates. I was always surrounded by friends and almost everyone wanted to jam up with me.
Work at Manila Water Supply Project III was great and its where I found the woman with whom I would spend the rest of my life with. What more could I ask for having a wonderful young life. Then the misunderstanding that got me into this reclusive life - it was actually a blessing in disguise. The kind of love and happiness I experienced during those 20 years of solitude could never expressed in words. I became the kind of husband my wife wanted, sort of a father to my kids that they enjoyed being with and I became the kind of person that I have always wanted to be. Sure of myself, not binded by anything, at peace with my spirits and having the gifted sight of the seeing the true wonders of life.
It really is a wonderful life ...
In those 20 years I rarely went to parties, weddings and even funerals hoping that I would soon be forgotten and start a new life. When my Nokia 3210 conked out 15 years ago I did not bought another one and I found my self more alone but not not unhappy as I should be. In those years I read all the books I could get my hands on, watched movies and documentaries everyday and in between stay tuned to AM radio for news and commentaries. After store hours, all my remaining time I devoted to my wife and my kids and I can't remember of any night when I found it hard to get my much needed rest. I lived inside a shell and my only contact with the outside world was when I get to talk with customers about my favorite topic - books and history. Out of the misunderstandings that sent me to reclusive way of life I came to know myself more and what life is really all about.
I've had a wonderful life. My pre-school years with my grandparents were worth pondering about. My elementary days at Cecilio Apostol Elementary School was also memorable for its where I really discovered the joy of having friends. High school days at UST was a real downer for I was like a square peg trying to fit a round hole but it where I learned the joy of falling in love. It was work at Hooven Comalco Aluminum Industries after secondary school and I've had my first real adventures in the adult world. But the best years of my young life was during college at Technological Institute of the Philippines where I became some sort of a good, funny guy to my course mates. I was always surrounded by friends and almost everyone wanted to jam up with me.
Work at Manila Water Supply Project III was great and its where I found the woman with whom I would spend the rest of my life with. What more could I ask for having a wonderful young life. Then the misunderstanding that got me into this reclusive life - it was actually a blessing in disguise. The kind of love and happiness I experienced during those 20 years of solitude could never expressed in words. I became the kind of husband my wife wanted, sort of a father to my kids that they enjoyed being with and I became the kind of person that I have always wanted to be. Sure of myself, not binded by anything, at peace with my spirits and having the gifted sight of the seeing the true wonders of life.
It really is a wonderful life ...
Monday, November 14, 2016
XVIII. EVERYBODY'S PERFECT !!!
Most people think that God's work of creation is finished. The seven days He created the universe and everything in it must have ended but every minute a new life comes forth. They are I would say all God's creation - and they are all perfect. Maybe you'll ask what about those who were born blind, or without limbs ? The lame, the blind, the mute, the disfigured - they may look abnormal to us but these things have to be as they were born to be for us to see God's work.
Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that our kids owe their life to us. True in a sense but they only came through us and not from us. Fathers may have impregnated their women and women conceived and gave birth to them but still God created them. We could only pray that they come out normal and healthy but only God decides on how the baby will look like. If blind for example, we could not make them see or if the baby was born without limbs we could not make them grow. The time, the place, the circumstances, maybe we could do something about them but everything have been pre-arranged and pre-destined, Our role as parents is only to make things work in the family and wait and see how far we'll go.
In the movie " With Honors " , Joe Pesci recited in the library scene that all women - tall, short, fat, thin, dark or white - they are all perfect. The woman in our life is there to make us realize what life is really all about, they give us joy when they stay and give us pain when they leave. So its joy, pain, joy, pain, joy, pain ... life goes on as we try to figure things out. Love makes us see how wonderful they are and love makes us see how little there is to love inside of us. And sometimes we are able to make the pieces fit - two imperfect ones could become perfect for each other.
We have the wrong notion of thinking that we have to be normal for us to be happy. But how often do we see normal guys ending up in the gutter while the blind or disabled ones succeed despite their disabilities. It took a deaf guy to compose the greatest symphony - enchanting people who hear the melody yet he himself could not hear it.
Ray Charles was blind since birth but it never stopped him from fulfilling his dream to become a singing sensation. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was paralized by polio but he stood tall to lead his nation survive the great depression and World War II.
There are countless more success stories of people who overcame their disabilities and even more stories of people who were living a fairy tale kind of life only to end up as failures and losers. Pre-arranged or pre-destined, we'll never know, but all those things were perfect. Perfect in the sense that they came to be to make our life more exciting, worth living and worth pondering about. I remember a great English statesman who once said - " The glories, the achievements in arts and science all happened as our nation underwent period of wars and political struggles. It romantized our history while Switzerland , a country that enjoyed 700 years of peace could only come up with a cuckoo clock.
Sometimes we make the mistake of thinking that our kids owe their life to us. True in a sense but they only came through us and not from us. Fathers may have impregnated their women and women conceived and gave birth to them but still God created them. We could only pray that they come out normal and healthy but only God decides on how the baby will look like. If blind for example, we could not make them see or if the baby was born without limbs we could not make them grow. The time, the place, the circumstances, maybe we could do something about them but everything have been pre-arranged and pre-destined, Our role as parents is only to make things work in the family and wait and see how far we'll go.
In the movie " With Honors " , Joe Pesci recited in the library scene that all women - tall, short, fat, thin, dark or white - they are all perfect. The woman in our life is there to make us realize what life is really all about, they give us joy when they stay and give us pain when they leave. So its joy, pain, joy, pain, joy, pain ... life goes on as we try to figure things out. Love makes us see how wonderful they are and love makes us see how little there is to love inside of us. And sometimes we are able to make the pieces fit - two imperfect ones could become perfect for each other.
We have the wrong notion of thinking that we have to be normal for us to be happy. But how often do we see normal guys ending up in the gutter while the blind or disabled ones succeed despite their disabilities. It took a deaf guy to compose the greatest symphony - enchanting people who hear the melody yet he himself could not hear it.
Ray Charles was blind since birth but it never stopped him from fulfilling his dream to become a singing sensation. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was paralized by polio but he stood tall to lead his nation survive the great depression and World War II.
There are countless more success stories of people who overcame their disabilities and even more stories of people who were living a fairy tale kind of life only to end up as failures and losers. Pre-arranged or pre-destined, we'll never know, but all those things were perfect. Perfect in the sense that they came to be to make our life more exciting, worth living and worth pondering about. I remember a great English statesman who once said - " The glories, the achievements in arts and science all happened as our nation underwent period of wars and political struggles. It romantized our history while Switzerland , a country that enjoyed 700 years of peace could only come up with a cuckoo clock.
Saturday, November 12, 2016
GALIT AKO SA PASKO ( BLAME BEMBOL ROCO )
1970's and one of the biggest discovery of the decade was Bembol Roco who played the role of Julio Madriaga in the movie " Maynila : Sa Kuko ng Liwanag ". So convincing was his acting that I shifted a bit to watching Filipino dramas from the usual FPJ starers and other action movies. I also came to appreciate other Lino Brocka movies as well as those directed by Danny Zialcita and Romy Suzara. Movies cost only php 2.25 those days so I got to watch at least 3 movies every week from my php 5.00 allowance. Bembol Roco was added to my list of starers that I should not miss especially after he made " Boy Pana ".
But one of his roles that really got into me was about a disturbed young man who in his moment of anger and sadness destroyed the Christmas toys and decors displayed in the sidewalks. He was then arrested and brought to a police station where he poured out his sentiments on why he hated Christmas. He complained about how Christmas have turned into a charade where the rich pretend to have some compassion for the poor, giving them gifts and talking about charity and spreading goodwill on Christmas day. Yet once Yuletide season is over, they go back to their real self - taking advantage and looking down on people who work for them. I am not sure what TV program that was, maybe " Sanyugto ", but I will never forget the way he explained himself to the police officer who apprehended him. He was then released for it was Christmas eve and the officer so touched by his frustrations that he gave Bembol a pack of cigarette and pancit to bring home to his family.
A very simple TV show but it surely changed my view of Christmas. Surely Jesus never intended to have these kind of festivities when He was born in a manger the day we now called Christmas. God was sending us a different message but the traders have another thing in mind - business and profit. The solemn day was turned into festival of sort where hypocrites pretend to be what they are not, families try to mend fences but forget about loving each other once the yuletide season is over. Being happy on Christmas day have been a topic of many movies and almost all people pretend to wear happy faces.
I happen to have 5 kids, born and separated by just a year of age, and we were so damned poor during their pre-school days. I could not afford to cook something special on Christmas eve so we regarded Christmas as just another day and another night. No expectations, no disappointment - that's our motto. Each day is special and don't need any so called occasion to brighten our day. We played games everyday and I told them new stories each time that they set aside their gadgets each time I'm home. Kids love my presence more than any present I would bring home and as long as their mother was with them, there were no dry moments. They were used to not having parties on their birthdays as well and the extra special day for each and everyone of us is when I bring home some good food we could share on the table.
Even to this day, we look back at those past 20 years not as years to be forgotten but years to reminiscent how we shared the little we had. We still are not better off but in one more year, all my kids except the youngest will have their own jobs, and the old, dry days will but be memories of despite the difficulties we were able to fill our home with laughter. Christmas for us could be any day, any time ...
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
XVII. GOD DOESN'T WANT ME TO BE UGLY
I am a keloid former, one little scratch and it leaves a mark. One day I got a glass smashed into my face and the wounds needed over 50 stitches to close. I was not worried how I would look later since I was sure my wife would not mind. With scars running from the bridge of my nose up to my right eyelid plus a could more quarter inch scars in my right side I would surely look uglier than I was before. But for some heavenly reason the facial wounds healed good not leaving a noticeable mark - surely God works in mysterious ways. The wounds may have healed fast but it would have surely made the guy who inflicted the wound deeply laden with guilt had it scarred me for life. The incident was no accident but it was unintended and the guy who did it was someone very close to me.
You see I have this strange fear of needles and I have always prayed that I be not sick so I could avoid the prick. I thought getting injected with anesthetics in my spine was the most painful encounter with the needle but luck played up a worse scenario to cure me of my fear. I was fully awake as I was being sewed up like Rambo and it lasted for almost an hour. I have to excuse myself three times from the surgeon so I could take a pee for gritting my teeth was not enough to handle the pain. God may have spared my looks but He sure gave me a lot of pains to earn it. I don't look any better today than I was before but I do have nothing but thanks each time I look at myself in the mirror.
From the bad comes the good - the incident mended some relationships in the family.
Years later, I picked up the guy the guy from the airport upon arriving from Canada and I saw how relieved he was to see that I still have the old face he used know. The incident happened more than 20 years ago - we never made so much an issue out of it and only a few knew about what happened. We have moved on ...my brother and I.
You see I have this strange fear of needles and I have always prayed that I be not sick so I could avoid the prick. I thought getting injected with anesthetics in my spine was the most painful encounter with the needle but luck played up a worse scenario to cure me of my fear. I was fully awake as I was being sewed up like Rambo and it lasted for almost an hour. I have to excuse myself three times from the surgeon so I could take a pee for gritting my teeth was not enough to handle the pain. God may have spared my looks but He sure gave me a lot of pains to earn it. I don't look any better today than I was before but I do have nothing but thanks each time I look at myself in the mirror.
From the bad comes the good - the incident mended some relationships in the family.
Years later, I picked up the guy the guy from the airport upon arriving from Canada and I saw how relieved he was to see that I still have the old face he used know. The incident happened more than 20 years ago - we never made so much an issue out of it and only a few knew about what happened. We have moved on ...my brother and I.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
XVI. REAL FAMILY FACES -- MAGIC MIRRORS PART 2
About 2 months ago I talked about family faces as magic mirrors. No matter how hard you try to appease them, some of them would mirror unhappy faces. Their feelings, their concerns count, but at times after you have tried everything to please them and still you get the same kind of reaction the wisest thing to do is to keep your distance and wait for the tides to settle down. Once you have gotten married, your wife, your kids, they become your real family. The faces of your real family will become the real mirror of your life.
When I got married nearly 30 years ago - I have only one thing in mind - I would do everything to make her happy. Having heard of a lot of stories how fabled romances failed and seen some people close to me having a hard time staying married, I never thought it would be that easy. Through thick and thin, through a lot of hardships, and we've had a greater part of it, I never failed to make her smile. That goes the same with my kids - we may have very little of what other families have - but we have a lot of corny jokes and laughter to pass around. And the secret is really that simple - no expectations, do not count other peoples' blessings and allow spaces between your togetherness.
My wife needs very little to get by, just love her and everything falls into their proper places. As for me , she's lovable and I love her so its that's simple - she'll love you twice as much. I hate a lot of things about her but like roses have thorns, you get to bleed a little when stung but it never takes away the beauty of the flower. I have my own faults and she sees them, a lot of times reminding you of the need to change those habits, you get irritated a bit but feel good about knowing that she still cares about how you seem to be to other people. She laugh each time she remember how unattractive I was when we came to be but it also reminded me that she took me for what I am even when a lot of guys were after her. But most of all she makes me feel like a king for at home I hold the TV's remote control and I could switch on any channel I wish to watch without any dissenting opinion. That's the definition of real power at home.
The kids - some concerns from time to time - but no real problem whatsoever. They are the real mirror of one's marriage. They are the real colors of one's home. Our rented house is not much to be proud of for seldom are we visited by friends and relatives. No parties, Christmas decors, or fireworks on New Year - no need for occasions to celebrate - any day could be a special day when we get to share some good food on the table which doesn't come very often. The surest way to take good care of the kids is to take good care of their mother - and that proved to be true in our case. They have managed to get use to the hard life we've had so I say things would be a lot easier for them once they set out a life of their own. Their happy faces are the mirror of what I have managed to accomplice despite the failures and drawbacks in our 30 years of married life.
My wife, my love is the real mirror of my life. She may be not as lovely and attractive as she was 30 years ago but she still have in her the magic that makes me feel that this life is not so bad after all. Real life for both of us starts when the kids leave to create the world of their own. And from then on, we'll see the part 3 of the mirror of our life - the kids visiting us with our grandchildren as we wait for our last days to come.
When I got married nearly 30 years ago - I have only one thing in mind - I would do everything to make her happy. Having heard of a lot of stories how fabled romances failed and seen some people close to me having a hard time staying married, I never thought it would be that easy. Through thick and thin, through a lot of hardships, and we've had a greater part of it, I never failed to make her smile. That goes the same with my kids - we may have very little of what other families have - but we have a lot of corny jokes and laughter to pass around. And the secret is really that simple - no expectations, do not count other peoples' blessings and allow spaces between your togetherness.
My wife needs very little to get by, just love her and everything falls into their proper places. As for me , she's lovable and I love her so its that's simple - she'll love you twice as much. I hate a lot of things about her but like roses have thorns, you get to bleed a little when stung but it never takes away the beauty of the flower. I have my own faults and she sees them, a lot of times reminding you of the need to change those habits, you get irritated a bit but feel good about knowing that she still cares about how you seem to be to other people. She laugh each time she remember how unattractive I was when we came to be but it also reminded me that she took me for what I am even when a lot of guys were after her. But most of all she makes me feel like a king for at home I hold the TV's remote control and I could switch on any channel I wish to watch without any dissenting opinion. That's the definition of real power at home.
The kids - some concerns from time to time - but no real problem whatsoever. They are the real mirror of one's marriage. They are the real colors of one's home. Our rented house is not much to be proud of for seldom are we visited by friends and relatives. No parties, Christmas decors, or fireworks on New Year - no need for occasions to celebrate - any day could be a special day when we get to share some good food on the table which doesn't come very often. The surest way to take good care of the kids is to take good care of their mother - and that proved to be true in our case. They have managed to get use to the hard life we've had so I say things would be a lot easier for them once they set out a life of their own. Their happy faces are the mirror of what I have managed to accomplice despite the failures and drawbacks in our 30 years of married life.
My wife, my love is the real mirror of my life. She may be not as lovely and attractive as she was 30 years ago but she still have in her the magic that makes me feel that this life is not so bad after all. Real life for both of us starts when the kids leave to create the world of their own. And from then on, we'll see the part 3 of the mirror of our life - the kids visiting us with our grandchildren as we wait for our last days to come.
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
XVI. FAMILY FACES ARE MAGIC MIRRORS
SUCCESS can be viewed in two ways - how others see us and how we see ourselves. Family faces - that of our parents, brothers and sisters, and relatives provides us with a magic mirrors, looking at this people who belong to us, we see the past, the present, and the future. Their gaze gives us a clue of how we are to them, someone to be proud of or someone who drags down the family's pride. From their eyes you'll see how you rate up to their standards. Sometimes things just don't happen the way we wanted things to become and no amount of explanation will suffice for they will only see the things they wanted to see.
This is when you have to decide, whether to try it their way and receive the harsh words and cold shoulder treatment when you fail to live up to their expectations, or whether to live the way you wanted to live. Sometimes you really have to learn things the hard way ... that of living the real life you wanted even if it means you have to cut some ties. There is nothing wrong with pursuing their dreams but once you see that you are not really cut out for it you will never get the kind of satisfaction, the real feel of having a life, and the real joy of love and loving.
I have done my part, tried to reach out, but the hope that things would one day clear out the misunderstanding have faded and it would be more convenient for all of us to move on and live our own separate lives. The upside of it is that I could have the chance to wipe clean the past and start on a clean slate for my kids. With better understanding and better education they could begin with themselves and avoid the mistakes we made and live a more harmonious life.
Friday, September 9, 2016
XV. ADOPT A PROBLEM-FREE PHILOSOPHY, HAKUNA MATATA
In the movie " The Bridge of Spies " Tom Hanks was surprised by his client's remark after he said that he could face death penalty for espionage - will worrying help ? The odds are all stacked up against him but he knows that he could not do anything other than waiting for the wheels of justice to grind, so why worry.
In another Clark Gable movie whose title I could no longer remember, there's also a submarine scene where Gable asked a shipmate how come he's so cool while the enemy is detonating bombs. I remember him saying - " well, if the bombs are dropped far enough not to do any damage then we have nothing to worry about. But if the bomb is detonated near enough then it can damage the submarine so we have to check how bad the damage is. If the damage could be repaired then we have nothing to worry about. However if its a direct hit, the damage would sink us to the bottom and we have to worry if we could still get out before we're trapped inside. If we're trapped then we have nothing more to worry about 'cause we'll gonna die anyway. So what is there to worry about ? "
But the Hakuna Matata scene in the animated movie - " The Lion King " tops them all. When the world turn its back on you you turn your back against the world. The worry free philosophy actually is taught in almost all religion including Christianity. The Bible quoted that " the birds, they neither sow nor harvest but they are provided for by the Lord. What more us men for God love us more. And could life be prolonged by worrying ? " The other oriental beliefs teaches that we should always do our best, and then allow nature to take its own course. All of them teaches that death is not the end of everything but merely a beginning of a new life in another world.
Bob Hope said that there are 3 kinds of people. First are people who make things happen. Second are the people who watch things happen. And third are the people who ask " what happened ? ". Some narrowed it down to two types - those who take charge and those who are taken advantage of. But no matter how you see people, or how you view life, you can' waste your life away worrying about the bad things that may happen. Most of them doesn't happen anyway - and suppose they do happen, you have no choice but to deal with them. So why worry ?
In another Clark Gable movie whose title I could no longer remember, there's also a submarine scene where Gable asked a shipmate how come he's so cool while the enemy is detonating bombs. I remember him saying - " well, if the bombs are dropped far enough not to do any damage then we have nothing to worry about. But if the bomb is detonated near enough then it can damage the submarine so we have to check how bad the damage is. If the damage could be repaired then we have nothing to worry about. However if its a direct hit, the damage would sink us to the bottom and we have to worry if we could still get out before we're trapped inside. If we're trapped then we have nothing more to worry about 'cause we'll gonna die anyway. So what is there to worry about ? "
But the Hakuna Matata scene in the animated movie - " The Lion King " tops them all. When the world turn its back on you you turn your back against the world. The worry free philosophy actually is taught in almost all religion including Christianity. The Bible quoted that " the birds, they neither sow nor harvest but they are provided for by the Lord. What more us men for God love us more. And could life be prolonged by worrying ? " The other oriental beliefs teaches that we should always do our best, and then allow nature to take its own course. All of them teaches that death is not the end of everything but merely a beginning of a new life in another world.
Bob Hope said that there are 3 kinds of people. First are people who make things happen. Second are the people who watch things happen. And third are the people who ask " what happened ? ". Some narrowed it down to two types - those who take charge and those who are taken advantage of. But no matter how you see people, or how you view life, you can' waste your life away worrying about the bad things that may happen. Most of them doesn't happen anyway - and suppose they do happen, you have no choice but to deal with them. So why worry ?
Thursday, September 8, 2016
XIV. WHICH IS IT ? YOUR PROBLEM OR HIS PROBLEM ?
One of the usual cause of stress is because we worry too much. Most often we are stressed by other people's problem because we can't even distinguish which is which, our problem or other people's problem. A very good example is when we try to please other people by trying to be what they want us to be. But its actually their problem if they can't like you the way you are for you are just being you, so its actually their problem if they don't like you. If it so happen that you share some space with them, some chores with them, or some work with, be your self and let them handle the stress.
Parents usually are the most guilty about this things - they think you are the extension of their dreams. They think that since you are their children you should be thankful that you were given life and that you are obliged to follow their will on what to do with your life. Yet there are times when what they want is not what you want so you ran into conflict and at times made to feel the guilt of disobeying their wishes. In reality if they can't learn to let you go then that's their problem and not your problem. We only came through them and not from them - its God who decides who we should be, who our parents would be, what place and time, practically everything - so its not really our problem who and what we should really be. Life is just like connecting the dots, the last dot will define what kind of life we have lived. We just have to seek our own destiny.
I am not telling you guys that we should be bullheaded or we should disobey our parents. We should love and respect them, honor them for their sacrifices. But if it would mean living our life for them instead of our own, then we are not doing what we are destined to be. There are many ways of repaying them but being an extension of their dreams is certainly not one of them. To be in a life of not your own design is like being in prison with strings attached to move the way the puppet-master weave. Tell me, what would have become of Manny Pacquiao had he followed the wishes of her mother ? In his own words, maybe just a fisherman or a farmer or a bum living in the streets.
So the next time around try and figure out whose problem is it. If you love someone but she doesn't love you back and gets irritated when you ogle and follow her around, then that's her problem not yours. You just love loving her, if things doesn't work out just continue what you're doing until you find another love - she might even miss you when you're no longer around and again that's her problem. You can't understand what your teacher is teaching you, you tried but you just can't, then that's your teacher's problem 'cause maybe he's a lousy teacher. He should find ways to go down to your level and start from your level of understanding. If things still can't work out, then you can shift course or study other things. Remember, all the teachers of Albert Einstein in grade school thought he was stupid and hopeless but now the world remember Einstein and no one gives a damn what happened to his teachers.
If you can't understand your wife, then that's not a problem. Nobody really understand a woman - thousands of years have passed, but you still have to find one good analyst who can figure out what really goes inside a woman's mind. If you love your woman then she'll love you back so where's the problem. If your kids can't understand you, and you can't understand them, that's not really a problem. Families becomes real families when they solve problems together - as long as you do things because you love them, they will soon figure out what you are trying to do - just have faith, move on and wait. God will take of the rest so where's the problem ?
You're working hard but still you can't get out of the slump, still buried in debt, and people look down on you for being a failure - but come to think of it, what really is the problem ? You're alive, you enjoy life with your wife and kids, and the kids are doing fine and will soon graduate and have a life of their own. The problem is that your brothers and sisters who are living a secured life are disappointed with you, so with your parents. Your a pain-in-the-ass and at times a parasite to them, but you know that there are times when you just run out of alternative and have to ask for their help in order to get things through. So they say they worry about you but sometimes words meant to advise hurt because indeed you are what they say you are. But is that really a problem ? You feel hurt but those words were really meant to hurt to wake you up about the situation you're in. You only hope that maybe if they'd only understand the situation they would have said those things. Just stop fooling your self, the money they gave to help you was hard-earned and were meant for them, - you caused them a problem and you have to take the hurt. You thanked them with all you heart but they still aren't convinced, so it no longer becomes your problem if they can't feel your sincerity.
The point I am trying to make is that there really is no problem that truly exist in this world. There are problems but there are also real problems - but once you are able able to connect your self with your God there is no problem, only test of will and test of faith that will only give you the clues on which dots comes next. I am at a lost on how to explain the things I wanted to say - you need to experience how it is -to be on the ropes receiving all the blows directed on you and survive to fight another round. That's when the real excitement begins ...
Parents usually are the most guilty about this things - they think you are the extension of their dreams. They think that since you are their children you should be thankful that you were given life and that you are obliged to follow their will on what to do with your life. Yet there are times when what they want is not what you want so you ran into conflict and at times made to feel the guilt of disobeying their wishes. In reality if they can't learn to let you go then that's their problem and not your problem. We only came through them and not from them - its God who decides who we should be, who our parents would be, what place and time, practically everything - so its not really our problem who and what we should really be. Life is just like connecting the dots, the last dot will define what kind of life we have lived. We just have to seek our own destiny.
I am not telling you guys that we should be bullheaded or we should disobey our parents. We should love and respect them, honor them for their sacrifices. But if it would mean living our life for them instead of our own, then we are not doing what we are destined to be. There are many ways of repaying them but being an extension of their dreams is certainly not one of them. To be in a life of not your own design is like being in prison with strings attached to move the way the puppet-master weave. Tell me, what would have become of Manny Pacquiao had he followed the wishes of her mother ? In his own words, maybe just a fisherman or a farmer or a bum living in the streets.
So the next time around try and figure out whose problem is it. If you love someone but she doesn't love you back and gets irritated when you ogle and follow her around, then that's her problem not yours. You just love loving her, if things doesn't work out just continue what you're doing until you find another love - she might even miss you when you're no longer around and again that's her problem. You can't understand what your teacher is teaching you, you tried but you just can't, then that's your teacher's problem 'cause maybe he's a lousy teacher. He should find ways to go down to your level and start from your level of understanding. If things still can't work out, then you can shift course or study other things. Remember, all the teachers of Albert Einstein in grade school thought he was stupid and hopeless but now the world remember Einstein and no one gives a damn what happened to his teachers.
If you can't understand your wife, then that's not a problem. Nobody really understand a woman - thousands of years have passed, but you still have to find one good analyst who can figure out what really goes inside a woman's mind. If you love your woman then she'll love you back so where's the problem. If your kids can't understand you, and you can't understand them, that's not really a problem. Families becomes real families when they solve problems together - as long as you do things because you love them, they will soon figure out what you are trying to do - just have faith, move on and wait. God will take of the rest so where's the problem ?
You're working hard but still you can't get out of the slump, still buried in debt, and people look down on you for being a failure - but come to think of it, what really is the problem ? You're alive, you enjoy life with your wife and kids, and the kids are doing fine and will soon graduate and have a life of their own. The problem is that your brothers and sisters who are living a secured life are disappointed with you, so with your parents. Your a pain-in-the-ass and at times a parasite to them, but you know that there are times when you just run out of alternative and have to ask for their help in order to get things through. So they say they worry about you but sometimes words meant to advise hurt because indeed you are what they say you are. But is that really a problem ? You feel hurt but those words were really meant to hurt to wake you up about the situation you're in. You only hope that maybe if they'd only understand the situation they would have said those things. Just stop fooling your self, the money they gave to help you was hard-earned and were meant for them, - you caused them a problem and you have to take the hurt. You thanked them with all you heart but they still aren't convinced, so it no longer becomes your problem if they can't feel your sincerity.
The point I am trying to make is that there really is no problem that truly exist in this world. There are problems but there are also real problems - but once you are able able to connect your self with your God there is no problem, only test of will and test of faith that will only give you the clues on which dots comes next. I am at a lost on how to explain the things I wanted to say - you need to experience how it is -to be on the ropes receiving all the blows directed on you and survive to fight another round. That's when the real excitement begins ...
Wednesday, September 7, 2016
XIII. IT'S OKAY IF YOU DON'T KNOW EVERYTHING ...he
THE OLD MAN IN THE RIVER
One day a young went fishing. He has all the top of the line fishing equiptments
and picked a good spot to throw his fishing hook. A few moments later an old man came down by the river, started to look around for a good spot and started fishing under the shade of tree. Three hours and the old man had a basket full of fish while the young have only caught a few. Sundown came and the young man decided to call it a day with only a handful of fish to bring home.
A week later the young man came earlier and occupied the spot where the old man sat a week ago and started to fish. An hour later the old man came, again looked around and picked a spot near a big rock. Sundown came and the old man again had a basket full of catch while the young could only come up with half a dozen fish. He wondered why and resolved to ask the old man next time how he was able to come up with a better catch.
The next week when the old man came down the river he politely asked the old man how come he always catch more fish despite having inferior fishing rod. The old man smiled and said - " That's because you came here looking for the fish. Me before I pick a spot I look for the birds. They have keener eyes than we do and they can clearly beneath the waters where the fishes stays. "
The moral lesson of the story is that if you want answers, try asking the people who have a keener knowledge of the topic. It's okay if you don't if you don't know everything, it doesn't make you less of a man if you go down your high horse and start asking for direction so you wouldn't lose your way.
This reminded me of another story of another blond girl who bought several books on how to go ice fishing. Thinking that she knew everything there is to know she bought all the equipments needed to go ice fishing. The next week she picked a spot, and was about to dig through the ice when she heard a voice - "These is no fish under the ice "
She packed up and picked another spot and again about to break the ice when again she heard a voice - " There is no fish under the ice ". She decided to try again but again she heard the voice so she asked - " Is that you, Lord ? ". Again she heard the voice, " No I am not the Lord. I am the maintenance man and you're in a skating rink ! "
One day a young went fishing. He has all the top of the line fishing equiptments
and picked a good spot to throw his fishing hook. A few moments later an old man came down by the river, started to look around for a good spot and started fishing under the shade of tree. Three hours and the old man had a basket full of fish while the young have only caught a few. Sundown came and the young man decided to call it a day with only a handful of fish to bring home.
A week later the young man came earlier and occupied the spot where the old man sat a week ago and started to fish. An hour later the old man came, again looked around and picked a spot near a big rock. Sundown came and the old man again had a basket full of catch while the young could only come up with half a dozen fish. He wondered why and resolved to ask the old man next time how he was able to come up with a better catch.
The next week when the old man came down the river he politely asked the old man how come he always catch more fish despite having inferior fishing rod. The old man smiled and said - " That's because you came here looking for the fish. Me before I pick a spot I look for the birds. They have keener eyes than we do and they can clearly beneath the waters where the fishes stays. "
The moral lesson of the story is that if you want answers, try asking the people who have a keener knowledge of the topic. It's okay if you don't if you don't know everything, it doesn't make you less of a man if you go down your high horse and start asking for direction so you wouldn't lose your way.
This reminded me of another story of another blond girl who bought several books on how to go ice fishing. Thinking that she knew everything there is to know she bought all the equipments needed to go ice fishing. The next week she picked a spot, and was about to dig through the ice when she heard a voice - "These is no fish under the ice "
She packed up and picked another spot and again about to break the ice when again she heard a voice - " There is no fish under the ice ". She decided to try again but again she heard the voice so she asked - " Is that you, Lord ? ". Again she heard the voice, " No I am not the Lord. I am the maintenance man and you're in a skating rink ! "
XII. WHAT RIGHT HAVE I TO GIVE ADVICE ?
" Screw you, Creepo ! "
I remember this line very well as Little Marie shouted to Rocky after he escorted her home and gave her a lecture about getting herself into trouble. Each time I am tempted to share a piece of my mind to someone, I hold back 'cause with me on the dump what right have I to dish out some advice ? A failure for most people I knew believed that I wasted a lot of opportunities. Can't blame them but I surely wished they knew the real story.
But that's water under the bridge right now, can't spend the rest of my life trying to explain myself to them. That's the reality of life, its all about how other people sees you and how you see yourself. If you can't hold on to your old life, you might as well let go and find another scenario where you can build a new you. You can never do that unless you are willing to cut ties with people who are looking down on you, and move on. That's the easy part. The harder part is getting up and moving forward.
Rocky inspired me a lot. I picked a lot of lessons from his life and from his creator, Sylvester Stallone. A lot of people doesn't know that he wrote almost all the screenplays of his movies aside from the Rocky series. His life was not perfect but he earned the right to teach the world his philosophical views from the movies he made. That Little Marie turned up as his love interest in the last Rocky movie entitled Creed.
We don't have to be old to be wise. The world today is moving so fast that knowledge lies at the end of one's fingertips. In our times we have to go to the library and research for it - now they just "google" it. It was simpler then but I don't agree that things were better then. The older generation just want to call it the good old days because they were young then. Things are better now - we the older generation just can't keep up with the times so we try to convince ourselves we've had more fun.
So getting back to the question - what right have I to give out advice ? Freddie Roach was a failure as a boxer. He tried his best to become a champion but he just don't have what it takes. In his mind he knew what to do but he just couldn't dish it out no matter how hard he tried. He never lacked the desire, the persistence, that later he admitted that he quit the fight game 5 fights too late. The punishment he took in those 5 fights may have caused his present ailment but it turned out to a blessing in disguise. He emerged from the experience a better man, spiritually and turned his focus into teaching boxers the things he learned from boxing. He was destined to cross path with Manny Pacquiao who has everything he dreamed of having. All he did was to chisel off the rough edges and helped made the Pacman what he is today. Freddie's failure in the boxing arena turned out to be the key to his mastery of the game.
I am now nearing the end of my rope, learned a lot from experience and picked up a lot of lessons from the books that I have read the last 30 years or so. I still have about 700 books on my reading file and hundred of movies for viewing. Guess its about time I share some of the things I have learned...
I remember this line very well as Little Marie shouted to Rocky after he escorted her home and gave her a lecture about getting herself into trouble. Each time I am tempted to share a piece of my mind to someone, I hold back 'cause with me on the dump what right have I to dish out some advice ? A failure for most people I knew believed that I wasted a lot of opportunities. Can't blame them but I surely wished they knew the real story.
But that's water under the bridge right now, can't spend the rest of my life trying to explain myself to them. That's the reality of life, its all about how other people sees you and how you see yourself. If you can't hold on to your old life, you might as well let go and find another scenario where you can build a new you. You can never do that unless you are willing to cut ties with people who are looking down on you, and move on. That's the easy part. The harder part is getting up and moving forward.
Rocky inspired me a lot. I picked a lot of lessons from his life and from his creator, Sylvester Stallone. A lot of people doesn't know that he wrote almost all the screenplays of his movies aside from the Rocky series. His life was not perfect but he earned the right to teach the world his philosophical views from the movies he made. That Little Marie turned up as his love interest in the last Rocky movie entitled Creed.
We don't have to be old to be wise. The world today is moving so fast that knowledge lies at the end of one's fingertips. In our times we have to go to the library and research for it - now they just "google" it. It was simpler then but I don't agree that things were better then. The older generation just want to call it the good old days because they were young then. Things are better now - we the older generation just can't keep up with the times so we try to convince ourselves we've had more fun.
So getting back to the question - what right have I to give out advice ? Freddie Roach was a failure as a boxer. He tried his best to become a champion but he just don't have what it takes. In his mind he knew what to do but he just couldn't dish it out no matter how hard he tried. He never lacked the desire, the persistence, that later he admitted that he quit the fight game 5 fights too late. The punishment he took in those 5 fights may have caused his present ailment but it turned out to a blessing in disguise. He emerged from the experience a better man, spiritually and turned his focus into teaching boxers the things he learned from boxing. He was destined to cross path with Manny Pacquiao who has everything he dreamed of having. All he did was to chisel off the rough edges and helped made the Pacman what he is today. Freddie's failure in the boxing arena turned out to be the key to his mastery of the game.
I am now nearing the end of my rope, learned a lot from experience and picked up a lot of lessons from the books that I have read the last 30 years or so. I still have about 700 books on my reading file and hundred of movies for viewing. Guess its about time I share some of the things I have learned...
XI. ADVICE FROM A FAILURE
I could have been a successful engineer had I stayed on with my contemporaries. Most of them are now project managers or private contractors. Some have migrated abroad while some still contract workers abroad. Financially they are better off, they look fine so I guess they're all fine. Being a member of the same batch of cadet engineers in 1982, I could say that I am at par with them in terms of intelligence but maybe I was just a little short in terms of patience and persistence. The MWSS years were all but a launching pad for all of us after all the Marcos project were scrapped and the best way out was to work abroad for greener pasture.
All of them were nursing a dream of making it big someday and build the foundations of that dream. But for me, I see it as an exile away from the family that I love and the promise of dollars to be earned could not dampen the thought of not seeing my wife and my kids for years. I was married, they were not - I am having the fun of my life enjoying every moment and I just couldn't step away from all those comforts of home with a promise of better harvest. Besides, things were doing great and my little business was flourishing. Who would ever thought that they were about to end.
To make a long story short, we lost everything. It also caused me to the trust of my brothers and sisters and my parents as well for they found it more convenient for them to believe the scenario painted by my other sister. No one bothered to check the facts and uncover the truth so I have no other recourse but to detach myself from them and start building from what we have left. A great distance separate us anyway and they would be better off without me. It was a real hard climb for us and in the last 20 years we haven't even gotten back to the point where we could have our heads above water. But those 20 years was the most colorful part of our lives - you spend 20 years barely eking out a living yet managed to to squeeze in some fun along the way - the rest of the way is easy.
It is a lot easier to level down a house and build a new one than trying to rebuild a house that is about to fall down. So much had been said in those span of years and though those words were forgiven the scars remain. Its like an amputated finger, the pain is gone and healed but each you see the part where the missing finger used to be you remember the pain. My kids are lucky for they could start a new generation of their own, with them and their would be families to avoid the mistakes we made. Its not about the question of hating the past, its gone and they could learn from it, its all about painting a better picture and building better roads for the next generation.
All of them were nursing a dream of making it big someday and build the foundations of that dream. But for me, I see it as an exile away from the family that I love and the promise of dollars to be earned could not dampen the thought of not seeing my wife and my kids for years. I was married, they were not - I am having the fun of my life enjoying every moment and I just couldn't step away from all those comforts of home with a promise of better harvest. Besides, things were doing great and my little business was flourishing. Who would ever thought that they were about to end.
To make a long story short, we lost everything. It also caused me to the trust of my brothers and sisters and my parents as well for they found it more convenient for them to believe the scenario painted by my other sister. No one bothered to check the facts and uncover the truth so I have no other recourse but to detach myself from them and start building from what we have left. A great distance separate us anyway and they would be better off without me. It was a real hard climb for us and in the last 20 years we haven't even gotten back to the point where we could have our heads above water. But those 20 years was the most colorful part of our lives - you spend 20 years barely eking out a living yet managed to to squeeze in some fun along the way - the rest of the way is easy.
It is a lot easier to level down a house and build a new one than trying to rebuild a house that is about to fall down. So much had been said in those span of years and though those words were forgiven the scars remain. Its like an amputated finger, the pain is gone and healed but each you see the part where the missing finger used to be you remember the pain. My kids are lucky for they could start a new generation of their own, with them and their would be families to avoid the mistakes we made. Its not about the question of hating the past, its gone and they could learn from it, its all about painting a better picture and building better roads for the next generation.
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
X. LEARN TO LOVE YOURSELF
" Let the children's laughter remind us how we use to be "
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. Take care of your self first and foremost. For God is within us and we were created in the image of God. Before we can take care of other people we must be in good health and high spirits for we could never give what we do not have. We plant the seed of happiness in other people and in return we feel the goodness we have done and we receive happiness in return.
I am not an authority to speak about this sort of things and I wouldn't want to argue with anyone if they think that what I say ain't right. It worked for me, maybe it could also work for some. Usually we have the lowliest opinion of our self and it takes another person to tell us how good we are. As the song goes " the greatest gift that anyone could give to you would be for you to see yourself the way I do. "
Loving your self is easy. You could start by trying to talk some sense into you and hope that you would listen to what you are saying. Listen to what your heart is saying - if you love someone, say it. She may not love like the way you love her but at least you'll know what she feels. Listen to what your body is telling you - you may be aching and your body is showing signs that you are not doing things right. Listen to your conscience - it tells you what is right and like a piece of muscle it becomes stronger when you exercise it more often. And most of all open your eyes to real world - you may be seeing only the things you wanted to see and neglect to see the other things the you ought to see. Once you are able to do these things you'll be able to see the cracks in your life and that's where the light comes in.
Riches to rags I may have been but I'm not done yet. If you have spent a number of years trying to squeeze out laughter from tight situations as we have the past 20 years, how can the coming years dampen my spirits. It is not for me lecture or teach how to's, but just to share things I have picked up as I viewed things from the top and got some fun even when I was sliding down. Funny it seems but as you grow older, you'll find your self laughing at the things that made you cry in the past. But most surprisingly you feel like shedding tears each time you remember the things in the past the happy moments that made you laugh. Such is the yang and the ying of life.
To love oneself is the beginning of a lifelong romance. Take care of your self first and foremost. For God is within us and we were created in the image of God. Before we can take care of other people we must be in good health and high spirits for we could never give what we do not have. We plant the seed of happiness in other people and in return we feel the goodness we have done and we receive happiness in return.
I am not an authority to speak about this sort of things and I wouldn't want to argue with anyone if they think that what I say ain't right. It worked for me, maybe it could also work for some. Usually we have the lowliest opinion of our self and it takes another person to tell us how good we are. As the song goes " the greatest gift that anyone could give to you would be for you to see yourself the way I do. "
Loving your self is easy. You could start by trying to talk some sense into you and hope that you would listen to what you are saying. Listen to what your heart is saying - if you love someone, say it. She may not love like the way you love her but at least you'll know what she feels. Listen to what your body is telling you - you may be aching and your body is showing signs that you are not doing things right. Listen to your conscience - it tells you what is right and like a piece of muscle it becomes stronger when you exercise it more often. And most of all open your eyes to real world - you may be seeing only the things you wanted to see and neglect to see the other things the you ought to see. Once you are able to do these things you'll be able to see the cracks in your life and that's where the light comes in.
Riches to rags I may have been but I'm not done yet. If you have spent a number of years trying to squeeze out laughter from tight situations as we have the past 20 years, how can the coming years dampen my spirits. It is not for me lecture or teach how to's, but just to share things I have picked up as I viewed things from the top and got some fun even when I was sliding down. Funny it seems but as you grow older, you'll find your self laughing at the things that made you cry in the past. But most surprisingly you feel like shedding tears each time you remember the things in the past the happy moments that made you laugh. Such is the yang and the ying of life.
Monday, September 5, 2016
IX . SIMPLIFY ... DON'T SWEAT OVER SMALL STUFF
How do you fill up your life ? I heard a good story once circulated by a beer brand and it goes like this :
A guy once asked a golfing buddy how he sees life since he seem to be always in a happy mood. The guy emptied the glass pitcher infront of them and filled the pitcher with golf balls. Then he asked his friend if he thinks the pitcher is full. The guy said yes then he explained - yes it is but there are still some room as he filled the pitcher with marbles.
Again he asked if the guy thinks it is full and after the guy said yes he filled the voids with sand. The guy then said - " now I guess the pitcher is full ". His friend smiled and then poured in a bottle of beer until the pitcher overflowed. Then he said to the guy, now it is full, so then he explained :
The pitcher represents our life. The golf balls are the big things or as we say the most important things in our life - our faith, our family, our home, our friends, our career. These are the first things we have to deal with yet after all these are taken care there are still room for other smaller things as the marbles represent - our hobbies, our tasks at work, our relationships with other people. But still like the sands represent there are still plenty of room for other small things that we usually don't pay much attention to - movies, books, sharing stories, and other small stuffs. And yet besides all these, even when you think that you have accomplished a lot there is still room to enjoy yourself - just as the beer represent. A simple life is its own reward - piece by piece we take stone away so that the mountain that we once feared will be nothing more but a hill.
Life is similar to computer programming - if we want a good life as an output we should chop it down to its simplest component by going back to the very beginning. Once we know what makes a good life, we then come up with a plan or a flow chart on how to be able to produce our anticipated result. Its always a go or no go, if go then go to the next step if no go then do another step. Once you have come up with the output, then we debug to see if there are still things you can improve. You don't stop, you start with love then you go on loving until the very end - don't pay attention to other program that comes up with the same result, that's okay. You don't burn a neighbor's house to make your house look good. Your method may become obsolete to some but the older ways, the older language, as lesser programmers are use to it will be harder to hack.
Its okay if others have better tools, better methods, better machines, its how you use things that gives it its shining value. That's the reason why antiques are priced higher than new ones - its the history behind it that gives it its real value.
A guy once asked a golfing buddy how he sees life since he seem to be always in a happy mood. The guy emptied the glass pitcher infront of them and filled the pitcher with golf balls. Then he asked his friend if he thinks the pitcher is full. The guy said yes then he explained - yes it is but there are still some room as he filled the pitcher with marbles.
Again he asked if the guy thinks it is full and after the guy said yes he filled the voids with sand. The guy then said - " now I guess the pitcher is full ". His friend smiled and then poured in a bottle of beer until the pitcher overflowed. Then he said to the guy, now it is full, so then he explained :
The pitcher represents our life. The golf balls are the big things or as we say the most important things in our life - our faith, our family, our home, our friends, our career. These are the first things we have to deal with yet after all these are taken care there are still room for other smaller things as the marbles represent - our hobbies, our tasks at work, our relationships with other people. But still like the sands represent there are still plenty of room for other small things that we usually don't pay much attention to - movies, books, sharing stories, and other small stuffs. And yet besides all these, even when you think that you have accomplished a lot there is still room to enjoy yourself - just as the beer represent. A simple life is its own reward - piece by piece we take stone away so that the mountain that we once feared will be nothing more but a hill.
Life is similar to computer programming - if we want a good life as an output we should chop it down to its simplest component by going back to the very beginning. Once we know what makes a good life, we then come up with a plan or a flow chart on how to be able to produce our anticipated result. Its always a go or no go, if go then go to the next step if no go then do another step. Once you have come up with the output, then we debug to see if there are still things you can improve. You don't stop, you start with love then you go on loving until the very end - don't pay attention to other program that comes up with the same result, that's okay. You don't burn a neighbor's house to make your house look good. Your method may become obsolete to some but the older ways, the older language, as lesser programmers are use to it will be harder to hack.
Its okay if others have better tools, better methods, better machines, its how you use things that gives it its shining value. That's the reason why antiques are priced higher than new ones - its the history behind it that gives it its real value.
VIII. RAGS TO RICHES ...RICHES TO RAGS ...BUT I'M NOT DONE YET
I enjoyed life when I was young ...spoiled by my grandparents. Elementary days was very memorable so was my high school years though not as good. Then 2 exciting years as a factory worker before my college days - still the best years of my young life. Ten years at MWSS was an excursion and married life ... not so prosperous, slid down to almost zero but even if I have the power to go back and change our past I wouldn't touch a thing. We lost our way, fell downhill and lost everything we've worked for but it only strengthened the bond not only between me and my wife but with our kids. Its not really something to brag about but we managed to have a home, always lacking the basic essentials yet filled with laughter and good memories.
We moved around a lot after we got kicked out of my parent's old residence when it was sold. 12 times, until we finally found a good apartment 10 years ago. Our kids never knew Christmas and New Year like other families. For to us they were just but another day and another night. No birthday parties either for we were so financially drained that our worries were more about what we need one day at a time. The cause for celebration were the occasional "lucky" days when we could afford to buy meat for a good meal. And Christmas is when we receive Balikbayan package from my parents and other relatives abroad. In between we have to fill up the gaps with good movies, watched them together and do some storytelling. In my book, those were the finest performances I did infront of 6 adoring audiences. It was me against the TV set, their cellphones and play stations and I always win. My wife took care of everything in between, most especially the laugh-in parts and post-performance commentaries. We may have failed in a lot of things, unable to provide good food for their stomachs but at least we were able to hit their hearts.
What we lacked financially, Len and I worked to bridge the gap through being always there one hundred percent of the time. The kids created their own world but they always look back to see if we are within shouting distance - kids value more your presence than presents. Never did they got used to expect " pasalubong " each time we came from work and contented themselves of having us watched cartoons and classic movies until midnight. While other kids came to know Justin Bieber and Britney Spears, our kids enjoyed the likes of Doris Day, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly and Jacky Chan classics. We solved Math problems together and tried-out artworks we saw on TV. The corny jokes and " kantiyawan " became a family tradition. Our world was different ...
Sometimes I wonder why people seem to find it difficult to make a happy home. I guess most of them have been too serious about making a living, fulfilling their dreams that they forget about enjoying the time they have. Kids grow up so fast that you have to be there in their early life - the time when they still adore and idolize you and take you seriously. I think we parents should be there to walk with them, have fun with them, play with them, and not take them as an extension of our dreams. I may be wrong, but one thing I am sure of is they will always have a room for me in their memories. I worked hard and tried to provide them a good life. I might have failed on that part but I am not done yet. Now that they are one by one building their own life, their own world, I have more time for myself, and get back to building another life for me and my wife.
As the saying goes - I have move a little bit faster since I have less time left.
We moved around a lot after we got kicked out of my parent's old residence when it was sold. 12 times, until we finally found a good apartment 10 years ago. Our kids never knew Christmas and New Year like other families. For to us they were just but another day and another night. No birthday parties either for we were so financially drained that our worries were more about what we need one day at a time. The cause for celebration were the occasional "lucky" days when we could afford to buy meat for a good meal. And Christmas is when we receive Balikbayan package from my parents and other relatives abroad. In between we have to fill up the gaps with good movies, watched them together and do some storytelling. In my book, those were the finest performances I did infront of 6 adoring audiences. It was me against the TV set, their cellphones and play stations and I always win. My wife took care of everything in between, most especially the laugh-in parts and post-performance commentaries. We may have failed in a lot of things, unable to provide good food for their stomachs but at least we were able to hit their hearts.
What we lacked financially, Len and I worked to bridge the gap through being always there one hundred percent of the time. The kids created their own world but they always look back to see if we are within shouting distance - kids value more your presence than presents. Never did they got used to expect " pasalubong " each time we came from work and contented themselves of having us watched cartoons and classic movies until midnight. While other kids came to know Justin Bieber and Britney Spears, our kids enjoyed the likes of Doris Day, Julie Andrews, Gene Kelly and Jacky Chan classics. We solved Math problems together and tried-out artworks we saw on TV. The corny jokes and " kantiyawan " became a family tradition. Our world was different ...
Sometimes I wonder why people seem to find it difficult to make a happy home. I guess most of them have been too serious about making a living, fulfilling their dreams that they forget about enjoying the time they have. Kids grow up so fast that you have to be there in their early life - the time when they still adore and idolize you and take you seriously. I think we parents should be there to walk with them, have fun with them, play with them, and not take them as an extension of our dreams. I may be wrong, but one thing I am sure of is they will always have a room for me in their memories. I worked hard and tried to provide them a good life. I might have failed on that part but I am not done yet. Now that they are one by one building their own life, their own world, I have more time for myself, and get back to building another life for me and my wife.
As the saying goes - I have move a little bit faster since I have less time left.
Saturday, September 3, 2016
VII. LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS
We may not have a mansion on the hill
Mink coats and diamonds by the score
But the things we have no one could ever take it
Just the two of us no need to ask for more ...
I guess this the trick. Fall in love and forget about everything ... love sincerely and everything will fall into their proper places. The road to happiness with not be a smooth ride, there will be problems, there will be pains and some misunderstandings, but sooner or later love will prevail. Just try not to figure out the "why" and the "what" questions, whether you do something wrong or forgot to do something that ought to be done, it doesn't really matter in the end as long as you trust each other. Someone who loves sincerely doesn't mean to hurt or do harm - love means you never have to say you're sorry.
Lovers see only the rosy part of life. They see hope when things are falling apart.
They are the "you and me against the world" type and tightly hold on to each other even when everything around is breaking apart. Kind'a stupid, crazy even, but its how love is truly tested ...and its even harder to explain. We only have words to express our feelings but they are not enough - only two hearts in love with each other feels and understand.
Mink coats and diamonds by the score
But the things we have no one could ever take it
Just the two of us no need to ask for more ...
I guess this the trick. Fall in love and forget about everything ... love sincerely and everything will fall into their proper places. The road to happiness with not be a smooth ride, there will be problems, there will be pains and some misunderstandings, but sooner or later love will prevail. Just try not to figure out the "why" and the "what" questions, whether you do something wrong or forgot to do something that ought to be done, it doesn't really matter in the end as long as you trust each other. Someone who loves sincerely doesn't mean to hurt or do harm - love means you never have to say you're sorry.
Lovers see only the rosy part of life. They see hope when things are falling apart.
They are the "you and me against the world" type and tightly hold on to each other even when everything around is breaking apart. Kind'a stupid, crazy even, but its how love is truly tested ...and its even harder to explain. We only have words to express our feelings but they are not enough - only two hearts in love with each other feels and understand.
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
VI. HAVE A LIFE ... ENJOY YOURSELF
We only live once. Having fun is different from being happy. I've had my share of fun when I was young. There were a lot of things I did then that I am not very proud of but I guess I did learn something from the experience. Its all in the past now - all I can say is that its okay to lose your way once in a while - just don't make it a habit. Its when you sway a little that life offers some excitement, something to laugh about when you're old and near your exit.
ENJOY YOURSELF
You work and work for years and years, you're always on the go
You never take a minute off, too busy making dough
Someday you say, you'll have your fun when you're a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you'll have in your old rocking chair
Enjoy yourself, its later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, its later than you think
You're gonna take that ocean trip no matter come what may
You've got your reservations made but you just can't get away
Next year for sure you'll see the world you'll really get around
But how far can you travel when you're six feet underground
Your heart of heart, your dream of dreams, your ravishing brunette
She's left and she's now become somebody else's pet
Lay down that gun, don't try my friend to reach the great beyond
You'll have more fun by reaching for a redhead or a blond
A real fine song ...circa 50's and Paeng Yabut's favorite. I use to hear that song while I was still a child. Didn't like it much but as I grow older and wiser, I saw what the song really meant. There are a lot of ways we could find happiness and as life slowly slips by, we will regret more not the wrong things we have done but morely the things we wanted to do but never had the guts to try doing.
ENJOY YOURSELF
You work and work for years and years, you're always on the go
You never take a minute off, too busy making dough
Someday you say, you'll have your fun when you're a millionaire
Imagine all the fun you'll have in your old rocking chair
Enjoy yourself, its later than you think
Enjoy yourself, while still in the pink
The years go by, as quickly as a wink
Enjoy yourself, enjoy yourself, its later than you think
You're gonna take that ocean trip no matter come what may
You've got your reservations made but you just can't get away
Next year for sure you'll see the world you'll really get around
But how far can you travel when you're six feet underground
Your heart of heart, your dream of dreams, your ravishing brunette
She's left and she's now become somebody else's pet
Lay down that gun, don't try my friend to reach the great beyond
You'll have more fun by reaching for a redhead or a blond
A real fine song ...circa 50's and Paeng Yabut's favorite. I use to hear that song while I was still a child. Didn't like it much but as I grow older and wiser, I saw what the song really meant. There are a lot of ways we could find happiness and as life slowly slips by, we will regret more not the wrong things we have done but morely the things we wanted to do but never had the guts to try doing.
V. WE'RE JUST ANOTHER PIECE OF A PUZZLE
Could we ever argue with fate ? Destiny, so they say was written in stone even before we came out of our mother's womb. Pre-designed, predestined, or simply puppets on a string - Someone up there weaves the magic wand. Life is so short we'll never able to figure things out. Thousands of years of civilization, the questions about God and man's existence still hangs - and the world continues on who holds the truth - like owls we are, the more there is light the less we see.
Of all the Sylvester Stallone movies, " Lock-up" is the one I loved most. " Just wanted to do my time " - I love this line for I too have made peace with my God and am willing to do whatever He wanted me to do. I may have some good years left but I have nothing more to ask and just thankful, sincerely for everything that I have experienced in my life. I wanted to tell other people how blessed I feel but I am very sure they wouldn't buy it. This one great gift - I could now record what I have felt, what I learned, what I wanted other people to know about how life meant to me - for all I care, I just want to see what all else is in store for me...
Just another piece of a puzzle ... this song tells it all -
I'll never know what brought me here
As if somebody led my hand
It seems I had to steer
My course was planned
And destiny guides us all
And by its hand we rise and fall
But only for a moment
Time enough to catch our breath again
And we're just another piece of the puzzle
Just another part of the plan
How one life touches the other
Its so hard to understand
Still we walk this road together
We travel as far as we can
And we have watched this moment to die ...
Ever since the world began
Taking in the time gone by
We wonder how it all began
We'll never know and still we understand
And even though the season change
The reasons shall remain the same
Its love that keeps us holding on
Till we can see the sun again
And we're just another piece of the puzzle
Just another part of the plan
And we just waited for this moment to die
Ever since the world began
And I stand alone, a man of stone
Against the driving rain
And the night it gets your number
And in the wind it has your name
And we settle dues win or lose
To whisper all the same
The hope still burns eternal
We're the keeper of the flame
And were just another piece of the puzzle
Just another part of the plan
How one life touches the other
It's so hard to understand
Still we walk this road together
We travel as far as we can
And we have watched this moment to die ...
Ever since the world begun
Of all the Sylvester Stallone movies, " Lock-up" is the one I loved most. " Just wanted to do my time " - I love this line for I too have made peace with my God and am willing to do whatever He wanted me to do. I may have some good years left but I have nothing more to ask and just thankful, sincerely for everything that I have experienced in my life. I wanted to tell other people how blessed I feel but I am very sure they wouldn't buy it. This one great gift - I could now record what I have felt, what I learned, what I wanted other people to know about how life meant to me - for all I care, I just want to see what all else is in store for me...
Just another piece of a puzzle ... this song tells it all -
I'll never know what brought me here
As if somebody led my hand
It seems I had to steer
My course was planned
And destiny guides us all
And by its hand we rise and fall
But only for a moment
Time enough to catch our breath again
And we're just another piece of the puzzle
Just another part of the plan
How one life touches the other
Its so hard to understand
Still we walk this road together
We travel as far as we can
And we have watched this moment to die ...
Ever since the world began
Taking in the time gone by
We wonder how it all began
We'll never know and still we understand
And even though the season change
The reasons shall remain the same
Its love that keeps us holding on
Till we can see the sun again
And we're just another piece of the puzzle
Just another part of the plan
And we just waited for this moment to die
Ever since the world began
And I stand alone, a man of stone
Against the driving rain
And the night it gets your number
And in the wind it has your name
And we settle dues win or lose
To whisper all the same
The hope still burns eternal
We're the keeper of the flame
And were just another piece of the puzzle
Just another part of the plan
How one life touches the other
It's so hard to understand
Still we walk this road together
We travel as far as we can
And we have watched this moment to die ...
Ever since the world begun
IV. LIFT UP YOUR HANDS TO GOD
If you have faith the size of mustard seed you can move mountains ...Jesus told this to His disciples. Complete trust in the Lord, that's what its all about and many would profess that they have faith in God. Church-goers and the so called "Born-again Christians" always claim that they are on the right path and those who do not share their beliefs are A to eternal fire. But with thousands of religious sects sprouting most especially int the Christian world its a real puzzle for people on how to choose the right way to God. I do not want to offer an explanation why I am not in any way assimilated with any of these but my search continues. One thing for sure though - I have seen too many miracles and in my heart I know there is a God in a Great Somewhere who sees everything, listen to every prayer we utter, and reads what is on our soul.
" Seek ye first the kingdom of the Lord and His righteousness,
and everything shall be added unto you ...alelu-alelujah ...
Add to this this song ... at first it is just a song to listen to but someday
it may also become a part of you
Life is not that bad my friend, hmmm ...
If you believe in yourself , if you believe there's someone
Who walks through life with you
You'll never be alone just learn to reach out
And open your heart
Lift up your hands to God and He'll show you the way ...
And He said " Cast your burden upon me
those who are heavily laden ...
Come to Me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy load
For the yoke I will give you is easy and My burden is light
Come to Me and I will give you rest ...
When you feel the world is tumbling down on you
And you have no one that you can hold on to
Just face the rising sun and you'll see hope
And there's no need to run lift up your hands to God
And He'll show you the way ...
And He said cast your burden upon Me
Those who are heavily laden ...
Come to Me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy load
For the yoke I will give you is easy and My burden is light
Come to Me and I will give you rest ...
" Seek ye first the kingdom of the Lord and His righteousness,
and everything shall be added unto you ...alelu-alelujah ...
Add to this this song ... at first it is just a song to listen to but someday
it may also become a part of you
Life is not that bad my friend, hmmm ...
If you believe in yourself , if you believe there's someone
Who walks through life with you
You'll never be alone just learn to reach out
And open your heart
Lift up your hands to God and He'll show you the way ...
And He said " Cast your burden upon me
those who are heavily laden ...
Come to Me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy load
For the yoke I will give you is easy and My burden is light
Come to Me and I will give you rest ...
When you feel the world is tumbling down on you
And you have no one that you can hold on to
Just face the rising sun and you'll see hope
And there's no need to run lift up your hands to God
And He'll show you the way ...
And He said cast your burden upon Me
Those who are heavily laden ...
Come to Me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy load
For the yoke I will give you is easy and My burden is light
Come to Me and I will give you rest ...
Sunday, August 28, 2016
III. IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO
The chimes of time ring out the news another day is through
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you ?
You may have longed for added strength you courage to renew
Do not be disheartened for I have news for you ...
It is no secret what God can do ...
What is done for others, He'll do for you
With hands wide open, He'll pardon you
It is no secret, what God can do ...
There is no night for in His light you'll never walk alone
Always feel at home, wherever you may roam
There is no power to conquer you when God is on your side
Just take Him at His promise, don't run away and hide ...
It is no secret ... what God can do ...
What is done for others, He'll do for you
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you
It is no secret ... what God can do
I was once a devout Catholic. I had a good friend in my High School days and we always went to mass on Saturdays. After I graduated I continued going to mass on Sundays, at times with my cousins or anyone I could tow along. I like listening to the sermon and I always got carried away by the songs when the offering of the "ostia". I thought then that being born a Catholic, I saw no problem being one, until I got invited into some Bible expose. That started my search for the "real one", but the more I try to find some answers the more I got confused which is which. I stopped going to church and started listening to more interpretations of the " true faith " but things never added up. I saw a lot of people so willing to share how they discovered the " true God ", but what I saw were people who were more interested in flattering their ego and hypocrites thinking that they are holier than thou.
I had no problem dealing with those kind of people for I enjoyed the debates and the discussions. But those things drove me farther away for what I've been searching for. I got my own share of fun during those days and did a lot of things that I am not proud of. And yet it was in losing your way that life became more interesting, the darker side revealed a lot of how brighter the other side was, and leaving those vices made me feel good about how much I have prospered through the years. The only thing missing now is how I will be able to get back to more comfortable life. There's one thing for sure though, I have felt how blessed our life is and I no longer worried about the future for me and my kids - God has taken good care of me and I am sure that God will take care of those I will leave behind. It is no secret ...what God can do !
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you ?
You may have longed for added strength you courage to renew
Do not be disheartened for I have news for you ...
It is no secret what God can do ...
What is done for others, He'll do for you
With hands wide open, He'll pardon you
It is no secret, what God can do ...
There is no night for in His light you'll never walk alone
Always feel at home, wherever you may roam
There is no power to conquer you when God is on your side
Just take Him at His promise, don't run away and hide ...
It is no secret ... what God can do ...
What is done for others, He'll do for you
With arms wide open, He'll pardon you
It is no secret ... what God can do
I was once a devout Catholic. I had a good friend in my High School days and we always went to mass on Saturdays. After I graduated I continued going to mass on Sundays, at times with my cousins or anyone I could tow along. I like listening to the sermon and I always got carried away by the songs when the offering of the "ostia". I thought then that being born a Catholic, I saw no problem being one, until I got invited into some Bible expose. That started my search for the "real one", but the more I try to find some answers the more I got confused which is which. I stopped going to church and started listening to more interpretations of the " true faith " but things never added up. I saw a lot of people so willing to share how they discovered the " true God ", but what I saw were people who were more interested in flattering their ego and hypocrites thinking that they are holier than thou.
I had no problem dealing with those kind of people for I enjoyed the debates and the discussions. But those things drove me farther away for what I've been searching for. I got my own share of fun during those days and did a lot of things that I am not proud of. And yet it was in losing your way that life became more interesting, the darker side revealed a lot of how brighter the other side was, and leaving those vices made me feel good about how much I have prospered through the years. The only thing missing now is how I will be able to get back to more comfortable life. There's one thing for sure though, I have felt how blessed our life is and I no longer worried about the future for me and my kids - God has taken good care of me and I am sure that God will take care of those I will leave behind. It is no secret ...what God can do !
Wednesday, August 24, 2016
II. BELIEVE ...
" It's either you believe that everyday is a miracle or
you don't believe in miracles "
I believe for every drop of rain that fall a flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows
I believe that anyone who goes astray someone will come to show the way
I believe, yes I believe
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard
I believe that Someone in the great somewhere hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the skies
Then I know why I believe ...
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the skies
Then I know why .... I believe ...
A very inspiring song ...and lies within its lyrics is the truth that once you've realize that there is a Great Someone somewhere, life would be a lot more meaningful. Being spiritual is different from being religious. Spiritualism unites us with our Maker, give us serenity, a certain kind of feeling that we are blessed and open our heart to the kind of life we are living and should be thankful. Religion has divided people, binding them separately in different beliefs that contradicts with other beliefs that has caused conflicts. Religion had been used to enslave instead of setting free the spirits and at times by some for financial gain. While Jesus taught how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, the Vatican is a symbol of great wealth and rarely do you find religious leaders leading simple lives.
Believing in God ... that's a given. How you define God, how you worship Him will surely set off a long debate but we have but a short life to live. Slowly ...we will be led into it - our faith would be strengthened by experience. All we have to do is to believe that we are in this world for a purpose - each and everyone of us by God's design. Open our eyes to the beauty of nature, the wonders of human feelings, count our blessings and chances are we will be on the right path.
When was the last time we watched the sun set on its horizon ? We are but a speck of dust in the universe, expendable maybe ... but still our life, whether simple or grand are able to touch other people's lives. Some place, somewhere we will fit into something and surely it would pave way for someone or somehow lead to some changes in other people's life.
you don't believe in miracles "
I believe for every drop of rain that fall a flower grows
I believe that somewhere in the darkest night a candle glows
I believe that anyone who goes astray someone will come to show the way
I believe, yes I believe
I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard
I believe that Someone in the great somewhere hears every word
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the skies
Then I know why I believe ...
Every time I hear a newborn baby cry, or touch a leaf, or see the skies
Then I know why .... I believe ...
A very inspiring song ...and lies within its lyrics is the truth that once you've realize that there is a Great Someone somewhere, life would be a lot more meaningful. Being spiritual is different from being religious. Spiritualism unites us with our Maker, give us serenity, a certain kind of feeling that we are blessed and open our heart to the kind of life we are living and should be thankful. Religion has divided people, binding them separately in different beliefs that contradicts with other beliefs that has caused conflicts. Religion had been used to enslave instead of setting free the spirits and at times by some for financial gain. While Jesus taught how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, the Vatican is a symbol of great wealth and rarely do you find religious leaders leading simple lives.
Believing in God ... that's a given. How you define God, how you worship Him will surely set off a long debate but we have but a short life to live. Slowly ...we will be led into it - our faith would be strengthened by experience. All we have to do is to believe that we are in this world for a purpose - each and everyone of us by God's design. Open our eyes to the beauty of nature, the wonders of human feelings, count our blessings and chances are we will be on the right path.
When was the last time we watched the sun set on its horizon ? We are but a speck of dust in the universe, expendable maybe ... but still our life, whether simple or grand are able to touch other people's lives. Some place, somewhere we will fit into something and surely it would pave way for someone or somehow lead to some changes in other people's life.
Monday, August 22, 2016
I. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE !
It's A Wonderful Life !
Everything happens for a reason. Bad things happen to good people. And we see a lot of bad people getting away with their corrupt ways. Life seem to unfair to some but the cracks in one's life is where the light comes in. Each of our life is perfectly designed to suit one noble purpose and we are here to find that out. We may be at a lost most of the time, unsure of what plans to make, but surely God has a plan for each and everyone of us. We just have to surrender our self to God and He will show the way. We may enjoy driving our way to our goal but sooner or later we'll get tired and have to amuse our self by being a passenger of life. That's when the real fun begins.
In the darkest, lowest point of my life this movie helped a lot in revving up my spirits. Watching the movie that day, I found myself so engrossed that I begun recalling my past - how things went wrong in my life. I came to know the feeling of losing everything I've worked for, how to be misunderstood and be left alone. Its when you realize who your real friends are and that you have to be strong for those whose life depends on you. You learn to accept that this things has to happen for you to see more clearly that there is more to life than the riches you amass. Others have their rags to riches stories, mine is a riches to rags one that no one wanted to hear. There are a lot of pains and hardship for you to deal with as you set things straight but the things you learned from the experience weighed more. The ending of the movie brought me tears, not the kind I usually had each time I am touched by a movie, but a rather downpour of emotions that I have to get out of my chest. Truly life is wonderful ...
To see things more clearly, love things more dearly, feel love more warmly, day by day. Live everyday of your life, feel the air in your every breath, leave your worries behind simply by knowing that life is to enjoyed and not something to be figured out.
As we grow older each day we should remember that life is bound to end sometime, so we might as live our life to the fullest. If we are going to leave something let it be good memories that we at least somehow contributed something good ...
In the darkest, lowest point of my life this movie helped a lot in revving up my spirits. Watching the movie that day, I found myself so engrossed that I begun recalling my past - how things went wrong in my life. I came to know the feeling of losing everything I've worked for, how to be misunderstood and be left alone. Its when you realize who your real friends are and that you have to be strong for those whose life depends on you. You learn to accept that this things has to happen for you to see more clearly that there is more to life than the riches you amass. Others have their rags to riches stories, mine is a riches to rags one that no one wanted to hear. There are a lot of pains and hardship for you to deal with as you set things straight but the things you learned from the experience weighed more. The ending of the movie brought me tears, not the kind I usually had each time I am touched by a movie, but a rather downpour of emotions that I have to get out of my chest. Truly life is wonderful ...
To see things more clearly, love things more dearly, feel love more warmly, day by day. Live everyday of your life, feel the air in your every breath, leave your worries behind simply by knowing that life is to enjoyed and not something to be figured out.
As we grow older each day we should remember that life is bound to end sometime, so we might as live our life to the fullest. If we are going to leave something let it be good memories that we at least somehow contributed something good ...
Friday, August 19, 2016
All of Us Have Dreams
All of Us Dream A Dream
Everybody has a dream - a dream of one day becoming a big name, to be known, to be admired. Susan Boyle was one of them. She thought of being a professional singer one day and at the age of 47 she auditioned for Britain Got's Talents. By the way she looks, you would easily dismiss her as someone who needs to tighten up some screws for if she has the kind of voice to make it she would have been discovered long ago.
Standing in front of the judges, you could see the smirk in their faces as she introduced herself and made mention of her ambition. A camera shot of the audiences would reveal the disgust and the "are you crazy look" on their faces. But as she begun to dish out her song the crowd's attitude begun to change and after a few seconds the looks changed into that kind of "amazement". Very seldom have I seen this kind of a turn around, the kind of surprise the crowd and the judges showed as she sang a song that only very few singer could give justice to. its not very often that I too have been moved to tears listening to someone who's looks are not that inspiring - for I too never expected her to be that good.
I've had a good run in my 57 years of life and I too would like someday to be able to change the way people view me someone who would have made it big had I used my God given talents. I was standout most of my younger years, enjoyed life almost to the fullest but somehow failed to make a career out of my education. A riches to rags story as most people I know see it - but to try to make them see life as I see it today would be like spitting against the wind. Hardened by experience, living in the edge and losing everything we've worked for, have made me realize the goodness in simple little things. I dare no longer ask myself what is the meaning of life - its us that give life its meaning. Its us that set the kind of measure we measure life with.
Maybe I could still make my mark with the years I have left. Maybe the lessons I have learned could be of some value to some people. Maybe there are still some good things I could pass on. The dreams I have before are still there - they were simple - just to be loved by people I love. To learn something new everyday and to appreciated for the things I could impart. Writing all about them I guess would be a good start.
Thursday, August 18, 2016
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