The Year that Was

2008 was an extremely trying year. First, I was diagnosed with acute stress due to overwork and recovered in March. The doctor cautioned me to refrain from doing anything stressful. Just when I was doing ok, the news that my cousin was missing when the ship "Princess of the Stars" sank in Philippines reached me. Imagine how emotionally stressful that was.

After three months of futile search, we were finally able to retrieve his body when the DNA results were released. It was a heart-breaking moment. He was in his 30's, healthy, worked abroad and was about to marry. He had everything going for him when the tragedy struck.

Perhaps the greatest lesson I have learned for 2008 is to never take people for granted. Sometimes we get too caught up with work. Too busy to have time for people we care. Then in an instant, they are gone. Just like that. Life is too fragile.

Consequently, my cousins and I spend a lot of bonding time together now. I spend time with my friends too. We would go out on a joyride just cruising the streets with no definite direction in mind - in destination and in conversations. Just let things flow. Trust the universe, so to speak. It is largely therapeutic. Try it!

Another important lesson I've learned is - the body maybe frail but the human spirit is indomitable. Three from my close family circle were hospitalized early this year too. Two more of my closest friends passed away last October. I really thought I would relapse from acute stress due to these.

But I didn't.

Instead, I have learned resiliency and rolled with the punches. Because of what I went through I have become stronger (and better?) version of myself, I hope.

The year that was could be summed up in a few words - it was painful. But then again, pain is a necessary evil. Embrace it and it will yield a lot of dividends. Shun it - and you are in for trouble. There is just no way around pain except to face it and take it squarely, like a real man.

Declaration of Love

A toast to the Newlyweds)

Look back to this day and know –
that love is here, today, in our midst.

Enveloping us. With its binding force as we tread the path of uncertainty.
Uniting us. Two hearts beating as one. Two bodies yet one soul.
Unveiling us. As we discover little things about each other day by day.

Love is faith as we shrug off doubts, discouragements and impossibilities.
It is hope as we hold on to the possibility of true love.
It is recognition of our hearts as we find each other amidst the sea of nameless people.
It is a choice. Vows broken; vows renewed over and over again.
It is a ban from oblivion of the unspoken promises made long ago in the deepest, most sacred recesses of our hearts.

For today merely confirms what we already know all along. That, love made us for each other; and you and I are made for love!

To Sing or Not to Sing

Most people in our place are Chanteus. That is, people who love to sing. Being a local, I hate to be on the ‘outside’. So, even though I could not carry a tune at first, I forced myself to belt out a song. To remain true to my identity, so to speak.

It didn’t take long before I realize that singing takes a lot of discipline. And no matter how much I love singing, at some point, I concede that singing does not love me. So why bother?

But my months of toil finally paid off. My voice can finally give justice to a song. Of course I’m no Celine Dione. ….. but I did my best. Just goes to show that what you cannot reap with sheer talent, you reap with sheer force! I mean determination…. :-)

Finest Timber

We had a tour in a furniture factory when the guide called our attention. He said, “Take a look at this oak.” We all gathered to observe the piece of wood.

“This oak is the finest timber of its kind. You know why?” He asked. “The secret to its perfect graining is just this: it grew up in a place where it constantly struggle against storms.”

What an evocative statement! It speaks volumes about life.

Life inevitably exposes us to constant conflicts. Sometimes, it seems as if there is no end in sight. But just like the oak, the more we struggle and overcome; the stronger and more beautiful we become.

God uses us for a greater purpose. A purpose which is beyond our minds can possibly fathom. All we have to do is trust Him. Just like the finest oak wood reserved only for the finest furniture, God will harness us only for His finest undertaking.

Smile!

One day, the wind and sun had a debate on which of them was the stronger.

To stop the debate, they decided to conduct a test that would settle the matter once and for all.

Along came a man who was wearing a thick coat. The wind suggested that the one who can make the man remove the coat will be judged the stronger.

The sun agreed.

It was the wind’s turn first. So he blew and blew to force the man to undo his jacket. But the opposite happened. The man only held on tighter to his coat.

Not wanting to quit, the wind blew with all his might. Much to his dismay, the man seemed bent on holding on to his coat much tighter, if possible, than before!

The wind gave up. And told the sun to do his stuff.

The sun said to the wind, “I just smile at the man. If he won’t take his coat off then I smile and smile some more.”

The sun did as he said.

The man took off his coat in no time at all(!), to the wind’s utter amazement.

Morale: The use of force is never fruitful. More can be accomplished with a smile! :-)