I read this very interesting article about loving a person.
It says that there are five languages of love or simply the ways of showing you love a person. And the object of your affection responds to the language that appeals to him or her the most. They believe that you love them once they see you do one or a couple of these things.
What are these five ways?
1. giving gifts
2. spending time
3. service
4. physical touch
5. communication
Giving gifts - some people appreciate receiving gifts. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not implying that your loved ones are materialistic but it simply means that for them the language of love is in giving or receiving for that matter. If they see you making the effort to give them something, they love you all the more for that because to them giving equals loving. See what I mean? So if you give, it is a sign that you love them. It is the language of love that they understand the most. It doesn't matter if you give them a rare pink diamond or a common single rose. The value of what you give doesn't count here but the act of giving itself. Giving in the long run is not merely an act but a way of imparting our selves to others. So give and you will be blessed with love abundantly!
Spending time - some of our loved ones respond most or appreciate you more if you spend time with them. They believe that they are precious because you find the time to be with them. It is not necessarily the quantity of time but quality time. There is a huge difference between the two. You may spend 24/7 with that person and they still don't feel loved. Quality time is spending time with the loved ones, even just a few minutes a day, affirming your love to them by words or actions or even sharing comfortable silence. Indeed, silence could speak volumes. Show your love make them feel loved every time you spend with them and they will love you all the more for it.
Service - I am not referring to the over-the-top, grand kind of service. Service is simply helping a loved one. It could be carrying the luggages for her or him. The shopping bags. Running errands. Picking up the laundry on the way home. Opening the door. Making a cup of coffee. Anything, even the simplest things that make life a bit comfortable for him or her. Some people appreciate these more than diamonds or other expensive things. So don't forget service as a way of expressing love.
Physical touch - your loved one could be the kind who loves holding hands, kissing, touching the arm, hugging, etc., etc. The etcs. mean I am giving you room to be creative. Let's face it touch is one of the most important love language. It is probably the most basic too. Who doesn't want to be hugged or kissed or hold hands with? But some people want it more or at a higher degree than others. So if your loved one prefers physical touch as an expression of love, it doesnt hurt to hug or kiss her/him every now and then.
Communication - they say communication is the lifeblood of every relationship. It's true. It can create havoc or bliss on your relationships. Some loved ones prefer communication as a way of demonstrating your love to them. They love to hear ' i love you' or be told that they are beautiful or that you love them just the way they are. Just a few words from you could feed their hunger for love. So, communicate LOVE. Say it. Don't let the person guessing. They might not respond to actions or gifts. But simple ' i love you' could do the trick!
There you go. The five secrets of loving and expressing love. Hope the object of your affection will finally understand what you've been saying all along and respond accordingly. It doesn't hurt to try them. Go on and spread love!
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Young Good Man Brown by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Through the covenant Goodman has made with the Devil, he has agreed to leave his wife, Faith, and walk through the forest with the Devil for one night as the Devil attempts to convert Goodman from Christianity. Goodman enters into this with great resolve that his survival and test of faith will not change, but the depth of his faith is fairly easily uprooted. As Goodman and the Devil are walking, Goodman comes upon his old catechism teacher, Goody Cloyse, who is headed to the Devil’s meeting that Goodman is being led to. Goodman is stunned at the sight of her, as he had considered her his moral and spiritual guide. This is the beginning of where Goodman’s faith fails. As Goodman continues on, he sees many of the townspeople he had respected and admired so much for their devout faith in God. Goodman’s faith begins to crumble because his Achilles heel was the pride he had in believing he was a pious man. His faith was never based on an internal relationship with God; instead, his faith was mirrored and reflected by the community he revered. As those around him showed their true following, Goodman lost all faith, and became empty.
Young Goodman Brown went to the forest to search for his inner self or the soul. The devil accompanies him. He is too arrogant to believe that his faith will be able to support him in times of temptations. But his faith is based on the people surrounding him. One by one he sees their secret faults and their secret alliance with the devil. Slowly his faith deserts him. As his will little by little go away, in a sense he is overcome by the devil. This, despite his pride and faith in his capability to withstand temptations.
Brown comes to the ceremony and sees the devil worshippers. He sees a number of people whom he thought to be pious and God-fearing in the congregation. He recognizes them. He does not see Faith though and it brings some hope in his heart.
This part is a turning point for Goodman Brown because he hopes not to live alone in the community of unbelievers. With Faith by his side, he could surmount this obstacle. Although what Goodman Brown fails to realize is that he is already a part of this community he doesn’t like. If Faith was not there, then he need not be alone in his faith. Hope can be looked at as a part of what is known as the "the Christian triptych". The Christian triptych is made up of faith, hope and love. The third part of the triptych which is absent in the entire story is love. If Brown only had "love" in his heart, then he would have found a way to tackle his problem. Love is the medicine that would have enable him to survive without deep sadness due to what he knows when he returned to Salem.
The ceremony started and the converts are brought forward. Goodman Brown steps forward with them. Goodman Brown seems to have no will of his own as he joins the service of converts. The leader said that the members of the congregation are believed to be righteous, honest and incorruptible. Yet they commit secret evil deeds. Goodman Brown finds himself facing Faith. Then the leader said that evil is man’s natural state. He welcomes the convert. Then dips his hand in the rock and draw liquid and put it on the convert’s forehead to baptize them. Brown is able to come back to his senses just in time and shouts "Faith! Faith! Look up to Heaven and resist the wicked one!" The ceremony ends and sees that he is alone. So he presumes that his wife joined the community of non-believers. This means he is the only one left in his faith.
He did not actually convert to a non-believer as others had done. But still, he chooses an equally dangerous path. By losing his faith in everything even in his loved ones, Goodman merely exists and not lives. He believes that faith has failed him and he turns his anger to the world. He sees everything as evil and not worthy of his trust even his new bride (BigNerds, Screen 7).
What happened in his journey changed his outlook for the worst. It made him bitter. Goodman would rather be alone than lifting to God his burdens. Also, he chose to judge people instead of love them faults and all. The Bible tells us that it isn’t enough to have faith to be able to live life. Hope and love are necessary ingredient in a fulfilled, happy life. Goodman Brown lives on faith alone. And his lack of faith quashed what little hope he has. His biggest loss is his inability to love. Because he distances himself from others and judge them, he fails to see them as individuals worthy of his love. Love the sinner, hate their sins. That is the core of Christian religion. And because Goodman Brown fails to grasp the importance of love above all, he fails to live meaningfully. He ends up a failure. He dies lonely and alone. Goodman Brown was buried with "no hopeful verse upon his tombstone; for his dying hour was gloom." (Netfirms, Screen2)
Young Goodman Brown went to the forest to search for his inner self or the soul. The devil accompanies him. He is too arrogant to believe that his faith will be able to support him in times of temptations. But his faith is based on the people surrounding him. One by one he sees their secret faults and their secret alliance with the devil. Slowly his faith deserts him. As his will little by little go away, in a sense he is overcome by the devil. This, despite his pride and faith in his capability to withstand temptations.
Brown comes to the ceremony and sees the devil worshippers. He sees a number of people whom he thought to be pious and God-fearing in the congregation. He recognizes them. He does not see Faith though and it brings some hope in his heart.
This part is a turning point for Goodman Brown because he hopes not to live alone in the community of unbelievers. With Faith by his side, he could surmount this obstacle. Although what Goodman Brown fails to realize is that he is already a part of this community he doesn’t like. If Faith was not there, then he need not be alone in his faith. Hope can be looked at as a part of what is known as the "the Christian triptych". The Christian triptych is made up of faith, hope and love. The third part of the triptych which is absent in the entire story is love. If Brown only had "love" in his heart, then he would have found a way to tackle his problem. Love is the medicine that would have enable him to survive without deep sadness due to what he knows when he returned to Salem.
The ceremony started and the converts are brought forward. Goodman Brown steps forward with them. Goodman Brown seems to have no will of his own as he joins the service of converts. The leader said that the members of the congregation are believed to be righteous, honest and incorruptible. Yet they commit secret evil deeds. Goodman Brown finds himself facing Faith. Then the leader said that evil is man’s natural state. He welcomes the convert. Then dips his hand in the rock and draw liquid and put it on the convert’s forehead to baptize them. Brown is able to come back to his senses just in time and shouts "Faith! Faith! Look up to Heaven and resist the wicked one!" The ceremony ends and sees that he is alone. So he presumes that his wife joined the community of non-believers. This means he is the only one left in his faith.
He did not actually convert to a non-believer as others had done. But still, he chooses an equally dangerous path. By losing his faith in everything even in his loved ones, Goodman merely exists and not lives. He believes that faith has failed him and he turns his anger to the world. He sees everything as evil and not worthy of his trust even his new bride (BigNerds, Screen 7).
What happened in his journey changed his outlook for the worst. It made him bitter. Goodman would rather be alone than lifting to God his burdens. Also, he chose to judge people instead of love them faults and all. The Bible tells us that it isn’t enough to have faith to be able to live life. Hope and love are necessary ingredient in a fulfilled, happy life. Goodman Brown lives on faith alone. And his lack of faith quashed what little hope he has. His biggest loss is his inability to love. Because he distances himself from others and judge them, he fails to see them as individuals worthy of his love. Love the sinner, hate their sins. That is the core of Christian religion. And because Goodman Brown fails to grasp the importance of love above all, he fails to live meaningfully. He ends up a failure. He dies lonely and alone. Goodman Brown was buried with "no hopeful verse upon his tombstone; for his dying hour was gloom." (Netfirms, Screen2)
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
The Lady with the Dog By Anton Chekhov
Introduction
Dmitri Dmitritch Gurov’s roving eye finds himself another conquest in the person of Anna Sergeyevna. He is married but often unfaithful to his wife. Anna, on the other hand, is married to a good and honest man but a ‘flunkey’. She owns a Pomeranian dog which earns her the moniker ‘lady with the dog’.
At the start of the story we could find Gurov relentlessly pursuing Anna. Since both are lonely and alone in Yalta, temptation seems to be a natural consequence. They become lovers. Their tryst is cut short when Anna needs to go home. They bid each other farewell. And Gurov goes home to Moscow.
Unfortunately, though Gurov and Anna parted, the memories linger on. Unable to curtail his feelings, Gurov searches for Anna in Petersburg. They meet again. They agreed that Anna should visit Moscow so they can continue their clandestine affair. In the end, they decide to formulate a plan so they can be together for always. They are aware though that "the most complicated and difficult" part in their plan is just beginning.
“Lady with the Dog” is a haunting tale of star-crossed lovers whose love is doomed from the very start. Gurov and Anna become enmesh with the dilemma because their marriages make them unhappy. They found solace and true love in each other’s arms. Consequently, they indulge in adultery to vent their feelings.
Commentary
While Gurov and Anna do indeed suffer from hellish marriages, their decision to commit adultery must be condemned because society’s acceptance of adultery will take us down a perilous path of deceit, moral degradation and decadence.
Every society adheres to the long-held view that marriage is and always will be a sacred institution. To go against this view - to commit adultery - is to suffer condemnation even to the point of alienation. Gurov and Anna know this. That is why at the end of the story they brace themselves for any eventuality.
The story ‘Lady with the Dog’ offers a glimpse of what adulterous couples go through. On the other side of the coin, the bigger question is what do the greater majority (the families) go through? Granted that what the couple feel for each other is true love, still that doesn’t give them the license to betray other people’s trust or deceive people.
Adultery is not a private sin that is confined within the walls of the home. It affects the emotions of people and the way they relate to society. Often, affected family members react in a negative way. Moral degradation becomes apparent in their conduct. As a consequence they become problems of the society. Illicit affairs often lead to disastrous end too. Because of the adulterous couple’s decadent ways, it is not surprising to read reports about crimes of passion in the papers. Adultery definitely affects society unfavorably.
If society tolerates adultery then it gives out a strong signal that it is okay to commit it. This, of course, will lead to further moral degradation. Children of those adulterous couples will possibly have no qualms following the example set by their parents. Deceit is a foregone conclusion since the illicit affair needs to be kept a secret at all cost.
Adultery also leads to decadence since it becomes a paramount concern that drowns all others. Eventually it destroys relationships and lives. Adultery is akin to taking poison in small doses – it sips out the life out of the person little by little. It doesn’t kill instantly but it kills eventually. It may not be death in physical sense. But it could possibly be far worse - moral, mental and emotional deterioration of a person.
Marriage is a mutual decision of two persons to commit themselves to each other for life. Love is the very foundation of marriage. But as time passes, love sometimes goes stale. Some couples want to recapture the magic of first love. If they cannot, they turn to other people to find what they need. But marriage is not based on feelings. Feelings come. Feelings go. Emotions can sometimes be misleading. It is the decision to stay together that remains, just as it is the decision to commit adultery that makes it easy. Everything starts and ends with the decision. Will over emotions. Mind over matter.
Conclusion
It is important for society to make a strong stand against adultery before it destroys the very moral fiber which holds the community together. Upholding what is right and virtuous often leads to peace and harmony. Adultery, even if it’s true love, is simply unacceptable. A problem cannot be solved by creating another problem. If all else fails, there is always a legal recourse open to the parties involve. All they need is to come up with a decision and be ready for the consequences.
Dmitri Dmitritch Gurov’s roving eye finds himself another conquest in the person of Anna Sergeyevna. He is married but often unfaithful to his wife. Anna, on the other hand, is married to a good and honest man but a ‘flunkey’. She owns a Pomeranian dog which earns her the moniker ‘lady with the dog’.
At the start of the story we could find Gurov relentlessly pursuing Anna. Since both are lonely and alone in Yalta, temptation seems to be a natural consequence. They become lovers. Their tryst is cut short when Anna needs to go home. They bid each other farewell. And Gurov goes home to Moscow.
Unfortunately, though Gurov and Anna parted, the memories linger on. Unable to curtail his feelings, Gurov searches for Anna in Petersburg. They meet again. They agreed that Anna should visit Moscow so they can continue their clandestine affair. In the end, they decide to formulate a plan so they can be together for always. They are aware though that "the most complicated and difficult" part in their plan is just beginning.
“Lady with the Dog” is a haunting tale of star-crossed lovers whose love is doomed from the very start. Gurov and Anna become enmesh with the dilemma because their marriages make them unhappy. They found solace and true love in each other’s arms. Consequently, they indulge in adultery to vent their feelings.
Commentary
While Gurov and Anna do indeed suffer from hellish marriages, their decision to commit adultery must be condemned because society’s acceptance of adultery will take us down a perilous path of deceit, moral degradation and decadence.
Every society adheres to the long-held view that marriage is and always will be a sacred institution. To go against this view - to commit adultery - is to suffer condemnation even to the point of alienation. Gurov and Anna know this. That is why at the end of the story they brace themselves for any eventuality.
The story ‘Lady with the Dog’ offers a glimpse of what adulterous couples go through. On the other side of the coin, the bigger question is what do the greater majority (the families) go through? Granted that what the couple feel for each other is true love, still that doesn’t give them the license to betray other people’s trust or deceive people.
Adultery is not a private sin that is confined within the walls of the home. It affects the emotions of people and the way they relate to society. Often, affected family members react in a negative way. Moral degradation becomes apparent in their conduct. As a consequence they become problems of the society. Illicit affairs often lead to disastrous end too. Because of the adulterous couple’s decadent ways, it is not surprising to read reports about crimes of passion in the papers. Adultery definitely affects society unfavorably.
If society tolerates adultery then it gives out a strong signal that it is okay to commit it. This, of course, will lead to further moral degradation. Children of those adulterous couples will possibly have no qualms following the example set by their parents. Deceit is a foregone conclusion since the illicit affair needs to be kept a secret at all cost.
Adultery also leads to decadence since it becomes a paramount concern that drowns all others. Eventually it destroys relationships and lives. Adultery is akin to taking poison in small doses – it sips out the life out of the person little by little. It doesn’t kill instantly but it kills eventually. It may not be death in physical sense. But it could possibly be far worse - moral, mental and emotional deterioration of a person.
Marriage is a mutual decision of two persons to commit themselves to each other for life. Love is the very foundation of marriage. But as time passes, love sometimes goes stale. Some couples want to recapture the magic of first love. If they cannot, they turn to other people to find what they need. But marriage is not based on feelings. Feelings come. Feelings go. Emotions can sometimes be misleading. It is the decision to stay together that remains, just as it is the decision to commit adultery that makes it easy. Everything starts and ends with the decision. Will over emotions. Mind over matter.
Conclusion
It is important for society to make a strong stand against adultery before it destroys the very moral fiber which holds the community together. Upholding what is right and virtuous often leads to peace and harmony. Adultery, even if it’s true love, is simply unacceptable. A problem cannot be solved by creating another problem. If all else fails, there is always a legal recourse open to the parties involve. All they need is to come up with a decision and be ready for the consequences.
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Something Lost
When I was ten my grandma gave me a pair of small, round diamond earrings. The diamond earrings were set perfectly on top of a heart-shaped gold. There was a clip behind it that secured the earrings tightly to my ears.
It was beautiful. It was unique. Nobody else had a set of earrings like that. Others looked so simple. Mine was elegant. I was the envy of my girl playmates. It was a symbol of girlhood pride. And I basked under its glory. I was like an enamored suitor so attached to my object of affection.
Then one day, after I played outside our house. When I went home I was devastated to find out that one of my most-cherished earrings was gone! I went out again to search for it. Certainly, I must have dropped it somewhere. So I searched every nook and corner. I even enlisted some of my friends to join in the search. Again and again, I went back to the spot where I played to look for the missing earring. All to no avail.
The next day I did the same thing. I searched the place thoroughly. Still, the earrings eluded me. All my hopes in finding it had been dashed. The next few days passed like a nightmare. I was cried most of the time. When I looked at my one earring, I would inevitably be reminded of the one I lost. My ears felt naked without it. I felt I had it for so long, it had become a part of me. It made me feel special. Without it, I felt incomplete. I felt undistinguished. In a way I lost more than an earring. I lost my self-esteem. I had identified myself closely to it that it was hard to be whole again without it.
As the days dragged on and the earrings still out of plain sight, I became frustrated. I was practically inconsolable. I was in no mood to play. Everybody was affected by my mood swings. Yet they were as helpless as me.
Probably part of the frustration I felt was due to the realization that I was helpless. I never felt helpless before. It was the saddest feeling I knew. The attachment I felt towards the earrings made me felt powerless to control things. I also find it hard to let go of my loss. When you lost something you were so attached with you hold on to your loss as long as possible; because you knew that it would somehow bring you closer to the one you love. The pain served as a constant reminder of people or things you lost. If you let go of mourning, you let go of them. I was not prepared to do that just yet.
I refrained from going to the place where I lost my earrings. It became a dreaded place for me. It served as a painful reminder for my loss. For days, I stayed inside the house. I played all by myself with my dolls. I dared not venture outside. I watched my other earring like a hawk. I kept it hidden in a safe corner that I knew. I was fiercely protective of my earring.
I was no longer hysterical. I followed a comfortable pattern by staying at home. My parents though were concerned. They believed it was abnormal for a child to stay at home most of the time. They encouraged me to go out and play.
Later, when days turned to weeks, there was a subtle change in me. I realized I could not go on feeling bad everyday for my loss. I had to learn to cope or I would never be out of the pit I dug myself in.
I began to accept my loss. My chagrin turned to acceptance. It was partly because time had healed the wounds. Acceptance was the key that helped me move on and get over my loss. I was able to face the situation squarely and knew I had done my best. There was nothing left to do.
I took the one earring left and I looked at it one last time. Then I put it inside my drawer vowing never to touch it again. Somehow the act liberated me. I realized that losing the earring had helped me in a way. I was so attached to it that my confidence stemmed from it. When I lost it, I realized, I can be confident on my own. Not in something I owned, but in my abilities, in my positive qualities. I knew I could contribute something positive to the people around me even without my earrings. The earrings only served to heighten the beauty that was already there. In short, it was not the source of beauty after all. It was my character, not a piece of gem, which allowed me to shine.
I made peace with myself and with my loss. Finally, I was able to put aside the unfortunate incident and moved on.
It was beautiful. It was unique. Nobody else had a set of earrings like that. Others looked so simple. Mine was elegant. I was the envy of my girl playmates. It was a symbol of girlhood pride. And I basked under its glory. I was like an enamored suitor so attached to my object of affection.
Then one day, after I played outside our house. When I went home I was devastated to find out that one of my most-cherished earrings was gone! I went out again to search for it. Certainly, I must have dropped it somewhere. So I searched every nook and corner. I even enlisted some of my friends to join in the search. Again and again, I went back to the spot where I played to look for the missing earring. All to no avail.
The next day I did the same thing. I searched the place thoroughly. Still, the earrings eluded me. All my hopes in finding it had been dashed. The next few days passed like a nightmare. I was cried most of the time. When I looked at my one earring, I would inevitably be reminded of the one I lost. My ears felt naked without it. I felt I had it for so long, it had become a part of me. It made me feel special. Without it, I felt incomplete. I felt undistinguished. In a way I lost more than an earring. I lost my self-esteem. I had identified myself closely to it that it was hard to be whole again without it.
As the days dragged on and the earrings still out of plain sight, I became frustrated. I was practically inconsolable. I was in no mood to play. Everybody was affected by my mood swings. Yet they were as helpless as me.
Probably part of the frustration I felt was due to the realization that I was helpless. I never felt helpless before. It was the saddest feeling I knew. The attachment I felt towards the earrings made me felt powerless to control things. I also find it hard to let go of my loss. When you lost something you were so attached with you hold on to your loss as long as possible; because you knew that it would somehow bring you closer to the one you love. The pain served as a constant reminder of people or things you lost. If you let go of mourning, you let go of them. I was not prepared to do that just yet.
I refrained from going to the place where I lost my earrings. It became a dreaded place for me. It served as a painful reminder for my loss. For days, I stayed inside the house. I played all by myself with my dolls. I dared not venture outside. I watched my other earring like a hawk. I kept it hidden in a safe corner that I knew. I was fiercely protective of my earring.
I was no longer hysterical. I followed a comfortable pattern by staying at home. My parents though were concerned. They believed it was abnormal for a child to stay at home most of the time. They encouraged me to go out and play.
Later, when days turned to weeks, there was a subtle change in me. I realized I could not go on feeling bad everyday for my loss. I had to learn to cope or I would never be out of the pit I dug myself in.
I began to accept my loss. My chagrin turned to acceptance. It was partly because time had healed the wounds. Acceptance was the key that helped me move on and get over my loss. I was able to face the situation squarely and knew I had done my best. There was nothing left to do.
I took the one earring left and I looked at it one last time. Then I put it inside my drawer vowing never to touch it again. Somehow the act liberated me. I realized that losing the earring had helped me in a way. I was so attached to it that my confidence stemmed from it. When I lost it, I realized, I can be confident on my own. Not in something I owned, but in my abilities, in my positive qualities. I knew I could contribute something positive to the people around me even without my earrings. The earrings only served to heighten the beauty that was already there. In short, it was not the source of beauty after all. It was my character, not a piece of gem, which allowed me to shine.
I made peace with myself and with my loss. Finally, I was able to put aside the unfortunate incident and moved on.
Five Details
A new pair of tennis shoes, a shiny gold chain, a spilled hot mocha, a freshly made bed, and the smell of the world after a rain storm.
Gem was in a quandary.
She had not been feeling well these past few days. Well, for the longest time actually. She was alone at home. Her husband, Corey, was out to work. She had been spending the whole day cleaning the house. Satisfied with her efforts, she got herself a hot mocha to drink. She used to share hot mocha drink with Corey. But not anymore. She sighed. Then she sat by the table and mulled. She felt lonely.
She instinctively looked through the window.
Outside the world looked dark and dreary, as dark and dreary as she felt inside. It rained so hard the whole day.
‘Nature empathizes with me.’ She thought with a sinking feeling.
It had been her natural state for the past days, weeks even.
She could not tell exactly when it started - this depression, this gnawing anxiety. An amalgamation of events led her to this bleak day.
It probably escalated when she and Cory quarreled a few days back. They had petty quarrels even before. Gem somehow felt she was at the end of her rope.
She needed Corey.
But then, she also needed something more from him.
Corey’s love had been a beckon of hope for her all through these years. Somehow as the years went by, the light extinguished.
She woke up one day and the love was gone!
They must have drifted apart somewhere along the way without their knowledge. The bond they shared eroded as the years passed.
Gem sighed. Her hands shook. She spilled the hot mocha on the white tablecloth, much to her dismay. She quickly wiped off the spill. Then hastily picked up the stained cloth and soaked it in water.
As she headed to the laundry room, her eye got caught by Corey’s new pair of tennis shoes, idly leaning against the wall.
Gem felt a stab of pain through her heart. They bought the tennis shoes together because Corey wanted to teach her to play tennis.
She declined.
Corey could not handle the rejection. They quarreled and now they were no longer in speaking terms.
It was all her fault! But what else could she do? She could not feel the chemistry between them anymore. Their lives fell into a predictable pattern. They were so comfortable with each other that they took each other for granted. Gone were the days that they would go out on a date. Corey would not even say ‘I love you’ to her like he used to. They did not talk as often as before.
It was getting harder and harder to be around Corey. She did not want to pretend anymore.
She didn’t want to cry. She tried to hold back the tears. Yet, the tears came streaming down.
Gem heard a car pulled through the driveway. She glanced at the clock. It was 6 p.m. It must be Corey, home from work.
Gem hurriedly wiped off the tears from her eyes. Then she proceeded to do the laundry. Corey came inside. Gem briefly looked at him.
Corey nodded in her direction. She didn’t respond.
She went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Corey went to the bedroom to change.
Corey came out a few minutes later in white shirt and white short pants. Corey, just like Gem, was in his late thirties. They had been married for a little over five years. Corey still looked handsome despite his age. His tall, medium-built frame looked perfect in the clothes he was wearing. Unlike other men, Corey did not have the ugly bulge on his stomach. Corey took good care of himself.
“Hi Gem.” He greeted her as he settled on the sofa.
He used to call her ‘sweetie’ now it was Gem. She sighed.
“Hi.” Gem answered wryly.
The dinner table was set.
“Shall we eat?” Corey asked.
“Yes.”
But Corey did not move from where he sat. He looked at her with those deep, probing eyes, then queried, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t seem okay.”
Gem would have wanted to shout ‘it’s none of your business!’ but she kept her emotions in closed lid. “I am.”
“I’ve been wondering about this for days.” Corey slowly said. “Tell me something. I want you to be honest.”
Gem nodded.
“Are you tired of me?” he asked squarely.
Gem was momentarily taken aback. It was a direct question that demanded an equally direct answer.
Gem sighed. She looked away. She could not bear to hurt Corey. But she needed to do this. “Yes.” She answered softly.
Corey did not seem surprise at Gem’s revelation. “I could tell”, was all he said.
Gem waited more from him but when none came, she asked “So what do you intend to do about it?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes. Nothing. Am I supposed to do something?”
“Yes!” Gem shrieked out. “For our marriage’s sake you are SUPPOSED to do something about it. I EXPECT you to do something about it!” She was shouting at the top of her lungs now. What was worse, she was way past caring.
Corey was caught off-guard. He was momentarily at a loss for words. When he regained his poise, he managed to ask “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to look deeper into yourself and know where you failed me.” Gem said in no uncertain terms.
“But honey, you need to know, whatever grief I caused you, I didn’t do it intentionally. I love you all this time.” Corey said empathically.
“I wish I can believe you, Corey.” Gem said in hushed tone.
Then she walked away, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. Corey looked at her turned back for a long time.
Gem felt a bit guilty for telling him off. She wondered if she had hurt him.
Gem didn’t speak. She sat down in her chair and ate silently. Corey sat and ate with her. He too was silent. She wondered what Corey was thinking. If he thought he could woo her back then he was wrong. This problem had dragged on for so long, it was beyond repair. If she would not act soon, the problem would occur over and over again. A vicious cycle. She felt obliged to put a stop to it right here, right now.
Corey tried to cheer Gem up. He tried to crack jokes to ease the uncomfortable silence that enveloped them. Looking at Corey’s earnest eyes and infectious smile, she could not help but play along. At least they would be a couple for one day - one final time?
For the umpteenth time, Gem felt like crying.
“You’re not eating.” Corey said.
Gem forced a spoonful of lasagna in her mouth.
After dinner, Corey went to the bedroom again.
Gem stayed at the living room.
Minutes later, Corey went out of the room. He bid Gem goodbye and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to the get something at the store.”
Gem forced a smile as she bid him goodbye.
She went inside the bedroom to get the dirty laundry in the hamper. She noticed the freshly made bed. In her rush to get things done, she forgot to attend to the bed. Corey must have noticed it and made the bed himself.
She noticed a letter neatly folded on top of her dresser when she passed by. She opened it and read the letter. It was from Cory, addressed to her.
“Dear Gem,
I know what you are going through, honey. Whatever I did, to bring you to this point, I apologize. I didn’t mean it. I wanted to give you heaven but I didn’t know that you are in hell. I respect whatever decision you can come up with, as long as you will be happy.”
Gem had to pause as tears blurred her vision, then resumed reading:
“I will not justify my actions. I am not perfect. I admit I have wronged you sometimes. But before you decide and seal our fate, please take a moment to look back what we once had. Remember I may not always show you love but I was there through the worst times.
When your car stalled, I drove all the way to where you are to fetch you.
When you fell ill, I held you in my arms to soothe your pain.
When you failed at something, I was there to comfort you.
When you felt bad, I would make you feel better.
When you want to cry, I brought a smile to your face.
You see, after all this, I know I cannot let you go. Not because I’m selfish but because I worry who will take care of you? Until such time that you will find a man who will love you as much as I do, I don’t have the heart to let you go.
I gave you a shiny gold chain the night you said ‘yes’ to my marriage proposal. I will give you another one tonight. If you take it, it means you agree to stay. If not, I understand.”
Love you honey,
Corey
Gem cried as if she had never cried before. How many times had she overlooked Corey’s gesture of love? She wanted more from him but she realized she should be more for him.
Gem went out of the bedroom to look for Corey. She saw him standing by the door, looking so uncertain. He was worried. Gem could tell. He was holding a tiny red box in his hand. When Gem approached, Corey opened the box. The shiny gold chain glittered under the light. Gem’s tears fell in quick succession. Corey looked at her. She took a few steps forward then took the chain from the box.
Corey smiled. Gem smiled at him. She nodded in silent agreement as he fumbled on the lock and struggled to put the chain around her neck. They hugged for a long time.
Outside, the world was a picture of stillness. The smell of the world after a rain storm pervaded. Finally, the storm has passed.
-by Me
Gem was in a quandary.
She had not been feeling well these past few days. Well, for the longest time actually. She was alone at home. Her husband, Corey, was out to work. She had been spending the whole day cleaning the house. Satisfied with her efforts, she got herself a hot mocha to drink. She used to share hot mocha drink with Corey. But not anymore. She sighed. Then she sat by the table and mulled. She felt lonely.
She instinctively looked through the window.
Outside the world looked dark and dreary, as dark and dreary as she felt inside. It rained so hard the whole day.
‘Nature empathizes with me.’ She thought with a sinking feeling.
It had been her natural state for the past days, weeks even.
She could not tell exactly when it started - this depression, this gnawing anxiety. An amalgamation of events led her to this bleak day.
It probably escalated when she and Cory quarreled a few days back. They had petty quarrels even before. Gem somehow felt she was at the end of her rope.
She needed Corey.
But then, she also needed something more from him.
Corey’s love had been a beckon of hope for her all through these years. Somehow as the years went by, the light extinguished.
She woke up one day and the love was gone!
They must have drifted apart somewhere along the way without their knowledge. The bond they shared eroded as the years passed.
Gem sighed. Her hands shook. She spilled the hot mocha on the white tablecloth, much to her dismay. She quickly wiped off the spill. Then hastily picked up the stained cloth and soaked it in water.
As she headed to the laundry room, her eye got caught by Corey’s new pair of tennis shoes, idly leaning against the wall.
Gem felt a stab of pain through her heart. They bought the tennis shoes together because Corey wanted to teach her to play tennis.
She declined.
Corey could not handle the rejection. They quarreled and now they were no longer in speaking terms.
It was all her fault! But what else could she do? She could not feel the chemistry between them anymore. Their lives fell into a predictable pattern. They were so comfortable with each other that they took each other for granted. Gone were the days that they would go out on a date. Corey would not even say ‘I love you’ to her like he used to. They did not talk as often as before.
It was getting harder and harder to be around Corey. She did not want to pretend anymore.
She didn’t want to cry. She tried to hold back the tears. Yet, the tears came streaming down.
Gem heard a car pulled through the driveway. She glanced at the clock. It was 6 p.m. It must be Corey, home from work.
Gem hurriedly wiped off the tears from her eyes. Then she proceeded to do the laundry. Corey came inside. Gem briefly looked at him.
Corey nodded in her direction. She didn’t respond.
She went to the kitchen to prepare dinner.
Corey went to the bedroom to change.
Corey came out a few minutes later in white shirt and white short pants. Corey, just like Gem, was in his late thirties. They had been married for a little over five years. Corey still looked handsome despite his age. His tall, medium-built frame looked perfect in the clothes he was wearing. Unlike other men, Corey did not have the ugly bulge on his stomach. Corey took good care of himself.
“Hi Gem.” He greeted her as he settled on the sofa.
He used to call her ‘sweetie’ now it was Gem. She sighed.
“Hi.” Gem answered wryly.
The dinner table was set.
“Shall we eat?” Corey asked.
“Yes.”
But Corey did not move from where he sat. He looked at her with those deep, probing eyes, then queried, “Is everything okay?”
“Yes.”
“You don’t seem okay.”
Gem would have wanted to shout ‘it’s none of your business!’ but she kept her emotions in closed lid. “I am.”
“I’ve been wondering about this for days.” Corey slowly said. “Tell me something. I want you to be honest.”
Gem nodded.
“Are you tired of me?” he asked squarely.
Gem was momentarily taken aback. It was a direct question that demanded an equally direct answer.
Gem sighed. She looked away. She could not bear to hurt Corey. But she needed to do this. “Yes.” She answered softly.
Corey did not seem surprise at Gem’s revelation. “I could tell”, was all he said.
Gem waited more from him but when none came, she asked “So what do you intend to do about it?”
“Nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“Yes. Nothing. Am I supposed to do something?”
“Yes!” Gem shrieked out. “For our marriage’s sake you are SUPPOSED to do something about it. I EXPECT you to do something about it!” She was shouting at the top of her lungs now. What was worse, she was way past caring.
Corey was caught off-guard. He was momentarily at a loss for words. When he regained his poise, he managed to ask “What do you want me to do?”
“I want you to look deeper into yourself and know where you failed me.” Gem said in no uncertain terms.
“But honey, you need to know, whatever grief I caused you, I didn’t do it intentionally. I love you all this time.” Corey said empathically.
“I wish I can believe you, Corey.” Gem said in hushed tone.
Then she walked away, feeling the weight of the world on her shoulders. Corey looked at her turned back for a long time.
Gem felt a bit guilty for telling him off. She wondered if she had hurt him.
Gem didn’t speak. She sat down in her chair and ate silently. Corey sat and ate with her. He too was silent. She wondered what Corey was thinking. If he thought he could woo her back then he was wrong. This problem had dragged on for so long, it was beyond repair. If she would not act soon, the problem would occur over and over again. A vicious cycle. She felt obliged to put a stop to it right here, right now.
Corey tried to cheer Gem up. He tried to crack jokes to ease the uncomfortable silence that enveloped them. Looking at Corey’s earnest eyes and infectious smile, she could not help but play along. At least they would be a couple for one day - one final time?
For the umpteenth time, Gem felt like crying.
“You’re not eating.” Corey said.
Gem forced a spoonful of lasagna in her mouth.
After dinner, Corey went to the bedroom again.
Gem stayed at the living room.
Minutes later, Corey went out of the room. He bid Gem goodbye and kissed her on the forehead. “I’m going to the get something at the store.”
Gem forced a smile as she bid him goodbye.
She went inside the bedroom to get the dirty laundry in the hamper. She noticed the freshly made bed. In her rush to get things done, she forgot to attend to the bed. Corey must have noticed it and made the bed himself.
She noticed a letter neatly folded on top of her dresser when she passed by. She opened it and read the letter. It was from Cory, addressed to her.
“Dear Gem,
I know what you are going through, honey. Whatever I did, to bring you to this point, I apologize. I didn’t mean it. I wanted to give you heaven but I didn’t know that you are in hell. I respect whatever decision you can come up with, as long as you will be happy.”
Gem had to pause as tears blurred her vision, then resumed reading:
“I will not justify my actions. I am not perfect. I admit I have wronged you sometimes. But before you decide and seal our fate, please take a moment to look back what we once had. Remember I may not always show you love but I was there through the worst times.
When your car stalled, I drove all the way to where you are to fetch you.
When you fell ill, I held you in my arms to soothe your pain.
When you failed at something, I was there to comfort you.
When you felt bad, I would make you feel better.
When you want to cry, I brought a smile to your face.
You see, after all this, I know I cannot let you go. Not because I’m selfish but because I worry who will take care of you? Until such time that you will find a man who will love you as much as I do, I don’t have the heart to let you go.
I gave you a shiny gold chain the night you said ‘yes’ to my marriage proposal. I will give you another one tonight. If you take it, it means you agree to stay. If not, I understand.”
Love you honey,
Corey
Gem cried as if she had never cried before. How many times had she overlooked Corey’s gesture of love? She wanted more from him but she realized she should be more for him.
Gem went out of the bedroom to look for Corey. She saw him standing by the door, looking so uncertain. He was worried. Gem could tell. He was holding a tiny red box in his hand. When Gem approached, Corey opened the box. The shiny gold chain glittered under the light. Gem’s tears fell in quick succession. Corey looked at her. She took a few steps forward then took the chain from the box.
Corey smiled. Gem smiled at him. She nodded in silent agreement as he fumbled on the lock and struggled to put the chain around her neck. They hugged for a long time.
Outside, the world was a picture of stillness. The smell of the world after a rain storm pervaded. Finally, the storm has passed.
-by Me
The Caretaker by Anthony Doerr
The Shell Collector by Anthony Doerr is a debut collection of eight wonderful stories. Each focuses on an unlikely modern hero, often it is about a man who cuts himself off from society and detached even from himself. The displacement serves as an impetus to bring him in closer contact with the forces of nature and deeper into his inner self.
Nature is an important part of Doerr's story. The thick green forests and whispering shores, cold rivers and jungles offer refreshment away from the pressures of contemporary society and popular culture. In their place are starker universal confrontations with fellow man and the self. In fact, Doerr's stories are full of mythic elements.
The most powerful and haunting tale among the Shell Collector story is “The Caretaker". This story essays the life of a man named Joseph Saleeby. He is a refugee from the Liberian civil war who loses his mother and his way of life. He survives the terrifying carnage in his homeland and found himself washed upon the shores of Oregon. Joseph started anew by working as a caretaker for a summer home of rich people who have "something to do with computers,". But as the days dragged on, he found himself unable to do his job as the millionaire’s houseboy because the horrors he experienced in the civil war prevented him to do so.
Joseph Saleeby is a man drowning in memories of hatcheted limbs and bloody bodies. He is broken, haunted by the violent real-life nightmares that drove him from his home. He witnessed “decapitated children, drugged boys tearing open a pregnant girl, a man hung over a balcony with his severed hands in his mouth” as well as “rape, murder, an infant kicked against a wall, a boy with a clutch of dried ears suspended from his neck”. Such were the images that filled his memory.
One day he found himself confronted by the sight of six beached whales. Joseph witnesses the beaching of five whales on the Oregon coast. In a moving act that stems from guilt and repentance, the refugee buries the hearts of the dead whales. Those gigantic organs though do not seem large enough to cover the broadness of his grief. He compulsively buries the beached whales’ hearts in a brave attempt to lay his own demons to rest. The ritualized burial of the hearts of five beached whales, which were wash up on shore the same way Joseph did, had somehow revived him.
Joseph loses his job. He stays though to cultivate the plot of land on top the hearts. Joseph Saleeby found the peace he sought in hiding, tending a garden fertilized by the huge remains of a beached whale. He befriended the deaf and depressed daughter of the house's owners. His relationship with the deaf daughter, Belle, is almost telepehatic. He seems to know instantly what is going on with Belle. So much so that he is able to rescue her from suicide.
Together, Joseph and Belle, search for redemption in the garden they cultivated. Their cautious, new friendship formed from the unfortunate circumstance also buoyed them from their inner struggles. His sense of life comes back to him in a dazzling way as he sees his garden germinates: "By mid June the stems of his plants are inches high..the buds have separated into delicate flowers; what looked like a solid green shoot was actually a tightly folded blossom. He feels like shouting with joy". Joseph’s psychological self-preservation that comes from burying the hearts of five beached whales becomes complete when he eats a melon grown from the fertilized soil. This is probably the most moving passage of the story.
The story depicts isolation, confrontation with the self and redemption through nature. An interesting moral of the story is that humans can never escape the power of nature -- their own or the earth's -- however civilized they may be as depicted by Joseph’s empathy with the beached whales and ensuing bond with Belle.
From the story, it can be gleaned that misfits make the strongest connections because they have to struggle for a sense of identity, empathy, and a common language. Joseph and Belle are the misfits. Their friendship stems from their common need to be understood. Inside them are the inner demons they want to get rid of. Both are haunted by a sense of loneliness and isolation in their struggles. And because of their common plight, an instantaneous and silent bond formed between them. They created the strongest bond out of need not out of luxury. They need each other’s help to be able to direct their path to the right direction. Theirs is a bond formed out of their need to find themselves. They can instantly empathize with each other because their experiences teach them to look beyond the façade. They could understand what the other is going through without being told as depicted by the almost telepathic relationship between Joseph and Belle. The language that binds them is the language of the heart which does not really require expression. A sense of understanding between them suffices.
Nature is an important part of Doerr's story. The thick green forests and whispering shores, cold rivers and jungles offer refreshment away from the pressures of contemporary society and popular culture. In their place are starker universal confrontations with fellow man and the self. In fact, Doerr's stories are full of mythic elements.
The most powerful and haunting tale among the Shell Collector story is “The Caretaker". This story essays the life of a man named Joseph Saleeby. He is a refugee from the Liberian civil war who loses his mother and his way of life. He survives the terrifying carnage in his homeland and found himself washed upon the shores of Oregon. Joseph started anew by working as a caretaker for a summer home of rich people who have "something to do with computers,". But as the days dragged on, he found himself unable to do his job as the millionaire’s houseboy because the horrors he experienced in the civil war prevented him to do so.
Joseph Saleeby is a man drowning in memories of hatcheted limbs and bloody bodies. He is broken, haunted by the violent real-life nightmares that drove him from his home. He witnessed “decapitated children, drugged boys tearing open a pregnant girl, a man hung over a balcony with his severed hands in his mouth” as well as “rape, murder, an infant kicked against a wall, a boy with a clutch of dried ears suspended from his neck”. Such were the images that filled his memory.
One day he found himself confronted by the sight of six beached whales. Joseph witnesses the beaching of five whales on the Oregon coast. In a moving act that stems from guilt and repentance, the refugee buries the hearts of the dead whales. Those gigantic organs though do not seem large enough to cover the broadness of his grief. He compulsively buries the beached whales’ hearts in a brave attempt to lay his own demons to rest. The ritualized burial of the hearts of five beached whales, which were wash up on shore the same way Joseph did, had somehow revived him.
Joseph loses his job. He stays though to cultivate the plot of land on top the hearts. Joseph Saleeby found the peace he sought in hiding, tending a garden fertilized by the huge remains of a beached whale. He befriended the deaf and depressed daughter of the house's owners. His relationship with the deaf daughter, Belle, is almost telepehatic. He seems to know instantly what is going on with Belle. So much so that he is able to rescue her from suicide.
Together, Joseph and Belle, search for redemption in the garden they cultivated. Their cautious, new friendship formed from the unfortunate circumstance also buoyed them from their inner struggles. His sense of life comes back to him in a dazzling way as he sees his garden germinates: "By mid June the stems of his plants are inches high..the buds have separated into delicate flowers; what looked like a solid green shoot was actually a tightly folded blossom. He feels like shouting with joy". Joseph’s psychological self-preservation that comes from burying the hearts of five beached whales becomes complete when he eats a melon grown from the fertilized soil. This is probably the most moving passage of the story.
The story depicts isolation, confrontation with the self and redemption through nature. An interesting moral of the story is that humans can never escape the power of nature -- their own or the earth's -- however civilized they may be as depicted by Joseph’s empathy with the beached whales and ensuing bond with Belle.
From the story, it can be gleaned that misfits make the strongest connections because they have to struggle for a sense of identity, empathy, and a common language. Joseph and Belle are the misfits. Their friendship stems from their common need to be understood. Inside them are the inner demons they want to get rid of. Both are haunted by a sense of loneliness and isolation in their struggles. And because of their common plight, an instantaneous and silent bond formed between them. They created the strongest bond out of need not out of luxury. They need each other’s help to be able to direct their path to the right direction. Theirs is a bond formed out of their need to find themselves. They can instantly empathize with each other because their experiences teach them to look beyond the façade. They could understand what the other is going through without being told as depicted by the almost telepathic relationship between Joseph and Belle. The language that binds them is the language of the heart which does not really require expression. A sense of understanding between them suffices.
Monday, July 24, 2006
Miracle of a Song
This is a true story.
The kid looked drained. He was barely seven years old and here he was struck by dengue. It has been a week since he felt the fever. But the mother did not have the money.....
The hospital's Intensive Care Unit was in utter chaos! The seven-year-old boy was on the verge of life-and-death. The two attending physicians were in a quandary. They could not find an IV site! And the little boy was getting weaker by the minute. The doctors and nurses stared helplessly as they tried in vain to search for an IV site to inject the dextrose with. There was none!
The young boy's life was quickly ebbing away right before the physicians' eyes. His precious young life depended on them. Yet they knew if they couldn't attach the dextrose soon....
Then out of nowhere, a voice broke the deadly silence. It was the doctor trying to sing a few lines of Don Moen's song 'God will make a Way'. Out of the stillness of the early morn, his first tentative lines rang out clearly in the ICU...
'God will make away,
Where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see....'
The other doctor, a resident phsyician, sensing what her friend was trying to do joined in the singing. In times of trouble only God can find a way indeed. It was a long shot...But it might work. Before long the entire staff present at the ICU joined in the singing too.
"He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make away
He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today."
They finished the song and miraculously they were able to find two IV sites right after. Immediately, the dextrose was safely tucked in place. And if that wasn't enough...two days later the little boy got completely cured of dengue. And was released from the hospital.
"When we rely on God...all is not lost."
(The resident physician of the little boy, who is now a full-fledged pediatrician, is my sister, Dr. Lyndin Cuizon. )
-by Me
The kid looked drained. He was barely seven years old and here he was struck by dengue. It has been a week since he felt the fever. But the mother did not have the money.....
The hospital's Intensive Care Unit was in utter chaos! The seven-year-old boy was on the verge of life-and-death. The two attending physicians were in a quandary. They could not find an IV site! And the little boy was getting weaker by the minute. The doctors and nurses stared helplessly as they tried in vain to search for an IV site to inject the dextrose with. There was none!
The young boy's life was quickly ebbing away right before the physicians' eyes. His precious young life depended on them. Yet they knew if they couldn't attach the dextrose soon....
Then out of nowhere, a voice broke the deadly silence. It was the doctor trying to sing a few lines of Don Moen's song 'God will make a Way'. Out of the stillness of the early morn, his first tentative lines rang out clearly in the ICU...
'God will make away,
Where there seems to be no way,
He works in ways we cannot see....'
The other doctor, a resident phsyician, sensing what her friend was trying to do joined in the singing. In times of trouble only God can find a way indeed. It was a long shot...But it might work. Before long the entire staff present at the ICU joined in the singing too.
"He will make a way for me
He will be my guide
Hold me closely to His side
With love and strength
For each new day
He will make away
He will make a way
By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me
And rivers in the desert will I see
Heaven and earth will fade
But His Word will still remain
He will do something new today."
They finished the song and miraculously they were able to find two IV sites right after. Immediately, the dextrose was safely tucked in place. And if that wasn't enough...two days later the little boy got completely cured of dengue. And was released from the hospital.
"When we rely on God...all is not lost."
(The resident physician of the little boy, who is now a full-fledged pediatrician, is my sister, Dr. Lyndin Cuizon. )
-by Me
Truth Hurts
Truth hurts.'
That's the truth in a nutshell.
That is why some people are just content to hide behind their lies. Some would even lie to your face just so they can appear innocent.
It is merely because of their refusal to admit the truth! And to let their true colors show. They would rather pretend they are invincible than admit the wrong they did.
But somehow, truth prevails. And in the end, it is all that matters.
That's the truth in a nutshell.
That is why some people are just content to hide behind their lies. Some would even lie to your face just so they can appear innocent.
It is merely because of their refusal to admit the truth! And to let their true colors show. They would rather pretend they are invincible than admit the wrong they did.
But somehow, truth prevails. And in the end, it is all that matters.
You Get What You Deserve
I had a slight fever one day. My head throbbed. And my throat was sore. After work, I headed to the house immediately. I would have wanted to buy some stuffs from the department store or hang out in a resturant. But my body was begging for a respite.
AfterI got into my room, I went to the kitchen to get hot water. A friend named Katrina was there. She talked lengthily about food and her future plans that my own plan of lounging in my room was temporarily shelved. The conversation was truly engaging. And I found out that we have a lot of things in common particularly in attitudes and values.
For someone so young (she's only 18 years old), it is refreshing to note that she has a lot of plans for her future. Foresight is a trait that seems to be in short supply these days. Most young people I know appear to live for the here and now. What they don't know is that life is synonymous with growth. Without growth, life becomes stagnant. And a stagnant life has no future. A very vicious cycle indeed.
Tiger Woods once said in aninterview, "You get out of golf what you put into it. If you bust your butt and work hard, you will improve."
The same is true in life. You get out of life what you put in it too.
AfterI got into my room, I went to the kitchen to get hot water. A friend named Katrina was there. She talked lengthily about food and her future plans that my own plan of lounging in my room was temporarily shelved. The conversation was truly engaging. And I found out that we have a lot of things in common particularly in attitudes and values.
For someone so young (she's only 18 years old), it is refreshing to note that she has a lot of plans for her future. Foresight is a trait that seems to be in short supply these days. Most young people I know appear to live for the here and now. What they don't know is that life is synonymous with growth. Without growth, life becomes stagnant. And a stagnant life has no future. A very vicious cycle indeed.
Tiger Woods once said in aninterview, "You get out of golf what you put into it. If you bust your butt and work hard, you will improve."
The same is true in life. You get out of life what you put in it too.
Subtleties of Enigma
Life itself is a source of mystery - an enigma that could not be deciphered despite all its underlying subtleties. The powers of mind may lend itself useless against the frailties of the human body. Human beings are limited as their capabilities but boundless as their visions. It’s the imagination that sets us apart from the primate. That merges our soul with the divine and completes the mystery.
The subtleties of this enigma may escape the grasps of the conscious mind. But it does leave imprints at the very core – in the heart and soul.
We are human- part and parcel of the Highest Being, our God. What is there left to know?
*pardon the musings of a curious mind.....
-By Me
The subtleties of this enigma may escape the grasps of the conscious mind. But it does leave imprints at the very core – in the heart and soul.
We are human- part and parcel of the Highest Being, our God. What is there left to know?
*pardon the musings of a curious mind.....
-By Me
Guardian Angel
This is a true story.
I read an article about guardian angels in Philippine Inquirer sometime in 1998. I found the story very interesting that is why I was able to commit this to memory.
The author is a girl studying in one of the exclusive schools here in the Philippines. She was intrigued by the idea of a guardian angel. So while driving on her way to school she whispered a prayer asking God to manifest to her the guardian angel.
Upon arriving in school, she followed the required steps to enrol. To her surprise, none of her friends bothered to come near her and offer to help even though they bumped with each other at the hallway.
Later that day, after she finished with the enrolment process, she approached one of her friends and asked why they seemed to be avoiding her.
To her amazement, her friend replied "We don't want to bother you and your date."
"Date? What date are you talking about? I was alone the entire day!" She quickly retorted.
"You can't be serious! Then who's the good-looking chinito guy hovering near you the entire day?" her friend asked.
Not contented with her friend's explanation she called the rest of her friends to ask them the same question. And all seven of her friends said the same thing.
She was accompanied by a tall, good-looking guy the entire day!Thinking that he was her date, they did not bother to go near her. Even her classmates who saw her said the same thing.
The author surmised that the guy she was with, whom everybody saw except her, was probably her guardian angel. She prayed for the angel to manifest and God must have answered her prayers. And she excitedly shared her story to show that angels are indeed Real!
After reading her story, naturally I was curious about it. So I muttered a short prayer on my way to work asking God to manifest to me my guardian angel.
As the day dragged on, my hopes gave way to disappointmenet as the day seemed to end with no angel in sight.
Then a few minutes before the office closed, my officemate walked in with this beautiful carved statue. She put it on top of my table and said that she was giving it to me as a gift.
Guess what it was?
It was an angel! A cherubim actually. She was no more than 10 years old, very pretty, very sweet-looking creature.
I almost cried upon seeing the statue.
When my excitement subsided, I inquired from my officemate why she thought of giving me (of all things!) an angel figurine?
She replied matter-of-factly, "Well, I passed by St. Paul's to buy a rosary on my way here. Then my eye caught sight of this beautiful angel. The first thing that came to my mind was you. So I decided to buy it and give it to you. It was just one of those spur-of-the-moment thing, an instinct. I guess."
I nodded. Then smiled widely and thanked her.
Deep in my heart I know it wasn't just an instinct. It was my angel calling out to her!
I read an article about guardian angels in Philippine Inquirer sometime in 1998. I found the story very interesting that is why I was able to commit this to memory.
The author is a girl studying in one of the exclusive schools here in the Philippines. She was intrigued by the idea of a guardian angel. So while driving on her way to school she whispered a prayer asking God to manifest to her the guardian angel.
Upon arriving in school, she followed the required steps to enrol. To her surprise, none of her friends bothered to come near her and offer to help even though they bumped with each other at the hallway.
Later that day, after she finished with the enrolment process, she approached one of her friends and asked why they seemed to be avoiding her.
To her amazement, her friend replied "We don't want to bother you and your date."
"Date? What date are you talking about? I was alone the entire day!" She quickly retorted.
"You can't be serious! Then who's the good-looking chinito guy hovering near you the entire day?" her friend asked.
Not contented with her friend's explanation she called the rest of her friends to ask them the same question. And all seven of her friends said the same thing.
She was accompanied by a tall, good-looking guy the entire day!Thinking that he was her date, they did not bother to go near her. Even her classmates who saw her said the same thing.
The author surmised that the guy she was with, whom everybody saw except her, was probably her guardian angel. She prayed for the angel to manifest and God must have answered her prayers. And she excitedly shared her story to show that angels are indeed Real!
After reading her story, naturally I was curious about it. So I muttered a short prayer on my way to work asking God to manifest to me my guardian angel.
As the day dragged on, my hopes gave way to disappointmenet as the day seemed to end with no angel in sight.
Then a few minutes before the office closed, my officemate walked in with this beautiful carved statue. She put it on top of my table and said that she was giving it to me as a gift.
Guess what it was?
It was an angel! A cherubim actually. She was no more than 10 years old, very pretty, very sweet-looking creature.
I almost cried upon seeing the statue.
When my excitement subsided, I inquired from my officemate why she thought of giving me (of all things!) an angel figurine?
She replied matter-of-factly, "Well, I passed by St. Paul's to buy a rosary on my way here. Then my eye caught sight of this beautiful angel. The first thing that came to my mind was you. So I decided to buy it and give it to you. It was just one of those spur-of-the-moment thing, an instinct. I guess."
I nodded. Then smiled widely and thanked her.
Deep in my heart I know it wasn't just an instinct. It was my angel calling out to her!
A Tribute to Friendship
“I love you not because of who you are,
But who I BECOME when I am with you….”
I never believe in coincidences.
I believe God puts in our paths
the people He meant us to meet,
HE has a way of bridging the gap
between strangers.
Of letting their paths cross
in the most unexpected places.
In that infinitesimal moment
our lives touch
deep bond forms
that changes us for the better.
Such is the beauty of friendship.
Friends are genuine souls
that unfailingly reflect what we value in ourselves.
The instant we lay eyes on them
We know that we belong.
It is the heart calling out to another heart.
The one who answers become our heart’s keeper.
Kindred spirits.
Friends.
We love them
because we know that beyond the cold exterior
or the enchanting facade
one can’t disguise the Goodness of their hearts.
Truth and goodnesss
will irresistibly draw us to our Friends.
And these things
will make the friendship last.
-by Me
But who I BECOME when I am with you….”
I never believe in coincidences.
I believe God puts in our paths
the people He meant us to meet,
HE has a way of bridging the gap
between strangers.
Of letting their paths cross
in the most unexpected places.
In that infinitesimal moment
our lives touch
deep bond forms
that changes us for the better.
Such is the beauty of friendship.
Friends are genuine souls
that unfailingly reflect what we value in ourselves.
The instant we lay eyes on them
We know that we belong.
It is the heart calling out to another heart.
The one who answers become our heart’s keeper.
Kindred spirits.
Friends.
We love them
because we know that beyond the cold exterior
or the enchanting facade
one can’t disguise the Goodness of their hearts.
Truth and goodnesss
will irresistibly draw us to our Friends.
And these things
will make the friendship last.
-by Me
God's Favorites
A friend called me the other night because she felt utterly sad. She asked me why do bad people seem to get away with being bad? They seemed to be happier, more successful, popular and moneyed than godly people.
Ah! The age-old question that did not seem to wane thru time. I wracked my brains for an answer. But came up with none coz this proved to be a puzzle for me too. I've seen people who did ghastly acts yet they seemed to prosper some more. Godly people, on the other hand, who would not compromise principles seemed to be less blessed materially or in social status.
So I ponder on this for awhile. Trying to come up with something- anything. Then out of nowhere an idea struck me like a bolt of lightning.
Bad people indeed seemed to have it all - wine, women and song. While godly people scraped for what is left, these 'bad people' seemed to have everything in excess (not that all rich people are bad!)
You see the operative word is seemed. They seemed to have it all. What seems to be does not necessarily mean what is real. And that's the world they lived in - unreal.
Yes, it's true they drove fast cars, go out with fast women and lead a fast life. And all of that is real. None of it is imagined. But what they failed to see is that life on earth is but temporary.
Nothing lasts.
We are all here to prepare for eternal life. And what we do here could spell the difference between eternal damnation or eternal bliss!
Yes, in plain terms - hell or heaven!
Ungodly people may seemed more successful because they are driven by worldly desires. They want the here and now regardless of the consequences. And in the process reaped all the worldly pleasures - only.
Godly people, on the other hand, know that everything we see here is not only temporary but also a test for our souls. A test that enables only the deserving to reap heaven.
What you sow, you reap.
So what's seeming success in the long run isn't success after all. Real success is in pleasing God and spending not just a lifetime but an eternity with Him.
Ah! The age-old question that did not seem to wane thru time. I wracked my brains for an answer. But came up with none coz this proved to be a puzzle for me too. I've seen people who did ghastly acts yet they seemed to prosper some more. Godly people, on the other hand, who would not compromise principles seemed to be less blessed materially or in social status.
So I ponder on this for awhile. Trying to come up with something- anything. Then out of nowhere an idea struck me like a bolt of lightning.
Bad people indeed seemed to have it all - wine, women and song. While godly people scraped for what is left, these 'bad people' seemed to have everything in excess (not that all rich people are bad!)
You see the operative word is seemed. They seemed to have it all. What seems to be does not necessarily mean what is real. And that's the world they lived in - unreal.
Yes, it's true they drove fast cars, go out with fast women and lead a fast life. And all of that is real. None of it is imagined. But what they failed to see is that life on earth is but temporary.
Nothing lasts.
We are all here to prepare for eternal life. And what we do here could spell the difference between eternal damnation or eternal bliss!
Yes, in plain terms - hell or heaven!
Ungodly people may seemed more successful because they are driven by worldly desires. They want the here and now regardless of the consequences. And in the process reaped all the worldly pleasures - only.
Godly people, on the other hand, know that everything we see here is not only temporary but also a test for our souls. A test that enables only the deserving to reap heaven.
What you sow, you reap.
So what's seeming success in the long run isn't success after all. Real success is in pleasing God and spending not just a lifetime but an eternity with Him.
Good Friends
I remember one time I got sick, and this friend paid me a visit.
She stayed by my side, talked about her own ailments and how she overcame them. One thing particularly stood out of my mind. She said that 'when you are down on your back, you have nowhere to look but up'.
This made me appreciate her friendship more and more. Here she was, she could have talked about petty things. Or, criticized people behind their backs but she opted to talk of something positive. Something helpful and would cheer me up.
I realized that in life, we always appreciate those people. They are the ones whose friendship we treasure the most. They offer us stability and sincerity. We seek them out, the way we seek for gold. They are rare and precious. Unlike others, they don't give out negative vibes or inject our minds with poison or hang-ups. They encourage you to be better. They are angels personified.
And because of them, our lives will never be the same again.
She stayed by my side, talked about her own ailments and how she overcame them. One thing particularly stood out of my mind. She said that 'when you are down on your back, you have nowhere to look but up'.
This made me appreciate her friendship more and more. Here she was, she could have talked about petty things. Or, criticized people behind their backs but she opted to talk of something positive. Something helpful and would cheer me up.
I realized that in life, we always appreciate those people. They are the ones whose friendship we treasure the most. They offer us stability and sincerity. We seek them out, the way we seek for gold. They are rare and precious. Unlike others, they don't give out negative vibes or inject our minds with poison or hang-ups. They encourage you to be better. They are angels personified.
And because of them, our lives will never be the same again.
Goodness Always Wins in the End
Let's face it. Life is a continuous battle between good or evil. We are faced with this dilemma every single day of our lives, in every choice we make.
Like a tug-of-war, we are pulled in opposing directions. And every time we make a choice, we are reinforcing our values, our character, our destiny- for better or worse.
There is just no middleway. Even the Bible scoffed at the idea of being 'lukewarm'. It is either you are for God or against Him. You're either part of the solution or part of the problem. There is simply no in-between. Make a stand. That's what it all boils down to.
Doing what's good, even though hard, will not only gain you blessings and favor before God's eyes but more so eternal happiness. The kind of happiness that does not need validation from others. The kind that stays with you even during rough times. People who are acquainted with God's ways know that God is always there to help. Rough times could not dampen their hopes for God. HE is always there at the appropriate time. So why worry?
This is the thing that those who don't believe in God lacks. They rely on their efforts alone. They have no external and internal support. When their efforts fail, everything falls apart.
You and God comprise the majority. With Him, you are stronger and better equipped to face life's struggles. Goodness prevails in the end.
Like a tug-of-war, we are pulled in opposing directions. And every time we make a choice, we are reinforcing our values, our character, our destiny- for better or worse.
There is just no middleway. Even the Bible scoffed at the idea of being 'lukewarm'. It is either you are for God or against Him. You're either part of the solution or part of the problem. There is simply no in-between. Make a stand. That's what it all boils down to.
Doing what's good, even though hard, will not only gain you blessings and favor before God's eyes but more so eternal happiness. The kind of happiness that does not need validation from others. The kind that stays with you even during rough times. People who are acquainted with God's ways know that God is always there to help. Rough times could not dampen their hopes for God. HE is always there at the appropriate time. So why worry?
This is the thing that those who don't believe in God lacks. They rely on their efforts alone. They have no external and internal support. When their efforts fail, everything falls apart.
You and God comprise the majority. With Him, you are stronger and better equipped to face life's struggles. Goodness prevails in the end.
Old Man
I perched myself on an old chair and sat by the window. Outside, the world looked gray and old. It rained cats and dogs. It would have been a perfect April Sunday. But the rain marred what would otherwise been a perfect day. My wandering mind couldn’t keep still. I was restless. I wanted to go out. But given the situation, I deemed it best to stay inside the house.
I was stuck in the house, wondering what to do. Feeling resigned to my fate, I took a chair, put it in front of the window and sat there. I watched the almost empty road in front of the house. Thoughts rushed through my mind as swiftly as the pouring rain. Boredom had set in. I heaved out a sigh.
I looked out of the window again. This time I was no longer alone. A lonely, old man stood by the side of the road. Somehow, his very presence eased my loneliness just a bit. At least, there was another human being within my range of vision.
Egged on by curiosity about the unknown visitor, I stared at him albeit hesitantly. His back was turned to me, so he was probably not aware of my presence. If he was, he certainly did not show any indication. The welcome company seemed to invite me to observe him some more (which I must say gave me an unfair advantage).
The old person carried an umbrella to protect himself from the rain. He wore a dark coat. But I saw him shivered. He clutched his coat tighter around him. He must be cold. ‘What could be his business in this gloomy April day? What could he be doing alone, in the middle of the rain? Doesn’t he have kids? How about his wife? Where is she?’ I asked myself all these questions and more.
Someone like him should not risk walking in the rain. Let’s face it; an old person has no business walking in the rain. It was a dangerous situation for him given the delicacy of his frail body. It could be slippery. He could catch cold. He could be stuck in mud. The worst scenario ran through my mind. Despite the fact that whatever concern I felt for the old person seemed lost on him. He was too focused on what he was doing to even give a glance in my direction. How different it must be, to be alone with nary a care in the world.
Somehow the lonely figure intrigued me all the more. There was no escaping him. But the more I asked, the more frustrated I became. There was simply no way I could get answers to those questions. I realized my helplessness somehow. And I began to wonder what the point of this whole exercise was. It did not seem to lead me anywhere.
He crossed the street and continued to walk. This gave me an ample view of his face. The old person was probably in his sixties. The white hairs on top of his head were prominent. His gaunt face looked refined by age. His gait was slow yet purposeful. He looked anxious, hence, the self-absorption. His worries occupied him more than his surroundings. More than the bothersome rain.
Somehow I envied him. Here I was, young and healthy, yet I dared not venture outside. Trapped in my own hesitations, I am imprisoned in this lonely house. While he, who ought to stay home, was outside braving the rain, looking more ardent in his pursuit. Upon closer examination, it seemed pretty clear that I was the one wearied by the world. I was afraid of risks, afraid of its consequences. Unlike him. I’m young in years, but old in heart. Now, who was the old man?
Struck by this sudden realization, I tried to make peace with myself. Life has a way of passing us by. In years I would be an old person too. Whatever risks or obstacles I need to face, I need to face them NOW. Just like the old man, under the pouring rain. Not later when the sun came shining out. And right there, I understood. I understood the old person. I understood his predicament. There was no time to waste. Advanced in age, he did not have the luxury of time.
I smiled. For the first time, I saw a ray of light under the pouring rain. How lovely could rain be? I turned to look again at where the old person was. Lost in my own thoughts, I forgot about the old man. But he was almost out of my range of vision. In few strides, I would not be able to see him. Goodbye lonely stranger! Goodbye my nameless friend! Gratefully, I watched as his lonely silhouette faded in the distance.
-by Me
I was stuck in the house, wondering what to do. Feeling resigned to my fate, I took a chair, put it in front of the window and sat there. I watched the almost empty road in front of the house. Thoughts rushed through my mind as swiftly as the pouring rain. Boredom had set in. I heaved out a sigh.
I looked out of the window again. This time I was no longer alone. A lonely, old man stood by the side of the road. Somehow, his very presence eased my loneliness just a bit. At least, there was another human being within my range of vision.
Egged on by curiosity about the unknown visitor, I stared at him albeit hesitantly. His back was turned to me, so he was probably not aware of my presence. If he was, he certainly did not show any indication. The welcome company seemed to invite me to observe him some more (which I must say gave me an unfair advantage).
The old person carried an umbrella to protect himself from the rain. He wore a dark coat. But I saw him shivered. He clutched his coat tighter around him. He must be cold. ‘What could be his business in this gloomy April day? What could he be doing alone, in the middle of the rain? Doesn’t he have kids? How about his wife? Where is she?’ I asked myself all these questions and more.
Someone like him should not risk walking in the rain. Let’s face it; an old person has no business walking in the rain. It was a dangerous situation for him given the delicacy of his frail body. It could be slippery. He could catch cold. He could be stuck in mud. The worst scenario ran through my mind. Despite the fact that whatever concern I felt for the old person seemed lost on him. He was too focused on what he was doing to even give a glance in my direction. How different it must be, to be alone with nary a care in the world.
Somehow the lonely figure intrigued me all the more. There was no escaping him. But the more I asked, the more frustrated I became. There was simply no way I could get answers to those questions. I realized my helplessness somehow. And I began to wonder what the point of this whole exercise was. It did not seem to lead me anywhere.
He crossed the street and continued to walk. This gave me an ample view of his face. The old person was probably in his sixties. The white hairs on top of his head were prominent. His gaunt face looked refined by age. His gait was slow yet purposeful. He looked anxious, hence, the self-absorption. His worries occupied him more than his surroundings. More than the bothersome rain.
Somehow I envied him. Here I was, young and healthy, yet I dared not venture outside. Trapped in my own hesitations, I am imprisoned in this lonely house. While he, who ought to stay home, was outside braving the rain, looking more ardent in his pursuit. Upon closer examination, it seemed pretty clear that I was the one wearied by the world. I was afraid of risks, afraid of its consequences. Unlike him. I’m young in years, but old in heart. Now, who was the old man?
Struck by this sudden realization, I tried to make peace with myself. Life has a way of passing us by. In years I would be an old person too. Whatever risks or obstacles I need to face, I need to face them NOW. Just like the old man, under the pouring rain. Not later when the sun came shining out. And right there, I understood. I understood the old person. I understood his predicament. There was no time to waste. Advanced in age, he did not have the luxury of time.
I smiled. For the first time, I saw a ray of light under the pouring rain. How lovely could rain be? I turned to look again at where the old person was. Lost in my own thoughts, I forgot about the old man. But he was almost out of my range of vision. In few strides, I would not be able to see him. Goodbye lonely stranger! Goodbye my nameless friend! Gratefully, I watched as his lonely silhouette faded in the distance.
-by Me
Put God First
Leo Tolstoy, the renowned writer, was once asked what was the thing he considered the most important. And without batting an eyelash, he answered, "The most important thing is my relationship with God."
People probably expected him to say that fame or money or power or his writings were the most important. But he went against the grain by proclaiming that his personal relationship with God weighed above all else.
Perhaps these few words summed up the entirety of our existence . ‘Put God First’ is our first and foremost duty as creatures of a loving God. Tolstoy humbly acknowledged this fact despite his superior status. He was wise enough to admit that all that he had achieved came from God.
This is the essence of human life. Of inner peace. Put God above all. And you will find unadulterated perfect happiness. Everything else comes secondary. God is the force that will guide us through life. It is but only proper that we pay tribute to the force first, over and above all other influences.
People probably expected him to say that fame or money or power or his writings were the most important. But he went against the grain by proclaiming that his personal relationship with God weighed above all else.
Perhaps these few words summed up the entirety of our existence . ‘Put God First’ is our first and foremost duty as creatures of a loving God. Tolstoy humbly acknowledged this fact despite his superior status. He was wise enough to admit that all that he had achieved came from God.
This is the essence of human life. Of inner peace. Put God above all. And you will find unadulterated perfect happiness. Everything else comes secondary. God is the force that will guide us through life. It is but only proper that we pay tribute to the force first, over and above all other influences.
Sunday, July 23, 2006
God Loves Us All
Faith is sublime...
Leads us to see what's beyond.
Hope rejuvenates,
Keeps the flames in our hearts burning.
But Love....Love is divine,
Makes us all a part of God!
Leads us to see what's beyond.
Hope rejuvenates,
Keeps the flames in our hearts burning.
But Love....Love is divine,
Makes us all a part of God!
Saturday, July 22, 2006
To Love and Be Loved
To love and be loved is probably the greatest and most rewarding experience one can have in life. Love is a mystery that defies definition. They say it is never good to define love. Once you define it, you've set boundaries to its meaning. And the real essence of love is stripped away.
In the dating sites I've visited, I often read in people's profile that all they want is to find the "One". Now, this is no easy task. Looking for the One could be downright confusing not to mention Impossible. How on earth will we know we've found the "One"? There are 6 billion people out there and counting. Finding just One would tantamount to looking for a needle in haystack.
My aunt used to tell me that if you found someone who makes your heart skip a beat and puts a smile on your face then you should hold on to him for as long as you can. And if he feels the same way and cares for you as much then you have definitely found the One.
Maybe that's the yardstick to use. Maybe not. Who knows? But when I found the one who will make my heart skip a beat - then, for me, the search is over.
In the dating sites I've visited, I often read in people's profile that all they want is to find the "One". Now, this is no easy task. Looking for the One could be downright confusing not to mention Impossible. How on earth will we know we've found the "One"? There are 6 billion people out there and counting. Finding just One would tantamount to looking for a needle in haystack.
My aunt used to tell me that if you found someone who makes your heart skip a beat and puts a smile on your face then you should hold on to him for as long as you can. And if he feels the same way and cares for you as much then you have definitely found the One.
Maybe that's the yardstick to use. Maybe not. Who knows? But when I found the one who will make my heart skip a beat - then, for me, the search is over.
On Broken-'ness'
Creative people, it is said, must suffer, must know anguish and despair before their art can take on depth, strength, universal appeal and the powerful impact of simplicity." - Great Lives, Great Deeds-
A broken spirit makes a person susceptible to learning. To not merely see but perceive. Not only hear but listen. Not only experience but savor. And not only exist but live.
'Broken-ness' is a cruel requirement. But in most cases it proved to be true. It is the spur that wrench the truth from the heart and forced a person to search deeper, to see beyond what is evident.
It is apparent in the case of Rembrandt- as his burdens in debts grew, his art grew greater. Marie Curie lost Pierre in an accident and went on to discover radium. Albert Einstein had a divorce when he formulated the Theory of Relativity. Harriet Beecher Stowe was fighting for slavery when she penned the phenomenal 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. The book was hailed as the single greatest influence that propelled Abraham Lincoln to wage war against slavery. So on and so forth.
Every creative people's lives is a testimony to the power of 'broken-ness'. Of its ability to drive the human spirit beyond saturation point and make them rise up to the occasion. 'Broken-ness'. A very cruel requirement, I know. But 'being broken' serves its purpose. "Those who never tasted the bitterest of life's bitter will never appreciate the sweetest of life's sweets."
So, if you are 'broken', you are in the midst of a huge opportunity. Use it well.
A broken spirit makes a person susceptible to learning. To not merely see but perceive. Not only hear but listen. Not only experience but savor. And not only exist but live.
'Broken-ness' is a cruel requirement. But in most cases it proved to be true. It is the spur that wrench the truth from the heart and forced a person to search deeper, to see beyond what is evident.
It is apparent in the case of Rembrandt- as his burdens in debts grew, his art grew greater. Marie Curie lost Pierre in an accident and went on to discover radium. Albert Einstein had a divorce when he formulated the Theory of Relativity. Harriet Beecher Stowe was fighting for slavery when she penned the phenomenal 'Uncle Tom's Cabin'. The book was hailed as the single greatest influence that propelled Abraham Lincoln to wage war against slavery. So on and so forth.
Every creative people's lives is a testimony to the power of 'broken-ness'. Of its ability to drive the human spirit beyond saturation point and make them rise up to the occasion. 'Broken-ness'. A very cruel requirement, I know. But 'being broken' serves its purpose. "Those who never tasted the bitterest of life's bitter will never appreciate the sweetest of life's sweets."
So, if you are 'broken', you are in the midst of a huge opportunity. Use it well.
Friday, July 21, 2006
Be the Best that You Can Be
Yup! That is what exactly the blog is.
Through this blog I hope to be able to touch other people's lives in a positive way.
May we always remember that God equipped us all with the ability to overcome obstacles.
There will always be tough and rough times at some point in our lives.
But if you believe .... you can be the best that You can possibly be ... no matter how hard it is.
Believe in God and everything is possible.
Happy Reading!
Through this blog I hope to be able to touch other people's lives in a positive way.
May we always remember that God equipped us all with the ability to overcome obstacles.
There will always be tough and rough times at some point in our lives.
But if you believe .... you can be the best that You can possibly be ... no matter how hard it is.
Believe in God and everything is possible.
Happy Reading!
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