A Gospel for Life - My New Year's Resolution

Children, listen to me; I am your father. Do what I tell you and you will be safe, for the Lord has given fathers authority over their children and given children the obligation to obey their mothers.

If you respect your father, you can make up for your sins, and if you honor your mother, you are earning great wealth. If you respect your father, one day your own children will make you happy; the Lord will hear your prayers. If you obey the Lord by honoring your father and making your mother happy, you will live a long life. 

Obey your parents as if you were their slave. Honor your father in everything you do and say, so that you may receive his blessing. When parents give their blessing, they give strength to their children's homes, but when they curse their children, they destroy the very foundations. 

Never seek honor for yourself at your father's expense; it is not to your credit if he is dishonored. Your own honor comes from the respect that you show to your father. If children do not honor their mothers, it is their own disgrace. 

My child, take care of your father when he grows old; give him no cause for worry as long as he lives. Be sympathetic even if his mind fails him; don't look down on him just because you are strong and healthy. The Lord will not forget the kindness you show to your father; it will help you make up for your sins. When you are in trouble, the Lord will remember your kindness and will help you; your sins will melt away like frost in warm sunshine. Sirach 3:1-15

xxx

I heard this read in our church last Sunday.

This is always included in the Gospel every Sunday following Christmas which is the Feast of the Holy Family.  Somehow I am always present when this is read. And I am reminded every time to honor my parents.

I did not grow up with my parents so I have to admit this is hard for me to do. I and my mom are okay, but with my dad sometimes it is a struggle.

It seems to me that everyday there is always something to argue about with my dad. My dad is a complainer and sometimes very hard to please. He wakes up very early in the morning and starts to work. Anything that needs working he works it. In my head I think my dad lives with the motto: TIME IS GOLD.

I am the complete opposite.

I take my morning really slow. I write a little, think a little- if I want coffee I have myself coffee and then just sit around and let time roll. My dad hates this. He can’t sit still. Anything looks idle irritates him. I don't know why there is this sense of urgency with my dad. Friction starts when he would start complaining about me sitting instead of cooking and preparing the table for breakfast. I am not yet done with my morning routine which is pretty much staring at something with my head blank or thinking. This is my meditating phase. I am not fully awake. And when you wake up with a complaining, your morning is pretty much ruined. This annoys me to no end.

So this year and for the rest of my life my resolution is to obey the Lord by honoring my parents. Changes must be made to accommodate my dad's temper, as we are both stubborn. I must give way and give peace a chance.

I will try to cultivate respect for my dad and mom and understand them as much as I can. They are getting old. In fact, just this morning, I colored my mom's white hair, and my dad colored his white beard. I love my parents. But it is hard to remember that when my pride gets in the way. So this is my prayer: that my heart be changed so I can honor my parents and please God.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! 

What is Free Is Absolutely Beautiful Than What You Can Buy

I want to tell you things you don't know
I want to tell you you're beautiful
Because you don't know that
I want to say life is a web
And dust
Life is grand
I want to tell of new beginnings
Of winds and leaves and clouds
I want to tell you that what is free
Is absolutely beautiful than what you can buy.

Love letter to a stranger

Hello Stranger, if you are searching for love :)

I don't know what love is and i have never loved a person (romantically speaking) with my whole heart, ever, it maybe that you want to know what a kiss is like from a person you love and who loves you, it maybe that you want to know how it feels like to be touched. You are waiting for a person to arouse your emotions in ways that you have never been aroused before. How it really feels like to fall in love body and soul and mind. The kind that makes you think of that person day and night. It makes you crazy. The crazy kind of love that makes you feel good about yourself and others.

Well, I want you to know that it is okay to wait. Wait for this kind of love is worth waiting. As they say, true love waits. It's true. And don't worry either if it will come in late. Isn't love, love? Regardless of what age? Relax lang. And if others say things that make you feel unwanted, resist the urge to give your yes to someone you don't love just so you can show to people how desirable you are. 

And if someday you'll realize that it won’t come, don't worry; it won’t make you any less than they are. But hope. Always hope for love.  Hope for love to accompany you your whole life through. But for now, my stranger, my sweet stranger, as King Solomon in the Song of Songs would say, do not arouse or awaken love when it is not yet time :)

***

I was inspired by the idea of writing a love letter to a stranger from Mira's blog(Check it out). So this is sort of my own love letter to a stranger who by some chance will come across my blog.

Note: For my close friends i know what you are thinking. This is not a love letter to myself. This maybe if i feel pressured but i am not so this is for someone who is anxious that his/her love has not yet come.

P.S. Modernpatadyong is following my blog. What a surprise! I'm shy! Maulaw na dayon ko. huhu. But thank you. 

Prayer for peace and calm

Sharing to you a prayer and an advice I saw while surfing the net today. My anger subsided while reading this.
 

Today, I receive all of God’s love for me. Today, I open myself to the unbounded, limitless, overflowing abundance of God’s universe. Today, I open myself to God's blessings, healing and miracles. Today, I open myself to God’s Word so that I become more like God every day. Today, I proclaim that I’m God’s Beloved, I’m God’s Servant, I’m God’s Powerful Champion, And because I am blessed, I will bless the world, In God’s Name, Amen. -Source

***

"Listen, put it into your heart, my youngest and dearest son, that the thing that disturbs you, the thing that afflicts you, is nothing. Do not let your countenance, your heart be disturbed...

...Am I not here, I, who am your Mother? Are you not under my shadow and protection? Am I not the source of your joy? Are you not in the hollow of my mantle, in the crossing of my arms? Do you need anything more? Let nothing else worry you, disturb you."

-Our Lady of Guadalupe to St Juan Diego.(from my facebook newsfeed)

My dearest Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, it has been a long time since i called to you for prayers. Please intercede on my behalf and pray for all of us your children. Draw me after you and to your son Jesus Christ. And give my regards to Sr. San Jose  :) 

Redeeming Quality

Today i saw our newly installed door

I thought, "Wow! Thank you Lord."

I said thank you. It hit me- I was grateful.

It occurred to me that we have been so blessed,

And I was grateful; and for this I am happy.

I am happy that I caught myself being grateful.

You see for most days

 I always find myself thinking shameful thoughts.

So shameful you would not know me.

I am naturally inclined to suspect people.

Naturally inclined to doubt

My first thoughts to things being said are

Always for most malicious

I suspect people.

I suspect them doing shameful things

I suspect them having bad intentions.

I am ashamed of these suspicions.

I am ashamed that these things cross my mind.

But they do.

But today,

Oh today.

I caught myself being grateful.

And I am enough 

My Christmas Wish List

Hola! :)

I have not done a Christmas wishlist. Ever. So this is my first time. Ever. I'm excited you can tell.
This post is a tag from Jessica. She has been tagging me! So let's do it!

This Christmas I wish for...

1. A pocket dictionary. The one i saw in National Bookstore. Cost about Php 270+. I have long been wishing for a pocket dictionary since i lost my Samsung Galaxy Y mobile phone(who use their phones for a dictionary? Hands up!). Come to think of it. Should i ask for a cellphone instead? No. A pocket dictionary will do. I have been listening to Synonyms and Antonyms in my Nokia cellphone(a hand down phone from my cousin) for 3 days straight now. My head is about to explode. I am so much overwhelmed with words! Although i am still at letter A. My problem is I am so bad at spelling so a pocket dictionary will really help. And why am i torturing myself with all these studying going on? Because i desire to express myself clearly. To be able to choose the correct words to say and not go you know, you know. haha! If you want to join my craziness you can go here and listen. Be my classmate!

2. A Christmas tree! And maybe a Belen too! We don't have a Christmas tree. Although we have Christmas decorations; Christmas balls and even Santa Claus hanging in our ceiling- a Christmas tree is different. Don't you think so? 

3. For my salary to be released. It has long been overdue. I resigned last September. I pray to God that He will bless the company so in turn they will be able to release it. So now i am back at my college taking a post baccalaureate degree. Oh to be a student again!

4. Can someone give me cash? Bwahahaha. 10k? For nothing in particular. I just love the thought of having a cash in hand. That big? Yeah that big. I wonder how it would feel like to secretly have 10 thousand pesos in my purse  in an ordinary day.

5. For my parents to be healthy. To live a good life. To live it long.

And Father dear, just in case. I did not ask for a boyfriend. I leave it to you to decide when is the right time.

P.S. Jess I've replied to your Christmas giveaway post. I've followed your art blog, twitter and facebook page already. So I'm excited with your handog pasasalamat :) haha. Thank you so much in advance!

The rules for this tag are:

1. Kindly use the same title and as well as the first photo that I put here (that blurry picture of a Christmas tree above) in your post.

2. List 6 things that you wish to receive for Christmas.
3. Tag 6 of your friends to make the same post (no tag backs).
4. Send me the link so I could check it out too.

I really don't have much friends here online so i am tagging everyone who feels like doing his/her own Christmas wish list too :) Enjoy!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I love you!

The Sound Of You

The gentle sound
Of the rain gliding
Through leaves of trees
Reveals to me
Your tenderness

My soft, soft,
All encompassing God
Your small little ways
I take pleasure.

What I did during the typhoon

This is what i did during the typhoon Pablo.

This is when i first woke up. I can't remember if it was early morning or afternoon. I know my hair is wild.

Feeling a little better here.

Bah! I'm trying to capture my hair...

Can we spell V-A-N-I-T-Y here?

Vanity of all vanities! All is vanity! - Hey! I'm trying to appreciate God's creation here. bwahahaha. This is what the typhoon did. No, i was just trying to have fun. I've got like 20 pictures of myself. And these are the best that i got. haha Bad! I do feel a little vain when i take pictures of myself but there are days i indulge. Haha!

***

So about the typhoon, my parents were pretty worried and so was I. Last year we had hundreds of casualties, some are still missing up to this day. That was pretty rough for all of us. We were caught off guard. But this time we were ready, even excited. The local government prepared for the typhoon for like 1 week. And the day before the typhoon hit the land, those who are in the danger zone evacuated to higher grounds. Everyone was alert. The preparation shall i say was pretty exaggerated . But you know, better ready than sorry. So I am thankful that everyone's safe. 

I'm a Chaster

Yes, after all these years. I am still a chaster. Even amidst all the critics of how she completely changed her image particularly the hair- i am still a fan. Because how can you not be? She just keeps getting better and better. So you go girl. I am in total awe of how you managed to keep your head high even though it seems like the whole nation was against you during the xfactor tv-series . I am glad  t'is over and that you are now where you are truly appreciated. And I would just like to let you know, i dont care how you wear your hair and i dont think it's that bad either, just be true to yourself :)

And to all you Charice haters, i mean confused admirers :) This song is for you...

Charice- Clown (An Emeli Sande Cover)

I guess it's funnier from where you're standing
'Cause from over here I've missed the joke
Cleared the way for my crash landing
I've done it again, another number for your notes
I'd be smiling if I wasn't so desperate
I'd be patient if I had the time
I could stop and answer all of your questions
As soon as I find out how I could move from the back of the line

So I'll be your clown
Behind the glass
Go 'head and laugh 'cause it's funny
I would too if I saw me
I'll be your clown
On your favorite channel
My life's a circus-circus rounding circles
I'm selling out tonight

I'd be less angry if it was my decision
And the money was just rolling in
If I had more than my ambition
I'll have time to please
I'll have time to thank you as soon as I win

Chorus:
So I'll be your clown
Behind the glass
Go 'head and laugh 'cause it's funny
I would too if I saw me
I'll be your clown
On your favorite channel
My life's a circus-circus rounding circles
I'm selling out tonight

Bridge:

From a distance my choice is simple
From a distance I can entertain
So you can see me I put makeup on my face
But there's no way you can feel it
From so far away

Chorus:

So I'll be your clown
Behind the glass
Go 'head and laugh 'cause it's funny
I would too if I saw me
I'll be your clown
On your favorite channel
My life's a circus-circus rounding circles
I'm selling out tonight

Can't You Feel the Love Tonight?

You wish for more
You wish for this moment
To be other than what it is
Don’t you know?
Haven’t you heard?
It is sign of discontent.

So stop wanting for more
Right now is beautiful
Made only for you
Can't you feel the wind?
It exists for you.
So breathe in
And say thank you.
Yes.

Sing Praises

Your life is shaped by your thoughts

To Sheena of 2012 from Chang of 2012

This is a letter that came out as an idea from Anna Possa's blog post. I posted it on my Facebook account and tagged Chang because I know how much she admires Anna. As we talked about it she said I want to do something like this. To Chariss of 2006 from Chariss of 2012. And I said, I would want to do it too! But there are no changes in me. haha And she said why, ill write you a letter! Charis of 2012 to Sheena of 2012. And so this is her letter for me :)

Me and Chang :)

To: Sheena of 2012,

I know I haven’t been with you most of your years but I’ve been your friend for two or three years, correct me if I’m wrong haha! I think it’s not about how long we’ve been friends/workmate but I think it’s about the bond that we shared through the years that we’ve been together. You shared a lot of inspiring, wonderful, kalog things to me and I love the sound of our laughter. 

When I’m with you I almost feel like you’re my little sister not to mention you’re a year older than me and I’m physically look like a big sister because you have a slim body figure. Hehe. Well, it doesn’t matter as long as we talked about lots and lots of things; we enjoyed singing Charice and Marie Digby’s songs together. We talked about stupid things and most of all how we envious Anna’s life adventure at a very young age. Sssh. 

I love how we have a discussion about life, about books and movies. I miss those silly times we had in Robinson’s fitting room. I know you’re not in the mood that day but I’m happy I made you smile, I’m not sure if you remember it. A lot of times we tend to worry about how absent-minded we are and think on how to improve our memory recollection. But now I know you are improving and I’m so happy for you. You are a strong, smart, cute, loving and passionate woman. You never limit yourself and love to explore new things. I know how hard worker you are and you stand what you feel is right, a fighter and you open a lot of things to make things work easier. Your soul is one of a kind.

You have a bold character that’s why I adore you so much, you tend not to worry much about the future. You enjoy the present and each moment as it comes. Sometimes you are weird but you are gorgeous and wonderful inside and out. You are also the greatest person I ever met. Childish and kalog like me. I know God will answer your prayers no matter how too small they are. Sometimes they may not be in our own timing or the way we expected it but He knows the best interest of your heart. You are a true warrior and servant of God. I know He will bless your pure heart. 

PS. We will go to Verona no matter what happen and we will stroke Juliet’s boobs.hehe 

Lovelots, 

Chariss of 2012

Aw Chang, thank you!!! You have no idea how much i was touched by your letter(Nagmelt jd akong heart). And I cried a little. hehe. I am somehow always at my best when i am with you because you have such a good heart. My life is so much better because i have a friend like you. Soul sisters. And yes to Verona we shall go :)

Chang is a wonderful friend of mine and an overall sweet person.  To know more about her, you can check her blog: i-am-fine-and-dandy.

Read to me Rumi

Image

If you don’t plow the earth, it’s going to get so hard nothing grows in it. You just plow the earth of yourself. You just get moving. And even don’t ask exactly what’s going to happen. You allow yourself to move around, and you will see the benefit.  -Rumi

Rumi is my favorite poet.

I read a lot of his poems. They are a lot to take in sometimes so you just have to read some lines or stanza's. Even though Rumi is a persian poet and a Sufist, I can relate to him. His poems have been my comfort when the longing for God was too much. 

I discovered that no matter what religion you have there is just this longing in your heart for something to satisfy you. It's what St. Augustine was talking about when he said that my heart is restless until it rest in thee. It's what the psalmist was talking about when he said as the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after you. This longing for God to satisfy me- it was at this time in my life when I found Rumi. I found him when I could barely understand or express myself. I was so Restless. And then I read this:

“What you seek is seeking you.”

This just blows my mind. I could not believe that it is God who is seeking me that is why I'm seeking him. I learned to relax after that. 

I didn't come here of my own accord, and I can't leave that way.

Whoever brought me here, will have to take me home.

I have this feeling that no matter what I'll do or how grievous my sins are if only i will call, God will take me home. 

“Come, come, whoever you are. Wanderer, worshiper, lover of leaving. It doesn't matter. Ours is not a caravan of despair. come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. Come, yet again , come , come.” 

 Come, even if you have broken your vows a thousand times. - This is my motto every time i fall into sin. It has become perhaps my life's motto I'm afraid. Do not be afraid to come yet again. Bagag leps, is what we call in our dialect. Translates roughly to thick face/lips which means no shame. I'm naturally shy but with God I try as much to be bold. I just hope I'm not abusing his kindness.

Do you feel that sometimes? That maybe perhaps you take everything lightly like forgiveness? It is indeed my prayer that my heart be sincere towards God.

“That which God said to the rose, and caused it to laugh in full-blown beauty, He said to my heart, and made it a hundred times more beautiful.” 

In Rumi's words i found how beautiful it is to look at the world with such eyes. To express it in that way is just beautiful.

“And still, after all this time, the Sun has never said to the Earth,
"You owe me."
Look what happens with love like that.
It lights up the sky.” 

***

Ahhh... If you want to know more about Rumi you can go and listen to this podcast : Transcript for The Ecstatic Faith of Rumi.  

This was really beautiful and mesmerizing. I love how the interviewee was memorizing poems in Persian language(ah the sound of it!) and then translating it to English. 

   "Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world."

And then this:

“There is a secret medicine given only to those who hurt so hard they can't hope.

The hopers would feel slighted if they knew.” 

-Rumi

So don't you worry your pretty little head okay? Be blessed!