GREATNESS -- THE TINY SEED WITHIN

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It's the little things which truly reveal greatness. Not always or necessarily in the grand or grander gestures that man throws at the world. Sometimes done simply for show by some. Rather it's that tiny kind thought or the tiniest glimmer of compassion behind the giving.... behind the smile.... behind the helping which points directly to an outstanding character or heart ..or the awesomeness of the soul.
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It's what Mom would say 'the extra mile - the extra touch' which separates mediocrity from greatness. She would urge me to look for that mark of greatness in people. It's there, she says. Just pay attention. Sometimes though they don't know it themselves because it comes through quite naturally in them. Often too we don't notice it nor give it much attention -- we take for granted those things which we shouldn't. Our bad.
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I guess what she means by 'the extra mile' are those things which a person does out of --- pure generosity... sympathy.. compassion.. understanding.. empathy... care... concern... solicitude.. sensitivity... charity... mercy... tolerance... humanity ---- and acting upon it a little bit more than ordinary.
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Thinking more of the other than of one's self. That isn't always easy. We were raised to think and believe that nothing or no one else in the world matters but ..... I, me, mine, and my. What others do with their life is their business... ours is our own to tend.
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We create walls.. fences.. gaps.. borders.. lines... to keep others out of our lives. Anyone who might cross it is a threat. Only when what they do or can offer serves our best interest would we be inclined to welcome them into our world and space or we in turn would enter their own.
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It really is a solitary and disconnected life we're living, after all. All our fault.
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Yet Mom would remind me that 'greatness' is still in everybody's nature as basically man is created good. By God's design. The thing is it gets buried deep down by the meanness and cares of the world. So then people forget to be kind.... to be human and humane.
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But it's there. And it slips out sometimes, as called forth by some divine intent. Sometimes in bits and pieces. You will miss it if you don't watch for it or look harder. Pay attention. Greatness sometimes comes in small packages.
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God bless you.

LIFE IS BUCKETS FULL OF TURBULENCE - BUT ONLY BECAUSE WE NEED TO GROW

"The heart has its reasons and they aren't debate topics." 

 --- Robert Brault (American writer)

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When I saw this in my email this morning from Mr. Quote Man, but of course, immediately it resonated inside the walls of my brain and my heart. How many times in the past have I done this or that and to which I was pressed for an explanation or was imposed on with an argument. Words which didn't have to be there in the first place, if only they thought more on that my life was running its own course and story and that it really didn't have to be theirs, too. The heart more often than not moves in the direction of least resistance. I myself am not one for debates on any subject or for any reason.
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Life, as I now know it to be, is buckets full of turbulence or commonly called conflict, confusion. But we are asked to grow in its midst, like it or not. Yet we cannot if people around us stand as obstacles or hindrances by imposing or poking their own life stories upon us. Life is so designed by a bigger Authority above to be a perfect fit for every person who walk it...... male and female, black and white, rich and poor, young and old, and whatever your race and religion.
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We each have our own tailor-made set of experiences... successes... failures... dead-ends... mistakes... challenges... and the peeling off of layers in our core and character which do not belong there if we are meant to grow. And grow is the big thing on the agenda of life.
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We are continually asked or made to grow in the little and big things in life. The reason why stacks of problems are sent our way. Sometimes we understand it and sometimes we don't but the command still remains...... grow!
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Then the big questions come out to the fore..... What is it that we need to do to improve the self?... Why are we asked to change?... Where should we start?... When shall we begin?... Who can best help shed light to the path we need to be on?... How will we work things out to achieve the goal?...
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And this is how we begin to write our life story.
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May God bless you and your family. Stay rooted in your dreams.
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(Thank you, Mr. Quote Man, for the lovely quote.)

LIFE IS ATTITUDE.. HEART.. PRAYER

Musings on a surprisingly sunny day! The storm threatening our shores must have passed. Did somebody say it's paying China a visit? Be safe, China.
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To quote... (oh you know already which book I'm quoting...)

LOOK TO THE GOOD
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"Look only to the good,. Look only to what you have, to what God has given you. Do not let your eyes come to rest upon any other thing but the blessings and peace of Christ. Do not fix your gaze upon the negatives, upon the past or the future. Remember, your life is hid with Me. By now you know that I can be trusted and that I have all your affairs in My hands. Not one thing escapes My attention."
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Unquote.
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But first..... I get this tiny suspicion that many of you do wonder why I often quote lines off the book 'Good Morning... God'. The answer to that is simple.
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I am a mere mortal running the course of my allotted life and time on this beautiful planet. Many things cross my path... some good... some bad. I cope with the best I can manage with the inherent skills God has wisely equipped us all with. Sometimes I win... sometimes lose. When times get tough... or when I forget who I am... or when utterly get lazy - crazy - bored - sad - lonely - scared - confused - unbelieving - suspicious - furious... or when simply at a crossroad ----
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The need there is to energize.. recharge.. renew.. reconnect.. reboot my soul. What better way to do that but with the Source. Prayer does a great thing.. and supporting that is a tiny (and perhaps trivial to some) humble book waiting beside my bed. It encapsulates or sums up simply and beautifully my thoughts on life which are humbly presented to God. In turn, God imparts His wisdom to me. He does that to anyone and everyone who stops to listen. Oh let's remember that God works through people, places, events, and things. That's the way He operates.
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And... I sincerely hope you won't or don't mind when I share these treasures with you every now and then.
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Now back to the musings.......
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Positives and negatives... life is full of both. We have no problem with dealing with the lovely positives of life. In fact, we often wish life was only made up of those. Heavenly, right? - On the other side of life's coin are the negatives. Oh brother! these can surely tear down everything you may have built! And you know what I mean.
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But only if you let it!
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So how do you do that? "Look only to the good"
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Yes, I agree it's not always easy. Life's troubles are such that they sure can prick you hard and hurt you harder. But that is when you are asked to fight your battles hard, too... and hardest! Look for the good in your life. It's there.. maybe under some cover... but it's there! Fight the bad with good. Turn the negative into positive. It all takes the right attitude to beat the odds and come out winning.
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Life is ATTITUDE... HEART... and PRAYER. Nope, it is not magic nor is it an instant formula to banish your cares and woes away. It's even better. Because it sure can give you the best chance at winning. And winning..... is God's design for our lives.
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Look to the good. There's plenty if you look hard enough.. or truly seek it with your heart and mind. Frankly, no other better way to live life.
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Blessings, everyone. God sprinkled plenty in your day.. your life.

LEAN INTO THE PAIN

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As is the old habit of sorting through old files with the intent of trimming it down to the essential and getting rid of the unessential, I made through the files before me with clinical precision which led to the trash can filling up so quickly. Half way through the mound of papers though... I came upon this sheet with an article on it from July 26, 2004, written by Susan Titus Osborn, "Rest Stops For Single Moms". Yes 2004 -- but it's wisdom is timeless! .. Here's why..
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The title:   "I LEARNED TO LEAN INTO THE PAIN INSTEAD OF AVOIDING OR FIGHTING IT."
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Here's what it says........ and to quote
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A good friend quoted to me the above phrase. Well, can you show me a woman who hasn't shed a tear (quietly or not) for self, parents, husband, and children. But you can't because none exists. Pain rides the whole crest of the various roles a woman plays in life.
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How does a woman survive all that? --- Simple. She leans into the pain. Like a single mother picks up the pieces of her life and valiantly builds a new life for herself and her children. Like a woman playing both father and mother roles in the home because her husband is in Saudi working for the money he sends home. Like a daughter bravely carrying on with a boring job all because she has to pay the hospital bills of her terminally ill parent. Like a steelhearted mother who seeks out help from individuals or institutions for her physically impaired child. Like a wife betrayed by an insensitive spouse yet finds the strength to shield her children from its pain.
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They all lean into the pain. Not running away, not avoiding it. Like the Blessed Virgin who stayed close by her Son. Mary always reflected on the events of her life and knew all were for a reason known only to the mind and heart of an All-Knowing and Mighty God. She leaned into her pain because there she found the knowledge and understanding of her role in the divine plan of God. She didn't avoid it nor run away. She simply said "Behold the handmaid of the Lord, be it done unto me according to Thy Word." And rose to be the bravest woman in the history of humankind.
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One late afternoon, I saw this woman waiting for her bus at the same terminal I frequented. She looked like any ordinary person in her late forties. But it was her face that I couldn't take my eyes away from. Truly her life was visibly etched on her face ----- fine lines that ran deeply across the width of her angular face and yet seemed to proudly say "I've been through bad times... and survived it all. I'm not afraid if there are more." Here was a woman who probably knew how to lean into her pain. Who probably also knew that the Blessed Mary has done it before --- and she can, too. No doubt about it.
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Unquote.
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It's a beautiful one, isn't it? .. and why I have kept it for so long.
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Yet, pain is not the monopoly of women. Men feel pain, too. And maybe there are no stories like this to tell us how men do that... but I dare say that men too lean into their pain. Otherwise, how can you explain a husband and father holding on to his job or two jobs for his family's sake, or a son who carries on with a college course not of his own choice but which will help support his aging parents in the shortest possible time, and so much more that could also fill a book.   And how you wondered about St. Joseph?   How he set aside his personal pain of being the brunt of the people's censure and ridicule for taking Mary and her baby Jesus for his own? He loved Mary and Jesus and he also understood his role in the divine scheme of things. He leaned into his pain for something bigger than himself.

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Pain is also felt by young children. Have you ever thought what goes on in the mind of a young street child? How his young innocent heart aches to play, go to school, or celebrate birthday parties? His heart aches. But he carries on walking the streets begging for money or food which apparently he will bring home to his family.  He leans into his pain too and in the only way he knows how.... survive. 
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Pain, as we all know it by now, is both a human blessing and a bane or tribulation. Pain has its own purpose too... some we may not fully understand. But definitely pain is part of that package called life.
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Be a hero to yourself. God bless you.

OPEN YOUR HEART AND FEED YOUR SOUL

The question of the day  'What's on your mind?'

It is this ---- THE HEART RULES. And this highlighted quote and the others on the list (all by Goethe) speak my heart. Which of these speak to you? Take it; live it; make it your own.
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My favorite:
"All truly wise thoughts have been thought already thousands of times; but to make them truly ours, we must think them over again honestly, till they take root in our personal experience."  -- Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

1) “A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.”

2) “You can easily judge the character of a man by how he treats those who can do nothing for him.”

3) “It is not doing the thing we like to do, but liking the thing we have to do, that makes life blessed.”

4) “You can’t, if you can’t feel it, if it never
Rises from the soul, and sways
The heart of every single hearer,
With deepest power, in simple ways.

You’ll sit forever, gluing things together,
Cooking up a stew from other’s scraps,
Blowing on a miserable fire,
Made from your heap of dying ash.

Let apes and children praise your art,
If their admiration’s to your taste,
But you’ll never speak from heart to heart,
Unless it rises up from your heart’s space.”
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Blessings to you and more for the weekend up ahead.

YOUR HEART AS YOUR PEN

When you want to write about 'rain', stay in and under the rain - not sheltered under a roof or an umbrella. When you want to write about a sunset, go look at one and feel the joy of watching beauty and magnificence at its best.

That's so much about writing -- write what you know, feel, and understand and express it with truth honesty and simplicity. These things dwell in the heart. Write with your heart as your pen.

THE HEART KNOWS BETTER HOW TO PRAY

Prayer is not just a word but it's the only common language known the world over. It is spoken in all the different languages by a vast multitude and diversity of race, culture, and creed. Oh but don't we all know that!

But one more thing I do know.. it's the only 6-letter word around with heart permanently attached to it. Man or woman, young or old -- a poor man living on the streets or the president of a country or a little kid of 5 or a life-weary old man of 80 -- they all have their hearts tied up in their prayers. So many things to pray about -- life, death, healing, success, provision, protection, guidance, relationships, ambitions, dreams, goals -- everything contained in our life struggles is reason for a prayer at one time or another. Even in our mundane pettiness and whimsical desires. Oh yes, ever heard how kids pray? And maybe some adults too.

No lengthy phrases and offerings need be said nor sacrifices be presented although it will not harm to do so too. It is as according to one's faith and belief. But prayer need not be much of a burden for anyone to do. A whisper or a silent tear or silence can be a prayer too. All that is needed or ever could be needed is already there in the heart. Pray with it.

Though the different ways of praying, only the heart knows how to pray well. Only the heart sends off the plea directly to the Holy Throne. Only the heart is heard loud and clear. And only in the heart is where you are you in prayer.

"When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart."
--- John Bunyan

LIVE FROM YOUR HEART

"What comes from the heart..... touches the heart." (Unquote)

This is how we should try to live life -- connect from one heart to another. Life is too short to put up so many barriers, walls, divides.

What are you protecting yourself from? Why be afraid of what's out there or of what life can do to you? We already know that, don't we? So why behave like we don't? It's not a perfect world, certainly not a bed of roses. In fact, I got bashed and pushed around so much that I've got scars for it. No prize but scars -- but who cares. The only way to experience life is to get down on the ground and get dirty. You'll cry, fume mad, grit your teeth, curse the heavens, and hate the day you were born. And that's good. Why? Because you are living that's why. That is life. How else can you live life but through life.

But it's not all bad because in-between the hurts and pains or sometimes traveling alongside it is --- joy, wonder, awe, sweet expectations, excitement, fun and funny, tingling thrills, magic and miracles. And these are hand-born by great experiences, events, things, places, and people. These and more like it come to bless you. Realize.. be glad and grateful that 'thorns have roses' too. :-) And lest you forget, know that you are not alone because others more are going through the same things that you do. We all stand connected some way or another. By God's design.

Reach out. It's a wonderful world out there! Not perfect but wonderful.

GENIUS OR JERK

I’ve met a lot of geniuses in my life – real honest to goodness brilliant people. Okay, genius per se is a big word to use everyday. But intelligence– they’re everywhere. I have so much respect for intelligence – clever brainpower. Am not speaking of the intelligence of books or mathematical acumen but rather of the kind which leads a person to do what is right and correct at the right given time and place with real understanding, zeal and compassion. One that cuts through the mumbo-jumbo of complex facade, veneer, or pretense which people oftentimes put up in many situations but for a certain reason.

Are we getting confused there?

Okay, I sort out intelligence into two kinds – the CC (cold cerebral) and the WI (warm intellect).

The first one is behind all the brilliant inventions or creations of our times then and now and in the future yet. It establishes principles, theories, formulas, systems, doctrines, ideologies, and space flights to outer space. It writes outstanding essays, books, manuscripts, and reaps oodles of recognition which our society could ever invent for them. And they deserve it all. I won’t argue over that. They have my respect and admiration.

The second one is where I would put my last money on, if I were to choose who I’d want to be marooned with on a deserted island somewhere-nowhere on the map. And I wouldn’t even care to be found or rescued or miss the companionship of my three lovely dogs…and a lazy but cuddly cat.

Hmmm, I sense a question forming in your mind now. :-)

Let's try this.

Marooned on an island with CC may assure me of an effective make-shift shelter or a regular supply of fish caught with an intelligent contraption made out of coconut trees would probably be a creative comfy and secure stay on the island until help comes along. But I’m such a big nervous wreck when things go amiss. I cope in extremes by either nagging on the issue or shutting up keeping it all inside. Now I wonder how CC would cope with something like that.

Maybe he’s going to quote me the emotional principles contained in psychology books to explain my fears, or the possibility percentage of being found and rescued, or at worst be so angry or flare up with my irregular behavior, or scoff at my efforts to want to contribute to his plans for a rescue. Duh! he's as cold as the icy wind blowing over the island.

Let’s try WI.

The shelter would still be made though but maybe not as sophisticated as the other one and the fish will still be on our menu but sometimes we may have to do with fruits if there would be some on the island or just have to go to bed without it at all.

When at times my fears get the best of me, he would be right there beside me and be such a comforting presence, explain things in a gentle genuine manner, or engage in a story to take my mind off my fears. Or if I opt to be a recluse instead, he would try to draw me out of it with gentle coaxing or maybe even with playful humor. He’s be so much in control of himself, the situation, and even of me (which I certainly wouldn’t mind lols with a genuine fella like that).

Such an environment of down-to-earth concern (which I would think is both his brains and heart working together) would succeed to calm down my fears and effectively draw me out to reciprocate in like manner towards him too. That would certainly earn my trust and confidence in his leadership in the situation to which I’d give my full support. So the situation now becomes an ‘us’ situation – where not one or the other would serve as the protector or the one being protected – but of two people working together intelligently to solve the problem.

Now isn’t that a show of good sound healthy intelligence of the right kind?! Something that warms the heart so.

Don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against brilliant minds, nope. I admire intelligence or brilliance in any person. It’s a God-given gift. But it would help if such brilliance is tempered with a more humane approach towards life and the people around you. Genius may take you to the big time, fat paychecks, top scale jobs, and the adulation of your peers – true. But what worth is all that when there is so much lack in the other areas of your life.

- When your kids see you only on birthdays, sometimes not (why can’t you find time for that but always keep tab of your boss’s anniversary?)

- When your wife can’t even discuss some important event in the family without you muttering an obviously lame excuse and leave (are things of the home so mundane for your precious time and mind?)

- When close friends can’t do lighthearted banter around you without you brushing it all off as a waste of time (do you know that some worthwhile things are not found inside the boardroom at all?)

- When your small kid comes to you with a broken toy and you instead opt to buy him an expensive intricate brand new one as replacement (do you really think that’s what he wants from you?)

Know where you should put your brilliance. Put your genius to better use with people who mean the world to you. Okay, be the brilliant person that you are to the world, but be even a better one to your family and close friends.

A man may be a genius but he can still do things

that practically break your heart. –James Q. Du Pont

PUT THAT SPECIAL GLOW BACK IN YOUR SOUL

How did your morning start today? Did you rise with the sun shining and smiling with that special glow in your soul? You should; we should. The day is great, made special by the myriad of blessings strewn our way by a loving God. What others may think in their jaded minds as quite an ordinary day -- isn't really. But they can't see that because these awesomely wondrous things manifest themselves only to the simple trusting and childlike heart. Sadly that isn't what we are most times. We have shut ourselves - our minds, hearts, and souls - from that which is truly essential. All that we care about is being busy - like doing nothing is such a big crime. Busyness has its own place and time but we don't know how where and when to stop.

If we allow ourselves to be still for a moment from the hustle-and-bustle of our world, then we will be able to see the grandeur and magnificence of life and all that is in it on land, sea, and air.

--We can soar with our senses with the eagle on high,

--breathe in the fresh wisp of a gentle breeze,

--be soothed by a gentle flowing stream,

--be serenaded by the choir of birds song,

--be delighted by the sight of soft cotton clouds drifting by,

--be inspired by the height and majesty of the king mountains,

--marvel at the glorious arch of the rainbow,

--be awed by the infinite span and space of a clear blue sky,

--feel the tingling hug of cool waters at our feet on the seashore,

--savor the peace and calm of a serene sunset on the far horizon,

--and so much more; it's all up to you.

Think of these in your mind, feel it in your heart. Make these your first thoughts when you rise in the morn. The smile will come easy when the heart is full and the soul content and happy.

HOW DO YOU SPELL -- GIVE

How do you spell the word 'give'?

It's spelled as ... c-o-m-p-a-s-s-i-o-n.

When you give, it simply means that you ---

--- clearly see, can understand, can relate, do sympathize, do care, do love -- the other

.....who may not be as bright, as well-positioned, as educated, as rich, as healthy, as well-dressed, or as beautiful as you are.

You give because you see the other person's need to receive.

And you respond as God responds.

Giving straight from the heart..... is the blueprint of GIVE... and of giving.

SET YOUR SAILS TO THE WIND -- ANCHOR YOURSELF ON GOD

No matter how you look at it, God’s presence is in everything. I can’t imagine seeing something in which God didn’t form or create with His own hands. Or have planned. Everything good comes from Him. As for the seemingly ‘bad’ which happens to people to life, I expect opposing points of view. I have no intention though to argue because it is alright to have different perceptions on the matter. My idea is that seeing God’s hand in ‘misfortune’ can be understood with the heart, not with the mind. Ofttimes we've been told that everything happens for a reason. Just as Ravi, blogger friend, said in his blog 'there are no accidents' in life. I believe so too.

Whatever the name each of us may know Him to be, he still is the same one God who holds us individually and collectively --regardless of race, color, or creed -- right there in the palm of his able hands.

You know, although God gave us our minds, I think He operates on the level of our hearts. This is where we can easily talk with Him and through which He prefers to communicate with us. So if you are seeking for reasons or explanations to your 'misfortunes', seek it in your heart. You'll find your God there and have your chat with Him. It works.

I have gone through many storms in my life but I learned to anchor my heart on God. Strong furious winds buffeted my sails and huge waves rocked my ship but truly my anchor kept me safe and steady through it all. Honestly, I won't have it any other way!