GIVE TO OTHERS. GOD WILL GIVE YOU MORE

It's quite easy to turn your back to the misery of others. But not so when misery hits you. Then you wish that friends wouldn't turn their backs on you. 

-"Love one another as much as i love you." - God

 Love will turn the tide. Believe this because it's been done for ages, by many, in different circumstances, with the smallest or greatest of hearts and hands. Love breaks down all barriers -- real, perceived, or  imagined. 

Be that person you were designed to be. Maybe it will be tough for some as they hurt from life's pricks and thorns. But, truth is, there's no ifs and but's there;  the Divine plan is to be kind. (And just a bit of info  - Let God deal with that 'unpleasant' part of your life. He's better at it than we could ever be on our own.)

You see, I have learned that in the early stages of our lives as we grow or mature and develop... we would be engrossed in the I-Me-My-Mine of its living. Then it comes to this point when we are charged with a new direction:  to turn to others. In unselfish care, compassion, understanding, empathy, sympathy, and service. That includes all of creation. Give to others,  God will give you more.

How do we know? The Divine plan takes its course. In bits and pieces or sometimes in grander scale. You're part of it, like it or not.

But if course the free will is still there;  the choice is still up to you. But you still have to conquer it. 

God is a respecter of men and women. He always is. But He expects you to know the Divine plan, too.

Lifted from a Tagalog song:

Pananagutan 

Lyrics by Fr. E. P. Hontiveros

"Walang sinuman ang nabubuhay

Para sa sarili lamang

Walang sinuman and namamatay

Para sa sarili lamang

Tayong lahat ay may pananagutan sa isa't isa

Tayong lahat ay tinipon ng Diyos

Na kapiling nya

....."

Translation:

Nobody lives just for himself 

Nobody dies just for himself 

All of us are responsible for one another 

God has gathered everyone to be with Him 

.....

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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.

A LIFE BIGGER THAN OURSELVES

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That was a long vacation, wasn't it? (Lenten season) Now we're back down to our regular normal routine. Live, work, play, pray, and love. I'll add one more thing to that --- write.
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Awhile ago with nothing much to do I sat on the sofa and watched the CNN interview of US presidential candidate Kasich. I was impressed in some by the man but what truly stuck to my mind was this line.....
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Kasich: "We need to live a life bigger than ourselves.".
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I like that. He spoke my own thoughts. You see, after we're done with our personal pursuits (all are good; don't let anyone tell you that it's bad) and come to that place in our lives wherein we feel content, happy, accomplished..... then the time becomes ripe to set our sights on something else other than ourselves. Or bigger than ourselves.
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We now should begin to put to use what we have become (mature, wise, learned, educated, enlightened, smart, etc) .......and with what we have (talents, skills, wisdom, resources, wealth, etc) for something bigger. Or in service to a bigger cause..... or with each other.
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But wait...... When we speak of 'serve'... you must be thinking along the lines and likes of ----- philanthropists..... Mother Teresa..... charities..... NGOs..... medical or humanitarian missions..... or tangible substantial donations to a worthy cause..... and more. Yes, to all that -- Well, maybe one or two or a bit of everything on a grand or grander scale, if you can. All is well and good. But really not necessarily in that manner prescribed every time. Admittedly some can and some cannot.
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Maybe this is what it means, too....
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- A nurse who goes out of her way to care for a patient or who never lacks a kind word to say to his family
- A doctor who goes the extra mile to help restore his patient back to health without thought of added compensation
- A teacher who on seeing a student's potential pushes him or her to become better or best in class
- A person who does not throw his trash unto his neighbor's garbage can or gutter or yard or property
- A driver who obeys traffic rules and respects the rights of fellow motorists on the road
- A pedestrian who crosses on the proper lanes set for pedestrians
- A taxi driver who turns over to the proper authorities a bag left behind by his passenger
- A businessman who does not overprice his goods
- A person who does not cheat or steal or lie or bully someone
- A person who understands and cares for the environment
- A person who cares for our four-legged friends
- A person of faith in thought, word, and deed
- A person who strives constantly to give his best to every task
- A person who is kind and compassionate to the underprivileged
- A parent who disciplines and teaches his children to embrace good character values
- A politician who works for the greater good putting his interests last
---- and many more.
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Deeds or actions which may even be considered by many as insignificant or taken for granted ofttimes unnoticed but truly in serious retrospect are worth more than all the gold in the world combined!
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"Take time to be of courage and be kind." ---- Beautiful lines spoken in the movie "Cinderella" shown on TV two nights ago. I watched it with my eldest daughter. In fact, we saw that movie twice already.
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I also remember this from Mom long ago .... " Caring for others is caring for yourself, too. But caring for yourself does not always redound to caring for others. "
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Oh but we need to live a life bigger than ourselves. We are children of God and we are created for greatness, right? Don't sell yourself short.
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May God bless you with good health, great opportunities, and joy for every good reason and in every measure big and small. In Christ. 
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This photo was taken by my eldest daughter at the Shrine of St. Therese (in the airport and Resorts World area) .. one of the seven churches we visited (Bisita Iglesia) during this Holy Week observance.

  

THE ONLY TRUE SOURCE OF POLITENESS IS CONSIDERATION

 

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Am going nostalgic this time thinking of mom. She taught me a lot of things; she was both my guru and hero. Among the nuggets of wisdom lined up in my head, I remember this one most......
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Mom taught me and kid brother to be polite with people since we were kids. When I grew older I took that lesson further to that point when even if the other person was unpleasant, to say the least.. I would still be nice and be in my best behavior with that person. Mom's words always stayed at the back of my mind..... 'Be polite.'
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But when I grew older, much older and understood more about life and people, things began to change. Better yet said, I changed. It was now knowing who the good guys are and who the jerks are and filling up my life more with the first. I no longer waste my time with those types whose main goal in life is to make other people miserable in theirs. Further have learned that nothing one can ever do no matter the good intent will change them because by all appearances they seem to be happy in who they are, in the mean things that they do, in the selfish choices that they make. Happy... Not really so, a beloved teacher once said, -- poor souls with heaps of insecurities disguised in the form of superiority though superficial in its being and core. If rudeness is second nature to them, yours be that of being polite. Pray for them though, she added, they will need all the help that they can get.
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Mom also reminded me to surround myself with good people. She described good people as having their hearts in their heads and their heads in their hearts. At first I had difficulty in understanding that until I had the chance and opportunity to meet them and experience their goodness while traveling down my own life journey.
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Among other fine qualities I saw in them was their being polite. This politeness, as I had observed, stemmed from a foundation of sincere consideration and respect for others. They cared about not hurting nor offending anyone in any perceived way or manner. They seemed to have learned the art of loving people both in their good and in their bad.
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So it's not just about good manners -- of saying . 'Thank you' . 'Please' . 'I'm sorry' .'Excuse me' . or offering a seat to an older person in the bus, or doing the simple courtesies of daily interaction. It's about honest care and respect towards a fellow
human being be that in matters huge or small, of significance or not, or even in the simple day to day experiences of our mundane lives. Or as simply summed up by the ordinary man on the street....... 'you want to be treated right, treat a person right'. I believe I've read that too somewhere in the Book --- 'Do unto others as you would want others do unto you'.... or something like it.
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Be polite.. it's not just all about manners; it's also about being kind. And I believe that we are sent lessons by life everyday to hone our skills in that direction.

KINDNESS IN ANOTHER'S TROUBLE - COURAGE IN YOUR OWN

 

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Life is mostly froth and bubble,
Two things stand like stone,
Kindness in another's trouble,
Courage in your own.

-----Gordon Adam Lindsay

Have you come across this poem before? It's beautiful and true, isn't it?
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Froth and bubble.... if you think about it, life is indeed most of the time froth and bubble. Temporary, fleeting, sometimes meaningless. Those things which we do for ourselves really don't matter where it should matter most. Superficial ---- We spend so much time "caring too much about how we look. about how other people look. about what we say and do and what other people say and do". And we think that's important because it is all about us. Our dreams, ambitions, experiences, opinions, achievements or failures ... our lives. Not that those things in itself are bad; those have its uses, too. But honestly we can take that only to a certain extent. Beyond a certain point it would matter no more.
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And that certain point is when everything about us is satisfied or sated. Thereafter things only get repeated over and over, again and again and in effect lose its relevance at all. Pointless... meaningless... 'been there-done that' is what some would say. Jaded robotic existence.
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But have you noticed how your soul comes alive when your focus shifts to another person? Particularly when you share of your self generously... selflessly? Feel the vibrant energy oozing out from you? A spark is lighted (you don't even know how it got there) and you get infused with its brilliant light. You become alive!
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The same magic happens to you when you face your struggles and challenges with new-found strength... strength you thought no longer existed. Bravery in your own is a magnificent thing. You begin to see life anew with renewed hope, courage, and faith.
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Kindness and courage .... both give meaning to life --- and life to meaning.
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Blessings to you all!

WE MAKE A LIVING BY WHAT WE GET -- WE MAKE A LIFE BY WHAT WE GIVE

 

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I'm not done yet with the sorting of books since yesterday. It's a modest collection of books I found interesting through the years, not necessarily best sellers, but stuff which lent me wisdom or insights into life and living. Some of its authors are unknowns and as a good number are famous writers. The books have turned brown on the edges but I don't mind it. They have stayed good friends who have stood the test of time and have stood as silent witness to my dreams.. one of which is to have a book out in my name. Ahh but what is life without dreams!!

Here's a tiny book I found by author Maya Angelou " Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now"..  a pocketbook with just about 139 pages. I would like to share with you these lines (my favorite) lifted from page 15.......  to quote

'............ giving liberates the soul of the giver. The size and substance of the gift should be important to the recipient, and more important, that intangible but very real psychic force of good in the world is increased.

     When we cast our bread upon the waters, we can presume that someone downstream whose face we will never know will benefit from our action, as we who are downstream from another will profit from that grantor's gift.'

--Unquote.

Giving need not necessarily be on a grand or grander scale. It can even mean a tiny act of kindness, the happy thought you cause in another person's life, the comfort you add to another person's painful existence, the encouragement or strength or inspiration you cause to spark in a weary soul... and so much more. Neither does it require applause or need the spotlight on you standing on center-stage. Giving does not require thank you's either.

Giving, one which Maya prefers, is that which comes naturally. It gives without thinking, as a familiar phrase goes. It's giving from where it matters most.... the heart.

A heart that cares can do wonders not just to the people around him but farther down the line and beyond. Its good flows like a happy stream running merrily  through its winding course nourishing every living thing it passes as it continues onwards and out to the sea. It doesn't stop for a hug, appreciation, or someone's thank you. It's happy with its own thought that it's doing someone-something-somewhere some good. And the universe is made even happier with that one unselfish act. How much more happier with many more!! This can create a happier world.

A giving person is content with the idea that it is doing what it is supposed to do. By God's design. And the prayer is to be transformed into that divine design by God's guiding grace.

Wishing you all a pleasant and blessed day.
Keep looking for blessings;  expect it.
God bless you, lovely people.

LOOK FOR THE HELPERS

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I like this very much when I first saw it long ago.. and I'm bringing it here...... To quote:

Fred Rogers said:  

 “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me,   "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”                                        

(Unquote)

It is easy to be angry, terrified, devastated, horrified by all that is terribly happening in our country and in other parts of the world. Catastrophes, killings, disasters, extreme poverty and hunger, greed and lies, graft, corruption, civil and political unrest, and a whole load more of bad things, to put it mildly.

But Fred Rogers is right.... 'look for the helpers..'  They come in different shapes, form, color, creed, sizes, gender, education or the lack of it, rich or poor, but you will see them out there getting their hands dirty helping..... or disregarding threat to their lives to bring out the truth...... or using their profession to help the least of our brothers....... or generously lending their time, energies, and resources to help build, preserve, save, heal, educate, protect, or whatever else is required for the greater number and better good.

Look for the helpers --- you will see them.
So what can we do where we are with who we are and what we have? 

Simple.

Talk about them... praise them... encourage them... catch them in action with your camera... write or blog about them... tell others about them... and if you have the chance then tell them straight how you appreciate what they do... and importantly, pray for them that they persevere in their noble kind and generous deeds. And if you are able to, join them.

Look for the helpers. Seek them out. Tell the world about them..... that good is still very much alive in our midst  Blessings!

SMALL PEOPLE - TREASURE FROM UNEXPECTED PLACES

What's a 'talipapa'?  It's one of these depending on what you see settled in your area.........  Talipapa - a temporary fish market;  Talipapang gala - a traveling wet market;  Talipapang bayan - a public market. While a 'palengke' is a public wet market more permanent in structure.

So this morning I went to a talipapa with the intent to buy mangoes from my 'suking tindahan'. For my foreign friends the tagalog word 'suki' is of Chinese origin. Translated means .. suki - a regular customer;  suking tindahan - a favorite store where you shop regularly. This talipapa is just a few meters from the main road outside the main gate of my subdivision. A mini version of the wet market and temporary in the sense that they could be sent away or closed down on short notice anytime when the proper authorities feel that they should.

Anyway, I bought some vegetables, calamansi (also called Chinese orange), bananas, and of course my favorite sweet mangoes. Unfortunately I didn't bring an Eco-bag so I was laden with five plastic bags of goodies which my tiny fingers and hands struggled with. In fact, that concern was major-major (borrowed your words, Venus Raj) because I still had a long walk back to the house to consider. At the fruit store, the store owner saw my problem and without much ado took the bags yet smilingly.... yup ....he rearranged the goods and tied the plastic bags at their top edges and presto! -- I was left with only two bags to carry back home. Thanking him was such an honor and delight. So appreciated it was especially when the rains started. Luckily though I had with me my dependable umbrella.

Also before I forget, in one of the small stores I lacked the necessary change for the stuff I bought but the girl simply smiled and said 'It's okay'.  Oh, you don't get these in the big markets. They usually leave you to deal with your market problems by your own exasperated hapless self.

Small people... they usually have a heart of gold. They take time to help or serve with what they know or can. With eyes beaming with honest intent and concern they lend a helping hand without a moment's hesitation.  But this one is just a talipapa and one day I may not be seeing them there but I will always remember the times they made me feel good.

Have an interesting day, everyone. Blessings!

PAY IT FORWARD

Miracles happen everyday. It's true because my life stands witness to that. God works in strange ways beyond man's ordinary comprehension. Come to think of it, our life has been nothing but ONE MIRACLE AFTER ANOTHER! Who can beat that?! When many are searching far and wide for the miracles they want to see in their lives... we have it in ours EVERYDAY.

Trials.. what are they? If not opportunities to see God work his power and might. Opportunities to make us see just how much HE loves us, no matter our unworthiness. We are petty, weak, flawed, not without sin -- but that doesn't matter to HIM. HE sees beyond that. HE sees our heartbreaks.. disappointments.. hurts.. pain.. hopelessness.. struggles.. helplessness.. our smallness and mortality. And understands!

Thus out of the great love in HIS heart HE moves to comfort.. heal.. save.. strengthen.. encourage.. enlighten.. inspire.. provide.. guide.. and so much more HE becomes simply to match our need. HE becomes everything we need HIM to be, with or without our asking HIM to. That is how much GOD loves HIS children... and that means all of us!! When HE does that it's not like one formula applies to everybody. Rather HE connects to us one-on-one! You're a person to HIM, not just a face in the crowd.

How can we match that? We can't! But we can try to be the best of what we can be with who we are-what we have... and walk beside HIM in trust and love. A life journey we take with HIM side by side.

Lest we forget, God wants us to understand too that in the same way HE is good to us... we must also be just as good to our brethren. We must not let God's love stop with us but it must be moved on along or passed on to the next person who too has need of God's magnificent love. You probably have seen that movie "Pay It Forward" -- that is God's love in action through ordinary people.

This is how we honor HIM, this is our thanksgiving to HIM, and this is what children of GOD do. Don't hesitate, don't be scared. One need not be faultless or sinless or perfect to do God's work nor wait till one is worthy. Because mortals can never be worthy in this lifetime. What we can do instead... is to be and do what we can with who we are and with what God has blessed us with. God does not wait or need perfect servants but HE uses WILLING servants to do HIS work. We need to understand that in doing God's work it is not all about you... it is all about GOD. And the best way to do that is to love and serve one another in the spirit of God's love.

Be blessed and stay blessed.
God's love be with you always.

KINDNESS MAKES FOR A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE

We often hear talk about somebody else’s bloopers, blunders, faults, bad fortune, inadequacies, failures, or bad luck. But why call attention to what others cannot do, failed to do, and are unable to do? It’s bad enough for that person to know that he has failed but to be reminded of it so often really sucks. Gossip and gossiping is a killer. It can hurt. It destroys with just one spoken nasty unkind word, just as easy as that. Well, what’s said about another person may be true or untrue but that’s not our problem. The whole point is why need or bother to talk about it? If it‘s not going to help the other person, just be quiet.

But do speak up about anything and everything which is GOOD, TRUE, NOBLE, WORTHY, and PRECIOUS. For instance -----

-The girl next door who comes home with her pay check with groceries in tow and with her mom’s favorite dish for dinner in her hand. In the rat race of modern pursuits, sometimes those simple endearing homespun values may be pushed far back or even get lost.

-That nondescript guy in his cubicle at the far end of the hall helping you photocopy fifty pages of your boss’s monthly report without your asking him to. Such unselfish and thoughtful gesture is a rare treasure to find in a corporate jungle.

-A friend who volunteered to stay with your sick child in the hospital to have you come home and rest. A friend who doesn’t mind getting involved in your family cares and woes is the real friend we all truly need.

-The vendor who helped push your car stalled in the center of busy traffic onto the safe side of the road. That’s the kind of person who unwittingly restores our trust and faith in the basic goodness of man.

-Or that 70 year old man who nobly lives a life alone and lonely but doesn’t complain; in fact, he is the cheeriest old man in your neighborhood. He puts us to shame with our pointless grumbling and complaining over the difficulties of life and living.

These and many more are what we should look out for, admire, praise, encourage, and extol. Shout it from the roof tops -- Tell everybody how wonderful this or that person is; how he or she made your life comfortable, pleasant, cheery, funny; or how you were encouraged, strengthened, inspired in your darkest moments; or how he made you feel human and worthy when everybody else gave up on you.

Truly we can make a difference in other people’s lives. Not harp on something that breaks up their world and shatters it to pieces. Rather with one that builds up courage, esteem, hope, joy, and faith.

KINDNESS -- that is all it takes to make them look good and feel good. It’s just a simple show of kindness but, believe me, it means the whole world to that person.

(This post I dedicate to all the kind people in my blog life in my blog world – for all the kindness I’ve received in thought, word, and deed. The sketch above is inspired by you. I pray God continue to pour out blessings upon you and your loved ones.)

DEVI'S PEARL (A short story)

Devi sat on the shoulder of the gravel walk with legs dangling nonchalantly over the ledge. The promontory was just a couple of yards high from the main park below. The park almost deserted now as people hurried to get home. Brushing away sweat from her eyes, she looked out to the far horizon now dotted with gray clouds. Far out to the right much heavier clouds gathered threatening rain. 'I have to head back soon, too' she thought. Yeah, it was rather late in the afternoon for a walk usually done early mornings… but no reason this time, none convincing enough anyhow, shrugged Devi picking herself up.

Shaking off imaginary dust from her pants, she started walking back up the path. It was a short trek to the main road but the park designers put in a rough gravel walk winding around trees that gradually thinned out when it got to the big gate. Doesn’t make walking easy, she mused. She thought, oh yeah, mom would always say life is not easy. She got this so wired into my head even before i could set eyes on goals and even before i could set foot on that journey pushing those dreams. When I finally left home to seek my own fortune, it was then that I came face to face with the ‘not easy’ stuff —because there it all was before me --disappointments, bum situations, hard knocks, and jerks. In turn I got bruised, torn, and shaken all over. How often did I cry “enough!!” – and frantically hit the panic button with a thousand screws askew --and burned wires sticking out of my frazzled brain. Geezz…So this is what mom meant!

Devi halted, steps faltered her heart grew heavy as thoughts flashbacked through the years. Feeling a heavy lump in her throat and eyes going moist, she uttered 'scars take long to heal alright'. She lifted her eyes, released the sigh and blinked away the tears. Yes when you have had a life like mine, you'll know everything revolves around – pain and struggle. It’s the fierce battle for relief that hits the button to push harder. No other way to do it-- and when all that doesn’t work still, then you also cry harder and hurt even so much more.

Cold winds started whipping up leaves on the park grounds. Hair wildly flapping in the wind, she intuitively looked back to check on the cluster of dark clouds formed earlier. Now they were much darker and heavier heading in her direction. The sight jarred her thoughts back to the present; Devi now quickened her steps and hurried down the path till it brought her to the main gate. Finally out into the open, she quickly ran towards the waiting shed as heavy clouds broke into unrelenting rain.

Rain! 'Into each life some rain must fall' — not original but another piece from Mom’s list. She missed no chance to hammer that into my head—making sure I understood very well what she meant--- At fifteen?! Ugh! --When all that I had in mind was that cute boy next door-- Tall and lanky, thin lips always curling up into an eternal smile, and gorgeous blue eyes. Blue! Girls went gaga over him—never mind if he was a GI baby –somebody’s souvenir of a long gone ugly war. He was cute! But then I grew older and outgrew the boy (well, who doesn’t!) and yes the rains did come. In fact, it poured buckets-- I got fired from my second job, got kicked out of my flat, friends thinned out, was betrayed by a boyfriend, mom died and an only brother in that same year, dad joined them a few years after, and money dwindled all too soon.

Devi looked down to her soggy shoes as old forgotten memories continued its parade. Drenched, she thought still looking at her wet shoes-- nobody can stay unaffected by it— none can survive untouched by it all. Life makes sure of that and spares no one. We all get our share of pain—in different measure but it falls on everyone absolutely. We all get unmercifully drenched. Soaked wet down to our feet!

The rains still pounded on the pavement heavily without letup. 'Darn', she thought, peering through the thick curtain of rain, 'what’s taking the shuttle so long'. Distracted, she strained through the thick rain to the other side of the road down to a low-lying bush which caught her eye. Small and sitting squat on the ground, yet with its tiny lavender blooms bravely holding on to its stalk under the pounding rain. Amazing, she mused, and so pretty-- a ray of color, hope and courage on a bleak silver gray and heartless canvass-- So much like life, isn’t it? She mused.

Blooms! Take time to smell the roses. Yeah, it’s not original-- again I know, but Mom said this, too. She said that at one time in our life, there is that precious moment or one unforgettable person which and who will always stand out in one’s memory which is akin to the sight of beautiful red roses in gorgeous full bloom just taking one’s breath away-- always remembered, never ever forgotten!

I remember this one rose moment....

Who says that banners and streamers welcome you into the workplace-- that 24-karat smiles greet you on every floor the Sup takes you to meet the corporate family as they call it. Well, maybe one or two then there are the quick smiles, half smiles, quarter smiles, and no smiles. But I hate most the eternal smirk. Ugh! It cuts you up more like a double-edged sword. To a naïve just-fresh-out-of-school young girl of twenty-two, this is akin to the ugly withered witch in the dark cold deep forest who’s out to steal my basket of red apples. Did I get that all mixed up... was it snow white or little red riding hood? He-he. So the Sup and I got through all the floors and cubicles and then back to my first-ever corner desk when the clock struck lunch. Hurriedly, she mumbled where the canteen was and then melted into the woodwork. Must be related to Cindy—Cinderella if you want to know.

Anyway the room suddenly felt so desolate as I stood there glued to my shoes. Panic! -- heart thumping I grabbed for my bag and ran to the ladies’ room. Empty! So glad for it heaving a sigh of relief. The place was impressively very clean. Maybe I could…??? So I got out from my bag the sandwich mom packed for me this morning, moved the stool at the make-up counter closer to the open window, sat down and ate my lunch. I was starving. A quarter off my sandwich when the door opened and a girl came in. She may have noticed the sandwich in my hand but said nothing. Instead, she said “Hi!” --showing a nice set of pearly white teeth. She washed, dried her hands, and then looked in the mirror checking her make-up. I remained quiet so embarrassed because she obviously knew what I was doing there. Then she turned to me and said “The view is truly fantastic from that window. New here?” and smiled. Not waiting for me to reply, she headed for the door and added “You’ll be fine; it's okay. It’s only that way for some few days. Then it'll get better.” Smiled again, opened the door and stepped out closing it softly behind her. Never saw her again but I never forgot her since. Although I was told that people in the big city rush and hurry all the time unmindful of each other, but not this one, she certainly took time for me. Will never ever forget her.

Oh but of course there's more-- snippets in the most unlikely places and situations although remotely connected to my own pain and suffering —yet providing so much immense wealth of pleasure and inspiration despite the restive ripples seen on the surface of life so to speak. So much like a pool of calm cool waters refreshing and resting my soul and spirit. I guess one just has to learn to seek out these treasures which almost always are hidden beneath the hassle-and-bustle of life’s endless grind and hard cover-- to see pearls where others may think none exist. And appreciate it! I guess this is what Mom meant.

The heavy downpour now had trickled to a light drizzle and Devi slid out of the shed deciding to walk home. The comforting thought of hot chocolate nudged her to quicken her steps. But for one brief moment, she looked back over her shoulder to the tiny plant -- lavender blooms still upright—and Devi smiled. Ah yes, nature and people – brothers, too, in the same landscape of life. And grinning widely now, Devi whispered to the wind “Mom, I found myself another pearl!”.

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I don't usually do long stories. Did this for a friend. But this will be the first and last. Lols! Hope you enjoyed this special ride. Thanks for dropping by for this one.

ANYWAY

I woke up to a fine morning, got up leisurely from my bed and sauntered over to the bedroom window ... looked out to the day-- it looked like it was going to be a good day despite the clearly overcast skies. Why? I don’t know. Maybe it’s a feeling one gets when everything within is peaceful, serene, and quite content. Not that nothing is bothersome or ‘kicking butt’ mine or somebody else’s, it’s just that some mornings do give us that ‘feel good’ feeling. Well, this is that particular morning.

Apparently the neighborhood has had a good head start getting on with the day’s routine of chores. I hear a neighbor’s washing machine spinning away with their usual laundry. Coming down the street are young children in their blue crisp uniforms on their way to school. Following not far behind are two housewives perhaps on their way to the market, too. (‘Wonder what they’re going to cook up for lunch today.) A car passing them slows briefly down to a halt; Mr. Perez, behind the wheel on his way to work, takes time to greet the ladies. Right across my window stands a proud mango tree with its trimmed branches (done ‘bout 2-3 months ago by Mr. Noble, my favorite neighbor) now growing new leaves in places where it used to be bare. And seen below at the foot of the tree is a small low-lying bush happily holding up its new blossoms for everyone to see. (‘Wonder though if people passing by do notice.)

Quite an ordinary scene repeated in many places everywhere. In fact, I think it’s down pat to routine, for the human part that is. As for nature, it does what it does best always --- live. So it really is this – that no matter the threat of terrorist bomb scares, a heavy downpour, or whether somebody is gravely sick or has died today – they’ll do it anyhow. People get on with their lives. Nature does the same. Even if war explodes this very minute, it won’t stop the roses from blooming. They’ll do it anyway.

In just the same manner, do the good that you want to do. Teach your students well, close that major contract for your company, minister to your sick patients, police your area, speak up for the underprivileged, serve in a civic program for the handicapped, or continue loving your unlovable friend. No matter how you may feel - or despite the risk of being misunderstood - or if friends tell you that you’re overextending yourself this time, do it anyway. It’s not meant to please anyone; it’s something you must do because you believe in it. And by the way, has it ever crossed your mind that God despite our unworthiness loves us anyway? Lovely, isn’t it?!

Read this poem late last night.....

ANYWAY
by Mother Theresa of Calcutta

People are often unconscious, illogical and self-centered
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish and ulterior motives
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and true enemies
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people will cheat you
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight
Build anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow
Be good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God
It was never between you and them anyway.

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I HAVE LEARNED THAT..... (PART 2)

"I have learned that being kind is more important than being right."

Why do people have this fierce quest to be right all of the time? Why do people think that being right ups their personal value more than anything else? Well, maybe yes, or maybe no.

‘Does it matter? He is wrong and we are right.’ That’s what we would always say. Aww c'mon, is that what it is?! But life isn’t all about being right all of the time. Right doesn’t always make us the good guys. If we pursue and defend right in a manner that appears heartless, mean, ruthless, or demeaning then whatever our good intent that sense of being right would be lost in the pieces of a shattered heart --- a broken spirit.

We go to extra lengths to defend being right or prove a point which we think is the correct one. But did we ever stop to think just how this hard badgering and hammering is affecting the other person? That the words we speak although of good intent may not be the right things to say to him? That we have become blind in our hearts and fail to see that the other person is hurting?

How about trying on his shoes for a change and see how that feels? Maybe then you will wish so hard that the world or people were a little bit kinder? That it’s not so much being right but being kind which truly matters? That people can be wrong, true, but are we always kind?

Being right is okay in its proper time intent and place, but being kind is more important --- because it’s in being human and humane that we truly make the grade.