REST AND BE THANKFUL

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I always meant to write every week. But it did not happen. Although the willingness to write is there and the words come piling up into my head. But 'have to admit that it won't come out and be written. So then, what was holding it back, you may want to ask.😊

Simple. Times when all you want to do doesn't happen because something else other than what you planned to takes dominion over it. And that something else isn't even of mind-boggling importance. Weird but it's there. It could take you through a day or two.. or even a week or weeks. But you stay there in that moment and just simply... be.

Mom once said to me --- "You get such days when things are not what you want them to be. But there they are staring you in the face. It's not because you did something wrong or you need to do things right. It's more like an intermission or a break or similar to a director telling his crew to 'take five'." 

Well, she further added --- "..don't fight it. Don't even try to be brilliant and devise ways and means to get over it. It might give you the feeling or impression that life is standing still. Strangely. It seems like it yes.... and yet for a reason."

"What reason?" I asked. 

"You'll find out soon enough." she smiled knowingly.

Mom was right. To cut a long story short, I got more from my break than what I could have gathered with my brain working on double-time. And I saw a lot more things to be thankful for.

It works different from person to person. Depending on how you perceive life to be. But it certainly benefits the mind, body, and soul. 

Take five, people. Rest. Embrace it. Thank God for it😊

God bless you.

BACK IN THE WRITING GROOVE AGAIN

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Sometimes writing becomes a struggle between ‘will I’ or ‘will I not’. Yet it really doesn't take much (as anybody would know that) if a bit of passion goes along with the writing. It comes easy when you love what you’re doing. As in other things whether that be cooking, singing, dancing, acting, playing an instrument, traveling, reading, teaching, painting, and many more. Not even a hundred horses or a thousand can take you away from that, right?

Yet sometimes too I can think of three good reasons NOT to write….

Top on that list ----- the absence of an idea for writing or in more romantic terms – an inspiration. Some call that the writer’s block. There may be dozens of ideas churning inside my head but nothing seems to stay still long enough to make some sense of it. That’s why inspiration does play a great role (to my mind at least) because it is able to sort out things and knit them together to form a better-understood-whole.

Secondly ----- the excruciatingly hot weather makes it impossible to sit on the chair longer than I can say the word ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’. And I don't even know if I spelled that correctly. My butt’s on fire more often than I want it.

Thirdly ----- there’s something I’d like to do too. Have you an old pair of jeans lying somewhere inside your closet? I do. So why not sew a bag out of an old pair of denim pants. Yup an idea that caught my mind when one day I saw that I had about 3 or 4 worn out denims lying inside the closet for ages now. Since ‘tote bags’ is another passion, I decided to put the denims to better use and at the same time find out if Mom's creative sewing talents rubbed off on me. Been toiling at it on certain days... the measuring, cutting, and the final sewing – by hand and not with a sewing machine. I have a portable sewing machine here but I prefer not to work it. You see, I'm bad with machines although I have managed to drive a car before. I hope that counts. Well, the bag is now ready with only the zipper and the handle to attach. Now I'm figuring out how to do the zipper because it looks like a tricky thing to do on a bag. Or maybe use Velcro instead of a zipper...... hmmmmm... (Took the photos below of the finished items for you, ladies, to see that you can do it too.) 😃

But there's a fourth one ----- Oh well, it's got something to do with great movies and TV shows – if there's a good one in town my family and I go see it. Too on television there's The Voice, CSI, NCIS, The Good Doctor, Hawaii 5O, MacGyver, CNN Philippines (and our local news too), Discovery channel, How'd They Do That, Amazing Race, Ellen DeGeneres .. And all those other interesting stuff like reruns of great movies (old and new) which gets your eyes glued to the box. And along with that perhaps a nice cup of coffee, or maybe iced tea, then again a lemonade, or some ice cream and chocolate cake while sitting on a nice comfy couch.... and too have your family around you.

And a fifth one ----- read a book! Oh never mind if it’s an old one, if it’s good I will take it down from my tiny library and read it again. And again if need be. There’s The Purpose Driven Life, 1000 Stories, Tuesdays with Morris, Dare To Fail, Laugh Again, All I Really Need To Know I learned In Kindergarten, Jacob the Baker, The Alchemist, The Aladdin Factor, Traveling Light, and other books too that didn't make the best seller list but are just as engaging to read.

 

So maybe what I'm trying to say is there's life outside the writing and blogging. And truthfully, I'm saying that I'm having the best of both worlds. The writing gives me so much pleasure indulging in such a rewarding activity with the added bonus of wonderful friendships found in that journey. It’s a good life and creates my greatest of blessings. Huge thanks to the Big Guy upstairs.

I guess it would be alright to say that with this post I'm back into the writing groove again after a brief hiatus. Love to be here with you again, lovely people. Sending you big hugs and generous blessings from the heart of God. ❤️🌹

PEOPLE-WATCHING AT STARBUCKS

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My daughters and I love spending time at our 'adopted' HQ (headquarters at the mall -- Starbucks, but of course! There's a history in it and I think I have written about it before in previous posts. And that history lives on in the hearts of my family.
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Well, the one thing that I love doing .. aside from my green tea frappuccino and corned beef sandwich, playing games on my phone, reading or writing ... is people-watching.
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We know that looking at a landscape of evergreens has its delight and pleasure which only Mother Nature can genuinely give. Now it's a different delight and pleasure when looking at this landscape of people.
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They come in all sizes... shapes... appearances... dress style... hair cuts and dyes... in professional decorum or in the swagger of an "I"- "Me" - "My" - "Mine" person... in all the socio classes of wallets and purses... genders... color... and religion... parents... children... yayas... grandparents... aunts... uncles... professors... students... businessmen... employed... unemployed... priests... nuns or sisters... the loners... groups... the first wives club... the other wives club... singles... married... separated... bereaved... and many others more with all other intentions good or bad coming in and out of any Starbucks door. Well, this Starbucks door, too!
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Almost always snippets of conversation trail down to your table, like it or not. One thing I have observed is that Pinoys can't talk or chat in low voices (even on their cellphones); it always has to be amplified twice regardless of place or time.
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Aside from their vocal narration of life as it befalls them, their eyes visibly validate or corroborate it, and then sometimes it looks the other way. But as someone once said it ------ 'the eyes have it all'.
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In summary, my own understanding of people and of life grows exponentially with every person and life story heard. Wisdom in its barest. Fortunately or unfortunately but much to my advantage this apparently provides authentic seeds for the writing, too.
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That's all for now, folks! My green tea frappe is waiting for me.
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Have a great day!  God bless you!

OF BLOGGING... STORIES.... AND STORYTELLERS

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There is a diversity of reasons why people do what they do. In every area of our lives -- the whatever-however-wherever it may be -- is what makes up your story. Every bit and piece in it is everything that tells the world who you are. Because everybody is a story.
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But -- that is just one part of the whole..... Completing that is the listener. One is nothing without the other. Somebody tells -- somebody listens. Somebody writes -- somebody reads.
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Try cruising down a blog site, stop awhile and visit a blog or blogs and you will know what I mean. You will begin to appreciate such display of diversity, of interests, and the wide range of expression in telling it. The thing to remember is that it's not just all about words or pictures but it's all about people and their stories. and how it's told.
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Some people, as I have heard them say, remark that it's a frivolous or flippant world and is such a waste of time. I will disagree to that. If some blogs do appear as such it does not necessarily reflect the site or the activity itself but rather it simply points you to the person writing it. The work is reflective of its creator.
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Each day adds another page to our life story. Make it count, make it matter. Learn whatever there is to learn every time the learning comes to your doorstep. Recognize and appreciate the carrier of the lesson -- acknowledge its presence... the person who is simply sharing his or her own story. As you have yours and share it too in your own special way in your own corner of the world and universe.
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Blessings to you and your dear ones. Great day ahead; enjoy! God bless you.

 #learning   #writing   #blogging   #storytellers   #blogworkshop 

 

The What:  Blissful Blogging Workshop

  

The Where:   Tweedle Book Cafe

 

The food --- but of course!

  

The organizers.. and speaker.

 

The storytellers.

 

 

 

New friends.. seatmates.. teammates.

  

#TheLearningJunkies

 

LIVING ON BORROWED TIME

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Mr. Quote Man sent this to my email today. Oh you do remember him, right? The guy who won't let me idle my brain and the writing. The quotes he regularly sends me are like a 'carriage horseman's whip flicked so that horses would keep on with their regular pace'. Naahh, far from being mean he is such a darling sweet not-so-young gentleman who cares about my writing since the first time he came to my blog... and that was long ago. And the quotes are his idea so that I wouldn't lack in subjects for writing. He being a writer and blogger himself is apparently quite familiar with the famous and daunting writer's block. Anyway...
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Here's what he sent me...... to quote
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"We must remember that nothing in this world really belongs to us.  At best, we are merely borrowers." ----- Christopher Isherwood
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Unquote
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And this did make me think.....
,
Whether you are looking at a sparse life or a generous one, one thing tells you straight up -- that you can never really own it. You may have something which the other guy may not have and he too may have something which you desire passionately but it all falls under the same category -- 'Nothing in this world really belongs to us'.
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Funny and sad that we punish ourselves hard trying to make our dreams come true and spend almost two-thirds of our life making it real. While those things which truly matter and which give life its authentic meaning, its wonderful reason and rhyme for living, things which are genuine treasures which the heart alone recognizes if given the chance --- all these precious gems simply pass us by unnoticed.
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I was that person too at some point in my history. Everything that I owned or acquired I considered 'forevermore'. But life in all of its wisdom would not allow such foolishness and rearranged things that soon enough found me bereft of what I held dearest to my heart... tangible and intangible. Was I beaten? Not really...... because man is never beaten. He moves on. And too with great compassion, life restores the soul to that place where it truly belongs.
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Now I look around me and can honestly say..... I understand. And with better clarity and appreciation of life's true value and that of my place in it.
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Blessings, everyone!

I THINK THEREFORE I WRITE

Whenever I feel the nudge to write I don’t just sit at my desk and words come flowing out like flood waters out of a broken dam or like a wild horse which has broken free from captivity now running wild and free. It doesn’t happen that way. Starting off with this magical nudge, I sit at my desk with my fingers poised over the keys waiting as my thoughts begin to churn. A phrase comes out and I type it. A paragraph comes next and I type that too. Then a pause wiggles in to which my eyes take advantage of wandering outside my window looking out to the blue sky or admiring the tree branches traipsing in the wind. A distraction you might say but not really. Thoughts don’t stop just because you look somewhere else. Well, at least it does that to me. It continues the process of thinking yet further enhanced by and with the observed nuances of a scene, thing, activity, or sound carried in by one momentary second of perceived distraction.

And the writing continues because the thinking cranks up to high gear. Now the typing picks up speed trying its best not to miss every word every thought. Then again another pause... something akin to vigorously running a long mile and coming to losing your wind and so you stop. But does the thinking stop too?

It does not. I may want to walk away from my desk with a new intent to grab a nice cup of coffee and too decide to sit back and relax enjoying it but my thoughts would still keep on tossing and turning ideas in my mind. It does not care about the coffee but it does care about my experience of it. Yes, more food for the thought and for the writing.

My mom, bless her soul, summed it up long ago with this......  ‘You think ... therefore you write.’

This post is also meant to encourage others out there who love to write to .......  connect with your thoughts and W-R-I-T-E !!

Blessings, everyone!

MUCH LEARNED FROM SOLITUDE

 ---------------
This was written in the blog a long time ago. But I'm bringing it here as the perfect platform for my return to writing after a brief hiatus which, by the way, was certainly enjoyed much.

THE INDEPENDENCE OF SOLITUDE

The independence of solitude... ahhh that's a beautiful phrase and thought. And yes, it's perfectly sweet. Knowing where you are, knowing that things are temporary and will pass, knowing that people will come and go in anyone's life, and knowing that anything that happens will happen because they happen for a reason, including love. Everything has its own place, time, season, and reason. (Ecclesiastes from the Book) -- All these are better understood in the presence of solitude.

Never deprive a man of his solitude because there he grows in self with self. He learns well when left to his musings, reflections, and insights. There he is restored to his core and once again regains his balance and true perspective. There he comes to terms with his inner demons and learns to sift through the grain to find his true gold. There he will argue with his God and who in turn will show him where he is right or wrong. There he sees himself without sham or masks and exposes his weaknesses as well as his strengths. There after all the battles fought he will finally come to a rebirth of self -- a renewed creative shining powerful version of his old self.

The independence of solitude confirms and affirms the independence of that person not only for his good but hopefully for the greater good of which we all must serve.

"It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinions;
it is easy in solitude to live after your own;
but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd
keeps with perfect sweetness the independence of solitude."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

-End-

Wish you all blessings for a lovely day!

WHEN I SEE PEOPLE - I SEE STORIES

"Whatever we perceive in the world around us reflects who we are and what we care about most deeply, as in the old saying..... 'When a thief sees a saint, all he sees are his pockets."  --  Robert Frager (USA)

I find that quite intriguing and interestingly played in a gathering of humanoids whatever the occasion may be. On this particular day my daughter and I were at a fast-food store in a mall just some minutes away from the house. While my daughter was at the queue waiting for her turn to be served, I sat at our chosen table in a corner far from the maddening crowd. Noise of any kind is undoubtedly an irritant but unfortunately that word is synonymous to mall. So there!

And now for the people......

- a woman raised her eyebrows on seeing a lady walk past her table with an attractive LV bag in her arm
- an old man frowning at the misbehaving kids in the next table
- a middle-aged woman on seeing a young man sit at the table across hers slowly yet seriously slid her handbag down to her lap
- a man with silver hair smiled through his meal apparently enjoying his time and the crowd
- an old lady with a wistful look in her eyes gazing at the happy family two tables away
- a group of teenagers still in their school uniforms having fun at their table... while one of them smiles shyly while stealing glances at the cute boy sitting opposite her
- a middle-aged couple just sitting there while waiting for their order... not talking, not looking at each other, no spark in their eyes, zombies if you ask me
- and this woman with chin cupped in her hand and looking outside the door her thoughts seemingly far away

Ah yes, when I see people..... I see stories.
And then I write.

It's a big wide world out there -- What do you see? or how do you see it?

HOW CAN I WRITE WELL?

 ---  A young girl also an online friend who regularly visits the blog asked me this question .   She was quite persistent in her request. Oh boy! But I like her.. wonderful person and friend.  Well, I think she meant creative writing. Defined as... 

"Creative writing is writing that expresses the writer’s thoughts and feelings in an imaginative, often unique, and poetic way." (Sil.org – What is Creative Writing?)

"Creative writing is anything where the purpose is to express thoughts, feelings and emotions rather than to simply convey information."  (Creative Writing 101)

To answer it better, let me put down things I have learned as far as my writing experience is concerned and if it be of service to young girls and boys (have been asked the same question through the writing years I can hear it still :-) ..) wanting to pursue this passion and god-given gift. Although still not a complete list because the learning continues as the writing does.  We should remember that there certainly is so much more to learn and that speaks not only of the writing but as well as life is concerned too. Learning is a life-long experience and activity. When you stop learning, everything else in your life stops growing.... you stop growing!

Here it goes.......

-- USE SIMPLE WORDS. Using big words unnecessarily doesn't really impress your readers. It will only muddle up their brains trying to figure out what you mean. And people don't really bother to look it up, as a rule. If they can't understand you, they won't read you.

-- PAY ATTENTION TO CORRECT GRAMMAR. Simple does not mean being sloppy. If you are in doubt about a certain word or its usage, consult Mr. Webster.

-- DON'T CRAMP IN A LOT OF IDEAS IN ONE SITTING. If the piece is about i.e. 'how to fix a lawn mower',  then write about fixing lawn mowers; no need to include anything else about fixing the washing machine or the dryer or about installing a car battery. Stick to one subject, focus on it, develop it, finish it.

-- WRITE SHORT. Unless you have to explain or need to include research on the topic you are writing about. Organize your material, organize your thoughts, and don't write more just to lengthen the piece to make an impression. If you have to write long there must be a point - goal - reason to the length. Essence, not form, is what matters.

-- KNOW YOUR SUBJECT. I have come across a quote which in essence goes this way ..  'If you want to write about a garden.....  be in one or have one."  'Don't remember who wrote that but it sure makes good sense. There is no excuse for not knowing. You can always find out in ways accessible to you online or in real time. Write about what you know.

-- BE GUIDED BY CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY. Inconsistent and erratic writing reflects a sloppy thought process. Respect your readers so take the time to make yourself clear and easily understood. That would make your readers enjoy your writing more.

-- HAVE OR DEVELOP YOUR OWN WRITING STYLE. People are unique in each respective way or ways. Show that uniqueness in the writing. Your readers will appreciate you more for that.

-- CARRY A NOTEBOOK WITH YOU. Make it a habit to carry a notebook with you everywhere. There are many things to write about. But can be seen only by the observant eye, mind, heart, and soul. Write down your observations.

-- MIND WHAT YOU SAY AND HOW YOU WRITE IT.  Be appropriate at all times whatever the subject you are writing on. There is no excuse for bad behavior, bad language, bad writing.

-- REMEMBER THAT YOU HAVE AN AUDIENCE. Whether it be one, ten, or a hundred.. consider them in every writing you do. Understand that there is a diversity of interests, opinions, beliefs, differences out there but these are the very things which lend color and interest to the writing, for or against. Write and handle with care.

Well, that's all for now. There will be more as the writing continues and I will make sure to keep you posted. To my young friends and budding writers at that, keep writing ---- keep the talent and passion alive. I look forward to reading your work soon.

Blessings to you all!

WRITE SIMPLY WITH YOUR HEART

A friend once asked me 'what is the secret to writing'? I asked that same question of my teacher long ago. But the best answer I have found is in these words of Edwin Schlossberg...........

"The skill of writing is to create a context
in which other people can think."

And people can understand you better if you write simple. Straight from the mind and heart. No frills. Pure simple strokes of thought and feeling. Don't bother with big words unless you have to. Don't make room for your readers to wrestle with its meaning. Write that which anyone can relate to or associate with in simple terms. Whether it be on honest truths or something else, nothing still can beat simplicity. Let people decide themselves whether to agree with you or not. That itself engages their own thought processes. Thus you have succeeded with your intent.

Remember that we are here to contribute to life. That means giving of yourself with the diversity of talents God has blessed you with. Dancing, singing, painting, designing, teaching, lawyering, managing, farming, building, writing, and lots more. Lest you forget those are not meant for your keeping alone.... but instead are meant to be part of the movement of the universe. They should inspire, encourage, comfort, strengthen, improve, better lives -- yours and others. Everything that you do or say... your thoughts... they matter. Because even the smallest voice has a purpose -- it has something to say. And it will be listened to. By someone, sometime, somewhere. No good thing is ever wasted. You are unique as you are.

If you must write or anything that you do.... make it simple -- make yourself easily understood. Better yet aim to connect with minds and hearts in the simplest truthful manner you can manage. Be honest to your gift and with your gift. That makes God smile so much more.

Blessings to you all. Shine, people, shine!!

SINCERITY MARKS THE WRITING

"Four basic premises of writing --

clarity, brevity, sincerity, and humanity."
(William Zinsser)

This is what I tell friends who ask what guides me in the writing. Sincerity tops the list, to my mind. Plenty of topics to write on or about perhaps but I'd rather pick something I feel sincere and honest about. So that when I'm found to be either right or wrong... Well, that'll be my honest right or wrong. :-) Makes for a wonderful learning environment.

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.

WHY I WRITE AND WHY SOMETIMES I DON'T

Whenever I want to write something it always becomes a struggle between will I or not. To write doesn't take much as anybody would know a passion is a passion. Not even a hundred horses can take you away from that. On the other hand, I can think of three good reasons not to write.

Top on that list is the absence of an idea for writing or in more romantic terms – an inspiration. Second, the excruciatingly hot weather makes it impossible to sit on the chair longer than I can say the word supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.. and I don't even know if I spelled that correctly. Thirdly, I'm enamored by my facebook because I find it invigoratingly spot-on-the-moment to put in What's On My Mind and then have friends coming in and liking it and not. Love it when they do; doesn't bother me if they don't. Free country, freedom of speech, and diversity does make it such an interesting pie.

Fourth on the list, I have this new interest of sewing a bag out of an old pair of denim pants. An idea that caught my mind when one day I saw that I had about 3 or 4 worn out denims lying inside the closet for ages now. Since tote bags is another passion, I decided to put the denims to better use and at the same time find out if Mom's creative sewing talents rubbed off on me. Been toiling at it for days... the measuring, cutting, and the final sewing – by hand and not with a sewing machine. I have an old sewing machine here but I prefer not to work it. You see, I'm bad with machines although I have managed to drive a car before. I hope that counts. Well, the bag is now ready with only the zipper and the handle to attach. Now I'm figuring out how to do the zipper because it looks like a tricky thing to do. Ehow to the rescue.

Hey that's all of four reasons already. There's a fifth one but never mind. Oh okay, it's got something to do with great movies – if there's a good one in town my family and I go see it. Too there's American Idol, CSI, Leverage, CNN (and our local news too), Discovery, the Geographic channel, How'd They Do That, So You Think You Can Dance, Amazing Race, LifeStyle, Ellen Degeneres .. all those other interesting stuff that gets your eyes glued to the box. And it helps to have a nice cup of coffee, or iced tea, or some ice cream and cheese cake while sitting on a nice comfy couch.... and too have your family around you...and the pets cuddling close on the couch beside you.

So maybe what I'm trying to say is there's life outside the writing and blogging. And truthfully, I'm saying that I'm having the best of both worlds. The writing gives me so much pleasure indulging in such a rewarding activity with the added bonus of meeting interesting people and wonderful friendships - I love them all. I can say this too that life as a mother to three wonderful daughters and as a fulfilled person to myself does create my greatest of blessings. Somebody up there must be smiling. :-) What a wonderful God!

Bye for now. See you in the next 'ish! :-)

ON A LOVELY SUNDAY MORNING BY MYSELF

It's a lovely morning. I can see that from my window -- cloudy skies, gusty winds, the sun playing hide and seek, tree tops doing their hip swaying dance, birds chirping merrily from tree to tree, and the usual sounds of the average neighborhood of families, crying babies, cars, the smell of cooking, the whirring of washing machines, barking dogs, and TV sitcoms.

My house is quiet now -- it's a Sunday! Everybody is allowed to sleep all they can on a Sunday. I would but my internal body clock would always rouse me at seven no matter if I stayed up late the night before. So after dragging my unwilling body out of bed, I head off to the bathroom for the first routine of the day - a cool refreshing bath. That did the trick. I'm now wide awake.

Breakfast is next on the agenda. Opened the refrigerator, saw a whole yellow ripe medium-sized papaya, took it out, and cut me two slices. Would have wanted a papaya shake but that's a lot of work. So lazy me picked two small 'calamansi' from the cupboard -- because I prefer my papaya fruit with a bit of tangy flavor to it. I got that from my kiddie days when Mom would sprinkle a bit of sugar and drops of juice from the calamansi -- just so I eat my fruit. You see, as a kid I was a cake freak and why I loved birthdays because I could eat all the cake my tiny mouth could munch on. Anyway she won that battle. It tasted good with just the right balance of tangy and sweet enhancing the natural flavor of the papaya. So that stuck and I do it all the time but sans the sugar thing.

Done with breakfast, I hie off to the computer. But of course. Gmail or yahoo, checked the inboxes for new mails and possibly replying to them too. What do I get in there? Oh the usual stuff -- mail from family, friends near and far, and spam! Spam I toss out of my box without a thought - it's a reflex action actually. That settled, I clear the screen for the next thing --- writing.

Sometimes I sit at the computer blazing with an idea or ideas. And then again sometimes I sit there with a blank mind. When I have an idea churning in my brain, the writing comes easy. It just flows, 'could be long or short but that doesn't matter. Because I've found out that when the idea finally is exhausted then my fingers just stop on the keys. Yeah my brain and my fingers are connected. But there are moments when the fingers are so hyped out for typing more.. but my mind puts an abrupt halt to that with a simple snooty 'I have nothing more to say'.

Sitting at the computer with a blank mind, on the other hand, is just what it is -- a blank! No ideas, no inspiration, no motivation, nothing! But... I don't blame myself for that. Hahah I blame that on the Muses. On such a day, it tells me that the Muses are in a conference brainstorming topics or subjects for me to write. I can imagine a lively colorful ecstatic exchange between the Muses inside the boardroom. I'd do anything to be privy to that fantastic exchange. But since I can't.. then I wait out the 'tempest delight' with my own 'time killers' -- music, reading, sketching, or sew adjustments on my new dress, or play crazy with my dogs. The writing inactivity could go on for days or weeks, there is no deadline to the Muses' brainstorming sessions. They'll come to me when they're ready. And that's okay with me.

Ooops! I now hear activity in the bedrooms. So my princesses have waken from their dreams of castles in the air, a million dollar job, gorgeous fashionista clothes, a dashing prince, travels around the world, and tons of cookies-and-cream ice cream. Yup turning into Mom-mode. So bye for now. See you back here soon. :-)

WRITING FROM THE HEART

The other day someone said to me 'Love reading you.' I thanked the person and smiled carrying those words in my heart. It could mean two things really: she loves the writing -- or -- she loves seeing 'me (or bits of me, she thinks; curious aye? hehehe..)' in those lines that I write.

A writer can be both. Because a writer true to his calling and passion will only write from the heart. Life, within and without, as seen through his eyes translates itself unto the printed page. But why does a writer write?

In pursuing a 'passion', you don't bother to ask why. You simply relish enjoy - delight in the process. But writer or not, when you feel that you have something to say and you feel that nudge in your heart, go ahead and say it or write it. Just be sure that it's something which will bring a smile to another person's heart or day.

God's gifts are meant to bring joy and smiles into your life and if allowed -- to somebody else's life too. :-) God bless you!!

THINGS CHANGE VISIBLE OR NOT

I'm taking this post written sometime back here now because it so describes what my thoughts are today. So here I am back at my computer over the familiar key board with the intent to write. Well, the intent to write and actual writing are two different things I’ve found out. You can muster up all the intent you may need to write but often it doesn’t usually fall into actual writing--- while writing sometimes doesn’t need serious intent. Strange -- but not really. It happens. :-) Now let’s get on with this and see what the Muses have been churning up in my recent brief hiatus.

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I started the day with the usual early morning walk up-down the slopes and round this residential area one of many dotting the hills of Antipolo. Gazing round I could say that nothing has changed really. The houses look the same, the people do the same things every morning, the trees are still there, and the same black Doberman ‘greets’ me with a booming gruff bark as I pass his private domain. Thank God for the huge steel gate this keeps him from tearing me up to pieces lolz. Anyway as I continued my walk with those thoughts, these words came into mind ---

“While we flatter ourselves that things remain the same, they are changing under our very eyes from year to year, from day to day.” (Charlotte Perkins Gilman)

So--- where then is this change I do not see? So I stopped walking--- let my eyes roam seeking that ‘change’ so spoken of. Fortunately I stood on a high vantage point which allowed me a good vista of my neighborhood—my place called home. From my left I saw all sorts of trees – tall, in various shapes and sizes, and in the deep darkest of green. But wait…the color seemed to have gone lighter in spots. Are those new leaves sprouting? How interesting! Whoa! Is that a new paint on Mr. Benny’s gate? -- Didn’t see that before. Hey, somebody’s building a new house down at the end of the road. Why didn’t I notice that?! Oh boy, what used to be a vine of flat disc-shaped leaves draping the fence of a friend’s house, now has white blossoms in its midst. Lovely! I almost missed it. I continued my survey of the now interesting landscape of nature, houses, and people before me. My eyes hovered over the area like radar seeking out unfamiliar objects but this time with fresh anticipation of something new. I was greatly rewarded with priceless treasures that no longer stood hidden to me but was revealed by my willingness to see.

Yet my curiosity was even more aroused when I began to wonder – apart from things, just what change goes on inside the person. I smiled at the thought of immense possibilities that could transpire in the minds and hearts of people. Indeed, subtly or visibly, change happens outside of us and within us no doubt. Because things and people grow – develop. Change is growth. Life is all about change – is all about growth – is all about us moving from one place to another. In that movement we leave behind bits of our layers and at the same time take on new ones sprouting to replace the old. We evolve, transform, progress, improve, mature, and learn-unlearn-relearn. This is our change. This takes place under our very eyes from year to year, from day to day.

“To exist is to change, to change is to mature, to mature is to go on creating oneself endlessly.” ---- (Henri Bergson)

Well, I think this morning's walk gave me more than I had hoped for. I was proceeding down the slope heading for home when Mrs. Reyes, the neighborhood gossip, saw me and engaged me in a chat or should I say ‘gossip’. Not wanting to be rude I let her have her ‘chat’. Anyway, this lady is part of the ‘landscape’ too lolz. As she babbled away, I listened and intently watched her face. Wrinkles etched deeply at the corners of her eyes-- and silver locks of hair mingled with her usual dark tresses. ‘Changed’, I thought.

“You know I saw Mia’s daughter the other day at the mall. Remember she got married to this young army officer the other year? She’s your godchild, right?” spoke Mrs. Reyes breaking up my thoughts.

“Yes, so how is she now?” I replied.

“Oh but she hasn’t changed a bit. She has remained the same girl we knew so well when she was here living with her mom.”

“Remained the same? How wonderful!”… And I smiled.

But of course I knew better. Things and people may remain the same – but not really. At that point, I took my leave and walked on home. Rounding the corner I looked back briefly and there she was ---‘chatting’ with another friend. Maybe some things do not change – but then again not really.