TODAY IS WHERE YOU BELONG

At every chance I can get I try to punch in the idea that our todays are far more important than our yesterdays or tomorrows. You know, there is nothing one can do about the past or of the things which have had their time. Neither can one do more for tomorrow ---if nothing is being done today.

It’s as simple as that.

But still I see and hear people whining for the better times of yesteryears. And a few more so angry over the bitter lessons of the past. Like it was yesterday’s fault that today isn’t good. That’s a waste of time looking back trying to find fault there. If there is anyone or something that must be responsible for the hits or misses of life --- that could only be us. Whether bad times and bad things happen or whether life could be better or so we think, we still have some control over the situation. Maybe, just maybe we may not be able to change our situation but certainly we can control or change how we think look or handle it. It can only be as good or bad as we see or make it to be.

We must understand that the odd and crazy things which happen to us are not there to mess us up, although it appears to be that way. But that is only the appearance of things. The best part of that experience is at its core --- where the pearls of wisdom reside. You have to get to that. You have to scratch through the hurting and painful surface of the experience and dig deep down to the heart core where the good lessons dwell. Because in truth, heaven does not throw ‘garbage’ in our direction, rather it pours out blessings in bucketfuls. Although sometimes it may not be easy to see it; I know because I’ve been through that too. But trust me there’s always a blessing in there just for you. Yes there is because blessings often come wrapped in strange uncomfortable packages.

Tomorrows – what is it about tomorrows that you have to die for? It’s not even here yet; it’s off in the far farthest distance. And do you even know if you will get to it if at all? Why measure your life by the yardstick of tomorrows. There’s no assurance there. It’s a void, an empty space, a big unknown, a I’m-not-sure-what’s-going-to-happen place. You’re so fixated on the idea that tomorrow is all that matters. So you gear yourself up to do everything in your power and resources to get that tomorrow you want and in the process sacrifice family, relationships, personal fun and laughter, health, courtesies and sensibility, even God – these things without which can unquestionably make you less and less of a person and human being.

"We're so busy watching out for what's just ahead of us that we don't take time to enjoy where we are." -Calvin and Hobbes

Come to the present.

Come to your TODAY. This is where good things begin – where you can build your dreams and miracles – where life is happening in all its beauty wonder and awe – where even in its sorrows a hidden gem can lie within – where you can enjoy being a husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister, friend, et al – where you can enjoy the world better as it moves along with time – where you can appreciate your presence and contribution to the rest of humankind – and where you can be blessed a thousandfold. This is where you learn and discover who you are and what you can do.

Here is where…
-you can work to vanish the shadows and fears of uncertain tomorrows.
-you can build sturdy bridges to your tomorrows transforming it into one you desire.
-you can begin building your dream.
-you can put in your best work – your best self.
-you can truly live courageously
-you can create your miracles

Here is where you will know that what you do with your todays define your tomorrows. This is where you belong.


“Now is the accepted time, not tomorrow, not some more convenient season. It is today that our best work can be done and not some future day or future year. It is today that we fit ourselves for the greater usefulness of tomorrow. Today is the seed time, now are the hours of work, and tomorrow comes the harvest and the playtime." -- W.E.B. Du Bois

YOU MATTER

I hear of a lot of angst and woes from my friends, up close and from young struggling folks online. Heartrending stories which tug at my heartstrings -- It’s in not getting what they want no matter how hard they try. It’s giving up the ship even when it’s still got some fight in it. Oh I can surely understand that. But is it enough to make you want to beat your chest or bonk your head in utter exasperation just because you didn’t make it? Just because you think that you made a mistake, a big one.. that you are a mistake too? Just because your options have disappeared with the last failure, that there’s none left to pursue?

I don’t buy that, sorry. You know why? Because I know that all through my years there were many dreams that I didn’t get too, didn’t even get close, just like you. But I have learned this -- it’s not always that a person gets his dreams. Sometimes in an odd and crazy way one gets waylaid.. or asked to make a detour.. or simply put - made to stop dead in his tracks. And yes, coming to a dead-end does seem like the end of the world to most of us.

But it’s not.

The end of the world is when you and the world cease to exist. That’s the end. And until that day comes -- we got work to do. That means making something of ourselves in whatever way we can, giving life our best shot, and using the gifts God blessed us with – for ourselves and for others too. (Remember the world isn’t all about you, there are others here with us too and we all stand connected by God’s design). Go ahead and dream, that’s what and where things begin – from a dream. Even if some of it may fizzle out, that’s okay… just as long as you are still in there strong and determined to work it out. Same dreams or new dreams it doesn’t matter. It’s YOU that matters. Make that count.
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I'd rather be a 'could-be’
if I cannot be an ‘are’;
because a ‘could-be’ is a maybe
who is reaching for a star.
I'd rather be a ‘has-been‘
than a ‘might-have-been’, by far;
for a ‘might-have-been’ has never ‘been’,
but a ‘has’ was once an ‘are’.
-- Milton Berle

(The picture above of my daughter was taken by photographer-friend Larry Concepcion.)

RANDOM THOUGHTS ONE TRANQUIL AFTERNOON

Afternoons like this take me to many thoughts and each wanting to be taken up, pursued and written. Thoughts which in a very special way take me to worlds I’ve never visited before or may have forgotten in the hustle-and-bustle of each day -- worlds of wonder, awe, discovery, truth, and learning. I like afternoons such as this because I almost always come out of it enchanted recharged and so much wiser than yesterday.

Come share with me this experience.

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It’s a sunny windy late afternoon and soon the sunset. A sunset is such quiet soothing comfort. It is not a goodbye as others may want to see it or think it to be but rather it is a resting of heart and soul. After going through a rough-and-tumble day – being and doing what it required of you – it all comes to this point of the day when your senses try to unwind, ease up, seek to find that leveling comfort and peace. A lovely sunset eases you through that experience.

This is my sunset.. a gentle breeze blowing, mute glow of sunlight traipsing on trees, walls, and fences, misty clouds catching the scarlet hues in the sky, and the gentle smiling sun easing the lines on my furrowed brows with its soft gentle rays. And then my heart too smiles with Old Sol.

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Walking down hospital corridors is something I would not want to do at any time. But life is darn crazy that one walks it for some reason or another but certainly not by choice I hope. Anyway while walking this corridor not long ago, I glanced at rows and rows of closed doors to my right and left. Sick people inside of course, I thought. But I wondered what thoughts were racing through their minds? What emotions were tumbling round and round in their hearts? How is it like for sick people looking out their windows to a world which is perceived not to care about you? Despite the presence of loving and supportive family and close friends, loneliness can’t be helped. Then I began putting faces to those thoughts – a father, mother, sister, brother, grandpa, a relative, a friend, or a stranger. Oh but there are certainly so many stories to tell if only those walls could speak. Stories of sadness, despair, loneliness, anger, desperation, doubts, disappointment, anxieties, frustration and on the other hand also stories of joy, happiness, trust, relief, courage, comradeship, steadfast bonds, provision, strength, prayer, faith, love, hope and so much more. Every story heard from behind those doors would revolve around that. It’s the whole spectrum of man’s struggles. It’s the story of man and mankind. Hospital corridors serve to remind me that I am a – human being and that this is what life is all about. And too it teaches me to be compassionate, kinder and gentler to people and to myself because undoubtedly we will all go through these long corridors or be there behind those closed doors at some time, far future we all hope. Hospital corridors... nothing else can teach you so much about life (and death) than this.

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More in the next -ish! God bless.

WONDERFUL MORNING!

It's a lovely morning out here now.... warm sun, gentle breeze, birds chirping merrily, and the bluest of skies. And I can't resist the thought of sending off a tiny prayer for everyone on my Friends List, including viewers who come by quietly not wanting to 'wake' me LOLs! Oh but I can hear your footsteps in the wind.


"May your mornings begin with the joy of life and the grace of knowing how wonderful God's love is as He tirelessly watches over your coming and going. With this gift of a grateful heart, may you move your blessings forward to others who ache for God's healing touch into their lives. " GOD BLESS YOU ALL!


See you around, fellas! Have a lovely day!