GOODBYE SEPTEMBER -- WITH MEMORIES IN THE HEART

September is now gone. This piece here to remember September... and all the Septembers of long ago. The memories may be different each time but the feelings are the same.  Here's to September.

--- Today is the last day of September. Another added to our treasure chest of memories. MOMENTS IN SEPTEMBER . I live for moments. It does not have to be in a grand or grander scale (although if it does so much better) ... everything is worthy for my treasure chest.

It could be the most mundane ordinary insignificant thing as a McDo meal on one spur-of-the-moment morning -- but having it with the ones you love is such a terrific thing! It's not the McDo nor some other meal but it's the moment spent with family that's tops on the list.

There's also that fine dinner shared with a good family friend of many years (Rudy Ledesma). A perfect moment Rudy got his pasalubong of coffee from Germany, courtesy of youngest daughter Malen. The evening went wonderfully well ending with an invitation for dinner at his place -- he's cooking! To which his wife Ellen agreed, her charming chinita eyes smiling.

Then there's that surprising moment when Lucky-B jumped up the sofa (for the first time) and cuddled close to Malen. She's the new and youngest member of the pack. Not camera-shy either, aye?! :-D ... Are you wondering bout the name Lucky-B? Well, there's a Lucky who came first and she's now a senior dog (23 dog years)... a very very senior dog... and still with us. She's now wrinkled, blind, deaf, balding, slow in her movements but .....We love her! People and animals, I believe, shouldn't be 'discarded' just like that when they have turned old, ugly, and useless. Because honestly .....They will always be a part of your heart.

Being at the shore at early dawn is a beautiful moment that pleases the senses. The soft scarlet skies... the waves softly rustling under your feet... a gentle morning breeze blowing. That wonderful feel-good feeling. Sigh! The hustle-and-bustle of the chaotic city life simply melts away. Somewhere in Zambales.

Everyday the trash is gathered and taken to the outside bin for the garbage truck to pick up. I make sure to cut open any plastic sachets or pouches. No pouches.... no animals hurt. You see, you'll never know where these garbage would lead to. Our garbage collection system is grossly imperfect. These plastics, in some way or another, get to the seas.. thanks to our floods, too. There, some animal could get caught inside these plastic death traps. Also, I cut into pieces long strings of anything which could accidentally wrap itself around the animals' necks. Because... a little goes a long way to help or save the animals. Nobody will know nor notice but you do. And the animals can't thank you themselves either. BUT .....That little that you do .... matters!

We'll be saying goodbye to September but with a smile. And a sincere thank you with a grateful heart to.... a magnificent God and Father who showers gifts so generously on His children. . God bless you, folks!

Goodbye, September.

SOMETIMES I JUST WISH I WAS ME..OLD AND WEARY

j

A friend called me up not so long ago. Having just arrived from Cebu she wanted to meet up for a chat over green tea Frappuccino. Both our favorites at Starbucks (of course). Unfortunately I had to bow out of the invitation as there were important errands that had to be done. So…. she persistently and determinedly tied me down to the phone with updates about her life in Cebu. Although I was delighted over her adventures and misadventures for the past couple of years (that’s how long we have lost touch with each other) I sensed that something seemed off with the way she sounded.

 “Okay, what’s up?” I asked straightforwardly. We’ve been friends too long that straightforwardness has become a comfy thing between us.

“Len, sometimes I wish I was just me… old and weary.” She replied with unsurprising honesty. …. And that’s the point where I stop telling you about her, my friend Irma (not her true name). Yes we had our chat, a lengthy one, and it was a two-way learning moment for us both. That already is a treasure.

Let’s think about this…… “I wish I was just me… old and weary.”

That’s a ‘hugot’ line, right? Meaning that runs deep. We would probably guess that something or some things happened somewhere in there which had caused this weariness of the soul. But I will tell you this, honestly, who would not think along those lines at some point or other in this our fragile life?

“I wish I was just me…” ------- Do you know who you are? What roles do you play in life (I know we can be many things to many different people)? Are you catering to other people’s expectations or just yours? Do you do things because you love doing them? Do you hate doing them? What matters to you? Do you or do you not care? Do you sometimes wish you were doing something else? Or lived another life different from yours now?

There is no straight or right answer to those questions. Or so I believe. Because you are that person in each-and-every-question-and-answer lived by you at many different and diverse points in your life. You hate, you love, you adore, you are brave, you despise, and you abhor, also can be cold and despicable when reason presents itself. You pretend you are strong and yet vulnerable too, you are confused, and sometimes stubborn even in being wrong. You are all of the above and even so much more. You are everything a human being is. Perfect and flawed. But then at the end of the day when the dust has settled and you stand alone tired and utterly exhausted, you drop to the ground buckling under the overwhelming weight of it all. Then you exhale a weary wish…….… ‘I wish I was just me.’

Oh? So you think you are somebody else inside that body carrying your name? Because I think those things that you do both the good and the imperfection in some is … you. And that heart-breaking wish is simply your weary soul’s cry to stop and rest awhile. Pay attention. Rest. Connect with the heavens.

“…old and weary” ------- Oh but I hear that often said by friends and strangers alike. Both from the young and the old.

When young people say it, it rises from being drained of all energy, effort, plans, strength, courage, hope, and perhaps faith, too. Trying to make it in this crazy world of ours is tough. Pursuing dreams even tougher. And you are not even assured of success or of making it. Sometimes it may seem so near and yet still so far. So each day you struggle with frustration, disappointment, irritation, failed expectations, and bits and pieces of your broken dreams. Every night you plop down on your bed worn out to the bone. So weary… so feeling old.

When old people utter those words, it expresses a mix of everything past present and even the future. It hovers over why-did-it-happen or what-could-have-been. Regrets creep in and weigh down both the mind and the heart. It doesn’t help if within the home they become just a piece of the furniture. No longer enjoying the vibrant connection enjoyed with the family in those younger days. Although not entirely the family’s fault. The new restrictions on the mind and body put on limitations to choices, his or theirs. This reality creates a painful void for loneliness and longing. The soul becomes weary and feeling so very old.

It’s the soul that feels and bears the brunt of our physical effort and lives. It is strong, no doubt about that. But sometimes you just have to let it breathe… recharge itself… give it space to become new again. Just as the body needs to rest – the soul needs to remember its connection with the Divine. It needs to reconnect every so often.

When the soul speaks.... Listen! You do this with prayer. God bless you.

I AM RESPONSIBLE ONLY FOR WHAT I WRITE - NOT FOR WHAT YOU UNDERSTAND

I stumbled upon this quote and was attracted to it with thoughts churning with much interest. This line may come across as somewhat stern to some. But I think that's not the intention whoever wrote it. It's more of real good sense, honesty, and understanding.

To quote:
🍃 "I am responsible only for what I say not for what you understand." - Unknown.🍃

 Unquote.

🍃 'Tis true we never can read a person's mind, no matter how close that person is to us. The mind is a mystery and always will be. So is the heart. So then when I say things or write my thoughts down, I do not expect listeners or readers to see it or understand it the way I may want it understood. Maybe some will and that's such a blessing, appreciate it lots. But some won't or can't or will not. Still good because I respect the differences of our respective histories and nature. People are as different as the wide range of colors of the rainbow. That simply makes it even more interesting. We may be looking at the same thing but you may be seeing apples where I see grapes -- or maybe you see some good where I can see something different, and vice versa. But I am responsible for what I say or write. Because out of the heart the pen writes or the mouth speaks. Everybody is and should....

☘ -- be careful that whatever is said or written would not in any way be detrimental to another person's personal growth or well-being. -- Would not detract from the beauty of his god-given nature and soul. -- Would not diminish his self-worth. -- Would give credit where credit is due. -- Would seek more to understand individual differences and flaws. -- Would not feed his fears, doubts, frustrations, or even bias. -- But would allow for his greater potential and possibilities to shine through and out to the world. -- Better yet to help clear his way or nudge him gently along the path of his life journey, by God's design.

☘ Such is the journey laid out for us all, by divine design. From the heart of my pen to yours... God bless you!💕

PEOPLE BLAST A HOLE IN YOUR LIFE - YOU CAN DEAL WITH IT

😊Stumbled upon these lines today..... "You know, people talk about closure, but I don’t buy it. People blast a hole in your life, it tends to stay open."

🍃 That made me think.

That hole in one's life therefore doesn't really disappear!??? 🙄 So it's not just a skin-deep, superfluous, temporal thing that simply leaves on its own or goes away when the cause is eliminated. It's there as real as potholes and bumps on our city streets which undergo a thousand makeovers but underneath it all still lie the hole or holes. Not wise therefore to simply gloss over a person's pain to make him feel better. So it doesn't work that way.
🍃
'A hole in your life' could mean a lot of things. A hurtful relationship, a betrayal, bad things happening to good people in your life, failures, rejection, and other mountain-size of unpleasantness, to say the least, that hits you straight where it can hurt most. That hole in your life is a core-deep experience. The core, as we know it to be, is usually that place within where you find your comfort safety and balance. But as life seems to have the knack for doing it... one day it sends something to blast through those safe walls and create a hole, a damn huge one, which then shakes up your world big time.
🍃
What a great lesson..... to deal with the holes in our life... not meaning to close them as it never will. It may simply stay there as an ugly bump, a stinging sore and scar, or stays there as a gaping hole... defiant maybe and could hurt you again when someone or something rubs you the wrong way one day.
🍃
But and 🤓BUT you don't let it define you as a person. Rather you let it be a reminder that you above all else can be stronger and smarter than you think. That you know about 'holes in our life'... it's part of the landscape, territory, tapestry, spectrum, diversity, and the reality of the good-the bad-and the ugly ... of our existence, like it or not.
🍃
That you have learned well and have become much wiser - smarter - better - and importantly in control. That you have learned to use the tools wired in you by the Divine to overcome challenge. Now isn't this what they say about true power? 😊🙂😘

FAITH: LEARN IT... UNLEARN IT... RELEARN IT

🌿 If there be contradictions to life vs. His word, that is NOT His fault. It's us who create or form our lives by our thoughts, words, and deeds.. both good and bad. Know it or not but we receive or block blessings by the strength of our FAITH or by the lack of it. It's all there --- the spiritual power is ours... the blessings are all there ready for our taking. All that we have to do is act upon it.

🌿🌿 Here's what I've been taught about FAITH.  LEARN it and make it your strength..... UNLEARN that which destroys it.....  RELEARN to remember it.

🌿🌿🌿That, incidentally, is our job description and we are asked to do our job well day by day. God even put up a sign which says -- WORK IN PROGRESS. That's us. That speaks also for the rest of life and living.

🌿🌿🌿🌿 'Hope you're all having a pleasant and blessed weekend. God bless you all!

A LIE WOUNDS HEARTS

My best friend was on the phone but my eyes were on the clock. It was getting late in the evening. Very late. Yet leaving was not on my mind. She was sad. I felt it but more than that.... wounded deep. And the scars wouldn't heal. Two .. three years have gone now .. her husband passed and left her with a broken heart. The wound created ran deep, her heart scarred for life, I guess. Today she was still hurting.

😔 "Bakit, Len, ba't nya ginawa sa akin yun?" (Why did he do that to me?) 😶

I sat there, speechless.

☘🌿☘

A lie wounds hearts. Deeply. Unmercifully breaks the vessel of trust into smithereens. Beyond repair.

😥💔

EVERY MOMENT IS A GOD-GIVEN GIFT. REMEMBER.

 Yes indeed! 

This speaks well on the subject.

😘😍💕⚘🌷

HONESTY -- ONE TRUE PRECIOUS LEGACY

🌳🌷🌳🌷🍀 

This one precious treasure we can, must, and should leave our children. 

Titles, power, position, wealth --- these can't give authentic joy and happiness where it matters most. Yes, they have their uses but only in this life .... and should be led by true wisdom and by the Spirit. Come your time, you can't bring these temporal riches to your grave. 

But honesty ---- can take you to the gates of heaven and up to the King's Holy Throne. The legacy you leave behind will live on in the hearts of your children.. and in generations following.

 🌳🌷🌳🍀🌷☘

IT'S A JOURNEY -- A TIME PUT THERE FOR ALL THE STAGES OF LIFE

🌳🌳🌳🌳 

It's a journey.... a time put there for all the stages of life. Whatever stage you're in right now, be in it with mind body and soul. Live it with all of you. 

🌳

 And if there is any rule you must remember:    Don't lie...... to yourself, to anyone, and particularly to your God.

 🌳🌳🌳🌳

HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?

It's not what you get or receive but what you put out there to the world which truly defines you. It can be your good... or your bad but it's you. People will remember you by that. Ask yourself then - How do you want to be remembered?

☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘☘

EVERYTHING COMES FOR A REASON

🌷💕🌷💕 

What better way to live your days. Everything comes for a reason. With a shared goal:   That you grow in courage, wisdom, faith, hope, joy, and love. For a better you. 

♥️🌷♥️🌷

FAMILY. -- OASIS IN A BUSY WEARY WORLD

--- This is amazing .. a green garden flanked by tall skyrocketing buildings all around. A refreshing green oasis in the midst of all that concrete. Rare beauty that connects straight to the senses and the soul.🌿🦋🌿🦋🌿

💕Yeah, a pleasant day spent with family. This world and life and work may keep you glued to it, true. But always, and I say always, make time for your family. Create those precious moments which unfailingly bring a smile to your face with every remembrance. Like a huge lighted teddy bear....🤗 or a scrumptious plate of sesame chicken noodles at a Japanese restaurant😘....or giggling through a misstep☺ Every little thing in there create those golden memories. 🤗😘😍💕

🤗Create memories. Life is all about creating them.⚘💕⚘💕

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF FIRST ABOVE ALL

---------- About a few days ago, I was on the phone with a close friend kidded each other with the thought that the day of hearts was fast approaching. Well, when one is older or much older like we both are.. Valentine's Day is remembered with an undeniable smile or two. It never fails every time.

The she kidded me with "Hey what would you say to someone in love?"

😊I gave out a hearty laugh and said "Are you kidding me?! What's that question!?"

"Answer it..." she added with a teasing tone in her voice.

😊 . Okay, dear friend, tell me yours next okay? Anyway for what it's worth, here's what I think...... 😁

🌿🌿 Before anything else, make sure you know what love is. Not knowing that is the start of all relationship problems.

🌿🌿-- Don't come in when you're not too sure about yourself. This is not a here today and gone tomorrow thing. That might be truer in youth as the young always love to experiment.

🌿🌿-- Come in with who you are, bring the core of your heart into the moment. Don't even try to be what you are not. Nor do I want any Jekyll-and-Hyde games.

🌿🌿-- See me as a treasure worthy of your time, of your life. Not as something you would show off to your friends (or hide from them) and later leave on the shelf like you would your car in the garage.

🌿🌿-- Don't try to change me into your imaginary dream or lover. I am real - warts and all. I may have pimples on my face... heavy in big-size clothes... crooked teeth... pug nosed... and walk with a limp. See me as I am.. authentic and true even in my flaws.

🌿🌿-- Respect the people in my life, imperfect as some of them may be. Family, colleagues, and friends too. They are part of me as I am part of them. Welcome them into your circle as I would welcome yours into mine, too.

🌿🌿-- Don't heap your biases or prejudices on me (nor I you). Rather let's try to agree to disagree. After all, we are made differently from each other, by divine design.

🌿🌿-- Remember to put on your best manners, character, and personality with our every encounter. But be real. Nice, true, and real.

🌿🌿-- Be true to yourself. Only then can you be true to me, too.

*******
Okay, there you go. Be ready with your own list, mi amiga! Chat again soon😁

HOPE -- IS HOW YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE

-- Here comes the sun.....🌝☀️🌞 Yeah.. and warms a chilly breezy🌬 morning walk. But it looks like I'll be getting tons of blue skies today.

😊 As I headed for home, saw this stump of an old tree. Apparently an old tree as its bark looked dry, withered, weary, and worn. But then again, right at the top grew young tiny branches ... with tiny leafy green leaves! Smiling at the rising sun.🌞 

🌳 Life from an old tree. H-o-p-e!❤ I guess it's telling us..........Hope is how you go through your day and life. 

❤ Dear God, thanks for the lesson and an awesome morning walk!

SOMETIMES COURAGE IS THE QUIET VOICE INSIDE

--- I know this. I see this on every face I meet down the street. Yes indeed, it's that quiet voice inside...hoping, believing, trusting, waiting. Each person, each life, each journey... carries with it this precious virtue which moves the journey along day after day after day. ❤

 

Courage, somebody else's or my own, always makes me cry. Because sometimes being brave can be a burden. A heavy load bearing down on you...by your lonesome self. 

And yet a tiny whisper in the farthest corner of your heart, firm and determined, speaks up... "You can do it. Get moving!"

And I get up....and live!