TOUCHING THE LIVES OF PEOPLE AROUND US

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Mr. Quote Man sent me this today..... to quote
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"Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see,
that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me."
----- Alexander Pope
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Unquote
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That's a beautiful poem, isn't it? It covers about most everything a human being would think... feel.... or do with life and people. I have to admit it that sometimes people can be quite irritating with their flaws and imperfections. Like I have good neighbors and bad neighbors. The good add to my joy and the bad just makes me pull at my hair in utter exasperation. But then again, maybe they also must be exasperated with some of my bad which I may not be aware of. That's how we are.... we think we're doing fine but if you stop and be still for a bit for some quiet retrospection, you might get to see that somebody is quite uncomfortable by what you did. But that's just it........ I have to remind myself often that people are imperfect and so am I. We're all the same in our greatness and our stupidity.
 
.And so it would take some good conscious learning to try to understand that on the broad spectrum of humanity, both good and bad walk side by side. That works true in every person anywhere you find yourself with on this planet. There's no perfection...... yet. What we may perceive as perfect isn't so. With the many layers enveloping an object, thing, or individual.... we only get to see a portion or one side... or several portions or sides.. but not really its entirety. The peeling off of layers is a continuing process orchestrated by Someone up there. Everything or everyone, I believe, is still work in progress... particularly human beings. 
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So I guess what the poem is telling us is to be magnanimous in our dealings with people, in our own inner circle of family and friends .. and outside of it with strangers near and far. Be kind..... kinder..... because somebody is going through a painful peeling off of layers. It's the same road we all are made to take towards perfection. Yes... by God's design. 
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Well, it's a lesson we each have to learn day after day. While there are people around us, there will always be lessons to be learned. Let's be kind to one another. It makes our journey easier.
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Blessings to you and your dear ones, my good friends. Blessings!

EVERYTHING YOU GO THROUGH, GROWS YOU

 

 

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A friend asked me this question.............. 'What do you do when bad happens to you?' .I looked at her and said.. 'You've been hurt bad?' .. 'Hey, I'm doing the asking here.' she retorted in jest.
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As every person is a story you can be very sure that hurt and pain along with other things complete a person's personal history. Each bit did its part to shape the person for better or for worse and this definitely will impact people who come close to the territory or happen to be near it or get drawn to it by some unexplained circumstance. People collide with one another by some mysterious force but its reason not fully or always understood. Not yet anyway. This human collision does get us bruised.. battered... shaken up... wounded and scarred. Unhappy memories are then created which sadly can still prick even long after the experience is gone. Some may say forgiven, but many more will say not forgotten.
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Bad can hurt. We all know it as it comes to us in many different forms, ways, means, intensity, appearances, reason or intent, sometimes unintended, sometimes disguised, but with the sole purpose of hurting us and turning our world upside down--- rewriting our story in its entirety or in part. It doesn't draw a pretty picture, particularly if you can see it in the heart --- torn, tattered, messed up, beaten, weary.
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It made me think ......
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Maybe there is no answer. Maybe one just lives through the experience..... try to respond to it in the best manner possible..... draw strength where strength can be found from within or from without..... become the change which is eventually going to happen anyway like it or not. But something within, something bigger than yourself, makes you want to try to transform this experience into a treasure - your treasure - that would matter for a very, very long time. For you... for your life... Because, truth is, you owe it to yourself to do just that.
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My friend threw me that question but I think she didn't expect an answer. The answer which, I believe, she wasn't seeking but one which she already knew ------ Bad has its way of making us grow.

HEAVEN IS NOT A FARAWAY PLACE

 

"Don’t search for heaven and hell in the future. Both are now present. Whenever we manage to love without expectations, calculations, negotiations, we are indeed in heaven. Whenever we fight, hate, we are in hell."    ~ Shams Tabrizi

That's right. Heaven is not a faraway place, though it's okay too to think that it is. But truth is, where there is the presence of God --- is heaven's place. And that could be anywhere where you put in some good. In our mundane day to day lives as we consciously do good to ourselves, others, animals, mother nature, and the rest of the world.... Wherever good is --- God is.

What about hell? It's here, too. When we allow the evil one to influence our lives turning it into such a big horrifying mess. Like whenever bad rears its ugly head in our character-----    whenever we allow it to dominate us...    whenever we consent to the bad of others...    whenever we turn blind towards injustice, cheating, falsehood of any kind...    whenever we serve greed, meanness, cruelty, pride, ego...    whenever we think ourselves superior to other living creatures...    whenever we twist religion to suit personal agenda...    whenever we consider bad as good and some good as bad to suit personal convenience....     whenever we stick to being wrong because it's easier to remain inside our comfort zones.....    and everything else and more along those lines.  That's hell ....... and we certainly give the devil every reason to have a party.

So then....    what's it gonna be ----  heaven  or  hell?
The choice is ours to make.  It always is.
This is just one life -----  make it count.
Blessings, everyone.

TODAY IS WHERE WE SHOULD

"This is the beginning of a new day. You have been given this day to use as you will. You can waste it or use it for good. What you do today is important because you are exchanging a day of your life for it. When tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever; in its place is something that you have left behind... let it be something good." -- Author Unknown

When was the last time you did something good --to others and yes to yourself? Well, you have another chance today. Today is meant to be good but you have to get involved in making it so too. God has already placed in it good things-- the beauty of nature, wonderful people, the blessings of life and living but you are expected to render your own good more than what you receive. Is that right? Yes it is!

Everything is there in your today -- the challenge, opportunity, the reasons, the whys and hows, and time as contained in a day. Now the rest is all up to you to create that good. Be like a garden water sprinkler -- it sprinkles and showers good ole water on all the plants in the garden and helps them grow into something grand and spectacular for eyes to see and appreciate. That's precious.

That's what you-we are here for - to make this world a better place to live in, to cheer up weary hearts, to give joy and hope to them who think there's none, to make another person feel brave and strong in the midst of trials, to make others see that God is there even if he seems to be not, to help someone see his worth and feel good about himself, to help someone understand that it's okay to make mistakes but must learn from them well enough, and to believe that the power to make life and the world better is all inside of us.

We can do that with kindness, love, understanding, sympathy, compassion, and the willingness to stop awhile from our busy lives to listen to a weary heart and soul.

Today is where we should. Because .....

"when tomorrow comes, this day will be gone forever, in its place is something that you have left behind..... let it be something good."

BELIEVE

What am I saying, am having enough problems believing that myself. It's hardest when the chips are down or when future prospects seem bleak or when doomsayers say that our world is wildly spinning round and close to tottering out of control.

But you know what... I must believe or I will simply go nuts with this wild crazy world of ours. I must believe that there is hope, courage, faith, goodness, compassion, fair play, honesty, love, truth, trust, kindness, integrity, talent, professionalism, justice, and ... believe that people everywhere do really care about our world - mother nature - and of each another.

I will -- believe. Even if prices go skyrocketing high pushed by greed and materialism, I will believe that good people out there will band together and lend their voices to reason and right. Even if justice is misused and mismanaged, I will believe that the rule of law will catch up sooner or later. Even if wrongdoing, cheaters, power, wealth, beauty and fame are idolized out of proportion, I will believe that not everybody adheres to that point of view. Even if politicians manipulate the ignorance and poverty of the small man of the streets, I will believe that a hero will rise and champion the poor and underpriviledged. Even if they say that the good won't survive our world, I will believe that the good will prevail no matter the obstacles placed in its way. Even if friends tell me that I am wasting my time being nice cos people are generally bad, I will believe that people deep inside are basically and truly good. Even if we have our differences, I will believe that we can always find a common ground. Even if my dreams are frustrated and shattered now, I will believe that I can dream again another time. Even if they tell me that I can't be this or that nor do this or that, I will believe that I can be anything I want to be and that everybody has talent and potential. Even if they say that there is no God, I will believe that He is there or better yet right here in my heart.

And even if our world looks bleak and dreary and that the year that passed staggered heavily weighed down by so many troubles... I will believe that this NEW YEAR could be better because many do still care enough to make it better.

A HAPPY PROSPEROUS AND BLESSED NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!

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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ESSENTIALLY WORKING TOGETHER FOR A BETTER YOU

Here’s a little story.

I had a dream one night.

I saw myself standing on bare dry ground not a mountain or tree in sight -- nothing there but an odd-looking weighing scale. Odd with huge and I say huge, empty plates. Then out of nowhere appeared an old but distinguished looking man with long gray beard that oddly touched the ground. He looked at me with nary an expression on his old wisdom-lined face and raised his right hand in the air. I followed his hand, looked, but saw nothing there. Then he lowered it pointing to the right empty plate on the scale. Soon enough the plate began to fill with the events of my life – the good memories of my life. One by one it filled the plate now almost overflowing. I smiled at the thought of those wonderful moments of the past I dare not ever forget. The scale tipped down apparently under the weight of its load and thereby raised the opposite empty plate high.

I waited for the old man; I felt the show wasn’t finished yet. The opposite plate was still empty. As if reading my thoughts, he raised his left hand the same way he did with his right. It seemed like he was gesturing something or to someone unseen to begin. And similarly when he pointed to the left empty plate, it right away began to fill with the other side of my past – the sad memories there. As it piled one after the other on the plate, I felt my tears fall. The hurt and pain I could not deny despite leaving it all behind with time. I noticed then that the scale stood with both plates evenly at that point. It stayed there so still.

Then he spoke.

“Both the good and the bad times of your life stand equal on the scale. Neither is greater or lesser than the other; both stand invaluable in the work that they do in you. Be grateful for the good that happens and ... be humble in your misfortunes when they occur because both essentially equally work together to create a better ---you.”

The End.

A GOOD FRIEND IS A GIFT FROM GOD

Oh, don't we all get to meet so many different people in this life journey. I have been so lucky to have met and found good people and formed lasting friendships with them. It can never be disputed that wonderful friendships bring wonderful joys and precious memories to last a lifetime.

And yet on the other hand, one does get some rotten apples mixed in there somewhere in the same social basket. oh yes! admittedly a few have managed to make life miserable for me at some points --- behaved in a manner which caused unnecessary pain, hurt. 'Have no idea if they felt any remorse for their behavior then or if they were ever aware if at all. But they taught me something about bad people in our midst. The rule is stay far away - clear far away from them. They can break your heart.

When I was seriously contemplating possible options of crushing the 'enemy' (lols).... I realized that it wasn't the right approach. Of course I couldn’t let the few rotten ones ruin the rest of the bunch -- the good apples in my basket. And neither have them ruin or snuff-out my enjoyment of a basket full of so much good. Good friends and friendships are a rarity, as everybody knows, and certainly are lovely treasures worthy of keeping. I meant to keep my treasures.

So remembering mom's words -- 'sift through the grains to get to the best', I wrote them off my life with these final words ... "I'm done with you"... turned my back and walked away.

We should choose our friends. But because we do get both good and bad apples in the same basket ... resolve to leave those who you discover cannot measure up. And treasure wonderful people who give genuine meaning - honor - and value to the word 'friend' and 'friendship'. Appreciate and celebrate good people and friends. They are part of life’s treasures and blessings.

A good friend is a gift from God.