ALWAYS LEARNING, UNLEARNING, AND RELEARNING THAT WE MAY GROW

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Here shown in the picture -- our pets.... Maxie (the youngest of four dogs in the house) and Miko (one of two cats) sharing Maxie's bed last night. They're the best of friends.

Dogs and cats have been painted as enemies to each other. But I guess there are or can be exceptions. Maxie and Miko prove that point in a most wonderful manner. This makes me think that neither see the other as dog or cat. They're just friends. No ego involved here.

Interesting, isn't it? Think about it....  we could learn a thing or two from that. Which is NOT to see people as black or white, gay or straight, rich or poor, christian or not, and many other labels or divisions we have created simply to feed our ego or push our personal agenda and beliefs.

Life, as mom reminded me long ago, is always 'a journey of --- learning,  unlearning,  and  relearning.' --- Try to peel off unnecessary layers in the self (how did it get there in the first place?!) --  and be your authentic self as designed by a loving God. In His image.

If we perchance fail in the effort, take heart because we are indeed still a work in progress. But we must help the process along. It's a joint endeavor with the Almighty.

A BETTER VERSION TODAY THAN YESTERDAY

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How I wish that every insecure unsure child or adult could read this.........

".....When you measure your growth, make sure to only measure your today self by your past self. If you compare your relationships, your success, or your anything against anyone else, you are not being fair to you. Everyone has a different path, a different pace, and different challenges to face along the way."   --- Doe Zantamata

Here's a little story, it's about a friend. We were buddies at work. She was pretty, bright, friendly and yet when conversation came down to achievement and dreams I would see some sadness in her eyes. She would evade the subject. It seemed that there was this room where a door stood shut with a sign which said --  'do not enter'.

One day I could not stand seeing her sadness one more time and so point-blankly asked her 'what's wrong?' I guess the key to that forbidden door was simply to ask the question.

Long story short, she never felt that she would be anything or anyone in her life. She tried and failed and this was taken up against her by her father who  would say .....'wala kang kwenta! (you're no good) every time she failed. "Mabuti pa si____ sa'yo ... malayo na ang narating." ( ____ has done better than you; she's gone far).  So finally, at long last, I understood her sadness. 

This is as much as I can tell about her story. Oh she's fine now; she's learning though learning can be slow at times. But she'll get there one day soon and be the better version of who she was yesterday.

'Wala kang kwenta' 'You're no good'  ----- Never say that to anyone, especially to your family. And when somebody says that to you, be they family, friend or foe ----  Don't listen! 

You are who you are and have become what you planned for by your own effort and dreams. You are a different person today positively from your old self of yesterday. That is success! Although some struggles may still be there and the journey sometimes slow but the magnificent work is continuing. Somebody up there isn't sleeping. Remember that you are a work in progress...  and that is good! And one day  ---- you will hold the stars.. your dreams.. in your hands. By God's design.