It's a funny thing about life, you never really expect to meet anyone that one thinks he or she might match up perfectly with. A person can oftentimes come close but no cigar, in a manner of speaking, because each of us tend to be somewhat picky. We all tend to look for qualities that will hopefully match with every criteria in which he or she is or could be considered a potential relationship in the making. For when one does choose that one particular diamond in the rough, so to speak, its from that point on to unravel the mystery of who that person really is. In some aspects, both people must find their way through a proverbial smoken screen to truly know whether or not each is truly compatible.
Every person has that innate ability to read people as one could be dead on, dead wrong, or somewhere in the middle. Yet, when it pertains to someone that you might, probably, or could spend the rest of your life with it's really an unknown. In some ways, it's like playing a game of Russian Roulette with your heart and you absolutely don't know if you are going to make it to the end. It's that type of thinking, for myself anyway, that can make any person feel somewhat afraid of actually letting someone gradually know the real you. It's one's true self as he or she reveals one's own fears, as well as, insecurities and once shown that person may either turn and run away or stay and stand by your side.
Let me ask you this question, what is your deepest fear in life? For most or all people it's dying alone and not having someone at your side to share memorable experiences with. Every guy comes to a point in his life when he wants to settle down and start a family. It can be somewhat of a depressing situation for any person to hear that close friends have gotten engaged and oftentimes one after another. It's even more depressing when those same friends and even family members ask when one's time of holy matrimony will be, which may or may not happen. Consequently, is that optimistic attitude that can truly surprise a person when he or she stands or walks down the aisle and gets married.
Ultimately, that proverbial smoke screen will start to clear and one will get a clearer picture of the person who one wants to be with. Sometimes one, the other, or both will pass each other, but that is to be expected because every relationship a person is involved in is considered a test. A test of patience, in which he or she will encounter faults that a person will get past and if you do, then its just one less hurdle for a person to deal with. It makes the ties that bind one to another stronger as the love for each other grows even bigger. For each hurdle that one jumps over, it simply makes knowing each other emotionally, intellectually, and personally even more exciting.
In retrospect, I spent some time searching for quotes from Shakespeare to Socrates; but in all honesty the words that someone else said can't compare to what two people find within each other who will one day embark on a new journey together. Every person travels down the lonely road of life, but undoubtedly all roads lead to someone that you somehow know is the one for you. It's that one person you take a chance on, risking your heart and soul to be with. When you know you have it, don't let go of it and for every guy out there, including myself, will one day let our heart guide us to make an all important,scary, as well as, life changing decision. It's that particular decision where a guy will speak from his heart, look deeply into her eyes with love, and when down on bended knee ask this question: Will you marry me?
Thursday, December 30, 2004
Tuesday, December 28, 2004
Clean Slate
Thomas Mann said, ~Time has no divisions to mark it's passage, there is never a thunderstorm or blare of trumpets to announce the beginning of a new month or year. Even when a new century begins it is only we mortals who ring bells and fire off pistols.~ As we start to turn the last page of 2004, we inevitably start a new one as 2005 approaches in a couple of days. Within this past year, we've all been through many experiences that were considered memorable and unforgettable. Yet, whether they were bad or good, it's those experiences that are now in the past; though not forgotten it will stick with us. When one looks back at 2004, did you make every moment count or was every possible moment thrown out the window?
If you think about it, each year we are given equal amounts of time for the opportunity to implement what one has learned over the last twelve months. It's within those twelve months that he or she has hopefully made every effort to make or reach his or her goals. As one goes for the gold, so to speak, the knowledge one attains while going through one's own professional or personal experience will hopefully give a person some new found insight. Insight in which a person asks himself or herself whether or not the time one has used was completely wasted or not. Initially, time can be either your best friend or your worst enemy and it's the one thing that you can never stop.
In this last year, each of us have experienced all sorts of emotions that have lifted one up, brought one to his or her knees, or brought one to places in between. For our emotions can be associated with time because once you have the particular emotion such as anger, it's gone....for the most part. It's considered yesterday's news, in a manner of speaking, but tomorrow is an uncertainty, because one's anger may return like an unwelcome houseguest. Consequently, a person has no real guarantee that the emotions that he or she has carried in the past year will disappear. It's just a matter of knowing that it will probably happen all over again but under new circumstances.
Over the last twelve months, each of us have gone through our ups and downs when it comes to love. For some people the downs outweigh the ups, for others its vice versa, but for most people it was more of a balance. Subsequently, we can either waste and worry with the remaining time one has dwelling in ourselves or simply share the love; though it may not be reciprocated the way he or she truly wanted. Thinking about it, one can't slow time down, turn it off, or adjust it and when it pertains to love, time ultimately marches on. It's basically a part of life and the past mistakes and successes will unfortunately linger on in our hearts, as well as, in our minds for years to come.
In retrospect, its truly amazing how quickly the year has passed us by. In some ways, as you get older time just seems to go much faster than usual. One moment you turn 21, then the next moment you are 30 years old, and then you ask yourself what happened to those 9 years in between? Let me ask you this question, does it feel you've missed out on life or do you feel that you're keeping pace with it? As we make our new year's resolutions for 2005, one will attempt to keep them, but for how long? It will be 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds to 2006 so make the most of it; because when the clock strikes midnight, each of us will have that proverbial clean slate all over again.
~Have A Happy New Year Folks!~
If you think about it, each year we are given equal amounts of time for the opportunity to implement what one has learned over the last twelve months. It's within those twelve months that he or she has hopefully made every effort to make or reach his or her goals. As one goes for the gold, so to speak, the knowledge one attains while going through one's own professional or personal experience will hopefully give a person some new found insight. Insight in which a person asks himself or herself whether or not the time one has used was completely wasted or not. Initially, time can be either your best friend or your worst enemy and it's the one thing that you can never stop.
In this last year, each of us have experienced all sorts of emotions that have lifted one up, brought one to his or her knees, or brought one to places in between. For our emotions can be associated with time because once you have the particular emotion such as anger, it's gone....for the most part. It's considered yesterday's news, in a manner of speaking, but tomorrow is an uncertainty, because one's anger may return like an unwelcome houseguest. Consequently, a person has no real guarantee that the emotions that he or she has carried in the past year will disappear. It's just a matter of knowing that it will probably happen all over again but under new circumstances.
Over the last twelve months, each of us have gone through our ups and downs when it comes to love. For some people the downs outweigh the ups, for others its vice versa, but for most people it was more of a balance. Subsequently, we can either waste and worry with the remaining time one has dwelling in ourselves or simply share the love; though it may not be reciprocated the way he or she truly wanted. Thinking about it, one can't slow time down, turn it off, or adjust it and when it pertains to love, time ultimately marches on. It's basically a part of life and the past mistakes and successes will unfortunately linger on in our hearts, as well as, in our minds for years to come.
In retrospect, its truly amazing how quickly the year has passed us by. In some ways, as you get older time just seems to go much faster than usual. One moment you turn 21, then the next moment you are 30 years old, and then you ask yourself what happened to those 9 years in between? Let me ask you this question, does it feel you've missed out on life or do you feel that you're keeping pace with it? As we make our new year's resolutions for 2005, one will attempt to keep them, but for how long? It will be 12 months, 52 weeks, 365 days, 8,760 hours, 525,600 minutes, 31,536,000 seconds to 2006 so make the most of it; because when the clock strikes midnight, each of us will have that proverbial clean slate all over again.
~Have A Happy New Year Folks!~
Monday, December 27, 2004
Are You Happy
William Lyon Phelps once said, "The happiest are those who think the most interesting thoughts. Those who decide to use leisure as a means of mental development, who love good music, good books, and good pictures, good company, good conversation, are the happiest people in the world. And they are not only happy in themselves, they are the cause of happiness in others.~ Every person has come to make the most of their own situation, a situation where if life gives you lemons, simply make lemonade. Inevitably, it's one's own situation where friends, family, or colleagues ask you that proverbial question which primarily asks about your own happiness.
Essentially what makes a person happy is that he or she has something to do to distract one from his or her life. A person will oftentimes keep himself or herself busy and with one's particular job, that person can take the time to focus on something else. In some aspects, accomplishing a task that seemed utterly impossible can give you a sense of achievement, which can boost one's spirit. It's that sense of achievement that can also boost one's confidence and in turn give a person a better night sleep. For me personally, it's an achievement in itself to be still working in a place that even though it makes me totally insane, actually brings a smile to my face.
For most people, what makes one happy is that one tangible thing that he or she can continually hold on to and that is hope. Each of us hopefully have something to hope for in life; for it's that proverbial holy grail that one keeps focused on as he or she continually climbs that ladder of success. Yet, one will come across those Al Bundy types where all their hopes are crushed and all their happiness is replaced by broken dreams with an added mix of miserable complaining. Though you may not be an unhappy shoe salesman, one can rest in the fact that you put your nose to the grindstone, in a manner of speaking, then that something you have been hoping for will one day come true to life.
In some cases, to be happy means to have someone to love and that someone to love you back. Oftentimes, when you do meet someone, one doesn't want to mess it up to the point where you spend time analyzing what went wrong. Just move forward because he or she may not be "the one" for you. For a person to risk falling in love, then being hurt, then falling in love again can be considered the thing a person can do. For that person should feel happy because all the heartache that one went through culminated into eventually leading you to meet that one special person. In other words, a person has to have a balance of sadness and happiness and for you which side weighs more?
C.P. Snow said, ~The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.~ Let me ask you this question, are you searching for happiness or have you already found it standing right in front of you all along? In some aspect, it's like sitting or standing in one spot for a certain period of time and familiar faces cross your paths. In a way, a person just has to sit or stand in one spot and happiness will find you, whoever he or she may be. For the most part, I am happy because I have my family, my friends, something to do to keep me busy, something to hope for, but that someone to love that's a big question mark. In the end I ask you this simple question, are you happy?
Essentially what makes a person happy is that he or she has something to do to distract one from his or her life. A person will oftentimes keep himself or herself busy and with one's particular job, that person can take the time to focus on something else. In some aspects, accomplishing a task that seemed utterly impossible can give you a sense of achievement, which can boost one's spirit. It's that sense of achievement that can also boost one's confidence and in turn give a person a better night sleep. For me personally, it's an achievement in itself to be still working in a place that even though it makes me totally insane, actually brings a smile to my face.
For most people, what makes one happy is that one tangible thing that he or she can continually hold on to and that is hope. Each of us hopefully have something to hope for in life; for it's that proverbial holy grail that one keeps focused on as he or she continually climbs that ladder of success. Yet, one will come across those Al Bundy types where all their hopes are crushed and all their happiness is replaced by broken dreams with an added mix of miserable complaining. Though you may not be an unhappy shoe salesman, one can rest in the fact that you put your nose to the grindstone, in a manner of speaking, then that something you have been hoping for will one day come true to life.
In some cases, to be happy means to have someone to love and that someone to love you back. Oftentimes, when you do meet someone, one doesn't want to mess it up to the point where you spend time analyzing what went wrong. Just move forward because he or she may not be "the one" for you. For a person to risk falling in love, then being hurt, then falling in love again can be considered the thing a person can do. For that person should feel happy because all the heartache that one went through culminated into eventually leading you to meet that one special person. In other words, a person has to have a balance of sadness and happiness and for you which side weighs more?
C.P. Snow said, ~The pursuit of happiness is a most ridiculous phrase: if you pursue happiness you'll never find it.~ Let me ask you this question, are you searching for happiness or have you already found it standing right in front of you all along? In some aspect, it's like sitting or standing in one spot for a certain period of time and familiar faces cross your paths. In a way, a person just has to sit or stand in one spot and happiness will find you, whoever he or she may be. For the most part, I am happy because I have my family, my friends, something to do to keep me busy, something to hope for, but that someone to love that's a big question mark. In the end I ask you this simple question, are you happy?
Sunday, December 26, 2004
The Ultimate Sacrifice
Love, it's a word that can oftentimes be difficult to define. It can mean so many different things to many people. If you ask someone to define it, he or she may have a different interpretation on what it is. Yet, it is really hard to zone in on a simple definition or statement of what love actually means. If you think about it, we are in search of someone to fill the void that is missing in one's heart. For some people, that void has already been filled, but for others, he or she is still in search of that one person who can fill that empty spot in their own heart. Every person wants that type of love that will last a lifetime and not the type of love that is temporary, which makes that void in his or her heart even bigger.
Thinking about it, love is a word that certain people hate to hear due to his or her past experiences. When one hears that word that person associates it with betrayal and/or dishonesty. It's from there a person will inevitably hold back and/or limit just how much he or she will allow feelings of love for the particular person to surface. It basically comes down to trust issues with one's own heart and primarily taking that wall down, which will leave a person truly happy or sad in the end. Though a person can hide the love that one feels for someone, it can't be suppressed or it will burst like a volcano. Love will make you sick and no matter how hard you try to avoid it, a person will get bitten by that proverbial love bug.
Let me ask you something, do you absolutely know the feeling of true love? That type of true love where you are with someone, you feel like there is no one else in the world but you and that person. For one's surroundings are inconsequential and merely a part of the background to your own fairy tale setting, so to speak. We've all had that feeling and it's that whirlwind roller coaster that can bring either bliss and/or insanity to his sometimes confusing phenomenon known as love. It's truly unpredictable and it can strike any time, any place, and anywhere. Ultimately, each of us will hold on to that feeling and never want to let it go; but no matter how tight one holds on it can slip through our fingers like grains of hands.
Although love is painful and sometimes you just want to give up on ever finding it, it doesn't die. Crushes, infatuations, lusts, adoring someone from afar do die and are types of feelings that will fade away like a sunset. Yet, the one thing that never fades away or dies is true love; for it is never ending. It's subsequently infinite and it's been said when you are there for someone without him or her asking you to be there, it shows a strong bond of affection for that person or vice versa. True love is giving yourself up to him or her even though that person may push you away at first either physically or emotionally. In the end, you have to realize sometimes one must give up our own happiness in order to make someone else happy and that my friend is an act of selflessness that is considered to be the ultimate sacrifice.
I end this with a quote which says~"Love and relationships are truly one of the most paradoxical aspects of being human. For it is in love that we find the greatest of strengths and the deepest of sorrows. Love can seem to be so fleeting and unachievable yet it remains well within our reach if we only learn how to embrace its power. To experience true love, we must be willing to open ourselves up and sacrifice part of our heart and part of our soul. We must be willing to give of ourselves freely, and we must be willing to suffer. It is only when we expose our inner selves to the white hot flame of rejection, that love can burn so brightly as to join two souls, melding the two into one, creating a bond that joins forever. It is from this bond that we draw strength eternal and power everlasting. It is in this thing that we call love that we find the means to achieve greatness, both in ourselves and in our lives.~
Thinking about it, love is a word that certain people hate to hear due to his or her past experiences. When one hears that word that person associates it with betrayal and/or dishonesty. It's from there a person will inevitably hold back and/or limit just how much he or she will allow feelings of love for the particular person to surface. It basically comes down to trust issues with one's own heart and primarily taking that wall down, which will leave a person truly happy or sad in the end. Though a person can hide the love that one feels for someone, it can't be suppressed or it will burst like a volcano. Love will make you sick and no matter how hard you try to avoid it, a person will get bitten by that proverbial love bug.
Let me ask you something, do you absolutely know the feeling of true love? That type of true love where you are with someone, you feel like there is no one else in the world but you and that person. For one's surroundings are inconsequential and merely a part of the background to your own fairy tale setting, so to speak. We've all had that feeling and it's that whirlwind roller coaster that can bring either bliss and/or insanity to his sometimes confusing phenomenon known as love. It's truly unpredictable and it can strike any time, any place, and anywhere. Ultimately, each of us will hold on to that feeling and never want to let it go; but no matter how tight one holds on it can slip through our fingers like grains of hands.
Although love is painful and sometimes you just want to give up on ever finding it, it doesn't die. Crushes, infatuations, lusts, adoring someone from afar do die and are types of feelings that will fade away like a sunset. Yet, the one thing that never fades away or dies is true love; for it is never ending. It's subsequently infinite and it's been said when you are there for someone without him or her asking you to be there, it shows a strong bond of affection for that person or vice versa. True love is giving yourself up to him or her even though that person may push you away at first either physically or emotionally. In the end, you have to realize sometimes one must give up our own happiness in order to make someone else happy and that my friend is an act of selflessness that is considered to be the ultimate sacrifice.
I end this with a quote which says~"Love and relationships are truly one of the most paradoxical aspects of being human. For it is in love that we find the greatest of strengths and the deepest of sorrows. Love can seem to be so fleeting and unachievable yet it remains well within our reach if we only learn how to embrace its power. To experience true love, we must be willing to open ourselves up and sacrifice part of our heart and part of our soul. We must be willing to give of ourselves freely, and we must be willing to suffer. It is only when we expose our inner selves to the white hot flame of rejection, that love can burn so brightly as to join two souls, melding the two into one, creating a bond that joins forever. It is from this bond that we draw strength eternal and power everlasting. It is in this thing that we call love that we find the means to achieve greatness, both in ourselves and in our lives.~
Thursday, December 23, 2004
It's Official
There comes a point in any person's job that there are certain tell-tale signs and/or realizations that one has been working at his or her particular establishment for a long period of time. Working in the nuthouse for the last eight years, there can be several aspects of the job that can cross over into life outside the asylum. In some aspects, they tend to sick with you and never really go away; though you may not want it to happen, it happens and you can't stop it. It's kind of like taking your home work with you, which is actually a frightening thought indeed having over a hundred kids who one watches over on a semi-daily basis knowing where you actually live.
One tell tale sign that a person has been working for a long period of time is wanting to use a whistle. There are certain days I find myself in a crowded and loud area where I wanted to use my whistle to tell people to quiet down; but when I reached for it, I simply grabbed air. It's kind of like an off duty cop trying to grab for his or her gun when a crime is about to be committed or being committed. Yet, if I actually were to have used my whistle, people would either stare at me, ignore me, or do both. Working in an environment that just exudes loudness, having a whistle is the best "weapon" to calming down a group of kids that have endless amounts of energy that they want to burn off.
One realization that a person can come to is that wherever you go these kids will follow you. It's like they are the FBI, they know their whereabouts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Going out of town is an impossibility as well, for they are everywhere. It's simply unavoidable and no matter how hard one tries to get away from these kids they will find you. Inevitably there is one place that is an absolute guarantee a person who works in the asylum will run into these kids and that place is Wal-Mart. Let me tell you something, having your name yelled out loud in a Wal-Mart store can be a very humbling experience, which has absolutely been done to me on many occasions.
In some instances, one will realize that certain kids live near you, which is either a pleasant or unpleasant thought. It really depends on which particular kid or kids, who you absolutely like or tolerate, to keep the location of one's house on the downlow. Oftentimes it can be a surprising situation when there is a knock at my door and standing there are the asylum kids who want you to solve their arguments for them. Fortunately it hasn't happened yet, but if it did happen it would be an awkward situation which can be handled in two ways: 1.) scream and slam the door OR 2.) talk to the kids. Ultimately, you are never really off duty when they need someone to listen and talk to.
Last weekend, my best friend and I came to one huge realization and it came to us while standing in line to see the movie Blade Trinity. You see, we ran into a former teenager that used to go to the asylum and he grew up. As we were talking about old times, we asked what he has been up to lately and he mentioned that he got married and his wife was with him. It was a nice surprise and we gave our congrats, as well as, giving him a few parding shots to embarasses him in front of his wife. In the end, as we were standing in line at the concession area I turned to my best friend and told him this statement which he agreed wholeheartedly with: ~It's official, we're old.~
One tell tale sign that a person has been working for a long period of time is wanting to use a whistle. There are certain days I find myself in a crowded and loud area where I wanted to use my whistle to tell people to quiet down; but when I reached for it, I simply grabbed air. It's kind of like an off duty cop trying to grab for his or her gun when a crime is about to be committed or being committed. Yet, if I actually were to have used my whistle, people would either stare at me, ignore me, or do both. Working in an environment that just exudes loudness, having a whistle is the best "weapon" to calming down a group of kids that have endless amounts of energy that they want to burn off.
One realization that a person can come to is that wherever you go these kids will follow you. It's like they are the FBI, they know their whereabouts 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Going out of town is an impossibility as well, for they are everywhere. It's simply unavoidable and no matter how hard one tries to get away from these kids they will find you. Inevitably there is one place that is an absolute guarantee a person who works in the asylum will run into these kids and that place is Wal-Mart. Let me tell you something, having your name yelled out loud in a Wal-Mart store can be a very humbling experience, which has absolutely been done to me on many occasions.
In some instances, one will realize that certain kids live near you, which is either a pleasant or unpleasant thought. It really depends on which particular kid or kids, who you absolutely like or tolerate, to keep the location of one's house on the downlow. Oftentimes it can be a surprising situation when there is a knock at my door and standing there are the asylum kids who want you to solve their arguments for them. Fortunately it hasn't happened yet, but if it did happen it would be an awkward situation which can be handled in two ways: 1.) scream and slam the door OR 2.) talk to the kids. Ultimately, you are never really off duty when they need someone to listen and talk to.
Last weekend, my best friend and I came to one huge realization and it came to us while standing in line to see the movie Blade Trinity. You see, we ran into a former teenager that used to go to the asylum and he grew up. As we were talking about old times, we asked what he has been up to lately and he mentioned that he got married and his wife was with him. It was a nice surprise and we gave our congrats, as well as, giving him a few parding shots to embarasses him in front of his wife. In the end, as we were standing in line at the concession area I turned to my best friend and told him this statement which he agreed wholeheartedly with: ~It's official, we're old.~
Wednesday, December 22, 2004
Never Go Hungry
Guisseppe Mazzini once said, ~The family is the Country of the heart. There is an angel in the family who, by the mysterious influence of grace, of sweetness, and of love, renders the fulfillment of duties less wearisome, sorrows less bitter. The only pure joys unmixed with sadness which it is given to man to taste upon earth are thanks to this angel, the joys of the family.~ When you are part or become a part of Filipino-American family you not only have your own family, but one also has an extended family as well. In some aspects, it's an extended family that is well connected and informed than the FBI, CIA, and Al Qaeda, without the violent terror related tendencies.
Thinking about it, time is inconsequential for a group of people that never really arrive on time. Being an hour or two hours late for that matter is practically expected and one shouldn't expect anything less. In some ways, a person set their watch on when we will arrive depending on whether or not food will be involved with this particular function. In any case, making an entrance is somewhat similar to when a person or a family is making his or their departure. It can be disappointing, as a young kid, to leave a party that one is really enjoying; but not when you are on Filipino time. It's that proverbial Filipino time, where young kids can enjoy several more hours of fun when parents say they are about to leave in a couple of minutes.
In some instances, being part of a culture that expresses itself in dance or song, one will get roped into doing certain dance or singing related activities that he or she doesn't want to do as a young kid. It can be either a win-win or win-lose situation depending on how one looks at it. On one hand, you can simply refuse not to do that particular activity and suffer the biggest guilt trip that a parent will hand down on you to the point where you agree to do it. On the other hand, you can do it, get it over with while you're young, and not do it ever again....most of the time. A line from a movie that escapes me right now best sums up how one can feel at times:~Just when I think I done, they pull me back in.~
It can somewhat boggle the mind that cooking food comes a close second to the one thing Filipino-Americans love to do the most and that is singing Karaoke. One can be absolutely drawn to it like senior citizens to a lunch buffet; though he or she may not want to sing, that person will have the microphone in his or her own hands. It's truly uncanny the power of a karaoke machine can hold over a Filipino because it turns a fairly normal person into a singing machine that will either make a person be perceived as the next American Idol or the next American Idol reject. Ultimately, whether you are making a fool of yourself or not, one will have absolute fun doing it; even if you can't sing worth a lick like myself.
In any case, a person can be unofficially adopted into the Filipino-American family that will absolutely welcome you with open arms. There is no background check and you don't have to wait months or even years to get on a waiting list. Personally speaking over the years, there have been a number of friends from College that are considered part of the family. Though not related by blood, it's the ties that bind that make a person feel like a brother and/or a sister. For them it's like a second home where they can get away from the college food and eat food they can actually taste. In the end, there is one absolute fact that when you are accepted into a Filipino-American house that considers you part of the family, you will never go hungry.
Thinking about it, time is inconsequential for a group of people that never really arrive on time. Being an hour or two hours late for that matter is practically expected and one shouldn't expect anything less. In some ways, a person set their watch on when we will arrive depending on whether or not food will be involved with this particular function. In any case, making an entrance is somewhat similar to when a person or a family is making his or their departure. It can be disappointing, as a young kid, to leave a party that one is really enjoying; but not when you are on Filipino time. It's that proverbial Filipino time, where young kids can enjoy several more hours of fun when parents say they are about to leave in a couple of minutes.
In some instances, being part of a culture that expresses itself in dance or song, one will get roped into doing certain dance or singing related activities that he or she doesn't want to do as a young kid. It can be either a win-win or win-lose situation depending on how one looks at it. On one hand, you can simply refuse not to do that particular activity and suffer the biggest guilt trip that a parent will hand down on you to the point where you agree to do it. On the other hand, you can do it, get it over with while you're young, and not do it ever again....most of the time. A line from a movie that escapes me right now best sums up how one can feel at times:~Just when I think I done, they pull me back in.~
It can somewhat boggle the mind that cooking food comes a close second to the one thing Filipino-Americans love to do the most and that is singing Karaoke. One can be absolutely drawn to it like senior citizens to a lunch buffet; though he or she may not want to sing, that person will have the microphone in his or her own hands. It's truly uncanny the power of a karaoke machine can hold over a Filipino because it turns a fairly normal person into a singing machine that will either make a person be perceived as the next American Idol or the next American Idol reject. Ultimately, whether you are making a fool of yourself or not, one will have absolute fun doing it; even if you can't sing worth a lick like myself.
In any case, a person can be unofficially adopted into the Filipino-American family that will absolutely welcome you with open arms. There is no background check and you don't have to wait months or even years to get on a waiting list. Personally speaking over the years, there have been a number of friends from College that are considered part of the family. Though not related by blood, it's the ties that bind that make a person feel like a brother and/or a sister. For them it's like a second home where they can get away from the college food and eat food they can actually taste. In the end, there is one absolute fact that when you are accepted into a Filipino-American house that considers you part of the family, you will never go hungry.
Saturday, December 18, 2004
Ready To Fly
Patrick Overton said, ~When we walk to the edge of all the light we have and take a step into the darkness of the unknown, we must believe that one of two things will happen: there will be something solid to stand on or we will be taught to fly.~ In some aspect, each of us can be compared to an eagle that is about to spread one's wings for the very first time. It can be a scary thing when you can't control what might or might not happen when one takes that leap of faith with your heart. In a way, each one of us can be cautious as we walk to the edge and have these two options: either back away from the edge and not fly at all or take that step off the edge and soar to new heights.
If you think about it, when a person backs away from the edge, he or she tends to push away that one person that essentially you are interested in or vice versa. It's that one person who when you first meet or see, one absolutely forgets how to breathe; also one seems to forget his or her own name, which comes with the territory. In any case, each time one continually backs away from the edge, a person will lost that window of opportunity to actually feel the wind beneath your wings. It's a matter of psyching yourself up even though you, and that person as well, are absolutely scared out of your mind. One just has to let go of that fear, walk to the edge, spread your wings, and fly.
Unfortunately, for some people taking that first step off the edge to fly towards that particular person can oftentimes leave a person with a tremendous headache, in a manner of speaking. We've all experienced that awkward and sometimes embarrassing situation where one thought you were flying to someone that he or she may have a chance with; but crashed into that proverbial invisible glass window which happens to all of us from time to time. For each one of us have suffered a broken wing, which is a representation of our own heart, and it can keep us from being able to fly once again. Consequently, it's that self doubt that will keep one from stepping into the unknown phenomenon that is love.
Ultimately, falling in love or being in love is an experience that can be best described as soaring above the clouds with or towards someone you would risk life and limb for. Let me ask you this question, with the eyes of an eagle who was or is that one person that caught your attention and initially he or she captured your heart? I once said that love is like flying without wings, but when you are truly in love the sky is the limit. To be perfectly honest, when you are in the air flying high, the answers you seek sometimes become much clearer than when you are simply standing at the edge rather than wondering whether or not you should have at least tried and live with that regret for years to come.
In retrospect, love is about hoping, dreaming, continually believing and taking that step to the edge without fear, and never looking down no matter what happens below you. It's that Superman/Supergil mentality that one will always have because love is considered kryptonite; it will bring you down to your knees and can either make you lose the strength you have or make you stronger. Someone once said, ~May you soar like an eagle and shine like the sun.. and may your spirit and heart join together with someone as one.~ Every person will step or has stepped off the edge and flew high; but suffered or will suffer a broken wing that may or may not heal. In the end, a person will ask yourself this question when it comes to falling in love again, am I ready to fly?
If you think about it, when a person backs away from the edge, he or she tends to push away that one person that essentially you are interested in or vice versa. It's that one person who when you first meet or see, one absolutely forgets how to breathe; also one seems to forget his or her own name, which comes with the territory. In any case, each time one continually backs away from the edge, a person will lost that window of opportunity to actually feel the wind beneath your wings. It's a matter of psyching yourself up even though you, and that person as well, are absolutely scared out of your mind. One just has to let go of that fear, walk to the edge, spread your wings, and fly.
Unfortunately, for some people taking that first step off the edge to fly towards that particular person can oftentimes leave a person with a tremendous headache, in a manner of speaking. We've all experienced that awkward and sometimes embarrassing situation where one thought you were flying to someone that he or she may have a chance with; but crashed into that proverbial invisible glass window which happens to all of us from time to time. For each one of us have suffered a broken wing, which is a representation of our own heart, and it can keep us from being able to fly once again. Consequently, it's that self doubt that will keep one from stepping into the unknown phenomenon that is love.
Ultimately, falling in love or being in love is an experience that can be best described as soaring above the clouds with or towards someone you would risk life and limb for. Let me ask you this question, with the eyes of an eagle who was or is that one person that caught your attention and initially he or she captured your heart? I once said that love is like flying without wings, but when you are truly in love the sky is the limit. To be perfectly honest, when you are in the air flying high, the answers you seek sometimes become much clearer than when you are simply standing at the edge rather than wondering whether or not you should have at least tried and live with that regret for years to come.
In retrospect, love is about hoping, dreaming, continually believing and taking that step to the edge without fear, and never looking down no matter what happens below you. It's that Superman/Supergil mentality that one will always have because love is considered kryptonite; it will bring you down to your knees and can either make you lose the strength you have or make you stronger. Someone once said, ~May you soar like an eagle and shine like the sun.. and may your spirit and heart join together with someone as one.~ Every person will step or has stepped off the edge and flew high; but suffered or will suffer a broken wing that may or may not heal. In the end, a person will ask yourself this question when it comes to falling in love again, am I ready to fly?
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
The Greatest Gift
It's beginning to look and feel a lot like Christmas as the decorations are hung in the house, as well as, on the tree. For Jack Frost is nipping not only at your nose, but every other major body part depending on where you live. It's one time out of the year where ever person feel a certain energy i the air that can turn you back into a wide-eyed little kid again. It's that innocence that is seen through our eyes way back when that makes the holiday season so festive. For that proverbial countdown has already started and the days on the calendar are being crossed out as we speak. Let me ask you this question, do you still get excited when Christmas time comes around or do you gradually turn into an Ebeneezer Scrooge?
Oftentimes, a person will become jaded as the holiday season rolls around. He or she will focus on the negative aspects such as the long lines in stores and in airports, plus encountering people who are absolutely rude. For that person's focus isn't on building up a memorable Christmas that will be enjoyed by all; but rather tearing down of it. We all know a person or crossed paths with someone like this and even though you try to be friendly with him or her, they will still have a crabby attitude no matter what one does or says. It's these scrooges that have lost the spirit of Christmas and that wide-eyed little kid that they used to has been replaced with a nasty Grinch.
In any case, Christmas presents are just one of many aspects that most people really enjoy. Every person's eyes light up when he or she receives a gift from someone or sees some under the old Christmas tree. Each of us at some point, as young kids, tried to sneak a peak at his or her gifts and either got caught in the act or not at all. Personally speaking, I never was caught and I had a sneaky way to find out what I got. Depending on what type of package it was, I would poke a hole at the bottom, shine the Christmas light in it and see what I got. Of course it ruined the mystery; but think about this, it was the mere challenge of not getting caught that made it absolutely such a thrill to do.
Inevitably, as one grows older, the perception of Christmas tends to lose its spark. For one realizes that Santa doesn't exist and eventually finds out that in fact one's own parents are Santa Clause which was somewhat disappointing. Yet it's that solid belief, as a kid, that it's an absolute possibility that a man flies all across the world bringing presents to little children. You can't help but smile when someone mentions the name Santa Clause, because the name takes you back to your own childhood. A childhood where you stayed up and tried to see if he would come to your house and leave presents. Though one may not believe in jolly old Saint Nick anymore, his essence still lives on in each of us.
Someone once said, ~The universal joy of Christmas is certainly wonderful. We ring the bells when princes are born, or toll a mournful dirge when great men pass away. Nations have their red-letter days, their carnivals and festivals, but once a year and only once, the whole world stands still to celebrate the advent of a life. Only Jesus of Nazareth claims this worldwide, undying remembrance. You cannot cut Christmas out of the calendar, nor out of the heart of the world.~ In retrospect, Christmas isn't about getting or giving gifts that may or may not be returned. For you see two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was born in a manger and He is the greatest gift ever given from the heart to mankind from God.
Oftentimes, a person will become jaded as the holiday season rolls around. He or she will focus on the negative aspects such as the long lines in stores and in airports, plus encountering people who are absolutely rude. For that person's focus isn't on building up a memorable Christmas that will be enjoyed by all; but rather tearing down of it. We all know a person or crossed paths with someone like this and even though you try to be friendly with him or her, they will still have a crabby attitude no matter what one does or says. It's these scrooges that have lost the spirit of Christmas and that wide-eyed little kid that they used to has been replaced with a nasty Grinch.
In any case, Christmas presents are just one of many aspects that most people really enjoy. Every person's eyes light up when he or she receives a gift from someone or sees some under the old Christmas tree. Each of us at some point, as young kids, tried to sneak a peak at his or her gifts and either got caught in the act or not at all. Personally speaking, I never was caught and I had a sneaky way to find out what I got. Depending on what type of package it was, I would poke a hole at the bottom, shine the Christmas light in it and see what I got. Of course it ruined the mystery; but think about this, it was the mere challenge of not getting caught that made it absolutely such a thrill to do.
Inevitably, as one grows older, the perception of Christmas tends to lose its spark. For one realizes that Santa doesn't exist and eventually finds out that in fact one's own parents are Santa Clause which was somewhat disappointing. Yet it's that solid belief, as a kid, that it's an absolute possibility that a man flies all across the world bringing presents to little children. You can't help but smile when someone mentions the name Santa Clause, because the name takes you back to your own childhood. A childhood where you stayed up and tried to see if he would come to your house and leave presents. Though one may not believe in jolly old Saint Nick anymore, his essence still lives on in each of us.
Someone once said, ~The universal joy of Christmas is certainly wonderful. We ring the bells when princes are born, or toll a mournful dirge when great men pass away. Nations have their red-letter days, their carnivals and festivals, but once a year and only once, the whole world stands still to celebrate the advent of a life. Only Jesus of Nazareth claims this worldwide, undying remembrance. You cannot cut Christmas out of the calendar, nor out of the heart of the world.~ In retrospect, Christmas isn't about getting or giving gifts that may or may not be returned. For you see two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ was born in a manger and He is the greatest gift ever given from the heart to mankind from God.
Spell Relief
Douglas Pagels once said, ~Sometimes it's important to work for that pot of gold. But other times its essential to take time off and to make sure that your most important decisions in the day simply consists of choosing which side to slide down on the rainbow.~ For most people, attaining that all important degree is serious business, but you have to have fun in between all the hard work one does. The decisions one makes will determine if he or she will encounter constant setbacks that will hinder a person from walking down the aisle and proclaiming what one truly earned. It's that proverbial pot of gold, so to speak, that is considered the most valuable document that one will ever have in one's own life.
In some aspect, the pursuit of higher learning in college can somewhat be compared to the story of the tortoise and the hare. On some days or everyday, one can feel like the tortoise and things just seem to pass you by and you can't get motivated to do anything. Let me ask you this, have you ever had one of those days where the time was just going way too slow? It's those particular days in which the sluggishness, combined with the long hours will have one's energy slowly fade away. Inevitably, it's more of a mental game than a physical one, and in a way, you have to constantly motivate and repeat to yourself I KNOW I CAN. It's just a matter of keeping that slow and steady pace to win that race, in a manner of speaking.
On the other side of that coin, one can also feel like the hare. As a college student, he or she has to run from point A to point B, all-the-while, grabbing something to snack on when one can't find the time to eat a big meal. It's the life of a college student, for one can be so focused and/or determined to get to the finish line that a person will run on adrenaline or sheer will power. For one's gas tank is running on empty, so to speak, and all that person is running on is fumes. Every person comes to a point either in the middle or late stages of the semester where he or she kicks it into a higher gear. A gear, in which a person taps into some reserve fuel, in other words inner strength that is both mental and physical.
Consequently the moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. One has to realize that a diploma will be there waiting; even though it may take longer than expected to get it, at least you took your time. Within that time, one hopefully will never take for granted the people who helped and guided you through one's own journey. A journey that consisted of uncovering hidden lessons and lessons that you had to learn first hand. If you think about, it's the people that you unknowingly cross paths with are the ones you will always remember most. It's those people who see the person you really are; and what they see is a person who never quit when the going got tremendously tough.
In retrospect, every person goes through drama during his or her years in college, it's simply unavoidable. It may pertain to one's personal or professional life; but if those two separate entities merge into one, then the shiznit will hit the fan, in a manner of speaking. A person has to have his or her sense of humor in tact, when it comes to college life. If you don't have it, then you will literally go mad; for me personally I went off the deep end but I didn't drown. An old commercial asked the question, How do you spell relief? When I am handed that diploma, all the long, stressful nights will truly be worth it; and in the end, this is how I will spell relief.....S-L-E-E-P
In some aspect, the pursuit of higher learning in college can somewhat be compared to the story of the tortoise and the hare. On some days or everyday, one can feel like the tortoise and things just seem to pass you by and you can't get motivated to do anything. Let me ask you this, have you ever had one of those days where the time was just going way too slow? It's those particular days in which the sluggishness, combined with the long hours will have one's energy slowly fade away. Inevitably, it's more of a mental game than a physical one, and in a way, you have to constantly motivate and repeat to yourself I KNOW I CAN. It's just a matter of keeping that slow and steady pace to win that race, in a manner of speaking.
On the other side of that coin, one can also feel like the hare. As a college student, he or she has to run from point A to point B, all-the-while, grabbing something to snack on when one can't find the time to eat a big meal. It's the life of a college student, for one can be so focused and/or determined to get to the finish line that a person will run on adrenaline or sheer will power. For one's gas tank is running on empty, so to speak, and all that person is running on is fumes. Every person comes to a point either in the middle or late stages of the semester where he or she kicks it into a higher gear. A gear, in which a person taps into some reserve fuel, in other words inner strength that is both mental and physical.
Consequently the moral of the story is that slow and steady wins the race. One has to realize that a diploma will be there waiting; even though it may take longer than expected to get it, at least you took your time. Within that time, one hopefully will never take for granted the people who helped and guided you through one's own journey. A journey that consisted of uncovering hidden lessons and lessons that you had to learn first hand. If you think about, it's the people that you unknowingly cross paths with are the ones you will always remember most. It's those people who see the person you really are; and what they see is a person who never quit when the going got tremendously tough.
In retrospect, every person goes through drama during his or her years in college, it's simply unavoidable. It may pertain to one's personal or professional life; but if those two separate entities merge into one, then the shiznit will hit the fan, in a manner of speaking. A person has to have his or her sense of humor in tact, when it comes to college life. If you don't have it, then you will literally go mad; for me personally I went off the deep end but I didn't drown. An old commercial asked the question, How do you spell relief? When I am handed that diploma, all the long, stressful nights will truly be worth it; and in the end, this is how I will spell relief.....S-L-E-E-P
Friday, December 10, 2004
Paradise
Every person has that one place where he or she can get away to. A place where one can just hang, chill, and get away from people and the daily trappings of life that tend to just overwhelm you. In some aspect, when you are at this particular place one can feel a sense of calm because it's a place that hopefully nobody really knows about. For you claimed it as your own and yet if there is any kind of disturbance, that peaceful harmony will absolutely be ruined. It can be somewhat like Superman's fortress of solitude, though it may not be a grand or spectacular place to look at, it's a place where you can simply gather your thoughts and drift off in your own little world nonetheless.
Oftentimes, one's fortress of solitude isn't located at a place where a person can physically go to. If you think about it, each of us have easy access and all you have to do is simply close your own eyes. A person can somewhat think outside the box as he or she creates from one's own imagination a place in which he or she can get away to. A proverbial happy place that you feel comfortable in and you can be absolutely content in exploring one's own past, present, and possibly the future without ever really going anywhere. For all the worries that he or she has are left at the front door, so to speak, and that do not disturb sign is placed on one's doorknob.
As kids, a place such as the playground or clubhouse was sort of, in a way, holy ground so to speak. Nobody could tell you what to do and you could push the limits of stupidity beyond its limits. For it was a way to let out one's own aggressions, if any. As you got older other places such as the mall, Wal-Mart, the movie theater, Starbucks, a certain restaurant or drinking establishment, and even one's own car were ways to take yourself out of the reality that has somewhat slapped you in the face into another reality that you can better control of. Let me ask you this question, when was the last time you basically had time by yourself, just relaxed and didn't think about what is happening around you?
Inevitably, it doesn't have to be a place, but rather a person that one can talk to about life's most difficult problems. It could be a friend, mentor, parent, grandparent, a potential or significant other, every person has someone different. It's that particular person who is considered the go to person for the answers that he or she is seeking. Yet, it's not so much talking but hanging with that person that is considered the best therapy you don't have to pay for. That one person will always be there for you whenever you need to talk and get things off your chest, but when you are good and ready. Each one of us knows a person like this and values the advice given, though we may not want to hear at times.
Jeffrey Kotter once said, ~There is convincing evidence that the search for solitude is not a luxury but a biological need. Just as humans possess a herding instinct that keeps us close to others most of the time, we also have a conflicting drive to seek out solitude. If the distance between ourselves and others becomes too great, we experience isolation and alienation, yet if the proximity to others becomes too close, we feel smothered and trapped.~ In retrospect, each of us need a balance of space and closeness when times of stress go to all of us. For when each of us go to that one place or to be with that one person, it can be a feeling that can be described with only one word...paradise.
Oftentimes, one's fortress of solitude isn't located at a place where a person can physically go to. If you think about it, each of us have easy access and all you have to do is simply close your own eyes. A person can somewhat think outside the box as he or she creates from one's own imagination a place in which he or she can get away to. A proverbial happy place that you feel comfortable in and you can be absolutely content in exploring one's own past, present, and possibly the future without ever really going anywhere. For all the worries that he or she has are left at the front door, so to speak, and that do not disturb sign is placed on one's doorknob.
As kids, a place such as the playground or clubhouse was sort of, in a way, holy ground so to speak. Nobody could tell you what to do and you could push the limits of stupidity beyond its limits. For it was a way to let out one's own aggressions, if any. As you got older other places such as the mall, Wal-Mart, the movie theater, Starbucks, a certain restaurant or drinking establishment, and even one's own car were ways to take yourself out of the reality that has somewhat slapped you in the face into another reality that you can better control of. Let me ask you this question, when was the last time you basically had time by yourself, just relaxed and didn't think about what is happening around you?
Inevitably, it doesn't have to be a place, but rather a person that one can talk to about life's most difficult problems. It could be a friend, mentor, parent, grandparent, a potential or significant other, every person has someone different. It's that particular person who is considered the go to person for the answers that he or she is seeking. Yet, it's not so much talking but hanging with that person that is considered the best therapy you don't have to pay for. That one person will always be there for you whenever you need to talk and get things off your chest, but when you are good and ready. Each one of us knows a person like this and values the advice given, though we may not want to hear at times.
Jeffrey Kotter once said, ~There is convincing evidence that the search for solitude is not a luxury but a biological need. Just as humans possess a herding instinct that keeps us close to others most of the time, we also have a conflicting drive to seek out solitude. If the distance between ourselves and others becomes too great, we experience isolation and alienation, yet if the proximity to others becomes too close, we feel smothered and trapped.~ In retrospect, each of us need a balance of space and closeness when times of stress go to all of us. For when each of us go to that one place or to be with that one person, it can be a feeling that can be described with only one word...paradise.
Wednesday, December 08, 2004
Know Your Role
Mignon Mclaughlin once said, ~Tough and funny and a little bit kind; that is as near perfection as a human being can be.~ Working in the childcare profession, you can get somewhat of an idea of what role one will play as time goes on. In some cases, that particular question can be immediately answered or not answered at all. For some people it takes awhile as he or she tries to find one's particular niche when dealing with kids. One has to have a balance of meanness and coolness; but there are those days where one trait outweighs the other. Over the 8 years I have worked at the Asylum, I have been put in several different roles that in some way, shape or form have taught me some life lessons.
Someone once said, every leader needs to look back one in a while to make sure he has followers. Being a leader is an important responsibility because the people one works with look to you for answers. In some aspects, I consider myself a veteran and sometimes the solutions to problems and/or questions that relate to the job come easily. Yet, there are the times where blame for something one did or didn't do is placed squarely on one's shoulders; but it comes with the territory when working in the childcare profession. I've learned that being a leader doesn't necessarily mean taking on all the responsibility, it means delegating some of the responsibility to one's co-workers; in other words, teamwork.
Another role that I feel quite nicely is the role of mentor/big brother. Though, I don't know what it's like to have more than one sibling; but I can imagine. Yet, it's somewhat of a nice feeling to make an impact, if any, in these kids' lives. I've been a person who likes to draw and from time to time try to teach the kids step by step to draw whenever an opportunity for a drawing class is scheduled. About 4 years ago, a parent came up to me and told me that their child has been drawing a lot and it was due to my influence and how fun I made it for him. A person never really knows the impact that one can make on a child until the child's parent informs you; it can be an ego boost, but it’s just part of the job.
Though I don't have any kids myself, the role of parent is one I have somewhat eased into being that I have learned from the best which are my parents. One can have that mindset that he or she will never say or do the things that his or her parents did; ultimately you will be in for a rude awakening. For the phrase "BECAUSE I SAID SO" has been permanently integrated into every response that pertains to a child when he or she simply asks why. I never thought a day would come when those 4 words would come out of my mouth after arguing with a child about sitting in someone else's seat. If you think about it, we spend out lives trying not to be our parents and yet, we are our parents.
In retrospect, the people I work with are considered family and every family member has a role. After 8 years, I finally realized what my role actually is and you know what it actually suits my personality. I will forever be by the crazy uncle who visits the house; but in this case I clock into the asylum. I make the kids laugh when they need cheering up, get them and myself into trouble when things get a little rowdy, and promise them treats and sometimes don't deliver on time. I then do it all over again the next day; it's that inner child you never leave behind that helps you when the aspects of the job get you totally stressed out. So when it comes to your own job, do you know your role?
Someone once said, every leader needs to look back one in a while to make sure he has followers. Being a leader is an important responsibility because the people one works with look to you for answers. In some aspects, I consider myself a veteran and sometimes the solutions to problems and/or questions that relate to the job come easily. Yet, there are the times where blame for something one did or didn't do is placed squarely on one's shoulders; but it comes with the territory when working in the childcare profession. I've learned that being a leader doesn't necessarily mean taking on all the responsibility, it means delegating some of the responsibility to one's co-workers; in other words, teamwork.
Another role that I feel quite nicely is the role of mentor/big brother. Though, I don't know what it's like to have more than one sibling; but I can imagine. Yet, it's somewhat of a nice feeling to make an impact, if any, in these kids' lives. I've been a person who likes to draw and from time to time try to teach the kids step by step to draw whenever an opportunity for a drawing class is scheduled. About 4 years ago, a parent came up to me and told me that their child has been drawing a lot and it was due to my influence and how fun I made it for him. A person never really knows the impact that one can make on a child until the child's parent informs you; it can be an ego boost, but it’s just part of the job.
Though I don't have any kids myself, the role of parent is one I have somewhat eased into being that I have learned from the best which are my parents. One can have that mindset that he or she will never say or do the things that his or her parents did; ultimately you will be in for a rude awakening. For the phrase "BECAUSE I SAID SO" has been permanently integrated into every response that pertains to a child when he or she simply asks why. I never thought a day would come when those 4 words would come out of my mouth after arguing with a child about sitting in someone else's seat. If you think about it, we spend out lives trying not to be our parents and yet, we are our parents.
In retrospect, the people I work with are considered family and every family member has a role. After 8 years, I finally realized what my role actually is and you know what it actually suits my personality. I will forever be by the crazy uncle who visits the house; but in this case I clock into the asylum. I make the kids laugh when they need cheering up, get them and myself into trouble when things get a little rowdy, and promise them treats and sometimes don't deliver on time. I then do it all over again the next day; it's that inner child you never leave behind that helps you when the aspects of the job get you totally stressed out. So when it comes to your own job, do you know your role?
Saturday, December 04, 2004
Meant To Be
Marcus Aurelius said, ~Accept the things to which fate binds you, and love the people who fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.~ Let me ask you a question, have you ever felt like you just somehow knew that guy or girl for a very long time, but only just met that person? It's a somewhat unfamiliar, yet familiar feeling between two people who share a bond for reasons unknown. A bond in which both people considered one another close friends in another place, another time, and in some way their friendship transcended from deep within each other's souls. It's somewhat rare to have that connection/vibe/feeling just once in life, but to have it happen twice is truly amazing.
Every person has stumbled on to that one person by pure coincidence or circumstance. For the magic is in the air as a particular occasion such as Christmas and/or Valentine's day can make the setting absolutely right for romance to bloom. Yet, for that person or both people, second thoughts may occur and feel the timing was wrong. It's that uncertainty that can hold each of us back, for the simple reason that you or that person is involved with someone and it may not be written in the stars, so to speak. It's at that particular point where the decision is made to go separate ways and test the proverbial waters of fate, in a manner of speaking. For if destiny leads both back together then it will truly be a fairy tale ending.
In any case, fate and destiny can shuffle lives around like a deck of cards. Each shuffle can bring a person close to that one person and yet just miss him or her in mere seconds. Two separate lives going in different directions and with different people; but somehow their hearts will lead him or her to the same direction and that is to each other. If you think about it, each of us can never shake that feeling of that one person who you felt could have at least one more chance to find each other and reconnect. It's that debated word that ultimately questions whether or not there is someone out there for each of us who is thinking about us and smiling. For that particular word that is often debated is soulmates.
Inevitably, when matters of the heart are involved, it's best just to stop thinking and let it guide you; but hopefully in the right direction. In some ways, each of us will know and will be drawn together even though obstacles and unfortunate events may keep you apart for a while. Think about this, you never really know what that person's life was like before eventually meeting. One could ask one's self if that person's life was with the same unanswered questions that filled one's mind or was it mixed with a balance of the answered and unanswered? Sometimes, it's good to have friends that have your back and help you try to figure out those unanswered questions that may or may not get answered.
In retrospect, when it comes to love, whether it be fate or destiny, you have to ask yourself is it meant to be? I end this thought with a poem entitled "The Winds Of Fate" by Alexandra Webb which says:
~The winds of fate down through the ages tend to blow and change the pages bringing things we never expected, often so small they're not even detected.
Other times we feel like we're tossed to and fro on a ship that is lost in a tidal wave of raw emotion, feelings as deep as the deepest ocean.
The winds of fate can sigh or roar, they often delight in opening a door and shoving us through to sink or swim, leaving us there on the slightest whim.
Sometimes, though, they hold our hand, lead us gently to another land where we can dwell in harmony and peace and from our troubles get sweet release.
The winds of fate can bring a surprise so wonderful it can bring tears to our eyes. For when the destinies give us love, we can hear their laughter from high above.
They blew for us the loveliest breeze, their voices whispering through the trees, and touching us with a love so great we knew it had come because of fate.
You never know what the winds will bring, the snows of winter or flowers of spring, but keep the faith and always know the winds of fate will ever blow.~
Every person has stumbled on to that one person by pure coincidence or circumstance. For the magic is in the air as a particular occasion such as Christmas and/or Valentine's day can make the setting absolutely right for romance to bloom. Yet, for that person or both people, second thoughts may occur and feel the timing was wrong. It's that uncertainty that can hold each of us back, for the simple reason that you or that person is involved with someone and it may not be written in the stars, so to speak. It's at that particular point where the decision is made to go separate ways and test the proverbial waters of fate, in a manner of speaking. For if destiny leads both back together then it will truly be a fairy tale ending.
In any case, fate and destiny can shuffle lives around like a deck of cards. Each shuffle can bring a person close to that one person and yet just miss him or her in mere seconds. Two separate lives going in different directions and with different people; but somehow their hearts will lead him or her to the same direction and that is to each other. If you think about it, each of us can never shake that feeling of that one person who you felt could have at least one more chance to find each other and reconnect. It's that debated word that ultimately questions whether or not there is someone out there for each of us who is thinking about us and smiling. For that particular word that is often debated is soulmates.
Inevitably, when matters of the heart are involved, it's best just to stop thinking and let it guide you; but hopefully in the right direction. In some ways, each of us will know and will be drawn together even though obstacles and unfortunate events may keep you apart for a while. Think about this, you never really know what that person's life was like before eventually meeting. One could ask one's self if that person's life was with the same unanswered questions that filled one's mind or was it mixed with a balance of the answered and unanswered? Sometimes, it's good to have friends that have your back and help you try to figure out those unanswered questions that may or may not get answered.
In retrospect, when it comes to love, whether it be fate or destiny, you have to ask yourself is it meant to be? I end this thought with a poem entitled "The Winds Of Fate" by Alexandra Webb which says:
~The winds of fate down through the ages tend to blow and change the pages bringing things we never expected, often so small they're not even detected.
Other times we feel like we're tossed to and fro on a ship that is lost in a tidal wave of raw emotion, feelings as deep as the deepest ocean.
The winds of fate can sigh or roar, they often delight in opening a door and shoving us through to sink or swim, leaving us there on the slightest whim.
Sometimes, though, they hold our hand, lead us gently to another land where we can dwell in harmony and peace and from our troubles get sweet release.
The winds of fate can bring a surprise so wonderful it can bring tears to our eyes. For when the destinies give us love, we can hear their laughter from high above.
They blew for us the loveliest breeze, their voices whispering through the trees, and touching us with a love so great we knew it had come because of fate.
You never know what the winds will bring, the snows of winter or flowers of spring, but keep the faith and always know the winds of fate will ever blow.~
Friday, December 03, 2004
Down Hill
There comes a point in every person's life when one's mind and body start to break down. Let me ask this question, have you ever walked into an area of your house or workplace and totally forgot why you were there in the first place? It's just one of the signs of things to come as one gets older. It's simply unavoidable as time passes by in a seemingly slow, but yet fast pace. We've all stopped dead in our tracks, so to speak, and simply asked ourselves where has the time gone? With time, comes change; for the changes we all go through as we get older can have a person either denying that it's going to happen to that person or accepting and welcoming it in with open arms.
In a way, getting older can absolutely hit a person without any warning. It can somewhat be considered like a well trained sniper concealed out of sight, who is about to hit his or her target. If you think about it, the one part of the body that after being hit and is never the same again is one's back. I don't know about women, but for guys it's the second sign that old age is upon us; the first sign being memory loss. Working at a Youth Center, a person's back will be greatly affected as kids will jump on you constantly. As with one's memory, trying to remember names with faces has been at times daunting; and the best solution, in my opinion, is to call every kid dude or dudette.
Think about this, as young kids we couldn't wait to reach two fairly important stages in our lives. The first stage is the teen years which can signify big things such as learning to drive, then entering high school, and ultimately graduating. The second stage is reaching that ever so popular age of twenty one; but as soon as you reach it, you realize it's really nothing to jump up and down about and nothing hasn't really changed except one's expectations. Yet there is a thrid stage, which kids never thought one would actually see coming and that is turning thirty and I am about 3 years away from it. It's an somewhat exciting but somewhat depressing thought indeed.
In any case, the saying "I'm not as young as I used to be" hold true, as I find myself not being able to stay up past midnight anymore. More and more, I hear my bones crackling and certain bones that haven't healed due to a particular injury have now aided me in determining what the weather is like. It's somewhat of a trade-off as a person loses something, but yet gains something in return. For me, the old dude. has now settled in and made himself comfortable. For he is no longer a simple guest, he's now a permanent resident. The gray hairs have already showed up, which shows that with age comes wisdom; and the wisdome that I have shared has hopefully helped you in a way.
Charles Dickens once said, ~Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour. With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life. ~ In retrospect, I may not live to the ripe old age of one hundred as my fictious star wars name sake Yoda, but sure as heck going to try. In how ever long I live, I don't considered it an ending and all going down hill, as a matter of fact, this is just the beginning of my journey.
In a way, getting older can absolutely hit a person without any warning. It can somewhat be considered like a well trained sniper concealed out of sight, who is about to hit his or her target. If you think about it, the one part of the body that after being hit and is never the same again is one's back. I don't know about women, but for guys it's the second sign that old age is upon us; the first sign being memory loss. Working at a Youth Center, a person's back will be greatly affected as kids will jump on you constantly. As with one's memory, trying to remember names with faces has been at times daunting; and the best solution, in my opinion, is to call every kid dude or dudette.
Think about this, as young kids we couldn't wait to reach two fairly important stages in our lives. The first stage is the teen years which can signify big things such as learning to drive, then entering high school, and ultimately graduating. The second stage is reaching that ever so popular age of twenty one; but as soon as you reach it, you realize it's really nothing to jump up and down about and nothing hasn't really changed except one's expectations. Yet there is a thrid stage, which kids never thought one would actually see coming and that is turning thirty and I am about 3 years away from it. It's an somewhat exciting but somewhat depressing thought indeed.
In any case, the saying "I'm not as young as I used to be" hold true, as I find myself not being able to stay up past midnight anymore. More and more, I hear my bones crackling and certain bones that haven't healed due to a particular injury have now aided me in determining what the weather is like. It's somewhat of a trade-off as a person loses something, but yet gains something in return. For me, the old dude. has now settled in and made himself comfortable. For he is no longer a simple guest, he's now a permanent resident. The gray hairs have already showed up, which shows that with age comes wisdom; and the wisdome that I have shared has hopefully helped you in a way.
Charles Dickens once said, ~Father Time is not always a hard parent, and, though he tarries for none of his children, often lays his hand lightly upon those who have used him well; making them old men and women inexorably enough, but leaving their hearts and spirits young and in full vigour. With such people the grey head is but the impression of the old fellow's hand in giving them his blessing, and every wrinkle but a notch in the quiet calendar of a well-spent life. ~ In retrospect, I may not live to the ripe old age of one hundred as my fictious star wars name sake Yoda, but sure as heck going to try. In how ever long I live, I don't considered it an ending and all going down hill, as a matter of fact, this is just the beginning of my journey.
Thursday, December 02, 2004
Only Human
Rainer Maria Rilke once said, ~ Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try not to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you will them gradually, without noticing it and live long some distant day into the answers.~ Through one's travels down the road of life, a person will take a journey into one's own being and in turn, will try to find that proverbial key that will unlock specific "rooms" in one's own heart and soul that have never been completely open.
In search of the answers one seeks, a person will come to a point where he or she asks a question that one is afraid to tell himself or herself. It's those specific questions that are stored away in the back of one's mind that you never really want to answer. In a way, it's like running away from ourselves because once you come face to face, the truth will be clear as day. In some aspect, every thought that has crossed my path, either intentionally or by accident, has been a Yoda-ism that told the truth in my own unique perspective on life. It's these truths that, in a way, have somewhat brought me closer to the key that will hopefully unlock all the doors to my questions.
Consequently, what you read can mentally captivate and stimulate one;s mind, as well as one's own imagination. For it can give you a sense of what is seen through my eyes; yet it can be seen through every person's eyes as well. Every word, excluding the quotes, come from a place that I look deep within and that is my heart and soul. It's in these two places that I seek solace in and consider it a comfort zone, which I have slowly ventured out of when I share pieces of myself with you. If you think about it, there is essentially a deep wisdom in the thoughts that I write and then send out; though one may not sense it, you can somehow feel it by way of its emotional aspect.
One such emotional aspect is the feeling of love and/or unrequited love. Oftentimes one's heart can play tricks with you and inevitably leads you to the person you want to be with who is simply out of reach. Sometimes, one's head and heart can be in a proverbial dual. A duel in which the head thinks who one will fall in love with; and with the heart, it knows who you will fall in love with. Every person, including myself, has gone through it and more often than not my head has gotten the better of me. For it's the schoolboy/schoolgirl crushes that can get a person absolutely nowhere leading him or her down dead ends every time; ultimately it's the one truth that I couldn't avoid facing any longer.
In any case, each of us goes through pressures in life that will bring us to different areas of emotions. I've often been able to hide my emotions, as well as, the pressures of life through sarcasm, laughter, and cynicism. It's a somewhat of a poker face that I show and working at a Youth Center one has to suppress those emotions because the kids will be affected by it. Every person comes to a breaking point where pressures of life can get the better of you. Yesterday it happened to me and I had somewhat of a meltdown; in a way it revealed an all important truth. In retrospect, that truth is that a person can have that perception of being invincible; but when the pressures of life catch up to you, it shows that each of us are, of course, only human.
In search of the answers one seeks, a person will come to a point where he or she asks a question that one is afraid to tell himself or herself. It's those specific questions that are stored away in the back of one's mind that you never really want to answer. In a way, it's like running away from ourselves because once you come face to face, the truth will be clear as day. In some aspect, every thought that has crossed my path, either intentionally or by accident, has been a Yoda-ism that told the truth in my own unique perspective on life. It's these truths that, in a way, have somewhat brought me closer to the key that will hopefully unlock all the doors to my questions.
Consequently, what you read can mentally captivate and stimulate one;s mind, as well as one's own imagination. For it can give you a sense of what is seen through my eyes; yet it can be seen through every person's eyes as well. Every word, excluding the quotes, come from a place that I look deep within and that is my heart and soul. It's in these two places that I seek solace in and consider it a comfort zone, which I have slowly ventured out of when I share pieces of myself with you. If you think about it, there is essentially a deep wisdom in the thoughts that I write and then send out; though one may not sense it, you can somehow feel it by way of its emotional aspect.
One such emotional aspect is the feeling of love and/or unrequited love. Oftentimes one's heart can play tricks with you and inevitably leads you to the person you want to be with who is simply out of reach. Sometimes, one's head and heart can be in a proverbial dual. A duel in which the head thinks who one will fall in love with; and with the heart, it knows who you will fall in love with. Every person, including myself, has gone through it and more often than not my head has gotten the better of me. For it's the schoolboy/schoolgirl crushes that can get a person absolutely nowhere leading him or her down dead ends every time; ultimately it's the one truth that I couldn't avoid facing any longer.
In any case, each of us goes through pressures in life that will bring us to different areas of emotions. I've often been able to hide my emotions, as well as, the pressures of life through sarcasm, laughter, and cynicism. It's a somewhat of a poker face that I show and working at a Youth Center one has to suppress those emotions because the kids will be affected by it. Every person comes to a breaking point where pressures of life can get the better of you. Yesterday it happened to me and I had somewhat of a meltdown; in a way it revealed an all important truth. In retrospect, that truth is that a person can have that perception of being invincible; but when the pressures of life catch up to you, it shows that each of us are, of course, only human.
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