An acquaintance recently lost her mother to the big C. It was a long suffering illness that was only waiting to end. Everyday I thank the Lord for the blessing of health, especially to my parents. I remember one time I was surprised to feel loose skin on my mother's arm. On another occasion, my dad, who takes good care of his body through strength training and exercise, passed in front of me and I noticed the skin on his forearms had become wrinkled. I thought, When did all of that happen?
For as long as I can remember, I always prayed for their health and happiness. But no matter what we do, time creeps up on us like a thief in the night. On finding out about my acquaintance's loss, only one thought struck me: we think we can afford to fight with loved ones, convinced that we can never forgive. Actually we don't have as much time as never, and one day life may come to surprise us. Wouldn't it be better to know we will have no regrets, and that we cheated time by making each day so fulfilling it feels like 27 hours instead of 24?
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Being at peace despite turmoil
Ever since I started reading about Buddhism, I feel lighter and more at peace. It all came about fortuitously, at a time when I need a middle ground perspective of right and wrong amidst extreme teachings like the church and skewed sources like unsolicited advice and the media.
It was a holiday and my friends and I climbed up Tagaytay for some R&R. We had finished lunch and were on the hunt for a good place to have coffee. Everyone had Bag of Beans in mind, but the main branch was full and didn't have parking space (as expected). Somehow through road signs, we were informed that Bag of Beans has a second branch in a hotel further off.
We trooped to the newly constructed hotel that was farther than the usual establishments I'd seen there. The extra distance was very much worth it. The place sat on the edge of the lake overlooking Taal volcano. We had front row view of it inside Bag of Beans (well almost, as there was a garden before the edge of the cliff). The hotel looked nice and new, but the best part was the quiet and solitude because there were only a few guests. For a time Bag of Beans was all ours.
Before we went in the coffee shop, we noticed piles of books outside. A sign said "Get one, it's free". I didn't pay attention to it but B got one copy. It turned out to be a book on Buddhism, and we learned that the owner of the hotel is a Buddhist who also owns a publishing house.
The book didn't seem interesting, but one day I needed a reading material in the bathroom (sheepish grin). The big text and easy English made it nice to read, and before long I was hooked.
Because of Buddhism, I look at relationships with others differently, and consequently, watch my actions more carefully. We do harm to others because of our ignorance that everyone is connected. We do not realize the effect of our actions on others and vice versa. This ignorance is the root of arrogance and pride.
Buddhist teachings remind me not to get too attached or give undue attention on things. Whatever pleases is temporary; everything we have we eventually lose. Because nothing really belongs to us and we never remain the same, we are not different from poor people who have nothing. In fact we are one in that we grow old, get weak and die.
We use family, education and experience to help us become wise so that we may share our wisdom to others. But even those who did not have education and wealth can be enlightened and can have more things to teach us. On this note, I think this is the point why people shouldn't be cooped up in the shelter of their own home/family. The more grit and grime there is in the world, the more chances we have to experience poverty, betrayal, loneliness, embarrassment and failure. These cause suffering that make us realize our weaknesses in lieu of self pride/arrogance. If we never experience these things, our understanding of the world would be theoretical as we only rely on hearsay, the media, and our personal historicity. This causes us to have a hard time giving advice to others because of misunderstandings or harsh judgments.
Because everyone is interconnected, we must strive for harmony. We must always keep open, reminding ourselves that people also change. Someone might have been deceitful before, but it's never too late to turn into an honest man. Someone might have been foolish before, but one day she will mature. No matter who made a mistake, we mustn't close doors. The world is designed to regenerate, not disintegrate. We rebuild relationships by having faith... Faith that the other approaches with a fully open heart, faith that things could be made better together, faith that love is stronger than obstacles.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
Buddha
I haven't finished the book, but I look forward to reading several pages a week as a spiritual refuge. I wonder how long it would take before the teachings manifest in my relationships... especially one relationship I desperately want to salvage...
It was a holiday and my friends and I climbed up Tagaytay for some R&R. We had finished lunch and were on the hunt for a good place to have coffee. Everyone had Bag of Beans in mind, but the main branch was full and didn't have parking space (as expected). Somehow through road signs, we were informed that Bag of Beans has a second branch in a hotel further off.
We trooped to the newly constructed hotel that was farther than the usual establishments I'd seen there. The extra distance was very much worth it. The place sat on the edge of the lake overlooking Taal volcano. We had front row view of it inside Bag of Beans (well almost, as there was a garden before the edge of the cliff). The hotel looked nice and new, but the best part was the quiet and solitude because there were only a few guests. For a time Bag of Beans was all ours.
Before we went in the coffee shop, we noticed piles of books outside. A sign said "Get one, it's free". I didn't pay attention to it but B got one copy. It turned out to be a book on Buddhism, and we learned that the owner of the hotel is a Buddhist who also owns a publishing house.
The book didn't seem interesting, but one day I needed a reading material in the bathroom (sheepish grin). The big text and easy English made it nice to read, and before long I was hooked.
Because of Buddhism, I look at relationships with others differently, and consequently, watch my actions more carefully. We do harm to others because of our ignorance that everyone is connected. We do not realize the effect of our actions on others and vice versa. This ignorance is the root of arrogance and pride.
Buddhist teachings remind me not to get too attached or give undue attention on things. Whatever pleases is temporary; everything we have we eventually lose. Because nothing really belongs to us and we never remain the same, we are not different from poor people who have nothing. In fact we are one in that we grow old, get weak and die.
We use family, education and experience to help us become wise so that we may share our wisdom to others. But even those who did not have education and wealth can be enlightened and can have more things to teach us. On this note, I think this is the point why people shouldn't be cooped up in the shelter of their own home/family. The more grit and grime there is in the world, the more chances we have to experience poverty, betrayal, loneliness, embarrassment and failure. These cause suffering that make us realize our weaknesses in lieu of self pride/arrogance. If we never experience these things, our understanding of the world would be theoretical as we only rely on hearsay, the media, and our personal historicity. This causes us to have a hard time giving advice to others because of misunderstandings or harsh judgments.
Because everyone is interconnected, we must strive for harmony. We must always keep open, reminding ourselves that people also change. Someone might have been deceitful before, but it's never too late to turn into an honest man. Someone might have been foolish before, but one day she will mature. No matter who made a mistake, we mustn't close doors. The world is designed to regenerate, not disintegrate. We rebuild relationships by having faith... Faith that the other approaches with a fully open heart, faith that things could be made better together, faith that love is stronger than obstacles.
There is nothing more dreadful than the habit of doubt. Doubt separates people. It is a poison that disintegrates friendships and breaks up pleasant relations. It is a thorn that irritates and hurts; it is a sword that kills.
Buddha
I haven't finished the book, but I look forward to reading several pages a week as a spiritual refuge. I wonder how long it would take before the teachings manifest in my relationships... especially one relationship I desperately want to salvage...
Monday, September 27, 2010
Super mini but adventurous reunion
An office mate commented that B looks like Ronald Singson. I couldn't find the resemblance but jested that it would be okay as long as he is also as rich.
When I related the story to B, he said, "I'd rather have less money and have earned it honestly."
Sometimes he makes me so proud.
* * *
I met up with high school friends last weekend. I learned many things happening in their lives that I had no clue about. Time is moving fast; only yesterday we were carefree and had nothing to worry about but studies and our classmates' affairs. Today some are supporting their families, some have children already, and some are starting up their own business.
It felt good to see those girls again who I can say are my genuine friends... after all we've known each other since high school. B always says I should hang out with them more often because they seem to be "good people". I promise that I'll keep closer contact with them; I can definitely pick up a thing or two from these geniuses, like I used to in high school!
I'm glad they enjoyed our Makati outing which comprised of someone's first time in a weekend market as well as first time to have Gelatissimo! Next time maybe we'll have dinner together for the first time.
When I related the story to B, he said, "I'd rather have less money and have earned it honestly."
Sometimes he makes me so proud.
* * *
I met up with high school friends last weekend. I learned many things happening in their lives that I had no clue about. Time is moving fast; only yesterday we were carefree and had nothing to worry about but studies and our classmates' affairs. Today some are supporting their families, some have children already, and some are starting up their own business.
It felt good to see those girls again who I can say are my genuine friends... after all we've known each other since high school. B always says I should hang out with them more often because they seem to be "good people". I promise that I'll keep closer contact with them; I can definitely pick up a thing or two from these geniuses, like I used to in high school!
I'm glad they enjoyed our Makati outing which comprised of someone's first time in a weekend market as well as first time to have Gelatissimo! Next time maybe we'll have dinner together for the first time.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
You
You make me happy yet also cause me grief.
You lift me up yet also let me down.
You make me optimistic but also give me doubt.
You help me celebrate youth but also make me old.
I was doing fine before you came along. I wasn't living then, but I was fine.
You taught me how to live, but sometimes I want to die.
Is it better to die ten times a day than live without living?
You lift me up yet also let me down.
You make me optimistic but also give me doubt.
You help me celebrate youth but also make me old.
I was doing fine before you came along. I wasn't living then, but I was fine.
You taught me how to live, but sometimes I want to die.
Is it better to die ten times a day than live without living?
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
To a friend
I saw a picture today that made my heart skip a beat.
It also made me miss a certain person: a friend whose memory I will always cherish.
Although we never got to spend enough time together, I feel like I know his heart.
Wherever he is, I wish him well. I hope he knows how great a loss it was discovering he had left the country.
To you, we shall meet again at who knows which part of the globe. Until then, let us keep reading and keep our book lists growing, so that when time comes we would have something to keep us talking for hours.
It also made me miss a certain person: a friend whose memory I will always cherish.
Although we never got to spend enough time together, I feel like I know his heart.
Wherever he is, I wish him well. I hope he knows how great a loss it was discovering he had left the country.
To you, we shall meet again at who knows which part of the globe. Until then, let us keep reading and keep our book lists growing, so that when time comes we would have something to keep us talking for hours.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
The last laugh is mine
When I was a freshman college, I fell "inlovike" with a soccer player. I had no idea he played with more than soccer balls, and that his "field" extends beyond the green patch of land.
I wasted half of that school year with the bastard, and as a result, taught myself to get tough the rest of my college life in case I encounter his likes again. Thinking that all cute guys are like him, I avoided them and stuck with the good, sensitive ones. In other words, he made me miss on a lot of good stuff.
Well, six years later (with some periods in between), he returns in the hopes of rekindling the romance. He asks me out practically every night. Today I turned him down for the nth time and we had this FTW convo:
A: Want to do something later?
Me: Sorry, I can't.
A: Kulit ba? Hehe.
Me: Haha.
A: Can I ask you one thing? Kung ok lang?
Me: Fire away.
A: Would you go out on a date with me?
Me: No, sorry.
A: Bakit naman? Single ka, single ako. Haha.
GANON????
Huh. :p
I wasted half of that school year with the bastard, and as a result, taught myself to get tough the rest of my college life in case I encounter his likes again. Thinking that all cute guys are like him, I avoided them and stuck with the good, sensitive ones. In other words, he made me miss on a lot of good stuff.
Well, six years later (with some periods in between), he returns in the hopes of rekindling the romance. He asks me out practically every night. Today I turned him down for the nth time and we had this FTW convo:
A: Want to do something later?
Me: Sorry, I can't.
A: Kulit ba? Hehe.
Me: Haha.
A: Can I ask you one thing? Kung ok lang?
Me: Fire away.
A: Would you go out on a date with me?
Me: No, sorry.
A: Bakit naman? Single ka, single ako. Haha.
GANON????
Huh. :p
Monday, July 19, 2010
Looking for a movie date
I want to watch INCEPTION!!!!!!
Everybody's posting about it on Facebook! I missed Toy Story 3 already I can't miss this one! Rawrr... One of the downsides of being single is I don't have anyone to watch movies with anymore. My friends have boyfriends or siblings, meanwhile I don't go to the movies with guys if they are not a.) my boyfriend b.) gay or c.) platonic towards me.
>:(
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