120 ...
It is the season of giving. You search around for an affordably reasonable item
that might perfectly brighten and bring out a smile on someone's face. You make
up your mind after circling a mall. Out
of the many store-bought gift choices, you pick up ornaments. Choosing just the perfect ones was time
consuming, but you persist. All done,
you head home and delight about your purchases. As you begin wrapping each one, you ask,
"Why on earth did I get ornaments?" Your initial delight turns into regret. Deplorably you realize that an ornament is
symbolic of frivolity; much worse, it is definitive of vanity. Look at each piece glow and compete for shine.
What value is there in glow and shine? Mesmerizing to the eye, yes, but not for
long would one and all be adored. You
now lament knowing that as the season of magic, delight and joy is over, each
of the fragile ornaments would go hidden somewhere and then get forgotten; it
would be stashed away for many long months. Too late! You could not return what you bought and you
must find solace in the love of giving. Besides,
it is crunch time. What’s the
consolation? Your only joy now is in
knowing the simple truth of impeccable scrutiny and delicacy, patience and hard
work put in by craftsmen in every ornament you chose ... an ornate offering right from their very heart!
Wednesday, December 23, 2015
Holiday
119 ...
For varied reasons, Christmas holidays could be a trap for both haves and have-nots. The haves could be overly confident and excessive with expenses they make on parties and gifts; they, after all, thrive and delight on what is popular and more public impressions. On the onset, they may not mind how far their spending goes, which oftentimes is backed by credit and loan. It always is too late when they find out they have gone overboard, and could hardly pay borrowings back. As a result, many of them collapse their funds and drive themselves into bankruptcies. You question, “For what end?” Many times, unfortunately, it is nothing more than for frivolous and meaningless keeping up with Joneses! Christmas holidays are hardest and toughest though on those who could not dole out the high costs of holiday gift-purchasing, lavish entertaining, fancy trimmings and merry-making. They are the ones who do not have the means to go beyond basics of living - those who live from paycheck to paycheck, the marginalized and the far destitute ones. Holiday glitter on store windows, buildings or houses' doors make it difficult for them to get into holiday spirit. Barrages of celebratory ads fighting for everyone's attention and pockets don't help them either because such forcefully trigger foolish wants, depression and despair. At wits end that could even bring about violence and extreme feelings of despondency. Materially poor or rich, what should really be anyone's response to holidays? Moderation is always a perfect response, and so is surrounding you with likeminded people who care more about thanksgiving, sharing, compassion, love and humility - the specific focus for Christmas reflection, celebration, and holiday!
For varied reasons, Christmas holidays could be a trap for both haves and have-nots. The haves could be overly confident and excessive with expenses they make on parties and gifts; they, after all, thrive and delight on what is popular and more public impressions. On the onset, they may not mind how far their spending goes, which oftentimes is backed by credit and loan. It always is too late when they find out they have gone overboard, and could hardly pay borrowings back. As a result, many of them collapse their funds and drive themselves into bankruptcies. You question, “For what end?” Many times, unfortunately, it is nothing more than for frivolous and meaningless keeping up with Joneses! Christmas holidays are hardest and toughest though on those who could not dole out the high costs of holiday gift-purchasing, lavish entertaining, fancy trimmings and merry-making. They are the ones who do not have the means to go beyond basics of living - those who live from paycheck to paycheck, the marginalized and the far destitute ones. Holiday glitter on store windows, buildings or houses' doors make it difficult for them to get into holiday spirit. Barrages of celebratory ads fighting for everyone's attention and pockets don't help them either because such forcefully trigger foolish wants, depression and despair. At wits end that could even bring about violence and extreme feelings of despondency. Materially poor or rich, what should really be anyone's response to holidays? Moderation is always a perfect response, and so is surrounding you with likeminded people who care more about thanksgiving, sharing, compassion, love and humility - the specific focus for Christmas reflection, celebration, and holiday!
Mind-Trap
118 …
Everyone double checks things sometimes. For example, you and I might go over twice to make sure the stove or iron is turned off before leaving the house. It is not the same however, for people trapped by an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). People with OCD accordingly feel an extreme need to check things repeatedly, and have certain thoughts performing routines and rituals. Such thoughts (also obsessions), and rituals (also compulsions), associated with the dysfunction many times cause distress; they also get in the way of a normal daily life because those affected could not explain what is happening to them, such as in non-stop hand-washing over the slightest feeling of dirt or germs. Other common rituals manifested by folks with compulsions/obsessions are a need to repeatedly check things, touch things (especially in a particular sequence), or count things. They may also be preoccupied with order and symmetry, have difficulty throwing things out (so they accumulate), or hoard unneeded items. You must have heard of this malady by chance. What unaware observers do not know is that the abnormality disallows stricken folks to easily control these obsessions and compulsions no matter how hard they rid of them. Repetitions of impulsions at best produce temporary in them relief from an unreal/real anxiety or deeply-rooted trauma. Although most children and adults with OCD recognize that what they are doing is senseless, the consolation of few who clearly recognize it in themselves is in knowing that their behavior is out of the ordinary. The fortunate few who come to understand a little of this dysfunction’s nature are blessed indeed. They could begin putting in effect strategies helpful in avoiding their behavior irregularity; they also could somehow get on path leading to a normal life.
Everyone double checks things sometimes. For example, you and I might go over twice to make sure the stove or iron is turned off before leaving the house. It is not the same however, for people trapped by an obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). People with OCD accordingly feel an extreme need to check things repeatedly, and have certain thoughts performing routines and rituals. Such thoughts (also obsessions), and rituals (also compulsions), associated with the dysfunction many times cause distress; they also get in the way of a normal daily life because those affected could not explain what is happening to them, such as in non-stop hand-washing over the slightest feeling of dirt or germs. Other common rituals manifested by folks with compulsions/obsessions are a need to repeatedly check things, touch things (especially in a particular sequence), or count things. They may also be preoccupied with order and symmetry, have difficulty throwing things out (so they accumulate), or hoard unneeded items. You must have heard of this malady by chance. What unaware observers do not know is that the abnormality disallows stricken folks to easily control these obsessions and compulsions no matter how hard they rid of them. Repetitions of impulsions at best produce temporary in them relief from an unreal/real anxiety or deeply-rooted trauma. Although most children and adults with OCD recognize that what they are doing is senseless, the consolation of few who clearly recognize it in themselves is in knowing that their behavior is out of the ordinary. The fortunate few who come to understand a little of this dysfunction’s nature are blessed indeed. They could begin putting in effect strategies helpful in avoiding their behavior irregularity; they also could somehow get on path leading to a normal life.
Friday, December 18, 2015
Meddling
117 …
Cinn and Dink are on edge. They insist to climb up to my lap for an unknown reason. They assert to get as close and be comforted. They whimper and shake. They could not be consoled. I begin to wonder and worry. I settle them in their beds even as they continue to be agitated while I search the house for any distraction-causing situation or intruder. I could not find any provoking interference, so I decide to turn off the squawking television. I intently listen hard for incursion. Finally a break from the quietness of the night sounds off. A sheepish, minute, and hissing ringing, cognizant to dogs and other animals, becomes evident. From where is the sound coming? Flashback suddenly hits my brain! Smoke alarms once caused Cinn and Dink to act strangely. Could it be the trigger for their unusual distress? I find a stool to reach for all house smoke alarms since I could not hear from which one the tiny beeping comes. Eureka- I find the one! I unplug the last alarm and the critters get calm. Mystery ends.
Cinn and Dink are on edge. They insist to climb up to my lap for an unknown reason. They assert to get as close and be comforted. They whimper and shake. They could not be consoled. I begin to wonder and worry. I settle them in their beds even as they continue to be agitated while I search the house for any distraction-causing situation or intruder. I could not find any provoking interference, so I decide to turn off the squawking television. I intently listen hard for incursion. Finally a break from the quietness of the night sounds off. A sheepish, minute, and hissing ringing, cognizant to dogs and other animals, becomes evident. From where is the sound coming? Flashback suddenly hits my brain! Smoke alarms once caused Cinn and Dink to act strangely. Could it be the trigger for their unusual distress? I find a stool to reach for all house smoke alarms since I could not hear from which one the tiny beeping comes. Eureka- I find the one! I unplug the last alarm and the critters get calm. Mystery ends.
Suffering
116 …
Everyone knows that living with advancing age’s joint and bone aches would be routine; it is an expectation after all. Mikey groans daily now from his bodily aches. I could not help groan inwardly myself with, and for him, even if I were not in pain. When pain lives permanently in someone’s body at a much younger age, it is truly different. It is the case with Mikey who is only in his mid-fifties. For a long while before now, at a young age of nine, he lived with legitimate pain caused by back fractures, and jaw/mouth surgeries from a car accident; he recently, in addition, has had two lumbar surgeries. He is waiting for yet, a third procedure that promises to strengthen and hold his back together. I have my own nagging body aches from daily exertions. I don’t think though that I have any rights complaining about them; when others like Mikey justifiably hurts from medically documented worn-out muscles and bones, my aches are comparatively miniscule and
Everyone knows that living with advancing age’s joint and bone aches would be routine; it is an expectation after all. Mikey groans daily now from his bodily aches. I could not help groan inwardly myself with, and for him, even if I were not in pain. When pain lives permanently in someone’s body at a much younger age, it is truly different. It is the case with Mikey who is only in his mid-fifties. For a long while before now, at a young age of nine, he lived with legitimate pain caused by back fractures, and jaw/mouth surgeries from a car accident; he recently, in addition, has had two lumbar surgeries. He is waiting for yet, a third procedure that promises to strengthen and hold his back together. I have my own nagging body aches from daily exertions. I don’t think though that I have any rights complaining about them; when others like Mikey justifiably hurts from medically documented worn-out muscles and bones, my aches are comparatively miniscule and
Mindfulness
115 ...
Holidays are paradoxically a curse and a celebration. Just look around the next time you are out and close to where people mill about. When you go food shopping at your local store, listen to the bell being rung near the doorway. It is asking for your love-gift of small and large amounts; you are aware that the funds raised by that lowly, yet committed bell ringer goes to an organized collection entity which passes on material gifts to those who do not have means to purchase presents for loved ones. You make a choice to acknowledge or ignore the bell. In a different setting, out in the open shopping areas, public restaurants and parks, you could not miss children accompanied by their parents who lovingly pamper them with affection or lavish them with food they oftentimes reject, waste or throw away. Close by, raggedly clothed children cry of hunger or physical pain while their equally tattered adult companions or family scrounge for leftover food in garbage receptacles. You would not miss their like-acquaintances or friends who lay their tired bodies on lowly benches and cemented cold floors. You, who have more than enough to spend on whims and caprices of your loved ones, have the choice to shut your eyes, zip-up your pockets or share your resources with the hapless souls. You either positively or negatively mind the need you witness right there and then. You could choose to visit the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked and to put smiles on wearied faces. You could also selfishly disregard the need you sense around and let pain, loneliness, bitterness go unnoticed these holy, gift-giving holidays! You have choices to make. Are you going to make the compassionate or indifferent choice?
Holidays are paradoxically a curse and a celebration. Just look around the next time you are out and close to where people mill about. When you go food shopping at your local store, listen to the bell being rung near the doorway. It is asking for your love-gift of small and large amounts; you are aware that the funds raised by that lowly, yet committed bell ringer goes to an organized collection entity which passes on material gifts to those who do not have means to purchase presents for loved ones. You make a choice to acknowledge or ignore the bell. In a different setting, out in the open shopping areas, public restaurants and parks, you could not miss children accompanied by their parents who lovingly pamper them with affection or lavish them with food they oftentimes reject, waste or throw away. Close by, raggedly clothed children cry of hunger or physical pain while their equally tattered adult companions or family scrounge for leftover food in garbage receptacles. You would not miss their like-acquaintances or friends who lay their tired bodies on lowly benches and cemented cold floors. You, who have more than enough to spend on whims and caprices of your loved ones, have the choice to shut your eyes, zip-up your pockets or share your resources with the hapless souls. You either positively or negatively mind the need you witness right there and then. You could choose to visit the sick, to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked and to put smiles on wearied faces. You could also selfishly disregard the need you sense around and let pain, loneliness, bitterness go unnoticed these holy, gift-giving holidays! You have choices to make. Are you going to make the compassionate or indifferent choice?
Regret
114 ...
Your psyche detects an unsavory taste. You can't quite explain it, but the more you get around noticing things getting dusty simply by existing, the longer the bitter taste stays in your mouth. Your stomach then begins to get agitated short of releasing vomit. You ask: How did stuff collect in every nook and cranny of the house? You groan: Wasn't getting additional cabinets to keep in things blow the whistle on item spillage? And ... when did your body require grander, bigger furniture pieces? Did you not consider that large furniture would take and shrink much of your living space? This overwhelming accumulation is downright out-of-hand. Wake up and do something!
Your psyche detects an unsavory taste. You can't quite explain it, but the more you get around noticing things getting dusty simply by existing, the longer the bitter taste stays in your mouth. Your stomach then begins to get agitated short of releasing vomit. You ask: How did stuff collect in every nook and cranny of the house? You groan: Wasn't getting additional cabinets to keep in things blow the whistle on item spillage? And ... when did your body require grander, bigger furniture pieces? Did you not consider that large furniture would take and shrink much of your living space? This overwhelming accumulation is downright out-of-hand. Wake up and do something!
Tuesday, December 8, 2015
Caring
113 ...
Unless you are in hibernation or you are totally oblivious of what is happening around the world in which you live, you must have heard of Doctors Without Borders, Ronald Macdonald Homes, Operation Smile, Mercy Ships, Greenpeace, Moral Monday Walks, Crop Walk, and many more political, social, environmental, philanthropic groups and their work. Mixed media not only report over and over of battles these many organizations enter into, but they also speak keenly of how they go head to head with those who oppose them in order to serve the meaningful purposes for which they stand. Note how they hold large and small rallies to make known their presence; observe how they organize the community for marathon mile walks or runs, an auction, a barbecue, a concert, a dance or the like to raise funds for the benefit of their services and charitable acts. Whether people join in any of these organizations for their mantra, walk distances for their likeminded foundations, or create human chains to raise awareness for a cause, you can assume that they do so because ofan internalized passion to serve and to express deep motivations all of which raise, and lift the human spirit. Members of these groups zealously draw from all sorts of resources endowed to them so that they may further perpetuate the noble grounds they hope to aid. What else initiates their enthusiasm and what sustains their intense motivation, you ask? You may not readily get the answers you want, but what you know should suit the support you can give them. You know that the enigma of the human spirit, the grandeur of it lives, and it gets ignited time and again for wonderfully fervent, charitable, provocative, and ever mindful desire required to care for itself, care for the life around it, and care for others who could be served by its transcendent goals.
Unless you are in hibernation or you are totally oblivious of what is happening around the world in which you live, you must have heard of Doctors Without Borders, Ronald Macdonald Homes, Operation Smile, Mercy Ships, Greenpeace, Moral Monday Walks, Crop Walk, and many more political, social, environmental, philanthropic groups and their work. Mixed media not only report over and over of battles these many organizations enter into, but they also speak keenly of how they go head to head with those who oppose them in order to serve the meaningful purposes for which they stand. Note how they hold large and small rallies to make known their presence; observe how they organize the community for marathon mile walks or runs, an auction, a barbecue, a concert, a dance or the like to raise funds for the benefit of their services and charitable acts. Whether people join in any of these organizations for their mantra, walk distances for their likeminded foundations, or create human chains to raise awareness for a cause, you can assume that they do so because ofan internalized passion to serve and to express deep motivations all of which raise, and lift the human spirit. Members of these groups zealously draw from all sorts of resources endowed to them so that they may further perpetuate the noble grounds they hope to aid. What else initiates their enthusiasm and what sustains their intense motivation, you ask? You may not readily get the answers you want, but what you know should suit the support you can give them. You know that the enigma of the human spirit, the grandeur of it lives, and it gets ignited time and again for wonderfully fervent, charitable, provocative, and ever mindful desire required to care for itself, care for the life around it, and care for others who could be served by its transcendent goals.
Noticing
112 ...
You get up every morning you are given the grace of life. You thank your God for the potentials of existence. For fifty-two weeks or more on a given calendar year, you tidy up and make the bed. You wash soiled sheets and then dress the bed mattress with new ones. You do the task over and over without complaints just the same as you wash dishes several times in a day or load/unload the dishwasher three to four times a week. To your chores you add bathroom cleanup and total house upkeep, carpet vacuuming and furniture dusting twice or more a week. Sometimes, very cold mornings, and half asleep, you take out your little critters so they could regulate themselves outdoors, not indoors. Then, you feed them not once, but three times. All these you do day in and day out not knowing whether or not other folks in your household notice. They don't verbally thank you, so are they even aware of your contributions to keeping together a home? What does upkeep of a house monetarily cost? Tell me again, “For what potentials of the day are you thankful?”
You get up every morning you are given the grace of life. You thank your God for the potentials of existence. For fifty-two weeks or more on a given calendar year, you tidy up and make the bed. You wash soiled sheets and then dress the bed mattress with new ones. You do the task over and over without complaints just the same as you wash dishes several times in a day or load/unload the dishwasher three to four times a week. To your chores you add bathroom cleanup and total house upkeep, carpet vacuuming and furniture dusting twice or more a week. Sometimes, very cold mornings, and half asleep, you take out your little critters so they could regulate themselves outdoors, not indoors. Then, you feed them not once, but three times. All these you do day in and day out not knowing whether or not other folks in your household notice. They don't verbally thank you, so are they even aware of your contributions to keeping together a home? What does upkeep of a house monetarily cost? Tell me again, “For what potentials of the day are you thankful?”
Praying
111 ...
Always, though most times in whispers, I pray thoughtfully. I pray for safety of people in imminent danger, for ease of people afflicted by natural and man-made disasters. I pray for unspoken requests of people with whom I am only acquainted, and for solicited prayers of those whom I know, and whose needs and wishes I very well know. I pray for people who have hurt me and caused me heartaches. I sometimes even pray for strangers and their needs that I perceive or know. I pray for lasting peace. I pray for an end to wars. I pray for love, compassion, empathy, and understanding between and among peoples. I pray for safety, for good health, for happiness. I pray for good and positive consequences in times of challenging situations. I pray for overflowing calmness and l pray for lessened anxieties. I pray for the safety and care of the environment I share with others. I pray for lessened internal pain and turmoil. I pray for ultimate and unbridled healing of those who are afflicted with debilitating illnesses and diseases. I pray for access to clean water, enough food, warm shelter and clothing for those who live in challenging locations and situations. I pray for women and men fighting all forms of hate and hurt around the world. I pray for strength and wise action of all laboring workers and professionals who see to it that our immediate and larger daily worlds run a smooth course. I pray. I wonder though, and ask, ”Who listens to my prayers and answers them?
Always, though most times in whispers, I pray thoughtfully. I pray for safety of people in imminent danger, for ease of people afflicted by natural and man-made disasters. I pray for unspoken requests of people with whom I am only acquainted, and for solicited prayers of those whom I know, and whose needs and wishes I very well know. I pray for people who have hurt me and caused me heartaches. I sometimes even pray for strangers and their needs that I perceive or know. I pray for lasting peace. I pray for an end to wars. I pray for love, compassion, empathy, and understanding between and among peoples. I pray for safety, for good health, for happiness. I pray for good and positive consequences in times of challenging situations. I pray for overflowing calmness and l pray for lessened anxieties. I pray for the safety and care of the environment I share with others. I pray for lessened internal pain and turmoil. I pray for ultimate and unbridled healing of those who are afflicted with debilitating illnesses and diseases. I pray for access to clean water, enough food, warm shelter and clothing for those who live in challenging locations and situations. I pray for women and men fighting all forms of hate and hurt around the world. I pray for strength and wise action of all laboring workers and professionals who see to it that our immediate and larger daily worlds run a smooth course. I pray. I wonder though, and ask, ”Who listens to my prayers and answers them?
Tuesday, November 17, 2015
Love
110 ...
My beloved kissed me soon as I woke up. He gave me the warmest embrace one could give. Into my ear, he whispered, "I am happy to see you up!" He rushed to the kitchen next and prepared for me a meal of buttered toast, boiled egg and a cup of fruit. He warmed up the freshly brewed coffee, poured it in my favorite mug, sprinkled in it just the right amount of cream and sugar; after stirring it, he handed it to me with a charming smile. I do not know what I had done to deserve his tender love and kindness, but I am truly thankful that he is in my life. I feel so very much loved!
My beloved kissed me soon as I woke up. He gave me the warmest embrace one could give. Into my ear, he whispered, "I am happy to see you up!" He rushed to the kitchen next and prepared for me a meal of buttered toast, boiled egg and a cup of fruit. He warmed up the freshly brewed coffee, poured it in my favorite mug, sprinkled in it just the right amount of cream and sugar; after stirring it, he handed it to me with a charming smile. I do not know what I had done to deserve his tender love and kindness, but I am truly thankful that he is in my life. I feel so very much loved!
Nourishment
109 ...
Sometimes, you get up from the wrong side of bed. You forget that you woke up, and ignore that you just received a precious gift of life. Because your stomach growls, you have nothing else on mind but satisfy it. You head out to the kitchen and already, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and homemade bread is waking your senses. You get going. This time, you open up the icebox and get displeased that there's not in it your favorite breakfast item, even though fruits, eggs, juices and leftover chicken and ham are there. What is wrong with you? Stop briefly and put things in crystal clear perspective. Be thankful, for goodness sake. Be very, very thankful that you have access to daily nourishment, and that you could reach for it anytime you are in want of it.
Sometimes, you get up from the wrong side of bed. You forget that you woke up, and ignore that you just received a precious gift of life. Because your stomach growls, you have nothing else on mind but satisfy it. You head out to the kitchen and already, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and homemade bread is waking your senses. You get going. This time, you open up the icebox and get displeased that there's not in it your favorite breakfast item, even though fruits, eggs, juices and leftover chicken and ham are there. What is wrong with you? Stop briefly and put things in crystal clear perspective. Be thankful, for goodness sake. Be very, very thankful that you have access to daily nourishment, and that you could reach for it anytime you are in want of it.
Shelter
108 ...
Our homes shelter us from atrocious weather elements. Their walls and foundation keep us secure during the day and give us peaceful rest during the night. The rooms in our homes provide us places to conduct activities we like to accomplish or enjoy. Our homes perfectly allow us also to keep tools, machines and appliances that help us live conveniently our lives. In them, we are able to gather comfortably and contently with our loved ones and friends. It behooves us to ignore the kind provisions we get from having homes. We must be thankful for the builders of our homes. No matter how small and humble our homes may be, we must give thanks that we have them.
Our homes shelter us from atrocious weather elements. Their walls and foundation keep us secure during the day and give us peaceful rest during the night. The rooms in our homes provide us places to conduct activities we like to accomplish or enjoy. Our homes perfectly allow us also to keep tools, machines and appliances that help us live conveniently our lives. In them, we are able to gather comfortably and contently with our loved ones and friends. It behooves us to ignore the kind provisions we get from having homes. We must be thankful for the builders of our homes. No matter how small and humble our homes may be, we must give thanks that we have them.
Companions
107 ...
We are heart-warmed by the tender display of emotions by creatures of the lower kind toward us. Surely, sometimes we wonder why we take them into our homes, feed them, and care for them; many think we are downright crazy because we play with them, and we spend a good amount of time talking to them, telling them our woes and frustrations or sharing with them our joys as if they were our own begotten children. Undoubtedly, we love them as we love our family members. Why? Clearly, they give us unabashed companionship and unbridled love. We must not forget to give thanks for their presence in our daily lives.
We are heart-warmed by the tender display of emotions by creatures of the lower kind toward us. Surely, sometimes we wonder why we take them into our homes, feed them, and care for them; many think we are downright crazy because we play with them, and we spend a good amount of time talking to them, telling them our woes and frustrations or sharing with them our joys as if they were our own begotten children. Undoubtedly, we love them as we love our family members. Why? Clearly, they give us unabashed companionship and unbridled love. We must not forget to give thanks for their presence in our daily lives.
Outrage
106 ...
Your head spins. An 'achy-breaky' feeling annoys your entire being even though you do not have a legitimate physical un-wellness. Your heart cries from deep pain. The carnage of innocents in many places around the world, in our own small worlds and in worlds which are strange to us is unbearably hurtful. Why do media keep projecting the agony and despair of violent, heinous slaughter of bystanders? Nothing feels right about terrorist attacks on people anywhere, everywhere ... in the world!
Your head spins. An 'achy-breaky' feeling annoys your entire being even though you do not have a legitimate physical un-wellness. Your heart cries from deep pain. The carnage of innocents in many places around the world, in our own small worlds and in worlds which are strange to us is unbearably hurtful. Why do media keep projecting the agony and despair of violent, heinous slaughter of bystanders? Nothing feels right about terrorist attacks on people anywhere, everywhere ... in the world!
Discipline
105 ...
You know right from wrong choices, yet you choose to go for what hurts your health. There are no shortcuts to a healthy lifestyle, mind you. Sustaining a healthy body requires tremendous resolve and care. Fatty foods would clog your arteries and increase bad cholesterol. Highly acidic foods would cause discomfort. Carbohydrates-rich foods would surely make bad sugars likely to expand your mid, arms, upper and lower abdomen. Too much protein and little fluid intake would give way to constipation. Remember too that those cakes, pies, muffins, cookies and breads of all types you consume thoughtlessly all contribute to sugars unwanted in your insides. Act now, and live your life in food-intake-moderation before your body explodes and fall apart. Build that discipline and keep at it!
You know right from wrong choices, yet you choose to go for what hurts your health. There are no shortcuts to a healthy lifestyle, mind you. Sustaining a healthy body requires tremendous resolve and care. Fatty foods would clog your arteries and increase bad cholesterol. Highly acidic foods would cause discomfort. Carbohydrates-rich foods would surely make bad sugars likely to expand your mid, arms, upper and lower abdomen. Too much protein and little fluid intake would give way to constipation. Remember too that those cakes, pies, muffins, cookies and breads of all types you consume thoughtlessly all contribute to sugars unwanted in your insides. Act now, and live your life in food-intake-moderation before your body explodes and fall apart. Build that discipline and keep at it!
Value
104 ...
What are you to yourself? With your keen faculties that allow you to transcend limitless thoughts, you must rejoice. With your abundant health that permits you to move about, breathe, and feel a plethora of emotions, you should be thankful. With your endless freedom that gives push to your making personal choices, resolving issues, accepting or denying propositions of sorts, you must know that you have almost everything life requires to strongly convince you of your self-worth. What else do you need to believe in yourself and to elevate your self-perception? Believe and stand tall!
What are you to yourself? With your keen faculties that allow you to transcend limitless thoughts, you must rejoice. With your abundant health that permits you to move about, breathe, and feel a plethora of emotions, you should be thankful. With your endless freedom that gives push to your making personal choices, resolving issues, accepting or denying propositions of sorts, you must know that you have almost everything life requires to strongly convince you of your self-worth. What else do you need to believe in yourself and to elevate your self-perception? Believe and stand tall!
Patience
103 ...
Why do you fret and fidget in waiting? Let the heavy clouds cry its tears. It does no good to heave and sigh over the seemingly unending tears of the skies to dry. When it is done crying, it will clear its eyes and give way for the skies to shine its brightest face yet. Be still like the ground that welcomes its downpour, and know that even the weather-sadness of our world passes in perfect nature's time!
Why do you fret and fidget in waiting? Let the heavy clouds cry its tears. It does no good to heave and sigh over the seemingly unending tears of the skies to dry. When it is done crying, it will clear its eyes and give way for the skies to shine its brightest face yet. Be still like the ground that welcomes its downpour, and know that even the weather-sadness of our world passes in perfect nature's time!
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Alive
102 ...
You wake up. You realize that is grand because it is fact you just received another blessing to live and enjoy life today. Reflect shortly, and list what opportunities lay in front of you besides tackling chores. You could catch up on reading or writing. You could send out cards to cheer folks whom you have not seen in a while. You could make and sip your favorite and perfect tea or choose to savor that new yogurt brand you picked up from the store the previous day. You step outdoors and note that the clear sky this glorious, laid back-day, could be the weather perfect for a walk in the neighborhood. Go ahead. Consider it. There's no telling what you might find out there, but definitely, fresh air will sweetly wrap your arms and face. The autumn leaves do not have much to show after a week-long pounding from the rains. Still, the Dogwood and Maple leaves holding on to branches will unfold fiery-red hues for your eyes' wonderful treat. That will be a joyful sight, indeed. For what are you waiting? Claim your gift and be thankful!
You wake up. You realize that is grand because it is fact you just received another blessing to live and enjoy life today. Reflect shortly, and list what opportunities lay in front of you besides tackling chores. You could catch up on reading or writing. You could send out cards to cheer folks whom you have not seen in a while. You could make and sip your favorite and perfect tea or choose to savor that new yogurt brand you picked up from the store the previous day. You step outdoors and note that the clear sky this glorious, laid back-day, could be the weather perfect for a walk in the neighborhood. Go ahead. Consider it. There's no telling what you might find out there, but definitely, fresh air will sweetly wrap your arms and face. The autumn leaves do not have much to show after a week-long pounding from the rains. Still, the Dogwood and Maple leaves holding on to branches will unfold fiery-red hues for your eyes' wonderful treat. That will be a joyful sight, indeed. For what are you waiting? Claim your gift and be thankful!
Glum
101 ...
Outdoors, glum autumn lingers. Grounds are soaked. Fallen leaves are broken to bits instead of the winds playfully lifting them. The sun has shied away for almost a week now leaving clouds to hover. The rains have interchangeably drizzled and poured. What is there to be thankful for in the midst of this dreary-looking landscape? Why, there's much: warmth from the hearth, comfort from an easy chair, goodies-filled icebox, and critters that get snugly-comfy down my feet. There is much to be thankful for every new day.
Outdoors, glum autumn lingers. Grounds are soaked. Fallen leaves are broken to bits instead of the winds playfully lifting them. The sun has shied away for almost a week now leaving clouds to hover. The rains have interchangeably drizzled and poured. What is there to be thankful for in the midst of this dreary-looking landscape? Why, there's much: warmth from the hearth, comfort from an easy chair, goodies-filled icebox, and critters that get snugly-comfy down my feet. There is much to be thankful for every new day.
Silhouettes
100 ...
All around, where people of all stature mingle at an open beach, but on pool deck mostly, you could not help spot bodies of wild and weird contours. They are comfortably or uncomfortably splattered in every which way on lounging chairs for the sun to warm and tan them. Except for skimpily-covered private body parts, there isn't one concerned soul about what unsightly part of her/his shows: bony legs, Ichabod Crane framed body, bulging buttocks, loose underarm or belly skin, pear or apple-shaped mid, wild armpit and everywhere else body hair, saggy neck or chin. Neither do you have to make wild guesses on what body form is about to be revealed by a passerby. Many times, you could just look at shadows passing by, and on point, you know that the one about to appear belongs to a pot-bellied, overly obese or lanky creature. Weird, funny silhouettes are an amusement!
All around, where people of all stature mingle at an open beach, but on pool deck mostly, you could not help spot bodies of wild and weird contours. They are comfortably or uncomfortably splattered in every which way on lounging chairs for the sun to warm and tan them. Except for skimpily-covered private body parts, there isn't one concerned soul about what unsightly part of her/his shows: bony legs, Ichabod Crane framed body, bulging buttocks, loose underarm or belly skin, pear or apple-shaped mid, wild armpit and everywhere else body hair, saggy neck or chin. Neither do you have to make wild guesses on what body form is about to be revealed by a passerby. Many times, you could just look at shadows passing by, and on point, you know that the one about to appear belongs to a pot-bellied, overly obese or lanky creature. Weird, funny silhouettes are an amusement!
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Grey
99 ...
You were horrified at the first show of grey hair where your forehead and hairline met. You worried about how that phenomenon would affect perception and confidence. "What now?" You asked silently. Instead of waiting for an answer, you decided to take the matter in your hands. You concluded you'd hide them, so off you scram in search for the nearest camouflage vendor of dark black hair tints. You spot the right product --- Eureka! You waste no time. You apply the darkest of the dark available tints to the grey growths. Soon after, the makeover process is done, and voila --- your grey is totally wiped out. In a week's time, you look in the mirror only to spot the same amount of grey hair. You could not help, but scream, “Really?”
You were horrified at the first show of grey hair where your forehead and hairline met. You worried about how that phenomenon would affect perception and confidence. "What now?" You asked silently. Instead of waiting for an answer, you decided to take the matter in your hands. You concluded you'd hide them, so off you scram in search for the nearest camouflage vendor of dark black hair tints. You spot the right product --- Eureka! You waste no time. You apply the darkest of the dark available tints to the grey growths. Soon after, the makeover process is done, and voila --- your grey is totally wiped out. In a week's time, you look in the mirror only to spot the same amount of grey hair. You could not help, but scream, “Really?”
Pores
98 ...
As if wrinkles and lines were not enough to reveal the deprivations of self-care or advancing age, the once youthful body covering has thinned and exposed the inner side of the skin. Pores now show aggressively the underneath of your facial skin. They have replaced the soft and fine epidermis. No concoctions could bring back its youth, so you might as well accept that this is the new “you” that you must also love as you loved the old “you” in all past stages of life!
As if wrinkles and lines were not enough to reveal the deprivations of self-care or advancing age, the once youthful body covering has thinned and exposed the inner side of the skin. Pores now show aggressively the underneath of your facial skin. They have replaced the soft and fine epidermis. No concoctions could bring back its youth, so you might as well accept that this is the new “you” that you must also love as you loved the old “you” in all past stages of life!
Wrinkles
97 ...
Look closely at your well-worked hands, knees and feet. Examine closely around your mouth and nose. Have you noticed the new features on your face in addition to the collecting lines? The skin does not only now gather in tiny lumps, but it has spread like wild fire and claimed a large part of your body. Where have the suppleness and voluptuousness of your body covering gone?
Look closely at your well-worked hands, knees and feet. Examine closely around your mouth and nose. Have you noticed the new features on your face in addition to the collecting lines? The skin does not only now gather in tiny lumps, but it has spread like wild fire and claimed a large part of your body. Where have the suppleness and voluptuousness of your body covering gone?
Lines
96 ...
You can cover the areas around your eyes with cosmetics all you want, but you cannot completely hide them. You can wear standing collars or use scarves to cover up your neck skin, but you cannot totally hide the loose skin ... and yes, neither could you hide the forming lines, the circling lines that have taken living space and imprint. Even your hands show the lines of aging. You question, “Where are they coming from?” You do not get an answer. Perhaps it is best to leave it there … for now.
You can cover the areas around your eyes with cosmetics all you want, but you cannot completely hide them. You can wear standing collars or use scarves to cover up your neck skin, but you cannot totally hide the loose skin ... and yes, neither could you hide the forming lines, the circling lines that have taken living space and imprint. Even your hands show the lines of aging. You question, “Where are they coming from?” You do not get an answer. Perhaps it is best to leave it there … for now.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Panic
95 ...
One of your kiddy dogs, out of the blue, limps as he completes his morning walk. You toggle on his leash to get a reaction, but he does not respond. You give his leash another pull. There is a whimper or grunt of sort which he releases. It is clear he is in some pain, but you couldn't tell how severe. You tell your brain and heart, "Don't panic!" You lovingly prod him to move; with his best leg, he takes your advice, and with a trying left leg hop, he manages to cover as much a distance. You cheer him on some more. Because he trusts you, he takes your lead, though unsure of whether or not he would make the climb uphill. Little by little, he gets closer to the top. He makes it. He even makes it to the door steps before he lets out a much louder and painful grunt. There is no telling what happened to his leg out there. You calm your head over and over about the unexplainable situation. As soon as you yourself get in the house, you look for, and then grab your car keys; next, you carry him in your arms as a mother would do to her child, and settle him down on the car seat. Finally, as you drive to the Vet down the road, you assure him, "The doctor will get you well!" To yourself you tell emphatically again, "Shoo, Panic!"
One of your kiddy dogs, out of the blue, limps as he completes his morning walk. You toggle on his leash to get a reaction, but he does not respond. You give his leash another pull. There is a whimper or grunt of sort which he releases. It is clear he is in some pain, but you couldn't tell how severe. You tell your brain and heart, "Don't panic!" You lovingly prod him to move; with his best leg, he takes your advice, and with a trying left leg hop, he manages to cover as much a distance. You cheer him on some more. Because he trusts you, he takes your lead, though unsure of whether or not he would make the climb uphill. Little by little, he gets closer to the top. He makes it. He even makes it to the door steps before he lets out a much louder and painful grunt. There is no telling what happened to his leg out there. You calm your head over and over about the unexplainable situation. As soon as you yourself get in the house, you look for, and then grab your car keys; next, you carry him in your arms as a mother would do to her child, and settle him down on the car seat. Finally, as you drive to the Vet down the road, you assure him, "The doctor will get you well!" To yourself you tell emphatically again, "Shoo, Panic!"
Care
94 ...
Either receiving or giving it, care is something we do. It grows out of our deep affinity and love for our neighbor sisters and brothers. We care for others because there is a nudging within us to act on the same kindness many times shown to us. We care for others because there is an active joy we feel about helping someone who could not attend to his/her personal or survival need. We answer those pertinent care calls because we know that otherwise, they might not get the deserved responses. No matter what our stations in life, but especially when our high social positions bar us in responding aggressively to others' dire needs, we choose to care because we are all called to serve and care for one another at any given time!
Either receiving or giving it, care is something we do. It grows out of our deep affinity and love for our neighbor sisters and brothers. We care for others because there is a nudging within us to act on the same kindness many times shown to us. We care for others because there is an active joy we feel about helping someone who could not attend to his/her personal or survival need. We answer those pertinent care calls because we know that otherwise, they might not get the deserved responses. No matter what our stations in life, but especially when our high social positions bar us in responding aggressively to others' dire needs, we choose to care because we are all called to serve and care for one another at any given time!
Do it!
93 ...
Drudge day ... nothing to like about it. What's exciting about vacuuming carpeted floors or scrubbing-clean living area floors? What fun lies in dragging the hamper, pulling out from it smelly clothes, and tossing them all into the washer? Defrost ‘whatever', peel, chop, cut, slice, marinade, pan-fry, simmer, boil something to make an edible dish - what delight is in any of that? And what gain does one get in the clean-up after a meal, piling up and un-piling a dishwasher several times in the course of a week? Should you do the tasks now or should you do them later? There is nothing to like about any of the tasks lined up on any drudge-given day except perhaps getting chores done!
Drudge day ... nothing to like about it. What's exciting about vacuuming carpeted floors or scrubbing-clean living area floors? What fun lies in dragging the hamper, pulling out from it smelly clothes, and tossing them all into the washer? Defrost ‘whatever', peel, chop, cut, slice, marinade, pan-fry, simmer, boil something to make an edible dish - what delight is in any of that? And what gain does one get in the clean-up after a meal, piling up and un-piling a dishwasher several times in the course of a week? Should you do the tasks now or should you do them later? There is nothing to like about any of the tasks lined up on any drudge-given day except perhaps getting chores done!
Serve
92 ...
Half asleep you are, but there's no returning to that bed. Up, you go! Half or full awake, walk to the kitchen and start perking coffee. Now that that is done, you have a chance to take care of yourself. Yes … you must take this window; otherwise, you would not have a chance. Stretch your arms. Do a few knee bends and leg stretches. What's next? Get creative! Let’s see: Bread toast and Sunny Side up eggs yesterday; how about Waffles today? Uh-oh ... there's no Redi Whip cream left! That's alright; maple syrup and peaches would work with waffles. What are you waiting for? Get a bowl out, pour out enough pancake mix and break an egg in it. Stir in some butter milk to make it fluffy and tasty. Zippy-di-du-da! Now … scoop a spoon of the mixture into the waffle maker and let it do the magic. Presto! Serve waffles warm and crisp!
Half asleep you are, but there's no returning to that bed. Up, you go! Half or full awake, walk to the kitchen and start perking coffee. Now that that is done, you have a chance to take care of yourself. Yes … you must take this window; otherwise, you would not have a chance. Stretch your arms. Do a few knee bends and leg stretches. What's next? Get creative! Let’s see: Bread toast and Sunny Side up eggs yesterday; how about Waffles today? Uh-oh ... there's no Redi Whip cream left! That's alright; maple syrup and peaches would work with waffles. What are you waiting for? Get a bowl out, pour out enough pancake mix and break an egg in it. Stir in some butter milk to make it fluffy and tasty. Zippy-di-du-da! Now … scoop a spoon of the mixture into the waffle maker and let it do the magic. Presto! Serve waffles warm and crisp!
Rise
91 ...
No room for extended snoozes. You must rise. Rise now, not a minute later. Get dressed, and don't forget to put up long bottoms or the hairy little ones would openly scratch your legs as they do each day to welcome your presence. You could not really tell that is what they are thinking; may be they want you out of bed so their needs might be met. Hmmmn. Shrug off the thought. Get up, anyway, and then get going. Take the "kiddies" out before they make messes!
No room for extended snoozes. You must rise. Rise now, not a minute later. Get dressed, and don't forget to put up long bottoms or the hairy little ones would openly scratch your legs as they do each day to welcome your presence. You could not really tell that is what they are thinking; may be they want you out of bed so their needs might be met. Hmmmn. Shrug off the thought. Get up, anyway, and then get going. Take the "kiddies" out before they make messes!
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Question: Lapse?
90 ...
In a circle of familiar folks, you are engaged in a lively conversation. Suddenly, you catch yourself unable to recall a name, even though you have a visual of the person's face in your mind's eye. You also want to use a word, but could not get it out of your memory bank. You make excuses. Eventually, you drop the situations and try to catch up with the progressing conversation, and topic switches. You could not help the unease that creeps. In split of a second, you are in an environment of panic. You second guess what is going on; you worry, and then deny the possible fact of lapse. You jar your whole being and wake up. You tell yourself you are still in control. You must not let the condition worsen or you will diminish your confidence as well. You best get your suspicions checked while time is young!
In a circle of familiar folks, you are engaged in a lively conversation. Suddenly, you catch yourself unable to recall a name, even though you have a visual of the person's face in your mind's eye. You also want to use a word, but could not get it out of your memory bank. You make excuses. Eventually, you drop the situations and try to catch up with the progressing conversation, and topic switches. You could not help the unease that creeps. In split of a second, you are in an environment of panic. You second guess what is going on; you worry, and then deny the possible fact of lapse. You jar your whole being and wake up. You tell yourself you are still in control. You must not let the condition worsen or you will diminish your confidence as well. You best get your suspicions checked while time is young!
Question: Friendship?
89 …
Connections with others of close nature elevate our esteem and happiness. With connections present and alive, we know we belong and could count on sharing both our mundane thoughts and deepest emotions one with another. Unavoidable however, disappointing situations like false pride and coldness do come in between and among friends. When we get over them and really try not to make them fester within and between us, we come out winners. When we let pride and coldness get in the way of relationships however, we surely know they would precede death of friendships. If we do not swallow them both, they would definitely put barriers between and around close friendships. Consequences of those lead to sorrowful, miserable, and agonizing feelings. Coldness and false pride ruin friendships and leave sour and bitter taste beyond compare. They invite regret over what could be beautiful, and lasting relationships.
Connections with others of close nature elevate our esteem and happiness. With connections present and alive, we know we belong and could count on sharing both our mundane thoughts and deepest emotions one with another. Unavoidable however, disappointing situations like false pride and coldness do come in between and among friends. When we get over them and really try not to make them fester within and between us, we come out winners. When we let pride and coldness get in the way of relationships however, we surely know they would precede death of friendships. If we do not swallow them both, they would definitely put barriers between and around close friendships. Consequences of those lead to sorrowful, miserable, and agonizing feelings. Coldness and false pride ruin friendships and leave sour and bitter taste beyond compare. They invite regret over what could be beautiful, and lasting relationships.
Question: Discard?
88 …
From excessive, senseless, and impulsive material buys, one can accumulate numerous items that have quick interest loss. When they get out of hand, there's no telling where they may end up. You could try to put away things of curiosity thinking someone you know would gladly have them and appreciate them. If you could not do just that, you could stash them in 'things of beauty drawers' for easy access on occasions requiring extraordinary gifting. When numerous items accumulate through the years however, you are left with no choice but to discard, donate, and sell them. Discarding items is the trickiest of the three since it implies disposing and piling in garbage somewhere, if not in a dump. You must remind yourself too that attachment to "discardable" things contributes a painful necessity in the process, yet you best decisively do it or you will not attempt it again.
From excessive, senseless, and impulsive material buys, one can accumulate numerous items that have quick interest loss. When they get out of hand, there's no telling where they may end up. You could try to put away things of curiosity thinking someone you know would gladly have them and appreciate them. If you could not do just that, you could stash them in 'things of beauty drawers' for easy access on occasions requiring extraordinary gifting. When numerous items accumulate through the years however, you are left with no choice but to discard, donate, and sell them. Discarding items is the trickiest of the three since it implies disposing and piling in garbage somewhere, if not in a dump. You must remind yourself too that attachment to "discardable" things contributes a painful necessity in the process, yet you best decisively do it or you will not attempt it again.
Question: Passion?
87 ...
Many folks find service to others their passion. Just go to a 'Meals on Wheels' house office anywhere in town around the USA; you will find eager and very committed souls excited in identifying, meeting and serving people shut-in by illness, disability or any other extenuating circumstance. They are loved and cared for by volunteer neighbors determined to brighten up faces of the needy and the lonely. There are people who find joy as well in donating their excess time to anyone in need or cause. At any given time, you hear about a community benefit run for a cure of an illness, a fund raising for organizing children's playgrounds, raising vegetable gardens, cleanup of streets and roads to keep the environment healthy. When people successfully find their interest and unite that with service to others, a sweet explosion of good is revealed. You must find out where your passion lies. You couldn't just exist for yourself, after all. Finding your passion and acting on it engender fulfilling rewards!
Many folks find service to others their passion. Just go to a 'Meals on Wheels' house office anywhere in town around the USA; you will find eager and very committed souls excited in identifying, meeting and serving people shut-in by illness, disability or any other extenuating circumstance. They are loved and cared for by volunteer neighbors determined to brighten up faces of the needy and the lonely. There are people who find joy as well in donating their excess time to anyone in need or cause. At any given time, you hear about a community benefit run for a cure of an illness, a fund raising for organizing children's playgrounds, raising vegetable gardens, cleanup of streets and roads to keep the environment healthy. When people successfully find their interest and unite that with service to others, a sweet explosion of good is revealed. You must find out where your passion lies. You couldn't just exist for yourself, after all. Finding your passion and acting on it engender fulfilling rewards!
Saturday, September 12, 2015
Question: Forgive?
86 ...
Intentionally or not, THEY put me in precarious and dangerous environments and hands. I always wondered why and how biological parents lived with those. Before I was even seven, I had lived in a one room home without utilities. I had lived under one's house out in the open, and slept exposed to damaging weather elements for many nights. Fear followed me often. I had been taken for many long and tiring walks asking for alms. I had lived through poverty and hunger for quite some time. I had marketed, cooked and cleaned homes I shared with siblings when we were together. Even though I had a biological father, I grew up without one around. Worse of all worst situations, I was left within reach and abuse of a pedophile who liked to be called and considered Ama. What a dark childhood that was. I could never freely talk about any or all of it, so I write, in a nutshell, now. Forgiveness, I time and time heard, releases all traumatic experiences and cleanses the mind/heart. It is not an easy idea to act upon forgiveness. Why should I forget and forgive?
Intentionally or not, THEY put me in precarious and dangerous environments and hands. I always wondered why and how biological parents lived with those. Before I was even seven, I had lived in a one room home without utilities. I had lived under one's house out in the open, and slept exposed to damaging weather elements for many nights. Fear followed me often. I had been taken for many long and tiring walks asking for alms. I had lived through poverty and hunger for quite some time. I had marketed, cooked and cleaned homes I shared with siblings when we were together. Even though I had a biological father, I grew up without one around. Worse of all worst situations, I was left within reach and abuse of a pedophile who liked to be called and considered Ama. What a dark childhood that was. I could never freely talk about any or all of it, so I write, in a nutshell, now. Forgiveness, I time and time heard, releases all traumatic experiences and cleanses the mind/heart. It is not an easy idea to act upon forgiveness. Why should I forget and forgive?
Question: Splurge?
85 ...
You work hard and keep on doing so for a very long time. In all that time spent in repeated labor, you penny pinch and focus only on saving for something or for rainy days. You wake up one day and ask yourself, "Why on earth am I doing this to myself?" You want to kick your butt. You want to slap your face so you could make sense of what you have done to your hard-earned dough and yourself. Finally you convince yourself to stop denying earthly and material craving. The devil in your head rejoices. Here you go. It is about time to splurge, don’t you agree?
You work hard and keep on doing so for a very long time. In all that time spent in repeated labor, you penny pinch and focus only on saving for something or for rainy days. You wake up one day and ask yourself, "Why on earth am I doing this to myself?" You want to kick your butt. You want to slap your face so you could make sense of what you have done to your hard-earned dough and yourself. Finally you convince yourself to stop denying earthly and material craving. The devil in your head rejoices. Here you go. It is about time to splurge, don’t you agree?
Question: Rent?
84 ...
Buying property, an up step in climbing economic ladder and upscaling social status, is just all around wonderful until you face the reality of maintenance. No wonder that after a time, when you get overwhelmingly exhausted by repeated renovation and clean up, you reach a certain disillusioned point! Renting your property to someone you hope and pray will love it is a huge task; not many people, who require a place in which to reside, would love it much as you do. So is finding a realtor/manager who would care for and about it is also a pain. It is perhaps better to sell property that you no longer can maintain. By so doing, you rid yourself of the huge responsibility. Are you ready to sell or are you up for the laborious lessor role?
Buying property, an up step in climbing economic ladder and upscaling social status, is just all around wonderful until you face the reality of maintenance. No wonder that after a time, when you get overwhelmingly exhausted by repeated renovation and clean up, you reach a certain disillusioned point! Renting your property to someone you hope and pray will love it is a huge task; not many people, who require a place in which to reside, would love it much as you do. So is finding a realtor/manager who would care for and about it is also a pain. It is perhaps better to sell property that you no longer can maintain. By so doing, you rid yourself of the huge responsibility. Are you ready to sell or are you up for the laborious lessor role?
Question: Buy?
83 ...
Grieve over the sale of my SUV Ford Lincoln MKX, I did not even have time. While away thousands of miles, I got notice that it sold. The note was jolting. It froze me even though it was just about a car, one more material thing to dispense and rid of if I were to live a streamlined life. Still, I had mixed emotions over its sale. After all, I had it for many long and short trips. It was good company and a means to get away and do errands with. I sat in it ploughing through thoughts that needed to be weighed. I drove in it hoping to sort through decisions. Buying a new car with which to build "some kind of a relationship" is tough. Questions of which type, and for what need or convenience, always pop … very hard deliberations. Which economical next car fits both my need and comfort?
Grieve over the sale of my SUV Ford Lincoln MKX, I did not even have time. While away thousands of miles, I got notice that it sold. The note was jolting. It froze me even though it was just about a car, one more material thing to dispense and rid of if I were to live a streamlined life. Still, I had mixed emotions over its sale. After all, I had it for many long and short trips. It was good company and a means to get away and do errands with. I sat in it ploughing through thoughts that needed to be weighed. I drove in it hoping to sort through decisions. Buying a new car with which to build "some kind of a relationship" is tough. Questions of which type, and for what need or convenience, always pop … very hard deliberations. Which economical next car fits both my need and comfort?
Question: Sort?
82...
I look around this temporary home I would have to live for a time. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate it and I am thankful for it. Now that I have been uprooted for the _nth time from my homes (What I thought were to be my retirement homes, anyway, may after all not to be so!), I would have to live with this one now looking and feeling literally like a warehouse. All household items from my two homes are packed like sardines in this 1960’s brick farmhouse! Race now commences to sort and decide what must sell, stay, and donate. The question is by which measure should my sorting decisions be made?
I look around this temporary home I would have to live for a time. Don't get me wrong. I appreciate it and I am thankful for it. Now that I have been uprooted for the _nth time from my homes (What I thought were to be my retirement homes, anyway, may after all not to be so!), I would have to live with this one now looking and feeling literally like a warehouse. All household items from my two homes are packed like sardines in this 1960’s brick farmhouse! Race now commences to sort and decide what must sell, stay, and donate. The question is by which measure should my sorting decisions be made?
Monday, August 31, 2015
Question: Sleep?
81 ...
We are so busy living every moment of our lives. Have we noticed though that many of us are sleep-deprived? What is it about sleep that we could not just get into it and enjoy it? We lie down and pray we could rest our minds and bodies, but it takes so very long to get into that restful mode. Our minds seemingly won't stop calculating, configuring, worrying, planning or reviewing what went right or wrong during our waking time. We toss and turn, we take breaths, we stretch our bodies to relax, but nothing works well to get to the zzzzzz-mode. One restful moment or one good sleep time would be so worthwhile for our weary souls, but what about need for sleep and imposing it that we do we not get?
We are so busy living every moment of our lives. Have we noticed though that many of us are sleep-deprived? What is it about sleep that we could not just get into it and enjoy it? We lie down and pray we could rest our minds and bodies, but it takes so very long to get into that restful mode. Our minds seemingly won't stop calculating, configuring, worrying, planning or reviewing what went right or wrong during our waking time. We toss and turn, we take breaths, we stretch our bodies to relax, but nothing works well to get to the zzzzzz-mode. One restful moment or one good sleep time would be so worthwhile for our weary souls, but what about need for sleep and imposing it that we do we not get?
Property
80 ...
Perplexing to realize one day is finding you have acquired material property of all sorts: land, homes, personal effects, gadgets ... things that do not substantially matter to meaningful living, but are there gawking in front of you. What do you do with "things" that have accumulated knowing you could not take them to your grave when the time comes? You make an effort to streamline, but you still could not part with a lot of things. You make an effort to donate, recycle or sell a few items, but you still are faced with the truth that you lament and regret so doing. What is it with materialism that all humans are affected by it?
Perplexing to realize one day is finding you have acquired material property of all sorts: land, homes, personal effects, gadgets ... things that do not substantially matter to meaningful living, but are there gawking in front of you. What do you do with "things" that have accumulated knowing you could not take them to your grave when the time comes? You make an effort to streamline, but you still could not part with a lot of things. You make an effort to donate, recycle or sell a few items, but you still are faced with the truth that you lament and regret so doing. What is it with materialism that all humans are affected by it?
Value
79 ...
If you could put value on yourself, what would it be? How much do you think your net worth is, and by what measure do you weigh it? Self-worth is relative and sticky at the same time. Putting monetary value to who you are, what you have become and accomplished, and what you are able to do or could further contribute to the wealth of a community is risky to gauge. Wouldn't it be remarkable to know what human beings like you and me are really worth?
If you could put value on yourself, what would it be? How much do you think your net worth is, and by what measure do you weigh it? Self-worth is relative and sticky at the same time. Putting monetary value to who you are, what you have become and accomplished, and what you are able to do or could further contribute to the wealth of a community is risky to gauge. Wouldn't it be remarkable to know what human beings like you and me are really worth?
Boost
78 ...
Status that injects power speaks volumes. Whether it is boosted by money, notoriety, ego or self-esteem, powerful status commands either respect or contempt. When someone with powerful presence walks into a room, for instance, most everyone's head turns to his or her direction as if a magnetic field just popped up. What is unknown however, are complex and conflicting thoughts it builds between and among those gathered around it.
Status that injects power speaks volumes. Whether it is boosted by money, notoriety, ego or self-esteem, powerful status commands either respect or contempt. When someone with powerful presence walks into a room, for instance, most everyone's head turns to his or her direction as if a magnetic field just popped up. What is unknown however, are complex and conflicting thoughts it builds between and among those gathered around it.
Home
78 ...
Status that injects power speaks volumes. Whether it is boosted by money, notoriety, ego or self-esteem, powerful status commands either respect or contempt. When someone with powerful presence walks into a room, for instance, most everyone's head turns to his or her direction as if a magnetic field just popped up. What is unknown however, are complex and conflicting thoughts it builds between and among those gathered around it.
Status that injects power speaks volumes. Whether it is boosted by money, notoriety, ego or self-esteem, powerful status commands either respect or contempt. When someone with powerful presence walks into a room, for instance, most everyone's head turns to his or her direction as if a magnetic field just popped up. What is unknown however, are complex and conflicting thoughts it builds between and among those gathered around it.
Far & Near
76 ...
Geographical location has changed from east to west, yet thoughts of recent past are still pulling you back. You must decide what is important and let the superfluous ones die out. You can't manage two entirely different lives and places, so live in the moment!
Geographical location has changed from east to west, yet thoughts of recent past are still pulling you back. You must decide what is important and let the superfluous ones die out. You can't manage two entirely different lives and places, so live in the moment!
Monday, August 10, 2015
Impressions
75 …
From personal experiences, you could learn that first impressions do not really always last. When you make judgments of people from first impressions, you almost get surprised by the untruthful results of those impressions. When you entertain a notion about a situation you believe you understood, you almost immediately get proven wrongly. We are not sure what exactly prods us to make biased opinions of people, and situations. We seem to keep reacting based on how things superficially affect us, and we never ever have the time and space for facts to come out that could guide our determinations. We could learn from tried and tested approaches that sensitive listening and paced, critical thinking contribute to bring about positive impressions in our present and future life awareness.
From personal experiences, you could learn that first impressions do not really always last. When you make judgments of people from first impressions, you almost get surprised by the untruthful results of those impressions. When you entertain a notion about a situation you believe you understood, you almost immediately get proven wrongly. We are not sure what exactly prods us to make biased opinions of people, and situations. We seem to keep reacting based on how things superficially affect us, and we never ever have the time and space for facts to come out that could guide our determinations. We could learn from tried and tested approaches that sensitive listening and paced, critical thinking contribute to bring about positive impressions in our present and future life awareness.
Haste
74 …
Not many actions taken with hurriedness bring good results. Eating hurriedly could cause stomach indigestion and succeeding pain. Completing a project without full understanding of steps could bring about many mistakes and stresses. Making quick decisions on important issues prevent you from fully assessing their consequences. Adverse effects could undoubtedly confront you when you lightly give a significant idea quick, significant thoughts and opinions. Haste does yield wastes of efforts, resources and time.
Not many actions taken with hurriedness bring good results. Eating hurriedly could cause stomach indigestion and succeeding pain. Completing a project without full understanding of steps could bring about many mistakes and stresses. Making quick decisions on important issues prevent you from fully assessing their consequences. Adverse effects could undoubtedly confront you when you lightly give a significant idea quick, significant thoughts and opinions. Haste does yield wastes of efforts, resources and time.
Rain Showers
73 …
Rain, when it comes gently dropping, soothes the mind, body and spirit. Gentle rain caresses the skin. It is like a tender loved one’s touch soothing pain or melancholy. Mild raindrops do the same, but they take deeper, grander effect on the physique. Raindrops wetting and dropping mildly on the skin give a tender tickling and a massaging of under-skin flesh. They renew the especially dry, tired epidermis and give it new life. When big raindrops touch your scalp and body however, you get the most interactive response of your skin. They give an eventful pounding that wakes up all negative feelings … almost telling each inner terrible emotion to come out and be cleansed. Rains bless our most inward self … our spirit. They do so when after an outward purging and cooling off, we experience a relief from tiredness and noises of our bodies. What is not there to love rain?
Rain, when it comes gently dropping, soothes the mind, body and spirit. Gentle rain caresses the skin. It is like a tender loved one’s touch soothing pain or melancholy. Mild raindrops do the same, but they take deeper, grander effect on the physique. Raindrops wetting and dropping mildly on the skin give a tender tickling and a massaging of under-skin flesh. They renew the especially dry, tired epidermis and give it new life. When big raindrops touch your scalp and body however, you get the most interactive response of your skin. They give an eventful pounding that wakes up all negative feelings … almost telling each inner terrible emotion to come out and be cleansed. Rains bless our most inward self … our spirit. They do so when after an outward purging and cooling off, we experience a relief from tiredness and noises of our bodies. What is not there to love rain?
Negativity
72 …
Irritating thoughts, disappointing situations, and unpleasant attitudes boil down to nothing less than negative vibes. They create chaos in our minds and hearts, and they bring out in us unhealthy dispositions. Of late, I attempted to celebrate someone’s gracious life by bringing together folks close to the person. While a good many of those I invited were excited about it, a few injected discouraging responses and lame reasons to thwart the milestone event. I did not realize until then how easily negativity affected me. I discovered how it poisoned me inwardly quickly as well. Negativity brings out the worst in our character!
Irritating thoughts, disappointing situations, and unpleasant attitudes boil down to nothing less than negative vibes. They create chaos in our minds and hearts, and they bring out in us unhealthy dispositions. Of late, I attempted to celebrate someone’s gracious life by bringing together folks close to the person. While a good many of those I invited were excited about it, a few injected discouraging responses and lame reasons to thwart the milestone event. I did not realize until then how easily negativity affected me. I discovered how it poisoned me inwardly quickly as well. Negativity brings out the worst in our character!
Anxiety
71 …
Unease, disquiet, apprehension … you may call anxiety by any other name and the yield is the same … a fretfulness of the heart, sadness almost, of the mind. Anxiety over separation is by far most discomforting. When you long for a loved one to wrap you in her/his arms and in that moment it couldn’t happen, you feel a nagging pang of pain. It is even able to paralyze your positive emotions, and cripple the cheer in your heart. Self-made separation yields the worst anxious feeling because you become aware of the wound you yourself caused. With that, nothing you attempt to ease it with serves the purpose. All you are left with is a quiet longing for time to speed up itself so you could repair the self-inflicting damage to your spirit.
Unease, disquiet, apprehension … you may call anxiety by any other name and the yield is the same … a fretfulness of the heart, sadness almost, of the mind. Anxiety over separation is by far most discomforting. When you long for a loved one to wrap you in her/his arms and in that moment it couldn’t happen, you feel a nagging pang of pain. It is even able to paralyze your positive emotions, and cripple the cheer in your heart. Self-made separation yields the worst anxious feeling because you become aware of the wound you yourself caused. With that, nothing you attempt to ease it with serves the purpose. All you are left with is a quiet longing for time to speed up itself so you could repair the self-inflicting damage to your spirit.
Sunday, August 9, 2015
Backbones: “Pulubi” / Alms-seekers
70 …
You could not hide your stare away. You could not help seeing and noticing them from the corners of your eyes even when you try. With their open hands asking for alms, they are everywhere – at stairwells, doorways of opened or closed windows of buildings. They are out on roads and alleys, and they are even alongside stopped transport like jeeps, buses, tricycles or any other transport means. Their hands are always outstretched for measly peso, food and water. They are either the marginalized, the impoverished poor of the poorest in crowded urban cities. You do not know specifically from which part of the country they come, why they do what they do, and what situations brought them to their lowliest of work stations. Many sport dilapidated clothing; others are around with very young, tag-along and pitiful-looking children equally fitted in tattered clothes and bare, dirty or wound-filled and blistered feet. Many of them look malnourished and disheveled. You could not tell outright who is really disfranchised and who is part of a ring that uses and enslaves them for self- gains. They are there for sure, the poorest of our society’s backbones. Perhaps some of them are trafficked souls – battered and living in constant fear for their lives. Perhaps, some of them are our family abandoned sisters and brothers. Maybe they are our mentally ill. What do you do when approached by an outright “pulubi” wandering in your midst?
You could not hide your stare away. You could not help seeing and noticing them from the corners of your eyes even when you try. With their open hands asking for alms, they are everywhere – at stairwells, doorways of opened or closed windows of buildings. They are out on roads and alleys, and they are even alongside stopped transport like jeeps, buses, tricycles or any other transport means. Their hands are always outstretched for measly peso, food and water. They are either the marginalized, the impoverished poor of the poorest in crowded urban cities. You do not know specifically from which part of the country they come, why they do what they do, and what situations brought them to their lowliest of work stations. Many sport dilapidated clothing; others are around with very young, tag-along and pitiful-looking children equally fitted in tattered clothes and bare, dirty or wound-filled and blistered feet. Many of them look malnourished and disheveled. You could not tell outright who is really disfranchised and who is part of a ring that uses and enslaves them for self- gains. They are there for sure, the poorest of our society’s backbones. Perhaps some of them are trafficked souls – battered and living in constant fear for their lives. Perhaps, some of them are our family abandoned sisters and brothers. Maybe they are our mentally ill. What do you do when approached by an outright “pulubi” wandering in your midst?
Backbones: Mommy Friend
69 …
Rains come. No, they don’t just
come, but they pour steadily from thin drops to thicker, cool drops. From their window and gated fences, a boy and
two girls staring at the rain pouring outside look dismal at their playground,
until their Mom notices their disappointed faces. She gets up from her corner seat inside the
house, asks them to take off their clothing down to only their bottom underwear. She opens the house door, and then the gate. She releases them outdoors where the steady, cold
drops of rain tickle at first their young skin, and then surprises deeper their
whole body with refreshing wetness and delightful, massaging drops. It takes a Mom-friend to feel, and then
expose her inner children’s longings and desires. It
takes an empathetic, special Mother to fulfill pitter-patter longings and
desires out in the open! Backbones: Fruit Vendor
68 …
At dawn or early evening fruit vendors push their carts where prospective buyers could see them. On any given moment, you could see them open up a fruit of choice that demonstrates its freshness and succulent nature. As if that were not enough a gesture to haul in homemakers wanting the freshest, best fruit for their tables, the fruit vendor takes a piece of any of the fruits he peddles, and entices all those around to get close and purchase it by pealing, and eating or slicing and putting it in his mouth right in front. How can anyone resist melons, bananas, apples, pears, rambutans, mangosteens, papayas, soursops and sweetsops or juicy pineapples? The peddler does his job well drawing in thirsty, hungry folks on their way home. Taking fruit to where people are is one sure way of enticing them to buy!
At dawn or early evening fruit vendors push their carts where prospective buyers could see them. On any given moment, you could see them open up a fruit of choice that demonstrates its freshness and succulent nature. As if that were not enough a gesture to haul in homemakers wanting the freshest, best fruit for their tables, the fruit vendor takes a piece of any of the fruits he peddles, and entices all those around to get close and purchase it by pealing, and eating or slicing and putting it in his mouth right in front. How can anyone resist melons, bananas, apples, pears, rambutans, mangosteens, papayas, soursops and sweetsops or juicy pineapples? The peddler does his job well drawing in thirsty, hungry folks on their way home. Taking fruit to where people are is one sure way of enticing them to buy!
Backbones: Roofers
67 …
Work that generates income is always sought. Work that generates income, but puts workers at risk is something else. Not many skilled roofers like to be up on a roof, especially when the weather is hot and humid, not even if that were the source of their bread and butter. Roofers who do not mind being up on top of a building however, on any given weather, are the real special heroes folks needing their homes and establishments attended to. The sweltering hot weather, however, is one roofers’ dreaded foe. It requires them to wear clothing that discomforts them, but at the same time protects them from stealthy, dangerous sun exposure. They could not just wear their preferred ordinary, comfortable shoes because of the heated, burning galvanized iron that could burn soles of their footwear. Instead, they must live with thick-soled, adhering shoes to get the work roofing done, and rightfully so. Anyone afraid of height must not get close to a roof-top job. No roofers could get the work done if anyone of them fears his life at the top might make his feet and gait likened to jelly or gel!
Work that generates income is always sought. Work that generates income, but puts workers at risk is something else. Not many skilled roofers like to be up on a roof, especially when the weather is hot and humid, not even if that were the source of their bread and butter. Roofers who do not mind being up on top of a building however, on any given weather, are the real special heroes folks needing their homes and establishments attended to. The sweltering hot weather, however, is one roofers’ dreaded foe. It requires them to wear clothing that discomforts them, but at the same time protects them from stealthy, dangerous sun exposure. They could not just wear their preferred ordinary, comfortable shoes because of the heated, burning galvanized iron that could burn soles of their footwear. Instead, they must live with thick-soled, adhering shoes to get the work roofing done, and rightfully so. Anyone afraid of height must not get close to a roof-top job. No roofers could get the work done if anyone of them fears his life at the top might make his feet and gait likened to jelly or gel!
Backbones: Tricycle Drivers
66 …
Men, young or advanced in age, monopolize this occupation in villages and subdivisions all over Metro Manila. You can hear tricycles early dawn as their masters start engines at late or early hours of evenings and mornings. Drivers then run their transport around or mill at a terminal while waiting for passengers. Sometimes, fortunate ones earn a thousand and more pesos in half a day; others not so fortunate earn as little as five hundred or less pesos, especially if they rent the tricycle to run and make money for themselves. Drivers take pride in their tricycle and care for them much. They understand that a clean, upscale transport is by far favored by prospective passengers in contrast to unkempt, dilapidated ones. They are well aware of scrutinizing costumers making preferential treatment for updated, well-kept and decorated rides, except of course on bad weather when all running ones get flagged no matter their condition. What makes tricycle driving an easy source of income? Well, drivers pick you up from street-ways close to your residential door, and take you just as close to your next destination ride or stopping spot!
Men, young or advanced in age, monopolize this occupation in villages and subdivisions all over Metro Manila. You can hear tricycles early dawn as their masters start engines at late or early hours of evenings and mornings. Drivers then run their transport around or mill at a terminal while waiting for passengers. Sometimes, fortunate ones earn a thousand and more pesos in half a day; others not so fortunate earn as little as five hundred or less pesos, especially if they rent the tricycle to run and make money for themselves. Drivers take pride in their tricycle and care for them much. They understand that a clean, upscale transport is by far favored by prospective passengers in contrast to unkempt, dilapidated ones. They are well aware of scrutinizing costumers making preferential treatment for updated, well-kept and decorated rides, except of course on bad weather when all running ones get flagged no matter their condition. What makes tricycle driving an easy source of income? Well, drivers pick you up from street-ways close to your residential door, and take you just as close to your next destination ride or stopping spot!
Backnones: Peddlers
65 ...
Whether up on buses, jeepneys or down on hectic and risky roadways, male peddlers compete vigorously for whatever it is they sell to travelers and drivers. Peddlers flag buses and jeeps begging for a chance to sell snack items and cold drinks to weary passengers, especially those stuck in heavy and long traffic. They weather the weather be it torrential rains or humid, sweltering heat. They dodge cars, bikes, and buses to sell for a meager gain/living: peanuts, cashews, munchies and fruits, water/soda, even face towels – true relief from ugly, suffocating and dirty fender bender belches and gas engine emission. They put their lives at stake in order to take home a few pesos to their families. Scoffing bystanders and passengers think of them as nuisance and irritation from and their often quiet drive to and from destination. The truth of the matter is they are marginalized heroes of mothers and children depending on them for hand-to-mouth living existence. Negative impressions and judgments on them are by all means offensive and inappropriate. They are the true backbones of though growing, but still fledgling economic conditions in congested cities like Metro Manila.
Whether up on buses, jeepneys or down on hectic and risky roadways, male peddlers compete vigorously for whatever it is they sell to travelers and drivers. Peddlers flag buses and jeeps begging for a chance to sell snack items and cold drinks to weary passengers, especially those stuck in heavy and long traffic. They weather the weather be it torrential rains or humid, sweltering heat. They dodge cars, bikes, and buses to sell for a meager gain/living: peanuts, cashews, munchies and fruits, water/soda, even face towels – true relief from ugly, suffocating and dirty fender bender belches and gas engine emission. They put their lives at stake in order to take home a few pesos to their families. Scoffing bystanders and passengers think of them as nuisance and irritation from and their often quiet drive to and from destination. The truth of the matter is they are marginalized heroes of mothers and children depending on them for hand-to-mouth living existence. Negative impressions and judgments on them are by all means offensive and inappropriate. They are the true backbones of though growing, but still fledgling economic conditions in congested cities like Metro Manila.
Sunday, July 26, 2015
Backbones: Jeepney Driver
64 ...
As if driving on busy roads of Metro Manila were not a huge task enough, take a “jeepney” and watch a its driver maneuver the thoroughfares. He must multi-task. He must watch where he is going and how because fellow jeepney drivers are every which way competing for passengers along the road and at every street corner. Top that with tall, long public buses, cars, pedicabs, motorbikes/bikes, delivery trucks of sorts, and taxis jamming the paths. Inside a jeepney, the driver must not only tune out the honking transport around, but he must also listen keenly to passengers telling him where they’re going as they pay fares. He must quickly think how much to charge, get his left or right hand stir the wheel and masterfully get his other hand rummage through various coin and currency denominations so that he could give back to passengers their correct changes; passengers do not always pay with exact changes, you observe. He must mind passengers asking to stop at certain spots and places along the way. He must internalize all stopping points of passengers so that he does not get screamed at for not appropriately delivering them to their destinations. He must bear from time to time, screaming babies and children on laps of their parents who are cantankerously admonishing them to behave or to be quiet. Add to all those goings and comings the noise of running engines and the terrible heat brought by sweltering hot weather or messy, miserable rainy weather. I would never take a jeepney driver’s job! I am, however, thankful and appreciative of their resilience and determination to earn a living and to help their fellow folks go about and around.
As if driving on busy roads of Metro Manila were not a huge task enough, take a “jeepney” and watch a its driver maneuver the thoroughfares. He must multi-task. He must watch where he is going and how because fellow jeepney drivers are every which way competing for passengers along the road and at every street corner. Top that with tall, long public buses, cars, pedicabs, motorbikes/bikes, delivery trucks of sorts, and taxis jamming the paths. Inside a jeepney, the driver must not only tune out the honking transport around, but he must also listen keenly to passengers telling him where they’re going as they pay fares. He must quickly think how much to charge, get his left or right hand stir the wheel and masterfully get his other hand rummage through various coin and currency denominations so that he could give back to passengers their correct changes; passengers do not always pay with exact changes, you observe. He must mind passengers asking to stop at certain spots and places along the way. He must internalize all stopping points of passengers so that he does not get screamed at for not appropriately delivering them to their destinations. He must bear from time to time, screaming babies and children on laps of their parents who are cantankerously admonishing them to behave or to be quiet. Add to all those goings and comings the noise of running engines and the terrible heat brought by sweltering hot weather or messy, miserable rainy weather. I would never take a jeepney driver’s job! I am, however, thankful and appreciative of their resilience and determination to earn a living and to help their fellow folks go about and around.
Backbones: Bus Driver’s Sidekick
63 ...
On a given day you are on a public bus, and you are not occupied by pressing matters, observe a fare collector snake in and out of his moving transport. Watch him expertly move about, stop at every bus pew and collect fares from passengers. You wonder, yet get awed by how he could memorize amounts to properly charge passengers for distances they are going, ticket them, and make correct changes. Be amazed how he could do all tasks while also spotting through windows for potential passengers at upcoming junctions. Listen to flowery words he uses to convince bystanders to take his bus and not the one behind or the ones coming that very way his driver takes. Listen to him shout out and tell passengers to move back and around the already tightly-filled bus so that he and his driver could get more bodies packed into the vehicle. Think about how he does his tasks day in and out. It would not be hard to sympathize with his seemingly nonchalant, yet equally challenging drive to keep his wits intact!
On a given day you are on a public bus, and you are not occupied by pressing matters, observe a fare collector snake in and out of his moving transport. Watch him expertly move about, stop at every bus pew and collect fares from passengers. You wonder, yet get awed by how he could memorize amounts to properly charge passengers for distances they are going, ticket them, and make correct changes. Be amazed how he could do all tasks while also spotting through windows for potential passengers at upcoming junctions. Listen to flowery words he uses to convince bystanders to take his bus and not the one behind or the ones coming that very way his driver takes. Listen to him shout out and tell passengers to move back and around the already tightly-filled bus so that he and his driver could get more bodies packed into the vehicle. Think about how he does his tasks day in and out. It would not be hard to sympathize with his seemingly nonchalant, yet equally challenging drive to keep his wits intact!
Monday, July 13, 2015
Backbones: Window-Screen Changer
62 ...
A house, however small, requires maintenance. Window screens, for instance, get brittle and then break in time. If you do not replace them when they so require, you could bring into your home dreadful pests and unwanted insects, deadly mosquitoes, for instance. Unless you could do well the task yourself, it is best you find and hire someone who knows what he must do. Because I certainly do not know how to, I decide to take my two "holey" screen windows to an aluminum and screen workshop. An older man-in-charge tells me how much the cost of the job, and then he makes me wait for the window screens to get changed. With an authoritarian voice, he calls a young man about twenty, who responds to his summon. They confer about the job. The young man then examines my sorry-looking screen windows, and right there and then, he rips out the torn screen from each of the frames. He tosses them under his work table, looks at bales of new screen material, and he picks the appropriate one to use. He measures and cuts just enough of the screen pieces. After that, he fits the frames with just the right size screen sheets. With precision, he inserts the edges with the help of only a "running roller" on hand. I could see that the new screen edges go right into the frame crevices without a fight. He completes the task by securing a rubber cord cushion pressed into the edges and going all around the window framework. In a gif the screen sheets are as snug as they could be. What do you know? Spiff and new, the screen windows are ready to go back where they belong; just like that, the young master worker mesmerizes me with his skill!
A house, however small, requires maintenance. Window screens, for instance, get brittle and then break in time. If you do not replace them when they so require, you could bring into your home dreadful pests and unwanted insects, deadly mosquitoes, for instance. Unless you could do well the task yourself, it is best you find and hire someone who knows what he must do. Because I certainly do not know how to, I decide to take my two "holey" screen windows to an aluminum and screen workshop. An older man-in-charge tells me how much the cost of the job, and then he makes me wait for the window screens to get changed. With an authoritarian voice, he calls a young man about twenty, who responds to his summon. They confer about the job. The young man then examines my sorry-looking screen windows, and right there and then, he rips out the torn screen from each of the frames. He tosses them under his work table, looks at bales of new screen material, and he picks the appropriate one to use. He measures and cuts just enough of the screen pieces. After that, he fits the frames with just the right size screen sheets. With precision, he inserts the edges with the help of only a "running roller" on hand. I could see that the new screen edges go right into the frame crevices without a fight. He completes the task by securing a rubber cord cushion pressed into the edges and going all around the window framework. In a gif the screen sheets are as snug as they could be. What do you know? Spiff and new, the screen windows are ready to go back where they belong; just like that, the young master worker mesmerizes me with his skill!
Backbones: Welder
61 ...
With pieces of new and salvaged metal, fit still for an ordered
project, Gilbert examines his treasure find.
He makes a drawing of a box on paper scrap, and then he brings out from
his almost dilapidated backpack, a saw blade; he puts it aside. He figures metal sizes to be cut and he preps
a 4x4 cushion wood board in which to cut his visualized project - box cages for
two air-conditioning units. Equipped
only with a saw blade, he begins the arduous metal cutting task under the
scorching heat of the sun. Next he
unravels from a sack-bag a rented welding machine. There was no extension cord he could use to
connect the machine to an electrical outlet; he rummages for something else in
his backpack. Out from it emerges a coil
of cords. He inspects them, and soon, he
exposes wires that he would then connect to the electrical outlet indoors. Without proper protective clothing and
gloves, he begins to labor.
Fireworks-like spurts come out of welding rods and gun as Gilbert puts
into shape one box cage. He repeats the
process for a second cage. Gilbert, puny
and lanky for a thirty-eight year old construction worker, produces an amazing
work of art, one must admit, with meager tools and plenty of artisanship!Friday, June 19, 2015
Backbones: Scavengers
60 …
Looking out of a window, upon waking in the morning, you can tell it is Saturday without consulting a time piece or a calendar. Already, the familiar mother with her two-year old child astride her side is already looking through lined up garbage bins put out the night before by residents for scheduled garbage collection. Like other Saturdays, she hopes to find thrown bottles, tin cans, cardboards, paper bags … anything useful or recyclable that could be sold. On another end of the street way, two lanky and disheveled boys compete with her speed. Like her, they scout for disposed furniture pieces, leftover metal from construction projects, and the like. Like flies or ants attracted by a certain object, they double or triple in number and crowd the neighborhood. A day’s find might generate Php200.00 … enough for a kilo of rice, some vegetables and fish god for a family’s day meal. You surely could appreciate their resilience and motivation to get up every possible day they are able to get going, and to live up to the potential of every waking day.
Looking out of a window, upon waking in the morning, you can tell it is Saturday without consulting a time piece or a calendar. Already, the familiar mother with her two-year old child astride her side is already looking through lined up garbage bins put out the night before by residents for scheduled garbage collection. Like other Saturdays, she hopes to find thrown bottles, tin cans, cardboards, paper bags … anything useful or recyclable that could be sold. On another end of the street way, two lanky and disheveled boys compete with her speed. Like her, they scout for disposed furniture pieces, leftover metal from construction projects, and the like. Like flies or ants attracted by a certain object, they double or triple in number and crowd the neighborhood. A day’s find might generate Php200.00 … enough for a kilo of rice, some vegetables and fish god for a family’s day meal. You surely could appreciate their resilience and motivation to get up every possible day they are able to get going, and to live up to the potential of every waking day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)