6th Wedding Anniversary Poem for my Husband

Written on May 21, 2016 at 11:48pm to May 22, 2016 at 12:16am

Since I have known you
You professed love that is true
I just gave you a smile
& convincing me took a while.


I used to believe
that fairy tales are unreal
'Cause a happy-ever-after
& true love are what they tell.


You have seen the best
and the worst of me
Yet you accepted
and you just let me be.


I always treasure
your love beyond measure.
Thank you for the love
You're truly a gift from above.


Thank you for everything
Words are not enough
I can't express what I feel
in terms of speaking and writing.


Beyond my ability to write
and my gift to speak
Is a truth you must know.
I love you, I'll always do.


The best day of my life
is every day as your wife,
as a mom to our children
& as your friend & lover.

Unspoken Love

Published in An Lantawan, the Official Student Publication of Leyte Normal University, Tacloban City, Philippines Vol IV No. 2 March 2002

He was staring blankly at the sea. He felt downcast. He seemed oblivious to the sound of nature - the rushing of the waters, the blowing of the wind and the chirping of the birds. His mind was glued to the memory of the girl he has loved for almost fifteen years now... Mary Rose Pabroquez.

"Oh Mary, if you only knew..." he whispered to himself.

The two little birds on the twig of the talisay tree caught his attention. He felt envious because the birds looked so love struck, cheerfully chirping while weaving their nest.

Mary was his high school classmate. He remembered that they were always teased especially by their English Teacher.

"Class, there was once a bee who was always observed to be eyeing a beautiful flower... anyway, a bee can be used to stand for a boy like Christian and the flower can represent a young girl like Mary," he remembered Mr. Perez saying.

A smile was painted on his face while recalling the memory.

"See, you two are a perfect combination. You both were even the first placers of the CSAT Examination," their guidance counselor added.

"Those were the days," he uttered to himself. He was always hesitant then of going near her. He was always intimidated. Mary is a daughter of both teachers while he was a son of a housekeeper.

His best friend, Alex would always badger him, asking, "Are you not going to court her? You know, you can never find a girl like her. She is intelligent, kind and lovable..."

His answer will only be a private smile. Deep inside his heart, a promise is made. "Someday, I'm going to unfold the feelings I have for you Mary. Someday...somehow!"

The time has come for them to part ways. He was miles away from her. There was no communication between them. He learned that Mary studied at LNU and took up BEED, finishing her course with honors.

During Mary's graduation, a close friend greeted her and said, "Congratulations! You're such an achiever but... you have no one special to share your achievements with. That's too bad!"

"It doesn't bother me so much. You know the kind of vocation that I would like to embrace. I have also been waiting for Christian but he's too far," she answered while looking at nowhere.

"You are indeed intelligent but you are poor when it comes to love life!" Leah added. "Why waste your time for that guy? Why not choose among your many suitors?"

"I am still thankful to him. He taught me a lot. I loved him although I've come to realize that he will never be the first love of my life..." She pointed to the skies. "My first love is there."

Christian knew all these and Mary's whereabouts through his best friend Alex who was also studying at LNU.

Three years after Mary's graduation, he lost track of her. This time, he was already a full pledged chemical engineer. He has a high-paying job. With these, he built his dream house.

"This house will be our home Mary. This will be my wedding gift for you," he whispered to himself in soliloquy.

Now, he has finally made up his mind. The time for him to open up the contents of his heart had come. He will visit Mary in their house. He dressed up and stare at the mirror a million times before going.

His heart was beating so fast, For fifteen years, he had kept this love to himself. Now, he made a decision. He was so tensed, he barely noticed that he already arrived at the Pabroquez residence. He parked his car near the gate. He walked slowly and excitedly pressed the doorbell.

The main door opened. He felt a sudden relief when he saw that it was not Mary. It was her sister - Kristine.

"Hi kuya, get inside. What can I do for you?"
"Thank you. Is your ate around?"
Kristine just gazed at him.
"Ahm, is she in Tacloban or what? When is she coming back?" he nervously inquired.
Kristine was about to answer when the door of their living room opened. Clarianne was smiling while carrying a tray with slice of cake and a glass of juice. Clarianne is Mary's look alike.
"Kuya, take your snack first. Just feel at home, anyway my parents are not here. They went with Ate Mary," narrated Clarianne.
"Clarianne..." Her ate Kristine attempted to interrupt but it was too late.
"Didn't you know Kuya that Ate Mary finally decided to enter the convent? Just this morning, there were two nuns from DSP who came here. Papa and Mama accompanied her to San Jose Airport. By this time, maybe she is already in Pasay. That's where you can find the DSP's formation center," Clarianne went on.

He felt like his eardrum had exploded. He tried to stop himself from bursting into tears. He was unaware that he was finally able to say something to Mary's sisters.

"I will not be staying for long girls. I was too late... I have to say goodbye. By the way, here is a chocolate for you and kindly place these roses in your grotto."

Adieu

Published in An Lantawan, The Official Student Publication of Leyte Normal University, Tacloban City, Philippines Vol. IV No. 2 March 2002

Before we just ignore the time that passed by We just smile, sometimes we quarrel and cry But that was just a funny memory And it is nice to remember, day by day.

I know we are going to part Even if our minds and hearts are hurt I wish I could turn back the past So we will not say goodbye at last.

They say, even if we will not be together Memories that we've shared will be forever Farewell is easy to whisper But for me, farewell is hard to utter.

But I know we could never stop the time Wishing that our journey will be fine Wishing we could reach our destiny Wishing you will not learn to forget me.

Valedictory Address (March 2016)

This was written for MJ on March 26, 2016.

To our honored guest, to our principal ________________________, to our teachers, to our parents, to my fellow graduates, friends, ladies and gentlemen good morning.

Eleanor Roosevelt said and I quote “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” Six years ago, my dream to finish elementary started. Every year after that, this dream was nurtured. I believed that one day I will be able to wear a white toga and a white cap paired with black shoes. The fulfillment of that dream is today. This is it - Elementary Graduation Ceremonies.

Looking back, I used to imagine how it feels when this day happens. I imagine how happy I would be but today I experience mixed feelings. Of course, I am very happy but at the same time sad. Happy because one of my dreams is fulfilled. Sad because when I continue my journey that means my classmates and I will not be together. Not all of us will be together in the same classroom. I will not be in Catmon Elementary School anymore. I will have different set of teachers.

Today, I am also thankful. Thank you, Lord for this day. Thank you for the gift of life and intelligence. Today is made possible because of your divine guidance.

Thank you also to my parents. All of my medals and certificates are for you. Without your love and support, I will not be where I am today.

Thank you, my dear teachers. You have molded me into a better person. When I first stepped in our campus, I felt awkward because of the change of environment. As a transferee from a private school I wasn’t used to walking on muddy pathways. Plus, I wasn’t used to using the bolo for gardening. Now, I believe that things really happen for a reason. I appreciate life better because of my experiences here. Muddy pathways and gardening opened my eyes to reality that not all our wishes happen with just a click of a finger.

Thank you, my dear teachers and to my alma mater for teaching us the value of simplicity, perseverance and determination. Thank you also for believing in me. The contests – singing, quiz bee, SPG Mayor and spelling bee which you have asked me to join made taught me to believe in myself.

Thank you my dear classmates and friends. You have made my stay in our school worthwhile. I would like to make special mention to Jonamie, Cyrene and Cyrel. Thank you for the friendship.

Our Graduation Theme says Kabataang Mula sa K to 12, Tagapagdala ng Kaunlaran sa Bansang Pilipinas. Yes, we are our country’s hope. Let us continue our journey in order to reach our dream of finishing a degree so that we will be able to contribute to the development of our beloved nation. In the meantime, let us show our love by taking care of our environment, following rules and regulation, and doing good at school. Let us protect the trust given to us by our elders.

Fellow graduates, the medals, certificates, our grades and diploma are our gifts to our parents and to our teachers but all of these are just icing on a cake. The real gift we can give to them are what we are and what we will become. The icing on a cake plays a vital role to capture the interest of the onlooker but the cake itself is what addresses the persons desire to eat. Let us be persons of substance. Today, we are a successful yield of youth with veracity. May the education we acquired from our alma mater be our foundation of wisdom, knowledge, skills, proper attitude and discipline. May it be that whatever we gain will be for our own good, for the good of others and most especially for God’s glory.

Valedictory Address (March 2015)

This was written for Angel on March 24, 2015 at 6:15a.m.-7:14 a.m.

March 29, 2015. This is the day that the Lord has made! This is a special day because we experience mixed feelings of reminiscing the past, cherishing the present, and looking forward to take the next stage of our academic life. This is also the day when we give due recognition to our parents, teachers and friends.

First, I would like to thank our God Almighty for the gift of life and intelligence. Today will not be possible without His Divine guidance.

Second, thank you Papa Grin and Mama Bebilou. All these medals and certificates are for you. Without your love, support and encouragement, I would not be where I am now today.

To all my teachers, thank you. Your efforts in teaching us will never be forgotten. We started as larva when we enrolled in this school and you have transformed us into butterflies. The process of metamorphosis is not easy because it required rigorous work and sleepless nights. Thank you for letting me join different competitions in school and even up to the regional level. Joining Miss Intrams, MTAP, Science Quiz Bee, Da Math, Oratorical & Journalism contests have brought me to different places like Calubian, Leyte, Kananga, Albuera, Bato and Sogod. Thank you my dear teachers foo all those opportunities. Coupled with them are the memories deposited in our memory banks.

To all my classmates and friends, thank you. I would like to make special mention to JAMPCPJ - Judail, yours truly, Maryflor (even when you are in Cebu already), Chloe, Princess and Joecil. Thank you for the friendship and thank you for being at my side always. And to the rest of my classmates and friends, thank you for making my six years stay at Tabango Central School a meaningful one.

Steve Jobs said "You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future..."

Batch 2015, let us connect the dots from the past to the present and up to the future by continuing our studies. We all know that education is education is the passport of a better tomorrow. As the theme for this year states "Saktong Buhay: Sa De-Kalidad na edukasyon pinanday." If we want quality life, then let us get quality education.

GMA's StarStruck TV Program's theme says dream, believe, survive. Let us dream big. Let us believe in ourselves. Let's find ways to survive.

Batch 2015, let us take the challenge to be the best persons we can be. God bless us in our journey.

Causerie with Ernani

Causerie with Ernani By: May Reah Pasayloon-Carel

Excellent. Responsible. Natural. Abreast. Noble. Inspiring.

These are some words that may be attributed to this man. His name is based on the play Hernani by Victor Hugo. Just like in a play where one is given time to show on stage, he plays a protagonist in his own life story. He knows that every chapter counts. How he portrays his role spells the difference. Moreover, he also knows the value of time. Unlike in movies, a play does not have ‘take twos.’ Thus, when the spotlight is switched on, he does the best action he could ever do.

Not all persons use their time wisely but at an early age, he spent his time doing profitable work to make more money. He did art work from Grade 5 to 2nd year college. He worked as a tricycle driver when he was in 1st and 2nd year high school and as a factory worker when he was in 3rd year high school. He was asked to design the bulletin boards of his teacher and out of the excess art materials, he made personalized bookmarks. He charged one peso per letter so the longer the name is the bigger is his income. He did all those because since then he is self-driven. He unveiled that he wanted to buy things without asking money from his parents.

He also spends his time investing in others to build better relationships and creating high-quality memories. He sings love songs to his wife, lullabies to his children, and godly hymns for God. As a teacher, he serves as an innovative teacher who advocates technology integration in education. No wonder, he was able to climb the pedestal because he knows how to use his time profitably. He does not use time merely for his own sake, he uses it for the good of his family, his students, the community and for God’s glory.

This man is blessed with a golden voice, a golden heart, and a golden mind. He is one of the ten 2015 Metrobank Foundation Outstanding Teacher of the Philippines. He is Ernani S. Fernandez.

Reah Carel: What motivated you to be a teacher? Ernani Fernandez: I am inspired by my teachers to be one of them. I have seen how my teachers at Francisco P. Felix Memorial National High School in Cainta, Rizal applied the best strategies in teaching.

RC: What is your teaching philosophy? EF: My teaching philosophy is just the same with other teachers and that is to give quality education to my students. I am a product of a public school system and I’ve never been enrolled in a private school from elementary to college. But I am still very proud to be a product of public schools and a state university.

RC: How would you like to be remembered as a teacher? EF: I want to be remembered as the Innovative Teacher of Palo National High School because I am an advocate of technology integration in education.

RC: What was the greatest problem you faced as a teacher? EF: The greatest problem I encountered is the teachers who don’t like change. Even if you give them the facility materials and all the ideas for innovation they will still go back and look for possible problems instead of looking for solutions.

RC: What is the meaning of the Metrobank Outstanding Teacher Award for you? EF: This award gives me hope to my family, serves as an inspiration to my fellow teachers, and offers an opportunity to the community.

RC: There are teachers who also deserve recognition. What is your message for them? EF: The most important recognition is from out Almighty which is the blessings He always gives us. If you really have the passion in education, the qualities of being an outstanding teacher will come out. You also try to join the search. Be yourself. Be natural. Let God be the center of all your plans.

A Major Ingredient to be Resilient

Best Output during the Regional Campus Journalism Training for Division Mentors last July 29 to August 1, 2015 at Leyte National High School, Tacloban City


Mise en place!

That is the first instruction given by our instructor in Bread and Pastry Production. It rings a bell to my ears since how it is pronounced gives me a tingling effect.

At first, I thought it was ‘mess and plus’, Deep inside of me I also asked how these two words go together. Our teacher might have read my mind through my eyes because she got a piece of chalk and wrote on the board – MISE EN Place (French) which means prepare or put everything in order.

Aside from learning languages, cooking especially baking occupies a soft spot in my heart (and tummy of course!) That is why, when my fellow teachers told me they will undergo a special training for Bread and Pastry Production, I volunteered to join.

When our teacher said that our first project is a black forest cake, my heart leaped with joy. My mind has a picture of a black and white combination of the cake plus the chocolate chips that are all over it.

The reminder given by our teacher is simple. Prepare everything. It brought me back to the truth that there is no shortcut. If I want to have my output, I have to do step 1.

Mise en place. I have to prepare all necessary tools, equipment and ingredients. Then, it will be easy to do the next steps.

Even in baking, I am reminded about life. That is to take life in a step-by-step process. Most importantly, to be prepared for whatever surprises life may bring us.

Five balls of life

This was written by the CEO of Coca-Cola Brian G. Dyson.

Imagine life as a game in which you are juggling some five balls in the air.

You name them - Work - Family - Health - Friends - Spirit, and you're keeping all of these in the air.

You will soon understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. But the other four balls -- family, health, friends and spirit are made of glass. If you drop one of these, they will be irrevocably scuffed, marked, nicked, damaged or even shattered. They will never be the same. You must understand that and strive for balance in your life. How?

1. Don't undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.

2. Don't set your goals by what other people deem important. Only you know what is best for you.

3. Don't take for granted the things closest to your heart. Cling to them as you would your life, for without them, life is meaningless.

4. Don't let your life slip through your fingers by living in the past or for the future. By living your life one day at a time, you live ALL the days of your life.
5. Don't give up when you still have something to give. Nothing is really over until the moment you stop trying.

6. Don't be afraid to admit that you are less than perfect. It is this fragile thread that binds us together.

7. Don't be afraid to encounter risks It is by taking chances that we learn how to be brave.

8. Don't shut love out of your life by saying it's impossible to find. The quickest way to receive love is to give; the fastest way to lose love is to hold it too tightly; and the best way to keep love is to give it wings.

9. Don't run through life so fast that you forget not only where you've been, but also where you are going.

10. Don't forget that a person's greatest emotional need is to feel appreciated.

11. Don't be afraid to learn. Knowledge is weightless, a treasure you can always carry easily.

12. Don't use time or words carelessly. Neither can be retrieved.

Welcome Speech Sample

Colonel Dandridge Malone said and I quote "The very essence of leadership is its purpose. And the purpose of leadership is to accomplish task."

[Enumerate the guests] Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. We are delighted to have you here to participate and share in this Regional Supreme Student Government, Supreme Pupil Government, and Parents, Teachers' Association Forum. Thank you for coming. That many of you travel long distances serves to remind us all just how important our work is.

We are all honored to have all of you today. Your presence is an indication of your commitment as leaders in your school and community. For today's forum, prepare yourself to listen and to learn.

Ob behalf of ____________________, welcome. It's a pleasure to see so many of you here.

Leadership

John Xavier Valdez from Ateneo de Manila High School said and I quote “Leadership is not about power or charisma. It is not social class or distinction. It is not about job experience or education. It is something that transcends age, class, social distinction, gender, even the shape of one’s eyes. Leadership is about influence, nothing more, nothing less. Under this definition, every man, woman, child, in this nation of 90 million is a leader in his own right.

For most of us our concept of leadership is narrow. We are afraid to lead because once we assume the role we are expected to carry out the tasks given. We blame our local, provincial and even national leaders for the miseries that we are experiencing. Why? That’s because we don’t take the responsibility for our actions. Living in this world is not about who is to blame. Living here means being responsible for what we do and taking the consequences of our actions. Doing this is letting the leader within us come out.

We don’t have to stand on stage and use a pulpit so that we will be called a leader. We don’t have to be elected and sit on a designated office so that others will say that we are a leader. Certainly, positions are associated with leadership. But, have you ever noticed that words are not as powerful as actions?

For parents, have you noticed that your child says yes to what you say but actually follows what you do. An alcoholic father once told his son, “My son alcohol is bad for your health. Never indulge yourself with alcohol.” The son said yes. Few months after, the father was asked by the school head to come to her office. The father learned that his son was caught by the guard drinking alcohol with his barkadas. Sounds familiar? This is a common scenario in our town.

For teachers, have you noticed that students follow what you actually show in action? For instance, a teacher wondered why the students always follow her co-teacher. In her case, she always has a hard time of convincing students to pass their project on time. Why? The students were able to observe that this teacher comes to school late and submits requirements late too. Leadership then, is also associated with credibility. Words and actions should go together otherwise the disparity of the two would lead you to nothing.

For students, do you find it hard to convince your group mates to do tasks assigned to you? Let me share with you this actual circumstance. A class president of the last section of a junior class is a shy type person. Since she was chosen by her classmates to be the president, she finds it hard to tell her classmates on what they are supposed to do in their classroom. By and by, she comes to school early, puts her things on her chair, and starts cleaning the room. I told you she is shy thus, she doesn’t say anything. A classmate comes in, this classmate was able to see that their president is sweeping the room. The classmate gets a feather duster and cleans the jalousies. Two male classmates came and saw what’s going on. They got a pail and watered the plants. You see! Leadership is contagious if shown in action.
How many words do we waste then by saying we must do this and that. In the end, we find ourselves exhausted because we have been telling, reprimanding, or giving commands but nothing has ever happened. The question is, have we dared to start doing what we say?

In conclusion, let me borrow the words of Harold S. Geneen, “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.”

A blessed day to all of you!



9:16a.m.- 9:50a.m.

Reaching Your Dreams

"Dreams without labors are useless. Labors without dreams are worthless."

(Greetings… mention the important persons present in the affair)

Congratulations for being able to hurdle the challenges for the past years. Now, you are here to receive your diplomas. Four years ago, it was only a dream that you will be able to finish secondary education. Today is the fulfillment of that dream. However, today is not the end. It is only a beginning of another journey.

Now, I’ve got two questions for you to answer. What is your plan for your life in the future? What are the steps you will take to reach that dreamed-of life?

Many times we have big dreams but they remained as dreams because we have not done anything to reach it. Let me share with you the “eagle story”. Perhaps, you already have heard this before but didn’t just pay much attention on how this story is related to our life.

Here it goes… “Once upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs. One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nature and raise the large egg. One day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however, the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed he was nothing more than a chicken.

The eagle loved his home and family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game, on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh", the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds". The chickens roared with laughter, "You can not soar with those birds! you are a chicken and chickens do not soar".

The eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming that he could be with them. Each time, the eagle would let his dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done and that is what the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.”

The lesson of the story is this: You become what you believe you are. So if you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams not the words of a chicken.

At this time you might have asked yourself, what is the relationship of the eagle and my life? Well, you have dreams right? You want to be a teacher, a doctor, a lawyer, a nurse, a policeman, etc… but you know that financially your parents will not be able to support your needs to sustain your dream. Or, in other cases, your parents might be financially capable of supporting you but you have so many fears and you think you might not just be able to make it.

Mary Manin Morrissey said and I quote “You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.”

I already have given you the first tip to reach your dream. That is, face your fears. In other words, believe in yourself. Second, plan ahead. Think of the process to reach your goal. Third, visualize your steps before going to bed. Did you know when you sleep your brain doesn’t know the difference between reality and fiction? This explains why your dreams can feel so true. It also explains why a nightmare can feel so real. Fourth, strive, fight and stay positive. Your goal cannot be reached in a snap of a finger. Surely, there are obstacles that you will encounter. There will always be people who will work against you. Never be discourages. Just stay positive and focus on being a problem solver. Finally, pray. God is the source of everything. After all, no matter what you do, if God will not bless you, you will never be successful. I know you are familiar with this quote “Do your best and God will do the rest.”

I wish that you will be able to reach the ladder of success. Congratulations once again.



8:30a.m. – 9:00a.m.

Of Sowing and Reaping

Date Written: April 1, 2011
Time: 7:12a.m. - 7:32 a.m.

The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 9:6 "The Point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully." It is then very clear that in line with our Christian faith, there is a natural law of sowing and reaping. This law is as clear as the law of gravity. For example, if you plant a mango seed, you do not get an apple. You get a mango. This law applies to anything we do.

Dear students, at the start of the School Year, if you have planted diligence, perseverance and hard work and if you have sustained it, what you will reap are ribbons, medals and certificates. Most importantly, you will reap knowledge and you become a better you.

Today, it is evident that these students with honors are those who reap the fruits of their hard work. Congratulations not just to you but to your parents and teachers also.

Your parents, teachers and I are also very proud of you. For those who were not able to get any award this year, I am giving you the challenge to do better in the upcoming School Year.

Finally, I'd like to ask you these - What kind of fruits would you like to reap in the future? Why don't you start planting the seeds of those fruits today?

To the 2011 Graduates

By: May Reah Pasayloon-Carel
Written on 3/30/2011 at 10:15 A.M. to 11:30 A.M.

Time indeed flies so fast
that today you’ll graduate at last.

For four years of your high school life…
You did tasks with patience & sometimes with strife.
You’ve learned how to love, hate and forgive
classmates who are hard-headed,
schoolmates who seem not supportive,
teachers who have different initiative.

Between us are bitter-sweet memories…
English time might have been paradoxical
due to head-cracking activities
which are not all comical.

All those were for you
To be better and to grow,
To be somebody new:
Somebody who has gone out of the shell,
Somebody whose name may ring a bell,
Somebody whose future I can’t foretell.

You are like a germinating seed,
Lessons are your food and drink.
Just as gold needs refinery,
You too have to undergo the process efficaciously.

I wish that you will have…
happiness in your life’s journey,
wisdom in making a decision,
and courage coupled with energy
in facing travails you might not have known.

Yesterday may gradually bid adieu
But the lessons learned, hope wouldn’t be forgotten by you.

"The Christ Commission" by Og Mandino

I've scanned this book before but did not really take much interest in reading it until this week... What struck me is the question WAS THE RESURRECTION A HOAX? I really found myself engrossed in reading it. I wish I should not just have scanned it before :-)

Anyway here are the quotes I find valuable in this book:
"Truth can never hurt anyone, for it is the foundation of all knowledge and the cement of all societies." (Joseph) page 15

"Impossible is a word found only in the dictionary of fools." (Joseph) page 17

"So many of us must first fall into to darkest wells of despair before we learn to appreciate the sight of a single star." (Joseph) page 231

Love...

Love and Time

Eagles in a Storm

Did you know that an eagle knows when a storm is approaching long before it breaks?

The eagle will fly to some high spot and wait for the winds to come. When the storm hits, it sets its wings so that the wind will pick it up and lift it above the storm. While the storm rages below, the eagle is soaring above it.

The eagle does not escape the storm. It simply uses the storm to lift it higher. It rises on the winds that bring the storm.

When the storms of life come upon us - and all of us will experience them - we can rise above them by setting our minds and our belief toward God. The storms do not have to overcome us. We can allow God's power to lift us above them.

God enables us to ride the winds of the storm that bring sickness, tragedy, failure and disappointment in our lives. We can soar above the storm.

Remember, it is not the burdens of life that weigh us down, it is how we handle them.

Reference: http://www.indianchild.com/eagles_in_a_storm.htm

Love and Time

Once upon a time, in an island there lived all the feelings and emotions : Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to them that the island would sink! So all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.

Love wanted to hold out until the last possible moment.

When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask for help.

Richness was passing by Love in a boat. Love said,
"Richness, can you take me with you?"
Richness answered, "Sorry Love, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat and so there is no place here for you."

Love next asked Vanity who was also sailing by. Vanity was also ready with the same answer.
"I can't help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat," Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked, "Sadness, take me along with you."
"Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!", sadness said in a sullen voice.

Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so preoccupied with her happiness that she did not even hear when Love called her.

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It was an elder. An overjoyed Love jumped up into the boat and in the process forgot to ask where they were going. When they arrived at a dry land, the elder went her own way.

Realizing how much was owed to the elder, Love asked Knowledge another elder, "Who Helped me?"
"It was Time," Knowledge answered.
"Time?" thought Love. Then, as if reading the face of Love, Knowledge smiled and answered, "Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is."

Reference: http://www.kidsgen.com/short_stories/time_love.htm

GENEROSITY

Mahatma Gandhi went from city to city, village to village collecting funds for the Charkha Sangh. During one of his tours he addressed a meeting in Orissa. After his speech a poor old woman got up. She was bent with age, her hair was grey and her clothes were in tatters. The volunteers tried to stop her, but she fought her way to the place where Gandhiji was sitting. "I must see him," she insisted and going up to Gandhiji touched his feet. Then from the folds of her sari she brought out a copper coin and placed it at his feet. Gandhiji picked up the copper coin and put it away carefully. The Charkha Sangh funds were under the charge of Jamnalal Bajaj. He asked Gandhiji for the coin but Gandhiji refused. "I keep cheques worth thousands of rupees for the Charkha Sangh," Jamnalal Bajaj said laughingly "yet you won't trust me with a copper coin." "This copper coin is worth much more than those thousands," Gandhiji said. "If a man has several lakes and he gives away a thousand or two, it doesn't mean much. But this coin was perhaps all that the poor woman possessed. She gave me all she had. That was very generous of her. What a great sacrifice she made. That is why I value this copper coin more than a core of rupees."

The Window" (Author unknown)

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour a day to drain the fluids from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation. And every afternoon when the man in the bed next to the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window.

The man in the other bed would live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the outside world. The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man had said. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every color of the rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man could not hear the band, he could see it in his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head: Why should hehave all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed and he missed seeing more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and soon turned him sour. He began to brood and found himself unable to sleep. He should be by that window - and that thought now controlled his life.

Late one night, as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough. He was choking on the fluid in his lungs. The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from across the room, he never moved, never pushed his own button which would have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes, the coughing and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now, there was only silence--deathly silence.

The following morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths. When she found the lifeless body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital attendant to take it away--no words, no fuss. As soon as it seemed appropriate, the man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he would have the joy of seeing it all himself. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

Moral of the story:

The pursuit of happiness is a matter of choice...it is a positive attitude we consciously choose to express. It is not a gift that gets delivered to our doorstep each morning, nor does it come through the window. And I am certain that our circumstances are just a small part of what makes us joyful. If we wait for them to get just right, we will never find lasting joy.

The pursuit of happiness is an inward journey. Our minds are like programs, awaiting the code that will determine behaviors; like bank vaults awaiting our deposits. If we regularly deposit positive, encouraging, and uplifting thoughts, if we continue to bite our lips just before we begin to grumble and complain, if we shoot down that seemingly harmless negative thought as it germinates, we will find that there is much to rejoice about.