Developing Strength

I used to think that with the right willpower, everything is possible... but this year, I realized that it's not always the case... Although you may develop your strength by fighting back, but in some cases you develop it by embracing defeat.

Washing The Face Off

Whether we admit it or not, the way we present ourselves to this world is dependent as to whom we're interacting with. Of course, we tend to flaunt a much prim behavior in the presence of authority or when situation deems flirtation is necessary. Both men and women wear this "makeup" during the first interactions. Indeed, the passion to impress is innate in humans. But to wear that impressive mask may be tiring at some point.

When a relationship reaches a certain comfort level, the previously repressed persona becomes more apparent. For some, the significance of the difference is so drastic, hence the reason why we usually hear some people utter the phrase, "You've changed."

People changing may not always be the case. More often than not, that's the real them. You weren't just able to notice that before because they were wearing a mask... and come to think of it, it's also possible that your own mask partially blocked your view.

Constant Companion

I love the security that companionship brings. Nothing compares to the joy of being with those people you love like family, friends and colleagues. But nevertheless, it's inevitable reality that people in our lives come and go... even family.

In our lifetime, our one constant companion is actually no other than ourselves. Therefore, more than anything else, one of the most important relationships we need to develop and cherish is that relationship with "self".

Last Day

Always treat a day as if it's your last day. Before you let go of an opportunity, think of the possibility that there might be no next times.

Letter to Cupid

Dear Cupid,

I hope these two things are not too much to ask:

(1) Get your eyes checked
(2) Practice your aim

Thanks.

Dont' Get Left Behind

People who opt to dwell in the past and not move on usually gets left behind.

Slicing the Pie

Living life is always 100%... although learn to accept that nothing will be divided in equal proportion. Finding the perfect balance is so hard to achieve that some looks at it as an almost impossible mission. But come to think of it, you can always tweak the ratios of your priorities. So it’s just a matter of how creative you are in slicing the pie.

You Won't Necessarily Get What You See...

Do not believe everything you see, for you may find yourself trapped in the fallacy of your own perception... whatever their depth, not a single ocean is really blue.

Keeping My Sanity from Friday to Saturday

On a typical Friday, I’m out with my friends: it’s like my way of “keeping my sanity intact”. Depending on what my friends feel like doing, I would either have coffee or dinner… or grab some booze and enjoy the heat of the dance floor. My friends know how to party and we usually finish Saturday early morning. Thankfully, my parents don’t mind it. They understand that my Fridays are mine and whenever I’m lucky, I also get Saturday and Sunday nights as bonus, too. Well for them it’s OK, as long as I fulfill my motherly obligations… so what more can I ask for? ;)
But some Fridays, just like today, is different. I went home early.

I was supposed to be in a Girl’s Night Out after my team’s dinner, but then a lot of the girls handed over their rain checks earlier this day. Normally, I would ask my other friends where they are so I could kind of tag along with them. But because I was dragging three bags with me, including a laptop… I told myself, forget it. I’m heading home.

I checked the clock when I got home… t’was an hour before midnight. That’s uncommon… very much uncommon pour moi.

I already felt a bit sleepy awhile ago, so I started with my evening rituals…inside my bedroom, I unraveled my messy bun and ran my fingers through the locks; for a few seconds, I allowed myself to be enamored by the sweet curls that the bun has set. I then went to my dresser and grabbed a tube of serum: I like it better compared to moisturizers because I find it less oily. I traced the serum unto my face and enjoyed how its coolness caressed my skin.

I went out of my bedroom. All corners of our house were silent as I was the only one awake.

I peeked inside my parents’ room; my kids would usually sleep there because my room doesn’t have an A/C. The kids are sound asleep… Andy was literally sleeping on the naked floor, leaving the futon abandoned. Raisha was all curled up inside the comforter, probably feeling cold again.

I went to the kitchen and grabbed a pack of M&Ms. I also grabbed a bagel and a small banana. I’m all set for my midnight snack.

Before heading back to my room, I passed by our library and grabbed a book to read. I’ve decided to read Paulo Coelho’s “By The River Piedra, I Sat Down And Wept” over again. I love this book so much. It has its certain depth that will make you reflect. Paulo is a very impressive author, I think I got all his books but I’m more inclined to reading his works related to love. I’m a hopeless romantic after all.

Also in our library, is my favorite corner: my computer area. Hence, I decided to turn it on and compose a blog, just to make sure I don’t suffer from another writer’s block.

In a jiffy, I’ll be going back to my room and read a book until I fall asleep… Tonight (or should I say this Saturday morning?), that’s how I’m going to keep my sanity intact.

Time and Too Much of It

Taking your time to think before doing something may be a good idea... but taking too much of your time is a whole different story...

Sweetness and delectability can be attained by waiting for a raw fruit to ripen... but not consuming it once ripe merely exposes it to rotting.

A Thread of Goodbyes

When you treasure someone so much, it’s really hard to part ways with them. It’s hard to say goodbye to the people you hold dear. It’s hard to say goodbye if you have learned to treasure their presence. But sometimes, life compels us to let go of them… even if we’re not ready. It’s quite heartbreaking, but it has to be done.

The second half of this year has let me witnessed a series of goodbyes.

In tears, I gave these people probably one of my warmest embrace, knowing that it may take a while before I can do so again. Every once in a while, when I remember them, I still feel a pinch of loneliness… how I wish that they’re still within my arms reach. When I see things that remind me of them, I suddenly feel a film nostalgic breeze.

I remember those moments when they officially said goodbye… when they said that they have to go… Helplessly, I cried… and cried… and cried. These people were like second parents to me. Some of them I treat almost like brothers and sisters.

When I find myself remembering how they broke to me the news, I can’t help not to ask myself… ‘Why am I always the one who is left behind?’

I know it’s not exactly goodbye because time will come, I will see them again… but this is for sure, I will forever treasure the moments I shared with them... I'm going to miss them… so much.

I know things will no longer be the same again, but they will always have a special place in my heart.

Love vs. Zombies

Ang pag-ibig ay parang Plants VS. Zombies: Kahit anong pambabakod ang gawin mo, mga mga asungot pa ring sisirain ang diskarte mo. At pag dumating ang puntong wala ka nang bala o pangharang, lalamunin ka nang buhay habang wala kang kalaban-laban.

"Love is like the game, Plants vs. Zombies: No matter how much you try to make your defense sturdy, there would still be some who will attempt to ruin your strategy. And when it comes to the point that you have ran out of defense, they would consume you alive while you lay helpless."

How to Treat A Woman

I read this from somewhere and thought of sharing it with you...

"You may not be her first, her last, or her only. She loved before she may love again. But if she loves you now, what else matters?

She's not perfect - you aren't either, and the two of you may never be perfect together but if she can make you laugh, cause you to think twice, and admit to being human and making mistakes, hold ...onto her and give her the most you can.

She may not be thinking about you every second of the day, but she will give you a part of her that she knows you can break - her heart. So don't hurt her, don't change her, don't analyze and don't expect more than she can give.

Smile when she makes you happy, let her know when she makes you mad, and miss her when she's not there."

True Form of Love

“Love should prevail among all things, that’s what they say.

But in most failed relationships, love may have been there at first, but it faded with time… fear prevailed… pride prevailed.

People fail to give love a chance out of fear of getting hurt or hurting someone. But come to think of it, the choice of not falling in love also brings the possibility of someone getting hurt.

Why fear getting hurt? The pain is a reminder that loving is a sacrifice. Granted that at some point it may bring us pain… granted at some point love will stab our hearts with devastation and grief; only if we find courage to give it a chance, the same love will ignite our dying feelings and rekindle it with ultimate bliss.

Silence, to some extent, is the voice of pride. We choose not to say things assuming that our feelings are not mutually shared. We choose not to say anything at all. We always expect something in return, that when there’s a risk of leaving empty handed, we give up the fight altogether. It’s like wanting to win the lottery, but opting not to bet because the chance is slim.

Loving someone is a risk worth taking. We may not be loved back, at least we made that someone feel loved.

It’s quite sad how loving someone is seen as a weakness… It’s quite unfortunate how some people see falling in love as vulnerability. Love is one of the most powerful emotions that a human being can experience.

Love is not a weakness.

Love overcomes the fear of getting hurt. It is courage.

Love accepts and continues loving even if the feelings are not mutual. It is humility.

Love is not vulnerability. Love is strength.

Chains

It’s so hard to express what you feel when you think that some things are better off unrevealed… unspoken words are chains that bind us. And from these chains, sometimes it's so hard to break free...

It is only when we free ourselves from these chains... only then that we can say that freedom is in our hands.