Ashes To Ashes
February 6, 2008
Everything will come to dust
The fiestas in the Spanish city of Valencia involve a curious ritual, which has its origins in the ancient community of carpenters there.
During the year, artisans and artists make gigantic wooden sculptures. In the week of the fiesta, these sculptures are placed in the middle of the main square. People look, pass comment, and feel amazed and moved at such creativity. Then on St Joseph’s day, all these works of art - apart from one - are burned on a huge bonfire, before thousands of onlookers.
‘All that work for nothing!’ said an Englishwoman at my side, while the vast flames rose up to the skies.
‘You too will come to an end one day,’ replied a Spanish woman. ‘Just imagine if an angel were to say to God then: “All that work for nothing.”’
From Paulo Coelho’s Blog
by Paulo Coelho
Today is the first day of Lent. As we are reminded on how fleeting our life could be, may we take every effort to make our life count. Not just by abstaining from sin, but in indulging in acts of charity. Our worth is not just in our achievements, but also with the people who holds us precious.
Age Gracefully
January 27, 2008
One thing about life that puzzles me is that why do people have to grow old? I mean, isn’t it a much better idea that when a person reaches 30, his body stops aging and remains as is until he reach his dying days?
It hurts to see that the important people in your life are now showing signs of health vulnerabilities that are worsened more by ones vices. I guess aging is inevitable but living a disciplined and healthy life isn’t. Check your lifestyle and assess the things you can do to live a healthier and fuller life.
Most Filipinos are blessed to live life together with their family up to their last breath. We never fail to give personal care to our elders. Only a handful spends their old days in a senior home care services. Make the most of your days. Live a healthy life, live a happy life. It is never too late to change. Make that change today.
Gigantic Life
January 9, 2008
Originally uploaded by Tata Qtr
It is fun to live life but to think about it is another thing. There is so much that we fail to understand.
Did life ever sent you a puzzle that you have still not figured out? Have you ever felt the need to soul search in order to realize your place in the world?
Have you ever felt minuscule against the greater scheme of things?
Washed Away
January 2, 2008
Originally uploaded by *MSM*
New year marks the start of just about anything. Just as I decided to change my blog theme from orange to blackish-gray, if we could, we time some major changes in our life for the new year.
As we turn the pages of our calendars, may we not turn our backs from the things that 2007 have taught us. Enjoy the good things and learn from the bad. For the lessons it taught us will aid us in deciding how to make a better tomorrow.
Let the hurts and failures be washed away and let the slates be clean. Today is a good day to start anew.
Christmas Rest
December 26, 2007
Originally uploaded by drumsnwhistles
I noticed that a lot of house in our neighborhood retired earlier than the previous years. Lights and videokes were already off around 6pm.
As I woke up on Christmas morning, I noticed that I’ve lost the excitement I had when I was a kid. Though I did enjoy preparing for my godchildren’s gifts, the magic of Christmas day was gone. If Santa’s sleigh is indeed powered by Christmas spirit, old Nick would have to take the bus.
I guess Christmas is indeed for kids and without any in our house, it has been like any other ordinary day. An ordinary day with LOTS of visitors.
Click Flick: The pug seemed to have been wearied by the Christmas rush. The picture’s almost sepia tone enhanced the dog’s expression and have highlighted the red Santa hat.
Illusions
December 19, 2007
Originally uploaded by guiarca
There is so much in life that is only there as an illusion. Distracting us from those that truly matters. Thinking it deeper, why do such illusions exist in the first place if all they do is mislead us? The answer is - I’m not sure.
Perhaps God somehow allowed it in order to know those with the heart to obey. Because He can only see those who are attentive when all the things in the world is screaming at the person and yet he still managed to hear His still small voice. For only His sheep will know His voice.
Click Flick: Nice blue sky and a good composition that took me some time to figure out what it is. I think a good photo is not all about hues and colors but also of composition. Composition that makes one pause to think.
Changing Signs
December 12, 2007
Originally uploaded by Aradan
Unlike some people I know, looking in to the bright side of things requires a lot of effort for me. Yes, it is safe to say that I’m a natural pessimist. But a person need not stay as he is. As we mature, we must cultivate a better us.
Stop counting your failures, stop dwelling on the negatives, shut your ears from people saying not so good things about you. Look within and know the real you. Let the truth sink in… you are loved.
Life is not something to be merely endured, it is to be experienced and lived.
Click Flick: I think the photo did a really nice interpretation of a changing outlook in life. The tone infers a sad feeling that matches the negative statements posted on the mirror and yet a single truth managed to give a spark of hope.
Fill Me In
December 5, 2007
Originally uploaded by redisred
Have you ever felt empty? Like there is a huge void in you that no amount of riches, fame, or success can ever fill. I did. I do.
I once read that the heart of man will forever remain restless until it finds its rest in God. I agree. God is not in hiding. In fact, He is continually inviting us all to enter in to His presence. Some accepts the invitation yet the feeling of emptiness remains. The question now is, “what are you hiding”?
Is there an issue that you are running away from fearing that the answer will not be the one you are expecting? You can cower away, but even that will not take the emptiness away.
This holiday season, may we all learn what we are looking for.
Click Flick: I love the way how the photo interpreted the emptiness that we sometimes go through. It showed what our words sometimes fail to express… my heart is void, I want meaning.
Merging Point
July 12, 2007
MR. LINDERMAN: You see, I think there comes a time when a man has to ask himself whether he wants a life of happiness or a life of meaning.
NATHAN: I’d like to have both.
MR. LINDERMAN: It can’t be done. Two very different paths. I mean, to be truly happy a man must live absolutely in the present, and with no thought of what’s gone before, and no thought of what lies ahead. But a life of meaning, a man is condemned to wallow in the past, and obsess about the future.
It’s Me!
March 30, 2004
There are times na parang there is a multiple you,
siguro malilito ka minsan kung sino ba ang tunay na ikaw,
o ikaw ba ang lahat ng iyon na pilit mo lang pinaghihiwalay.
