On the Wings of Friendship

     Many times in our lives, we experience pain. There are moments when the sky seems to be so dark and nothing could compare to the anguish that we are suffering. On such occasions we are left thinking and talking to ourselves almost to the point of madness-"What have I done wrong?" "What have I done to have deserved this?" ...We go on and on blaming ourselves until we go weary of analyzing and probing our hearts and souls still unable to swallow our pride, unable to forgive or erase our guilt or vanish the hurt. For a time solitude becomes our refuge that we build walls around us that allows no one to enter not even the closest to us. And then we realize like magic, waking up one morning that the problems in our lives are nothing compared to that of many out there…that the fact that we woke up is a sign that we have to go on and help in changing the world into a better place. What better thought to wake up to than the realization that there are people around us who are just a thought away, who would run as fast as they could to get to our side the moment we call out their name. They would do anything just to cheer us up from willingly listening to our nonsense to taking the blame, to looking ridiculous, to taking the risk to taking the leap for us if only to show us that we are loved and cared for and that nothing in this world is too heavy to be carried by that thing called "genuine FRIENDSHIP".....

Friendship makes each grey sky sparkle
each dark cloud turn into glitters
each dreary feeling to glee
and gives us wings to fly
across the most beautiful skies

Conversations With Roel

It was one of those early morning sweet conversations between mom and son; one which this mother's heart wants to save for my great grandchildren to read in the future. I woke up beside an eleven year old's boyish grin and childish murmurings.

Rays of the sun were slowly seeping in between the gapes of our curtains and birds were merrily chirping while our dogs barked at passersby.

A Friend

  In Loving Memory of My Good Friend- Rhodora

A friend is a blessing who deserves endless thanking.

One who faces with us our problems without complaining.

hopping happily, happily hoping

The other day I spent time watching a grasshopper while waiting for the sun to rise. Yes I did, yes I sat there, and disturbed its happy resting on those yellow-orange petals.

Change the World

     When was the last time you remember waiting for the sun to rise? Do you recall any moment in your life when waking up in the morning made your heart sing with gladness at simply seeing the sky?

A Tribute to the Men and Women Who Taught Me Right from Wrong

St. Michael Kindergarten School, where I learned my ABC

     
      
     

    “What is eight “8” (eight) multiplied by “9” (nine) class?” “Zen?” The lady, an apprentice teacher called out to a girl in a white printed shirt and blue pleated pants. The girl rose, feet shaking, palms sweaty and eyeballs rolling from one classmate to another waiting for someone to save her and whisper the answer. After a whole minute of fumbling with her skirt and fidgeting and wishing she had powers to go invisible she finally got the courage to say “ammm errrr ninety-two (92)?” in the softest voice. The practice teacher looked at her, face puzzled and caring and said in a sweet voice “I’m sorry Zen, that is not the right answer you may take your seat.” “Any other idea class?” Hands were hoisted into the air as kids shouted “Ma’am! Ma’am! Ma’am!” The girl who was fearful of numbers sat teary eyed and listened and promised to study harder.

    

Smile

A good heart always finds a reason to smile...

.•°`♥a generous soul passing by when the rest of the world seem

to have abandoned him in a corner.•°`♥

Cafe Iluminada

   
          I was looking at my fingers the other day. Like a kid I counted one to ten and backwards. Ten, nine, eight, seven down to one and asked myself "why in the world are you sad Zen?"...I could not exactly figure out why. I rolled my eyes to the direction of the ceiling and saw two lizards playing or so I thought. Their tails got entwined and then they fell off the roof driving me mad as I screamed and manuevered my heavy butt away from them. My previously sullen mood was replaced by joy as I heard the kids laughing at me and my irrational fright. Life is beautiful, that I believe and keep believing. The stress of daily living can take the toll on us and like most of you I take time to go out with friends whenever time and circumstances allow to watch the world go by, count our blessings together and reflect on life and our mission of spreading goodness and peace.

on Ducks and Parenthood

I've heard it many times from my cheerful folks that as long as one is alive there is always hope. 

Passing Happiness Around

     Today I saw another child who once again made me feel so contented and happy. She seemed to be chanting while walking along the shore barefooted in comfortable loose clothes with hair freely swaying with the wind.

 

     It was almost sunset and I was spending time at the surfing area with a good friend after visiting the wake of a high school batch mate's dad. As always stricken with grief at the news of someone traveling to the afterlife having experienced myself the pain of losing someone in this lifetime I was in a contemplative mood. I complained a lot about the sky not being royal blue this afternoon and my friend did not know whether to laugh at me or to scold me. I realized I was being unreasonable when my friend spotted this little girl who totally took my attention away from melancholy.