Reminders to self

And in times when that seems excessively difficult, watch this:






If that still doesn't inspire a shift to the proper perspective, try a little music that calms the soul. After all, someone did say that classical music can bring one closer to God, presumably because it inspires contemplation. How can one contemplate life's essentials and not arrive at the Author of Life?






If it happens to be a bad day, and being a dark cloud seems more appealing, just look at this:

Beyond the mirror

My mother and I cast our votes for the mid-term elections days ago. She was done ahead of me, and when I walked over to where she was conversing with an amiable-looking elderly couple, she mentioned that the gentleman knew my dad. I'm always delighted when I meet old friends and colleagues of my parents, especially those who knew them from childhood and have funny stories to share.

"You look like your father," the gentleman quietly remarked, smiling.

Hearing this always gives me a kind of reassurance that I don't really understand. I'm already aware that I resemble my father. Still, hearing other people say it -- especially after he died -- strikes a special chord in me each time.

There was even a time in which someone -- who it was what the circumstances were escape me now -- told me, "You really are your father's daughter." The sentiment was not one of disappointment but something definitely positive, and so how can one not be pleased by such an observation? Is affirmation the accurate word? It's somewhat like that expression about the nail that sealed the coffin shut, only the opposite sentiment. I hope that makes sense. Anyway, to anyone who feels the same way about being told she is so much like her mom or dad -- and her response is one of delight -- this would probably make perfect sense.

Pleasing though it is to be told of such a reassuring comparison, I can think of something that can send one soaring to new heights. Merely thinking about it already gives me the heebeejeebees (in a good way).

I hope in some way, though it seems an impossibility, I could experience being told, "You really are your Father's daughter," referring not to an earthly father but to the heavenly one. I wonder how that would feel!

Of grateful hearts and long-time allies

On May 13 -- that's less than two weeks from the time I'm writing this -- Filipinos will troop to the poll centers to elect their national and local leaders. That things have become more heated than I expected is an understatement. But today there is reason to be elated, for an invitation to set aside differences and to unite as a truly pro-life force has been extended. Now would anyone with authentically life-affirming aspirations for the nation and its people brush aside such a unifying invitation? It is much like a neon sign that flashes "hope".

Atty. Marwil Llasos, a senatorial candidate running under the Ang Kapatiran Party, expressed his call for unity days after accepting an endorsement by the White Vote Movement (WVM). In the message he wrote on his blog, it was apparent that a servant's heart and a general docility were at work, thereby his expressing gratitude for the endorsement and extending the invitation for all working for the cause of life to "put aside for the moment whatever little differences we have and focus instead on the remaining days of the campaign."

Llasos also said that he did not actively seek the WVM endorsement "simply because I do not really actively seek the endorsement of any group. I respect the freedom of the discernment process of each group."

"Contrary to the inaccurate and confusing reports," he added, "I am not declining the WVM [endorsement]. I owe it to my supporters and to the causes that I espouse to accept the endorsement of WVM with a grateful heart."

Read his entire message here

While the lawyer demonstrated hints of statesmanship and a quiet docility even before his candidacy sees fruition, others who have spent years in the political arena are also busy making the rounds of the campaign trail. Among them is former Congresswoman Mitos Magsaysay, who had been Zambales Representative for several terms and was quite involved in formulating legislative measures and working with the rest of the pro-life solons for legislation promoting respect for life, family, and women's welfare, among other vital issues.

Notwithstanding her participation in several public debates on the controversial Reproductive Health bill, she made sure she empowered school- and community-based audiences by speaking to them about the folly of the measure. I was fortunate to attend several of such speaking engagements, in which part of her message was often the fact that the citizens are stakeholders in the matter and have every right to influence the direction of legislation. "May karapatan kayong makialam," was among the reminders she would tell the people.

Personally, I am reassured by the presence of Mitos Magsaysay in the legislature because while many other government officials (current and aspiring) claim to be pro-women, it is in her that I find an authentic concern for women. She is one of the authors of the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) -- signed into law in 2009 -- and has repeatedly called on government to do what must be done for the measure to be implemented. Further, she acknowledges the shortcomings of the government when it comes to implementation of laws.

Here's an excerpt from an article about one of the senatorial candidate's talks given in 2011:

“Marami pong nagbubuntis sa distrito ko pero hindi ko sila kailangang bigyan ng contraceptives. They undergo tests, are examined by doctors just to make sure that theirs will be safe pregnancies,” she related, adding that vitamins and other nutritional supplements are provided to pregnant women by her office for free; smooth transactions at the hospital come delivery time are also ensured via PhilHealth cards also provided to the women by the solon’s office.

The congresswoman from Zambales likewise mentioned procuring necessary medical equipment for the health centers in her district as part of the program.

“That’s where good governance comes into play…kasi kapag hindi mo inilaan sa tamang programa ang pondo mo, kahit na ano pang batas ang gagawin natin sa Kongreso, hindi din po ‘yan magiging successful. Wala silang magagawa sa implementation,” the solon said.

Read the whole thing here

Another ally that has for years been in the crusade to keep pro-life legislation alive is Buhay Party list, that which has seen solons such as Rene Velarde, Michael Velarde, Carissa Coscolluela, Hans Christian Seneres and Irwin Tieng representing it. It was organized in 1999 by then-Manila mayor Lito Atienza -- himself one of the partylist's nominees for this term -- and Mel Robles, after which the two sought out El Shaddai servant leader Mike Velarde and requested him to lead the Buhay party list advocacy.

I only recently learned of the party list's record in the elections through the years since 2001, when it first won two seats in the House of Representatives: in the 2001 elections it ranked 12th; in 2004 it ranked 4th; in 2007 it was the number 1 party list! In the 2010 elections it placed 3rd. 

Through the years Buhay has been making sure that anti-life legislation is kept at bay, and the sanctity of human life is upheld, the rights of individuals are respected, that care for the elderly, the sick and disabled are given due attention so that laws are responsive to their needs, too. "Maka-Diyos, maka-tao, maka-kalikasan, maka-bansa," it says on the brochure I have which details the party list's principles and programs of government. 

What bills/laws have the party list filed and passed in the past Congresses? Find out here

When it's people and groups like these working together to uphold a culture of life by way of legislation and governance, I see words like "hope," "success" and "thank God" flashing in neon signs. There is definitely hope for our nation, no matter how long and arduous the path will be!

A reminder amid conflict

For control freaks, this would be a helpful reminder. Better yet, print it out and post where it can be seen everyday :-)

Falling plates

Bouncing back

I never really thought much about pillows till I saw those amazing ones at a dainty bed and breakfast. Seconds after I lifted my head from the one on my bed, I watched as the part where my head lay the entire night slowly rose, bringing the pillow back to its original fluffy shape. I had never seen anything like it, and I later learned that the owner of the place was a collector of sorts -- explaining the exquisite pieces of furniture and the impeccable bed linen all over.

Now wouldn't it be wonderful if the human heart were just like that pillow, going back to its original shape a few moments after every time it got dented out of shape? Bouncing back quickly after being broken in some way to its pre-hurt condition?

Someone I know got her feelings hurt recently by one of her friends, and she still can't bring herself to forgive. She knows that forgiving is going to set her free from that pain, but she also learns from the past. Several times she had too swiftly -- but to me a bit unnaturally -- hurdled heartbreak (heartbreak in general, that which involves different kinds of relationships), moving on quickly because she thought it was the mature thing to do. It was an attempt at outright detachment, but how do you process pain if you disengage right away and throw it out without a thought?

I think this time she knows better than to deal with hurt in the same way again. No more rushing to "forgive and forget" when she has hardly contemplated on "what does not kill you makes you stronger" or "you can't flash the peace sign with a clenched fist" (I made up that second one).

Then, she heard the following lines from a movie, words told by a dad to his teenage daughter who is grappling with the sudden death of a friend and at the same time holding a grudge against her older sister, who is also grieving the death:

"You got a right to grieve, you got a right  to be hurt. But if you get so wrapped up in your own pain that you can't see anyone else's, you might just as well dig yourself a hole and pull the dirt in on top of you because you're never going to be much use to yourself, or anyone else."

Well, we all get wrapped up in our disappointments and pains, don't we? And it's a pity when it makes us blind -- or callous -- to the struggles of other people. I'd say that around this time -- these days of the year -- would be a good time for anyone to look around so as not to miss out on just what others are going through or have offered or have put up with. For even if one felt like

or...

or...

one man willingly went through the same thing, plus mockery, betrayal, public ridicule and much, much more.

Fast forward