Omega

Don’t you hate endings? I have, actually. I feel dejected when my day ends. I feel sad every time my time with my love one ends, wishing I had more time with her. I feel impassive every time a year passes away. Every time a party ends, it’s kind of sad driving homebound. The end just makes me lonely for one reason or another. But that’s before. It’s different now. Sadness happens every time everything comes to an end because of how we make it, actually. We are the reason why dejection happens every time the sun sets. If we make the most of the trimester, course card distribution, which will technically end the period, wouldn't be scary. If we tried our best to work out a relationship, there will be no reason for us to really torment if it ends. If we live our lives in His way, we wouldn't be scared of dying, coz after all, we can be sure that we will meet Him and that is just the greatest thing that could ever happen to a person. Endings are not actually the worst part of a time, of someone, or of a relationship. It is there to say what enough is. It is there to cue when to stop and reflect. Endings are actually there to set us in motion, fresh to begin another phase. A year is about to end again. A trimester is about to end to some. A relationship maybe is about to end. Do you think you’re going to end it sadly? Or do you think a greater part of you is going to end it smiling, reminiscing those good things that have happened to you, thinking of the good things you’ve done, and reflecting all the good things you’ve learned, contented because you’ve done your best? Whatever our answers are, we still have time to end these present things in a better way and spend a new phase proud of what we have done and what we have become. Let’s spend our time in the most productive way. Let’s try to do things that will last and will be remembered by the people around us. Let’s be consistent in doing what’s good to our lover or just anyone around us even if they are doing the opposite. Let’s make them feel who they really are for us... and who we are. Let’s do the best we can every time on every thing, so we could face the ends without anxiety and have it smiling and proud.

I'm Superman... You Are?

Do you know Pope John Paul II? Of course you do. Who would not know the most loved Pope in the history of Christianity?! I don’t know with you, but, isn’t he so likable? He’s like someone who you really want to be your father. He’s like someone who would be a perfect friend. He’s like someone who would be a perfect mentor. He’s someone who, even if you really don’t know, you really feel like hugging. If you don’t feel the same way to him and if that’s Pope John Paul II for me, do you know someone who you see the same way? Have you thought of someone? If you have, I want to ask. Have you ever seen your peers or younger people the same way? Have you ever consider that one of them might just be like that great person? Perhaps your answer is yes. If that’s the case I admire you. Or, was it no? Why? Is it because you see them sinning every now and then? Don’t you think great persons commit sin too? Or is it because you just don’t want to accept that someone can be better than you, especially someone close to your age or even younger? Don’t you think it is possible that one of your peers is about to be that great person? I don’t mean to degrade any “great” person, saying that they may have been someone like our peers some time in the past. It’s the other way around. Our peers can really be great persons tomorrow. They shouldn’t be pulled down. There are many reasons why people pull others down. Some of the reasons are their being stubborn and having overbearing pride to change for their betterment. These are the persons who unconsciously or even consciously chose to be stagnant and so, to be the best, they pull people down instead of doing something to improve their selves. Sad isn’t it? And, do you know the saying; First impression lasts? I think most of those who believe and practice that saying, also, hinder people from being that great person that they can be. I think these people even make others think that changing for one’s betterment is bad. They make others have a false conception that changing, even for their betterment, is changing who they really are. This is just one of the reasons why many of the evil things in this world are just not decreasing. This is just one of the reasons why there are very few great persons in this world. We all want this world to be a better world right? Then let’s encourage our peers in changing to be better…let’s change ourselves, because, after all, the betterment of this world doesn’t depend on the trees or animals, but, it is up to us human beings. Let’s learn to accept that others can be better than us. It’s alright. Let’s see their good things at least equally with their bad things. Let’s make them feel that we appreciate the good things they do and in the same extent let’s make them feel that we don’t appreciate them every time they do evil things. Of course let’s do the same thing to ourselves every time we do something good or bad. Let’s be great persons, besides because, like what Spiderman’s aunt said, there’s a hero in every one of us… ;)… Let’s all be great persons, for the reason that we can.

Good Riddance

When I was in high school, and about to graduate, people and teachers were telling me and my batch mates that it’s different in college. They say that there are a lot of new experiences that we’ll encounter there. There are a lot of different people there. When I got to college, though warned, things still shocked me. Things were unimaginable and unimaginable things still come to me even now. Close friends backstab each other. Girls disparage their body and have unrighteous sex with lots of casual or unworthy persons. People, you thought are your friends, pull you down or use you. People are antagonistic to others who are actually just trying to be good. People choose the bad from good just to be accepted, or to be happy for a while. But you know what I think the worse is? The worse is we accept these things! A lot of us choose to be nonchalant about these issues. We even get to have the foolishness to find reasons to get along with these things. Guys, we must find reasons to stop these things, not the other way around. Or, if you think you can’t do anything anymore, at least get away, instead of tolerating bad things to happen. I remember Atty. Evidente, my attorney professor, who shouted and was scolding one of my classmates who cheated with his assignment. Such berate was quite questionable for me until the professor told us his side. He said that he is working for a senator and he just sees a lot of extremely bad things there in the government. He then told us that he really hates the behavior of the student he scolded, ‘coz in such small behavior the “extremely bad” things arise. After the class and even now the moment makes me smile, thankful that such professor exists. But then again, we don’t need to have professor like Atty. Evidente to change us. We don’t have to be professors to help stop bad things from happening. We just have to focus on ourselves and what God is telling us and not focus on our own understanding. Let us live for Him, not for the people around us. Don’t live in purpose to be happy, but live in purpose to be happy with Him. Let us strive to be accepted in the place He has for us, not strive to be accepted by people around us. Besides, in striving to be accepted in God’s place, you get to see who really accepts you...even bring forth people who will really value you. It is not easy. It really isn’t. Nevertheless, we can always find reason and strength every time we falter. Just go back to the “reason” why you are trying to stop bad things… to the “reason” why you are trying to do good. To end this article, I’d like to share the sermon I heard last Sunday that helps all of us in doing what’s good and not tolerating what’s bad. Fr. Nilo Mangusad, vice rector of Our Lady of EDSA Shrine, started asking who among us prays before his meal in a public place, like in a mall. A lot chuckled. He said that we, at times, find it hard to do good things. At times, we find it hard to practice His words. This is mainly because of fear: fear of what others might say; fear of rejection, maybe; fear of all sort of things. We must all strengthen our relationship with the Lord, he said. And so, after all, what else can we be afraid of if we are strong with the Lord.

Child-Parent Relationship

I had a small talk before in one of my classes in college and I just saw it again in my tinkering moment with my computer. The talk was kind of special and memorable to me that’s why I kept the draft file in my computer. Why was it memorable? Well, I’m in a noisy class back then and the class just keeps on talking and doing some noise while the speakers do their talk. But that’s until I got to have my turn. I started my talk and after a while they were suddenly quiet and listening. After my turn, they applauded. For some reason they were nodding and even smiling. It was a moment actually. Well, here it is. This is just a draft but I think it’s quite concise. I hope I’ll be able to share something to you with this one. I hope I’ll be able to make you smile too. : )



Child to Parent Relationship

There are stages a person goes through in viewing and understanding his parents. A person doesn’t have the same way of thinking from the time he was born ‘til he becomes an adult. As he grows older, his way of thinking changes… his way of viewing his parents, changes.

Everybody has a different way of thinking and undergoes changes in different times in regard to how they see their parents. Let me share mine. I’m 19 years old now and I would say I had 5 stages. The first stage was when I was born ‘til I became 6. I see my mother and father in this stage as perfect parents. They give me food; they buy me toys; they work hard and so on. Things like which are all what I see from them. I can even recall the time when I said to my twin brother: “Ang perfect nila Mama and Papa noh?! ‘La silang mali. Alam nila lahat ng tama.” The second stage was in the ages 7-12. I still consider them as perfect parents but with some doubts and questions in my mind. Why aren’t they allowing me to go to the mall when my friends are allowed by their parents? Why are they always scolding me? The third stage was so different from the previous stages. In ages 13 to 17, my view on my parents dramatically had changed from perfect to so imperfect parents. I’ve learnt to compare my family with other family. I’ve learnt to reflect on what they have been doing to me since my childhood. I’ve learnt to have conviction or, should I say, pride on what I believe in. In learning these things, I began to feel some discontentment about my family and our relationship with each other. I began to see every little wrong thing my parent does. It was like the more things I learn in having a good family and being good parents, the more I feel that anger and sadness about my parents thinking that they’ve done very few things for me to consider them as good parents. The questions in my mind tripled. Why do they say they are right when I feel that they’re so wrong? Why can’t I hear anything from them but negative things about me? Why is each one of us not close to each other? Why do I feel alone in our house? My doubt on their way of disciplining me was very evident. I raised my voice at them. I tried everything with my friends. I was always out of the house. They are so wrong and that’s all I know. The fourth stage was when I was 18 years old. I didn’t know that I could see my parents so bad. This is the stage where I described our house as a dormitory where I only eat and sleep and my parents as ATM’s who just gave me money. I was always out of our house. I always sleep-over in the house of my friends and sometimes in my girlfriend’s place. It was like either I go home so late at night or not go home at all. I even had weeks that I didn’t get to see my parents. I only got to see them whenever I remind them of my allowance. I ignore them. This was the time I have experienced so many difficult problems. No one was backing me up. My anger grew even more. Why aren’t they supporting me? Aren’t they supposed to back me up even if I’m bad? Why do I feel so bad about them? Why can’t I see any closeness or any bond between the members of our family? Why do I feel so alone? If I have a family, then why is there no one who is with me now? The last stage was when I broke up with my ex-girlfriend about a month and a half ago until now. Losing someone I even thought of marrying makes me feel so hurt that I feel like I couldn’t take any more pain. That was when I tried to change my way of thinking. I changed my way of dealing on what my parents are doing be it good or bad. I still know how to tell my parents my side on things but with a considering mind that I can be wrong. I tried to think more of the good things my parents are doing than that of the bad things. If there’s a chance I feel like they’re again being unfair with me, I think and understand them. If they can’t change their bad attitude even if I have done things already for them to realize they’re wrong, then I will just understand them, but remembering the effect it had brought me and keeping in mind that I’ll not do this thing to my future children. They are still might not be perfect for me but now I appreciate them more. I’m more contented and even thankful for having them.

We all had different stages but there’s one thing that is common with us all. Each of us has a choice whether to go to a stage or not. If you want to tell yourself that your dad is such an asshole or your mom is such a bitch, it is your choice. If you’ll just keep on thinking that your family is so ruined and be sad, it is your choice. If you’ll just let yourself accept and understand those bad things within your family in the best way you could and focus more on the good things they have, you have a choice. It is just a matter of what you will put into your mind. It is just a matter of thinking what may happen if you will go through a stage. Isn’t it better if you just think more on the good things your experience has brought you or your parents have done than that of the bad things? Isn’t it better to just do good things? I think it is.

Changing

A lot of people would say changing themselves is really difficult. They would say stuff like they are old enough to do so; they are who they are and it's best to keep it that way; they believe that you just can't change who you really are; they say they are comfortable being who they are in the present; they say that you're just fooling yourself if you try to be something that you are not; etc. With these reasons they then opt to not change. Honestly, I find this attitude really sad. These are the attitudes that just make our world a mess. Ok, I would understand if the change is for bad. Of course, changing for bad is against every person’s nature of being good and since it would just provide something bad, no one likes that and definitely we should not change for that. But in changing for good or for ones betterment, I think that is just not the right attitude. This is understandable... Yes, of course it is. It's understandable to have that kind of attitude about changing for good sometimes but only at first when we haven't thought of it deep enough. In changing, at first, you'll feel that stubborn feeling but not because you are trying to be someone you are not. It also doesn't mean you can't change that attitude 'coz that's what you are and you just can't change what you are. The reason for this is that you just got used to that trait and consciously or unconsciously, you've let it grow in you, and eventually you get to be satisfied with it thus letting it go becomes seemingly hard. Yes, it just seems hard. It's really easy if we just think deep enough and right enough about it. If you'll ask me, I do have my own way but I think it doesn't work for everybody. But basically it's simply about weighing all the necessary things, knowing what hinders you, thinking far, and thinking with God in mind. Changing is great and I think it's one of the best things we can do with our God-given-privilege of having free will. I believe we should make the most of it. It is just a matter of choice. Let's choose to make this world a better place to be. Let's have a passion in changing for our betterment and let's make Him smile.

To Those Who Are Backstabbed

I really can't understand why there are lots of people that no matter how good you are to them and no matter how giving you are to them, they still tend to backstab you... they still tend to pull you down... they still pretend to be your friend. I wonder why they are like that when even to the people who have done you some mistake shouldn't be treated wrongfully. Is it really a sad fact of life that everyone goes through every now and then? I'm beginning to realize that it is. I wonder how those people think... How can they possibly act badly to someone who is only trying to be good to them or haven't done anything bad to them... oh well, maybe we just need to be thankful... maybe we just need to ask Him to help us be thankful instead... well, be thankful 'coz in times we meet people like this, we are able to practice our principles that in such a way we get to be a better person... be thankful 'coz we get to have a chance to see what's right from wrong... let's just be thankful and be proud of ourselves 'coz it is us who are treated like this, it is not us who are treating others like this... :)

Seeing Others' Difference

All of us once and again question people's personality or attitude... may it be something bad, weird or just anything contrast to our own... this doubt then prompt us to get mad, be hurt or even do something bad... which is wrong... we all have weaknesses, flaws, and differences with others that have cropped up from that very moment those two cells met 'til the time we see that unlikeliness... if it is easy for us to see and accept those improbable things that we do, why isn't it easy to do the same thing with others? we all have our own disparities and so are all others... to judge them wouldn't make any thing easier... to lose hope wouldn't do any good... we just got to understand and see those things in a right way... we have to understand that everyone have his own disposition that makes him different from others... we should see those things as "natural" things but not "normal" if it is something bad (of course, if it’s evil in character, we should not tolerate it)… we must see those things as an opportunity to do something good for others... Life is indeed short, as they say... and we have to take every opportunity to do something good in preparation for the next life He has for us. :)

Whims

when you feel that id in yourself, it is really tempting to do what it urges you to do... maybe that's why sometimes, or some even say that most of the time, it is good to go with the flow... yeah, it really feels good to do what you feel like doing now... of course it is... but come to think of it... it just gives you temporary happiness, right? I mean, if you just base your actions with the whims of life, you'll probably be like those people who are living spontaneously always looking for shallow things like sex, drugs or flings... I don't know, but isn't it sad? They wake up in the afternoon, take drugs with friends, have sex with someone they don't really love, go home wasted, sleep, wake up again in the afternoon... and the never ending strive to find temporary happiness goes on and on... for me it's sad... isn't it better to plan our lives or even have a goal? in this way we can be able to distinguish the things that bring us temporary happiness from the things that bring us joy... we'll be able to keep ourselves away from doing shallow things even those like getting revenge on somebody by doing something bad to him or insulting somebody with a reason you really didn't know or you didn't even think of... in this way we'll be able to do more significant things in life that will bring us joy that really lasts... so, is it better to plan our lives and have a goal? I think it is... :)

You're the Sum of Your Decisions

I have known a lot of people that would say that past isn't important anymore in the present. They would say past is past. They believe that it shouldn't be even talked about. At first I thought I understand them and it’s just a coincidence that many of them have really done weird things and have personality problems. But then again, as I come to think of it more, I have realized that past really matters. I'm not saying that people should still deal with it as if it is still happening but I think it should, at least, be honestly told especially to a lover. Why? Well, I think it's because we are responsible for almost all of the things that we've been through. Many things in our lives wouldn't have happened if they weren't because of our decisions. And I think every decision that we make reflects our personality. And to a person who is for a long-lasting relationship, the personality of a girl really matters. If someone has done something really weird/bad in the past doesn't state that she is a bad girl but it does give an idea... an idea that can really be very helpful. It can prepare someone for the things that may come as a trial in the future; It can end a wrong relationship before both lovers be so in love with each other; and so on. Many say if you love a person, her past wouldn't be important anymore and that loving is accepting all that a person is. I think I agree on that, but I think loving someone is also being completely considerate on the other person. And if you're really considerate you'll make sure if you're really for this girl. You'll try to know what you can find out about this girl and if you think you can deal with the things you found out, then that's the time you commit yourself and vice versa. :)

In My Life I Have Learned

In my life, I have learned....

that to be happy is a choice... you have to know how to see things... even the hardest fall can be a wonderful experience

that being wrong doesn't make you a less person... it just tells you what's right and that you can be a better person

that sometimes you can't change someone by forcing her to be so... or by nagging her... you just gotta love her and the change will come within her

that communication is one of the most important thing in a relationship... and to communicate well, you gotta know how to listen, you gotta have a good purpose, you gotta know you can be wrong

that if you loose someone it's better to look at her not as a personality but as a soul who chose to be with you for some time... if a soul is done, it goes... be thankful that for once it came to you

that no relationship would work without God in the middle of it

that you shouldn't judge people or even assume things... better seek first to understand and then be understood

that people need God