Friday, January 28, 2005
... that there is always a story behind people's quirks, and it pays to listen before passing judgment.
... how to choose my battles. Not everything is worth fighting for.
... that patience has its limits, and that relieving yourself of negativity is the best thing you can do for your sanity.
... that it pays to be nice.
... that it is a good thing to never burn bridges.
... that character counts.
... that it is not so much what your past did to you, but how you choose to deal with the present.
... that although beauty is only skin deep, it pays to look good anyway.
... that offensive people never win.
... that no matter how many times life kicks you in the shins, it is still worth living.
Sunday, January 23, 2005
There is no such thing as unconditional love, at least at this point, I don't think there is. There is no excuse for extreme rudeness and wretchedness, family ties or no family ties.
***
When you are ugly inside, it will definitely seep outside.
***
When your personality is made up of cut-up-and-pasted versions of other people's personalities (the kind of coffee you like, the music you listen to, the books you read, etc.), it will be very difficult to take you seriously. A little soul searching will help a lot.
***
You are your truest self when you are with your family. If what you show them and what you show other people are worlds apart, then you are one big fake. Also, it pays to know your place in the hierarchy. And no matter what you say, it pays to be nice. There is no excuse for disrespect. You will not get away with crossing paths with everyone.
***
Humility takes a whole lot more courage than pride. Pride is a coward's game.
My friends tell me that I am too patient. I think I have just crossed the line, and what comes up must come down. I choose my battles, and this is full-on war. Let's see who ends up waving the white flag.
Saturday, January 22, 2005
One morning, not too long ago, I had to go to Meralco to pay our electric bill. I hopped on a cab, told the driver where to go, stared out the window, not really paying attention to anything we passed by. My thoughts drifted to work...
"Nakarinig na po ba kayo ng tungkol sa kaligtasan?"
I was jolted back to reality by the voice from inside the vehicle. "Huh?"
The cab driver looked at me from the rearview mirror. "Kaligtasan po. Malapit na po ang end of the world. Nagshe-share lang po ako ng mga aral sa lahat ng mga pasahero ko."
I was barely awake, and therefore not in the mood for such a discussion, I just stared out the window again and cleared my throat. He obviously didn't get the hint.
"Diba 'God is love'? Sang-ayon po ba kayo doon?"
"Hindi." God is not merely "love". He is immeasurable.
"Naniniwala ho ba kayo sa Diyos?" This time, he was looking at me from his rear view mirror, the vehicle at a halt because of the red light. I stared back at him. "Of course."
The traffic light then turned green and he diverted his attention back to the road. "Kahit naman ang demonyo, naniniwala sa Diyos, 'di po ba?"
I continued to stare at him from where I was seated. There were so many things I wanted to fire back at him, but at that moment, we were already in front of Meralco. I handed him a P100 bill and he handed me P10 short of what should have been my change.
I have chosen a different religious path from what was brought up with, but I do not impose my truth with other people. I have no problem about discussions of religious nature, and I am more secure about my faith than ever. It is self-righteousness I cannot stand.
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
My cousin who grew up in California is here on vacation with three of her friends who are also balikbayans, and we got to hang out with the last weekend. It was so funny how the things you never even notice anymore amazes them. While drinking on my brother-in-law's porch, they animatedly recounted seeing a whole family (dad, mom, child and baby) traveling on a single motorcyle along EDSA, buses speeding down the road, snaking their way through other vehicles, people ignoring pedestrian lanes and crossing the street inspite of the danger of being rammed by ongoing traffic, etc. The thing that amused me the most was how amused they were about all of this. Their eyes were full of awe, as if saying, "I wouldn't get away with that over there!"
People usually think that balikbayans are no more than stuck-up american wannabes, but when you think about it, they are the ones who really appreciate the culture, sometimes even more than us resident Filipinos. I was pleasantly surprised about how well-versed they were about our history, and how they were so eager to learn about the Philippines. They were the ones who proudly told us that Boracay is considered the second best beach resort in the world next to Bali and followed by Hawaii and that they were amazed at how much Metro Manila has improved in just a few years.
Having balikbayans over just reinforces my desire to stay in the Philippines and never have to go abroad to work. There is indeed no place like home.
About the Author
I have quit trying to figure out the inner workings of God's mind. I have learned to just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Piazza
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