Life at seventeen

Why is it that the young ones (read: teenagers) want to grow up fast while the grown men and women, especially in their forties, would like their lives to begin at forty? Funny but true. 

For the young people, it's like life is a race and they want to be on the front seat of things. However, for the forties, life is no longer a race. Life is a pace. There is rhythm and cadence. Such is the beauty of growth and maturity.

At seventeen, my daughter enjoyed her biggest break so far. She is happy, grateful, and blessed. I am, too. She has desired and prayed for an opportunity to come her way, and God granted it.

Ruthie, your life has just begun. 

The thought of romance

Love stories always happen. In fact, they are happening as we speak, anywhere, everywhere. You can ask Maiko about it haha. That’s because the human heart is designed to love which is the real thing, and, to enjoy romance which is fleeting and a feel-good thing.

Naturally, some love stories are scoffed at. This usually happens when the love story is an “affair” between two married people or a single person with a married individual.

There are many motivations to enjoy the feeling of romance. For the middle-aged, perhaps their relationships have reached a point of boredom. They want variety. They want something exciting and fun. Oh, the middle-aged don’t intend to leave their families; they’re just at it for pure fun and pleasure. And of course, it’s good for the ego and machismo, for men, that is. What about for women. Well, I guess the motivation is the same huh!

Someone once told me this: In a man’s lifetime, he will have a fling or two. Hmmm is that an acceptance that her man will eventually have a fling or two in his lifetime. Who knows? We do not hold the future in our hands.

There are different types of romance. There is a summer fling or romance. This usually ends when summer ends. How’s that? A vacation romance is quite romantic, right? You spend a week or two in a new place without the slightest thought of romance and suddenly you find yourself flirting with another human being haha. It doesn’t end there. There’s a course review romance; office romance; out of office training romance; airport romance; ship romance; sales romance; name it, you have it. There’s actually no limit for romance to happen. As long as we live, we breathe attraction. It’s the normal course of things.

Oh well, this article is not written to encourage all types of romance.

It only aspires to articulate and put into words what happens in real life.

A million little things

I went to visit a friend yesterday afternoon after dropping off my son in the university. Well, I lingered a bit in the faculty room of my son’s college department and engaged two professors in animated conversation. The talk centered on the power industry. Haha I’m really a power industry girl. It’s an easy topic to discuss.

When I left, I drove to a friend’s house. I haven’t seen this friend since I left for Iloilo City several months back.

It was a wonderful opportunity to engage in good conversation. Well, I had coffee and eventually dinner. Haha at the rate I’m eating these days, I’m really going to add weight. Anyways, she prepared Panga. Wow it was tasty and I finally felt that I’m back in Gen. Santos City with its flavorful Panga!

It happens that my friend grows plants so I took the chance to ask for some branches and other rooted plants since Ate Teody has the green thumb. Since I returned from Iloilo City, my garden has been truly greened and plants are robust. Not only that, Ate Teody grew vegetables. Really cool.

Betty’s son Ian was just discharged from the hospital for dengue. Last Friday when I communicated with her first, she was in the hospital because Ian was confined for dengue. I wasn’t able to visit him that weekend on account of my son’s university activities. So yesterday, I made sure to visit them. Ian is doing better. Platelet has improved. Thank God. But funny thing what Betty said: “Day, sayang tapos na transfusion when I learned last Friday that you are Type A (blood type). You could have donated blood.” I said, yes I could have. But is that possible? I may donate blood today; then need it the following day. That will be ironic. She said, “Well there are qualifying factors. Women menstruate, so that will be considered including age, status of health, tattoo marks, others.” Anyways, she finally said: “Ian could have had your blood and you two become connected (for life) and then, he will grow more intelligent.” Haha so that’s the bottom line. We both laughed and said, “Yes”. Mothers.

But seriously, is there a study or research that can prove that donated or transfused blood can stimulate brain activity? Calling scientists. Is there research to back up our theory?

Anyways, I left Betty’s house quite full: physically, emotionally and mentally. It’s really good to visit close friends and talk. As it happens, I knew Betty for fifteen years. She was still single then. Her kids are still young while mine are already teenagers but our friendship has grown through the years. We have seen the changing fortunes of time, so to speak. I like that. Changing fortunes of time. So Desiderata.

Betty and I have a long way to go… until old age haha.

You’re the best Betty. You always have been.

Food for thought: Friendship isn’t a big thing – it’s a million little things.

A teenager's thoughts on P-Noy's SONA

By Hezekiah Kit Sales Canlas

These past few days, a lot of people were busy criticizing our President’s State of the Nation Address which was delivered on July 25th. From what I have heard from the people around me, the President’s SONA concentrated only on the wrongdoings and the pitfalls of the past government led by the infamous ex-President (now Pampanga Congresswoman) Gloria Macapagal Arroyo. They said that if the current leadership would only focus on looking for the past sins of the former government and not on the current situation of the nation, our country would not improve. But because I haven’t heard nor read the address, I remained silent and just listened to their comments.

Because I did not catch the SONA on television, I surfed the internet and looked for the exact copy of the piece. From what I have read, the address somehow focused on the anomalies of the past government and how the current leadership is creating solutions to solve these. Most people also said that the SONA of President Aquino was somehow weak and does not have a vision for the Philippines.

At first I was disagreeing on what most people were saying. In my mind, I support the idea of solving these issues first. If we were to rise up as a nation, we should correct the past errors so that we can learn from it, and evade it in the future, and then concentrate on the current status of the country.

But after reading a blog on the internet about the SONA, my views somehow changed. “Yes, solve these issues. What next?” like what my mother always says. Instead of focusing on the faults of the previous government, the President and his team should focus on the things this country needs in order to progress. The President has honest subordinates. That’s why recently, more lapses of the past administration rose from the graveyard.

I think that the government should simultaneously work on the development of our country and on solving the issues of the previous administration. If our government now is strong just like what P-Noy said, and the people are actively working hand in hand with the government, then we can handle both of these challenges with ease.

It’s still a year after his inauguration; let’s give him a chance to prove his worth to lead us.

We should also prove ourselves as responsible and empowered citizens of our country by not waiting for the government’s assistance to help us clear and clean our garbage-stuffed canals and rivers. Instead, we should find the solutions to these common community problems and solve them ourselves.

My river unknown

Finally today Sunday, I stayed on the view deck for nearly three hours. What a wonderful glorious afternoon.

The wind was blowing my hair as I was reading and meditating on Deuteronomy, and then digesting the editorial and commentaries of a national newspaper.

My river unknown was very peaceful and quiet. From where I stood (and sat); no one was in sight except for a bird or two flying over the horizon.

Magic. The river current created this sensation that I was floating, really floating.

Priceless. The experience is priceless. Good for the soul; good for the spirit. It’s a great comfort in a new environment in a new city. It’s my comfort nook.

I will miss this river when I find my own place in my new city.

Wonderful lazy afternoon while convalescing

I have been sick since Sunday after a week-long trip. Terrible. Hmmm. Body breakdown. Too much wear and tear.

I’m relaxing today while recuperating by listening to gospel songs and visiting my Facebook site from time to time.

As I was looking out the rice field, I noticed that the weeds have outgrown the rice stalks. Tsk, tsk I was wondering if Manong (I never got his name) will start clearing the weeds. Where is he?

Aha I was so right! The weeds didn’t escape Manong’s hawk eyes. As the afternoon sun sets and the wind starts blowing – yes it’s a windy afternoon here, I saw him clearing the weeds using a sharp sickle. I have seen Manong for over ten years now tending to the rice field adjacent my house. He is the faithful katiwala of the landed owner.

He is wearing a brown cap to protect his head or face (?) from the heat. Or maybe I’m wrong. It could be a fashion statement for all we know. Aha! He is wearing a white T-shirt with a printed face. I’m trying to discern if it’s the face of Manny Pacquiao but his back is towards me. Hmmm. Mystery T-shirt.

Maybe I should go out the door and beckon him so I can see the printed face up close but that would probably make him wonder. He would probably say, silly girl.

He is now amidst the wind-blown weeds and rice stalks. What a picture.

If only he knows I’m writing about him right now, he will probably have the biggest chuckle of his life.

Wonderful lazy afternoon while convalescing. (“,)

Makati weekend (",)

I was in Makati over the weekend. A totally unexpected experience.

I stayed in this condo unit which was huge by condo size. It had a large sala, a spacious dining room, four bedrooms with a toilet each, kitchen and even stock room.

That Sunday night, I had the entire place to myself. Nice. Don’t ask me about ghosts huh! I am quite comfortable being alone and I’m not afraid of ghosts really. Really. (“,)

By late Sunday afternoon, I decided to steel myself and walk the Makati streets. Whew that’s scary. Now, that’s scarier than ghosts!

The traffic in Manila, Makati included intimidates me no end. Here I was a provinciana courageously walking with the throng to cross huge streets! The first two streets were fine; it was a Sunday and traffic was light. Then I had to cross the main street Puyat where I would meet a friend and now I’m really scared haha. I searched for people and guess what I did? You will never guess. I asked the silly question: “Are you crossing?” Aha! The three men just looked at me strangely. One said, no. Then a bus stopped and they hopped in. Great! Now I’m going to deal with this crisis on my own. But alas when I looked towards my left, I saw another group of people who were waiting for the traffic light to change. It was a corner street, easy to cross. I hastily walked towards them and asked the silly question again. When the red light blinked for motorists, I joined the crowd. What a relief! I lived.

I met my friend and we went to a nearby mall which by all intents and purposes looked familiar. It was so like Ayala in Cebu City. Hmmm the structure, architecture, and even the shops and restaurants. I felt transported back in time. Not bad. And surprise, like Ayala in Cebu City, the mall had plenty of huge Christmas trees, and all sorts of “pictorial” corners with huge stuffed bears, tigers, and other animals for shoppers. The ubiquitous pictorial haha. We took our photos, too. Grand. I loved the three huge Christmas Trees where I playfully stood in the middle for the shots. Hey Bonits, when will you upload the photos? I’m excited to see them.

After exploring the area, taking photos, and dining in this Mediterranean-type restaurant, we headed back to my impressive condo building. We took a cab. I requested my friend to drop me at Malugay Street first where the condo building stands because it was scary to return on my own. Haha no more crossing streets for the night.

I slept soundly that night. No ghosts appeared.

The following day was THE day!

It was another experience worth writing. I’m still thinking if I should write it. We will see.

P.S. The photos I used here are inspired by what I saw. (“,)

1000

Call me a kid but I’m just totally delighted today haha. (“,)

My Unexpected Blessings blog site has reached its 1000th reader today. Boy that made me happy!

It’s not easy keeping a blog site. You need to keep the inspiration going to churn out good material. By good, I mean the stuff that I produce. It could be a lonely, sentimental, joyous, victorious topic or something that totally sucks.

Thank you, thank you for consistently reading.

Reaching 1000 pageviews today totally made my day!

A toast to blogging and my wonderful readers all over the world!

You are my inspiration. (“,)

Vintage "Menu"

This "Menu" is vintage.

Look at the prices.

This was posted on the wall of Max's Fried Chicken in Antipolo.

One whole fried chicken only costs P5.00! Beat that.

This was the "Menu" in the late sixties.

Really cool. (",)

The question finally caught up with me

Friday evening as I was setting my alarm for a 7:30 A.M. appointment the following day, Saturday, I received a call. Curious. What could have inspired this person to call me up hmmm?

After the usual greeting, the first line goes: “Belinda, do you speak Ilonggo?”
That finally hit me. Why is it that after so many years in the city, I have not learned to speak Ilonggo? Hmmm. Most of my colleagues at work were Ilonggos and almost everyone else can speak Ilonggo but I can only understand a handful of words. Tsk…tsk. My loss.

But let’s look at the bright side. We can always minimize our losses and focus on our strengths, can’t we?

So this weekend, I will start my Ilonggo crash course. I have got to speak the language man! It’s a must.

Ilonggo (Hiligaynon), here I come.

Project Pagsubay

(I'm posting the letter found below as manifestation of my support for this project. Please read on.)

Batchmate:

We are writing on behalf of the Elementary and High School Batches 1979 and 1983 of the Holy Spirit School and Holy Name University of Tagbilaran City, Bohol , Philippines . On December 17, 2010, our project 'Pagsubay' will be launched via a Medical and Dental Mission at the Cabawan Elementary School of Maribojoc, Bohol , Philippines .

'Pagsubay', meaning 'to retrace', is a word that punctuates a search for some forgotten footpaths from childhood . It also pertains to the search and retrieval of lost sheep.

‘Pagsubay’ is an outreach project which aims to help elementary schoolchildren in an underprivileged barangay school in Bohol , Philippines . This non-sectoral, non-political and non-profit engagement aims to provide sustained medical missions and educational assistance initiatives.

Our project recipients are 175 schoolchildren of the Cabawan Elementary School of Maribojoc, Bohol, Philippines who are in dire need of assistance in terms of health and education. The school is situated in a community where the most basic problems like poverty, malnutrition, and diseases bring day to day impact on the children's lives.

Our group is composed of committed and willing volunteers who are ready to face the challenge of elevating the standard of these schoolchildren’s lives. We are proud to say that we stand firm on these positions:

 That every child has the right to good education
 That good health and nutrition are major factors that affect and determine every child’s learning process
 That every child has the right to an adequately provisioned, well facilitated, and well maintained learning environment

The Medical and Dental Mission on December 17, 2010 will include obtaining a health profile and medical history for each child (measuring growth parameters like height and weight), and performing a complete physical examination to identify acute or chronic health problems; instituting immediate therapeutic interventions in the presence of acute illness by prescribing appropriate medications; educating caregivers on the preventive aspects of child health; and, identifying dental health problems and providing immediate and long term solutions. This one-day Medical and Dental Mission shall culminate in a children’s party and the distribution of Christmas give-aways.

We kindly seek your financial assistance in providing this opportunity to the schoolchildren of Cabawan Elementary School , and in making this project a success.

If you would like more information about Project ‘Pagsubay”, please feel free to contact us through these details:
• Website: http://www.pagsubay.org (coming November 2010)
• Facebook: http://www.causes.com/causes/524939

Donations can be mailed to the following Pagsubay coordinators. (Please make checks payable to the name of the Pagsubay coordinator.) We assure you of a proper accounting of all donations received.
• U.S.A.
o Gina Torralba Calipes
611 S. Bronwyn Drive, Anaheim , CA 92804
o Ricky Inting
18 Oceanside Drive, Daly City , CA 94015
• Middle East
o Cora Merilos Ropeta
P.O. Box 115427, Dubai, U.A.E.

Deposits can also be made directly to the Pagsubay bank account in the Philippines :
Account Name: Jonas Gilberto S. Inting
Rosario O. Chatto
Aimee T. Dela Peña
Account Number: 123-51550-8
Bank Name: Metrobank
Routing Number: 026002846 (within USA )
SWIFT Code: MBTCPHMM

The children of Cabawan have inspired us into the creation of this project, and we can only hope that their lives will touch yours as they have touched ours. So please consider this request and invite your family, neighbors, friends and your community to join in and know of your willingness to help.

Team Pagsubay:
Jose Nazareno
Ma. Neva Luna Batayola, M.D.
Mary Ann Alagon Ruiz, M.D.
Noel Lungay
Ricky Inting
Gina Torralba Calipes

Bonding time; Rebisco time (",)

It was one of those weekends! Totally fun!

I was at ABS-CBN’s My Only Radio (MOR) for Life FM station in Gen. Santos City for my radio guesting which turned out to be surprise! “Rebisco Time”. I was interviewed on “bonding moments” with the family. What families usually do during weekends which include housecleaning; gardening; doing grocery together; cooking; playing musical instruments which my teenagers usually do: Shiloh on drums; Kits on either base or electric guitar; pigging out at home; watching home movies, and on Sundays, church fellowship. Our family goes to Bread of Life Ministries.
Nice one. I had fun. More than that, I enlarged my circle of friends.
Thank you Mario Valentino for the honor.
Kapag my Rebisco, ang sarap ng filling mo! Thanks Rebisco, you truly made my day!

P.S. Special thanks to Joey John Elman Concepcion for making the interview easy. My Tagalog was almost perfect (",) Greyzee Vargas Alvarez for the company and shared aspirations. My friends (fans?) who sent text messages right after the interview. Haha fun, fun, fun. (“,)

The man by the bench

I was sitting by the coffee shop reading the national paper when my attention was caught by a man sitting by his lonesome on a bench.
Now, now, what could a man be doing sitting alone on a gorgeous afternoon like this?

Hmmm. My curiosity was piqued. I was imagining scenarios. Perhaps he is waiting for his date? Hmmm maybe he is in a quandary. Ah maybe he is bored.
I glanced at the man again. He is not bad-looking. In fact, he is handsome. Ahh maybe after a minute or two, he will get up and walk.
I perused the paper.
After some time, I looked his way again. He was still there.
Ah. He couldn’t be waiting for someone given the time he is seated there. Maybe he is testing the waters... see if a lady will have the guts to approach him.
Hmmm interesting thought.
A short while after, a man approached him and handed him an envelope. Ah that’s it! He is a crime lord. Oh, oh this is bad. But the man by the bench just put the envelope nonchalantly on the inside pocket of his suit. No big deal. It’s probably a solicitation letter. Some inspiration.

I went back to reading. When I directed my gaze at him, he was still seated there.

Now I’m thinking. Maybe he is waiting for me haha.

What to do? I thought ah I would walk right past him and drop my bag. Ouch too passé, outmoded.
Ah, I would stand right up front and ask: Is this seat taken? He would probably say, it’s still spacious, please take your seat. Hmmm. And then what?
He would probably say: Are you waiting for someone? I would probably say I’m the one you’re waiting for. Haha. Nice one.

A beautiful house

I was in this beautiful house this Saturday afternoon.
It reminded me of Bohol. There’s a certain mystic atmosphere that makes me feel like home.
It’s really true that houses evoke different feelings in a guest. We respond to a house.

The antique furniture and fixture and colorful cutlery brought me back to my childhood days in my home province.

Ahh the house architecture was resort-inspired, the owner volunteered. Totally! It was characterized by lots and lots of open spaces, huge doors, wide and vast windows. Perfect! I love huge windows. They have a certain appeal to my senses. They add to the character of the house.

I think windows will tell the world whether you are an open person or not. With windows, one can easily see who is outside from inside the house; and one can be readily seen from the outside.

And then it rained.
What a perfect setting.
I was in this beautiful house and it had to rain.
I used to say, I love it when it rains… as long as I don’t get wet.
This afternoon I said, it had to rain... when I’m inside this beautiful house.
Perfect setting for a perfect story.

P.S. The photos I used are inspired by what I saw. This is not the real thing. (",)

All about inspiration

My Public Speaking lecture on October 4 and 5 was truly an inspiring experience. The response of my forty two (42) police officer-participants was most heartening and when it was time for them to deliver their individual speeches, I was inspired.
It was inspiring because I saw them worked on delivering their speeches using the essentials of public speaking that I taught them. Isn’t that the greatest fulfillment of a mentor? It simply is.
This week, I will return to the institution to handle Leadership for the same participants. I’m looking forward to another fruitful experience with the group.
o O o
On October 13th, I will try to inspire senior Information Technology (IT) students of the Notre Dame of Dadiangas University (NDDU), this city who are about to finish their On-the-Job-Training (OJT) exposure. The theme of the gathering is “Convergence: A challenge to Information Technology enthusiasts in the academe and industry”.
We are constantly faced with the challenge of inspiring. We have to rise up to the challenge.
o O o
In most cases, I would say inspiration usually comes from people: people of all shapes and sizes; beliefs and convictions.
They come at unexpected moments when we least expect them. Of course God uses people to inspire other people. It’s always by divine appointment and divine providence.
It also depends on us. Like me, I always desire to inspire others most especially when I do lectures and speak before an audience. It gives me pleasure to be able to inspire my participants.
o O o

I returned to Gen. Santos City in April, this year, after a short professional journey in the Visayas. In June this year, I decided to return to school. The motivation was to help me cope with my father’s loss. I am the type who copes badly when I lose a parent. I only enrolled in one subject. Being in school is a coping mechanism and enrolling in several subjects would unnecessarily stress me.
True enough, school gave me something to think about. It also afforded me the opportunity to build new friendships and more importantly to revisit the lessons I learned in the past, and learn new ones.
One of the requirements to fully pass the subject is to organize a Seminar. So on October 9th, our Thursday class in tandem with the Saturday class organized the “Public Service is a Public Trust” Seminar with Atty. Marilou B. Unabia of the Office of the Ombudsman-Davao as speaker.

It is true: education should not be confined within the four corners or four walls of the classroom. It is incumbent upon teachers to inspire and motivate students by employing teaching approaches and methodologies that are unique, creative and fun.
It may be tough at times but that’s the only way to do it. Hey, we don’t want to bore our students to death, right? Or employ outdated teaching approaches that have seen better days. Our students deserve only the best from us. It’s the only way to go.
o O o
The semester break is here. Thank God. Parents can now relax with expenses most especially on their college students.
I don’t know about you but having a college student is really heavy on the pockets of parents.
The break will enable the parents to relax a bit on the required weekly allowances and channel the same to other home needs.
I look forward to my son Hezekiah Kit’s vacation at home for the duration of the semester break.
Thank God for breaks.
o O o

Friends are a true source of inspiration. Last week, these ladies have been an excellent source of inspiration and I would like to thank them individually: Jennifer Felisilda who is now based in Cebu City by virtue of work; Jet Reyes of PNB-Santiago; Ruth Fernandez of BDO-Pendatun (but I like to call it BDO-Sydney), and Maricris (Cris) Cabalhin of Metro Manila. Thank you ladies. Your presence in my life is refreshing and soothing.
Incidentally during my Visayas journey, Jennifer Felisilda provided me company during her breaks from her Call Center job. We had plenty of bonding moments, most especially when I had bouts of loneliness being away from my kids and hubby. She was a great source of comfort when I was alone and lonely in Cebu City. She is so much younger than me but she is mature in many ways.
Maricris is a wonderful woman in many ways. We used to work together in the last power company I served. We worked together for only a short time but we became closer when we both left the company. Thanks Cris. Like I always say, you are the greatest!
Ms. Ruth, Ahh, a beautiful woman inside-out whom I got to know through Marsha. Very attuned to her humanity; grounded on the basics, and carinosa. Who wouldn’t love a woman like Ruth?
Jet, she is the older sister I don’t have. Okay, okay she is going to wring my neck for saying that. She is only one year older than me, for all intents and purposes, but you know I am the oldest sister in the family, so it is really comforting to be treated like a younger sister. Get it? She is a lovely petite beauty.

And of course, my prayer “power” partner Catherine Pedregosa Velasco. Cathy is my constant source of prayer back-up for three years now. Thanks Cathy. I am so grateful that our paths crossed.
Like I always said, life’s surprises come in either tall or thin packages called people.

Food for thought: If a man does not make new acquaintances as he advances through life, he will soon find himself alone. A man should keep his friendships in constant repair. > Samuel Johnson

All about Desiderata

Last night, I revisited “Desiderata”. I remember having memorized this poem when I was in high school. We were required to recite it from memory. Since then, the poem has really stayed with me. In the course of my professional life, I have come across it posted on the wall of offices, or standing by a corner framed. It only goes to show that like me, it has inspired so many other individuals.
May I invite you then to revisit the poem stanza by stanza with me? Maybe we can get inspired again by this classic.
1st Stanza: “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.”
What does the line invoke? It invokes a chaotic, stressful world that we have to contend with every single day while we are alive. Then we are reminded that to obtain peace in the midst of the chaos and stress, we can try solitude.
2nd stanza: “As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit.”
Simply understood, it talks about tact and diplomacy; compassion and empathy. It also warns us to choose our company wisely.
3rd stanza: “If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.”
I love this stanza. It is very straightforward, direct and totally endearing. Comparison will really bring us nowhere. It can lead to jealousy and bitterness especially in people who keep their insecurities and inadequacies hidden very well. Some people will always be greater than us. It’s a fact of life. We had better accept that right here and now.
It says enjoy your achievements but keep your feet planted on the ground. It is true: humility is a real possession both in good times and bad. You become rich, you stay humble; you go through some tough time; you stay humble. It’s a winner.
4th stanza: “Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.”
The heart of this stanza is simply: Be yourself. Do not pretend. Do not play a role. Be real. But at the same time, be discerning and intuitive in your professional and personal dealings.
It also reminds us that the world is full of big and little heroes. We can derive inspiration from them.
5th stanza: “Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.”
Now this stanza is totally a lesson for all of us to learn. For after all, don’t we all turn cynical when in a love relationship we get hurt? We get jaded; callous; and cynical. We say romance is overrated and stuff like that.
Desiderata tells us that love is as perennial as the grass. What a beautiful analogy.
6th stanza: “Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.”
Wisdom. This stanza talks about wisdom that we obtain as we sail on in our life journeys. When we have transitioned from youth to adulthood, we would also have developed mental and emotional toughness and strength of character.
It counsels us not to focus on the negative things in life.

7th stanza: “Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.”
This is the stanza that I love the most. “Be gentle with yourself.” A very gentle reminder that we should always take care of ourselves; that we do not neglect ourselves and take “us” for granted; not to be too harsh on ourselves. We ought to be the very first people to love ourselves so we are able to love others.
And since God created you, you have the right to be here. And because you are here, you are witness to the many wondrous things that God has caused the universe to unfold for everyone.
8th stanza: “Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.”
The stanza best explains it. It is crystal clear. Whatever we go through in life, we know whom to anchor. Do you know whom to anchor?
9th stanza: “With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.”
Yes, with life’s unfairness and broken dreams – don’t we all experience that? it is still a beautiful world. We may not see the beauty at times, but it truly is. So we must keep the cheerful disposition and strive to be happy.

Thank you Max Ehrmann for composing Desiderata. The author is a poet and lawyer from Terre Haute, Indiana, who lived from 1872 to 1945. It has been reported that Desiderata was inspired by an urge that Ehrmann wrote about in his diary.

Life stuff

Wednesday last week, I taught Gender Awareness for some forty two (42) police officers who are taking up their Junior Leadership Course at PPSC-RTS 12. This group is fun to be with. Their interaction is real, witty, funny, and based on true-to-life accounts. Some inputs were totally hilarious; some would leave you speechless. Of the forty two police officers, five (5) were women and the rest, men.
And like all gender awareness and gender sensitivity lectures and trainings I did for most people, the subject on sex and sexuality is the most interesting part. What is it about sex and sexuality that titillates the imagination? Haha.
Let me mention some sexual rights that we tackled:
 The highest attainable standard of sexual health, including access to sexual and reproductive health care services
 Seek, receive and impart information related to sexuality
 Sexuality education
 Respect for bodily integrity
 Choose their partner
 Decide to be sexually active or not
 Consensual sexual relations
 Consensual marriage
 Decide whether or not, and when, to have children; and
 Pursue satisfying, safe and pleasurable sexual life
Those who are not in agreement with the sexual rights mentioned above may raise a question (and explain why). These sexual rights were taken up when I participated in a Seminar-Training for GAD Trainers during my colorful TRANSCO days.
The gender awareness lecture lasted for four hours only. I must say it’s very short for such an interesting topic. Perhaps it could be increased to eight hours next time?
After the gender awareness lecture, I was requested by Ms. Carms of PPSC-RTS 12 to handle Public Speaking with practicum on Monday and Tuesday, October 4 and 5. Wonderful! October 4 and 5 are special dates for me. Truly special: for all intents and purposes.
So over the weekend, I reviewed my lecture material and input some needed revisions.
o O o
I had brewed coffee at East Asia Royale Hotel late Thursday afternoon courtesy of Rombar Bartolome. What would you know! While sipping coffee, a friend whom I have not seen for over a year suddenly materialized right in front of me! Whoa! Totally serendipitous. I did not even know he was in the city. I should thank Rombar for the coffee. It afforded me the rare chance to see this guy again. Sorry folks, I couldn’t say his name. He is too popular for comfort these days. I do not want to add to his woes. Knowing him, he does not thrive in unwanted popularity.
o O o

Friday night was special bonding time with the ladies of Rotary Club of Greater General Santos at Sunset Bistro at Robinson’s Place hosted by President Petite V.
It was a small group that night, very animated, candid and totally relaxed. I would say solidarity defined the atmosphere. But I like the “candid part” the most haha. Don’t worry ladies, I totally get you.
I have always believed that women need solidarity with other women. Women solidarity strengthens, renews, validates, confirms and appreciates our value and worth as women.
Thanks President Petite for graciously hosting the get-together.
Incidentally, Prexy Petite V has requested me to speak on “Ethics in the Workplace” during the regular fellowship meeting on October 20. Time to study.
o O o
The months September and October saw my house hosting the friends and classmates of Shiloh Ruthie twice weekly. It seems like I see them almost daily actually. Hmmm. Curious.
Well, the school intramurals is coming up and they are involved in the “Battle of the Bands”. Since my daughter plays the drums and we have musical instruments at home, they troop to the house to practice. So this quiet weekend, they are here again to practice their number.
What can I say? I’m writing my column and they are strumming the guitar, playing the drums, singing their hearts out!
But I’m totally cool about it. Like they say, it is best when moms (and dads) know who their kids hang out with. It is safer and wise.
And their visits also maximize the use of the musical instruments at home. Splendid investment.
o O o
The Global Paradox: With technology, the world has become bigger and smaller at the same time. And we all benefit from it.
I do not want to intellectualize this. I just want to treat it lightly. Imagine Facebook. You get connected with your friends anywhere in the world with just one click. Twenty years ago or so, we had to call via long distance and write via snail mail if we wanted to stay connected with friends and family abroad. Fast forward to 2010, what do you have? Plenty. Real plenty huh! The world has shrunk: technology has enabled us to connect so fast; and the players – we have increased; our world has turned bigger. That in simple terms is the beauty of the global paradox.
o O o

Food for thought: May the gods grant you all things which your heart desires, and may they give you a husband and a home and gracious concord, for there is nothing greater and better than this -when a husband and wife keep a household in oneness of mind, a great woe to their enemies and joy to their friends, and win high renown. > Homer, The Odyssey

The real thing

I chanced upon two men having conversation in a hotel coffee shop two weekends past. I joined them. Interesting talk. One inspired moment.

The most inspiring thing about it was I only proceeded to the coffee shop to drink water or juice while waiting for my former colleagues who were supposed to fetch me on their way to Davao.

The chance encounter was a weekend surprise considering the amount of information I gathered and the satisfying animated conversation that transpired. Indeed we don’t lack for inspiration in everyday life as long as we let life surprise us.

That same weekend, my former colleagues brought me to Davao City to attend a birthday affair. I gladly obliged. I needed a new environment. Let us just say I needed inspiration.