Waiting

Waiting is one of the most difficult situations I have experienced and still experience every now and then. I think as human beings we have the tendency to be impatient because we want things as fast as possible. This is the reason why a lot of people hate falling in line. This is also the reason why we have fast food, fast delivery, fast computers and so on. Just imagine you in front of the computer and the internet connection is slow. Some people already become furious and start to swear.

But waiting is something that we need to learn to handle. Waiting for me is a means by which I can develop patience knowing that everything has its own exact time. It can develop a skill on how to deal with stress and anxiety. It can help mold our character to be civil despite the odds, still calm even if everybody is mad around already. It helps keep me sane.

So when you are in a situation of waiting try to enjoy it, instead of bursting into madness or feeling so uneasy. I admire how most Filipinos take it when they are in a long line. They talk, yes they complain but still have those smiling faces.

A Place for Each

I love snow not just in a dream like most Filipinos, but the real snow which was part of the 3 most precious and meaningful years I had in Canada. Lately I had been missing snow stronger than before that my heart aches whenever I see pictures of it. I tried to think of why I am missing snow so much and found something that I guess is real to all.

Each of us has a place in this world. A place not just where we want to live, but a place our heart finds peace. A place where we are comfortable to take root. A place our hearts long for like for no other place. A place that we can call home and a place where we can freely be ourselves. the nth time

For quite sometime now, a long time in fact, I have been feeling uneasy because I think I have not reached that place yet. Everything where I am now is not final. A lot of the people of my age already are settled and have families of their own, but not for me. I have not taken root yet at my age because I still am waiting for so long to be at the place I believe where I can be "home". I know this would sound unpatriotic to some, but yes I believe there is a place for each us.

Mother and Child

This picture was given to me by a friend who told me that he felt pity for this mother and child he was riding with in a jeepney last Christmas season. I think he said they were on their way to the hospital.

I can't but help think and compare it with what is happening to our nation today. Like the mother our nation is loving, caring, hard working and surviving for her son's sake. She is obviously not rich but has enough for the day.

The son with her is a picture of most of the younger generation pinoys. If you notice he has a broken arm. Most of our young people because of poverty and because the mother can't provide everything is crippled and limited in what they need, can do and enjoy with life.

Our nation is surviving. In fact the peso is getting stronger, but when is it going to be realized by people like these in the picture. I know it is going at least take a few years until it is felt. But do you think they can wait? Would it be too late for these people to feel it? What do you think would the mother be like about 5 years from now? How about that boy? Do you think he will still be in school if within 5 years the economic development won't be felt by them until that time?

Happy New Year of Hope

Seeing a couple, the wife about 6 months pregnant and the husband cooking rice right by the door of their tiny 3 by 1.5 meter place they call house with their clothes piled in one corner makes me think that nothing is new with the New year.

Many people already have initiated their resolutions and many already are getting excited with the predicted good stuff they'll have through 2008. These things don't get my eyes off the realities I see around especially of those who are unfortunate and the disadvantaged in life. Everytime I see them something bothers me inside. In fact these are the things and people that keeps me simple and hopefully truly humble.

But I always am amazed on how these people can smile and laugh still. How life can and is lighter with them compared to those living in mansions and those whose salary can feed a village of these people.

That is where I get the strength to move on with life. Seeing these "small people" survive gives me hope. Like them this hope maybe illusive but nevertheless keeps me going with smiles and laughter that makes life enjoyable.

Here is a video of one of the places I go through everytime I visit a friend and is a strange source of inspiration for me.