Tag: Thoughts

Vivamus, moriendum

A few years ago, I went to a retreat with my family, and I came across a young charismatic man who spoke so passionately about his faith journey. Almost two months back, I happened to hear about the unfortunate demise of this young boy. Even though I didn’t personally know him other than through few mutual friends and seeing him at a couple of retreats, it felt as if I lost a close friend of mine.

Art created by Syrocreatives

On the day we went missing, he was boating with his friends in San Antonio when he jumped into the water to rescue one of the other boys from his group. At the time I was informed about this shockingly disturbing incident, I tried going on with my day even though his image kept showing up in my mind. I relentlessly prayed GOD performs a miracle like the ones proclaimed in the Bible like sending a big fish to save Jonah from drowning, and when Jesus walked on water to save his drowning disciple. Similarly, I was praying that this young boy can be found lying unconscious on a shore. However, four days after he went missing, his body was found nearly 200 yards from where he was last seen. Over the days he went missing, I heard people say that all he wanted to do was please GOD by leading his life with purpose and mission. While watching his viewing online, I cried to myself for taking a life that was so pure, saintly, and holy. Perhaps, that’s the reason GOD decided to call the most precious fruit from his garden. When Joel’s body was recovered, a girl from the youth ministry posted a picture on Facebook of a rainbow that appeared over the sky shortly after his body was found. I think that proved GOD was awaiting to welcome this young boy into his heavenly kingdom.

In the past year, death might seem so near and inevitable to many of us particularly at a time we are still dealing with the global pandemic. Not to mention the number of losses each of us had to go through. It might seem so hard to get past grieving over your loved ones. My mom still dwells about her 2-year-old baby she lost 26 years ago, so I can’t imagine the pain Joel’s parents are going through after losing their child who they have known and raised for the past 20 years. When Jesus was standing in front of Lazarus’s tomb, he wept because he shared the sorrow of Lazarus’s family. Even just before Jesus was crucified on the cross, he wept not because of the pain; instead, he felt sympathy and compassion for all mankind. The resurrection of Lazarus was like a parable that death is not the end. Instead, it is a sign we start to see the manifestation of God’s power over mankind’s life and death. It’s important we take the time to mourn over our own losses, but we have to at some point move through that loss and spend the time we have on this earth to carry on the legacy of our loved ones and start living in GOD. The life of this exemplary servant of GOD proves it’s possible to be fully committed to him. I hope he continues to inspire us spiritually, and that each of us accepts this awakening to henceforth lead our life with the goodness and love of GOD.

The Little Drummer Boy

Ever since I was little, I loved listening to Christmas stories. There is something hidden in each one. Though, my favorite would be about The Little Drummer Boy. It’s about a little boy who wants to see the new born king (Jesus Christ). While others bring gifts to honor the newborn, the boy confesses that he is poor, and he has nothing to give on the special occasion. Instead, he plays his drum and the infant king smiles at him.

I remember hearing it on the radio at a young age. I still love listening to the renditions on my playlist especially during the holiday times because of its simple message and the catchy tune. At a casual listen, the song is so simple, and clouded with lots of “pa rum pa pum pum”. As an 8 year old kid, I saw things so simply — a little boy played the drums for baby Jesus. Christmas marks the day Jesus came to earth–with humility, acceptance and an open invitation. All he wants is us in return.

During the day of Christmas, my family gathers around the tree to open the presents. Whatever the gift is, we always joyfully accept what each person has to offer one another. Every year when I wake up at the morning of Christmas, I thank the lord almighty for letting us celebrate his name. Thanking him for giving us a beautiful home and protecting my family till now and hereafter.

Doubt of life

Sitting in front of the fire, wrapped around in warm blankets. Feeling peaceful by the stillness of the azure sea. Even when thousands of diamonds are beside, the moon seems to be in solitude. It’s silver light dazzles over the blue water. Hearing the silent cracks from the fire, my mind ponders upon such doubts. Why does the moon always stay up in the sky. Why does the sun sets and rises the next day. Why do people cry even when they are happy? Why does some people no longer exists in our life. Why does it seems those stars are smiling at us. If we had all the answers to these, would we cease to live?

Passion

There is nothing inspiring about perfection. But there is everything inspiring about passion. It’s that passion what draws us to other people. When you embody such a strong emotion that sets your soul on fire, you grow more closer to the ones who give off that energy. Look to the sea for your own reflection, but do not focus on your imperfection. Our time here is much too brief to ponder on such trivial grief. Walk your life without any fear and nurture your precious aspirations.

Focus on the infinite and everything that is contained within. Focus on a border view of reality and what ultimately it is. In a constant state of evolving, we become more than what we were yesterday. For what was lost in the hustle might shine somewhere far away. Always strive for the better and there will always be something far greater than what we think.

Past

Time has an incredible gift of helping us move on from our past. As the years go on, it only becomes faded memories. You will start to feel yourself again. You find new passions and meet new people. You will start to discover more about yourself. But there will be those days that you feel at your worst. The past is not your fault but it is your responsibility to not go back in time and get stuck. One of the most universal human experiences is the feeling of being alone. Life is so unpredictable in a sense it sometimes leaves us lying down on a empty path not knowing where to go. But it’s uplifting to see how it all turns out in the end. When I look back how I was few years ago, I am happy those past experiences made me the person I am right now. My past will always live on within me, changing how I live in the present. Every now and then, I let my mind take a break and ease my heart. Walk out your front door and simply breathe in the cold air. We are destined for so much more and so much more than what we ought to become. To let go and move forward without any streak of fear takes a great deal or courage. We may not see where the road might lead, but we should still embark on that essential journey.

Faith

Above all the chaos, a vibrant light and a mortal breath drifts upon the horizon. Where hope comes across in faulty stars and sorrow mounts the soft winds. Even when the world seems it has fallen to the wrath of time and rhetoric hatred, always have faith. Have faith in humanity, have faith in human relationships and most importantly have faith in love. When we lose that faith, we lose sight of hope and lose sight of ourselves. To have ability to transcend differences in language and beliefs and build connections between strangers is what we all need. The universe’s love shine throughout our life everyday, in a mother’s smile, in the eyes of a stranger, in the sun and stars and deep within your heart.

Dreams

Pressing his palms against the cold window, the boy gazed out at the crescent moon. He leaned out the window and was swept by the coastal breeze into the emerald skies. He felt as if every beat was bringing him closer and closer to his dreams that his solum heart ever desired. In the starry sea, he meets upon a kindred spirit, waiting for the train of life under the skies of all sound and sight to take them both where wonder is rife. Dream not worth living is not a dream but a nightmare. If you can go to sleep and never awake, you can dream to fulfill any life desires to realize that your life is already lived and indeed you are awake.

Innocence

Time comes and time goes, but the world stays just the same. The river that is born from the rain flows into the sea. The waterfall on the other side of the ravine is frozen. The stars dance in the astral sky, flickering. A chill embraces the girl, reminding her of the days filled with innocence. Day turns to day, her heart grows cold. Eventually as time pass, the clouds walk down with her and fire is pushed inside her. She realizes she has to grow much too wise for her tender years.