Less is More

Lately, I've been drawn to quotes, thoughts for the day, and the like. I hear them, see them everywhere on the web, TV, billboards, etc., sometimes just a word or two, a phrase, a line, simple but profound, short but clear - Succinct. Even at Sunday mass last week, (which I haven't been attending for quite a while), the General Intercession or Prayer for the Faithful was the shortest I've ever heard. Where the lector would generally pray:

Lector: For Pope Francis that he........... (whatever the intention is), let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer. 
Lector continues on with each petition, (describing each intention), and everyone answers similar response.

This one was simply:

Lector: For Pope Francis, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer. 
Lector: For President Obama and all world leaders, let us pray to the Lord.
All: Lord, hear our prayer.

... and so on.

Again, short and clear. To the point. Sometimes, less is more. It's what's been beckoning me nowadays.


... I like it!

Thought for the Day

"I always say that incurable means "curable from within". - Dr. John Demartini - WOW!

First, the word, Impossible. I remember when that word meant just that - Impossible! In all contexts of the word. And life was frustrating, disappointing, discouraging and on and on.

Now words are redefined. The paradigm shift on 'Impossible' now is I'M POSSIBLE - Unbelievable!

And now, the word, Incurable. I remember when that word meant just that - No cure, hopeless, a death sentence, and on and on. It affected everyone diagnosed with such diseases as heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer's, and more. It broke relationships, tore families apart, destroyed lives. It was devastating.

Now the new perspective on 'Incurable' is CURABLE FROM WITHIN.

Now there's hope. Bigger hope. Brighter future. We can see light at the end of the tunnel, and it's getting closer, bigger, brighter! 

Yes, we may not see cures from all diseases in this lifetime, because we are talking cure from the Outside, where matter, our bodies, is a physical substance, somethinng that occupies space and time, and where Western medicine takes over with research studies, breakthroughs, clinical trials and more. Needless to say, it shall take time.

But cure from the Inside, from inside out, from inside each one of us, where Spirit lives, yes, we can see cures in this lifetime, and it can happen in an instant, like right here, right now.

How?! To our limited human minds, it's difficult to grasp. But to God's mind, the answer was and has always been there and will always be there. It is here and now, this very moment. Once we tap into God's mind, into God's consciousness, the cure is there. It's marvelous!


IT IS... MARVELOUS!!

"Quote for the Day"

"To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did."

Need I say more?

"Quote for the Day"

"We can live life as if nothing is a miracle, or we can live life as if everything is a miracle." -
Albert Einstein

Coming from Einstein?! Thought he was too intellectual for stuff like that. 

Wow, as high as his intelligence was his spirituality as deep! And in between was his practical mind,  his common sense, (Check out some of his quotes), and his Theory of Relativity, of course. Since everything is relative, do I put that "in between"? No, that's all-encompassing and beyond... 

Albert Einstein changed the whole world's thinking on space and time. He changed science. He changed everything. A scientist, a genius, one of the most brilliant minds, one of the greatest human beings who ever lived!


MARVELOUS!

Fortune Cookie for the Day

"What you're looking for is what is looking." - St. Francis of Assisi

It's like the quote, "What you seek is seeking you." - Rumi

It's an old fortune cookie I never opened, or plainly forgot to open from several years ago, I'm embarrassed to say when. I was looking for an article about TIME in an old tote bag I got from a Science Conference I attended that year, (alright, it was 2011!) and what did I see inside the bag, an old fortune cookie, which, luckily, was wrapped in cellophane! It still looked good, but, of course, I threw it, but kept the fortune.

And as Nature is the best organizer, re-discovering the fortune cookie came at a perfect time, being at the right place at the right time. Right when I'm searching for answers about TIME and TIMING, and actually getting the answers now, and beginning to understand more!

I saw a recent interview about Lea Salonga. Remembering when Cameron McIntosh, creator of the musical, Miss Saigon, was looking for someone for the lead role of Kim, he and his crew searched all over the world to look for that particular actress/singer in her teens. And who did they find - Lea Salonga! She wowed them with her audition. She was fantastic. And as luck isn't just all about talent and skills but preparedness when the opportunity comes, she was ready. She got the part, and She. Was. Perfect!

About 30 years later, a new Broadway musical, ALLEGIANCE, was searching for an Asian in her 30s/40s for the lead role. And who could be more perfect - Lea Salonga, again! Yes, she has matured, still as great as ever, taking care of herself, and opportunity knocked, again, and she was ready. She didn't just get the part. It's as if the musical was made specifically for her, again, her role especially reserved for her 30 years later, and yet ALLEGIANCE is new, and She. Is. Perfect!

Time. What is time? I've just asked you this, remember? Time has so many definitions, in so many contexts, in so many levels. However, in relation to the fortune cookie that I finally opened today, and quite accidentally, (Is there such a thing as accidentally?), "When it's your time, it's your time!"
It doesn't mean we just sit there and do nothing. Nope! We do what we can to fulfill our dreams, achieve our goals, anything we want in life. However, we can pray for all our life, but when it's not time, it's not time. On the other hand, “I learned this, at least, by my experiment: that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.” 

― Henry David Thoreau, Walden: Or, Life in the Woods

Yup, we don't even have to pray. Or let me modify that -
Pray, like everything depended on God. Act, like everything depended on you.

We do our best, our very best, in every endeavor, in everything we do, anything we want to do! What we look for, what we seek, has always been there, looking straight and clear back at each and every one of us. It's as easy for God to grant us what we wish for right here and now. Like, RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW!! The problem is it's us who don't always look straight and clear into what we want. That's why we end up with what we need. That's not bad. It's what we need for the moment, at the moment, in the moment... until we're ready. And when the opportunity comes "unexpected in common hours,", that is when our dreams come true, "beyond our wildest imagination"!!


Such is Fortune, huh!

TIME... What is TIME?

"Time flies when you're having fun."

We all know that. However, these past few days, specifically, these past 3 days, time seems to have stood still. Everything around me seems to have stopped. AND... I'm having fun! I'm enjoying every bit of it! With all so many things I have to do these days, I've never been busier doing music, at the same time, finishing up this year's competency test at work, and on and on and on, and time seemingly running out, there's not enough time, YET... time seems to go in 
... SLOW... MOTION... 

It's what I want, it's what I need. Right now. And I'm getting it, and enjoying it - WOW! I seem to get things done, and at a good pace at that! On top of that, Daylight Saving Time is coming up - an added time, an extra hour! - I ain't complaining!


Here are some interesting topics I saw on the web:
What is Time?
Is Time an Illusion?
There is No such Thing as Time


What are your thoughts on TIME?

Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary

Today is the Feastday of Our Lady of the Rosary. I have a very close connection with her, more so than ever before. It started when my niece and her husband went to Fatima last year in October, month of the Holy Rosary, as a matter of fact. Here's an excerpt from my story -

"... But there was something that would occur constantly, a religious experience, a connection with the Blessed Virgin Mary. I've always had a close connection with the Virgin Mary, in this life and past, past lives. But these past few months, as I said, I was incommunicado. But as much as I ignored her, I couldn't totally  do so. She was always there.

When my niece, Lourdes, and her husband, Brian, were at Fatima, Portugal, in October, month of the Holy Rosary, couldn't be more special and timely, she text me right there to tell me she prayed for my particular intentions, for all of us, friends and families, all loved ones. Since then, whenever I prayed to Mary, somehow, I would hear her say, "I know about that."
She knew. And when I'd pray for my family, especially for my mother, and everyone I could think of, again she'd say, "I know about that," as if everyone, everything that Loudette and Brian prayed for in their visit to Fatima, she knew already. They didn't have to go to Fatima to pray for us. The Blessed Virgin hears our prayers wherever we are, but that trip of theirs made it so very special for us all. Like she knew us all personally, and she knew our wants and needs before we could even utter them.
And through it all, one word, one word, she would repeatedly tell me in a whisper, "Miraculous."
Then she adds another word to it - a secret, a mighty secret!

It's been like that since..."


How could I be so blessed??

Our Lady, this whole month I resolve to pray the rosary every night in your honor, to thank you for all the miracles you've done to me, for me, my family, all my loved ones, friends, even enemies, whoever they are.  How did I ever deserve you and your love?!  I'm humbled. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Hail Mary, full of grace

The Lord is with thee

Blessed art thou among women

And blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for us, sinners

Now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Birthday of Mary

HAPPY BIRTHDAY,
BLESSED VIRGIN MARY!

"The destiny of the world lies in the hands of women. Woman is the creator. She has beauty, charm, grace and wisdom. She has her hand in the hand of God. --- Woman is at the top of creation. This is her place and her dharma, and this she must never lose, for if she does, there will be wars, suffering and cruelty, because she is the opposite of all these things." Maharishi

Remembering... Peter, Paul and Mary

I'm watching 50 Years of Peter, Paul, and Mary on tv KRCB right now. Songs include 500 Miles, Puff, the Magic Dragon, If I Had a Hammer, Blowing in the Wind, also, Where Have All the Flowers  Gone.

Memories...

When I was in MNL last March, one of the stories Nandy told us about was that he and another brother, Mike, and I were singing Peter, Paul, and Mary when we were young. I didn't remember that! Mike and I sang together a lot and we sounded good, but with Nandy, I just couldn't remember. Not that he wasn't good. No, not that. Music is in our blood, it's in the family, but why don't I have memories of that?! Oh, well...

Anyway, Nandy said there was one song that was really touching that talked about war, Vietnam war, I'm sure. I wonder which among their popular songs was it.


Do you remember?

Talk More About... Sleepless

Yup, sleepless... then turning sleepy, hopefully... and finally, asleep, which is really a hit or miss for most of us, I found some interesting topics which I hope can help us -
THE BREATHING TRICK THAT PUTS YOU TO SLEEP IN SECONDS (This, I've been looking for yearsss... Unbelievable!)
DO THESE 5 THINGS AND YOU'LL WAKE UP HAPPIER (Really helps!)


Let me know what you think, I'm curious.

... AND TO MOTHER MARY!

We're all so caught up in our world of mothers on Mother's Day we forget about you. Please forget the troubles of the world even for a day. Today is your day. Be happy.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MOTHER MARY!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

To all mothers of the world... 

... Most especially, to the most beautiful, the greatest mother of all, MY MOTHER!!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY, MANG!

I LOVE YOU WITH MY WHOLE HEART AND SOUL, MY WHOLE BEING!!!

News of the Day

Sr. Adolfine Tonnies, the cofounder and first superior general of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (Pink Sisters), is now a candidate for beatification. She received the religious name, Mary Michael, from our founder, St. Arnold Janssen, SVD. She remained in the Lord in the cloister, but she also founded new adoration convents in Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, China and the Philippines. Today there are about 350 Adoration Sisters, living in 22 convents in various parts of the world, constantly in adoration and remaining with our Risen Lord in the Blessed Sacrament.

That's great news. I remember when I used to go to the Chapel of the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters, or Pink Sisters as they were called, in Baguio or in Quezon City with family and or friends. The Pink Sisters were the contemplative part of my alma mater, College of the Holy Spirit. And growing up in a private Catholic school with nuns, it was simply natural to have a close connection with the nuns. And when I saw the Pink Sisters (because they wore pink habits) in Baguio for the first time, cloistered but not quite unseen, just separated by a gate inside the chapel, from outsiders, I was in awe! They looked so pure and beautiful! And they didn't just look happy, they were in bliss.

I wanted to be like them... but, alas, I wasn't deserving. I was just not as pure and beautiful as them. So the closest I could get to them was to go to Baguio up in the cold mountains as often as I could, wake up at 4 a.m. in freezing cold (that was a big sacrifice but I'd do it just to see them!) to get ready for the 6 a.m. mass, to be close to them as humanly possible as I could, as hundred others did the same thing, to watch them as they did their morning procession to the chapel, and hear their beautiful angelic voices as they sang their devotional prayers...

Aah, I can still hear their voices... Thank you, Sister Adolfine Tonnies, for co-founding the Pink Sisters with now Saint Arnold Janssen. I will pray for your sainthood through the most powerful intercession of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 


Praise the Lord.

Oh, No, It's Not Paquiao!

Floyd Mayweather wins!

The cat predicted Paquiao was gonna win! Now wait a minute, I didn't jinx that! Look at the last picture. The cat ate the treats on Mayweather's photo last. It's not over till it's over. Last picture wins!

DANG!!

Paquiao - Mayweather Fight

Never thought this Paquiao - Mayweather Fight tonight was going to be a big deal! I was never a Paquiao fan but when I was in Manila last March, people were crazy about him already and the fight wasn't till 2 mos. later. Everybody was buying Manny Paquiao merchandise - Tshirts, caps, tote bags and on and on... My family wanted to give me and Norman shirts and I wasn't interested until I saw one  myself that I really liked. Look it, I'm wearing it today to show Filipino solidarity for Manny!

Go for it, Paquiao, and win it! The way we, Filipinos, pray, unless God gets bored with the fight and falls asleep tonight, you should win!

Hey, check this cat who predicts who is gonna win tonight's fight! Hope I don't jinx it.

The Law of Attraction

Who would ever think that after posting Sleepless in Seattle... only a few days ago, I'd actually be in Seattle, at the airport, and get a sleepwear like this? Norman bought it for me, the start of his spending spree this trip.
We flew in from SFO aboard Alaska Airline on our way to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and again, I didn't I know we were taking Alaska and I was wearing my Grand Princess Alaska Cruise sweatshirt, too! Norman arranged this trip to Victoria a long time ago and I had no idea whatsoever about our itinerary. All these happenings have been pure coincidental! Or is there such a thing?

We're here in Victoria, Canada staying at the magnificent Fairmont Empress Hotel for our 25th wedding anniversary celebration - A milestone, and we're very proud!! And we're actually having the famous Afternoon Tea at The Empress -WOW! I told Norman I could miss lunch and dinner today but not the Afternoon Tea at The Empress. We arrived at Victoria past 1 pm. We had to go through customs. We didn't know how far the hotel was and we knew that the afternoon tea ends at 3 pm. Well, we got here at 2 pm and upon check-in, the receptionist immediately made reservations for us for the afternoon tea at 2:15 - Plenty of time!

        

This whole trip is special, deeply personal to Norman. In the 70's, he recalls, he was in Vancouver for a rock concert and someone told him to go visit Victoria, beautiful capital of British Columbia. The fare was about Canadian $7.00 one way by ferry boat. He didn't have the money. When he returned home, he read about it and saw a picture of the magnificent Empress Hotel and thought to himself, "I wanna be in this picture."

Two years ago, we went on our Grand Princess Alaska Cruise with his brother, Joel, and wife, Sarah, and one of our stops was Victoria, Canada. A dream come true for him! We strolled from the harbor enjoying the scenery, a truly beautiful promenade, although I bet, like a kid, Norman wanted to RUN to see the hotel right away. That was his dream for so many years! That's why he took this cruise - it was going to Victoria! He was going to see THE EMPRESS HOTEL - Finally!!

As we got a glimpse of the hotel, I was astounded! I looked at Norman, and I wondered... I wondered what he must've have been feeling at that very moment. As we got closer and closer and finally stepped on the ground, one look into Norman's eyes and I knew... he was fulfilled!
We had breakfast and asked for tea just to get a taste of the Empress tea. Our waiter was great, though. He went out of his way to even serve us mini-scones and other sweets to go with our tea - a sampling of the famous Afternoon Tea! But that doesn't start till 12 noon. We only had few hours stopover in Victoria. But it was alright. Norman knew... someday he would, he will, have the real Afternoon Tea at the Empress.

And here we are! But still, that wasn't enough. He vowed that one day, he would, he will, stay at The Empress Hotel himself. That day has come to pass - Today! Now he has money and with no hesitation, no reservations, he's splurging!


This is just the beginning...

Sleepless in Seattle, San Francisco, Everywhere

".. sleep is a beautiful thing." - I heard that on a TV commercial.

For the helpless hopeless... insomiacs like many of us, that's music to our ears. I like that... I really like that! I need to hear that again -

                               Sleep is a beautiful thing....

                               

                                         

                                         Sleep is a beautiful thing....

                               

   

                                                   

                                                     Sleep is a beautiful thing....

Yes...

Do not disturb.

The Many Apparitions of Our Lady

I was just talking to my friend, Lulu, on the phone, and she was telling me about Our Lady of Lebanon and Our Lady of Elige. And now I've just learned of Our Lady of Aranzazu from the Jesuits' Igniting Our Values which I've been following this Lent. I didn't know that the Blessed Virgin have had so many apparitions in the past! I've heard of others and her many other titles but some places, I've never even heard of!  I only know of Lourdes, Fatima and Guadalupe as the most popular. And of course, Our Lady of Perpetual Help after whom I was named as my mother promised if she was going to have a baby girl. She had 4 boys already so she wanted a girl. My mom made a 9-Wednesday novena in her honor and on her 9th Wednesday, I was born. How special, huh!

Going back, the Blessed Virgin Mary has no greater desire than to bring us, all her children, closer to her son, Jesus. Many of us have been so deaf to her calls so that time and time again, in different parts of the world, she would make herself known to bring us back to her fold and Jesus.

Praise the Lord. Alleluia!

ASH WEDNESDAY

I'm so glad I remembered today was Ash Wednesday, not a day or two later. Always good to remember a special day on the day itself. I was able to go to church not just for mass but especially the ash service. It was what I went to church for - "Remember, Man is dust, and unto dust, you shall return."

Nice way to start the Lenten season. Got myself Father Robert Barron's book, LENT REFLECTIONS, also available on-line, to keep me company. There's also a link I'm following this Lent called IGNITING OUR VALUES, a Jesuit/Ignatian Pilgrimage for Lent 2015. It's beautiful. Both programs on prayers and reflections are inspiring. Join me on this journey and let's have some quiet time together. It helps amidst all the everyday chaos in life.

In addition, here's a story of our beloved Pope Francis' Ash Wednesday walk in procession between Rome churches. Everybody loves our new Pope!

Looking Back & Moving Forward

I see a lot of you coming back to visit my blogs again. Thank you all so much. Yes, the last time I posted something was my birthday after which some health concerns arose. The next time I went back to blogging was about 6 months later, on December 8, a very special day. Anything in between that were drafts I finally completed when I got back last 8th.


Again, welcome back everybody. Thanks for all your love and support. Love you more for it.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun...

Our first get-together for the year! Always special to spend time with high school classmates, some even from grade school. Nothing beats that! The bond, the friendship, the love and support, it's unspeakable joy! It's beyond expression, beyond explanation. That's why we try to have these get- togethers as often as we can.

And today at Dulce's beautiful home was simply special. She hosted the party with great Filipino food and desserts. No pot-lucks today. It's all Dulce&Rene's generosity - WoW!

One of the things we did today was watched a free movie from a computer hooked up to TV that Charrie introduced us to. We watched UNBROKEN, a World War II true story about survival, resilience, and redemption directed by Angelina Jolie.  Since most of them have seen it, there were only about 4 of us who watched it. But we couldn't hear so well as... well, the guys sitting by the dining table we called the loge, (like in a movie theatre), behind the living room, were loud enough. But the gals, in the kitchen, at the back, we called the balcony, behind the dining room, were even louder and noisier... What do you expect from, well... Girls?! They're having fun.

Anyway, we got as much as we could from the movie and it was really good. One of the best films of 2014!

There was one word that hit me at the end of the footage about the soldier, Louis Zampereni, who was treated inhumanely at the Japanese war camp. Instead of revenge, he chose FORGIVENESS...

So befitting Zamperini! 
Rest in peace, Sir...

And for those who were boisterous on the balcony, ladies, girls... I forgive you.

A Side Story

Beside the book was a bright-colored mosaic-designed ceramic plate with the words -
Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it turned into a butterfly.

BEAUTIFUL!

BLESSED VIRGIN

The other night, I dreamt of me and 2 musician friends, Sandy and Annie, watching a concert. And the artist on stage, instead of playing music, was talking about the Blessed Virgin. And I thought, "She's like me."
Then yesterday, I passed by work to drop something and pick up some stuff, too. The gift shop was open so I came in and what did I see on one table? Amidst all the gift items, I saw one lone small book, THE ROSARY OF OUR LADY. I bought it. Simple as that. My connection with the Blessed Virgin continues...

Miraculous.

Hello Again, Indeed!!

2015 has just started so here's to a 

HAPPY HEALTHY BRIGHT NEW YEAR!!!

I'm back. I miss you, guys. Welcome back.

QUEEN VICTORIA'S EMPIRE

Watching QUEEN VICTORIA'S EMPIRE on PBS, this is really nice. Having had such a deep nap, feeling calm, I just find the documentary simply informative, no excitement involved, thus, simply easy on the nerves. I like it. I'm still on it. Haven't changed channels. I don't want my moods to change. I'm content just being like this right now.

Enjoying the moment...

Fortune Cookie for the Day

Do not rush through life.
Pause and enjoy it.

Just what I needed! I've been rushing, rushing, rushing lately, I'm a nervous wreck!!

SLOW DOWN...

On God and Buddha

Last night, I watched BUDDHA on PBS, and wow, what a way to end a night, easy, calming, especially having been almost sleepless the night before.

And right now, there's a marathon of Joseph Campbell and Bill Moyers on PBS again and just now, Bill asked, "Do you believe in a personal God?"

Campbell said no because he claims if you do, what's the value of faith?

The universe, or however else we call God, is impersonal to me.  But there's a personal God. And I believe in a personal God. I do. In Jesus, God the Son, the closest we have, the most human, to be closest to God, the Father, and God, the Holy Spirit. Thank God for that! With it, I don't need faith. I just know. And on circumstances that arise that need faith, I'm up close and personal with Jesus... and there's Mother Mary. What a plus! Yes, I believe.

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
Before you were born I set you apart, says the Lord.
                                                                        Jer. 1:5