perfection

you know, i had a discussion with a group of people before and something struck me during that time . . .

apparently, i asked them about forgiveness . . . that is, how willing are we to forgive others? well, you can expect the answer . . . of course we all agreed we’re all willing to forgive. one said, "kung ang d’yos nga nagpatawad, tayo pa kaya?" well, it’s a common answer . . . but a statement was added . . . "’di naman tayong perpektong tao e."

i was to agree with the statement but someone blurted out, "that’s where you’re wrong." of course, i was surprised with that. then, i listened to the explanation . . . according to this person, we are all perfect people . . . we are just not contented.

i thought about the statement.  the argument was, god created us in his own image and likeness. if we believe that god is perfect and we are created according to his image and likeness, then we must be perfect as well. the difference only is that we are not contented, we still want more . . . and that made us human.

interesting comment, actually . . . it made me think . . . i think there’s a point in the statement. maybe we’re really perfect . . . we just want more . . . we’re just not satisfied.

so what do we do now? i don’t know . . . it’s not easy to just start saying "i’m satisfied and i’m not gonna crave for more." and so, i’m led back to the statement . . . "we’re just humans". but can that really be just the answer? that in every mistake, we’ll just say, "tao lang . . ."

i know we can be perfect people . . . in our own little ways. i think the measure of it comes from the fact that you’re satisfied and happy because if you do, you’re not gonna crave for more . . . you won’t long for something else . . . and should that happen, then there’s proof in the statement i heard "we are all perfect people . . . we’re just not contented".

–GI 30682

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quarter-life crisis

you know, i had a wonderful experience a couple of weeks ago . . . it was something which i know will help me, not just now, but till the rest of my life . . . and i’ve got people to thank for for that. for the longest time this year, i was so confused . . . and i’m just thankful to be surrounded now with great people . . . people whom you can trust . . . people whom you know would want to bring out the best in you. i’ve found great people to whom i can talk to . . . people i know would listen, understand, and give great advices . . . in short, i found people who truly care . . . and i do feel blessed.

so anyway, in that experience i had a couple of weeks ago . . . i learned about a couple of terms . . . interesting terms, actually . . . like turbulent thirties (kinda scary, huh) and quarter-life crisis (i think this was what i have undergone early this year).

well, at least now i’m quite understanding myself . . . why certain things happen, and basically having an idea on how to deal with it.

a couple of days ago, i met up with a friend.  we talked about life . . . our struggles, actually.  we discussed about the things important for us right now . . . stuff like career, lovelife, family, happiness . . . you know how difficult it can be?  when sometimes, you seem to know what you should do, but acting on it is something you find hard to do. 

i looked up the term "quarter-life crisis" in the internet and this is what i got . . . credits to wikipedia . . .

"Characteristics of quarter-life crisis may include:

• feeling "not good enough" because one can’t find a job that is at one’s academic/intellectual level
• frustration with relationships, the working world, and finding a suitable job or career
• confusion of identity
• insecurity regarding the near future
• insecurity regarding present accomplishments
• re-evaluation of close interpersonal relationships
• disappointment with one’s job
• nostalgia for university, college, high school or elementary school life
• tendency to hold stronger opinions
• boredom with social interactions
• financially-rooted stress
• loneliness
• desire to have children
• a sense that everyone is, somehow, doing better than you "

maybe it is an inevitable stage . . . you know, maybe all of us are bound to go through this stage.  maybe such occurs for this is the time when reality sinks in.  as young adults, we are driven . . . driven to succeed . . . driven to prove to the world of how great we can be . . . we want to show and prove to everyone that we are capable of success.  but maybe now, we are slowly realizing that success is something you can’t do overnight.  it’s hard work . . . you need to earn it.

maybe we’re setting deadlines . . . and the fact that this success hasn’t been fulfilled in our given short time, we get disappointed.  after school, i guess we were all so idealistic . . . we thought dealing with life and the road to success is something which we can learn from the book.  but no, as we enter the real world, we realize it’s not just that . . . there are other things to consider . . . and this makes it hard for us.  and with that . . . comes our insecurities.

how do we deal with it?  i don’t know . . . maybe we should just be brave enough to face it . . . that no matter how hard, we just need to go on . . . and perhaps, there’s comfort in the idea that it’s not just you who’s experiencing this crisis . . . because there are others as well.

maybe we need to turn back a bit . . . rediscover ourselves and perhaps "re-align" our goals . . . and make it more realistic and feasible.  this way, less frustrations we’ll have.

the best advice i can give perhaps?  hmm . . . pray and surround yourself with great and supportive people . . .

–GI 30682

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my favorites

hmm . . . quite a tiring day today . . . and for sure the days ahead will be, too.  oh well, i still choose to find time for this blog entry.

remember when we were kids?  how much we loved to answer autograph books or even slambooks?  right now it seems funny why we’d always buy every new autograph book available to have our same friends answer them all . . . sayang ang papel . . . sayang ang ink ng pen . . . sayang ang pera ng magulang . . . hahaha! but, who cares?  the thing is, it’s not our money we’re spending, ‘di ba?  we’re still too young back then to understand the value of money.

ok, i’m not here to talk about the value of money . . . as if naman kasi i have the credibility to talk about saving money and all . . . everyone knows how i’d gladly splurge for the benefit of other people . . . yep, that’s me . . . i’d gladly give everything for others . . . naks!

darn it . . . what the hell is wrong with me today?  i’m so hyper, makulit . . . must be because of the one piece of chicken leg and one stick of barbecue i was forced to eat today . . .

well, going back to the autograph books . . . i remember how hard it is for me to answer questions like "favorite number" and "favorite flower".  what’s with the number?  there’s no number which i find lucky for me . . . and flower?  i don’t care about flowers, as long as it’s given by a special someone . . . ‘yun na ‘yun! hahaha

now, because of my profession of faith . . . i would love to say i have realized my favorite number already . . . the number 9.  ok, people say it is indeed a lucky number.  but for me, i’d consider it as my number for it is a reminder for me . . . the novena . . . 9 days . . . it works . . . as long as you believe . . .

for the flower?  i’d say the rose . . . hey! don’t get me wrong . . . not that it’s the easiest to spell, ha.  of course i know how to spell chrysanthemum or anthurium but i’d prefer the rose . . . because it reminds me of st. therese.  you know, i also made a novena to her regarding my special favor.  you know what happens whenever people pray to st. therese, right?  you’ll receive a manifestation of roses, in any way . . . it’s her way of telling us that our prayer has been answered.

i remember the time i was praying the novenas . . . one of which to st. therese.  whenever i’d pass by the adoration chapel, there’s always a fresh bouquet of roses offered.  not that i was satisfying myself that it’s her way of telling me that my prayer has been answered . . . but deep inside, of course i did.  i was thanking her and at the same time praying that i was getting the signs correctly.  well, cutting things short . . . i’m happy, because i got my prayer.

but i guess it doesn’t end there . . . the final chapter of it shall come around february or march next year . . . sana sana sana talaga . . . the ultimate fulfillment of my prayer shall come that time e . . . help me pray na makuha ko talaga ‘yun, ha . . . it’ll be the best birthday gift ever . . . pambawi lang, ‘di ba?  i had the worst birthday ever this 2007 e . . . if it’s god’s way of making bawi by giving me that gift of answered prayer come my birthday this 2008 . . . shoots talaga! it’s gonna be the best birthday ever . . .

let’s all pray for answered prayers . . .

–GI 30682

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saint jude

i remember a couple of months ago, during the climax of a lot of struggles in my life, a friend of mine shared her experience of praying the novena to saint jude.

who is saint jude, by the way?  well, he is known to be the patron saint of hopeless cases.  those who come to ask for his intercession are said to have their impossible petitions granted.

i also got the novena to saint jude by chance.  having known that he is the patron of impossible cases, i took the chance of praying my intention to him.

well, the intention to saint jude is quite similar to the novena to the sacred heart of jesus.  anyway, i’ll just post it as well . . . you might find it useful sometime in your life . . .

NOVENA TO SAINT JUDE THADDEUS

(Must be said 6 times each day for 9 consecutive days, leaving 9 copies in church each day.  Prayer will be answered on or before 9th day.  Has never been known to fail.)

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, loved in all tabernacles until the end of time.

May the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised and glorified now and forever.

Saint Jude pray for us and hear our prayers.

Blessed be the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Blessed be the Immaculate Heart of Mary.  Blessed be Saint Jude Thaddeus in all the world and for all eternity.

PRAYER

Our Father, who art in heaven:  hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.

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.

PRAYER TO SAINT JUDE THADDEUS

O glorious apostle, Saint Jude Thaddeus, true relative of Jesus and Mary, I salute you through the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus; through this heart I praise and thank God for all the graces he has bestowed upon you.  Humbly prostrate before you, I implore you through the heart to look down upon me with compassion.  Oh, despise not my poor prayer, let not my trust be confounded.  To you God has granted the privilege of aiding mankind in the mose desperate cases.  Oh, come to my aid that I may praise the mercies of God.  All my life I will be grateful to you and will be your faithful client until I can thank you in heaven.  Amen.

Note:  Make 81 copies.  Leave 9 copies in church each consecutive day (9 days).  you will receive your intention before the 9 days are over no matter how impossible it may seem.

sorry for being super busy lately.  just been dealing with lots of stuff kasi . . . i’m not complaining, though.  i had a wonderful experience the past few days and it was really enriching.  still am looking for better days ahead and i do hope you’ll help me in praying to live up to what other people expect of me . . . because i do want to meet that . . .

–GI 30682

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