I guess, by now, many would be already familiar with AVATAR. It has been so prominently highlighted in movie reviews and received accolades for its outstanding storyline and effects. For the benefit of those who are unfamiliar, for one reason or another, it is the title of a newly launched movie. It was really awesome. Should go and watch it...
More reviews and reflections tmr...too tired to write today....cheerios!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Healing Remedy
This weekend was really hectic...rushing from one place to the other, back to back meetings and I had two masses to play for, one of which was a wedding which I couldn't afford to screw up since it was a once in a lifetime thing for the couple, sense the stress...
It is comforting to note that, amidst the buzz and the avalanche of activities, there was this particular learning point that I picked up. This point I believe would be instrumental in my future relationship endeavours and might be the healing remedy for any 'cracked' or 'broken' relationships.
The great remedy consists of 4 phrases...
"I was wrong..."
"I am sorry..."
"Please forgive me..."
"I love you..."
4 very simple but powerful phrases...reflecting one's love for the other- willing to eat the humble pie, putting aside his ego, for the sake of the other... Indeed, these 4 phrases are magical and will miraculously assist people in surmounting the most difficult issues in their relationships... Let us attempt to say it to the ones we have hurt and begin the healing process today.
Amen.
It is comforting to note that, amidst the buzz and the avalanche of activities, there was this particular learning point that I picked up. This point I believe would be instrumental in my future relationship endeavours and might be the healing remedy for any 'cracked' or 'broken' relationships.
The great remedy consists of 4 phrases...
"I was wrong..."
"I am sorry..."
"Please forgive me..."
"I love you..."
4 very simple but powerful phrases...reflecting one's love for the other- willing to eat the humble pie, putting aside his ego, for the sake of the other... Indeed, these 4 phrases are magical and will miraculously assist people in surmounting the most difficult issues in their relationships... Let us attempt to say it to the ones we have hurt and begin the healing process today.
Amen.
Monday, November 23, 2009
Standing In The Gap
Many a times, we find ourselves in situations where we have to stand in the gap. There are a myriad of causes, often unprecedented. Being caught out of the blue, it is not surprising to hear of lamentations and negative talks, especially if it disrupts our schedule, shifting our appointments and de-conflicting events can be a real pain sometimes. In addition, the thought of covering another person aggravates the pain and often lands us into a state of self pity.
Painful as it may seem, standing in the gap is necessary for a successful social life. This echos one of the key principles of friendship that we all hold dear to, that is to 'give and take'. This extra mile that we run might relief our friend of some worries, allowing him/her to concentrate on more significant priorities. We might meet the same situation someday and the situation might warrant someone to cover our duties as well. I reckon, the person who you have helped before will be more willing to step forward (to return a favour), like a wise lady once said "People never forget that helping hand especially when times are tough." Of course, I am saying that with the assumption that people around us are all appreciative. If our favours go unappreciated, we can only console ourselves that we have done a good dead and will receive our rewards in due time, from the one above.
However, we got to practice some discernment when we offer assistance to people. We got to critically assess if the case is truly genuine. Blindly offering help might promote sloth. Saying that, we got to exercise tact when we turn down the offer. This is an integral part of human relations as well.
"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds."
George Eliot
Standing in the gap will borne for us some fruits as well. During the process, we might pick up some handy skills that will bring us a long way, I fondly call to mind a quote that I recently came across "The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed". Truly, sometimes, by extending the helping hand, we receive more than what we give.
Painful as it may seem, standing in the gap is necessary for a successful social life. This echos one of the key principles of friendship that we all hold dear to, that is to 'give and take'. This extra mile that we run might relief our friend of some worries, allowing him/her to concentrate on more significant priorities. We might meet the same situation someday and the situation might warrant someone to cover our duties as well. I reckon, the person who you have helped before will be more willing to step forward (to return a favour), like a wise lady once said "People never forget that helping hand especially when times are tough." Of course, I am saying that with the assumption that people around us are all appreciative. If our favours go unappreciated, we can only console ourselves that we have done a good dead and will receive our rewards in due time, from the one above.
However, we got to practice some discernment when we offer assistance to people. We got to critically assess if the case is truly genuine. Blindly offering help might promote sloth. Saying that, we got to exercise tact when we turn down the offer. This is an integral part of human relations as well.
"Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds."
George Eliot
Standing in the gap will borne for us some fruits as well. During the process, we might pick up some handy skills that will bring us a long way, I fondly call to mind a quote that I recently came across "The more I help others to succeed, the more I succeed". Truly, sometimes, by extending the helping hand, we receive more than what we give.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The Mother- The Love Testament
Last night, I had the blessing of watching My Sister's Keeper (thanks to the generosity of a friend). The film left me with a plethora of emotions, a tinge of compassion, some feelings of pity and so on...but most of all, I begin to come to a deeper realisation of unconditional love. This was reflected by a mother in the film (pardon me, for i cannot really recall her name due to the attack of the ZZZ monster).
This mother was a well to do lawyer, endeavouring to establish her own legal practice. She was living a blissful life, like any other young mother, enjoying the companionship of her husband and being alongside her newly born child. However, just as she was savouring these moments of joy, she discovered some anomalies in her daughter's body, that discovery induced a radical change in her life, not for the better... After a whole string of investigations, her daughter (Kate) was diagnosed with leukemia. That was surely a devastating news for her.
Upon the discovery, she vouched to be by her daughter and tried ways and means to get her cured. She was by her daughter 24/7...during treatment, during silent moments, during times were life just seems so bleak... That did not come free of course, to be able to do that, there must be some opportunity costs, as defined in economic parlances. The trade off in this case was great, she had to put aside her career, which she painstakingly established, her marriage, which is a indispensable part of a woman's life... She also went to the extent of shaving bald so as to boost the self-esteem of her daughter who was going through chemo therapy. When faced with legal indictment, she went against all odds to fight the case. She gave up all the imperatives of a woman- beauty, family and marriage. All these, just to ensure that her daughter could live another day...How deep a mother's love, giving up everything for her child.
The whole epitome of love was observed, however, not from the aforementioned gestures, contrary to many's beliefs. It was seen when she was willing to give up all her efforts of saving her daughter when the news of 'Your daughter actually wants to die' was broken to her. Many of us might not think much of it. However, let me attempt to put things into perspective. Everyone works with a motivation, that motivation is the impetus for every action. For the mother, the motivation of the entire life was to save her daughter, her whole life revolved around that, she was plainly living just for that. Suddenly, upon the breaking of that news, she had to be detached from this primary motivation of her life, to uproot it totally, just to grant the wish of the child, out of her great love as a mother. It is really tough, especially since she has all along been fighting hard to preserve her child's life... Granting this wish of the child, she will also anticipate her child's death, she has alot to lose, but she did it... This, to me, truly shows the ultimate love of a mother, totally selfless, offering her whole life as a sacrifice of love.
Many of us have the perception that by loving someone, we would have to do a whole load of sweet and nice things for them, showering them with this and that. I do see the merits in that. However, the greatest love is, like the mother, is to be able to let go, to be able to just be a supportive figure unconditionally. Ironic as it may sound, hard to continue to show love when the person is dead yea? But, I reckon love transcends the physicalities...and can still persist upon death.
Not all of us face such drastic happenings in our lives, however, I reckon, in every mother lies the element of unconditional love. Sometimes, they have difficulties communicating it, however, that does not suggest its absence. Let us attempt, in our daily lives, to be attentive and appreciative of the mother's love. Gestures that are often taken for granted (a homecooked meal, a neat and clean house) are testament of love and should be carefully savoured.
Food for thought:
A father may turn his back on his child; brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies; husbands may desert their wives and wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world's condemnation, a mother still loves on, and still hopes that her child may turn from his evil ways, and repent; still she remembers the infant smiles that once filled her bosom with rapture, the merry laugh, the joyful shout of his childhood, the opening promise of his youth; and she can never be brought to think him all unworthy.
- Washington Irving
This mother was a well to do lawyer, endeavouring to establish her own legal practice. She was living a blissful life, like any other young mother, enjoying the companionship of her husband and being alongside her newly born child. However, just as she was savouring these moments of joy, she discovered some anomalies in her daughter's body, that discovery induced a radical change in her life, not for the better... After a whole string of investigations, her daughter (Kate) was diagnosed with leukemia. That was surely a devastating news for her.
Upon the discovery, she vouched to be by her daughter and tried ways and means to get her cured. She was by her daughter 24/7...during treatment, during silent moments, during times were life just seems so bleak... That did not come free of course, to be able to do that, there must be some opportunity costs, as defined in economic parlances. The trade off in this case was great, she had to put aside her career, which she painstakingly established, her marriage, which is a indispensable part of a woman's life... She also went to the extent of shaving bald so as to boost the self-esteem of her daughter who was going through chemo therapy. When faced with legal indictment, she went against all odds to fight the case. She gave up all the imperatives of a woman- beauty, family and marriage. All these, just to ensure that her daughter could live another day...How deep a mother's love, giving up everything for her child.
The whole epitome of love was observed, however, not from the aforementioned gestures, contrary to many's beliefs. It was seen when she was willing to give up all her efforts of saving her daughter when the news of 'Your daughter actually wants to die' was broken to her. Many of us might not think much of it. However, let me attempt to put things into perspective. Everyone works with a motivation, that motivation is the impetus for every action. For the mother, the motivation of the entire life was to save her daughter, her whole life revolved around that, she was plainly living just for that. Suddenly, upon the breaking of that news, she had to be detached from this primary motivation of her life, to uproot it totally, just to grant the wish of the child, out of her great love as a mother. It is really tough, especially since she has all along been fighting hard to preserve her child's life... Granting this wish of the child, she will also anticipate her child's death, she has alot to lose, but she did it... This, to me, truly shows the ultimate love of a mother, totally selfless, offering her whole life as a sacrifice of love.
Many of us have the perception that by loving someone, we would have to do a whole load of sweet and nice things for them, showering them with this and that. I do see the merits in that. However, the greatest love is, like the mother, is to be able to let go, to be able to just be a supportive figure unconditionally. Ironic as it may sound, hard to continue to show love when the person is dead yea? But, I reckon love transcends the physicalities...and can still persist upon death.
Not all of us face such drastic happenings in our lives, however, I reckon, in every mother lies the element of unconditional love. Sometimes, they have difficulties communicating it, however, that does not suggest its absence. Let us attempt, in our daily lives, to be attentive and appreciative of the mother's love. Gestures that are often taken for granted (a homecooked meal, a neat and clean house) are testament of love and should be carefully savoured.
Food for thought:
A father may turn his back on his child; brothers and sisters may become inveterate enemies; husbands may desert their wives and wives their husbands. But a mother's love endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute, in the face of the world's condemnation, a mother still loves on, and still hopes that her child may turn from his evil ways, and repent; still she remembers the infant smiles that once filled her bosom with rapture, the merry laugh, the joyful shout of his childhood, the opening promise of his youth; and she can never be brought to think him all unworthy.
- Washington Irving
Homecoming
Today, we hear of the story of Zacchaeus, a story that is etched in the minds of every Christian. The narrative cited Christ making a decision that was not popular amongst the vast majority, as such, it wasn't well received at all and even faced much criticism and strong disagreements. The second part of the story saw the homecoming of Zacchaeus.
There are three noteworthy characters in the scene that truly merits our attention. First, the crowd, second, Zacchaeus and third, Christ himself. Looking at the three characters, I gathered several learning points.
1. Looking at the Crowd- I see my self-righteous and condescending self, constantly critical about others, the temptation to be judgmental and the eagerness of put others down. Many a times, I have an inclination to not look at my flaws and instead, actively try to pinpoint. This inclination saw me say things like 'no hope already man...why bother...he is beyond salvation...' With some hindsight, these words seem harsh and callous. It might be especially unjust if the person is already trying his best to better himself and my remark just put him totally down....
2. Looking at Zacchaeus- I learnt that to true repentance comes with detachment, breaking away from our sinfulness.
3. Looking at Christ himself- I see that he is ever ready to welcome anyone who is willing to turn back to him. Hence if the saviour is willing to do that, who are we to turn people away... We should start to adopt the stance of constantly welcoming people as they turn back to Christ, blessing them with love, peace and joy. For this is truly what it means to be the bearer of hope...bringing Christ to the world...
The aforementioned...my learning points for today...cheers! =)
There are three noteworthy characters in the scene that truly merits our attention. First, the crowd, second, Zacchaeus and third, Christ himself. Looking at the three characters, I gathered several learning points.
1. Looking at the Crowd- I see my self-righteous and condescending self, constantly critical about others, the temptation to be judgmental and the eagerness of put others down. Many a times, I have an inclination to not look at my flaws and instead, actively try to pinpoint. This inclination saw me say things like 'no hope already man...why bother...he is beyond salvation...' With some hindsight, these words seem harsh and callous. It might be especially unjust if the person is already trying his best to better himself and my remark just put him totally down....
2. Looking at Zacchaeus- I learnt that to true repentance comes with detachment, breaking away from our sinfulness.
3. Looking at Christ himself- I see that he is ever ready to welcome anyone who is willing to turn back to him. Hence if the saviour is willing to do that, who are we to turn people away... We should start to adopt the stance of constantly welcoming people as they turn back to Christ, blessing them with love, peace and joy. For this is truly what it means to be the bearer of hope...bringing Christ to the world...
The aforementioned...my learning points for today...cheers! =)
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Pressing On...
I happened to chance upon a friend's personal message a few moments ago, it reads ' Why God, do we make wishes if they do not come true...'That seemed to me like a cry of despair. This short anecdote is a reflection of the gospel today. Today, Mark's Gospel narrates the healing of a blind man. Jesus was on this way to Jericho, on his way there, he happened to chance upon this blind man bitterly begging by the streets. When Jesus passed, the blind man shouted 'Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.'At once, he was rebuked by the people around him. However, he did not give up, in good faith, he pressed on. Finally, he caught Jesus' attention and was healed 'by his faith'.
Many of us, like my friend, would have met such similar situations in our lives. We all have our wishes, hopes and various intentions, and we often offer them to the Lord in times of intercession. In good faith, we put these intentions before our Lord but lose faith when we do not see them coming to fruition at the time we expect them to. The question is, do we really trust that they are in the good hands of the Lord? Do we really trust that he will provide the right resources to us at the right time, at the right place? Are we really praying in true and authentic faith?
In the upper room, Jesus said to Thomas 'You have seen and thus believe, blessed are those who have yet to see by believe.' Truly, these words speak to everyone of us. In times of hopelessness and despair, do we still press on with our faith? Do we lose hope when the future looks gloomy and God just doesn't seem present in our lives?
In today's gospel narrative, we see that the man was saved because he pressed on. If he had given up upon the negative reactions and opposition from the people around him, he might not even get to Jesus. His faith won him a renewed life, where he is able to see once again. My brothers and sisters, our faith will be constantly challenged, here lies a very fundamental question- Are we in our lives going to chicken out when we challenged by the slightest bit of adversity?
God Bless!
Many of us, like my friend, would have met such similar situations in our lives. We all have our wishes, hopes and various intentions, and we often offer them to the Lord in times of intercession. In good faith, we put these intentions before our Lord but lose faith when we do not see them coming to fruition at the time we expect them to. The question is, do we really trust that they are in the good hands of the Lord? Do we really trust that he will provide the right resources to us at the right time, at the right place? Are we really praying in true and authentic faith?
In the upper room, Jesus said to Thomas 'You have seen and thus believe, blessed are those who have yet to see by believe.' Truly, these words speak to everyone of us. In times of hopelessness and despair, do we still press on with our faith? Do we lose hope when the future looks gloomy and God just doesn't seem present in our lives?
In today's gospel narrative, we see that the man was saved because he pressed on. If he had given up upon the negative reactions and opposition from the people around him, he might not even get to Jesus. His faith won him a renewed life, where he is able to see once again. My brothers and sisters, our faith will be constantly challenged, here lies a very fundamental question- Are we in our lives going to chicken out when we challenged by the slightest bit of adversity?
God Bless!
The Balancing Act
I was invited to be present at a meeting this weekend at a particular church. This meeting was convened with the intent of facilitating sharing and dialogue between the catechists of the local church. During one of the discourses, it was concluded that we should 'strike a balance between the different priorities'. Indeed, it brings back some memories, doesn't it? This phrase seem to surface repeatedly in our discussions. I personally feel that this is futile talk, whilst one knows that he should strike the balance, most of the time, he will not be able to achieve that balance because he is not equipped with the means or tools to do it. Soon after, he will crumble after losing balance.
The balancing act entails more than it seems. In my humble opinion, it requires ongoing monitoring and reviews to make sure that everything is really balanced. However, the challenge is this- it is an innate characteristic of humans to focus on one and neglect the other, especially if one seems significantly more attractive. The balancing act, if i may opine, requires sound judgment, good discernment skills and the discipline to keep everything in check (Saying that, I acknowledge that there are grounds that I may have overlooked and apologise for the inadequacy). As seen, the conclusion of 'striking a balance' is the end state, however, we should look into the process because that will greatly determine whether or not we reach that end state.
Some of us are engaged in mentoring roles, it is sometimes to tempting to give 'formulated advice'- recommending fixed formulas to our proteges, out of convenience. 'You have to strike a balance' seems to be one of the members of that formula list. Perhaps, we could consider going a step further- suggesting ways of which the protege could go about achieving that balance, that would be more concrete and be of more clarity to the receiving party. Like the saying goes 'teach a man to fish and he will be able to fish for life.' Teaching the man how to strike that balance will be an invaluable tool for his future.
God bless!
The balancing act entails more than it seems. In my humble opinion, it requires ongoing monitoring and reviews to make sure that everything is really balanced. However, the challenge is this- it is an innate characteristic of humans to focus on one and neglect the other, especially if one seems significantly more attractive. The balancing act, if i may opine, requires sound judgment, good discernment skills and the discipline to keep everything in check (Saying that, I acknowledge that there are grounds that I may have overlooked and apologise for the inadequacy). As seen, the conclusion of 'striking a balance' is the end state, however, we should look into the process because that will greatly determine whether or not we reach that end state.
Some of us are engaged in mentoring roles, it is sometimes to tempting to give 'formulated advice'- recommending fixed formulas to our proteges, out of convenience. 'You have to strike a balance' seems to be one of the members of that formula list. Perhaps, we could consider going a step further- suggesting ways of which the protege could go about achieving that balance, that would be more concrete and be of more clarity to the receiving party. Like the saying goes 'teach a man to fish and he will be able to fish for life.' Teaching the man how to strike that balance will be an invaluable tool for his future.
God bless!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)