SYMMETRICAL

 

Photo credit to Bailey Anselme. Please check photos of Bailey Anselme at Getty Images 

As the the clouds covered the sky

hesitation comes in.

Much to my dismay, 

I can see the path I am about to take 

is darker. 

And so I turn to other directions, 

To my surprise, I saw people heading the opposite journey barefoot, 

With much smaller than me, yet bravely making their walk. 

As if the sight I saw was sufficient enough to comfort me, 

I took a deep long breath and started the journey.

Noticeably, as I go farther the steps become harder to take. 

But despite the occasional hurdle along the way I continue walking. 

As I follow the path, the people before me that have walked the road have in a way made the way clearer, and wider as if preparing me for the easy travel. 

There were shades and provision for seating in case I needed to stop and rest.

While I managed my phase, those ahead of me were in a hurry. 

So I got curious, once more I turned at the back. 

There were dozens walking symmetrically towards my direction. 

However, I noticed that as I pause, most of them also cease from moving. 

I have forgotten how long I have been traveling

But I could see from where I am 

that the sky is much clearer compared to when I was about to take the step. 

But while I could not tell what can be expected in between the journey, 

as the clouds would come and go,

It is also good to know you are not alone.

 

Hence, I realized why not enjoy the walk. 

Take pride in the beauty of moment, 

Do not worry on things that is not present, rather let things unfold before you

For you may not be able to witness the same road you are traveling now.  

GREAT LOVE

The photo was taken by @Iram Bueno at @Twin Lakes Hotel, Tagaytay on March 22, 2019.

Smile with me for I am still here.

Look at me while you can see the happiness in my eyes.

Talk to me while words can still be heard.

Hear me out while the voice can still say a thousand words.

Love me while I am still around, 

While there's still a chance for one day, 

I will be eternally gone. 

For one day, words will no longer mean,

And love will never be felt, 

For when that day comes I am already gone.

(an impromptu poem written by the blogger in a comment box of a social media platform on January 23, 2016, dedicated to that one great love)

TO SELF-WORTH

 

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​How are you today? I know the day-to-day struggle is indeed real, whether you are single, in a relationship, solo living, with children, and with family members. 

I, myself could attest to this as there are physical, mental, psycho-social, and professional challenges among others that each one of us has to deal with.  And hurdling, and winning the day-one battle is often different from day two and so on and so forth. 

In my own personal experience, I could never say I am winning the battle every day. In fact, there are days, sometimes weeks that I am knocked out. But while I lost the other day, I don't deny the fact that tomorrow or the next day, I must help myself to continue to keep going, to struggle again. 

Literally and figuratively, it is and will be the case for a stroke survivor like me, especially these last two years that we are under the pandemic. Also, I must take into account my financial needs for my lifetime medication, and fulfill my part of being the only child right now to check on my aging mother because my other siblings are abroad working. 

While I struggle physically, which includes moving and walking, I must also keep my mental state healthy to ensure that emotions would not get through me as it could shoot up my blood pressure, I must likewise check to ensure that I get to visit mom every now and then. Why we are not together is another topic to discuss.

Anyway, since I could not handle it all at the same time, I often address what I think would be easier for me for that specific day. There are days that I would not do any because the priority is either my mental state or keeping the blood pressure stable, and there are days that I would love myself more. It then translates to trying to work out a little to keep my blood flow running smoothly. If such is the case I also then address the physical,  mental, and emotional balance that any human body needs. And like others, the monetary concerns would often take the least as there is no certainty where to get them. 

You see, each one of us is going through something, you just have to help yourself to look for ways to channel our individual issues and focus yourself on something else, or even encourage others to take responsibility for their situation rather than pity themselves. Remember the old quote from the great national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal "To live is to be among men, and to be among men is to strive".  

Perhaps you can help by nurturing self-worth, and the sense of fulfillment and accomplishments that men should continue to embody no matter how crucial the world is. Besides, it doesn't have to be a huge accomplishment, start on little things that matter to you, and let them blossom and be beneficial also to others. True, it would be a long process but we must always try while we can just keep believing in ourselves, then ask and trust God for guidance.