CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE

There where times when you feel like life seems monotonous. You're not going anywhere but just float in the sea of the universe. The journey is a continuous struggle, the so-called, "survival of the fittest" takes centerstage in your mindset.

The earthly life isn't a rose garden promised to everyone. Sometimes, even the toughest person crumbles and bows down to defeat. Where does one turn to and find a sanctuary to lighten up? There are a slew of avenues to choose from. There are roads that can lead one to perdition, roads that give temporary relief and highs, and narrower roads that entail sacrifice, solitude and openness, hence finds grace to face life with a new perspective.

I, myself, find strength and the will to go on in a simple song. A song that reminds that Life is still beautiful despite the unpleasantness that goes with it. Here goes the song....

Child of the Universe

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others.
Even the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter.
For always, there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble.
It is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is.
Many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love.
For in the face of all aridity and disenchantment.
It is perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years.
Gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe.
No less than the trees and the stars.
You have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you.
No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore be at peace with God.
Whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations;
In the noisy confusion of life.
Keep peace with your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams.
It is still a beautiful world.
Be careful. Strive to be happy.

WORDS THAT STUNNED ME

Words and phrases can make or break your spirit, depends on how you take them. There are words that scar you for life, that heal, inspire or induce one to reflect. Words can be funny, sometimes uttered without a thought, and oftentimes just an ordinary remark or greeting, enough to stupefy you.

Do words absolutely define who you are? No , I think not. People see a lot of you in the outside, the source of words and perceptions that they create about you. This may sound superficial but words are sometimes used as a yardstick that gives the impression of what and who you are. Some words said maybe taken as true but others initiate us to ponder.

Words that stunned me is a simple compilation of remarks and utterances, as far as I can remember from a diversity of people that have somehow influenced me and my relationship to others.

I am sure everyone has a story to tell about Words that can make one speechless.

Read on and see what I mean.

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"Veinte-cuatro horas. (Beinte kwatro oras) - 24 oras."
Not the news at GMA 7. The label I got when I was a kid from crying non-stop from morning til noon. The only thing that stopped me from crying was when I get to sleep while crying. It was not just a silent cry but a nuisance and loud cry from a kid who seemed to be craving for attention always. Deserves my title.

"If you don’t call us “Ate” slimy worms will come out from your mouth."
(Gross! The warning I got from my older siblings when I refused to address them as such out of respect for being older than me. Took advantage of my naivete.)

"You’ve got a photographic memory."
(I am not sure anymore, I guess, I’ve lost it now.)

"Vangie... I love you... "
(A young lad in the neigborhood who was on the verge of being a stalker for following me around. Grrrrr, love your ass, boy. Who knows about romantic love when you’re just in elementary. Well, the last thing I heard was that his first born daughter was named “Evangeline.”)

"Hindi ba sumasabit ang hairpin mo sa jeep?"
(As a COCC cadet in training in 3rd year HS, since I’ve got a short hair that cannot be ponytailed, I fixed my hair by putting lots of hairpin on top to put it in place. My classmates envied me... why? Not because of the hair, but the greeting that came from our snobbish crush ng bayan male teacher, who took notice of me and whispered to me up close and personal. - Eat your hearts out, girls. )

"QUIT!!! QUIT NOW!!! "
(The platoon leader who taunted me to quit as a COCC cadet. But I stuck it out and became an Officer ).

"Evangeline, Pacencia , get out of the room!"
(My class adviser who sent me and my seatmate out of the classroom, perhaps telling me that even if I was her favorite student (feeling), I will not be spared from her rules in the class. Truth was, my seatmate was showing me her FLAMES results. - C’mon, guys of the 80’s, in highschool, you know what FLAMES is?)

"Evangeline, bakit kumakain ka pa, kakatapos lang ng lunch."
(A Filipino teacher who caught me eating during her class. ”Eh, gutom pa po, eh”. - Highschool rules, sucks!)

"Evangeline, you seat beside the President (of the class) for the last two quarters."
(My class adviser again who put me in the middle row, in the middle seat, thought I can be subdued by having me seated beside the class president. Well, after just a quarter, the class president was worse than me.)

"I am nominating Evangeline as Vice-President of the class."
(I didn’t pay that classmate of mine megabucks to nominate me. Thanks buddy, but no thanks, you don’t know what’s gonna be ahead when I get elected.)

"WOW, nakamercedez benz ka, huh."
(A classmate in HS who often saw me and my younger sister alight from a Mercedez Benz when our Dad used to drive us to Paco Catholic School. If she tried to look at the car’s engine, she’ll realize it’s a Toyota in a Mercedes Benz clothing.

"I saw you two cheating."
(Words written in red ink when we received our papers back. - Yaikks! Sorry Ma’m, we’ll never do it again. Thought it was cool.)

"Walang diyos, blah, blah..."
(A belief proclaimed by a great and well known artist-painter when I personally heard him say that while lecturing us, would-be-enrolees on painting. - Sir, your gift is exceptional but you scared me out of my wits with your professions of your eccentric philosophies in life. Fortunately, sir, I was a student of St. Scholastica’s College and I believe in God. Several years later, I read in the newspaper that you have died. Finally, you met your Creator, may you rest in peace in the heavenly kingdom of God.)

"Why haven’t you had any boyfriend?"
(A curious dude who happened to be a balikbayan cousin thrown that question at me. He got a smart answer, “I dumped them.” (Them? )

"Gusto mo reypin kita..."
(Uttered by my 5’ 10” ADHD student who defied all my rules). ADHD – Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Just cast him a piercing look, he stopped and bowed down.)

"Tomboy ka ba?"
(During my driving lessons, the instructor, perhaps for lack of something to say, and wanting to satisfy his insatiable curiosity, bravely asked me that question. Well, manong, you got your answer, NO!)

"Bakit di ka pa nag-aasawa?"
(My usual answer since I’ve heard it asked many times, “Strict parents ko.”)

"Iha, ang dami mo namang anak."
(The old lady remarked when she saw me walking with 5 kids in tow ages 9, 8, 6, 5 and 2, who were my niece and nephews. Ahh, I should have replied, “Sorry, can’t help it.)

"PANGIT!!!!!!"
(The taong grasa who was obviously visibly irked when I failed to drop him a coin. I should have given him a P100 bill, it might spell a different me, a “DIYOSA” walking by.)

"Pahingi ng waffle....
(Me) Sorry, ubos na....
Pahingi na lang ng kiss."
(A conversation from a young taong grasa who’s a ladies’ man.)

"Attorney, ako na ang magbabantay ng kotse mo. (Ehh, me an attorney!)"
(Said by a watch-your-car boy who appeared from nowhere. Well boy, for your information, I am a Supreme Court Justice, the court of last resort.)

"Talk to her, mabait yun."
(An advise I often heard from our clients/borrowers to fellow borrowers who default in the payment of their loans. Mga sipsip, better be or you can’t have your renewals).

"Pag tumatawag ka nanginginig na ko."
(A male loan client who avoids talking to me for fear that my wrath will destroy him. - Tsk, tsk, I am the most compassionate loan officer you can talk to, strict though but with a soft heart.)

"I’ll treat you to a lunch."
(Thanks, but no thanks, you’re not bad but I don’t play around with married guys, sorry.)

"I’m a balikbayan widower from Spain, come with me or give me your number."
(An indecent proposal from a man in his late 50’s or early 60’s, said while I was tending my Waffle store.)

"He’s dead. Bruce is dead."
(My handsome playful Golden Retriever pup who died at 3 months old because of corona virus. RIP)

"You are a Child of the Universe."
After a hard day’s work, got in the car and drove, with shoulders heavy, depressed, scared and feeling defeated. Turned on the radio and the melodious words/lyrics reverberated in the car, “You are a Child of the Universe.” That lulled my spirit to a state of peace. - My advice, listen to that song.