Everyday Lessons

There are lessons all around us. They may be seen in pictures, read in books, taught by strangers - even found in the most unexpected places. You just have to pay a little attention.

And when do we often observe them? At moments when we become more reflective. At times when we dettach ourselves from the fast-paced world. At moments when we are more connected with our inner emotions. At moments when we feel alone.

...Just like today.

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1. Unlike the other days, today wasn't a very good one. Was it because I wasn't able to sleep well last night and woke up still not feeling well?  Some hormonal imbalance? Or... maybe something else. But what turned out to be a not so good day was not that bad after all. All throughout the day, in the absence of our community partners... I was alone. And in that loneliness, I become more CONSCIOUS OF MYSELF AND MY CONNECTEDNESS WITH OTHERS. And that was the first lesson.

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2.  I arrived an hour early at the university. Since the morning mass has just started, I decided to attend the celebration. The gospel today was about trusting God. It was about a faith that trusts in His' will despite the current pains and struggles. 

In addition, later in the afternoon, while riding the jeepney, I was seated next to a taho vendor. He carefully dropped his things inside the jeepney as he continues to sip his plastic of softdrink. After he arranged his stuff, he made a sign of the cross which surprised me. In the Philippines, that was typical, but something about him moved me. His body may be tired but his soul was alive. He was in complete surrender - believing in something beyond himself and having a faith that says THY WILL BE DONE.

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3. Oftentimes we chase happiness. We chase success. We even chase love. But whatever you chase will run away from you. STOP CHASING. Chill. Relax. The moment you decide to stop chasing things, that's when things return to you (way better than what you have expected). Remember losing that pen and suddenly finding it when you stopped looking? ;) 

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4. I decided to rest at a local foodchain before going home. I was tired and hungry... and sitting for a while with a cup of sundae while exploring the net is the perfect recipe for happiness. But what will you do if both aren't present? Another unfortunate event. But will i get that cup of sundae if I freak out? I've had enough stress for the day and HAPINESS IS A CHOICE. My Happiness is not dependent on a cup of sundae. It may be the perfect recipe for that moment but there were other options. A classmate once told me that "Things turn out the best to the man who makes the best out of how things turn out".  And she was right.