“We learn in the past, but we are not the result of that. We suffered in the past, loved in the past, cried and laughed in the past, but that’s of no use to the present. The present has its challenges, its good and bad side. We can neither blame nor be grateful to the past for what is happening now. Each new experience of love has nothing whatsoever to do with past experience. It’s always new.”
— Paulo Coelho, Aleph

24th: GRATEFUL. THANKFUL. BLESSED.

Last night, before I fell asleep, I thank God for this another year. After that, I said a little more thank you's and some prayers. Without me knowing, it's already past 6 in the morning. I woke up so early because of a too good to be true dream; a dream that answers almost all of the prayers and wishes I whispered last night. Then I told myself, "Si Lord talaga, walang kupas." I rushed to the bathroom to prepare for this long day.

While riding a jeepney, the man beside me handed me a piece of paper then he said, "Wala yang bayad, libre lang." I looked on that paper he is giving me then I saw a bible verse. Without hesitation, I grabbed it and read it (feeling ko, message ni Lord sakin yun for this day). It felt good when I saw the man smiling while I am reading it. Again, I told myself, "Lord, thank You for reminding me that though I am a sinner, You are still here to make me feel loved specially on this day."

Going back to the house and opening my laptop, I saw a lot of messages, tweets, and posts greeting me a happy and blessed birthday. Once again, I told myself, "Thank you, Lord, for these people who love me despite my weaknesses and flaws. Simple greetings are more than enough to make this day special to me."

Truly, things that cannot be seen are more than all the material things in this world. On my 24th year, I must say that I feel more blessed knowing that I have people who truly loves me. With the overflowing love and happiness I am receiving, I don't think I need to ask for more. 

Lord, again and again, thank you for continuously reminding me of the things I should do. Thank you for your constant love and (quick) answers whenever I pray. Above all, thank you for this not-so-perfect yet wonderful life you have given me and for making me live it with a purpose. 

To all who remembered my birthday, thank you! Please know that those greetings are all appreciated. Thank you to all who texted (ooops, my smart number's temporarily not active), called, posted and sent messages on facebook, twitted, and of course, to those who greeted me personally. You're all the reason why I want this life to be lived well. 

From my heart to yours, THANK YOU VERY MUCH! :)

GRATEFUL. THANKFUL. BLESSED.

Life has been good to me for the past 22 years of my life. The combination of happiness and sadness, and success and failure makes every step of this life worthwhile. As Voltaire once said, “God gave us the gift of life; it is up to us to give ourselves the gift of living well.” To live well is what I am looking forward on this 23rd year of my journey and I know I can live it well with beautiful people surrounding me. 

With this, I thank everyone who gave a minute of their time to greet me and make me feel loved on my special day. All of it are truly appreciated. All of it are reminder that I should continue being a blessing for others and appreciating all the blessing I am receiving. All of it make me want this gift of life to be lived well.

From the bottom of the heart of this girl, THANK YOU! :)

     xoxo

PROBLEMS, a reblog

let me share you this nice story that i have read before from one of my favorite authors, Paulo Coelho. this one's entitled "Problems." read it and surely, you will learn a lot from this.

There was once a well-known scholar, who lived in a mountain in the Himalayas. Tired of living with men, he had chosen a simple life and spent most of his time meditating.

His fame, however, was so great that people were willing to walk narrow paths, climb steep hills, swim rivers – to meet the holy man who was believed to be able to resolve any trouble of the human heart.

The wise man said nothing but asked them to sit and wait. Three days passed, and more people arrived. When there was no room for anyone else, he addressed the people who were outside his door.

“Today I will give the answer that everyone wants. But you must promise that, to have your problems solved, you will not tell the new pilgrims that I moved here – so that you can continue to live in the solitude you so much crave. Tell me your problems.”

Someone began to speak, but was soon interrupted by others, as everyone knew that this was the last public hearing that the holy man was giving. The wise man let the situation be prolonged a little, until he cried, “Silence! Write your problems down and put the papers in front of me,” he said.

When everyone finished, the wise man mixed all the papers in a basket, then said, “Keep this basket moving amongst you. Each of you will take a paper, and read it. You will then choose whether to keep your problems, or take the one given to you.”

Each person took a sheet of paper, read it, and was horrified. They concluded that what they had written, however bad it was, was not as serious as what ailed his neighbor. Two hours later, they exchanged papers amongst themselves, and each one had to put their personal problems back into his or her pocket, relieved that their distress was not as hard as they once thought.

Grateful for the lesson, they went down the mountain with the certainty that they were happier than all the others, and – fulfilling the promise made – never let anyone disturb the peace of the holy man.

***

Most of us always think that when we have a problem, we are the unluckiest person alive without thinking that there are MORE people who are experiencing more difficulties in life.

I think, it is better if we count what blessing we have in our lives than counting each problem that is coming. Problems cannot be stopped and it is better if we will embrace and face it wholeheartedly. Isn't it better if we know how lucky are we than how unlucky we are? Let us always be grateful with our lives. Life is a blessing that we must enjoy. Problems are just challenges that are given for us to be stronger because there will be more to come as we go on our way.

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that things are difficult.”