Look at the World - John Rutter

At a recollection last Holy Week, this video touched my heart with its beautiful music, meaningful lyrics and breathtaking images.   I could not help but reflect every time I look at the beauty of nature during out of town trips.  Similarly, the video captured the wonders of life and gave me a short spiritual adventure while seated  inside the auditorium.

Amazed at how such wonderful creatures were brought to life, I could not believe how one can doubt the goodness or even the mere existence of God.  And how can man lose faith in His love for us? 

Aren’t you of much more value than the birds of the sky who don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them.  (Matthew 6:26)

The scenes also depict OPTIMISM for me; make me appreciate my blessings more and look at the world in a wider perspective. I am reminded that there are a lot of things  to be thankful for in my life and other worlds to discover and care for aside from my own.


As flowers bloom in time... slowly unfolding its natural beauty as it reaches maturity... my time to shine will eventually come when I reach my full potential. 

All these and more blessings continue to pour everyday..... we'll just have to open our eyes wider to  realize that they are right in our midst.

HAPPY EASTER!!!!!

Miracles

" If you work with what’s possible, you may not need me. But if you work with what’s impossible, you will be forced to look up to me". Such meaningful words came through from my weekly subscription of God Whispers by Bo Sanchez. I realized the truth behind this message as my struggle with the on-going news about my predicted failure continues....

With the desperate situation I was in last week, I never really expected that triumph would come to my side so soon and help uplift me from my misery. Decided to put an end to the unconfirmed news, not to mention my sleepless nights,  I finally gathered enough courage to face the truth  on a Saturday morning. While saying a  silent prayer in my mind, I slowly pulled out the unread letter from the partially opened envelope and started to browse through  the message in search of any numerical indicator of success. My heart skipped for a moment and finally found relief  as my eyes stared incredulously at the figures written in the middle after the first paragraph. GOOD NEWS!!!!! Contrary to what everyone expected, my efforts paid off and have been recognized against all odds, dispelling all rumors about my inefficiency.

I could not believe how everything turned out differently in my favor. My detractors were so certain about their information from "top reliable sources" that they had the whole "Group" (including myself!) convinced of my failure. Even the non-believer among my friends acknowledged how my prayers proved to be powerful in making the IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE.

Once again, I have forgotten how much He LOVES me. He has proven this time and again and yet  my doubtful and insecure side keep lurking behind me....How can I be so unmindful of the daily miracles He kept blessing me with? Ironic how this very same weakness which initially led to my despair and negativism  shifted to FAITH AND HOPE when lifted up to Him. Just when I felt all alone, I also discovered the beauty of friendship in the people and events that  He sent my way during this trying moment. I found myself getting into opportunities to meet new friends, and renew ties with long lost friends. More importantly, I was able to distinguish real friends from the pretentious ones. Suddenly, the future became more hopeful with varied possibilities.... ALL MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF HIM!!!!! 

Empathy

"I learned to give not because I have plenty but because I know the feeling of having  nothing." This beautiful text message aptly describes my insight for the week --- empathy or the lack  thereof in a competitive world where survival of the fittest is the name of the game.   Wikipedia defines empathy as the capacity to recognize and, to some extent, share feelings that are being experienced by another.

The past week was difficult and emotionally-challenging. Watchful, nosy eyes were on me, waiting for any sign of confirmation about my predicted failure. I refused to confront the truth about the news knowing that my reactions would easily give me away.  I did not  see the need or urgency to share something confidential,  (certainly not with a group of curious gossip mongerers). I wouldn't allow disappointment to cast any more pain to my wounded ego.

As if the anxiety of my impending downfall (not to mention a dim future) weren’t hard enough to bear, the betrayal of friends whom I once trusted and treated as family left me with a heavy heart and a damaged self-esteem. Concealing my real emotions from the rumor-hungry predators didn’t make things  easier either.

A careless remark hit me hard as I learned I was being ridiculed for my attempts to keep my PERSONAL information private. For the nth time, talk about my failure were being circulated.....

During one of those weak private moments,  I reflected on the crab mentality prevailing  in the insensitive people around me. I could not believe how cruel and mean my colleagues could be so as to carelessly trample down on someone so downtrodden. How could they rejoice in the misfortune and misery of another?

The wisdom behind the existence of life’s polarities suddenly dawn on me. How can one appreciate the good if one has not experienced the bad? How can one rise up if one has not fallen down in the first place? How can I feel for others' frustrations and disappointments if I have not gone through similar experiences/feelings myself?       

I also realized that developing sensitivity and empathy takes a lot of maturity for it is in dying to one’s self that we are able to prioritize others' needs before our own.

Human and weak as I am, how I wish I wouldn't have to go through hurtful experiences again (if only that’s possible!) .… But if these same trials would develop the strength of character necessary to face some more challenges, then how can you say no to that?

My First Cyber Exploration

Sincerity in blogging (i.e.,  the willingness to commit time and effort in sharing something online without necessarily expecting something monetary in return) is one of the many insights I gathered  from the first session of the On-line Writing workshop I attended. 


I started this new venture armed with the sincerity and openness to express ( and hopefully exchange!) ideas, emotions, insights and anything under the "clouds." This is my first time EVER to post and publish something online (except for comments in facebook)  not only as a venue for sharing life experiences and reflections but as a possible way of polishing my writing skills. 

Now, why choose the name Wandering Clouds? Hmmm, let me count the "whys" ....

Whenever I get the chance to travel by plane,  I would always prefer to sit by the window so I can see the clouds at close range. It makes me smile to imagine that heaven (and possibly God!) is seemingly a few inches away from me. Most of the insights I get are influenced by my spiritual beliefs, some of which I will be sharing in this blog.

I remember collecting stickers and pictures of my favorite Sanrio characters, Little Twin Stars when I was a child.  The cute  twins were usually seen lying or riding soft, fluffy clouds showing a sense of comfort and pleasure.  With this blog, I hope to share the same positive feelings out of my posts.

As I go through adulthood, I became more aware of the varied roles I play as a daughter, sister, friend and colleague. These can be likened to the many shapes clouds virtually form into.

Now that I 'm going through the early stages of midlife, I've become more sensitive to my emotions which dictate my moods.  Just like clouds, my days can either be dark or sunny. 

I believe that it is in sharing life lessons that growth and maturity is achieved. Would you like to wander with me?