Another Year Older, Another Year Wiser!

What does it mean to be a year older as another birthday has passed us by? Does it mean that one is going to be a year nearer to going to one's grave? Well, this is not absolute, as evidenced by the unfolding of events in the current social scene especially during this crucially challenging time of the year, election time. Does another year's birthday mean that one is given a whole new life to start anew as another "fiscal year" technically starts with one's birth date? I think this would be a better angle of capturing the true essence of another year to spend one's life . A new perspective and a new hope for life itself. Indeed, it is a great opportunity to share and live one's life meaningfully by doing good deeds toward our fellowmen or towards humanity, in general. It would be a great year to extend help to more groups of people. A year ahead of planning and executing the right choice of actions and projects that can help us reflect on past contributions and past mistakes.

Nothing in this world is considered "too late"...we just have to work hard towards goodness. Hence,it is our vocation. There is no excuse for that!

Of Coffee, Dreams, and Careers

There is simply nothing better than the flavorful aroma of coffee brewing right under our noses. In our local culture, we simply love enjoying that great cup of coffee, anytime of the day. That mind-stirring cup makes our day a little perky and stimulating than usual, as we carry out our functions well within the day. We often find ourselves reaching for that cup as we start our day with that first meal," the breakfast." That is the reason for matching coffee with combo breakfast meals in the modern era of the fastfood bandwagon.

I would say that the regular coffee beans (kape barako of Batangas) have evolved through the years. The regular cup of brewed or instant coffee in styropor cups have gradually lost patronage as the dawn of foreign-labelled flavored coffee drinks into our mainstream became the next great thing to hit our community. Everybody has now become thankful for that change. Starbucks has become the signature for a delectable, flavorful coffee experience.

Coffee, which used to be just a favorite beverage of executives in board meetings and brainstorming sessions, has taken its new role of providing generalized socialization among the hippies and the young. That refreshing cup revitalizes our youthful energy for chance meetings and dating.

The coffee shop has now become a "message board" of upcoming major exams as they become invaded by students and examinees alike. This has become a venue where an interwoven network of diligent people come together.This is where dreams and careers are moulded.

Crossing the Line--To Be or Not To Be

The earth as part of the universe belongs to a grid of lines--the longitudes and latitudes. Our science classes taught us the importance of those lines. Through those lines, we find our ways to certain locations.By knowing how to read the map, with its grid framework, we make our travels so much easier. The skill of determining which line to cross or not to cross becomes a crucial part in our daily considerations.

Our success rate in our daily life depends on how keen we are on staying within the premises of the demarcation lines. It would depend on our discipline on not stepping over the earth lines. And we have to be educated on the presence of these lines and their ill effects on us.

At certain points in my journey, I almost crossed the lines. I almost forgot the rules of the earth lines and the ley lines. Before I fully suffer from "geopathic stress", I was able to see through the "geyser, the energy well."

In simple colloquial terms, I was able to realize the unfolding of the events sooner and saved myself from emotional suffering later on. I almost fell for this married man. I almost fell for his sincere and unsuspecting ways. I almost believed him. I almost had an affair.

But I saw the bright column of light before I was consumed. I was saved from committing the biggest mistake of my life.

I almost crossed the line...it was a good thing that I chose not to.

Lifeline

A line is formed by connecting two points, point A and point B. In life, there are lots of instances where we just have to get from point A to point B, simply connecting the dots to get by or move to our next destination. Sometimes, that line turns into the "finish line" which ends one chapter of our lives and starts another chapter.

As simple as how the concept of a line is being taught in mathematical terms, however, the actual treading of that line sometimes does not seem to be that easy at all. The lines of possibilities are just as diverse as the lines which could be found in our palms.

Indeed, it is up to us--how we make our way from one point to another. After all, we are the pilots of our lives. We decide how and where we wanna go.

Silver Lining

Few cross over the river,
Most are stranded on this side.
On the riverbank they run up and down.

But the wise person, following the way,
Crosses over, beyond the reach of death.

Free from desire,
Free from possessions,
Free from attachment and appetite,
Following the seven lights of awakening,
And rejoicing greatly in his freedom,
In this world the wise person
Becomes themself a light,
Pure,shining,free.


--Dhammapada