The Second Time Around

The Second Time Around

It has always been said that adversity brings out the best in us as well as the worst. As for me, I have no doubt been able to prove to myself that it does. But the most important lesson so far is that I have been humbled. And I believe that it is one of the most profound experiences you will have in your lifetime.

People rarely welcome adversity because it is a harbinger of change. It has not been ingrained into our systems to accept such change because it destroys our routine. It challenges our spirits. To the older people of our generation, it means leaving their so-called comfort zones.

Like all people, I have experienced a plethora of emotions ever since childhood. But I am most surprised to come to the realization that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I have cried.

I have rejoiced.

I have been shamed.

As well as honored.

I have been angry and sorrowful.

Passive and aggressive.

Stubborn and wise.

I have been introduced to the different truths in the world and every now and then, because I forget, I once again meet their acquaintance. It is amusing that when someone is introduced to you the second time around, you never seem to forget that moment. And you always remember their name.





I was once introduced to Humility. I met him again…and I will certainly not forget his name ever again.

Rain

Rain

I wish it would rain forever. There seems to be a certain sense of peace whenever it would rain. In my case, it offers a passing moment of security when one could just sit still and listen to the dance of a thousand and one droplets hit the ground.

It helps ease whatever worries that are troubling your mind because you know that at that particular time, something much much bigger is happening. And for one brief moment, amidst the noise around you, your worries seem to fade away in the marriage of water and earth.





I wish it would rain on and on. Then I could take comfort in knowing that given enough time I can drift to a peaceful slumber and forget about everything else.

The Greater Good

The Greater Good

As boring as the cliché sounds I'd have to agree that the truth hurts. Bad.

It's ironic but as adamant as we are in teaching the younger generation of the righteousness of telling the truth, we are also as nonchalant in hiding it. It is a sorrowful thing indeed but we, as adults, have mastered the art of white lies. It seems so trivial to us to just hide the truth from others, to stealthily craft story after story to cover up our after ourselves and the garbage that we leave behind. To the people who can relate, we have already given this another name--"The Greater Good".

But sometimes, you really have to hide the truth. Most of the time, it even becomes a necessity we crave for as much as we do the air we breathe. It is that warm blanket that makes everything alright in the end. A comfort zone of sorts. This is most especially true when in relationships.

I am not about to confess that I am blameless of this demerit. But I am an advocate of finding the truth. I am so because I believe that people lie too much just to feel okay. I believe the distortions of the truth have now been relegated as a way of life and not as a serious grievance on morality. People today lie about where they've been or what they've done or what their job is or what car they drive. But the most common area of fault is where people lie about how they feel.

I sometimes wonder what gives those people the capacity to do such a thing--to lie about their feelings. It's strange because after pondering such a question, you eventually come to a point in your life where you are given the answer.

The feeling is more like a pop-quiz and you're the only one who doesn't know the answer. "Time's up. Pencils down, pass your papers to the front."

And all you've managed to write down is your name and the date.

Today I already understand the so-called wisdom in putting the truth aside. I already seem to grasp the reason for the obfuscation of the real. It is because people need to think of the greater good. And there is such a thing in this world we live in. Believe me, there is. You just need to understand where people are coming from. And most especially, you also need to be thinking about what's best for them. And you'll know it. By golly, you'll damn well know it because it'll hurt like hell.

But you won't even flinch. And you might even smile.

Because the greater good will always be served when they are at their happiest.