Happy Easter!

photo credit - catholicforum.fisheaters.com

Today is Good Friday and this day commemorates the Passion and death of our Lord on the cross centuries ago. On this day most Christians abstain from meat and other indulgences and pay homage to Christ’s suffering by fasting. Holy Thursday also marked an important tradition in the Christian community, which is the washing of the feet of the disciples and the Last Supper where Jesus broke bread with them, known today as Holy Communion. In our life we too undergo sufferings and sacrifices, which allow us to enjoy a benefit later on. Sometimes others make sacrifices for us as well and it is important that we show our appreciation. We may be using this holiday for catching up with family and friends, going to the beach, camping or perhaps we would be spending it in church. However we celebrate we must find meaning in the feast of Easter so as to appreciate what it represents. No matter the denomination we belong to, we can derive meaning from it as the values hold true for all aspects of life.

Today is a day of mourning but tomorrow we usher in Glorious Saturday where the 40-day fast of Lent is broken. And on Sunday we celebrate the resurrection and rebirth of our Lord. ©

Happy Easter to one and all!!

Back to regularly scheduled programming

For two days we witnessed the transformation of the streets of the cities and boroughs as it exploded into a kaleidoscope of colour, creativity and energy. Masqueraders were seen sporting an array of costumes adorned with beads, paint, feathers and accessories that each told a story of the Merry Monarch. They gyrated to the pulsating and intoxicating rhythmic sounds emanating from music trucks that energized all into a frenzy of excitement and fun during our annual street parade while crossing the several judging points. Carnival is over and although I should be glad the wine and jam is over it has sort of grown on me. Flashback to Carnival Saturday saw me having loads of fun as we partied well into the wee hours of Sunday morning. Each year has its highs and lows and the music will certainly live on in time on the dance floor as seen in past years. The results for the various competitions are in and have been the talk of the town for the past few days but we have to live with it because the judges’ decisions are final. We would all miss it and I’m sure some are looking forward to next year already. Now back to regularly scheduled programming.

Today the Christian community embraces the first day of Lent – Ash Wednesday when everyone tucks away the bad behaviour and revellery of the past few months and tries to conform once again… at least until Easter:) As some of us retreat into ourselves and reflect on Christ’s suffering and temptations in the wilderness centuries ago, we offer repentance for our transgressions and try to make amends by abstaining from something during the 40 day period. The temptations can be very alluring but in retrospect we can use it to exercise our willpower and strength, which can be a valuable practice of self-restraint that can prove useful when we need it most. Even if you do not commemorate the season of Lent we can use the time for much needed soul searching and repentance thereby allowing us to practice a spirit of humility and thanksgiving. A point to consider – everything in moderation is the key to good living. We are after all human but if you can’t handle the temptation maybe it’s wise to remove it altogether.

Happy New Year!!!

Wishing everyone a Happy and abundant New Year 2011!! May all your dreams come true this year!!

Goodbye 2010 - The Countdown is on!!

 

photo credit - dinikusuma.com

Well they say all good things must come to an end and it so happens that today is the last day of the year 2010. Wow! Time certainly flies! I remember distinctly just sitting on my front porch last year around this time reflecting on the past year gone by and silently making my New Year’s resolutions for this year. A-m-a-z-I-n-g! Some friends of mine tell me I think too much and I’m too deep for my own good but my mind sometimes works overtime…I was thinking to myself once that right here in this moment is all we have, and it will never come again…. and how quickly it passes…and poof! It’s gone and now the past. Every single moment that we have is seemingly fleeting. If we try to grab on and hold on to a single moment it is self-defeating because the truth is you can’t. The most you can do is try to cherish and fully enjoy it. Last night I was at a Maroon 5 concert and if I look back in my mind’s eye…I was just there standing in the crowd singing along to their songs and thinking wow what a great way to end the year…these guys are super talented musicians in every sense of the word and although my feet hurt and I sorta wanted to get to put it up…I don’t want it to end. And now that moment is gone and I’m sitting here at my computer. I did indeed enjoy it to the max and will do it over again in a nanosecond (but probably with sensible shoes:). It seems like time is just racing faster and faster without us even being aware of it. It’s sort of bitter sweet. On the one hand you sometimes want time to progress so you too can move forward and then there are other times when you want to savour every moment and wish it could last forever. Like if you have a child that you want to grow up and have kids of their own and yet you want to savour the little moments…the developmental stages from first words and steps as a baby to toddler to adolescent, teenager and young adult. Sometimes you can’t have your cake and eat it to. You have to experience and endure it all…it’s all a part of life and learning.

Have you ever thought that something in your past feels like just yesterday and yet it seems like soo much time has passed in reality? Call me nostalgic but time is an enigma that I can’t seem to relinquish. I don’t often sit and reminisce but in the fleeting silent moments I reflect in awe of this magical creation and universe. I guess that’s why I am a writer. I observe the little things that people don’t usually talk or even think about…. if they do it’s in their quietest moments of solitude. This year has been a good year for me though. A lot of milestones and events, I am grateful and happy to have experienced it all. Every year is an opportunity to start anew and try to make it better than the last. Each year is unique and it will bring with it, it’s ups and downs, joys and sadness, disappointments and blessings in disguise if you want to look at it that way. Each unique experience is an opportunity to find a lesson and meaning from which we can grow and transform it into something positive or creative. Life is an adventure and it’s up to you to make it work in your favour. Every moment is to be savoured and enjoyed so that we can pass on our lessons and joy with others. The negative ones are put in our path for a reason and it is up to us to turn inwards and find that reason so that we can move on and make way for the positive ones.

 

The Christmas season is also almost over and we take with us those memories of celebration and reflection. So as I say goodbye to all of my experiences of 2010, I tuck away those memoirs in a very special place in my mind so that I can visit them often and draw from them so as to help me in the future. Time will tell where we would be in another year’s time. Keep on living in confident faith and love and you would be exactly where you need to be at any given moment.

Wishing all a very introspective New Year’s Eve or Ole Year’s as we say in these parts (amidst the celebration) and may God smile on you in 2011 so you may have a blessed and bountiful New Year with the best of health, strength, love and peace with all your nearest and dearest dreams coming true!!! :-) ©

Cheers!



photo credit - sodahead.com



Merry Christmas!!

I did not get a chance to blog yesterday – Christmas Day since my Internet was down but the sentiments remain true and I would like to wish all my readers a very Merry Christmas!!! Hope you had a wonderful day! As we celebrate with our family and friends, we give thanks for all our blessings and living to see another Christmas with special people to share it with. May this Christmas bring you all the things you wished for and may you create memories to last not only at this yuletide season but also throughout the New Year 2011 and beyond!

My vacation has officially kicked off and I look forward to blogging even more regularly and sharing with you my thoughts and feelings on issues that present themselves in my consciousness and day-to-day life. I changed the name of my blog and from here on end it is no longer “Reflections” but “Moment to Moment.” I wanted “A little bit of me, a little bit of you” but that was already taken so Moment to Moment it shall be until I think of something that can better encapsulate what it's about. Look out for a year’s end article coming soon as 2010 winds down and we reminisce on the good times and look forward to major breakthroughs, revelations and goals realized. Life is wonderful! …. Can you even wait to find out what is in store for us in 2011?!! Hold onto your seat and enjoy the ride cos it’s only gonna get better. ©

Think it, believe it, live it!!

Peace/

Where is your Christmas Spirit?!

Four more days for Christmas 2010…. and somehow the Christmas spirit is now kicking in…. despite the fact that I spent the entire day Saturday shopping for gifts. Is Christmas moving further and further away from Christ and becoming more materialistic I wonder? This mad rush that happens every year…somehow is not reflected in our respect for humanity…. simple things like how we treat fellow motorists and pedestrians on the roads among other things. How come I’m not really feeling it this year despite the decorations, ham and grog, Christmas music and fandangle? Our tree was actually up since late November and I usually feel that feeling in the air as early as September when one of my favourite radio stations starts to play carols and parang on the radio.

On another note, we had our Annual Christmas Gift Exchange and Birthday Club celebration today at the office. While hosting it, I realized I really like doing this and I should be doing it full time…as a business perhaps?! Apart from the joy on people’s faces and laughter emanating from the room, people comment (sometimes not to me) on how much they enjoy it and I like to recreate nostalgic moments. So I have individual prize giveaways and team games based on a particular theme from the 1980s and 1990s ….I am obsessed with the 80s actually…. love the music, television, movies and fashion.

Christmas is right around the corner and I have so much to do still. It seems like just last year I was studying for my final postgrad paper and barely had time to enjoy the season and now it’s all behind me. God is good and we must remember to give Him thanks. By next year round this time…we will be in totally different situations and circumstances, a year older and wiser hopefully progressed from our former state(s) and having accomplished much more. So whatever our desires whether it is a new home, new job, new baby or relationship we have to set our sights and release it into the universe for with perseverance and faith it WILL happen!! Even if it takes a little longer than expected, if we really desire it, I’m sure it will be well worth the wait and the sweat and sacrifice. ©

May all Your dreams come true this Christmas. All the best to you and yours for the season and beyond!~



photo credit - vocationvibes.franciscan.org

What does Christmas mean to you?



photo credit - istockphoto.com



The days are inching closer with the events leading to the culmination of the Christmas holidays. We are now in the month of December and it’s raining every day in these parts. Yet life must go on and we all must brave the rain and put in an appearance at our various destinations. It all depends on your perspective, rainy weather (or snowy in some cases) can be a magical time and it’s up to you to make the most of it. It can be a cozy time indoors if you bundle up with warm clothes and heated beverages and think warm thoughts. People all over the world are making plans, some have been planning months in advance to spend Christmas with their loved ones at perhaps a far off exotic location or a winter wonderland. Others may be just going back home to spend the holidays with the parents or grandparents, aunts, uncles or otherwise.

photo credit -christmaswallpapers.info

Times like this deserve someone to share the festivities of the season with even if it a neighbour, a close friend or a distant relative. Our life is such that we must cultivate and foster close relations for the old saying rings true “no man is an island.” Christmas is a wondrous time of year where all little kids fantasies come true and are usually granted by their parents. Although we are now adults, and we don’t have a fairy godmother to wave a magic wand as in the fairy tales, we can attempt to make our dreams a reality one day at a time whether it is personal, career/business or leisure. For Christmas we can treat and pamper ourselves with a day at the spa or a day of shopping. If we can’t afford to do that we can make our favourite Christmas treats and invite friends over to watch our best holiday movies over teas, liquors and wines or listen to carols or parang while we decorate and reminisce over the good ole days. We can volunteer our time at a soup kitchen or children’s home. Christmas brings back memories and if we can’t spend it with the ones we love we can share it with those in need of love.

Remember Christmas is about thanksgiving for a second chance given by our Saviour whether you celebrate it at this time or in this way, the sentiments are universal. It’s about love and sharing and peace to all men and most of all inner peace. We have to find ways to make Christmas special because it is not about you and it's not about me - it is about selfless giving especially to those less fortunate. Like everything in life, we have to work at it to make it magical and keep the fires burning long after the last Carol has been sung and the last gift opened. May your light shine bright during this month of December and may your Christmas 2010 be special beyond words. ©



photo credit - deplicque.net



A Special Feeling

Today is exactly one month away from the big day. There’s a certain feeling in the air now that Christmas is drawing nearer and nearer.  Not just the darkening of the sky a bit earlier or the slight drop in temperatures and rainy days around these parts but it’s a special feeling…Maybe of nostalgia of Christmases past or maybe of all the planning and preparation. But underneath it all do we remember why we are doing all of this? Do we remember to keep Christ in Christmas no matter what denomination or religion? Do we remember the ‘reason for the season’ while we hustle and bustle and spend it all in a hurry as if it won’t mean as much any other time of year? Christmas is not about the presents or the ham or turkey, snow, mistletoe, stockings or punch de crème. It’s about the feeling it invigours, the people around us that we share it with, it’s about the sacrifices that were made for us to enjoy a better life.  How we spend it is up to us but we need to give thanks that we have life to spend another Christmas with our loved ones for there are many others who were not as fortunate.  I am alive!  You are alive! No greater gift than that. We are privileged beings to be present in this era. We need to give thanks and live every moment as if it is a gift. Give of ourselves freely and we will appreciate the feeling it creates. ©

Easter Reflections

It’s Easter weekend and though this signals the end of Lent, it is also a time of reflection for the Christian community as it is a reminder of the suffering Christ endured when He gave up his life for our salvation. And at this time we should turn inward and give thanks for the little things in our life. Even if we are not deeply religious or we did not give up anything during the lenten season, we can certainly make sacrifices in our everyday life in appreciation of the things others may have sacrificed for us at one time or another, whether it is our parents, a loved one or a friend. Whatever we do, we must never take things for granted and always remember the good which has been done for us...and if we look at the bigger picture we should be aware of the reason we are all here today, whether you believe in Jesus, God, or some other Divine Being. Without a belief in something greater we are mere aimless souls without direction or purpose. So although we may be using this long weekend to catch up some much needed zeez and relaxation, or taking advantage of the great outdoors, hitting the books or just spending time with family and friends, there should be a moment of reflection and appreciation of a more holistic view.

"Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." - Voltaire (Francois Marie Arouet) (1694-1778)

New Year: New plan

Wow we're in 2010...and with this new year we behold a chance to transform the old and turn it into something brand new, to make our dreams a reality, to do all the things we wanted to do for so long but never got around to for one reason or the other. This a brand new opportunity to allow life to work for us, to rid ourselves of the clutter, the baggage, the negative people and situations that only serve to prevent us from living unfettered and free from restrictions. I know there are things that we want to accomplish, there may be habits we want to kick, there may be places we want to go and a new year is usually the time to set goals for ourselves as we have the whole year ahead to plan and put it into motion. Whatever we want is within our reach if only we put our mind to it and start with small steps. I know I have put things in place already to achieving some of my long term goals. This year is your year to make YOUR dreams come true if only you BELIEVE IT in your heart, mind and soul!! (c)

Say it aloud: I will make my dreams a reality this year!! Think it, believe it, live it!!!

Reflections I

As I write this, the days count down to the end of 2009 and I look back on this past year and reflect…on the good, the bad, the indifferent. The memories I would like to keep, the ones I want to forget, the mistakes I made, the things I would have liked to handle differently, what I loved about the year and want to savour… if I can take my own advice, I will live in the moment, be totally aware of it, marvel in it, for when it is gone it is truly gone forever. Live without regrets or hang ups about the past for whatever happened in the past belongs there. The future is ours to explore with a fresh and bold outlook. Good things are in store for us once we believe it. Positive vibrations reap resplendent gains…this is the Law of Attraction. No holding back, sit back and enjoy the ride that is your life!

So as the sun sets on 2009, let us look back with a smile for all it has brought to our lives, the pleasant times and cherished memories, the laughter, the joy, even the sorrows and disappointments for we must find a lesson in it. And as we embark on this New Year 2010 let us look to it with hope for a new tomorrow, a new horizon, new possibilities to behold, brand new memories, new joys, new friends and good times to come. Let us expect the disappointments and take it in stride and learn the new lessons…let it be our best year yet for all our dreams to come true! (c)

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”
-Albert Einstein 1879 – 1955

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Merry Christmas

So Christmas is here and what did I say about the time flying! It seems like just the other day we were ushering in the month of December. I hope we made the most of it and savoured every moment. Christmas is not only about gift giving but it's about the feeling it invigours...to see the smile on a child's face, the atmosphere of peace and joy, and those special memories that we create with each other. Christmas is for everyone...the child in each of us...let us take with us the cherished moments of yesterday and make each Christmas a special time...Let's hope it was a good season and as we celebrate with our families and friends let us remember the 'reason for the season' - Christ our Saviour who was born in a manger to bring salvation to us all.

May your Christmas be filled with love, joy, peace and laughter ...and may you take a little piece of Christmas with you throughout the year as we remember the sentiments this wonderful season brings. God bless.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!!! Felix Navidad! Joyeux Noel! Natale Alegro! Vrolijk Kerstfeest! Frohe Weihnachten!

Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!

It's December already...and I remember when the year had just begun like it happened yesterday! Wherever is the time going...? Seems like it is just flying these days. This is just a post to wish everyone a happy December...before they get busy with the hustle and bustle of Christmas...putting up the curtains and the lights...shopping and cooking those tasty Christmas treats....and of course the merriment and holiday parties and limes.

Like the old folks say - "time waits on no man." It's true what they say. And let's hope we don't get too caught up in the preparations of the season and forget to give thanks for each and every day for we never know when this can be taken away...And last but not least we should remember to share a little something with those around us and of course the less fortunate...even if it is your time, a song, a smile or more material things for those of us that can afford it.

Again...wishing all a happy and holy holiday season filled with lots of joy, love and good tidings!

Savour every moment of this wonderful time of year.

Happy December!

These were the good ole days!! Click here to listen ----->