Reflection on Readings: The Price And Its Prize

It's been a while since I had a quality quiet prayer time. And today's readings felt like a wonderful "welcome back" hug from God.

Read them!  I'm sure you'll feel as blessed and "hugged" as I did 💗

1st Reading:  Sirach 2:1-11
Psalms:  Psalm 37:3-4, 18-19, 27-28, 39-40
Gospel:  Mark 9:30-37

What I gleaned from the readings are not really new, but it's good to be reminded of them every now and then.

THE PRICE

Committing to something or someone is not easy, especially in the long run.  Committing to God, doubly (or 10x, in fact) so.  What does He ask for exactly?

Well, for starters ...

My son, when you come to serve the Lord, stand in justice and fear, prepare yourself for trials.

Stand in justice.  Be objective.  Be fair.  Never easy, when there is so much subjective context and we are creatures given to biases and prejudices --- because of our limited knowledge.  In every situation, we are called to be impartial and not quick to judge.  

Stand in fear.  Fear of the Lord. This is something that comes naturally when you get to know just how omnipotent He is.  This may sound scary (you see what I did there? Hehe), but it's really not.  See, once we understand His greatness, then there is nothing else to fear but Him.  And He is not THAT scary because God is Love. So, really, Fear of the Lord is empowering.

Prepare yourself for trials.  Not only did He want us to prepare for trials.  He has very specific instructions on how to approach them.

Accept whatever befalls you, when sorrowful, be steadfast, and in crushing misfortune be patient.

What?!

Yup. 

But why do we have to be tried all the time? Because "someone" will always try to win us over; try to make us use God's gift of Free Will to turn away from His grace.  Because God knows us enough to know which trials to allow and disallow.  Because trials stretch us and enable us to reach our fullest potential.  Because ...

for in fire gold and silver are tested, and worthy people in the crucible of humiliation.

Refiner's Fire

Yes, because YOU are WORTHY.  And, yes, YOU CAN. 

Trials also help put things in perspective.  Sometimes, trials serve as mirrors to help us ground ourselves back to our original commitment.  Often we start out with serving God with the pure intention of honoring and glorifying Him.  And then, sometimes, vanity gets the better of us ...

But they remained silent. For they had been discussing among themselves on the way who was the greatest.

Such moments help us check our intentions.

Then he sat down, called the Twelve, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to be first, he shall be the last of all and the servant of all.”

ITS PRIZE

It's a steep Price, isn't it?  But, guess what ... commitment goes both ways.  And these are what He brings to the table ...

Trust God and God will help you; trust in him, and he will direct your way; keep his fear and grow old therein.

You who fear the Lord, trust him, and your reward will not be lost.

You who fear the Lord, hope for good things, for lasting joy and mercy. 

You who fear the Lord, love him and your hearts will be enlightened.

Compassionate and merciful is the Lord; he forgives sins, he saves in time of trouble and he is a protector to all who seek him in truth.

And, to top it off, the commitment comes with a guarantee.

Study the generations long past and understand; has anyone hoped in the Lord and been disappointed? Has anyone persevered in his commandments and been forsaken? Has anyone called upon him and been rebuffed?

So, who truly wins?  YOU (in case you haven't figured it out)

You've got nothing to lose and everything to win.

Sign up!

Closing the Space Between Us

In this month of Hearts, let me confess (in case it's not that obvious) that I am a Love Pirate.  No, I don't steal other people's lovers.  Hell, NO!  I am a foolish pirate who believes that somewhere out there is a treasure chest filled with the perfect kind of love.  And I will find it.


"just because you don't see us, doesn't mean that we don't exist."

- Ingrid Michaelson, Smallest Light

(And I will devour every romantic movie with mushy-even-though-entirely-impossible plots any day ... or night).

Watching "The Space Between Us", even with its far-fetched plot, showcased a worthwhile underlying multi-layered theme that is both relevant and accessible ... if you care enough to look closer.

These are the layers I noted, which, I believe, can help us close the space between us.

"Courage is Fear that said its prayers."

Okay, it's not a plot layer.  It's a quote.  But one that speaks volumes and needs no further explanation.  It's a good note-to-self, especially this year, when conditions are favorable for leaps of faith.  A friend told me that Year 2017 is a year of Endings and New Beginnings.  I don't know how true that is.  But I've witnessed a lot of people courageously taking leaps of faith, in one form or another, and it's only February!

Passion breeds Frustration breeds Creativity.

When you want something bad enough and all odds are against you, at first you get really frustrated.  Then you figure out creative, sometimes complex and absurdly out-of-this-world ways to get it.  And you do get it.  Sometimes immediately, sometimes much later ... but you do get it.

Movie references:  Gardner wanted to see his mother's grave outside of the Mars bubble complex he lives in, so he dismantled his robot to get a map of the place and used his magnetic monitor implant to open the door. (Go figure! But you get my point).
Tulsa drove a plane to help Gardner "escape" from Nathaniel and Kendra.

"Break my heart
Break my hands
You can take anything but my plans
Ooh ooh I got big things to do

You can laugh,
Have your fun
I'll be standing right here when you're done
Ooh ooh I got big things to do"

- Ingrid Michaelson, Smallest Light

Smallest Light

We have become Earth desensitized.

There is so much beauty around us --- in nature, our surroundings and the faces we meet.  We have become so desensitized, our noses on whatever gadgets we have our hands on 24/7, that we miss the everyday awesomeness of the Earth we live in.

Step out.  Look up, around and towards the horizon. We are much more connected to everything in nature than we care to admit.  Don't you feel more serene, at peace and clear-headed after a few minutes of just appreciating the gift of God's creations?

Yet we have become indifferent to or, worse, unbelieving of the damage we are inflicting. Sometimes, I feel, we are like the foolish scorpion who stung the tortoise that carried it.

Distance and Time are imaginary constraints.

Who are we kidding?  We live in the future.  So many things which were impossible 5, 10, 15 years ago are daily ordinary stuff now.  For all the possibilities technology offers us, we have never been more disconnected.

We have become a society of quantity over quality.  We make more "connections", yes, but how much of these go beyond the superficial?  And, because of all of these connections, our time is spread too thinly that there is not enough to make real connections.

We travel great distances for work, concerts, games, etc.  But we cannot travel the shorter distances to visit family and friends.  And, even if these are longer distances, aren't they much more worth traveling for?

Distance and time are not the constraints.  It's our priorities.

Movie reference:  Gardner traveled for 7 months from Mars to Earth just to meet Tulsa and to find his father.  Okay, not a realistic example, but a good analogy ... sort of.

"I need the sun to break, you've woken up my heart
I'm shaking, all my luck could change
Been in the dark for weeks and I've realized you're all I need and
I hope that I'm not too late"

- James Bay, Need The Sun to Break

Need The Sun to Break

Blinders limit your vision and the overall experience.

Sometimes we get so obsessed with chasing after what we don't or can't have, that we fail to see what is right in front of us.  And, often, it's the people who love us.

Or, sometimes, we are so focused on the end-goal or finish line, that we fail to appreciate the process or the journey.

Movie reference:  Gardner was too focused on finding a way to see his mother's plot or finding his father, that he failed to appreciate Kendra, the person who stepped up to be "the mother he never had".

Both cliche, I know, but not less true.  Admit it.

Love takes chances and sacrifices.

Another cliche.
Although, sadly, not everyone is actually brave enough to take chances, I find, that most are strong enough to sacrifice for the sake of the beloved.

Love enables us to achieve the inconceivable.  May we love enough to become the positive change movers our world needs.

Movie references:  Tulsa took the chance to help and be with Gardner even though it did not make sense.
Gardner's father drove the plane/shuttle into outer space despite the possibility of him dying in the process (He has some weird-probably-fictional condition.  Don't ask me what it's called).

"Everything we need is in the quiet
So let's hide out deep inside it
And even if tomorrow doesn't hold on
At least, we have this one song"

- Ingrid Michaelson, Stay Right Where You Are

Stay Right Where You Are

Filter your filters.

It's become a norm for us to filter our thoughts for various reasons:

• To be politically correct
• To prevent hurting other people's feelings
• To dress up or dress down the truth
• Fear of rejection, disapproval or getting hurt
• Pride

Whatever the reason, we've become a society of filtered truths and it's damaging the most important and most fragile of God's gifts - relationships.  

"The Truth will set us free". Always. And, as the movie points out, the Truth will make us happy (eventually) ... even when, sometimes, it hurts at first.

Yes, not every single thing that pops into our heads need to be blurted out.  Some situations call for discretion and sensitivity. But never to the point of distorted truths and holding back affirmations.  Perhaps if we are more generous with affirmations, this world can become a much nicer and brighter (less suspicious) place to live in.

Movie reference:

"First of all, I'm not upset.  I'm uncomfortable.  There's a difference.  Secondly, people don't go around saying what they feel whenever they feel it.  They have guards and shields and ... other metaphors ... [Why?] Because we're all messed up and scared and trying to be something that we're not.  And if we all went around just declaring our innermost desires to the exact people we felt them for, then we'd all end up happy ... or something."

Hope floats.

Never underestimate the power of Hope.  You'll find, that, despite burying it under a mountain of cynicism, pessimism, tough acts and what have you, Hope floats.  It shines through.  And the minute that we acknowledge it and empower it, it makes us limitless.

Movie reference:
 "You act like you hate the world, Tulsa. It's all an act. The beautiful music you make gives you away."

Shine A Light

Jump Off Point

I saw this photo on the internet a couple of weeks ago and it made me crack up.

Then it made me think.

How many things and experiences have I foregone or put off because of constraints that are merely in my head?

So, I did the most rational thing to do at that point.  I texted my friend and our conversation went something like this ...

Me:  I want to hike.
Him:  You know I thought about that, too, this week.  I'm just worried you might not be ready yet.
Me:  I feel judged.
Him:  ...
Me:  I will never be ready. I can do more cardio ...
Him:  Ok.
Me:  I want to do more hikes.
Him:  Ok.

A couple of days later, we were booked for Mt. Batulao (via Trail Adventours).  And "Amazing" doesn't begin to describe the entire experience.  It served as my Jump Off Point.

For someone whose days are constantly running together, the hike was a good way to slow down and breathe (fresh air, no less!).  In between serious & senseless conversations and huffing & puffing, I got to do some thinking.  These were a few of my musings.

Darkness helps us appreciate the faintest light.  

This one is a reinforcement of what the banker astronomer (who brought his big telescope to CFA Family Camping) said the previous night, "I used to be afraid of the dark, but now I love the dark --- because I can see the stars better with it."  

Starting off our hike in the wee hours of that morning, I couldn't agree with him more. The scene was breathtaking:  on both sides, citylights as far as the eyes could see; and overhead, the stars shone brightly as if trying to outshine each other. I am still "killing" myself for not having the presence of mind to take a photo.  But, in a sense, it was a natural reaction.  The few minutes we had that view was not enough to soak in its grandeur.  Why waste those precious few seconds fishing out my phone?

The first few seconds of darkness is always heart-stopping.  But just sit (or stand) still, blink a couple of times and let the stars reveal themselves.  There will always be much much more than you thought there ever were; and some, you will realize, have always been visible but you have taken for granted when your suns blinded you.

In between Huffs & Puffs, Look Up!

There were times when the trail got particularly difficult.  I trudged on looking down, concentrating on the trail.  And then I heard someone, "Wow!".  I looked up towards the direction she was looking at and caught my breath.  We were on "top of the world" and the sun was starting to peek through the horizon.  I looked around me.  It was 360 degrees of picture-perfect view.  From then on, I resolved to stop focusing too much on the trail and instead enjoy the sights more.

So, in between your huffing and puffing, look up or you'll miss the amazing view!  It is, afterall, the entire point of the hike; the only way you can come out of  it richer from the experience vs. resentful and b!%@&ing about it.

Risk the Occasional Trips and Slip-ups for the Full Experience

Linked to the above point, I soon realized, that in order to appreciate the view, I had to occasionally look up from my furrowed-brow focus on the trail ... and risk tripping, slipping or even bumping onto the person in front (thankfully, it's often just my friend's backpack taking the hit).  What is the point of coming out unscathed if you didn't get to experience the climb fully, all senses engaged?  Besides, those moments can only result to:  comic relief, quick stops, icebreakers and new friends.

Giving Up is NOT An Option. NOPE.

Mt. Batulao is categorized as an easy hike suitable for beginners, so, when I asked our trail guide how many peaks we were going to, I nearly fell off the cliff when he calmly replied, "12".  Then he made a sweeping gesture across the mountain range, finishing with a flourish at the highest peak, "That's where we're going." Then he smiled broadly, clearly proud of himself.  And I silently screamed and fainted inside.  I looked back at where we came from, assessing my options.  There is no way a helicopter can pick me up.  Nope.  Giving up is NOT an option.

And, boy, am I glad I didn't!

Sometimes you find yourself on a forlorn-obviously-less-traveled path with no visible forks or detour.  If there is no other way, then keep at it.  You only know it's bad based on the few hundred meters you can see.  But that's not where the path ends ... so you don't really know if it's bad, do you?  When there are no turns, trust that you are on the right path.  Be patient.  Keep on.  You'll be amazed at where it will take you. (Believe me, I know!)

The Highest (and Best) Peak is the Hardest to Climb (Duh!)

We took a photo at Peak 1, after which, I said,  "Peak 1.  11 more to go.  Let's do this!".  An hour and 10 million years later, I said to no one in particular, "Uhm ... I wonder when we'll get to Peak 2.  I don't think we'll reach Peak 12 at this rate."  No one in particular replied to me ... even when I asked the same thing about another hour later.  Then we came to a series of steep climbs with ropes to help us pull ourselves up.  And just when I thought I'd used up my last ounce of strength (and breath), we broke through the summit.  It was 360 degrees of lush greens, clear blue sky, soft warm sun and cool gently playful wind.  "It was worth it" doesn't quite cut it.  It was fulfilling, exhilarating, liberating, all rolled into one.

Stretched. Expanded. It was a personal breakthrough which made me feel that nothing, absolutely nothing, is impossible or insurmountable.

Choose Your Company Well

Hiking and being in Nature's embrace is a soul activity for me.  It both silences me and makes me come alive.  The Mt. Batulao hike was my first major hike, so it was sort of a make or break thing for me.  That is why choosing the person I will share the experience with was critical.  These are my criteria:

• Someone who is enthusiastic and will make time to go on the same hike with me
• Someone I can trust my life with
• Someone I am comfortable to be around with in my own skin (stinky ugly and all)
• Someone who knows when to engage me and to give me space (Net, someone in whose company I can still have precious "Me" time)
• Someone who complements me, whose strengths compensate my weaknesses and vice versa
• Someone I work and partner well with, who can lead or follow as the situation calls for
• Someone who gets me; understands and knows how to deal with my quirks
• Someone who can be honest with me and whose honesty I value enough to accept
• Someone who knows when to push me and when to cut me some slack
• Someone who will stick with me till the end 

Him:  "I think we should take the trike from here"
Me:  "But we're almost there.  Let's go all the way!"

30 minutes and > 1 km of walking (or crawling) later

Me:  "Uhm ... I'm sorry.  I thought it was just a short distance."
Him:  "It's okay.  We're almost there."

Use Lip Balm with UV Protection (And put some on at the start of the trek)

I got a windburn.


It goes without saying, that the trek was a success.  I made it!  We're planning our next one already. And we promised to make time for at least one per quarter.  Like the true corporate slaves that we are, we even debriefed and noted down our learnings, so that we're better prepared for the next one.

Try it.  Take a hike!

Special thanks to St. Raphael, the Archangel, for the beautifully trek-perfect weather!