When Unrelated Events Converge

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This whole community quarantine really makes you think.  My slow mind finally connected the dots of seemingly unrelated events.  And, once again, my OCD God has shown me His attention to detail and his loving protection over my family.

On my last business trip to the US, COVID-19 was still just a new form of corona virus.  I, honestly, was just very mildly concerned about traveling.  But, while on staycation the day before my departure, one of my best friends handed me her roll of "Thieves" oil (for the non-oilbolaryo like me, it's a mixture used by thieves to prevent themselves from catching the virus while ransacking houses of families who died during one of the epidemics).  I used it and kept it handy along with the mask.

I had two different sets of workshops/meetings this round, so I got to spend a quality weekend and a half with my family in Dayton; had two massage sessions with my spirit healing masseuse; dinner and dessert with a childhood friend; hung out with a new friend; and shopped ... for tons of gummy vitamins, which I don't usually buy. This time around, I bought a huge bottle each for men, women, women over 50 and a bottle of chewable for my niece who hates gummies.  I stood over my luggage stuffed with all these vitamins and thought, "Gem, you overshopped ... AGAIN".

On my flight back, I packed the masks my aunt managed to buy in my check-in luggage. I debated whether I would get one for myself as I flew back.  I wanted to save it since stocks were running out in Manila.  While I was preparing my emergency medicines, I found three (THREE!) masks in my P&G medicine kit.  I had enough to carry me through my multi-leg flight home.

During my final weekend, my Uncle kept asking me when I would bring my parents and my son to the US.  So, my Aunt and I started discussing plans to take them with me on my next scheduled trip in March-end (supposedly).  When I got home, I started applying for my parents' and my son's US visas.  I kept getting issues with their accounts, that the earliest interview schedule I got was for March 23 - just days before I was supposed to fly out.  I debated on whether I should book their flights already, but I struggled with some decision points in terms of coordinating their flights with mine. So, I decided not to book yet.

Meantime, my parents started noticing how their schedules seem to get reorganized so that they're calendars are suddenly becoming free from March-end onwards.  Their out-of-town engagements were getting moved or cancelled.  We thought, it must be God's will for us to fly out and take a couple of weeks off in the US.  But the interview schedule was not adding up.

On a different note, I had been having issues with the requirements and fees imposed by the BOD (board of directors) of my homeowners association.  This issue had dragged on for months, since October 2019 and just escalated prior to my US trip.  Suffice it to say, I have not started building my house yet.  At this point, frustrated is an understatement. 
I talked to my mom about it, "What am I missing?  What is He trying to tell me?"
"As you said, 'We are called to Active Silence and Active Faith'.  Let's wait"
Before I flew out, my aunt told me, "Listen to the signs."

Then, COVID19 was named and things changed overnight.  My business trip got cancelled as the virus started jumping to other countries and the threat became very real for the Philippines as well.

As it turns out, my compulsive vitamins shopping was inspired.  We are all religiously taking our vitamins daily. 

Looking back, those little protective measures during my multi-leg flights to and from the US must have helped somehow --- if only to give me peace of mind while I watched out for symptoms during the 14-day period.

If my parents' out-of-town engagements pushed through, they would have been exposed to more people, risking exposure to the virus and they would have been locked out of Manila.  We would have all been very anxious being apart during the community quarantine. 

All the frustrating issues with filling up applications and setting up interview schedules at the consul, resulting to a much later schedule than I wanted, ensured I didn't book any flights.  It would have been very frustrating cancelling and getting charged fees.

Had I started building in October or November, the building of my house would be stalled now and might not be in a good phase to stop.  It would also mean we would have hired more people that we would now need to pay without working.  It would bleed my limited funds and compromise my mom's.

I see it now, how all of these unrelated events were simply God watching out for me and my family; how the frustrating "bad" things were actually blessings in disguise  (but I should know that by now).

If He perfectly engineered all these for me and my little family, how can we not trust that, despite all the "bad" things that have happened because of COVID19, there are even bigger blessings in disguise coming out of it?

How many blessings have you spotted so far?

Finding The Silver Crowning (Of COVID19)

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It has been a week and a half since I started working from home; 4 days since I last stepped out of our village; 3 days since the community quarantine was put in place.  

Execution is definitely not flawless and guidelines have been changing on a daily (or even less than daily) basis.  And I get it.  This is not exactly the kind of situation they teach in school, plus we live in a 3rd world country with limited resources (and corrupt officials ... but I digress).  The government and everyone in the country are learning as we go. 

Now, more than ever, the country needs to pull together to carry us through these difficult times.  And I am very happy to see the Bayanihan spirit shining through.  Various individuals, groups and organizations are finding ways to help the frontliners and those most impacted by the economy slowing down. This gives me tremendous hope.

"And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5; from Sunday's 2nd Reading)

Times like these the natural tendency is to feel anxious, helpless, exasperated or even desperate.  But remaining in this state of mind does not really do anyone good, so let's recognize and acknowledge the feelings and then move on --- lest we lash out on other people and do things we will regret later on; or that aggravate the situation.  Instead, we should cling to the hope God has given us and trust that the "love God has poured into our hearts" will show us the way.

***

All "bad" things are blessings in disguise.  I am a staunch believer of this.  It's proven and tested.  Yes, there were "bad" things that really hurt, but they always ALWAYS redirected me to somewhere I was meant to be. And it's always better.

Reflecting on COVID-19 taking the world by storm, the following are, I think, its silver crowning 😉

• Pause. After the initial flurry of panic buying and setting up work from home, we are actually forced to pause and take a break.  All of a sudden, we have TIME.
• Families reconnecting. The community quarantine forced people to stay at home, allowing for more quality interaction among family members beyond the usual rushed hi-hello-bye.
• Bayanihan spirit (Lending a helping hand).  Yes, a lot of people started panic buying.  But zoom in on those people who, amidst all that, noticed a need and filled it.  Australia started the "elderly hour" which gave the elderly an hour's leadtime to shop before the rush. Movements sprouted to help provide for the needs of the frontliners (food, equipment, transportation), the poor families who have nothing to eat.  Companies have converted production facilities to produce masks, alcohol, etc. Policemen cooking food and distributing them at checkpoints.  A fitness instructor on a roof, leading a workout session; or various fitness companies publishing free online classes.
• Mindful Consumption.  With the economy being crippled by the community quarantine, we have a heightened awareness of how finite our resources are; so, we are more mindful of our consumption and are less wasteful.
• A return to God (or that higher power one believes in). This is something that cannot be resolved by a single individual.  There is no one solution to fix this.  All we can do is trust.

Lastly and most importantly, Reprieve for Mother Earth.  She is finally able to take a breath from humankind's battery.  Companies shutting down drastically improved the air quality in different countries.  There is marked reduction in carbon footprint from transportation, especially air travel. That's how many days of no air conditioning in offices!

I think this is the number one lesson we all should take away from this.  We were brought into this world to be its stewards yet we had been greedy and irresponsible, to say the least. There is a consequence to every action.  This was a consequence to years of mismanagement of Earth's gifts. 

It is my hope that we all take seriously the lessons COVID19 (and the past natural disasters) is trying to impart and take proactive steps to ensure the future generations do not forget. 

"Moses spoke to the people and said: “Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe, that you may live, and may enter in and take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you. 5 Therefore, I teach you the statutes and decrees as the Lord, my God, has commanded me, that you may observe them in the land you are entering to occupy.

... , take care and be earnestly on your guard not to forget the things which your own eyes have seen, nor let them slip from your memory as long as you live, but teach them to your children and to your children’s children." (Deuteronomy 4:1,5,9; from today's 1st Reading)

Art by Inadoodles

Namaste: Driving for Divorce

I was so happy to that my Uber driver for the long drive to my Aunt's place was a lady.  I was even more delighted to know that she was a gregarious individual with whom I share the same general life principles: diversity and inclusion, equal rights, the value of freedom and the responsibility that goes with it.  We liked the same individuals who are change agents and prime movers of society.

I asked her why she started driving an Uber.  Her answer was as unexpected as everything about the ride.  "I am driving for divorce, honey!"  (I'm sorry ... what?!).  Her husband was cheating on her with a younger woman, while leaching on her. She knows her worth and will not let anyone trample all over her, so she's setting herself up with enough to file for a divorce. I would have stood up and saluted her had I not been in the car.  You go, girl!

Needless to say, the 1 hour drive flew by so quickly.  And, before I knew it, I was almost at my Aunt's place and completely forgot to message her that I was coming!

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Namaste: Different Facets of Love

His friends call him the gentle giant, sauntering around his garden and tending to his patches of greens and flowers.  In the few times I interacted with him, I understood why his friends were both proud and protective of him.

I have never met someone with a bottomless reserve for love.

He is the most loving husband and devoted father to his girls and grandchildren.  Imagine switching to a pure vegan diet in support of his wife, learning ways to cook delectable vegan dishes along the way.

He is a great lover of this beautiful world we live in.  Every year he goes on a trip outside of his home, appreciating the the unique beauty of the place and enjoying open and honest interactions with everyone he meets.  And, even though not all experiences are fun, he always finds the silver lining and the humor in every situation; never judging anyone who may have wronged him.

On top of that, he makes an annual trip to serve a remote community, helping build their homes along with other friends from his church.  He serves with pure love, expecting nothing in return, being happy at just loving.

And while he has the softest heart, easily given to tears; he has the strongest faith, anchored on pure filial trust in God. I hope, one day, to grow into the kind of person he is, God's love personified and happy dancing everyday.

Namaste: Chasing New Dreams

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Beauty is a colleague-turned-friend with whom I had the opportunity to spend time during my last business trip.  While we have had several business trips together, it was the first time I had her all to myself.  And, boy, did she open up so radiantly when devoid of all inhibitions and expectations.

Beyond the beautiful face, her Math smarts and her sharp wit, she is one of the kindest most sensitive souls I have known.  I never would have thought that we shared the same interest for psychology, particularly early child development and special needs, until this trip. We talked about our discoveries on how childhood events and interactions shape the persons we grow up into; and how we can proactively help ourselves to heal, forgive and grow from our painful pasts.

From these conversations I glimpsed how sensitive she is to everyone around her, especially to people she loves. Her face lit up with so much love when she talked about her husband, her sister's kids and the rest of her family. And she bubbled over with excitement at the new dreams and hopes she has for her family.  I can't help but hope and pray for her success in chasing these new dreams and reaching new personal heights (and highs).