Journeys 247: Footprints by the sands

A slight deviation from its original poetic title and as a writer and poet, I am sort of, entitle to my own poetic justice so to speak thus I will, from now on, provide its own “Footprints by the sands” thought. One early morning, while photoshooting the sunrise, I came across two fishermen from the sea. I hurriedly went unto them and check their catch, it was not many, in fact, it can only be sufficient for one meal but they are grateful as they beam at me, flashing a sincere smile when I went to check their catch.

When I went to take photos of the surroundings, both of them routinely carried their Bangka from the shore and to the waiting fisherfolks too, perhaps their wives and children there too. I never even dared explore the place they went to but was struck at where they left and I stood. The moment I look down, I saw footprints and the lines that resemble that of a straight and narrow path. It conjures upon my head some time for personal reflection and so I took photos of it, taking every angle which gives me more at ease and comforts, perhaps contentment.

The reason perhaps why I saw this as a reflection of sort is because the footprints are not mine but of two fishermen, lowly and meek, never even went to college, earn a degree, get a career outside the sea. Perhaps, their toil surrounds primarily at how life, so simple, yet, when lived freely, can bring satisfaction and contentment. The pivotal role of our lives to others and in this particular example is endless. I never knew these two fishermen; they even do not know me. I took photos of what reminds me constantly of my own humanity, that when we are lowly and humbled, then our footprints are more lucidly created, leaving marks not only by the sands but also in the hearts of those who see us through our lives.

Pains, sorrow, discontents, distrust, distraction, hopelessness and misery are what reminds us that we are human ergo we felt it but what makes us great is our ability to go through it, pace by pace, page by page, renewed, reborn and strengthened. I have friends who nurse a broken heart; undergoes physical pain, discomforts and many others, they need me more than they needed themselves. I knew I need them more than myself too when I am on my highways of life. This is how we define humanity for us. We co-exist because we care and it is beyond our own grasp that through what we do, think and act, we leave footprints, for others to also follow through. We leave inspiration for them to see us through  and we leave footprints by the sand, not to perpetuate eternally but to leave imprints of it momentarily, enough to create reflections, one that continually defines us not as “I” but rather as “we”.

Journey 245: Reaching Out

Everyone, in most parts of their lives, has to endure problems, trials and challenges which span from relationships, finances, work, marriages, commitments, vows, and the ever pressing concerns of health. In it, we value no one but ourselves and the only way to cope up with the challenges that comes our way is to understand why it has been there and why it has happened and what lesson has it there to teach us.

My first brush at life’s challenges comes unexpectedly and neither I nor anyone can ever understand why it has to happened so suddenly and so unexpectedly beyond my comprehension. I am stressed and depress yes, but I am prayerful and hopeful too. I had been tortured emotionally but I am getting through there. I am pained yes, but I knew this trial will pass. I am bruised yes, but I know this too shall heal. All my pains and the challenges that comes my way are constant reminder for me to reach out, not on my own and for my victory’s sake but reaching out to those whom I have left behind – my God, my family and my friends. Reckoning hard enough, I had been on the high-speed highway driving to nowhere but surely, am anchored in what God’s purpose for me. It is just unfortunate that in so doing, I have been speeding pass many others who are there to support me through.

I am grateful for my closest friend who has cancer who shared to me the film Fireproof and watched it as well as reflected on it. He knew my predicaments and he knew too well who I am in my life. He and I shared a life that only the best of friends knew and I am continually is grateful for the wonderful blessings God has given me when he shared his thoughtful suggestion about the film to reflect on. I in fact was reminded by him that we all have all our problems that we just have to face it head-on.

A friend of mine too, as with many countless others, have informed me that she has cancer. It broke me harder since I am surrounded by friends and family who are with cancers. I have already in my mind how many of them have been in the phases of life with cancer. I could not and never fathom why they, so young, has to endure it. I say to myself that one day, the physical pains will be redeemed by the renewed spirit to be an inspiration. I thought that life has to be as simple as living until our twilight years and rest peacefully in our time but God has higher purposes and direction. We are never drivers of our lives but we are mere passengers, though we have the option to hop in or not. In our life’s struggles, we have everything that others have not of which I believed will be one of the reason why God wanted us to share, share our life, our experiences and our ability to make a difference.

Reaching out is like this little boy with a twig trying to reach out a branch. It is by experiencing what we had been given that we may reach out. Reaching out to those who have made our lives significant and meaningful. It is through reaching out that our pains will be replaced with joy. It is by reaching out that our struggles will end with such victory that only we can all appreciate and share. It is by reaching out that we carefully evaluate where we are at the present and decide where we are heading in the future. It is by reaching out that we know God better, much more than we allow ourselves to know.

Journeys 244: My best journey is yet to come

As another left in the book turns, as the old leaf fell off the branch, one has to be reckoning as to who flipped it new or who broke off the branch? Was it the air or the old leaf weary that it hold on no longer? Recently, I have had the lowest chapter in my life including friends getting the dreaded C and the coping up is much painful to bear and yet, we strive harder to move on as a new day promises a new vitality, enthusiasm and perhaps, love.

As we journey on in our lives, we encounter encumbrances that we think holds us back but actually make us first try the first step, only this time, an extra load is added to our already weary shoulders. We have had been living comfortably well prior to a dreaded news but will it really stop us from moving? Can we be like stuck in the middle of nowhere trying to fidget with uncertainty. We have many questions like will I be alright then? Will it bears me more fruit to enjoy? Will it make me wiser? Will it renewed me? Will it redeems me? Will it liberates me? Will it and more will it comes to mind but honestly, its only God who showers the answers to all and every question.

As they say that anything that comes along will too shall pass. The trying times seem to be hardest to endure but with God at the center of our lives, nothing is impossible. The best and enduring promise of God can be seen in the poem “Footprints in the Sand” which when I was a young boy, I read with much reflection. I know that when I am pained, God will be carry my load for me. When I am bruised, he heals it. When I am tired, he carries me.

My best journey in life is yet to come. Soonest when we are comforted by the abiding graces of God, our journeys will be lighter albeit in a different perspective now. Last night, over dinner, I was randomly asked by my friend, Troy Asugas which I prefer to have: Cancer or Cardiac Arrest ? I calmly told him that should I have to choose, I’d wished it’s the dreaded C for the same reason that such will redeem me spiritually while also not discounting the physical pains one has to endure. I shared to him the book I read about CEO Eugene O’Kelly who contracted brain tumor and he was told to live for 100 days no more. Practically-minded, he lived his life closing all his relationships, friends, associates, everyone who came into his life. He said in his book Chasing Daylight that his cancer and his death is a gift for he was able to prepare for it unlike those who died of accidents and cardiac arrests. Although, in my mind, I wished nothing near the two choices since I dream to live healthy and wisely beyond the twilight years.

The pains now, the phases and the enduring confusions will too shall pass. God will, as always, the greatest comforter and abider of the healing power of miracles of which I believed. To those of my friends who suffer, I am hugging you all in my warmest days and in my lowest chapters to make you stronger than me. Always remember that our journey is yet to come. It shall, as said in the song, shall pass.