Views in Life: Dig Down Deep

Philosophy, or how we view things in life, may vary from person to person. It is merely based on the fact that no person has exactly the same experience as others. It may help map the course to where we long to be in the future, or it may serve as a sidestep to an unfavorable one.

My philosophy in life is simple. That is to do my best on things I do, and let God take good care of the rest. [chos]

Not all happenings in life favor us. Some may shatter our feelings to pieces, and drains our strength from its very core. Some seems to break our worlds apart and take everything from us, everything, 'til we find ourselves empty. Empty and so much weak. But still, we hear other people say, that weakness is good; that it is somehow a way of Him who loves us to lead us to the right track. That weakness is good, because if we are that weak, we often find ourselves limp but comforted in the arms of God.

I remember what my mom used to say, "Experience is the best teacher!". And I believe her. 
For instance in school, I sometimes feel overconfident about a lesson that I do not further study it. Others obviously study hard and I just found myself leafing pages on the exam's coverage. [tsss] When the exam comes, and I'm so eager to answer but heck I couldn't remember every single thing clearly. Then the score is not to be mentioned here (hehe ***) That was indeed so frustrating! Hence, from it I learned a back-breaking lesson the hard way. 

We all have a 'say' about experience and views in life. Simply because we are different in many ways. But we could not cast fog over the truth that we are all humans. And some of us, in one way or the other, if not exactly the same, have similar happenings in life. Some of us lose an opportunity that can lift us to comfy living. Some loses a chance to prove self better. Some loses a family, a loved one. And some, who has gone through all of those and surpassed triumphantly surely will utter to us not to lose heart. Eyeing on a beautiful tomorrow we ought to endure our current battle, and surpass whatever is it with a head held high and a brave heart.

Furthermore I believe in God; His words are my ultimate philosophy. I believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God, who died for all of us, to wash away all our sins, may it be big or small, and save us from Hell, God's eternal punishment to people who stand against His words and not repent. I believe that all people, may you be a pastor, or priest; may you be in caves, behind walls, or wide in the open; may you be an ordinary person, there is no and never been an exception. All of us is sinner. It takes to have humility, and an open heart to accept that all of us is a sinner; to accept in ourselves that we are loathsome sinners in the eyes of God. That is why we need God's forgiveness. God so loves all of us that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).

I read the Bible, and I believe in it. What I do not believe is what other people say about it. For so they say according to other books also. And so I read the Bible. It contains and reads God's philosophy. A philosophy that all philosophies should converge to. No other attention-diverting book is parallel to it. No, not one, and will never be. How pleasant it is to open our minds and hearts to wisdom God offers us. How awesome it is to see things according to God's perspective and viewpoints - a philosophy I always want to keep in me, while I live...

I was confused, but now, it all starts to make sense. The more I replayed things in mind, the more it sheds light to the matter. And the more I understand, the more it hurts!

Connecting the dots – is what I do best. A strength I detest especially when things go wrong...

All this time I feel fear. Fear mixed with ire, salted with pity towards a person. Fear in a way I begin to see the person once admired to be different now. Fear, that such person was duped. Manipulated. Brain-washed! Just that easily.

Anger. Because of w-i-l-l-f-u-l-l-y charging someone innocent. Yes, the person did! And the person still, will, with a happy heart.

Hence I feel pity. Pity for such creature! I say PITY. Too desperate forcing a fool out of self hurling blames on anyone at every turn.

Playing scenes in mind, the person wanders off to a world full of null and hunch and folly. Senseless. Unreasonable! Those fury eyes but scream despair anyone can't dare stare.

A dream. A bad one this is. These things that befall seem to be all unreal. A nightmare I want to get rid of.

Bad thoughts on you... that's how people would give back to all efforts done...

Oh it's ruthless! Words aren't enough to let feel the pain...

<to someone>

"I admire you. Esteemed. Respected you above all in it. Put you in the pedestals and hailed you. Looked up to you. In dark moments you are that ray of sunshine we cling to..."

"Now you created walls. Boundaries you ruthlessly traced. All of a sudden you nag with a voiceless indignation. Hateful stares you sparingly throw. Reasons I seek, but couldn't find anything sane!"

"Despite these, pleasant thought of you forces its way in. It compels the mind to believe you are the same. One who does things heedfully. Logically. One willing to spend more time to think, and put things in order before making a move... Once you were... prudent. Principled. Wise..."

"... But now, everything changed."

" You changed..."

<....................................>

Dear 翻譯,

Good day!

This letter is a way to impart my deepest, heartfelt thanks for every single thing you have done for me. Thank you sooo much.

Indeed, you are hands down without a doubt CREATIVE. 

Extremely creative that you made yourself an author of a pretty intimate book — my life.
Very creative in a way idiotic on being a story maker and a self-proclaimed artist.

Thanks to you I now face stories of my personal life that I myself do not even know.

And yes, you may careen out of control if I tell you are successful!..

Ah! Hopefully, the violet blankets of night cover your path wherever you go, the bottomless pit open its mouth and engulf you entirely, and the ominous heavens pour down on you its pulsing, red hot ember of wrath and curse only meant for people like you.

Gratefully yours,

...

It was few days ago when I posted it. The very first poem

I penned when I became part of The Pylon =)

A  T-R-I-V-I-A-L  trivia, perhaps =P

Anyway, this piece is one dedicated to it.

- A roll of stirring drums started in me

as I thought of sharing it,

but here it goes.. -

How it Feels to Have First Love
(A Love Poem)

Once you riffle through the pages,

Searching about L-O-V-E

To unfold what it means

And what one who has it feels.

You go on to leaf the pages

Exploring the hidden cove

To discover a desired truth

Truth that heart yearns to know; to understand.

Love is like a song

A music that paces the air.

It reaches beyond the ear, and pierces the heart.

'Tis so strange, so sweet, so wonderful!

Love is an endless sensation.

- A selfless feeling put to action -

It gives care to the other before self

One that transcends through time; through ages.

And love is long patience

Time may test; People may detest

But choice is to persist

To stand with courage instilled in chest.

Love sets the evening lamps alight

That when life's velvet skies of night appear

And odds besiege there and here

It beams hope so bright it scatters the darkness away.

Once you riffle through the pages,

Searching for L-O-V-E

Now you found it

Embrace it!; Savor it; And feel it.

Maikling Kwento =P

TUNGO SA PINTO NG LIWANAG

Si Jacob ay labing-pitong taong gulang.  Siya ay may taas na 5’5”, at medyo payat na pangangatawan.  Maitim ang kanyang buhok at singkit ang kanyang mga mata.  Maputi ang kanyang kumpleksyon.  Ang kanyang mahinahon na aura ang siyang lalong nagpapatingkad ng kanyang hitsura.

Sa likod ng kanyang maaliwalas na mukha ay may nakatagong karamdaman.  Karamdamang nagpapahina ng kanyang buong katawan, na ‘di naman niya iniinda.  Lingid sa kaalaman ng iba, siya ay may sakit sa puso dala ng madalas na kalungkutan na dulot ng mapait na nakaraan. 

Sa kabila ng kanyang lumulubhang karamdaman ay ‘di niya itinigil ang kanyang pag-aaral.  Si Jacob ay kasalukuyang nag-aaral sa unibersidad ng lugar ng San Roque kung saan siya lumaki.  Bilang mag-aaral, siya ang tipong gusto halos lahat ng oras na mapag-isa.  Wala naman siyang nakakahawang sakit, hindi naman siya mabaho, at lalong hindi sira ang kanyang pag-iisip.  Katunayan ay isa siya sa mga estudyante ng kanilang paaralan na nangunguna sa talino’t karunungan.  Bagama’t gusto niyang makisalamuha sa iba ay mas nais niyang mapag-isa sapagkat dulot nito ay wagas na katahimikan, at mas mabuti’t malinaw na kaisipan na siguradong makakamtan kung wala masyadong distraksyon.  Oo, para kay Jacob, ang pakikihalubilo sa iba ay pawang distraksyon lamang sa malinaw na pag-iisip, lalo na pag ‘di matino ang pag-uusapan.

Anupanga’t dahil dito ay siya ang madalas na laman ng usapan at katuwaan ng ibang estudyante.  Binu-bully siya ng mga ito, ika nga.  Kung minsan, pag siya’y naglalakad sa pasilyo pagkalabas ng klasrum ay may bumabato sa kanya ng babol gam.  Malagkit ito.  Wala siyang planong nguyain ito ulit, obvious na fresh pa iyon galing sa bunganga ng iba.  Dumikit iyon sa kanyang buhok, at siya’y pinagtawanan ng mga nakakita.  ‘Di na man niya ito pinansin.  Inisip na lang niya na kung mag-rereact siya na naaapektuhan siya ay mas lalo siyang ibu-bully.  Nung isang araw din ay hayagan siyang sinuntok sa mukha ng isang babae.  “Huwag mo na akong i-tekst bastos ka!  Manyak!”, sigaw na sabi ng dalaga na nanggagalaiti sa galit.  Hindi siya kilala ni Jacob, at mas lalong hindi niya hilig ang makipag-tekst meyt. ‘Di kalayuan ay makikita ang isang grupo ng kalalakihan, kasing-edad ni Jacob, na nag-uusap sabay ng mangiyak-ngiyak na tawanan.  Anupa’t siya ay napahiya na naman sa harap ng ibang tao na nakakita sa pangyayari.  Ang mga ito’y nagbubulungan.  Ang iba’y pasimpleng nagtatawanan.  Ang iba’y nakaramdam ng awa.

Dumaan ang ilan pang mga segundo at huwaring “nag-slow mo” ang kanyang mundo.  Nang dahil sa hiya, nanlabo ang kanyang paningin.  Nanlamig ang kanyang dating mainit na mukha na para bang aktwal na binuhusan ng napakalamig na tubig.  Pilit niya itong nilabanan, at palayong tumakbo ng mabilis.  Singbilis ng isang usa na nais makatakas mula sa mabangis na tigreng handang magpira-piraso sa kanya ng buhay.  Wala siyang magawa kundi ang umiyak.  Humagulgol.  Gusto niyang pigilan ngunit ito’y bumaha na lang basta sa kanyang pisngi.  Sa puntong iyon ay gusto niya naman na mapag-isa.  Walang tigil ang kanyang paghakbang. 

Sa labas ng paaralan ay napatingin siya sa isang karatula, “Naniniwala ka ba sa Diyos?”, ang mga salitang nakasulat dito.  At biglang napatigil ang pagtulo ng kanyang luha.  Siya’y nakaramdam ng sakit at matinding kalungkutan.  Ito’y para bang dumaloy na lang basta sa kanyang buong katawan.  Gusto niyang matigil na ang lahat ng sakit ngunit huwaring may tumutusok na alaala sa kanyang puso.  Magkahalong mapait at matamis na alaala na sabay tumitibok ng kanyang puso’t pilit na nagbibigay ng kanyang nakaraan sa kanyang isipan.  Naaalala niya ang kanyang buong pamilya nung siya ay labing-limang taong gulang pa.  

Noon ay masaya silang nagkukwentuhan.  Ang kanyang mga kapatid na babae, ang isa ay labing-walong taong gulang, at ang isa’y limang taong gulang, ay masayang naglalampungan.  Ang kanyang ama’t ina ay abot tenga ang mga ngiti habang pinagmamasdan ang kanilang mga anak na ika nila’y mga biyaya ng langit.  Si Jacob ay walang dudang masaya rin.  Kasiyahan na ‘di mapapantayan ng kahit na anong materyal na bagay sa buong sanlibutan.

Sa araw din iyon ay nagplano ang buong pamilya na magbakasyon sa bahay na kinalakihan ng kanilang ama (Sapagkat sa panahong iyon ay walang pasok—Christmas break).  Plano nilang doon manatili ang buong pamilya ng dalawang linggo.

Sa kasunod na mga araw, bago ang bakasyon, ay nagkaroon ng handaan sa kanilang bahay.  Kaarawan iyon ni Jacob, Disyembre 23 sa taong 2022.  Bising-bisi ang pamilya na magsilbi’t makisalamuha sa kanilang mga bisita.  Para kay Jacob, punong-puno ang araw na iyon ng panghabang-buhay na galak sapagkat sa araw din iyon ay nalaman niya na si Hesus, ang Mesiyas at bugtong Anak ng buhay na Maykapal, ay maaari niyang tanggapin na kanyang personal na Diyos at Tagapagligtas.  Noon ay ibang klaseng saya ang kanyang naramdaman.  Kasiyahang ‘di pa niya nararanasan sa tanang buhay niya.  Alam niya na magiging ganap ang kanyang pagkatao kung may Hesu Kristong maninirahan sa kanyang kaloob-looban— sa kanyang puso.

Matapos ang ‘di malilimutang kaarawan ay dumating na rin ang araw ng kanilang biyahe.  Nang dahil na rin sa nakaraang selebrasyon ay nakaligtaang maghanda ng maaga ng pamilya para sa lugar na pupuntahan.  “Bilis, dapat na nating isaayos ang lahat ng kailangang dalhin”, masiglang wika ng nakatatandang kapatid ni Jacob.   “Pagkarating agad dun ay maghahanda tayo ng maraming-maraming pagkain para sa Noche Buena!”, patuloy na sabi niya.  “Opo ate.  Maghahanda na po (sabay hikab)”, antok naman na tugon ni Jacob. Excited din siya pero medyo matamlay nga lang dahil ‘di siya nakatulog ng maaga dulot ng napakagandang handaan sa kanyang kaarawan.

Ang buong pamilya ay mabilisang naghanda para sa inaasam na biyahe.  Si Jacob ay naghanda rin ng kanyang dadalhin.  Ipinasok niya ang kanyang kamera sa kanyang bagahe.  Mahilig manguha ng litrato si Jacob.  Ito’y para bang talentong dumadaloy ng parang dugong nagbibigay buhay sa kanyang medyo payat na pangangatawan.  “Kung wala ito ay mawawalan ako ng sigla.  Iiyak ang araw noh pag ‘di ako nakakakuha ng litrato”, malambing na bigkas ni Jacob sa kanyang mga maalalahaning magulang.

Libangan din ni Jacob ang pagpipinta ng mga scenic na kapaligiran.  Plano niyang gumuhit ng magandang imahe ng lumulubog na kulay dugo’t dilaw na araw na nagbibigay kinang sa malaking lawa na nakaupo malapit sa bahay-bakasyunan na kanilang titirhan. 

Hindi nagtagal ay natapos din ang kanilang paghahanda.

Hindi maitago ng buong pamilya ang excitement at saya habang sakay ng kanilang dyip na gamit nila sa biyahe.  Nakataas ang dalawang kamay ni Jacob at ng kanyang mga kapatid sabay sigaw ng “wuhhhooo!!!”  sa umiihip na malakas na hangin.  Ang kanilang mga magulang ay sadyang masaya at natutuwa sa mga ito.  Mabilis ang takbo ng kanilang sasakyan, at naging mabilis din ang mga sumunod na pangyayari. 

Sa isang saglit ay ‘di na maramdaman ng kanilang ama ang preno ng kanilang sasakyan.  Pilit niyang tinitigil ang mabilis na pag-usad ng rumaragasang dyip, ngunit 'di niya ito magawa.  Hanggang sa bumangga na lang ang sasakyan sa metal na hadlang sa gilid ng matarik na daan na kanilang tinahak.  Nahulog ang kanilang sasakyan.  Kasama nito ang kanilang buong pamilya. 

Sa ibaba ng pinangyarihan, makikita ang mga nakakaawang sitwasyon ng pamilya.  Nalupasay silang lahat, huwaring wala nang buhay.  Sa loob ng tumirik na dyip ay makikitang naipit ang paa ng kanyang ina at ang leeg nito sa ilalim ng upuan ng sasakyan.  Ang ama’y natapon sa labas ng dyip, maging si Jacob at ang kanyang mga kapatid.  Ang lahat ay duguan sa ulo at ibang parte ng katawan.

Ang lahat ng pamilya, maliban kay Jacob, ay nagsimulang magkamalay.  “Saklolo!  Tulungan nyo po kami!!” agad na pilit isinigaw ng sugatang si Jacob.  “Parang awa nyo na po.  Tulungan nyo po kami!”, patuloy na daing ng umiiyak na binata.

Ilang minuto pa’t may dumaan na kotse.  Nagkataong  napatigil ito nang dahil sa nakitang mga bagay na natapon sa daan.  Nakita rin ng estrangherong drayber na nasira ang isang parte ng metal na hadlang sa tabing daan kung kaya’t tumigil ito at nagmasid.  Sa ibaba ay nakita niya ang nahulog na sasakyan, at ang mga naaksidente.   Umalingawngaw ang nakakaawang sigaw ni Jacob kung kaya’t madali niya itong nakita.  Duguan sa ulo’t bali ang kaliwang braso ng nalupasay na binata.  Agad kinuha ng butihing estranghero si Jacob at ang kanyang maliit na kapatid na nakadapa malapit sa kanya.  Ilang hakbang pa sa lugar ng aksidente ay napatapon silang ulit.  Hindi inaasahang sumabog ang sasakyang dyip na lulan ng kanilang pamilya.  Hindi maipinta ang reaksyon ni Jacob.  Hindi niya matanto ang mga pangyayari.  Hindi siya makapaniwala.  Isip niya’y tila panaginip lang ang lahat.  Napakasamang panaginip— bangungot!  Gusto niyang magising.

 Humagulgol na lumayo si Jacob sa lugar na iyon.  Dinala ng estranghero sa ospital sina Jacob at ang kaniyang maliit na kapatid; ang kanyang maliit na kapatid na nung araw din iyon ay pumanaw bago pa man makarating sa lugar-pagamutan.  Sadyang napakalupit ng tadhana kay Jacob.  Noong una ay ‘di niya lubos maisip ang buhay na wala ang kanyang buong pamilya.  Ngayon ay hampas mukhang nilalasap niya ang sakit nang pagkawala nilang lahat.  Sa isang iglap ay nawala ang kanyang mga minamahal higit pa sa kanyang sariling buhay.

“Naniniwala ka ba sa Diyos?”, ang babasahing kanyang nakita pagkalabas ng paaralan.  Ang kanyang sagot?  Oo.  Naniniwala si Jacob na may Diyos.  Diyos na buhay na nagmamahal sa kanya ng lubos.  Sa kabila ng mga nangyari sa kanya ay hindi siya nawalan ng pag-asa.  SIYA, ang nagsilbing lakas niya na lumaban pa sa buhay.

Sa ‘di inaasahang pagkakataon ay namasdan ni Jacob muli ang kanyang buong pamilya.  Hindi siya makapaniwala.  Kinurot niya ang kanyang pisngi upang malaman kung iyon nga ba’y isang panaginip lamang o hindi.  Pilit niyang nililinis ang kanyang mga mata ngunit ganun pa rin.  Totoo.  Totoo ang lahat! 

Nung una akala niya’y pinaglalaruan lamang siya ng kanyang mga pandama (senses), ngunit ‘di pala.  Napaiyak si Jacob na napayakap sa kanyang buong pamilya.  Ang kanyang ama, ina at mga nagagandahang kapatid, ay ‘di mandin mailarawan ang saya na makita siya.  At sila ay nagkuwentuhan, gaya ng dati.   May ngiti ang kanilang mga labi, gayundin ang kanilang mga mata.  At mula sa lugar na kanilang kinatatayuan ay sabay nilang tinahak ang daan tungo sa malaking pinto ng liwanag.  Tungo sa lugar na napakalayo, lugar na napakasaya.  Lugar na wala anumang sakit na madarama.  Lugar, na ang tawag ay Langit.

...

DARE to DREAM

• A nurtured dream soars in the sky
• Rides the wind and reaches high
• Even higher than eagles could fly
• Fear not, though huge storms are nigh.

• A nurtured dream is precious and rare
• Others give up, if dream swirls in the air
• Oh it may, but persist and dare!
• Far, it seems, but you'll soon get there..

• Painstakingly endure the flight with all your might
• With wings of faith in GOD shines bright.
• TRUST, even in life's darkest night
• Brave the odds, and win the fight!

Mark Question



Why in the world there is bias?
Big city, small town, foreign country, own land!
Why in the world there is bias?
A new sort of need, or just something grand?


Why is thine eyes stretched to canthi like demon?
Out of crowned head, with uncombed judgment, thine tongue hisses.
Hisses with pride -- A snake acting like a lion!
Overstep bounds you do. You favor oh Bias, like no other.


You let the wicked beam in innocence.
Unholy glee, you hear.  Bullies and disrespect, you cheer.
Alas!  With tear dripped off the nose of one who sins,
You voice out.  Act out.  The truth, you miss out.


Grab the steering wheel.  "Turn left, turn right!"
You control.  You're second best.
Pretender! You overpower than one with might.
Rumor, you believe.  You settle with it, and rest ...


Why in the world there is bias?
Big city, small town, foreign country, own land.
Why in the world there is bias?
Heaven's ears open, when you meet one, DO.  NOT.  ASK.

Someday,,  you'll see..

I'll emerge victor over my demons.

I will rise steadily.

I will sail out of your reach!

Someday,, you'll see..

IPR Workshop (A Mash-up Story)

ROMEO

          Romeo is a 20-year old boy.  He is ambitious, that's how his neighbors call him. Too ambitious, at times, that he often finds himself daydreaming.  But never did he stop on achieving his dreams, and believing in himself.

          He has a wife.  She is pregnant for 9 months.  Romeo loves her.  So much that he does everything for her, to feed her and their child-to-be.

          One day, Romeo is stuck in thought of where he wants to be when he was 10.  He dreams his whole family lives in a place where no man ever lived – the outer space.  He knows someday, he can do that with his invention his scientific mind has been busy with for many years.  While lost in thoughts, his wife is crowning.

          Romeo is inflicted.  He is caught between choosing to follow his dream, or his current duty to his wife. It is a choice that determines where his priorities lie.  His wife will give birth to their first child, will prove all her strength in labor.  While here he is, still overwhelmed by his inflicted thoughts.  He knew right there and then he could not afford to chase his dreams.  He has to do what he must!

          At once he brings his wife to the hospital.  He helps the nurses and doctors rush his already-laboring wife, on a stretcher, to the delivery room.  As soon as they reach the room, he is forced to stay outside.  He can see the pain painted all over his wife's face.  In mind, he asks himself how big the skull of the fetus is.  He can't help but think of it!  Yes, even in such life-or-death case (lols). It takes to have 8 to 10 centimeters of opening for the fetus to be born.

          His anxiety grows as seconds turn into minutes, and minutes into hours.  He thinks of so much this time his mind seems to explode!

          Outside the delivery room, he is shaking.  He finds it hard to recover from the adrenaline rush.  It's as if an 8.0 magnitude earthquake is confined right exactly to where he stands.  He is
severely worried. He calls gods as many as he can recall. He calls saints, angels, fairies, dwarfs, white ladies! Name it. Lucky not for him his tranquilizer was left at home.  He panics. The only thing that keeps him calm, at least a bit, is his trust to his wife.

          "Are you the husband of Magdalena?",  a voice emerged out of nowhere.  Romeo is even more startled!  "Hey hey, I'm here, r-i-g-h-t here. (Clears her throat) I am the doctor..."  She introduced herself.  Romeo is astonished!  The doctor defines the word petite.  So short. The doctor has dwarfism. A burst of laughter is about to exit from Romeo's mouth.  "Hello... Are you OK?!"  the doctor blurts out in a high-pitched voice.  He suppressed his outburst of cackle. Romeo nodded.  The delivery is successful.

          At that very second, he could feel his chest burst with relief. He could not wait to see his wife. He could not anymore wait to see his first child...

          His heart constantly trips hard in his lean chest.  Upon seeing his family; his wife, his son, love flickers in his eyes..  His tear rolls down his cheek like raindrop – A tear of untainted joy!

          A few hours go past, a man barges-in to the room.  So angry!  He is claiming that the child is his, and not Romeo's.  Upon hearing that, Romeo is tongue-tied.  He does not know what to say.  He is also angry. So angry that he punches the guy right to his lying face.  He managed to do it despite his gaunt and bony physique.  He loves his wife so much that he could not believe of what the guy said!

          The knocked-out guy was forced to exit the room by the guards.  At once, Romeo confronted his wife.  He asks about the man's words.  Still weak from the delivery, she confesses.  Neither of the two is the father.  Romeo is mad!  How could she lie to him?!  She confessed that the father of the child is the twin brother of Romeo..

          Romeo is stunned!  His eyes dim with tears.  His heart breaks.  Not paying her further heed, he left her with no head turned.  Words of her tongue are like poison.  It sucks his strength from its very core.  He can't dare listen any longer.

          He dashes out of the room.  His heart bleeds without a halt.

          All the happy thoughts he spent with his wife start to haunt him as he exits.  They were so happy.  One day, love filled the air, warmed them in winter days of their lives.  Now, it's all gone! Tears drip off his nose.  All he can do is cry the hardest he can!

          He finds it hard to move on.  He cannot do it quickly.  Anyone with a broken heart knows the feeling.  But he does his best to forget.  He does not want to lose altitude also in his dream.  Despite the pain pulsing through him,  he went on with it.

          With no second thought, he rides in his invention.  Takes a flight, and bravely pushes the red button of journey to nowhere...

          Just within a few minutes, he reaches the outer space-- his new Home.  A place where he can live his life anew.  Using his brilliant invention, he continues to live up to this day.  He watches anyone on earth who reads his story.





      



                                                                                     ---END---

  

Reaction Paper for the film

“The Gifted Hands— The Benjamin Carson Story”

The movie, with the title stated above, is without a doubt A-W-E-S-O-M-E!!!  It is a showcase of dramatic, exasperating, and inspiring scenes materialized into one..  It teaches hope and faith in God, despite the awful and scary situations we may go through in life.

The trials,, perhaps,, may seem as "bunch of bulls" running their way to us,, ready to trample our every single part..  But despite these,, we ought to show no fear,, for we know they will do no serious harm to us..  Surely because of our healthy mindset and GOD-given wisdom, and HIM on our side, these bulls that scare us, putting us to our knees, soon will surely vanish into thin air..   Benjamin Carson,, the main character of the story,, dealt with the same "bunch of bulls". Though problems, in the form of worries and doubts, arose in his workplace, he never let himself be defeated..  Before he performed any surgery, what he did was pray..  Why pray?  One might ask. Pray for what? For the success of the operation? Yes, exactly..  And not only that, he prays for his patient as well..  He prays for him to recover swiftly..  He prays for him to be wholly made well..  So remarkable!  How often do we find doctors like him.  Him who wholeheartedly ask God for help.. for healing of his patients?  How often do we find physicians who possess such love and care to the sick?  Or might as well ask can we find the same person as him? He is unique, perhaps. He is a blessing.

It is indeed rare to find a doctor so meek to know his bounds,, and look up to GOD for HIS help..  Surely,, he is exemplary.. He always puts his best into actions. Though trials came pouring from all directions, he didn't give up. He didn't lose his faith to Jesus Christ.

Not everything was roses with Benjamin’s past experiences.. He started out not-so-good in class - that's one, and one of most unforgettable paths of past he traced.  In fact, he even got zero in his many exams, and got frustrated then.. Extremely frustrated. He grew pessimistic.. He seemed to be a man built up with negative thoughts in the world..  He was blinded by it.  He felt so bad that he could not even see his potential of a person who can excel..  A person worthy of honor and esteem; one, who is worth applauding!


Indeed, he failed to pause and take notice.  But his mother didn’t..  When he was about to swerve his way and prove to the world how stupid he think he was, he was brought back in track by the words uttered by his mom.. Those kind, warm, heartfelt inputs of a loving mother,  “Y-o-u just   have to see b-e-y-o-n-d what you can see...  Do not give up..."  

It was not all easy for him to fight off his fears, and anxiety..  He stumbled numerous times..  But the good thing?  He stood up. He braved the odds and continued his way to become better individual . 

One might imagine him not staying in one corner, with hands clasped together in knees, SOLELY waiting for the skies to rain down blessings on him..  Instead, he worked for his progress.  He made a miracle out of his own faith and work..  He believed deep in the gut that he could change..  That he can still be BETTER, and WISER..  That he can SURPASS his limitations and be more than best he can ever be..  

He read books. Lots of them. He wallowed into wholesome activities to enrich his mind with learnings, KNOWLEDGE, that were served like food so delicious for him to eat..  He set his feet wandering into a world he has not gone into ever since -- The world of WISDOM.

Thereafter, his road was smooth..  He emerged brightest..  He comfortably placed himself in the highest pedestal, garnering the highest grade amongst all other students..  He was no doubt very happy..  He received his certificate of recognition with fists held in front his chest, energized with smile alongside a victorious ‘YES!’ quietly spoken..  


His mother could not help but felt proud, and extremely GLAD for him..

Years have passed and he finally became what he always desired to be -- A medical doctor..  A man once deemed pessimistic turned into someone exemplary. Someone POSITIVE to people around him. A man with hope he profusely beams to those who are out of it.

Benjamin is excellent doctor. Excellent, in the field of pediatric neurosurgery..  A once impossible to do in an operation, became possible with his GIFTED hands..  No wonder he became the head of his own field..  As one physician aptly said in the movie when he talked to Benjamin, “If you cannot find a solution to this disease and patients' problem, no one else will.”  That's how excellent he is that no doctor, of his own field, can surpass his God-given knowledge and extraordinary skills.  Despite this, he remained humble and prayerful.

------------------------------------ INSIGHT ------------------------------------

The “Gifted Hands” story not only shows how extraordinary Dr. Carson is,, but it also points out the how important a parent's guidance to her child is..  How relevant his loving mother’s words are..  Excerpts like, “You don’t need the book, you've got the book inside you”, and “You can do anyone else can do, only you can do it better”, are just few of the words unforgettable of the said movie..  In addition,,  this story also serves as WAKE-UP call to each and everyone of us,, that WE SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER TO SPEAK TO GOD IN PRAYER,, AS HE REMEMBERS US ALL THE TIME..  

The movie is without a doubt hands down awesome!  

Kudos, then, to all the makers of the film.   Kudos to Dr. Benjamin Carson!

Now,, if you are a sort of downhearted, and do NOT have enough SELF-CONFIDENCE within you, this one heart-rending, inspiring masterpiece fits you..  It is very healing in an odd way =)