Elizabeth E. Castillo's Blog, page 2
July 1, 2012
Scars
How deep can a single scar get? Some run deep while others are just shallow but still, a scar is a scar out of a wound that awaited itself to be healed in due time. Is it then true that people who have experienced the deepest hurts turning into remarkable scars all their lives emerge even more stronger than those who don't?
As the old adage says, "Experience is the best teacher" and one actually being in that toughest of situations can relive in his memory the most vivid of scenes the rest of his life. Time heals but I guess it will not simply erase the memory of how painful it used to be. No matter how long time ago it was, time won't let you forget
the struggle of overcoming such physical, emotional or psychological pain inflicted on you.
For every scar, there was suffering. For every suffering and grieving, there are corresponding stories behind those anguish, the desperate cries and longing for loved-ones lost separated by either life's circumstances or worst is by death. The pain caused losing someone by death is graver than just physical separation from another person whom you know still breathes life. At least he is still there and anytime you can still see and call and speak to him. But when one is the afterlife already, no matter if you have a backup cell phone, you can't hear his voice anymore, can't touch him once more and just hope you meet again one day in heaven.
In losing a loved-one, each has his own coping mechanism. While some may go through their lives normally, deep inside they grieve out of other's sight and carry on with their daily routines for life still goes on. Some others succumb to depression and desolation, self-pity as if it's the end of the world when one leaves them. They cannot function well at work, may become a nuisance or worst is they might not have the drive to live anymore out of their lonely state.
The grieving or mourning stage maybe the worst part for it may sap the energy out of you when you give in to your emotions but is necessary to go through this phase before quickly moving on to the next. At times when I go through losing someone, I wish to just skip the in-between stages so I can move on in a fast phase but then how can my "wound" heal properly if I just pretend that I am already OK, alive and kicking once more?
Now my family's wound is but still "fresh" with the sudden loss of our dear father Roberto but it has made us stronger than before with God's grace as braver souls have we become facing the tragedy together that has befallen us.
I guess it will take years to heal this kind of wound that can leave the deepest scar in our entire lives, losing a prominent figure in our family. Along with my grieving, is the denial phase when at times I still can't get myself to believe that my dear Dada has really left us but I know all of these shall come to pass. Yes, a scar would then emerge from the wound but even if that scar shall have to peel itself over in due time, he would always be remembered and will always have a space in my heart.
As the old adage says, "Experience is the best teacher" and one actually being in that toughest of situations can relive in his memory the most vivid of scenes the rest of his life. Time heals but I guess it will not simply erase the memory of how painful it used to be. No matter how long time ago it was, time won't let you forget
the struggle of overcoming such physical, emotional or psychological pain inflicted on you.
For every scar, there was suffering. For every suffering and grieving, there are corresponding stories behind those anguish, the desperate cries and longing for loved-ones lost separated by either life's circumstances or worst is by death. The pain caused losing someone by death is graver than just physical separation from another person whom you know still breathes life. At least he is still there and anytime you can still see and call and speak to him. But when one is the afterlife already, no matter if you have a backup cell phone, you can't hear his voice anymore, can't touch him once more and just hope you meet again one day in heaven.
In losing a loved-one, each has his own coping mechanism. While some may go through their lives normally, deep inside they grieve out of other's sight and carry on with their daily routines for life still goes on. Some others succumb to depression and desolation, self-pity as if it's the end of the world when one leaves them. They cannot function well at work, may become a nuisance or worst is they might not have the drive to live anymore out of their lonely state.
The grieving or mourning stage maybe the worst part for it may sap the energy out of you when you give in to your emotions but is necessary to go through this phase before quickly moving on to the next. At times when I go through losing someone, I wish to just skip the in-between stages so I can move on in a fast phase but then how can my "wound" heal properly if I just pretend that I am already OK, alive and kicking once more?
Now my family's wound is but still "fresh" with the sudden loss of our dear father Roberto but it has made us stronger than before with God's grace as braver souls have we become facing the tragedy together that has befallen us.
I guess it will take years to heal this kind of wound that can leave the deepest scar in our entire lives, losing a prominent figure in our family. Along with my grieving, is the denial phase when at times I still can't get myself to believe that my dear Dada has really left us but I know all of these shall come to pass. Yes, a scar would then emerge from the wound but even if that scar shall have to peel itself over in due time, he would always be remembered and will always have a space in my heart.
May 27, 2012
What's Your Glory?
"Everyone belongs somewhere." "To be able to understand the essence of your existence in this world, you have to "do for others". Do not only be ecstatic of what worldly things can give you temporarily but learn to understand the pains of those people around you and those close to you. We are our "brother's keepers". Only by then can you perceive and answer the question, "What's your glory?" -Elizabeth's Quotes
The latter quote I just made up was inspired by the movie adaptation of Mitch Albom's book, "Have A Little Faith". Too often when we are at the crossroads of our lives, we ask ourselves what is our purpose in this world? How come we are here and what is our ultimate mission? There also comes a point when we question why do we have to experience sufferings, failing to vividly see there are other people carrying far heavier burdens than us. That we ought to feel blessed and be thankful at least that we are luckier than some unfortunate souls. If you haven't experienced the dreaded pain yourself, you will not be able to understand the sufferings of others as well as the beauty and essence of living. "It is only through suffering can we see the light after some realizations have kicked in."
In the movie "Have A Little Faith", the main character was actually Mitch Albom himself but portrayed by an American actor, a Jewish sports journalist who was requested by a pastor to write a eulogy for him that he found rather absurd at first but did it anyway. He was able to meet also a pastor from another religion who was a former drug dependent and criminal but whose life had a turn around after choosing to offer his life to God. One rainy night the man was supposedly be ambushed by his former drug Lord boss but he prayed to the heavens earnestly and made a pact that if God save him from this mess, he would serve Him in church. It's true that God listens to each everyone's prayers and forgives those who repent from their sins - either a criminal or not. He looks into the hearts of each one no matter how dark their pasts are.
The pastor who requested for a eulogy from Albom wrote this book "What's Your Glory" and that's how my blog title came to be. During the last days of his life he was provided with the best home care of his wife and said his glory was "teaching" people how great God is. Th ex-criminal who became a pastor himself's glory he only got to realize after experiencing his "pains" too. From a family whose Mother was a convict to a father who was irresponsible to having a messy life, losing his child from his wife's miscarriage and succumbing to worldly things that are but temporary, he finally landed in his own glory- to proclaim God's goodness too. So what was Mitch Albom's glory then? Of course to write and touch people's lives using the gift of words God has given him. Religion is not a question here in the story but rather our FAITH.
So how about you? Do you now know what's your glory? Each and everyone of us has a mission we ought to discover."Everyone belongs somewhere."
The latter quote I just made up was inspired by the movie adaptation of Mitch Albom's book, "Have A Little Faith". Too often when we are at the crossroads of our lives, we ask ourselves what is our purpose in this world? How come we are here and what is our ultimate mission? There also comes a point when we question why do we have to experience sufferings, failing to vividly see there are other people carrying far heavier burdens than us. That we ought to feel blessed and be thankful at least that we are luckier than some unfortunate souls. If you haven't experienced the dreaded pain yourself, you will not be able to understand the sufferings of others as well as the beauty and essence of living. "It is only through suffering can we see the light after some realizations have kicked in."
In the movie "Have A Little Faith", the main character was actually Mitch Albom himself but portrayed by an American actor, a Jewish sports journalist who was requested by a pastor to write a eulogy for him that he found rather absurd at first but did it anyway. He was able to meet also a pastor from another religion who was a former drug dependent and criminal but whose life had a turn around after choosing to offer his life to God. One rainy night the man was supposedly be ambushed by his former drug Lord boss but he prayed to the heavens earnestly and made a pact that if God save him from this mess, he would serve Him in church. It's true that God listens to each everyone's prayers and forgives those who repent from their sins - either a criminal or not. He looks into the hearts of each one no matter how dark their pasts are.
The pastor who requested for a eulogy from Albom wrote this book "What's Your Glory" and that's how my blog title came to be. During the last days of his life he was provided with the best home care of his wife and said his glory was "teaching" people how great God is. Th ex-criminal who became a pastor himself's glory he only got to realize after experiencing his "pains" too. From a family whose Mother was a convict to a father who was irresponsible to having a messy life, losing his child from his wife's miscarriage and succumbing to worldly things that are but temporary, he finally landed in his own glory- to proclaim God's goodness too. So what was Mitch Albom's glory then? Of course to write and touch people's lives using the gift of words God has given him. Religion is not a question here in the story but rather our FAITH.
So how about you? Do you now know what's your glory? Each and everyone of us has a mission we ought to discover."Everyone belongs somewhere."
May 6, 2012
The Last Three Leaves
This blog is inspired by the movie I have recently watched starring Eddie Murphy- A Thousand Words. The words we utter leave a profound impact to the universe. As the self-help guru Dr. Signia played by Cliff Curtis in the movie have said, we are all connected. The power of our words greatly affect our destiny.
Murphy known for his stand up comedy did justice to his character in the film and what's more interesting is that there's a mixture of drama and not just all gags we are all used to seeing him in. In the movie, Jack McCall, a literary agent portrayed by Murphy was somewhat connected to a magical Boddhi tree which sheds off its leaves each time he says a word. Yes, he was put under a strange curse.(ain't all curses weird?) A thousand words were left for him to speak and so must be careful in opening his mouth. Even if he plays deaf mute or writes them down, all are counted to the 1000.When all of the leaves have fallen off, he will also die. This tells us to carefully choose what we utter for words have the power to either lift people up or hurt them.Words also have the power to solidify or strengthen one's relationships. Jack in the movie has an unresolved conflict with his deceased father and his forgiveness was the one which saved him on the brink of death.
The last three words he used for the last three leaves hanging on the tree branches- I forgive you. This is a kind of a spoiler, pardon for those who haven't seen the movie yet.(and the disclaimer was purposely placed at the middle of the blog) Expressing and affirming our love for those dear to us is also vital and not just mere words but coupled with actions. Also in the movie, McCall's wife is yearning for affection and affirmation which also mirrors why some relationships break at times with one partner who feels taken for granted while the other is busy with other things. If you love someone, say it but mean it! Spend quality time together and let them feel they are special while they're still alive.
How long do we hold on to grudges? It could be the one eating us up all this time. We often search for inner peace somewhere which could transform our lives when we just have to examine our inner selves first and find out what it is. "A life well-lived is one in which we only not have lived fully but one that is inspiring and have lead us to our inner peace."
So I leave you with this question : What would be the last three words you would choose to utter before you bid good bye to this world?
Murphy known for his stand up comedy did justice to his character in the film and what's more interesting is that there's a mixture of drama and not just all gags we are all used to seeing him in. In the movie, Jack McCall, a literary agent portrayed by Murphy was somewhat connected to a magical Boddhi tree which sheds off its leaves each time he says a word. Yes, he was put under a strange curse.(ain't all curses weird?) A thousand words were left for him to speak and so must be careful in opening his mouth. Even if he plays deaf mute or writes them down, all are counted to the 1000.When all of the leaves have fallen off, he will also die. This tells us to carefully choose what we utter for words have the power to either lift people up or hurt them.Words also have the power to solidify or strengthen one's relationships. Jack in the movie has an unresolved conflict with his deceased father and his forgiveness was the one which saved him on the brink of death.
The last three words he used for the last three leaves hanging on the tree branches- I forgive you. This is a kind of a spoiler, pardon for those who haven't seen the movie yet.(and the disclaimer was purposely placed at the middle of the blog) Expressing and affirming our love for those dear to us is also vital and not just mere words but coupled with actions. Also in the movie, McCall's wife is yearning for affection and affirmation which also mirrors why some relationships break at times with one partner who feels taken for granted while the other is busy with other things. If you love someone, say it but mean it! Spend quality time together and let them feel they are special while they're still alive.
How long do we hold on to grudges? It could be the one eating us up all this time. We often search for inner peace somewhere which could transform our lives when we just have to examine our inner selves first and find out what it is. "A life well-lived is one in which we only not have lived fully but one that is inspiring and have lead us to our inner peace."
So I leave you with this question : What would be the last three words you would choose to utter before you bid good bye to this world?
April 15, 2012
You and Me Affect Eternity
I am me, simply me born into this world with a certain mission to fulfill. A beautiful creation of the Almighty Artist, I am His immortal Masterpiece! I was made out of the wonderful Perfect Image of God and I believe each one of us was created this way. I am ME, nothing and no one could change that fact. I won't let obscure criticisms dampen my free spirit into it's downfall. I wouldn't let negativity enter my conscience and cloud my soul and not to let grudge make me hate people and things that made me suffer in pain in the past. I don't have to change my thoughts, my ideals, my beliefs and my life path just to fit into the crowd or follow whatever society tells people to do. I create my own happiness and in no way will I be dependent on other people and mundane things to attain the authenticity of it's elusive pursuit. My thoughts is what makes me and what I have brought into the Universe will come back to me a thousand fold whether it be good or bad I have done in the course of my life journey.
I create my own legacy and if I want people to remember me well as someone who has touched their lives in one way or the other, I must remain steadfast in aspiring my dream of conquering my fears and finally take the risk to let my voice heard and let my star shine in the field of my expertise. I am a unique creation of God (He must have used the best app maker for human kind) and what could be a wonderful token of appreciation I could bestow on Him is the fruitful use of my God-given talents not only for my own selfish desires but also for touching people's lives especially those who need even a single soul to listen to them. If through my words and the mighty use of my pen would heal a suffering soul in distress, that would forever be embedded in my heart for I want to spread just LOVE and PEACE and would want to be an ambassador sent from Heaven above.
Me and you affect eternity and what you contribute in this world would forever leave a footprint in the days, months and years to come. Generations and generations would come and if you and I have planted good seeds in our journeys, we expect to reap good fruits in the form of people appreciating our existence and thankful of what we have imparted to them. It's up to you my friend how would like to be remembered in this world, how would you affect eternity! What mark would you be leaving ?
