Nuggets of Grace

So how does a person deal with this tough milieu? One needs to have a thick skin, an inner strength, a stoic and overconfident self, and a clear vision of one’s goals. One needs to be content and peaceful with one’s accomplishments and identity.

A song dedicated by Fr. Arnold Abelardo “sa mga nawawalan ng pag-asa sa buhay, sa mga taong malapit ng mag give up sa mga pagsubok na kanilang kinahaharap”

What does Justice to Every Man mean in the context of the Philippine Republic? What are some of the sources of injustice in the Philippines? For one, not all families can say they have a place they call home. Some are tenant farmers in big rice and coconut farms, that are covered by land reform act. To do justice to these tenant farmers means that land reform must be implemented and land distributed to the tenant farmers as well as supportive services to help them pursue farming as a source of livelihood independently.

“I was with God all day. He was with me when I woke up at 530 am to greet the sun. He was with me when a generous, disabled man had a wrench and fixed the car’s flat tire, on our way to catch the ferry. He was with us when we missed [...]

“Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty.” Bishop Oscar Romero

I was faced with a choice to accompany my spouse who got a Fullbright fellowship to teach in Leyte Normal University.  We chose Leyte as it meant new beginnings, new surroundings, new friends, new families to connect with.  It meant living my life anew.  It was here where I forged new friendships and new rituals: exercise to walk uphill, then a breakfast overlooking the waters, endless conversations with my husband, even listening to him play kundimans on his violin and spontaneous get-togethers with poets, writers, teachers and friends.

"The more you help your children to focus on what they appreciate about themselves and those around them, the more they will overflow with optimism, hopefulness and joy. Each night when you put them to bed, spend at least 3 minutes of private time, and ask them to tell you what they did that they appreciate themselves for, and one thing someone did that they are thankful for". Side note: Teaching the young ones gratitude.

What are those spiritual aspirations?  When I am confronted with causes for social justice and equality, my inner spirit tells me to take a higher road, the road using positive words, energies and activities, the road of higher aspirations.  Instead of simply condemning injustice,  my spirit says do more to “ to educate folks on the sanctity of the ballot and their role in monitoring elections to be clean. “  This way, you can build something positive, a foundation anchored on responsible, moral citizenship.