Saturday, December 24, 2011
Meaning of Christmas
The Meaning of Christmas - By Sonal Lobo
The word Christmas itself carries so much meaning in it. Each letter carries with itself a lesson to the mankind along with the birth of Jesus.
Here is a slightly different meaning of the word Christmas which surely suits us a lot in this present scenario…
C - Carry a smile everywhere you go. In today’s world each one of us is so busy in our own affairs that we are not only hesitant to smile at others but we ourselves have forgotten to smile. This Christmas let us make a sincere attempt to smile more and be cheerful.
H - Hold on to our morals. Today all of us are so busy chasing the ladder of glory and fame, that we are ready to compromise on our ethics. This Christmas let us make an attempt to stick on to our morals and values, whatsoever the situation may arise.
R - Receive others the way they are. Most of the times we fail to realize that all are not alike and perfect and tend to blame and condemn people who do not fit into our framework. This Christmas let us learn to accept others and acknowledge our differences.
I - Inspect one self. We fail to retrospect ourselves and our drawbacks and thereby cause trouble to others. This Christmas let us make an attempt to peep into ourselves and make good those little negativities we carry.
S - Share with those in need. Let us make an effort to share with not only people who have lots and can repay us, but with those who cannot repay us.
T - Trust in the Almighty. All of us have become so self sufficient that we fail to seek the assistance of God. And when things crumble in life we lose hope. In this Christmas let us learn to trust in God at all times, good or bad.
M - Make genuine relationships. Today all our relationships have become a means to achieve something, the purity and innocence is lost. This Christmas let us learn to value and build true and lasting relationships.
A - Add a dash of love in everything you do. This Christmas let us make a strong resolution to carry the essence of love wherever we go and in whatever we do.
S - Shine as people of God. In this Christmas let us learn to follow Christ not only in words but also through our deeds and uphold the values of Christ through our life.
Have a Meaningful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year...
God Bless.....
S
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Beautiful Sacrament......
The first time for anything always brings on the nervousness and jitters. So it was no exception when it came time for my first confession, the Catholic way! The Sacrament of Penance, as it is also called , can be done as often as you like but most importantly, it has to be done at least twice a year ( during Lent and Advent). Having been baptised in Easter I was washed clean of all sins but now that Advent is here, I have to face the priest and confess my sins!!!
So 2 days ago Diane and I went for the Penitential Service. I started out pretty confident but i had my little worries and doubts so i called my dad as well as my god mum. They reassured me that its not as terrifying as i think! So we set out and arrived there. As people started to fill the church and everyone took their selected spots, we decided to go to our parish priest for confession. There were 20 priests scheduled to arrive that night and they slowly filled different parts of the church.
When it looked like the priest we had chosen was the favourite of everyone as well , we decided to change spots and go for a shorter line. Making our way upstairs we were told that that particular priest has to leave early rather unexpectedly. So we were ushered to another one on the right. As we waited, 3 more came in and again we were all asked if we wanted to go to anyone of them.
Diane and I picked the one who looked the kindest (LOL) and made our way to the next pew. We were the 3rd and 4th in line. I started to dwell more seriously on what sins i had committed and how to phrase them when Diane made a startling discovery that the priest we were going to confess to is none other than the Archbishop of Malaysia!!!!! At that point she was like Oh dear, Mum, shall we shift to the next priest!??? I have to admit that for a second i too panicked! But then i pulled all my guts together (LOL) and decided that this is the 3rd time we had made a choice and 3 times is always a charm. I also thought it was definitely God's intention to put us here :) so we stayed on and hoped for the best !!
My turn came and like my god mum had taught me i went thru the steps 1,2 and 3, followed by my sins ( not that many ...phew!) and since the priest knew that it was my 1st time he led me thru the confession so beautifully. he gave me a little talk about how our Loving God is always merciful and will always pick us up and forgive us and he said it so remarkably well with so much passion that tears welled up in my eyes with emotion. After i was given my penance, the archbishop made me repeat the Act Of Contrition with him cuz i was not familiar with it yet! Like a child i repeated after him and then came the best part.... the Absolution, where Christ thru His priest, forgives you for all your sins. With a final blessing from the priest , i thanked him and went to the back of the church, knelt down and carried out my penance.
It was indeed a wonderful experience and with tears still in my eyes, my heart overcame with joy and I truly felt the love that Christ brings. It was a warm and peaceful moment I personally shared with God.
The Sacrament of penance , an outward sign on an inward grace, ..... truly beautiful!
So 2 days ago Diane and I went for the Penitential Service. I started out pretty confident but i had my little worries and doubts so i called my dad as well as my god mum. They reassured me that its not as terrifying as i think! So we set out and arrived there. As people started to fill the church and everyone took their selected spots, we decided to go to our parish priest for confession. There were 20 priests scheduled to arrive that night and they slowly filled different parts of the church.
When it looked like the priest we had chosen was the favourite of everyone as well , we decided to change spots and go for a shorter line. Making our way upstairs we were told that that particular priest has to leave early rather unexpectedly. So we were ushered to another one on the right. As we waited, 3 more came in and again we were all asked if we wanted to go to anyone of them.
My turn came and like my god mum had taught me i went thru the steps 1,2 and 3, followed by my sins ( not that many ...phew!) and since the priest knew that it was my 1st time he led me thru the confession so beautifully. he gave me a little talk about how our Loving God is always merciful and will always pick us up and forgive us and he said it so remarkably well with so much passion that tears welled up in my eyes with emotion. After i was given my penance, the archbishop made me repeat the Act Of Contrition with him cuz i was not familiar with it yet! Like a child i repeated after him and then came the best part.... the Absolution, where Christ thru His priest, forgives you for all your sins. With a final blessing from the priest , i thanked him and went to the back of the church, knelt down and carried out my penance.
It was indeed a wonderful experience and with tears still in my eyes, my heart overcame with joy and I truly felt the love that Christ brings. It was a warm and peaceful moment I personally shared with God.
The Sacrament of penance , an outward sign on an inward grace, ..... truly beautiful!
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
A chance at a second childhood
Another interesting article I came across recently....
I am not one to forward junk mail. In fact, I claim to be a victime of thoughtless, forwarding of unsolicited email, a cover-up for the fact that the dear sender wants to keep in touch but has nothing meaningful to say.
Today was different. Something moved me. I posted 45 Lessons Life taught me by Regina Brett for all to read. And now, I would like to share entry No. 19 : "It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else."
As I read that for the first time, my eyes lit up. I smiled. Bewildering thoughts passed through my mind. All that my parents had denied me as a child, I can now have. Everything I'd wanted to do, I can now do.
I'm free !!! Free to have a happy childhood. Free from controlling and, at times, overbearing parents who seemed to take pleasure in denying me that favourite toy, that lovely dress or the ability to drive the family car.
Then the dust settled and reality started to set in again. The truth of the matter revealed itself. I had forgotten all the scarifices my parents made for me. The things they gave up to feed me, clothe me and give me an education.
The hurt that they felt when I deliberately disobeyed their orders and made them confront innermost fear - that of losing me before it was time. I witnessed the anger that it manifested, but completely missed the rationale behind it.
I never understood all the fears that my parents had. The endless worries and sleepless night. Or why they felt responsible when I failed. When the values they tried to instill and the lessons that they taught went unheeded.
I understand now that they do so less because our failures are a reflection of their parenting. But more because the burden of regret is so heavy that they cannot bear to let me make the same mistakes they'd made.
Thinking back and looking forward, I cannot change anything in my childhood. I've grown up.
The things that make me happy as a child no longer work in adulthood. The freedom that I had imagined I would have will not change who I am Now.
The second childhood Brett was refering to is really to appreciate and coming in terms with the first childhood. Being happy is about appreciating what you have. Taking the good with the bad is called living a meaningful life.
So, instead of griping about what an unhappy childhood I had, I think I'll share the stories of my childhood with the children of the next generation. To help them see the other side of the coin so that they may appreciate their childhood while growing up.
unSelfish.....
I am not one to forward junk mail. In fact, I claim to be a victime of thoughtless, forwarding of unsolicited email, a cover-up for the fact that the dear sender wants to keep in touch but has nothing meaningful to say.
Today was different. Something moved me. I posted 45 Lessons Life taught me by Regina Brett for all to read. And now, I would like to share entry No. 19 : "It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else."
As I read that for the first time, my eyes lit up. I smiled. Bewildering thoughts passed through my mind. All that my parents had denied me as a child, I can now have. Everything I'd wanted to do, I can now do.
I'm free !!! Free to have a happy childhood. Free from controlling and, at times, overbearing parents who seemed to take pleasure in denying me that favourite toy, that lovely dress or the ability to drive the family car.
Then the dust settled and reality started to set in again. The truth of the matter revealed itself. I had forgotten all the scarifices my parents made for me. The things they gave up to feed me, clothe me and give me an education.
The hurt that they felt when I deliberately disobeyed their orders and made them confront innermost fear - that of losing me before it was time. I witnessed the anger that it manifested, but completely missed the rationale behind it.
I never understood all the fears that my parents had. The endless worries and sleepless night. Or why they felt responsible when I failed. When the values they tried to instill and the lessons that they taught went unheeded.
I understand now that they do so less because our failures are a reflection of their parenting. But more because the burden of regret is so heavy that they cannot bear to let me make the same mistakes they'd made.
Thinking back and looking forward, I cannot change anything in my childhood. I've grown up.
The things that make me happy as a child no longer work in adulthood. The freedom that I had imagined I would have will not change who I am Now.
The second childhood Brett was refering to is really to appreciate and coming in terms with the first childhood. Being happy is about appreciating what you have. Taking the good with the bad is called living a meaningful life.
So, instead of griping about what an unhappy childhood I had, I think I'll share the stories of my childhood with the children of the next generation. To help them see the other side of the coin so that they may appreciate their childhood while growing up.
unSelfish.....
The pursuit of unhappiness
Another interesting article I read recently... and worth sharing...
Nobody in her right mind wants to be unhappy. Everyone wants to pursue happiness. It is our relentless goal to be happy at all times.
If so, why then do we do what is contradictory and make ourselves constantly unhappy ?
It is probably due to our reluctance to accept the fact that life is unfair, and having the idea that WE DESERVE certain things.
We feel unhappy because we think we deserve to be appreciated by people - our boss, colleagues, parents, children, even our staff. WE feel unhappy because we think we deserve a raise, promotion or more fame, or we want things to go the way we wish, but they dont.
We feel unhappy that some people got rich instantly through fraudulent means or by mismanaging our money, even as we labour to death. We feel unhappy that being nice did not get us anywhere, while those who were convincing and selfish got to go where they wanted to be.
We feel unhappy because we think we deserve attention, fair treatment and having people be pleasant to us. That they will thank us, applaud us, heck, even help us. When none of this happens, it makes us tremendously unhappy.
Expecting people to be good and fair is bound to make us unhappy. Because life is NOT fair. It is only when we accept the fact that we deserve NOTHING, that we will be surprised by goodness and fairness. And in doing so, find HAPPINESS.
Sharing....
Nobody in her right mind wants to be unhappy. Everyone wants to pursue happiness. It is our relentless goal to be happy at all times.
If so, why then do we do what is contradictory and make ourselves constantly unhappy ?
It is probably due to our reluctance to accept the fact that life is unfair, and having the idea that WE DESERVE certain things.
We feel unhappy because we think we deserve to be appreciated by people - our boss, colleagues, parents, children, even our staff. WE feel unhappy because we think we deserve a raise, promotion or more fame, or we want things to go the way we wish, but they dont.
We feel unhappy that some people got rich instantly through fraudulent means or by mismanaging our money, even as we labour to death. We feel unhappy that being nice did not get us anywhere, while those who were convincing and selfish got to go where they wanted to be.
We feel unhappy because we think we deserve attention, fair treatment and having people be pleasant to us. That they will thank us, applaud us, heck, even help us. When none of this happens, it makes us tremendously unhappy.
Expecting people to be good and fair is bound to make us unhappy. Because life is NOT fair. It is only when we accept the fact that we deserve NOTHING, that we will be surprised by goodness and fairness. And in doing so, find HAPPINESS.
Sharing....
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Poem for all ages - so true....
So profound, and .... so sad.
This is worth a read. whatever your age.
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in GRASS VALLEY, CA. It was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the
Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Crabby Old Man...
What do you see nurses? . . ... . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . When you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . .. . . . Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit ... . . . . With faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . . .. . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice .. .. . ... . The things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . . . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . .. . .. . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . ... . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . You're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am. . . . ... . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . As I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .. . . .. With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . .. ... Who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. With wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . A lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . .. My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . That I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . .. . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .. . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons . . ... . . Have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . To see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . .. . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . Shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . ... . . . Young of their own.
And I think of the years .. . . .. . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . .... And nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . Where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . ... . Life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . . . . Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . ... . Open and see.
Not a crabby old man . ... . . Look closer . .. . See ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.
We will all, one day, be there, too!
surely.......
This is worth a read. whatever your age.
When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home in GRASS VALLEY, CA. It was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to posterity has since appeared in the
Christmas edition of the News Magazine of the St. Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now the author of this 'anonymous' poem winging across the Internet.
Crabby Old Man...
What do you see nurses? . . ... . . What do you see?
What are you thinking . . . . . When you're looking at me?
A crabby old man . .. . . . Not very wise,
Uncertain of habit ... . . . . With faraway eyes?
Who dribbles his food . . . .. . And makes no reply.
When you say in a loud voice . . . . . 'I do wish you'd try!'
Who seems not to notice .. .. . ... . The things that you do.
And forever is losing . . . . . A sock or shoe?
Who, resisting or not . . . . . Lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding . .. . .. . The long day to fill?
Is that what you're thinking? . ... . . . Is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse . . . . . You're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am. . . . ... . As I sit here so still,
As I do at your bidding, . . . . . As I eat at your will.
I'm a small child of Ten . .. . . .. With a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters . . . .. ... Who love one another.
A young boy of Sixteen . . . .. With wings on his feet.
Dreaming that soon now . . . . . A lover he'll meet.
A groom soon at Twenty . . . . .. My heart gives a leap.
Remembering, the vows . . . . . That I promised to keep.
At Twenty-Five, now . . . .. . I have young of my own.
Who need me to guide . . . . . And a secure happy home.
A man of Thirty . . . . . My young now grown fast,
Bound to each other .. . . . . With ties that should last.
At Forty, my young sons . . ... . . Have grown and are gone,
But my woman's beside me . . . . . To see I don't mourn.
At Fifty, once more, babies play 'round my knee,
Again, we know children . .. . . . My loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me . . . . . My wife is now dead.
I look at the future . . . . . Shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing . ... . . . Young of their own.
And I think of the years .. . . .. . And the love that I've known.
I'm now an old man . . . . .... And nature is cruel.
Tis jest to make old age . . . . . Look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles . . . . . Grace and vigor, depart.
There is now a stone . . . . Where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass . . . . . A young guy still dwells,
And now and again . . . . . My battered heart swells.
I remember the joys . . . . . I remember the pain.
And I'm loving and living . . . ... . Life over again.
I think of the years, all too few . . . . . Gone too fast.
And accept the stark fact . . . . That nothing can last.
So open your eyes, people . . . ... . Open and see.
Not a crabby old man . ... . . Look closer . .. . See ME!!
Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might brush aside without looking at the young soul within.
We will all, one day, be there, too!
surely.......
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
I will be back!
Oh dear!!! Its been ages since I logged in here. I just assumed that no one had the time or energy to contribute in here any more. How pleasantly surprised I was! But then again , time too became a legit factor for me. Bogged down with multiple tasks, both work and home based, I did not get much time for blogging. But having just completed 7 of my writing assignments, and killing time before getting ready for All Saints' Day Mass at 1pm, i wandered in here and had a couple of nice surprises.
We no longer have to sign off with our initials for after so many long years of Femstuff friendship, we have learnt everyone's writing styles and can easily identify whose it is :) I know the last 3 posts in here are done by the same person :) who provides funny jokes and silly stories as well very heart wrenching ones that easily conjured up droplets of tears in my eyes.
i thank you for sharing so openly all your inner feelings. I thank you too for making me giggle like a kid with your Silly KIA joke !!! But most of all I thank you for reminding me that no matter where are Mums are right now, these strong women will always be a part of us as we carry on our maternal duties as well.
let's hope that this will be the start of many more new posts from all of us!
We no longer have to sign off with our initials for after so many long years of Femstuff friendship, we have learnt everyone's writing styles and can easily identify whose it is :) I know the last 3 posts in here are done by the same person :) who provides funny jokes and silly stories as well very heart wrenching ones that easily conjured up droplets of tears in my eyes.
i thank you for sharing so openly all your inner feelings. I thank you too for making me giggle like a kid with your Silly KIA joke !!! But most of all I thank you for reminding me that no matter where are Mums are right now, these strong women will always be a part of us as we carry on our maternal duties as well.
let's hope that this will be the start of many more new posts from all of us!
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