"New Year's Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual."---Mark Twain


This morning, I wanted to write one last negative post to take a swipe at people. This afternoon, I thought what would be the point? Instead, here are some posts/comments stolen/borrowed from Facebook:

  • Retrospect: no regrets, just optimism. If it's been bad, put it in perspective in the grand scheme of life. List the good/bad things in years past. The good will outweigh the bad when it comes to things that really matter: family and friends, health. Truly believe that God has chosen a path fo rus and it is only as good as we make it to be. Appreciate what we have and not what we don't have.
  • I have seen many faces looking lonely in a crowd...but he who stays happy in solitude becomes the master of himself.---Manjula
  • Another year has passed. Here we are still survivors in our own battles. We will face yet another journey in our lives, and this time hope the road we have to travel will be smoother, less complicated, and lighter.
  • Be thankful for everything that was. Thankful for what you have now. And thankful for what is to come.
  • For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning. Happy New Year.
Blessings to all.

Egads! My sisters Lynn and Cecile have got me spending precious time on Harry Potter tumblr sites. Wicked!





I love this commercial!


The day after Christmas is the Solemnity of the Holy Family. The priest told a very touching story about a parishioner who passed on last week. She had been ill and bed-bound for many years. Before she passed, her husband requested that the priest come to their house so they could renew their vows in celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. As they got to the part where they say "in sickness and in health", the couple understandably got very emotional. As did their children and the priest. The husband had to kneel at his wife's bedside to hold her hand. The wife then said a wonderful thing to her spouse: "You're the best thing that ever happened to me." I was wiping away tears at this point, as did other members of the congregation.

I wish everyone could have a holy family. And that you can all say that your family members are the best things in your life.

I still love this video/song Do They Know It's Christmas?. I remember watching the video when I was but a young 15 year old Anglophile. Watching this again, I don't know why Spandau Ballet's Tony Hadley reminds me of Jon Hamm. Some of the lyrics still sound patronizing or don't make sense. But it did start a movement among artists to do charitable work and give back to the world.


I went to my sister Cecile's house on Christmas Eve, hoping to do the usual midnight mass, noche buena and opening of the gifts. We decided to eat earlier and watched DVDs. I had tasted some wine at dinner, which, in combination with the medication I take, made me very drowsy. I couldn't stay up for the festivities, went home straight to bed.

I woke up in time to go to the 730 AM mass. It was so quiet out, the sun hadn't even fully risen. Some of the Christmas lights and decorations in the houses and streets were still on. Inside the homes, I was imagining little kids waking up to see their presents under the tree, or already opening their gifts. Families in their pajamas enjoying each other's company. After all the traffic, the noise, the hustle and bustle leading up to the holiday, it's wonderful to find some peace and quiet.

It's a beautiful day. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown, attributed to a 7-year-old named Bobby


"There has only been one Christmas-the rest are anniversaries."---W.J. Cameron

May Jesus bring us love and peace on Christmas and into the new year!

I saw this on Facebook: "Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. May peace be your gift this Christmas and your blessing all year through."


having your own wand.

Happy Birthday to my baby sister Lynn! Here's to your good health, happy life, bright future. Cheers!


I used to dislike the idea of the shortest day of the year. Until I realized that come 22 December, the days gradually start to get longer again. Now I celebrate the rebirth of the sun, the new solar year in the ancient calendar. Time to let go of things that serve no purpose, and to spread love and appreciation to your family and friends.

"When the night feels very long, remember that a new day is just around the bend. With each new day, we are given new hope, new possibilities, new opportunities. Each day is a miracle."

  • A family with 3 girls traveling on a plane for the first time, going to Disneyworld. As our plane took off, one of them said, "Oh I kinda miss New York." We had just lifted off.
  • One of the TSA personnel as we stood at the security line: "Please take off your coats and jackets, no age exceptions. Take off your shoes, left one first. Folks, you're standing in line for the last time in Florida. And we assure you, there's no gift shop at the end."
  • My seatmate telling a chatty stranger across the aisle that she's moving back to New York. "I've been in Florida for seven years. And I hate it here!"


flying on Jet Blue. And having Dunkin' Donuts coffee served onboard!

Here's Jon Stewart getting reactions from ailing 9-11 first responders to the Senate filibuster. This is why I get my comedy from the news networks, and my news from Comedy Central.

The Daily Show With Jon StewartMon - Thurs 11p / 10c
9/11 First Responders React to the Senate Filibuster
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full EpisodesPolitical Humor & Satire Blog</a>The Daily Show on Facebook


I just came back from a mini-holiday, and being in airports reminds me of how much I love this quote from Love Actually: "Whenever I get gloomy with the state of the world, I think about the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport. General opinion's starting to make out that we live in a world of hatred and greed, but I don't see that. It seems to me that love is everywhere. Often, it's not particularly dignified or newsworthy, but it's always there - fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, husbands and wives, boyfriends, girlfriends, old friends. When the planes hit the Twin Towers, as far as I know, none of the phone calls from the people on board were messages of hate or revenge - they were all messages of love. If you look for it, I've got a sneaking suspicion... love actually is all around"---Prime Minister

I saw two girls who traveled to Florida by themselves to see their father. To hear them shriek with joy, jump into their father's arms, yelling "Dad, we missed you! We brought you gifts!" made my heart smile.

A little boy waiting for his grandmother to catch up as we boarded the plane. He ran back to make sure she was OK. She reassured him that she'll be alright and that they'll be sitting in the same row.

A grandmother talking to her granddaughter on the phone, telling her how she got to the airport without any problems. It sounded like the granddaughter failed one of her courses, but passed anatomy. She hadn't told her father yet, so the grandma told her she appreciated her honesty with her. And that she'll do fine in school no matter what.


...that my soul is always in communion with Him. When you feel, afraid, or sad, feed into your soul to find the strength of Divine Presence.


The ladies of The View were talking about the passing of Elizabeth Edwards. Elisabeth Hasselbeck read something that Mrs. Edwards said back in 2007 when she was talking about her death. Mrs. Edwards said that she'll be with Wade (the son that they lost) but she won't be around to comfort the rest of her children. That hit me like a thunderbolt and I burst into tears. Now that's a mother, a parent. May Elizabeth rest in God's peace.

"The loveliest masterpiece of the heart of God is the heart of a mother." ~St. Therese of Lisieux

Today I start my new series, the opposite of Bumper Sticker Wisdom: Bumper Sticker Idiocy.
First in the series: "Watch out Liberals. I only brake for animals."




Sometimes at the end of yoga class, while we're in shevasana, our teacher anoints us with oils. A few weeks ago when I was having a difficult time, I almost burst into tears. Last night, I had the sensation of spinning, swirling, but it didn't make me dizzy. I sent her a message on FB, and this was her response. (Actually, not sure if I should be sharing this, but I wanted to keep it somewhere.)

"I wish i can say ....then it will be ego ...just know that i was given grace from guru to heal with my hands....yes what u experience last nite is normal ...just deep meditation...when u become one with the universe....in deep meditation this happens the body can heal it self..during this time...many pray to get there....sadly I cant ask student of experiences but u can...ask thm,,,
wish I can say more
but i cant
hope u understand
bless your soul..."


My yoga teacher has been doing 108 Surya Namaskar every Sunday, with a goal of finishing 1008 Sun Salutations by 1-1-11. She comes from Guyana, and is raising money to feed the poor there through her Kishna Foundation. I went to one of the sessions for the first time 2 weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised that I was able to complete the whole class. It took two hours but by golly, I did it. Towards the last 1-2 sets of 27, it was all pure meditation in motion. I was sore for days but felt great otherwise.

I looked up the significance of the number 108. The number 9 has always figured in my life, from my birthday, to addresses and other seemingly random things. Filipinos have always taken a cue from the Chinese, that the number 8 is lucky, but not 9. In my case, I think 9 must be my lucky number.

I'm going to attempt the 108 again tomorrow. I offer my practice to my family and friends, that we will all enjoy happiness, good health, and prosperity.


Last night, I found myself recalling his recent hissy fit and got upset all over again. I even dreamed about it. Today, Nora Ephron was on The View hawking her new book I Remember Nothing. When I heard the title, I thought, "wow, how profound. That's what it means to live in the Now." Joy Behar even mentioned a famous quote that said the secret to happiness is good health and a bad memory.

Now if only it were that easy to let things go.


 

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