NEVER UNDER ESTIMATE THE VALUE OF YOUR PRESENCE

"I was  torn between two feelings-- sadness and happiness. Sadness because we have to depart the old year that leaves us unforgettable memories; happiness because all those memories radiate hope for the new year" 

Setting aside sadness,  join me in embracing a brand new start by  saying...

I always welcome the new year with positive disposition. Before year ends, I do some specific activities or practices such as cleaning my room, disposing much trash and clutter I have accumulated through the years. I believe that clutters attract negative energy, thus I should arrange things and put them in its right place to welcome positive vibes. 

Similar to this,  we also need to organize our aspects in life  -- mental, physical, emotional, social and spiritual. We need to organize our thoughts, need to sort out our emotions, fix some problems, clear minor debts or settle accounts, mend broken relationships and the like, and welcome an amazing  year enthusiastically.

However, there are times that no matter how hard we try to organize things, our plans will not turn out fine (the way we expect it to be). We try to give our best, exert all our efforts in making people around us feel alright. We sometimes pretend that all is well, but deep within, we are suffering from some sort of pain. We commit ourselves in performing all tasks which have been entrusted to us just to prove our worth, until we burned ourselves out... 
...and then we give up? 

"The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak".
This is true about being human. Our mind is too eager to say we can, but our body cannot.

I remember Lavi Singh (Ricky)'s words:

"Even big or strong things  sometimes touch the ground and give up.. then who am I not to, when I'm just mere human?"

Days before new year, I had an incredible pain (in connection with the accident). It made me feel half-paralyzed because I couldn't move my left shoulder and arms. It wasn't easy to be in a situation wherein I couldn't do all the things I used to do. It was like a flashback of the discomfort I had two(2) months ago. I was in the verge of giving up knowing I'm just mere human...

 until someone has helped me reduce the uneasiness I had,

Someone whose simple and natural medical advice has brought a great impact on my part. 

It is not easy to be treated like patient. 
Who wants to lie down in bed all the time or sit on the couch doing nothing? 
Who else want to feel useless?

During the media noche celebration, while everyone is happy sharing gifts and laughter, I feel like I was so isolated. My excitement of the occasion was converted into hostility due to my condition. I feel like I'm of no use at all as if my presence is nothing but a burden.

Fine morning of January 1st (new year), trying to look good despite of my shoulder pain, I strove hard to get up from bed (without the aid of family members), pretending that everything is alright. After chanting a short prayer, I stood up in front of a familiar woman, greeted her blankly saying: "Happy New Year!"

To my surprise, the woman returned a smile as she uttered similar words, "Happy New Year".

Oh darn that contagious smile! A smile which tells a thousand stories reflected from her stealthy eyes, saying "Every morning brings new hope".

How did she do that? How did she manage to smile despite of those sadness hidden from the corner of her eyes? 

It's the first morning of the year and this woman's smile brings hope for the day. She was able to remove the thick cloud of loneliness I had as she tried to stretch out her painful, yet welcoming arms, encouraging me to do the same.. 

oh wait.. she too, had shoulder pain?

Her sweet gesture is quite a relief to my discomfort and I'm sure she had that same relief too, although we have different story behind that shoulder pain.

Well, every person has a story to tell, and only God knows the life, the heart, the loves, the trials, the hopes, the wishes and dreams of everyone.

People have misery and pain greater than mine, yet they still look good. If they were able to make it, then why can't I?

As I looked back at the woman's face, I've seen  some traces of discomfort, but instead of grief or misery reflecting her eyes, I can see her calmness, her peaceful character that brightens up my day.

She has this kind of magic, this healing power that heal wounds, ease whatever pain inside and out...

She has this power in every smile.

A confident peaceful smile that overcomes self pity.

My shoulder pain isn't fully recovered yet, but it's nothing compare to the good things that is bound to happen this year. 

"Her calmness has made me see things on the positive side"

I wanna give thanks to this woman.

     I wanna feel her always close to me.

        I wanna see her smile as often as I can.

           I wanna talk to her anything under the sun.

              I wanna be like her in every way.

Each time I look at her, there is that strong force that pulls me towards her
I wonder why...

Then an inner voice said:

Do not under estimate the value of your presence..

It's not you who need her but SHE NEEDED YOU.
Everything you see in her is "YOU"

...because the one you're talking to is the WOMAN IN THE MIRROR.

"She is the reflection of everything you are, yet you didn't see it because your heart is full of self pity to your condition and your eyes are clouded with tears of inhibitions".

Set the woman free. 

Set yourself free.