The Road Ahead: Dealing with Life's Uncertainties

"The present moment is where life has taken you out of your wildest dreams and desires. When you stop, you lose the battle, and when you go forward, the road will take you a further distance in the least expected moment."

Once upon a time, a young man dreamed of a better life, of having the best things and moments that life could bring. These dreams serve as an inner fire to make them into reality. A young man who is nothing but full of determination and optimism. Now, what would his life become amidst all uncertainties ahead of him? When his life gets tough and when he has nothing more to do but believe that there is something that could increase the fire within.

We all have our desires to achieve. No matter what it is, we are still given the passion for living it. All our success is related to the amount of strength we put into it. The greater the force equals, the greater distance. When life gets uncertain, there may be some doubts. The evil within sabotages the desire — the commitment towards excellence. There are moments of feeling incomplete. The fire is getting less, and there's a time you notice that it is already gone.

Whatever makes us burn out, the universe has its way of rescuing the lost soul. The moment you wake up when everyone seems out of sight, they may be gone and have their own soulful journey to fight. Then you realize that life is indeed unpredictable — full of uncertainties. Nothing is truly permanent, and there may have been changes in the Divine plan. Everything has an end, but we can expect some changes at the crossroads that will make or break. The road ahead has many intersections that may not serve our real purpose. If tempted by wrong perceptions and false beliefs, it could lead to bad choices and decisions. However, the fire within could have been ignited slowly as it burns the fuel of success and fulfillment — our heart's desire.

No matter the distance we are taking, there could have been some breaks and barriers at the crossroads. The moment you stop for a while is not a reason to quit but to persevere and look back on how far you may have gone in life. The present moment is where life has taken you out of your wildest dreams and desires. When you stop, you lose the battle; when you go forward, the road will take you further in the least expected moment.

People may change, and circumstances may be painful, but they have impacted your life and contributed to your being. They may have been the key to rediscovering the inner fire and tapping the highest power for ultimate success and fulfillment. When the time comes that you are defended for your beliefs and philosophies, you are not alone along the journey. They push you harder not to be like them but to follow your path and realize your potential.

Obstacles may arise, but the inner compass will lead you toward the destination. When you have reached where you are, there's a reason to commit to going farther and believing in yourself so that you can make it possible.

Once upon a time when the young man was nothing but a dreamer, he now takes the courage to live his most extraordinary life despite the odds and uncertainties. The commitment and endurance will continue to ignite, and the soulful journey will reign in his heart forever.

© Del Cusay 2015

His Holiness Pope Francis: Mercy and Compassion to The Filipino People

Nearly two years ago, the highest spiritual leader of the Catholic church was declared in the name of "Pope Francis: The New World Pontiff" from Buenos Aires. I admire his qualities as a leader, and I believe that Christ is with him in the new role that he is taking. 

The pope shows love and compassion to everyone regardless of profile, race, and creed. He exudes charisma and attracts people with his gentleness and humility. These qualities make him adorable and capable of leading his global followers in the name of Christ.

Pope Francis is concerned for humanity, especially current events like wars, terrorism, and political and religious differences. However, he is also concerned about poverty in the spirit of the people, where there is a lack of love, care, and attention. He cares for the poor, the homeless, the abandoned,  and the orphan who lack spiritual enlightenment.

The world is currently experiencing a lot of chaos and obstacles from natural and man-made calamities and disasters. Millions of people have become victims of this untoward catastrophe that can be considered an act of God.

The Philippines is not spared from the destruction since we now suffer from the effects of climate change leading to stronger typhoons that hit our country. Although we suffer from these deadly earth changes, we have shown the world "The Resilience of the Filipino Spirit: A Year After Typhoon Yolanda.". Perhaps the most destructive and emotional occurrence in our Philippine history is when we lost thousands of individuals and hundreds of families and left many injured and in deep sorrow and solitude.

The Filipinos are blessed by the visit of Pope Francis to the country. He shows mercy and compassion to those who are victims of calamities. He showed concern and comforted the poor families who almost lost faith and the will to live. He cared for the abandoned children. He cared for sick people. He expressed attention and love to all.

It was an opportunity and a blessing to have celebrated the mass with His Holiness Pope Francis at the Manila Cathedral on January 16. It was the first mass he observed in the country, and he was greeted by thousands of pilgrims. It was a great feeling to hear live from the Pope, and I will forever cherish the moment when I endured the pain with other pilgrims to witness and receive blessings from God.

At the Manila Cathedral

There's wisdom in every message Pope Francis has shared with the people. In his mass at Tacloban, he asked the people to pray for him and to be quiet. Such a straightforward message, yet it has a deeper meaning. He needs prayer that he may be able to reach out to more people and share the Gospel of Christ, to share Christian values and virtues, and to lead and guide people in their spiritual path. These are some realizations when we are in silence, contemplate and reflect on ourselves, and constantly renew ourselves for the better.

In his message to the University of Santo Tomas youth, the Pope shared the three languages; the mind, heart, and hands. When we use our intellect, conscience, and right actions, we are truly Christian. He also reminded the youth not to bury their God-given talents and not be afraid to dream of great things.

In his concluding mass at Quirino Grandstand, Pope Francis celebrated it with the faithful and the millions of pilgrims from different places in the Philippines and the world. He brought light among his people. When it is cloudy, he brings the sunshine. His smile brought hope and confidence to everyone. He got the message of Christ to be instilled in the minds and hearts of the people.

It is truly a fantastic moment to receive the blessings of the Holy Father. He will forever be in our hearts, and the Filipino people will pray for him. Like the holy child, we will follow God's message of love, as evident by what His Holiness has shown us. Christ is with us, and we will carry the light to spread to the world today and in eternal life.

© 2015 Del Cusay

Dumaguete's Best: The City of Gentle People

It's good to travel where you can unwind and feel the serenity of the place, and that may be why I was brought by my wishes to the city of gentle people--Dumaguete. 

Back in Manila, I was thinking of a place where I could rejuvenate and regain my energy. I am lucky to have a friend who can share something about his beloved city, and the desire was unstoppable--turned into reality. 

In the first few days of my stay, I met friends who toured me around. The boulevard can become a busy street but with a relaxing ambiance, and it is where I spent some time meditating in front of the bay. Sitting on a bench while observing the surroundings made me feel the spirit of gentleness in people. The smiles, laughter, kindness, and hospitality make this place beautiful and worth remembering.

In every city that offers specialty food, Dumaguete has different tastes to cater to every visitor.  'Casablanca' has a Mediterranean feel as they serve tasty soup and salad. In C&L Bayview, you can have a relaxing view from the roof deck overlooking the mystical Island of Siquijor and the southern town of Cebu. There's also a certain glow at night as you feel the cool breeze from the bay and the view of the mountains from its neighboring town. 

At Rizal Boulevard

           

Near the boulevard were bistros and cafes where I tasted mouthwatering pastries and a cup of coffee. 'Sans Rival Bistro' is an excellent place to dine with friends. Their old-time favorite silvanas and sans rival made me come back several times at any time of the day. After a meditation class at the stadium, there's Gabby's bistro to offer a good breakfast while having some chat. An evening chill at 'Hayahay" treehouse had a wonderful candlelight experience with relaxing music and a natural sea breeze. On a multi-tasking day, I spent lunch in 'Kyosko' with a friend while working on my computer for a writing task. In 'KRI,' a cup of warm ginger lemonade is soothing just before giving a talk to a youth group in Silliman. A sumptuous meal with new friends and enjoying shared stories and experiences. 

Since I've known a good friend at Silliman University, I am lucky to have been allowed to deliver a talk to the 'Rennaisance Youth Leaders Forum" which is an outstanding youth organization in the country. It's always good to inspire young minds to become active leaders with balanced energy to unleash their potential and eventually become world-class leaders. 

            

I had a campus tour with a friend, and we walked from the facade and hallways of each department and visited old structures like Silliman Hall, the oldest structure in the school. There's a vast auditorium used for cultural shows and other events, and they boast a 3-story building library full of historical documents. 

Outdoor, they have a good playground where students can sit or play frisbee. From the central ground overlooking the bay, an open-air amphitheater faces the church, and the acacia trees in the promenade offer a calming effect. This is truly one of the best Universities in the country, offering world-class education not only for Filipinos but also for foreign students who trust the quality of education they offer. A brief tour of the campus gave me nostalgic moments from the past, and I learned something about the university's history and culture, which is incomparable. 

At the Silliman University Campus

There's a reason to return and experience all the good things the city has to offer. There's more to explore and experience since Dumaguete is also a gateway to several natural wonders and scenic spots. There's an Apo island sanctuary to experience abundant marine life with corals, fishes, and sea turtles. Also, the Island of Siquijor would be a good summer escapade to experience unspoiled beaches and fresh air. Another activity which is snorkeling with the whale shark, would be an exciting experience in the southern town of Cebu. All these are worth experiencing as everyone would talk good stories about it. 

Dumaguete is one of the best destinations I've visited in the country. With all these beautiful places, the gentleness and hospitality of the people summarize the overall experience and wanting me to return.  I've been to places in the region, but the city of gentle people is fascinating and worth remembering.

© 2014 Del Cusay