Where is The Divine Light in a Troubled Nation?

It was just recently that President Duterte declared martial law in the entire Island of Mindanao, the southern Philippines due to clashes of the government troops versus the local terrorist group "Maute" which is identified as an ISIS-linked group. That was a late evening of May 23rd, this year when the news brought anxiety and fear among many Filipinos especially those who have remembered the negative effects of the 1972 martial law imposed by late President Marcos. 

Widespread violence and violation of human rights triggered the memory from the distant past; a horrible fate experienced by our countrymen on this kind of rule where there is an absence of due process in a civil disobedience act.

Every year as we commemorate the People Power revolution in 1986, it flashes back to the kind of life Filipinos have lived under the martial rule; freedom of expression was suppressed and thousands were victims of cruelty and summary executions under the hands of the military people. 

That was history! and now history repeats itself. This time the cause of the declaration is different. Martial law was imposed due to massive civil disobedience back then, but now the declaration is due to the rising power and terrorism of the local terrorist group called "Maute" which is gaining popularity in the country and getting recognized by the international terrorist group -- ISIS who is known to be behind deadly attacks in major cities in the world. To date, thousands have been killed including the lives of innocent people; children heavily injured and killed due to conflicts and wars. People got sick and experienced post-traumatic stress symptoms that they will perhaps carry on for a lifetime. Their life was totally a hell on earth that some would have wished to die than to suffer. 

In times of chaos and war, our government's primary goal is to bring back stability, peace, and order by protecting its citizens from harm and its negative effects. It is a tough challenge and putting it in the hands of our national defenders would make a difference in resolving the conflict. However, isn't it that martial law was declared to protect our people? or is it a disguise for a hidden ulterior motive? We may never know the truth.

It's been centuries-long of the battle against terrorism in the Southern Philippines, but it hasn't been totally resolved until the present time. Martial law may be extended even up to a year or might be declared in the entire archipelago, however, it will not be the ultimate solution to end this national problem. 

Where is God at these times? When people are praying for peace, evil forces are gaining more strength and spreading the darkness. Is God an absolute good? or Is There A Violent God in Our Times? No one is spared, but anyone could be the next victim of this darkness even those who may bring the light. In moments like these, we need a Divine inspiration -- a Divine light to shield us from evil forces in this world. But why does God allow his people to suffer? The Philippines is a troubled nation despite economic development and the invasion of darkness makes us become blind.

We have been fighting for different kinds of war; the drug war already killed thousands of suspected drug users including the dealers. It is right for the government to protect the good versus the evil and to eradicate them all has never been easy, instead, we co-exist with these evil forces all throughout and in our lifetime. While terrorism can't be defeated easily, we desperately call for forces of Divine light to shower in us and to protect our loved ones and the entire nation. We can't pass on to the next generation of Filipinos the kind of suffering we are currently living. We can't imagine our offspring blaming us for the problem that they inherit. 

Looking forward to 2025 or 2030 and beyond, what will be the fate of our nation? How will we live as Filipinos? Will there be a peaceful Philippines in years to come or are we about to start living in our darkest era?  Let there be light on our people; the defender of our democracy -- our leaders and the chosen ones. Let there be Good Governance Towards A Better Philippines and surely we will see the light after a long tunnel of darkness we're going through. I believe that where there is darkness, there is light! There's healing in every pain and injury and there's a happy ending in eternity as long as we keep on fighting for goodness sake while unleashing the Divinity from within.

© 2017 Del Cusay

Mother's Day Special: Compassionate Care

Whenever I look back and reflect on my younger days, it always brings back wonderful memories of the kind of parenthood that my mother showed. Being the youngest in the family brought an extra level of attention and care perhaps due to vulnerability and immaturity. I felt the love and care of my mother who was there to look after all my needs and would protect me from harm and danger.

Though there were times that I would feel grown-up already and doesn't need much help from her, I still long for her presence whenever I felt lost and misguided. I thought growing up increased dependence, however, I can't help but rely on strength when I couldn't even take care of myself when I was sick. My mother was there from sickness until regaining strength and back to wellness again.

Growing up is never easy without the role played by mothers. Although it's a right to be taken care of, the kind of love one gets from a mother is always a privilege. As a grown-up adult, I've seen different kinds of parenting from elite families to the underprivileged. Immersing myself in the kind of living of the upper-class families gave me a different perspective in life where others are greatly suffering. Some families are living in extreme luxury while others are sleeping on the streets defying all the security and safety threats and uncomfortable conditions. Although it is an eyesore to many passersby, it is the kind of suffering that I deeply reflect. Why do people like them suffer in extreme poverty? Why do mothers can't give an extra level of care and love to their kids? Why do parents allow their kids to go and run naked on the street? A lot of questions about suffering and how they can help themselves let go of suffering. 

In a deeper reflection about suffering, I've realized that it's a natural occurrence at any moment of our lives. Some have lived in poverty when they started, but eventually have escaped from it and now living their greatest life in abundance and balanced living. People who are lost and helpless will continue to suffer in their life when they haven't learned a lesson from past life until the present time and the cycle goes on. Some people are enjoying a life they deserved based on the amount of energy they possess and the perseverance to live a resilient life -- an indispensable trait. 

When people start to give up on us, we remain to be resilient; when we are losing faith in our self, we also remain to be resilient. It is when we are unshakable that we learn to fight the struggles and leave all the miseries behind. When we were young and can't fight for ourselves, then our mother is there on a rescue to stand up for us and become our voice when we can't speak for ourselves. A mother's unconditional love is always felt and an inherent nature to always look after our well-being. 

From birth to adulthood and when we are separated by great distance, there's always a feeling of mutual connection. A mother's compassionate care is felt miles away and it gives a feeling of greater love. At any moment in our lifetime, we celebrate this loving connection in a way of giving a special treat; a way of making her feeling loved and cared for in return. When we can't express it through words, we can always give it through actions and the bonding becomes much stronger than ever. A mother guides us all the way out and will always be with us in our minds and heart -- Mother's Day: A Celebration of Love makes us fully alive because of a different level of love we receive and the compassionate nature that we have learned to give it out to others who may need it most. 

The greatest give from our mother is to be loving and compassionate and we extend this to other people in our lives. When others lose faith in humanity, we learn to understand and give ourselves a chance to serve and to give unconditionally just like what our mothers are showing to us. No distance can separate us no matter where we are and we learn to give back in any way that they will be more inspired to live the better life they truly deserve. A mother's compassionate care will always persevere and her undying will always be forever in our hearts. 

The Crossroads: Hope in Uncertain Times

Everyday is a journey that we battle. From the road we choose to take and the destination we expect to arrive. Along the way are different noises not only from the physical environment, but also from ones' own mind — the noise from our thoughts. These noises either distract or enable us to give more focus to the filtered thoughts; the good ones creating more fulfillment on that very moment. When travelling a distant mile seem uncomfortable and inconvenient to others; some would feel the opposite thoughts and emotions. Though feeling uncomfortable at times, it is the chaos that sometimes we unleash the power within — our emotional desires from powerful thoughts and intentions. 

That little discomfort is nothing but a struggle and challenges to fight and learn to overcome. When we are overwhelmed with negativity around, we suddenly choose the way to respond. To ignore is never the ultimate way to escape, but to face it with fierceness and boldest intentions to hit it and see the path with the clearest view. The obstacles give us a viewpoint to surrender or to take a deeper breath giving us clarity of mind and rightful decisions. Back to the times when there was a little physical discomfort in a long journey, is an uncertainty of what lies ahead. However, the excitement and a good conversation gave a meaning despite the uncertainty. It is when we are not on our best self when we learn to find balance and soulful healing to others and to oneself. Then we feel some relief and healing from within. 

In an uncertain moment, we may feel disheartened of conflicts in relationships. It may be brought by fears and pains from the past and worries of the future. We can't escape from our own negativity affecting us so deeply, but giving it out on others to have a share of discomfort and misery creates undesired energy pulling us down. When one is in conflict from inside, others would absorb that emotional disturbance giving stress and anxiety. That's terribly a draining energy! No matter how we try to shield ourselves, it would still penetrate on the deepest soul level. Shielding from negativity won't give a lasting solution, but to pay attention to the cause and healing past life struggles and miseries surely will. 

The road ahead: Dealing With Life's Uncertainties is an audit of previous life experience of hope in uncertain times. When false hope gives a false perception of reality, then a genuine hope is giving clarity and ultimate fulfillment of a soulful journey transforming your reality and eradicating fear and uncertainty. The powerful force of self-awareness activates positive hopes and dreams that ignites ones' life purpose — our heart's desire. That's the highest hope we can give to ourselves that will benefit the greater good. As we follow different path in life, the inner compass still ignites and guides all the way out even in the most uncertain moment and in the most unexpected time.

 © 2017 Del Cusay