Memories of Summer 2018

There's a unique joy that only summer can bring. While some may find the heat oppressive, for others, it's a season of pure bliss. As February draws to a close, the anticipation of summer's arrival fills us with excitement. It's a time for out-of-town adventures, or even a simple staycation to unwind and recharge. The most delightful moments of the year are often spent at the beach, a waterfall, a river, or a mountain resort, seeking relief from the intense heat.

The summer of 2018 will always be remembered for the journeys we took. No matter how far the destination, the beauty of the scenery always captivated us. The gentle breeze, the allure of the ocean, the breathtaking sunrise in the east, and the stunning sunset in the west all stirred our spirits. It's in these moments, when we're surrounded by the wonders of nature, that we experience a happiness that's truly unforgettable.

There's a feeling of great relief and a sense of renewal for even a short while once we temporarily escape from the everyday work. Natural healing cleanses and purifies us to make us complete and ready to face a more complex world with calmness and peace. I always believe that our body always finds its way to healing itself. It's as if our soul wanders around, and our physical body brings us somewhere. Our soulful desire makes us live our purpose to stop for a while and take a deep breath as we enjoy the precious moment.

Summer Food Bazaar at Bonifacio High Street

Summertime is about enjoying the little things that matter. We enjoy being outdoors and experiencing life on the street. We want food accompanied by upbeat music. We appreciate the vibrant and positive energy that gives us a sense of accomplishment as we reflect on our victorious plans and actions. We made it! We succeeded! and we express our gratitude for it.

Summer is a time for preservation and revitalization, a much-needed pause before the rainy season. We bask in the sun, returning home with renewed gratitude and peace. It's during these travels that we often come to realize the importance of work-life balance. We deserve these breaks and these opportunities to relieve stress and burnout. And the reward? A deeper appreciation for a life well-lived. 

© 2018 Del Cusay

Mother's Day Special: Unconditional Love

A Mother's love is not just a fleeting emotion, but a steadfast commitment that transcends time and circumstance. It's a duty of motherhood and a lifelong promise. From our earliest days, when we were most vulnerable, we would cry and cling to our mother, seeking comfort and safety. She watches over us as we grow, ensuring we can stand tall in our world.

Today, we celebrate Mother's Day, a celebration of life; we are here in this world because of her and continue to live better with her undying love and support. Mother's Day Special: A Celebration of Love is not just a one-day celebration. It is to be remembered and celebrated at any time of the year whenever we feel the need to appreciate them and make them feel special. We may not be showing off how deeply we love them, but somehow, we get to make them feel good with our sweet gestures.  

Distance may not become a hindrance in showing our love to our mother. She is there to listen when we feel weak or frightened. She assured us that everything would be fine and we would keep fighting. The world is harsh, and we need to become a fighter in the real world. Mother's Day Special: Compassionate Care is a way of raising us to become better people and realize our purpose in our community. We are taught never to give up easily, but a victory comes our way whenever we feel lost. We just need to be prepared to accept and live it wholeheartedly. Through their compassionate care, our mothers shaped us into the firm, resilient individuals we are today.

Today, some children may not have a biological mother by their side, but they have someone who has given them hope and stood up to be their mother. This is a testament to the power of unconditional love. These children are blessed to have a second mother who guides and supports them as they grow. Looking back on their lives, they will honor this second mother for raising them well and giving them a life worth living. This is a celebration of all mothers, biological or not, who play a vital role in our lives. 

Our mothers are our heroes, our fighters, and our defenders! They will always protect and love us, and we give them back by following them because mothers know what suits their kids. We honor and give them thanks. To our mothers, we pray they have more strength and power to live in this world and continue loving us children today and forever. We are forever grateful for their love and sacrifices, which we can never fully repay but always deeply appreciate.

© 2018 Del Cusay

The Great Escape

The weekend is an excellent time for soulful conversation or reflection. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle, but it's important to take a step back and reflect on the things that truly matter. Our life's soulful journey and the quest for meaning are not to be overlooked. I may be guilty of binge-watching Netflix series or movies, but hey! It's Sunday, and it's just a moment of relaxation and appreciation of visual arts. 

After all, we have to enjoy and learn a moral from the striking lines of the actors. Sometimes, the simple and short movie lines strike us from the inside, leaving us in tears. They bring back beautiful memories of a recent or distant past; we can't get over them quickly.

What's with The Dalai Lama that I got so interested in watching a movie about his great escape? It was back in 2011 that I started to know more about him and how significant and influential he is to India and the rest of the world. The Dalai Lama may be a Tibetan by blood, but he has become a world-renowned spiritual leader. Then, in India, I started reading his books about love, peace, and compassion — genuinely captivating to the soul. Perhaps many people still do not know him, but his message of love and compassion is not confined to any One faith. It's a universal language that unites humanity and the world. Same as with compassion, on which we have evolved as human beings. When we love someone, it's not about the similarities that we are looking into. We love someone regardless of race, creed, or beliefs. 

The Dalai Lama's great escape was his sacrifice to save Tibet and its people. It was in 1959 when he sought asylum in India to escape Chinese persecution. He feared for his life and the fate of the Tibetans if they chose to stay under Chinese rule. His escape didn't mean cowardice, but he was thinking about the future of the Tibetans. Almost 6 decades have passed, and The Dalai Lama is still strong and remains a highly influential political and spiritual figure. He is the greatest gift to India and is visited by thousands of people globally in his hometown in Dharamsala, the state of Himachal Pradesh in India. People who are into spiritual practice would love to see and hear from his lectures and stories that are practical in today's time. 

I was fortunate to have seen him personally in Dharamsala back in 2013. Meeting His Holiness the Dalai Lama in Dharamsala was one of my most incredible experiences. To have met him is a spiritual bliss that I will always cherish. His philosophy is beyond Buddhism's teachings, and that was when I saw Buddhism from a different perspective. It is a universal teaching about love, peace, and compassion that is relevant in our time. 

The Dalai Lama's great escape led to a movement calling for a 'Free Tibet' even after decades of settlement in India. The Tibetan Government-in-exile is very much active in its quest for freedom. They seek to be an independent state in terms of their culture and spirituality, free from Chinese rule. The Dalai Lama's escape was a historical event and a catalyst for a movement that continues today. As I watched the movie, I could imagine his suffering, but that is due to his undying love for his people. The Dalai Lama left Tibet without expensive and luxurious possessions. He just had enough to survive the long days of wandering until he reached the spiritual land of the free. 

Sometimes, we have to make the greatest sacrifice for our loved ones. We have to go independently by leaving them behind. However, no matter how long we haven't seen them, they are still in our hearts. Our love has evolved so that it is not only about serving them but also about serving others with love and compassion. The great escape is about leaving our fears, hatred, and other negative emotions that are toxins in our being. Today, people may fear the unknown, becoming hateful and full of revenge and wicked thoughts. We should have aligned ourselves back to our nature of being good. 

We have seen countries go against each other, world leaders fighting each other, and citizens against their governments. We have not ended centuries-old conflicts and wars resulting in poverty and suppression. When shall we become free again? Free from abuses, maltreatment, and slavery? When shall we end physical and emotional suffering and killing? We may never know what the future holds, but one thing that can free us from pain and suffering is when we learn to plan for our great escape. Like the Dalai Lama, he made a wise decision and acted bravely to face his fears, deal with the unknown, and free his heart from hatred. Our great escape is not a physical journey, but a spiritual one. It's about leaving our fears, hatred, and other negative emotions that are toxins in our being. Today, people may fear the unknown, becoming hateful and full of revenge and wicked thoughts. We should have aligned ourselves back to our nature of being good. 

Back to reality, that was another quality Netflix time. With a cup of coffee and relaxing meditation music, I can have a good night's sleep and start the working week full of positivity. No matter how tough our world has become, we still have to free our inner world not to defeat our life's purpose —our quest for life and meaning. 

© 2018 Del Cusay