Never Chase For Happiness: You can Create it

Some people say that to be happy, we must be successful at what we do; we have to reach for our dreams, our destiny, and not the imagined reality. That sounds true to some, but happiness starts to ignite from within. It is not to be chased, and it is never a destination. It may be a journey we create that, even at the crossroads, we still find that little spark of happiness.

There was a guy who was never content with his present life. He finds his world as dull and unexciting. Full of doubts and negativity, he always finds happiness in the presence of a group of friends and is dependent on them. He is not entirely in control and tends to worry in the absence of his friends, whom he considers his own family. He has a lifestyle others couldn't afford and feels happy to have friends with the same personality and lifestyle. The guy wanted to win his friends by bragging about the new things he owned, and that makes him happy when he is praised or idolized. It's a narcissistic personality that is too expensive for someone to possess. He has to compete with others wherever he goes and wants to stay caught up. He can be happy if in the presence of friends but can't motivate himself. He has to chase happiness from others to get comfortable and secure and feel down when alone.

Happiness is something we create and is not entirely dependent on other's opinions of us. There is happiness in solitude, even more than in the presence of a group or team. Happiness comes from the security of oneself and the confidence to own a personal battle. Wherever we go, we find happiness from even meaningful small things. Indeed, we create our own reality, and we can always survive a journey of a thousand miles if we can rely on ourselves. Happiness comes from within and is projected onto others. We create a wave of happiness that is contagious, and that improves our feelings and intrapersonal relationships. Happiness is everywhere, but it can be found first, not from afar or a specific type of person or a group. When we recognize our soulful desires, our heart feels joyful, leading to the eternal happiness we deserve.

© 2018 Del Cusay

Pasinaya 2018: Love for the Philippine Arts

As a Filipinos, we always must uphold loyalty and patriotism to our country. When we were conquered by foreign invaders, we adopted their ways; language, arts, music, culture, and tradition. For hundreds of years until now, we have had these influences on our lifestyle, our way of living. We have embraced colonialism and slowly neglected our original identity of being Filipino. Although we are considered to be of mixed races by blood, our identity will still be the soul of our nation, and as One Filipino, we will take pride in our culture wherever we are and in whatever we do.

However, today, we must preserve our culture through the arts. The latest generation of Filipinos would have to appreciate the richness of the Philippine culture and pass it on to the next generation. Culture and tradition should never stop; they must continue to exist and evolve, but not obliterate. Hence, we can genuinely preserve it in literal form and in our minds and hearts. 

To appreciate and preserve our culture through the arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines has been celebrating its annual Pasinaya Festival, which means to 'inaugurate' or 'opening' something grand and festive. The Pasinaya festival, in its 14th year, is gaining much-deserved attention from those who love arts and culture. It is a 2-day festival dubbed "Palihan at Palabas" where art lovers can enjoy workshops on various arts like dancing, singing, acting, writing, and theatrical performances. This is followed by a great showcase of artistic talents and renditions before thousands of viewers who appreciates and loves art. 

This is my 4th year experiencing the Pasinaya Festival, which never fails to amuse and entertain. Being Filipino is a great feeling to see performers from different art genres from other parts of the country. The viewers continue to grow yearly and are joyful with the presentations they may not have seen before. Ancient Filipinos' elegance, graciousness, and glamour only show some refinement in their way of living. So today, in our time, we glimpse how modern Filipinos can take us back to the early days when life seemed simple.

The CCP Resident companies are always in the spotlight. The classical pieces of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra; The modern parts of the UST Philharmonic Orchestra;  the gracefulness of Ballet Philippines and Tanghalang Pilipino and the Bayanihan Folk Dance Company and other performing groups have shared their timeless pieces that are indeed a product of class and elegance.

Last year's Pasinaya 2017: Arts for Peace was a great experience, and the viewers were moved by the years' theme when Filipinos can be united through arts despite the unending conflicts. Skills for peace are significant in years to come as we battle to achieve everlasting peace and harmony. While on this year, 2018, is a calling to show our deepest love for the arts to revive our pure sense of patriotism.

Cultural preservation and fascination through arts will go a long way if we are united and show deeper love and loyalty to our national identity. Pasinaya Festival will be one of the greatest gifts we could offer future generations as they reflect deeply on who they are and what they can show and contribute to the world. This is just the beginning of igniting our artistic abilities to prove ourselves and show the world that we are Filipinos with a soulful desire and the greatest love for our nation through cultural appreciation and rendition. 

© 2018 Del Cusay

                                                                     

The Power of Now: Being Aware and Present

Living in a fast-paced world as we are now is like a marathon, a race with an uncertain outcome. People are always in a hurry but arrive late at their destination. Along the way, we bumped into each other to get ahead. There's a lot of shouting, screaming, or even crying. No matter how hard it seems to be. Still, a determined soul can conquer obstacles and overcome defeat. There's no way to quit but to continue the race toward the peak.

Unhurried life isn't a thing nowadays, even in a rural village. We are all connected by the power of technology and get the latest information in real-time, at a particular moment, and as needed. Through an upgrade in transportation and communication, everything is quick and instant, as fast as teleportation if it's real. Getting to a destination excites us, and the journey becomes a cherished expedition. 

Years ago, life wasn't that complicated, and people enjoyed much in the present moment of their lives. Compared to now, most people live in their past when they can't leave their worries behind. Others may live in an uncertain future and become anxious about what lies ahead. That's life! Truly complicated.  Whatever comes into our head are unfiltered noises from different sources and even our own prejudice.

Living in the past and in the future is inevitable. When the mind wanders means a lack of focus and awareness of the present; not truly conscious -- not being aware. A complicated life of being not present in the moment has its consequences. We need to be more focused and productive. Our worries, fears, and uncertainties are enemies of productivity and consciousness. Though it is a result of previous traumatic experiences, we are still in control and have the power to return to a normal state of being; we enjoy the present moment and truly live. 

As we go through the next level of spiritual existence, we learn to ignore or filter those noises that will not benefit our being. We become more alert and focused on our actions; the result is fascinating — a stress-free living.

Being present and aware at the same time is a gift to ourselves or to someone dear to us. When we are aware and conscious of someone's presence, they feel accepted and loved by us. However, when we ignore their presence, they will feel neglected, abandoned, and uncared for; that's miserable and unacceptable. 

But in today's world, there's another side of the story; we often focus on our own, our personal intention, and our goals to achieve. We go on our own without validation from others. That's consciousness from the individual level. We go for healing when our soul finds its peace and being.

The power of now is so mighty that we experience and practice mindfulness. We do not allow minds that wander, but we focus our intentions back on our present reality. We choose to be peaceful and live stress-free lives, leading to our health and well-being. The power of now is a spiritual gift to the people surrounding us. When we are at peace with ourselves, we are present in dealing with people no matter what happens, and we deal with life peacefully. That's the power of presence and awareness — the power of now!

© 2018 Del Cusay