Timeless Loving Memories

Mother. That's one precious and sweetest word we could hear. It's not just a word but brought into action by a remarkable, loving woman. 

The sweetest smile, the warmest hug, the thoughtful gesture, and the selfless love. That describes our Mother. Someone we can truly lean on in good times and bad times. Someone who makes us feel loved and cared for. Someone we can depend on.

Today, the world is celebrating Mother's Day, and we honor and revere them in a unique way of remembering their most significant role in our existence. 

A Mother's value and significance may be felt differently by each of us, but it is a universal truth. The world is indebted to the Mothers who brought us into this world and raised us.

On this day, we not only celebrate our mothers but also our GrandMothers, sisters, Aunts, and all the Other maternal figures who have shaped us. Let's remember their greatness and the timeless loving memories they've given us.

The world may be changing, but our Mother's love remains constant, yesterday, today, and in the years to come, even in our lifetime and beyond.

We express our love and gratitude to all mothers, and to those who have personally impacted or influenced our lives. Your love and guidance have made us who we are today.

This is not just a day of celebration but a lifetime of honoring and remembering our mothers, our greatest love who shows us endless love. 

© 2020 Del Cusay

How Do We Survive and Thrive

It's been more than a month since you were quarantined, isolated from people and the community. But remember, this period of isolation can also be a time for personal growth and reflection, a chance to discover new strengths and resilience within yourself.

Some call it home arrest away from the unseen invader. Others may fantasize about it as an extended vacation, but it should not have been this way— never ever this way.

Our world suddenly stopped, but see! It is healing itself. There are lots of changes in our community and the rest of the world. 

If the world is healing, how can we not benefit from it? We, too, must start to heal, and so, like the healing earth, we can become whole again and ready to see the world again.

Healing our body, mind, and soul can significantly contribute to the world. We may have inflicted much pain on our natural world, so we suffer. We suffer from living in uncertainty... beyond our reality.

Now, the world forces us to reflect and heal our minds and emotions. Unless we heal ourselves, we will be prisoners of fate forever.

However, there will always be an antidote for our suffering. It is when our collective actions come together as a global community that benefit the world and humanity. Each of us has a part to play in this healing process.

There is healing in our love, hope, and faith. That's a healing antidote, not a vaccine.

When we think beyond ourselves and do more excellent service to others, we contribute to healing. And so today, no more fear! No more anxiety! It has been replaced by love and understanding.

Yes, we are surviving! But in our desire to stay, we also dare to thrive, grow, and become better and stronger. Our life journey never ends after these challenging times. Hence, there are endless possibilities for us to learn and be of service— even in our own way.

Don't just survive, but thrive! 

© 2020 Del Cusay

Opportunities in Crisis

We feel people's fear. This pandemic teaches us to be sensitive to different kinds of emotions. Anxiety, panic, boredom, anger, irritability, and depression are some of our common reactions. People may not say it, but we sense the negative vibe of people's lower emotions. 

We all share this sense of fear, a collective consciousness that has detected a new threat to our humanity. It's a feeling that's average and expected, a part of our shared experience, a bond that unites us in these uncertain times.

But how can we escape this threat? How long shall we feel fear? How can we go back to living our everyday lives?

During these times, education experts say we live in 3 different crisis zones.

Fear Zone. This is our initial tendency to threaten. It's normal! Feel the fear. Acknowledge this feeling and not be in denial. Our physical expression can't mask our feelings deep within for one main reason: we are all together. We are wired to feel for each other.

Learning Zone. This is an excellent opportunity in times of crisis. We make use of the time we are in isolation. Most people might still be stuck in a fear zone, but learning shouldn't stop us. Students, working professionals, parents, young kids, and even old retirees can learn something new during this time. New knowledge and skills are our weapons as we return to living a 'new normal' during and post-pandemic.

Growth Zone. This is about taking control of our emotions and mind.
When we achieve a certain level of self-mastery, we grow and transform into a more fantastic version of ourselves. We succeed because we refuse to remain a victim of circumstance and prisoners of fate.

So, in what zone are we now?

From the 'fear zone' during the first few weeks of quarantine, where I was consumed by worry and uncertainty, I gradually transitioned to the 'learning zone.' I started attending webinars, reading educational articles, and listening to podcasts. These activities not only kept me occupied but also filled me with a sense of positivity and personal empowerment. 

For instance, I have attended several webinars offered by local and international organizations and learned from Thought leaders about different subjects of expertise. These could be excellent opportunities to delve into a new field or deepen your knowledge in your current area of interest.

I listen to educational podcasts and read valuable insights from online articles. I continue to learn and audit existing knowledge and beliefs, pondering and updating obsolete information that hinders growth.

There's growth in learning.

Soulful Sunday, a concept I've embraced, is an excellent opportunity to not get stuck but to learn to adapt and engage in new interests and habits. It's a day dedicated to self-care, learning, and personal growth. On this day, I set aside time for activities that nourish my soul, such as reading, meditation, and engaging in hobbies. It's a practice that has brought a sense of balance and joy to my life, and it's something you can easily incorporate into your routine.

Farming has been a great activity for us even before the pandemic, and we continue to plant seeds for a bounty harvest in this uncertain time. It's about growing food and nurturing a sense of responsibility, patience, and resilience. These are all essential aspects of personal growth that I've experienced firsthand through farming. It's also an opportunity to connect with nature and appreciate the simple things in life.

This is an opportunity to cultivate, develop, and create sustainable living. Organic farming practices are what we need for a healthier body and immunity to fight the unseen enemy.

Life in the countryside will always be exciting. It's just a matter of changing our mental state and the definition of success. There's a lot of learning and an opportunity to live a more comfortable and healthier life. 

As we journey forward, we'll understand that fear can sabotage and take control of our destiny. But we have an antidote, a potent dose of learning that can help us bounce back, stronger and more vital than ever. The future is not just a possibility; it's a promise of a better, brighter tomorrow that we can all look forward to.

© 2020 Del Cusay