California Struggles as President-Elect Obama Promises Aid to States – US News and World Report

This is a crisis within a crisis.  California’s budget short fall is ridiculous.  Ultimately, Californians need to do deep soul searching to figure out the root problem and curb it.  

California Struggles as President-Elect Obama Promises Aid to States – US News and World Report

Nuns Forgive, But Can’t Forget, Violent Parishioner : NPR

I’m always amazed how people can find solace amid chaos. I look into the depth of my soul, and all I see is weakness. Stories of those strong men and women who can easily forgive those who did them wrong and move on, exaggerates my weakness. I’m not religious person; it has been forever since I went to church. Yet, I have strong beliefs of the most high. I refuse to just live my life thinking such beautiful world was just created by accident.

I believe God (whoever you believe s/he is) speaks to us daily with what we can understand. Understanding if it’s God’s voice is another story. I think that takes practice and paying extra attention to what we ‘hear’. It requires ‘listening’ with all our senses and not just our ears. For what we think is an object can be a voice that is speaking to us, providing life long lessons.

I don’t like superstitions, but I think if you believe in superstitions, your God can use your believes to speak to you with them. That is why most people believe in them, because they appear to come ‘true’ most of the time.

There are those who pay attention to what surrounds them: those who admire the beauty of the world, the greatness of their surroundings—those who ‘hear’ with all their senses– They find meaning of life in their surrounding. They listen to their God through whatever surrounds them. For them, the voice of their higher being is always near by.

As I was driving by from Gym today, I was listening to NPR’s day to day. I heard a story, which has stuck, on my head – a story of nuns — who showed a great courage to forgive a man who committed one of the most brutal crimes they (hopefully) will ever witness. On the interview what sister Perko said, really touched me…

“When I was living in Rome, at the Basilica, they’ve got this big bell that moves on big occasions like Christmas and Easter. You could see it was starting, and then all of a sudden — bang, bang, bang,” Perko says. “And I always took that bell as my sign, because it must hurt the metal to be struck, but yet it makes this beautiful sound. So I took that as the symbol of my life. No matter what, you know … no matter how much you’re struck and how much it hurts, make it seem joyful, make a nice sound.”

How many of us, are willing to make the pain, and suffering make seem joyful? Not me.

Nuns Forgive, But Can’t Forget, Violent Parishioner : NPR

Feeling Blue … I need my Music

It’s been a while since I visited… too busy with school, work and family.  I sat down to study, but I am just not in studying mood… my mind won’t stay focus… I think I need to turn on my music and relax a little… Too bad I cannot play one, but listening will do…

When the past catches up with the present, and the present retreats to the past and future seems too far ahead, my head spins with confusion.  My heart feels heavy and I retreat to my shell: the smiley yet melancholic shield I have contrived. 

But then I need you because my shield cannot cover my morose unsociable manner.  My shield can only put fake smile on my face; I find solace only in your presence.  My stoic manner is only mirroring the deep darkness within me.  I need to feel and romance, the euphony that you generate to my ears.  You are the nectar my soul needs to taste.   My heart dances to your beat, my ears rejoice with your harmony.   A wise poet once said, “Music is the language of the spirit. It opens the secret of life bringing peace, abolishing strife.”

 

When I hear your harmonious sound, I feel in love again.  My soul’s thirst is quenched.  The cacophony in my world disappears.  My face fills with smile.  You help me put my shield where it belongs…

 

Come to me; let me hear your sweet sound again, let me dance to your flawless beats.  Let me feel you caress my soul again; let me feel you in my heart.  Come and help my feet move; make me elate and swim in euphoria.  Let me be in peace… One more time, I need YOUR PEACE!!