True Peace Begins in a Heart that Loves

Pope Leo XIX tweeted this today,

For many years there was a gap in my heart. It ran really deep and probably contributed a lot to my ailments. I prayed hard for healing and it finally started a few years ago. I read that the only way to heal long sown wounds is to talk to your younger self and explain why it's okay now. You can also add how you can release the pain and move on. 

I realized my prayer was being answered and that's what I did. From that time I felt peace and I was able to move forward. It also helps if you focus on what you are grateful for every single day. It can be as mundane as feeling the breeze, getting love from your cats, appreciating your hubby making you oatmeal and other simple things/actions. 

As Pope Leo XIV said, "True peace begins in a heart that loves." Replace the pain with love and things will feel lighter and gentler. It will also remind you that you are never alone  :)

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Night My Guardian Angel Saved Me

I got home a bit late after my grad school graduation. It was one of the rare times I drove and as Miggy and I entered our village it started to rain hard. It was dark and I couldn't see our garage entrance properly. I was afraid I might make a mistake at parking, so I parked across the street. I planned to move the car in the morning. 

Miggy and I hurriedly went inside the house. Even with an umbrella we were both drenched. We showered and went to bed since we were tired from the festivities. The next morning I was woken up to move the car. I grudgingly got up, changed and got the car keys.

The skies were clear that morning and I walked quickly to the car to finish the chore. As I got nearer I saw something brown pinned by the wheel. I thought it was just debris from the thunderstorm. I was shocked when I got nearer and saw that it was a snake with a brown and white pattern. It was big as a male adult's arm. It was pinned by the wheel and it wasn't able to free itself.

I had no idea because it was very dark and you can barely see when we stepped out of the car because of the heavy rain. If it wasn't caught under the wheel I would probably have stepped on it. I never found out what kind of snake it was and I'm glad the only encounters I've had of snakes are at zoos or photos. My guardian angel saved me that night and I just prayed that I did not encounter it up close.

This photo was taken in 2010 in Singapore. It looked liked this snake.

I always pray for my family's safety and protection every night. There's danger all around and the best we  can do is have faith that we are always protected. Whenever I feel scared I say a quick prayer for protection and I know my guardian angel is always around. 

Have a blessed Sunday y'all!

#BeKind #StaySafe

Do Small Things with Great Love

"Do small things with great love," is a quote from Mother Teresa. I still remember I gave a small decor item with the quote to my Mom for her birthday. I bought it from a bookstore with savings from my allowance. I thought it would be a cute gift and she kept it through the years. It was still in the bathroom before I had everything packed up. 

I got the item more to remind myself to do my chores with love. I was always scolded back then because I was messy (still am). My Mom always wanted everything to be organized. I slept in their room until I was in senior high school and that meant I had a lot of my stuff within reach (usually under their bed). She would keep reminding me to keep my things in order. 

I was reminded about what Mother Teresa said from Fr. Tito Caluag's homily. We hosted our first party at home. We invited friends we haven't seen in years. I took care of washing the dishes and preparing the dining and kitchen area for the party. I was amazed I was able to do what I had to since my energy levels have been spotty. I pulled through because I did the activity with love. 

And that's what I have to always keep in mind, Do everything with great love.

#BeKind #StaySafe

The Ten Commandments

I was sorting my Mom's collection of religious books and prayer books. I know she loved slipping in things inside of books, so I would leaf through the books also to see if there was anything important.

I found a cinema ticket for "The Ten Commandments", April 19, 1959, 2pm at the Galaxy Theater. I'm not surprised that Mom got to watch it in the theatre (I'm assuming the ticket was my Mom's).

I got to watch the film too when Ate sent a VHS copy of it. We usually watched it every year during Holy Week. It's a very long movie and the only film we wereththe  allowed to watch during Holy Week (back then cable TV did not exist and most stations were off the air during Holy Week). It was one of my Mom's favourite movies.

Finding the ticket reminded me of the most important commandment -

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[a] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[b] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Just love.

Have a blessed and loving Holy Week everyone.

#BeKind #StaySafe