You think life is hard as shit? Oops. Not too quick. Think again. You see, life can be uber fun and rife with pleasant surprises. It can be harsh, yes, but it can also take you to a whole new level.

Yesterday, I was absolutely floating in mid air. Zero gravity, dude! And if it isn’t obvious enough why this sudden “high”, here’s why.

I browsed eBay for something I’d been hoping to have since early this year. In 2010, I had to shell out my entire Christmas bonus and savings as counterpart for my parents’ piece of land in Bicol. I didn’t actually bought anything for myself. But I finally found this thing on eBay and was instantly mesmerized. It’s been discounted at 30 percent off. Instead of paying its original price pegged at 8.5K, I was able to have it 5.9K.

A day after my payment confirmation, I received an email stating when I shall be receiving my package. A couple of days more and voila, I already get to enjoy its many surprises. Life after all isn’t all crap and shit.

Now I will have a reason not to squeeze in my schedule the yearly book fair, which is quite inconvenient on my part as I’m not based in Manila. Besides, my Amazon Kindle 3 can hold up to 3,500 book titles. Suck it! Hahaha. The only downside, I guess, is that I can’t have local (Filipino) titles. But aside from that, all else is upside: battery life, wireless coverage, PDF support, text-to-speech, plus stacking up against competition. This is one of the best e-readers, so the reviewers claim.

There’s a new version called Kindle Fire that comes in full color, but I’m after functionality. I just need to read, so I don’t mind if my e-reader comes in black and white.

Out of excitement, I asked hubby to fill my Amazon Kindle 3 with books by interesting and favorite authors – Stephen King, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Amy Tan, Chuck Palahniuk, David Sedaris, Franz Kafka, Harper Lee, Ian MacEwan, Malcolm Gladwell, Stieg Larrson, and a lot more. Am currently poring my eyes at Tucker Max’s “Assholes Finish First”, and Steig Larrson’s “The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest”.

I can’t thank the heavens enough. Thank you, Universe!

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“Be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is to live everything. Live the questions.”

Rainer Maria Rilke (Austro-German lyric poet, author of Duino Elegies and Sonnets to Orpheus, 1875-1926)

When I was about to go to work this morning, I resolved to take whatever form of transportation’s available & ready at the PUJ station: motorcycle, bicycle, dump truck, car (ohlalala!), kariton, carabao, kuliglig, Santa Claus’s sleigh ride, jet plane?! Why not, I was already running late and we have a scheduled masswork at nine in the morning. I’m willing to ignore my “pride chicken” if only to be at the office on time.

My pink knapsack contains a medium-sized kitchen knife (haha!) in lieu of a bolo, to help me keep our atrium free from grass (hmmm. showbiz.). Oh yes, I am sooo not pulling your leg. I even thought of bringing with me a herd of goats. Sadly, we don’t have that at home, in the same way that we don’t own a bolo.

Back to my story, this jeep I was talking about seems to me like an old one.  Perhaps even older than the one driving it. On top of it, “lolo” driver didn’t give me my change for the thirty pesos I gave. Yet, I didn’t feel bad or irritated. I was not tempted, in any possible way, to resort to anything outrageous simply because I didn’t have my change. He and his old jeep reminded me about what humility and contentment are. Most of all, I am reminded how we should be a blessing to others.

It’s a no-brainer. There are a gazillion ways to do it. One maybe is by adjusting the way we look at people and certain situations. Maybe, by being more forgiving of human imperfections. No one is perfect, no one has the monopoly of knowledge, and certainly, no one has the right to look down on others. Having said that, I am quite disturbed to hear those who make fun of others on the basis of behavior, way of thinking, manner of speaking, or physical attribute. Every person is a gift. And though we’re all created in the image and likeness of God — we are unique from one another. Aside from that, I think we’re all raised by our parents to become good citizens.

There are times I succumb to human frailties especially when it comes to protecting my own family. But that’s an entirely different story.

Yesterday, there was an unexpected windfall (read: I am the exagg queen). I received a blessing from out of nowhere. And it sure surprised me. Another of God’s fantabulous handywork, I guess. They say, you should not break the chain of blessings. So, extend it, I did. Believe you me, nothing feels greater than helping people out. What goes around, comes around, ey?

Remember what Charles H. Spurgeon said: “A good character is the best tombstone.  Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered.  Carve your name on hearts, not on marble”.

Your work desk style is SPARTAN! You live with the bare necessities, and you don’t have any problems with it. Despite toxic work hours, you manage to pull everything together, looking as immaculate as you always do. You’re no high-maintenance chick, as you use what you need.

You’re not one to make a fuss over every little thing, and people don’t have any trouble in getting along with you. You’re most likely to remain calm in the face of trouble, even though people around you are losing their minds with panic. Because you’re clear-headed and sensible, people always go to you for advice. You like keeping your desk neat at all times, with everything in place. While keeping grace under pressure is an admirable trait, it will also be good to go out of your comfort zone to try out something new.

Live….laugh…and Love
By John McLeod

Live well dear friends
In all you do,
Tho’ paths be old
Or paths be new,
But to yourself
Be ever true,
Live well!

Laugh often friends
Tho’ passing years
Bring, sometimes, smiles
And, sometimes, tears,
For mirth forever
Warms and cheers
Laugh often!

Love much dear friends
For love will bring
The healing joy
And hope of Spring,
Where pain and fear may never dwell
Nor anguish touch….

And so Live well,
Laugh often too,
And more, dear friends,
Love much!

“What are you doing?” I started to ask. The words choked up in my throat and I saw he had tears in his eyes. His usual jolly manner was gone. Gone was the eager, boisterous soul we all know. He then answered me with a simple statement . . .

“TEACH THE CHILDREN!” I was puzzled. What did he mean? He anticipated my question and with one quick movement brought forth a miniature toy bag from behind the tree. As I stood bewildered, Santa said, “Teach the children!

Teach them the old meaning of Christmas. The meaning that now-a-days Christmas has forgotten.” Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a FIR TREE and placed it before the mantle. “Teach the children that the pure green color of the stately fir tree remains green all year round, depicting the everlasting hope of mankind, all the needles point heavenward, making it a symbol of man’s thoughts turning toward heaven.”

He again reached into his bag and pulled out a brilliant STAR. “Teach the children that the star was the heavenly sign of promises long ago. God promised a Savior for the world, and the star was the sign of fulfillment of His promise.”

He then reached into his bag and pulled out a CANDLE. “Teach the children that the candle symbolizes that Christ is the light of the world, and when we see this great light we are reminded of He who displaces the darkness.”

Once again he reached into his bag and removed a WREATH and placed it on the tree. “Teach the children that the wreath symbolizes the real nature of love. Real love never ceases. Love is one continuous round of affection.”

He then pulled from his bag an ORNAMENT of himself. “Teach the children that I, Santa Claus, symbolize the generosity and good will we feel during the month of December.”

He then brought out a HOLLY LEAF. “Teach the children that the holly plant represents immortality. It represents the crown of thorns worn by our Savior. The red holly berries represent the blood shed by Him.

Next he pulled from his bag a GIFT and said, “Teach the children that God so loved the world that he gave his begotten son.” Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

Santa then reached in his bag and pulled out a CANDY CANE and hung it on the tree. “Teach the children that the candy cane represents the shepherds’ crook. The crook on the staff helps to bring back strayed sheep to the flock. The candy cane is the symbol that we are our brother’s keeper.”

He reached in again and pulled out an ANGEL. “Teach the children that it was the angels that heralded in the glorious news of the Savior’s birth. The angels sang Glory to God in the highest, on earth peace and good will toward men.”

Suddenly I heard a soft twinkling sound, and from his bag he pulled out a BELL,. “Teach the children that as the lost sheep are found by the sound of the bell, it should ring mankind to the fold. The bell symbolizes guidance and return.

Santa looked back and was pleased. He looked back at me and I saw that the twinkle was back in his eyes. He said, “Remember, teach the children the true meaning of Christmas and do not put me in the center, for I am but a humble servant of the One that is, and I bow down to worship him, our LORD, our GOD.”

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MERRY CHRISTMAS!