Of Heartstrings and Love Songs

They say that there's a song that just tugs at your heart and brings back memories of days gone by. For some, it creates a new one.

Today, I came to see my nephew Noah at his school's Grandparents Day program. Being the doting uncle that I am, I wouldn't miss it for the world. After watching him perform their number to the tune of "Chicken Dance" and seeing Noah dance in his chicken outfit, it left me amused and proud of the little boy.

But nothing prepared me to what happened next. As a final song to cap the program, the children were asked to go to their respective grandparents' side. Noah, with all smiles and excitement, hurriedly went to his Lola Cynthia and stood next to her. A familiar tune played in the background and all the children started to sing...

"You are the one who makes me happy, when everything else turns to gray. Yours is the voice that makes me mornings and sends me out into the day..." 

As the timeless Karen Carpenter classic played amidst the gathered audience, the voice of the singing children seem to fade and all that I could hear was Noah's angelic voice serenading her Lola who, in a heartbeat, broke down into tears.

"You are the crowd that sits quiet listening to me in all the mad sense I make. You are one of the few things worth remembering, and since it's all true, how could anyone mean more to me than you?"

Unexpectedly, I felt my heart melt and tears were welling in my eyes. I tried holding back my tears, but the moment just struck me. Memories of the love and affection that Papa and Mama gave me when I was growing up came and took me back to when I was a little boy again.

The sweet and innocent voice of Noah gave new meaning to the song for me. I realized that to love the people that matters most in our lives knows no time, no boundaries or distance. Simple acts of thoughtfulness and affection sincerely given creates a strong bond that brings us closer together and makes us more loving to each other.

"You are my heart and my soul my inspiration, just like the old love song goes. You are one of the few things worth remembering. And since it's all true, how could anyone mean more to me than you?"

Thank you Noah boy. You taught your uncle a beautiful lesson today.

P.S.

This is also dedicated to my little sister Tatee who is celebrating her birthday today. Couldn't help but think about her whenever I hear Karen Carpenter love songs. Happy birthday Tatee! Remember that wherever you are, our love always goes with you. Can't wait to see you again.

Got this off the web, credits due to the author, Black Knight.

 

5 Things I Learned About Life From Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

By Black Knight

Brazilian jiu-jitsu is a grappling sport that focuses on takedowns, ground fighting, and self-defense designed to subdue a stronger opponent. Most current jiu-jitsu originates from the Gracie family, several of whom dominated the early days of mixed martial arts fighting. Royce Gracie won 3 of the first 4 UFCs with jiu-jitsu, leading to its wide recognition as one of the most effective forms of martial arts.

This article is not about jiu-jitsu’s prowess as a fighting style, but rather how it can benefit your life in immeasurable ways. These are five things it has led me to discover:

1. Failure is inescapable

Are you on the path to achieving your dreams? If not, I guarantee that it is because you are terrified of failure. To improve at jiu-jitsu, you must put yourself in a life-or-death position literally hundreds of times in your first few months as a white belt. Tapping out to someone says “I acknowledge that my physical safety is completely in your hands,” a difficult admission for most to accept. Affliction-wearing meatheads wash out quickly because they cannot stand the blow to their egos. Jiu-jitsu teaches you to manage the humiliation and emotional dump that comes with failure. Failing at jiu-jitsu desensitizes you to failing in life, the only way you can begin to succeed.

2. There is always someone better than you

Whether your passion includes game, fitness, athleticism, writing, or fighting, jiu-jitsu forces you to accept that you are never the master of your craft. How many times have you seen a gorgeous girl on the arms of a toady guy, only to hear your friends talk derisively about how his luck or money are the only reasons for his success? It is a loser’s mindset to hate on someone because they are superior to you at something. Respecting and acknowledging mastery comes with exposure to the red pill mindset, and with exposure to jiu-jitsu as well.

3. There are no shortcuts

It is well-established that experts in any field are made through thousands of hours of deliberate practice. Some people are better natural athletes or learn moves faster, but the true beasts at my gym are the guys who have put in the longest hours on the mat. Learning jiu-jitsu emphasizes the dedication necessary to achieve proficiency in any area. You can passively await a one-in-a-million stroke of luck, or you can take ownership of your position today and begin logging the hours required for mastery.

4. Your body is your greatest physical possession

Once you see the wondrous things you can do with it, it will deeply trouble you how little most people respect theirs. I ate well and worked out regularly before I began training, but seeing what some people can do on the mat drives me to optimize all aspects of my health. Older guys say that you only realize how much of a gift your body is when it begins to break down. I believe them and want to delay that process. Jiu-jitsu helps to redefine your commitment to your own body on a daily basis, amidst a population that is 2/3 overweight or obese.

5. Your daily grind matters less than you think

The Fight Club narrator insists that fighting turns down the volume on the rest of your life. This is true. Once you are put within a hair’s breadth of serious injury on a regular basis, nagging things in your life lose significance. Lost your job? You’ll find another one. Girl not interested in you? No big deal, there’s plenty more. Having to modulate your stress level under extreme duress rewires your brain, giving you the ice in the veins required to excel in any competitive environment. Jiu-jitsu is a beautiful art, one I would encourage anyone to try. Gym owners may try to sell jiu-jitsu or other martial arts as necessary to defend yourself in fights or prevent bullying, but this is a tertiary benefit at best. More importantly, from its lessons on failure, dedication, prioritization, and mastery, Brazilian jiu-jitsu teaches you how to become a better man.

 http://www.returnofkings.com/7400/5-things-i-learned-about-life-from-brazilian-jiu-jitsu

There are days that I go about without writing something here, not because I've run out of words to say, but because the things I wanted to tell you are too tender, too close that I find that they are only meant to be whispered in quiet moments like this. Right now these words fill me and how I wish you were here with me, or I was there holding you in my arms with your head in my chest as I inhale the sweet scent of your hair.

Why is it on these days my thoughts are of you and that familiar ache in my heart that calls out your name? I hear it now, your name whispered with such tenderness in the night like a sweet lullaby sending me to sleep. As I hear my heart beating in the quiet of the night, I feel an unexplainable knowing that you heard my thoughts. And then suddenly, I am smiling. Goodnight, my dear.

If You Only Knew

Tonight, I write to you surrounded by the sound of pouring rain, the ramblings of my heart endless as the teardrops fall. There is so much I wish to say to you and yet I think that that chance will never come. If  you were here even for a moment and knew that these words are for you, I think I could carry on with this life and it would be enough.

This love for you will be so always. Love will not be less without you by my side, but it will yearn for the sound of your voice and ache for the things it cannot share. There will always be rain and the wind in the trees. And each time rain falls or you feel the wind blow gently past you, it will be me calling, just to be near you. Even for just a heartbeat. If you only knew.

Though we may be two, we will win this battle. This I promise you.

August Promise

To be strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something worthwhile in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful expression at all times and give a smile to every living creature you meet.

To give so much time to improving yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this fact to the world, not in a loud word but in great deeds.

To live in the faith that the whole world is on your side, so long as you are true to the best that is in you.

My dear Papa,

        It's been four years to the day when you went up to heaven. Last night we were all together to celebrate not your death, but your life and how you touched each and everyone of us. You should have seen your apos Noah and Luis. They were singing and raising their hands with us during the corporate worship enjoying the praise and worship. There was a time when Noah turned my head with his little hands and excitedly point at a corner in church. I really could not see anything that would catch his fancy at that time but when he looked at me, he smiled, like he just told me a secret. Somehow I knew you were there and maybe Noah saw you that's why he was smiling. After the worship, all of your BLD friends came to Mama and us showing their love and support. Some even commented how bigger we all were except Mama who was, according to them, "blooming and sexy". 

          After the worship we went to the place in where you and Mama used to eat before going home from the prayer meeting. I saw Mama looking around and remembering those happy moments you two shared in that place. It was already late in the evening and everybody was hungry. And like the Lubaton style of celebrating, we had a feast for dinner! What made it more special was that we got to see and chat with Ate Tatee too via iPad. There are signs of reconciliation between her and Mama, so please Papa, help us pray that their relationship be restored. It was a great night.

           I miss you so much Papa. Thank you for teaching us that family is the greatest treasure a person can have.

Love Will Show You Everything

Today, today I bet my life
You have no idea
What I feel inside
Don't, be afraid to let it show
For you never know
If you let it hide

I love you, you love me
Take this gift and don't ask why
Cause if you, will let me
I'll take what scares you and hold it deep inside
And if you, ask me why,
I'm with you and why I'll never leave
Love will show you everything

One day,
When youth is just a memory
I know,
You'll be standing right next to me

I love you, you love me
Take this gift and don't ask why
Cause if you, will let me
I'll take what scares you and hold it deep inside
And if you, ask me why
I'm with you and why I'll never leave

My love will show you everything
My love will show you everything,

My love will show you, everything
Our love will show us everything