In solitude..

“For those who are not frightened by the solitude, everything will have a different taste.

In solitude, they will discover the love that might otherwise arrive unnoticed.

In solitude, they will understand and respect the love that left them.

In solitude, they will be able to decide whether it is worth asking that 
lost love to come back or if they should simply let it go and set off along
a new path.

In solitude, they will learn that saying ‘No’ does not always show a lack of generosity and that saying ‘Yes’ is not always a virtue.

And those who are alone at this moment, need never be frightened by the words of the devil: ‘You’re wasting your time.’

Or by the chief demon’s even more potent words: ‘No one cares about you.’

The Divine Energy is listening to us when we speak to other people, but also when we are still and silent and able to accept solitude as a blessing.

And when we achieve that harmony, we receive more than we asked for.” 

― Paulo Coelho, Manuscript Found in Accra

serendipity happens

Yesterday, on my way home from work, something supposedly scary and frightening happened to me. I was walking along E. Rodriguez Ave going to Araneta Ave while reading a book and listening to music in my iPod, when all of a sudden, a random guy grabbed me by the elbow as I walked past by a parked car blocking the side walk and on to the road side of the street. I was taken by surprise and was supposed to ask him why he did what he did, but when I looked up, I thought I saw an angel! Mygaaaaaash, he's so gwapo! I became tongue-tied and was still clueless when suddenly, a jeepney bolted by me.. then I realized that I had been almost hit by a jeepney. Since everything happened too swiftly and I was getting mixed emotions, I was just able to utter "Thank you" in a very soft and (uncontrollably) kinikilig na voice, wondering later on if he even heard or felt the kilig in my voice.. also, if he thinks I'm crazy to still smile like that, even after almost getting hit by a vehicle. I was awestruck at what had just happened, and at the same time, I imagined running back to him and knocking on his car window to say "Thank you! You saved my life!" but that'd be too shameful already. As I was nearing the end of my walkathon, I realized that had he been not at the right place at the right moment, I would've been in an accident. Is this serendipity? Destiny? Because I think I have just fallen in love at first sight, and to someone I don't even know or will probably never see again. How tragic is that? :)

rules for living

1. Never panic. Stop, breathe, think.
2. No one is thinking about you. They're thinking about themselves, just like you.
3. Never change haircut or color before an important event.
4. Nothing is either as bad or good as it seems.
5. Do as you would be done by, e.g. thou shalt not kill.
6. It is better to buy one expensive thing that you really like than several cheap ones that you only quite like.
7. Hardly anything matters: if you get upset, ask yourself, "Does it really matter?"
8. The key to success lies in how you pick yourself up from failure.
9. Be honest and kind.
10. Only buy clothes that make you feel like doing a small dance.
11. Trust your instincts, not your overactive imagination.
12. When overwhelmed by disaster, check if it's really a disaster by doing the following: (a) think, "Oh, fuck it," (b) look on the bright side, and if that doesn't work, look on the funny side. If neither of the above works then maybe it is a disaster so turn to items 1 and 4.
13. Don't expect the world to be safe or life to be fair.

― Helen Fielding, Olivia Joules and the Overactive Imagination