Whisperings Under The Maple Tree

  THE DIVORCE BILL: A Reflection (May 28, 2024) (DISCLAIMER. I am not an expert on family relationships, marriage, or marital problems. Nor am I an expert on any laws, canonical or civil, about any of them. This reflection is a by-product of what I heard in the news, podcasts, interviews, some personal readings about the Divorce Bill that got passed on Third and Final Reading at the Philippines Congress and waiting for the Senate’s action before sending it to the President of the country for signature to become a law. At best, this reflection is a result of my inquisitive mind that’s trying to understand things that my simple brain hardly fathoms. I do not mean any disrespect to the Catholic Church’s teachings on the subject matter and other subjects mentioned here. I do not mean to offend the sensibilities of others who might find this reflection-article offensive. My apologies. ) The DIVORCE bill when becomes a law is not for everyone. If people have a very good and hap...

  Coffee Musings Under the Maple Tree (Part 29) Reflections of Dharmazeus   Today is another opportunity to be the best person that you can be. To be more loving than yesterday. To smile a lot more than what you did before. Take the chance and go for it. Not everyone is blessed with the same privilege.   That day you decided to walk away, I was devastated, and it became the most unfortunate day of my life. I tried to chase you hoping that we can still fix things up, but you remained deaf to my pleadings and insensitive to my feelings. I got tired. I lost my voice calling you’re your name. The experience made me realize one of the biggest lessons of my life. That I will love myself first before I will pour my heart out to someone.   When life seems tough and you feel alone, know that I am by your side to help you in the best way that I can. “If you need to talk, I will listen. If you need to listen, I will talk.” My love will see you through.   ...

  Coffee Musings Under the Maple Tree (Part 28) Reflections of Dharmazeus   The night is nigh. The stars are high. The moon reflects it shadow on thine. My love for you shall reflect in your dreams. I sleep tonight with you in my heart whispering “I love you” eternally true.   It goes to say that the Church needs to be responsive to the signs of the time … to live the signs of the time. The Church needs to be RELEVANT while maintaining true to Her essence. And what is Her essence? That the life of the Church is TO WITNESS THE GOSPEL OF JESUS THAT IS ROOTED IN LOVE. A love act must go beyond canon law. Remember what Christ said: Sabbath was made for man, not man for Sabbath. (Mark 2:27)   Thank you for bringing back – ·         HOPE in my depressive mind set. ·         JOY in my lonesome feelings. ·         LOVE in my broken tearful heart. T...

  Coffee Musings Under the Maple Tree (Part 27) Reflections of Dharmazeus   Thank you for your special friendship and making yourself always feel present with your constant communication and availability. Special moments are created when you are around. New memories treasured and cherished. You are love indeed. Smile – the secret of growing old gracefully.   When you walked away, I chased you. You never looked back. I kept on calling your name, but you never seemed to hear me. My heart was in pain. My mind was at a loss. I got tired and fell. Someone picked me up and helped me. The wound of losing you started to heal, the pain eased. I am now in better hands. Had you not left me, I would not have met a very loving and caring person. Thank you for walking away. I wish that ours wouldn’t be just part of my yesterday’s memories … that we would still be dreaming a future of togetherness. Yet, our today remains uncertain, no label, filled with questions and answe...

  Coffee Musings Under the Maple Tree (Part 26) Reflections of Dharmazeus When you are in a relationship, you need to learn the art of compromise. It is when you are able to express your concerns, plans, hopes, and dreams as much as you are able to know the same things from your other significant person. Listen to each other. Discuss and work things out. Come to an agreement that is acceptable to both of you. Remember giving way for the other is not surrendering your own values. It is valuing what is more essential in the relationship – LOVE FOR EACH OTHER MORE THAN YOURSELF. Always remember the magic phrase in a relationship is LET’S FIX THIS. I have loved very dearly. I got hurt so painfully. I cried so many sleepless nights. I tried to move on and let go of the sad memories. I prayed. I forgive. I am ready to love again. But this time with learnings from yesterday. Tears were shed. Unable to sleep, Heart bleeds. Mind ached. The thought of you. Lessons learned. Tomorrow...

  Coffee Musings Under the Maple Tree (Part 25) Reflections of Dharmazeus   You may be gone but definitely not forgotten. The love we shared remains aflame in my memory. Your love will always be cherished in my heart. You may be in heaven but your heart rests in mine. Forever loving you. If you’re unwilling to take responsibility for your actions and words, no one will do it for you. One day you will find yourself alone and lonely. Regret comes late when you realize the mistake of letting go of the person who truly cared for you. When I was broken, you helped me pick up my broken pieces. When I was crying, you gave me a handkerchief to dry my tears away. When I was alone, you sat beside me and whispered, “I am here.” When I was lonely, you smiled and said, “I love you.” My life had never been the same since. Sabr. I will wait even if it takes forever because I love you. I will be patient. I will hope. As the day nears its end, I thank the Lord for the gift of y...

  Coffee Musings Under the Maple Tree (Part 24) Reflections of Dharmazeus Still trying to search for your footsteps even through my memory. Apparently though, they’ve been swept away like the waves touching the shore. Footsteps in the sand gone forever. At a far distant shore, in the vastness of the sea, I searched for you. Even in the recesses of my memory, you were nowhere to be found. I tried to find you, even chased you when you silently walked away. Today, I will just patiently wait. Sabr. Until you learn to forgive and reach out again. If you wait for the storm to pass, you’ll just feel awful and pained. Learn to dance in the rain and life will be more kind and fun. Rainbow will be more colorful than it already is. Smile. Be happy. Nothing is over until God says it is. We can only let go that which God destined us to do so. We are at God’s mercy and direction. He alone knows what is best for us. Trust. Believe. Patience. Pray. Keep the faith. It hurts deeply bec...