Unnecessary

I find it amusing when people come together,
ends up with a common denominator,
and they form themselves into a group.

Katulad ng mga tambay sa may basketball court tuwing hapon.
Pag summer na, may teams na sila with matching uniform.

Pati ang mga gamers sa Internet.
Sa tagal nilang magkakasamang maglaro,
nagiging "clan" sila at lumalaban sa ibang "clan" to earn rewards.

When people share their status, pics, notes, or videos in Facebook,
you can know what kind of people they are
in the way they comment or what they like.
Or just by the sheer volume of what they post.

In a big group of friends, there are mini circles of friendships inside
just like in any class, office, or organization.
There are some things that can only be shared comfortably in a small circle.
In Tagalog:
'May mga tsismis na with current BFF's lang nila napaguusapan'

From geeks to fashionistas; sports fanatics to bookworms;
party people to homebodies; the singles and the couples;
the loud people and the meek ones.
There's always a classification,
a group you choose to be in consciously or not.
And when inevitable changes in life come,
so with the relationships inside the group.
Sometimes this is when people gets hurt.
I've seen years of friendships turn sour
because the "membership criteria" does not fit their friend anymore.
'You've changed. You are not the person we knew before.'
'Di ka na nakikisama.'
Worse is, when the people whom you called friends
gang up with new friends and begin to ostracize or malign you
behind your back because you changed.
This, what I think is unnecessary.

Yes, people have to relate, to be in a circle of friends.
It's a human need, to belong socially.
But relationships are always going to change.
In fact, CHANGE is the only thing that is constant in our lives.
It is the only way we will grow up.
If people change, so do connections, teams, friendships, and groups.
It is a natural thing.
So don't be afraid to become different from what they call normal.
Don't be afraid to get out of your circle of comfort friends.
Explore.
Discover.
If you think your current circle of friends
keeps you from being a better person,
you can choose to get out.
Don't mind what they say. Focus on the improvement.
Don't burn bridges, you'll need them at some point in time.
Besides, a friend can only be considered faithful
if he remains to be a friend beyond the changes through time.
And that's what you call a real BFF.

Friend, embrace change.
But let me add to the argument...
Change has to be for the better.
And go through it with joy.
When you start to accept and appreciate change,
then you will realize that life is not so hard afterall.


Didoy

Butt Out

I finally had another entry here after a long hiatus from blogging.
Not that I have nothing to share ,
but more of finding a worthwhile purpose why bother blogging.
The inspiration came from my sister from Singapore, Ate Tatee,
who told me today she gets to know me more through this blog.
Ate, thanks for the sweet push. Love you!

I have a confession to make...
I'm smoking steadily for almost two years now.
I took it as a stress reliever from the pressures of med school.
To keep me awake and focused
while studying in the wee hours of the morning.
It did serve its purpose
but I developed a habit that caused more problems.
I never knew it can become an urge too good to let it pass.
After sometime, I found myself hooked into it.
I'd light at any time of the day,
especially during breaks and after meals.
It became a social thing for me too,
when at parties and when with friends.
Then came a point when I thought:
"Well hey, we all have our struggles, this is mine."
So I just did my own thing,
thinking that it's okay to show I'm human.
But in the back of my mind, I know it's wrong.
And I should stop it before this compulsion corrupts my being.

Then I started dreaming.
I finally found strength and reason to give it up.
I listed today 18 compelling dreams, my reasons to quit smoking now.

1. I want to be healthy. Be in the best shape all the time.
2. I want to be free from any illness that would take away my body, my relationships, my passions, my resources

3. I want to love my future wife for the longest possible time
4. So we can travel and see the world as we grow old, to take her out to dates more often
5. So I can take care of her as we grow old

6.I want to be there for my family for the longest time
7. So I can spend time with my children
8.So I can fully provide for their needs and have extra for life's simple pleasures
9. So I can watch them grow up and have a family on their own
10. So I can have the grandest time with my grandchildren

11. I want to be able to dedicate more time for my passions
12. So I can serve God more through music, and community
13. So my witnessing can have more meaning.
14. So I can write more songs and record them into albums
15.To go around the world playing music for the Lord

16.I want to be a great doctor who practices what I preach
17. To help others quit smoking too
18. So I can take care of more people, and be a channel of healing

My list doesn't end here.
I plan to write more everyday.
I'm butting out because I decide to.
And I'm going to make this decision every single day.
I think a lot of people get hooked into this self-destructing habit
because it is a cheap and readily available form of relief and company.
But this is temporary.
Fleeting in a matter of minutes.

I now decide to look forward to things that would lead to true happiness and companionship.
I start today.

Dearest Lord, you are a God who make all things new.
Help me with this decision, guide its progress,
and bring it into completion.
Amen.

Didoy

Happy Thought

This week has been hellish in Med school
but nevertheless, it's almost over.
And I'm happy I survived and I still have a very good disposition.
If I would remember,
I almost drowned myself within a 'quicksand' for some time.
The more I struggled, the more I put myself in a downward spiral.
But then again, when the Lord moves,
He would take you out of the pit,
appoint and anoint you to places you never imagined to be in.
He will fill you with so much love so that it overflows;
so much that you have to give it away.

Here's my secret why I'm able to keep the toxicity out of my mind.
Happy thoughts.
It drives away the fear, and it belittles the problems that beset you.
And it allows you to fly. (Is that you Peter pan?!)


My immediate happy thought for the week is my band's concert this Saturday
in the cool and happy place: Baguio!
The Lord has blessed us with another territory to spread His love.
Humbled and thankful, we go there ready to fire up the people
and to usher them to the life-changing presence of God.

Friends, happy thoughts are there to remind us
that we have a happy God.
And He wants us to be happy as well.
No happy thoughts?
Look through the mirror and you will see.
You are the number one happy thought of God.
Because you are His child,
and He's happy with His most beautiful creation, YOU.

Next week will be our Shifting Exams.
Lord, thank you for nourishing me,
and giving me the inspiration that I need to carry on.

Didoy

Grace Under Pressure

It's been a while since my last post. I just seem to be busy, or I just don't have the fire to write or express. But now, I need my breathing space...

This week marks the last week of our regular classes in Med school.
We should be rejoicing right? ---NOT!
This week also marks the beginning of a month full of examinations.
There is the Shifting examinations,
the Finals, and the Comprehensive examinations;
all in one month, one arduous week after the other.

Oh yeah. It's crunch time.
For some, it's their final push for survival in Med School.
Some just want to get this school year over with,
can't wait to spend our last summer in style.
For me, oh, I just want to get the feeling of having a peaceful sleep
without thinking of what needs to be done the next day.
To watch movies, play video games, go out on gimmicks and dates
without the guilt of not utilizing the time to study.
And to finally devote my time to serve with the Youth Ministry.

Oh well. This is just the way it is for now.
This is what I chose to do in life.
If month long examinations would make me become a doctor,
so be it.
All these can be done, as long as I keep my full trust on God
that His grace is enough even when under intense pressure.

Didoy

I Celebrated Mass Today -- In Latin

As promised, I pledged to my mom today
that I'll be her driver this morning.
Destination: San Beda Alabang Chapel
to attend a Latin Mass with her kumares.
Since they are currently forming a Latin choir for ladies,
they wanted to observe how the mass is celebrated
and to listen to the all men's choir as well.
Uh-oh. This is gonna be fun. Haha.

We arrived 845am, early for the mass at 930am.
Not too excited huh?
The chapel was spacious, air conditioned,
austere yet magnificent.
The small congregation gathered is mostly composed of
older women wearing white or black veils.
I was surprised to see that the altar setup
was for the priest with his back turned away from the congregation.
Wow. Never heard of something like this since Vatican II.
Mama told me that the Latin Mass
was being revived by instructions of the Pope.

The Gregorian chant of the all men's Latin choir
signaled the start of the high mass.
Amazing! They were majestic throughout the mass.
I felt like I was in a monastery, back to the olden times.
I don't understand the lyrics, but the well practiced voicing
and sheer musicality was enough to give me goosebumps.
From the prayers to the readings,
almost the whole mass was sung in Latin.
Good thing the sermon was in English.
It was also notable to see 13 altar boys assisiting in the mass.
So many!
They all played an active role in the celebration.
Though the mass took 90 minutes, I didn't get bored
because my curiosity was suddenly up.
My senses were all observing because for the first time,
I get to witness and participate in a Eucharistic celebration
that was not practiced for the last 40 years.
Good thing there were Missals distributed,
so that we could read Latin and join in reciting the prayers.
I was busy looking through the translation of the prayers,
from left (Latin) to right (English) of the missal
just to understand the mass.
I had a hard time trying to keep up with the words.
And there were a lot of moments when I have no idea
of what part of the mass we are in.But after my experience today, I'd say it's worth the interest.
It was great and very memorable.
And if opportunity comes next time, I'd say yes again.
I experienced the Eucharist in serenity and and peace.
It moved me into silent prayer and deep reflection
that I haven't done for a long time.
And I realized, this was just what I needed.
Plus, I was able to express my love to Mom.
She too shared her feelings and stories to me.
The Lord led me to Him in a new majestic way today.
I'm in awe.
Thank you Lord.

-Didoy

A Student's Prayer

Today is the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, our university's saint,
-A Doctor of the Church and the patron saint
of scholars and students.

Let me just share to you a beautiful prayer I learned here in my university.
This is believed to be a prayer of St. Thomas himself before studying.
This is for all the students, teachers,
and professionals who continue with their education.
May we all never tire of learning and discovering new things
in service of man and for the glory of God.

Lord Jesus Christ,
source of light and wisdom;

give me a keen sense of understanding,

a retentive memory,

and the ability to grasp things correctly.

Grant me the grace to be active in my dispositions,

and be able to express myself

with thoroughness and clarity.

Be with me at the start of my study,

guide its progress and bring it into completion.

This I ask through Christ our Lord,

Amen.

-Didoy

For You.

I got inspired. And the Lord just told me to write it down.
If you are reading this entry, this is for you.
I don't know who you are, or how you are doing.
But if today you hear His voice, harden not your heart...

When the sun is up and shining, thank God for the warmth.
When clouds block the sunshine, thank God for the shade.
When it begins to rain, thank God for the soaking blessing.
When lightning strikes and thunder roar, thank God
for a natural display of His power.
And when the sun rises again,
it feels a lot better than before.

Everything has a reason, everthing is meant to be.
The choices that we make today, tomorrow we will be.
Live life in the fullness of every second.
Because when it passes, it's gone forever.
Little steps are big in time.
Start today.

Sift through the confusion and get the wisdom in it.
All things are meant to be good,
don't give up now, it's not the end.
If God can part the sea and make the blind to see,
what more in your life can he be?

There is joy in giving.
But see what joy you can have in forgiving.
An angry man is too full, his heart is weighed down.
Even he cannot bear to look at himself in the mirror.

To see is to believe?
Believe. Then you will see.

We are just a speck of dust in the universe,
There are much more magnificence out there.
Live as a man, not a man trying to live.
Know your place, and you will be content.

Thank you Lord for the inspiration.
I'm not worthy to receive You,
but only say the Word,
and I shall be healed.
Your grace is sufficient for me.


-Didoy