The Comeback!

SIMPLE - ME is back!

 

 

Simple-Me and The Pen is one: @simplemethepen

 

Fortunately, we can connect again. Make Peace Not War.  

So, hopefully,  will it be for Google and Meta, as well. HaHa.

 

 

Closer Than Before

 

 

PEACE be with you.

  

Excerpt From Gift Book

(Credit to Rightful Owner)

 

Closer Than Before

 

I do not separate loved ones through death.

 

I have given you a spiritual link with your loved one. Even though he/she is 

no longer with you in body, you can still feel his/her presence and know that 

he/she is always with you in spirit.

 

I will not leave you comfortless, and neither will he/she.  He/She is even closer than before.

  

Through the years, you learned to almost read each other's mind. You knew

what he/she was going to say or how he/she was going to react almost before 

he/she did, and vice versa.

 

Now he/she can actually read your mind and just as wonderful you can hear his/hervoice inside as he/she guides your thoughts and gives you reassurances of his/her forever love. This is My way of allowing you to continue to be together in spirit.

 

But that's not all. Your loved one also wants to help you learn to be more

heavenly minded. He/She has already entered into the joys and rewards of 

Heaven, and he/she wants to share a little foretaste of that with you now.

 

So you see, your loved one's passing wasn't the end of your relationship, but the beginning of an even fuller and deeper one - a spiritual relationship.

 

I will wipe the tears from your eyes on that day when we meet face to face, and you will be united again with those you love who have gone on ahead of you.

 

Before long, you and your loved one will be together again on this side of the

veil - the veil that now separates your world from this heavenly one - and you 

will love forever in the beautiful home I have prepared for you.

 

 

 Make Peace Not War.

 

@simplemethepen         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happiness in Grief

 

 

Happiness in Grief

 

I share with you below a self comforting tool that I have kept for years. It is like a precious jewel to me when I found it. I knew then that in this life, we have to get something useful that can help us to swaddle the boat with great faith in our hearts in times of sea turmoils and faith tests.

 

Just this month, I lost a sister. Two months ago, a brother. Both were so close to me. I grieved, of course.

 

Well, they were not the first ones I have lost in this life. Life begins and ends. That simple. So,while we have it, we must;

 

Live it to the Fullest 

 

and to remember always, 

 

Each Day can be A Good Day.

 

What I thank for so much, really so much, I have never asked nor felt the urge to ask God of the "Why?". At least, I don't remember doing so nor feeling so. Maybe I did, but no, I didn't.

 

I believe, I have been fortunate enough to have people around me since childhood that have contributed to whatever strength in spirit that I thank God to be blessed with. 

 

From my parents, to my elder brothers and sister, relatives and special friends from childhood to my unforgettable nanny, Lola Bebang. God bless them all, for they are, were and have been my blessings.

 

The most that hurt me were the lost of my parents. Others just came second, third, etc. Then, years have taught me that there is Sorrow in Happiness, and Happiness in Sorrow.

 

Read below and I hope you'll understand what I mean. Enjoy. 

  

 Just like a book, turn page for a new chapter. Just like this blog, stay tuned for the next book.

 

@simplemethepen

 

 

 

 

A Mother's Heart

 

 

A Mother’s Heart 

 

It has been months since I have visited a very good female friend of mine.  If I am not mistaken, it must have been  two or three months ago since she had given me a  facial. She works as a cosmetologist and after a few more studies turns herself into a dermatologist. Her services improved and became more beneficial to me and all her clients. 

We greeted ‘Hi’ and embraced each other.  Happy to be together again. Happiness that seemed more dramatic on her part than mine. In our last meeting, she was happier and had a glow in her.  This time, I felt something sad behind those smiles and embraces. We went inside her saloon and she went on with her client at the moment. After a few minutes of waiting, the client left then came my turn.

As usual, we talked about many things. How life has been treating us. How we have been doing in our jobs, family and our own selves.  When it was her turn to say something about herself, she stopped and dumped herself on a stool beside the bed where I was laid down while she's working on my face.  She looked at me for a second while her eyes started to turn red and soon tears started to run race on her cheeks. Trying her best  to control her tears she told me, "I am not okay". 

I gazed at her for a few seconds and assured her, "I am here, you can tell me". She started to relate everything right after we touched the topic about sons and daughters. She cried when she separated from her husband three months ago. Without ado she added that she believed her husband has someone else. Right away I requested her not to jump into any conclusion without proof so as to avoid personal torture. She enumerated the signals sent by her husband  that caused her mistrust on him.

But then, the matter about the husband was nothing compared to the pain she had received from a son. Her two sons, one past 20 years and the other a teenager , seemed to have more sympathy for their father  than her.  It seemed that the older one had shown her disrespect in a way she responded to him. It wasn't just a simple show of disrespect but with rudeness and mockery. She had felt insulted and downgraded. What she just mentioned has pickled a healing scar in my heart. To shorten her troubles explaining them, I disclosed to her, "I assure you, I know how it feels".  Then, she clenched her fist and hit her chest slowly where her heart was. "How it hurts! How it hurts!", she screamed while more tears threatened  to run again in her cheeks. She quickly wiped them away, trying helplessly to dissimulate the pains in her eyes.

Inside my heart, I felt her pain. Then looking at her,  I remember the first time we met.  It was a school affair  wherein parents of elementary students were invited to participate in Asado de Familias (Families Barbecue Affair). I was assigned as one of the mothers assisting  the fathers who were Asadores (Barbecuers). My friend was also assigned in the same group. At first glance, we felt a click  as if destiny had led us to know each other. We smiled, introduced ourselves and began to talk and laugh the whole night's affair. When we bade farewell, we felt as if we had known each other for many years. 

We agreed to meet again.  She invited me to her house.  It was just a couple of weeks since the Asado and then again, we talked as if we haven't  seen each other for many years. I guessed we were brought together by our mutual homesickness since we’re both immigrants in a Spanish speaking country. She came from a neighboring country sharing the same language. I came from a country in Asia. We found in each other someone whom you could open up yourself and be understood without being judged.  Since then, we have tried not to lose contact trying to beat each other's busy schedules.  

We are almost the same age and same height. We have the same color and fair skin though she considers mine much better, maybe some sort of public relation, trying to win a client. We  never consider ourselves beautiful, nor do we consider ourselves ugly ducklings. A kind of talk that we enjoyed between ourselves while she tried to promote her business of making women beautiful with her talents in cosmetology. And so, I become not just another friend but another client for her. 

Getting myself back to our session, we reminisce about each other's experiences, we call it as such instead of saying mothers' heartaches. While sharing each other's episodes with in-laws, we discovered that ours have similarities. Since I was the one more relaxed and not emotionally disturbed, I found myself fluent and clear with every spanish word that came out from my lips. I heard myself sounding wise in every word of consolation and advices I have given based on my own experiences and self-proven solutions. Honestly speaking, I was  surprised with myself.  Was it me talking? 

Reaching  the end of the session,  we evaluate each other.  We conclude that we are both a fighter of life, a winner on its stroll. After a while, the  big laughs between us came like thunder, feeling like strikes of glory in our hearts. More than the acceptance of our realities,  we decide to go on with greater focus on self progress and stronger denials on idiots that dare to put us down.

We didn't say goodbye, but  "Hasta Luego" with the usual warmth but refreshed strength. She whispered thank you with all sincerity and deep appreciation that I could see in her eyes and words weren’t really necessary to express how she felt.  "God has His own way of making us feel His presence", she sighed at the end. I smiled and uttered not farewell but "Till Next Meet".

On my way back home, I felt like Pharrell was promoting Happy. My face is reddish from the treatment, but people on the street with smiling look on their eyes nodding at me. Before my eyes, not a single soul with an indifferent look.  While inside my heart I prayed with happiness, "Thanks God for talking on my behalf.  Your words have calmed my friend's heart. Thank you for trusting me to be your instrument. Most of all, thank you for letting me know in your own way that NO, NO, I AM NOT ALONE IN MY PAINS."

FELIZ DIA MADRES!!

© bethbciar @simplemethepen

God in Each Day

 

 

 Here, The Pen says, "Hi!" again. One more time, to keep connection, Amanda Bradley's poem is a nice one to share. In our daily lives, sometimes we call a day, "A Bad Day" or "A Good Day". But here is what The Pen could say:

 

Each Day Can Be A Good Day

 

Sometimes when things go wrong for us,

it's easy to forget

The happiness we've seen

and the good fortune that we've met.

Those rough times can be good times

to think of friends we've known,

Of favors that they've done for us,

of kindness that they've shown,

To think of fun-filled times we've spent,

nice places that we've been,

Of the beauty that life offers us

time and time again,

And then a day when things go wrong

can turn into a day

For us to think how very often

things have gone our way.

 

Here below, I share with you another one. This, actually, is my MOST FAVORITE of all!

 

God Is Always Near

 

One thing can always cheer me

when I'm feeling sad and low,

when I tire of daily trials

that I have to undergo,

When those who should seem closest

seems like people I don't know,

One thing can always cheer me,

I know that God 

is near me.

 

Isn't that a beautiful one? So cheer up!  

Live Life To The Fullest (click the link to get in) no matter how impossible it may seem. 

Just remember, God is always near.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Live For Today

 

Live For Today

By Amanda Bradley

 

 

Sometimes there are happy days

that we anticipate,

And then time seems to pass so slowly

we can hardly wait.

Then when we think of happy days

that we've already spent,

It seems that time has passed so fast,

we wonder where it went,

But, if, instead of looking

back and forth so much that way

And never really noticing

the beauty of today -

If we would simply try to make

the most of every minute,

Try to put a little bit

of love and laughter in it,

We won't have to look ahead

or to the past to see

Just how very happy

every day we live can be. 

 

 

@simplemethepen 

 

 

Live Life To The Fullest

 

Once more, it is my pleasure to share with you one of my Book Store's Cards Collections. Below is from one of the Ambassadors card I've found and bought at a National Book Store. Enjoy, 

 

Live Life to the Fullest

 

If you treasure the beauty that shows all around you,

and try to add some of your own,

Enjoy the companionship others can give you,

yet value your moments alone,

If you honor opinions that differ from yours,

yet stand up for what you believe,

Admire the accomplishments others have made,

and take pride in what you can achieve,

If you're a real friend who comes through when it counts,

who always is worthy of trust,

If you follow your heart anywhere it may lead you,

and do what you feel that you must,

If you love those around you, and love yourself, too,

if your spirit is eager and free,

Then you know what it means to live life to its fullest

and be the best "YOU" you can be. 

 

 

 

@simplemethepen 

 

Reminder

 

 

REMINDER

By Amanda Bradley

 

Forget about the days

when it's been cloudy,

but don`t forget 

your hours in the sun.

 

Forget about the times

you've been defeated,

but don`t forget

the victories you've won.

 

Forget about mistakes

that you can`t change now,

but don't forget 

the times you luck has turned.

 

Forget about the days

when you've been lonely,

but don't forget

the friendly smiles you've seen.

 

Forget about the plans

that don't seem to work out right,

but don't forget to

always have a dream.

 

 

 

 

 

@simplemethepen

   

 

 

 

La Hora de la Decision

 

Oraciòn para La Hora de la Decisiòn

 

 Señor ayudame a decir la verdad delante de los fuertes y

a no decir mentiras para ganarme el aplauso de los dèbiles.

Si me das fortuna, no me quites la razòn. 

Si me das èxito, no me quites humildad.

Si me das humildad, no me quites dignidad.

 

Ayùdame siempre a ver el otro lado de la medalla.

No me dejes inculpar de traiciòn a los demas 

por no pensar igual que yo.

Ensèñame a querer a la gente como a ti mismo y 

a no juzgarme como a los demas.

 

No me dejes caer en el orgullo, si triunfo.

Ni en la desesperaciòn si fracaso.

Mas bien recuèrdame que el fracaso es la experiencia 

que precede al triunfo.

 

Ensèñame que perdonar es lo mas grande del fuerte y 

que la venganza es la señal màs primitiva del dèbil.

 

Si me quitas el èxito, dejame fuerza para triunfar del fracaso.

Si yo faltara a la gente, dame valor para disculparme y 

si la gente faltara conmigo, dame valor para perdonar.

Señor, si yo me olvido de ti, no te olvides nunca de mi. 

 

Mahatma Gandhi 

 

 

@simplemethepen 

 

No Title

 

 No Title

Losing something hurts, how much more losing if it is a person you love. It can't even be described. There is No Title to it. A couple of weeks ago, I lost my youngest brother. One day more from today is my mother's death anniversary.

There is nothing more I could write about it, not even to create my own prayers that I can post here. Do not get me wrong.  I still pray and my love and belief in God's love and power has never changed. What I did then was to google a prayer ready made for departed souls. Here below, I share with you the prayer fromtheangels.com which the site made available in Google Search:

 

Powerful Prayer for the Departed Souls 

"God our creator,

By Your power, we are born. Your perpetual guidance directs our lives and by Your word we die. Lord, though the departed souls are no longer with us in flesh, I believe that their lives do not end.

I pray on behalf of the souls of my beloved departed and for the dead only known to You. May the departed souls enjoy the company of Christ, who died and rose again. May they rejoice in Your Kingdom, where their tears are wiped away.

Unite us in Heaven one day to sing Your glory forever.

Amen."

 

From The Angels (credit to fromtheangels.com) 

 

A good friend has told me that prayers are the food of the souls of the dead. It never occurred to me such thinking. But then, I agreed. As she said, the dead hope and needs our prayers for them to rest in peace with God.

So I invite you to join me. Let us pray for our departed loved ones every time we pray. To dedicate a prayer on the date they left us, monthly, yearly or whenever we remember them and on the All Soul's Day especially. But, never forget to pray for them. 

 

May the Lord be with us all, the living and the dead.

         @simplemethepen 

 

Por que Gritan y Talmud

 

 

Este categoria es: No Hablo Español. 

Es verdad!

Digo, prefiero hablar en Ingles. Hablo tres idiomas (Ingles, Castellano y Tagalog). Vengo de un pais bilingual. Pero SI, se Castellano apesar de que he aprendido Español en la universidad.

 Ya que estamos en este categoria, me gustaria compartir con ustedes el siguiente. Es un cuento que compartò una maestra de yoga con sus alumnos. Es hermoso. Aquì esta:

 

Un dia, Meher Baba preguntô a sus mandalies lo siguiente:

 "¿Por que la gente se grita cuando estàn enojados?"

Los hombres pensaron unos momentos.

"¿Porque perdemos la calma" - dijo uno - "por eso gritamos."

"Pero ¿por què gritar cuando la otra persona està a tu lado? - preguntò Baba.

No es posible hablarle en voz baja?, ¿Por què gritas a una persona cuando estàs enojado?"

Los hombres dieron algunas otras respuestas pero ninguna de ellas satisfacia a Baba.

Finalmente èl explicò:

"Cuando dos personas estàn enojadas, sus corazones se alejan mucho. Para cubrir esa distancia deben gritar para poder escucharse. Mientras màs enojados estèn, màs fuerte tendràn que gritar  para escucharse uno a otrò a travès de esa gran distancia."

Luego Baba preguntò:

"¿Què sucede cuando dos personas se enamoran? Ellos no se gritan sino que se hablan suavemente,  

¿por què? Sus corazones estàn muy cerca. La distancia entre ellos es muy pequeña."

Baba continuò -

Cuando se enamoran màs aùn, què sucede? No hablan, sòlo susurran y se vuelven aun màs cerca en su amor. Finalmente no necesitan siquiera susurrar, sòlo se miran y eso es todo. Asi es cuan cerca estàn dos personas cuando se aman."

Luego Baba dijo:

Cuando discutan, no dejen que sus corazones se alejen, no digan palabra que los distancien màs, llegarà un dia en que la distancia sea tanta que no encontraràn màs el camino de regreso."

 

 Como tambien segùn las Palabras de TALMUD:

 

Presta atenciòn a tus pensamientos,

Pues se haràn palabras.

Presta atenciòn a tus palabras,

Pues se haràn actos.

Presta atenciòn a tus actos,

Pues se haràn costumbres.

Presta atenciòn a tus costumbres,

Pues se haràn tu caràcter.

Presta atenciòn a tu caracter, 

Pues se harà tu destino. 

 

@simplemethepen 

 

 

What's More in The Pen

 

 

¿Por què gritan? / Palabras de Talmud 

 

 "¿Por que la gente se grita cuando estàn enojados?"

Los hombres pensaron unos momentos...

 

Presta atenciòn a tus pensamientos,

Pues se haràn palabras...

Oraciòn para La Hora de la Decisiòn -Mahatma Gandhi

Ensèñame que perdonar es lo mas grande del fuerte y 

que la venganza es la señal màs primitiva del dèbil.

Reminder 

 

but don`t forget

the victories you've won.

 

 

 Live For Today

 

 

If we would simply try to make

the most of every minute,

@simplemethepen