The Fall of the Wall

Today is the anniversary of the fall of the wall, a fall that resounded around the world. Today, Germany is commemorating the 20^th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin wall.

For me, the primary purpose of a wall is to protect, not to divide. Is division a consequence of an attempt to protect? Protecting means dividing. This wall divided Germany into East and West. I was still in Grade 2 when this happened. Back then, I didn’t fully comprehend the opposing ideologies represented by this structure and the significance of that event. Maybe until now, I’m still clueless.

During the commemoration, unified Germany will use domino boards as if to mimic the effect of the fall of this wall in the making of the history of the world as we know it.

I haven’t seen the wall yet but Gracie has.  

 Gracie in Berlin

Brandenburger Tor

Thanks for sharing your pictures Gracie (at kasama ka pa talaga!) 

Battered

It has been more than a month since Manila was ravaged by Ondoy. For most especially in the “dry”areas, it seems like a bad dream. But for others, it is still very much a part of their lives. There are still parts of Manila submerged in water where people use make-shift boats to navigate the streets. One of those areas is Pinagbuhatan, Pasig.

A photographer friend went there and what he captured through his lens, were reminders that Ondoy’s cruelty is still real for many of our fellowmen.

And Patricia Evangelista’s column in Inquirer reminded me that what happened wasn’t just a nightmare, it is as real as it can get.

http://opinion.inquirer.net/inquireropinion/columns/view/20091025-232111/Yellow-river-red-balloon

Like Jars of Clay

I am the only one to blame for this
Somehow it all ends up the same
Soaring on the wings of selfish pride
I flew too high and like Icarus I collide
With a world I try so hard to leave behind
To rid myself of all but love
to give and die

To turn away and not become
Another nail to pierce the skin of one who loves
more deeply than the oceans,
more abundant than the tears
Of a world embracing every heartache

Amongst remains of a life I should not own
It takes all I am to believe
In the mercy that covers me

I look beyond the empty cross
forgetting what my life has cost
and wipe away the crimson stains
"dull the nails that still remain"

The battle between grace and pride
I gave up not so long ago

BAmmer

Last month, after seeing another stretch of a nice beach, I told myself I've had enough of sand and beach this year. My next stop would have to be something different. Whether be it mountains or buildings or rice fields, I told myself I've had my fill of beaches this year. But next year of course is a different story.

In anything, we are like that. Too much of something, however palatable to the senses, takes away the fun.

Pag sobra na, nakakasawa, kahit gaano ka ok ang isang bagay.

BAmmer.

Wala Lang

A friend once told me writing is good for the soul. At times, this corner has been my secret garden. Well, so much for the secrecy, but this space has been a repository of sorts.

At times, the words just flow freely. But there are moments when there’s nothing and yet I just feel the need to click on the keyboard. And this is one of those moments. I feel like randomly typing and who knows where this is headed.

My mind stopped functioning and yet my fingers seem to have a mind of its own. This may be a waste of cyberspace, but who’s policing anyway? Now, that’s abusive. Everyone feels like they can freely say whatever they want here. But not everyone who holds a paintbrush is a Monet.

The freedom that the Internet operates in, has given people like me an outlet. Whether it may be from a lack of a venue…..blogging has been therapeutic for me.

And this concludes one of my sessions.

En Garde

One of the things I've been wary about are the words I say when I'm pissed. And sad to say, I have my fair share of hurtful words utttered in moments of blur and haziness.

Words have their way of hurting more than physical abuse can. Their effect resound even after bruises have already healed.

And these verses say it all.

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. -Ecclesiastes 5:2

For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. - Matthew 12:34b

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

How easy it is to say that you'll always be on guard for these things.

And yet when our guard is down and we say hurtful words, things happen and sometimes it's too late to go back.

Like a Drawbridge

A friend told me yesterday trust is freely given. I agree, you cannot just force it on people.

But can you earn it? What are the different trust levels? How different is it between friends? Between couples? Between family members? Or should there be a difference?

Trust involves the laying down of a drawbridge into your mind. You’ll be allowing another to see your innermost thoughts. Most of us have only a handful of people that we can trust.

And yet how do you get to that point to that level of trust and then lose it in a jiffy?

Like a drawbridge, it is movable I guess.