My Ten Personal Quotes Inspired by the book “God Never Blinks”

My Ten Personal Quotes Inspired by the book ” God Never Blinks.“:

Few years back, after reading Regina Brett’s “God Never Blinks”, I began to think of few phrases which have served as headlights in my life. They are more like bumper stickers that flash on my mind WHEN:

I am too weary,
I am in need of encouragement ,
I think that nothing I do is right,
I take the wrong turn,
I think other people have better lives,
I find myself crashing through a brick wall, head on.
I have placed my stakes too high & lost,
I think failure is an option,.
I sell my self short,
I have acquired “self-pity” as a hobby,
or when I simply lose faith in myself.

In short when the road up ahead , well, gets totally bumpy , I think of my personal quotes inspired by the book. And I name TEN:

( this is an old post from 2011 which I would really love to share now, while few people have only read my blogs, then)

1. There Is An Ant In Giant:

“Before you can completely spell the word GI-ANT , you need the word ANT”. It is incredible of course that something described as tiny, is needed -to complete another word which connotes something enormous. So are the many things in life. Try talking moon: “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind. “

We have to start with the little things. We first take baby steps, in order to proceed to the bigger ones. We seek the aid of something small to create something big. No matter how big our dreams are, we still need to accomplish the smaller ones first. We use them like ladder rungs and banisters to reach the top.

Also, it reminds me that no matter what comes about and no matter how problems seem to be bigger than life, it is sometimes true that those small-but-giant-words will help ease it, if not solve it all. Thus, words like “sorry” , “my fault“, “forgive me”, “help me“, “ I don’t know what to do ” when spoken -do make a difference. And even that one whisper “Ginoo.” ( a Visayan word for God)

In achieving our dreams or solving problems, “Small is synonymous to Big”. It just is, not its opposite , but “Not doing anything “ is.

Just a thought, ants are small and they are the busiest among creatures, They are always up and about -ALWAYS DOING SOMETHING. They create GREAT mounds -a far cry from what one thinks, they could actually do.

2. Do Not Sweat The Small Stuff

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Once again “small ” takes the lead, as it holds a ” big” role, in carrying on, harmonious relationships. Small stuff tend to be really small. Sometimes, we do not see that they are.

On other times, we can see them enough -to make them appear thrice as large. There are things that need not to be magnified -just to feed egos, really.

My husband and I have this TWO recurring dialogue which I think tend to be primers to major fights.

BUT apparently these dialogues are not unique to me and my husband.

I laugh all the way, as I hear my friends reiterate those words to their husbands.

I used to think, my husband and I were quite unique couples. I know couples can surely relate to this:

First,

Husband : “Pati ba naman yan, sweetie, Maliit na bagay lang yan….”
Me: Sa ‘yo, oo, pero sa akin hindi!!!

(Husband : “..and that too sweetie, those are but small things. Me: “To you it is, but to me it isn’t”.) And I always deliver my end of the line with total dignity! ( or well with a flair of melodrama, I must admit)

Second,

Me: ” …ano ka ba naman , ang laki ng galit mo, para naman ang laki ng kasalanan ko”

Husband: …”eh yung nga maliit na bagay, di mo pa magawa.”

(Me: “..so what is it with you? Your anger is so great as if my fault was so tremendous. Husband: …”and supposedly these are small stuff, yet you just cannot do it right!)

Well, just as life imitates art, our arguments mirror heated arguments like that of Filipino actors Christopher de Leon and Vilma Santos in the movies. All because something solely small gets magnified. All because “We Sweat The Small Stuff”!

As the author Richard Carlson puts it in his book title:

“Don’t sweat the small stuff…And It’s Small Stuff! “ (But of course let us be reminded, husbands and wives, that we do not categorize, lying , including white lies, omitting some truths, dishonesty, cheating , as small stuff, for they all together fall in a far different place.)

3. Solute , Solvent, Solution.

Remember how it is in highschool, when your Chemistry teacher gives you a clear picture on the definition of the terms: Solute, Solvent, Solution?

“Salt is the SOLUTE that dissolves in water (which is the SOLVENT) so you could create the SOLUTION which is Salt Water..”

Later on of course, I came to find them in a different yet similar context, as with life experiences. ( although, my association with the term solvent is not similar with that in economic parlance) I just came to think of how these two : solute and solvent are personified in my life.

It is an inspiration to note that our parents brought us , all eight siblings , into thinking that we may not have a lot but we still have enough . ( and not that we totally did not have anything at all..)

I will never forget how my father and mother did not hesitate to help a sick neighbor, who I remember by name, as Nang Cecil . My Dad called a doctor-friend to come over to her house while my mom gave out money for medicine. Even with eight mouths to feed and a tight budget, my parents never closed our doors to the countless Nang Cecils who came knocking in.

In this manner do I categorize my parents as Solvent.

They take it to themselves to provide a Solution not only to their own worries but with other people’s as well. Apart from my mother who is the wind beneath our wings, My Lola , (Grandmother) Felisa “Inday” Torayno Banaag of Catarman , Camiguin is a solute personification.

I always get a notch wiser, after every summer vacation I spend, in Lola’s house. Lola Inday may be miles away from us. She may not tell you exactly, what to do. She may just blend and dissolve into the solvents which would be my parents, but you know she is there. Her pieces of advice stay in my heart.

And just by that, the burden I carry becomes lighter. She tirelessly pray for her children, her grandchildren and anyone else who needs prayer. ( she is more like our prayer warrior. )

While surrounded with generous people who directly and indirectly provide help to others, I came to a conclusion that either of which, whether one is a solute or one is a solvent, the point is , one must strive and contribute to the solution.

Would you not rather be, a part of the solution, than be something that cannot be solved at all?

Just like that pesky insoluble called precipitate ? Think Henry J. Tillman. “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the precipitate”

4.All The World’s A Camera, Say Eight!

I once came across a conversation between two dormers at the lobby. (One of whom I think, later on became a ramp and commercial model . The dormer-turned-model said that during pictorial, instead of saying, “CHEESE” to the camera, they were asked to say,“EIGHT”.

I readily applied it, when I found my self in front of the mirror, later on.

And she was right,” eight” made the smile more relaxed and sincere, compared with saying ” cheese” which makes the smile appear forced and tensed. ( I know, you are trying it out too, as you are reading this.)

” Eight”

Then think of the adage ” All the world’s a camera look pleasant, please.” Yes, think of the whole wide world as that big camera then say,

” Eight”

Give the world and everyone a relaxed and natural smile -the results would indeed be favorable.

Why is nine afraid of seven? Because seven, EIGHT, Nine. (See what having the ability ” Eight “can do? It can make Seven conquer Nine)

Go conquer the WORLD with EIGHT!

5.”Love and Light“

You know how Victoria Beckham signs her tweets with “In Love and Light”? Once in a while I also get to see some of my friends on facebook greeting me that way. I did know how important those two words are, till I found out what they actually mean. Supposedly for Reiki Energy Healers ,what they mean by this greeting is that they are wishing LOVE to someone and that he or she be surrounded with love, or that his or her life be filled with love and be a blessing in itself.

And as for LIGHT:

They mean the White Light which for them, means health and wealth. Since white light is all those seven Chakras or energy in one’s body , combined, they wish you balance in body and finances. You know life does not give you all two. Sometimes finances and love are okay but not so with health. Or oftentimes you are surrounded with love (whether God’s love and other people’s love ) and good health, yet money and business opportunities seem to be passing you by.

You should be highly important for someone to have wished you all these . He or She has truly wished for you everything you really need. Next time somebody wishes you these two words , say it back.

Saying, Love and Light to someone is a very beautiful way to start a day. It is like they are saying it back to you too!

6. “The Mountain and The Squirrel“

Every time I hear the story of The Mountain and The Squirrel in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem , I always get reminded of my two little sisters Pia and Steffi who were in kindergarten then. They used to memorize that poem for elocution contests in our school, Montessori de Oro.

And having heard them a dozen times delivering the lines in the house ,I too, have memorized each line :

THE MOUNTAIN AND THE SQUIRREL

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter
“Little prig.”
Bun replied,
“You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I’m not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry:
I’ll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track.
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.”

In our house with many children –where supposedly competition is coincidental, it is fortunate for all of us that we have recognized our talents, even before other people started comparing us to one another.

Once again, my parents did a fine job in instilling that in us. We all are great in our father’s eyes. He appreciated us. May it be achievements in the academics, sports, in playing instruments or in whatever field, we excelled.

Our mother, on the other hand, encouraged us to discover each our talents and interests.

Therefore, in this big wide world , I know there are things I cannot do;

AND there are things I can which others (may they be scientists, superstars and athletes) could not.

Take the squirrel’s word for that,

“Talents differ,
all is well and wisely put
If i cannot carry forests on your back then neither can you crack a nut!”

7. ” Karen Po, ‘Lo.“

Remember that classic Mc Donald’s commercial in the Philippines?

It showed a scene where a girl named Karen and her forgetful Lolo ( Grandfather) were eating at McDonald’s. The Lolo being old and all that, kept calling Karen, by another grandchild’s name,“Gina”.

So, Karen kept on correcting her Grandfather, telling him that she was Karen and not Gina. In the course of the commercial, though, as impatience starts showing on Karen’s face, the Lolo suddenly slices his hamburger into two pieces.

He then wraps the other half and declares,

” Eto para sa paborito kong apo, si Karen.” (” This would be for my favorite grandchild, Karen”!)

Sometimes, we feel that other people seem to be taking us for granted. We go through so much misery, by just thinking about that. But you know, you may just be surprised. You may find out that despite all the neglect that we feel, we still are at the back of their minds.

So cheer up! You are being thought of.

8. “We make the money, the old-fashioned way—WE EARN IT!“

That phrase of course is a commercial tagline from the company Smith Barney, years back which President Barack Obama mentioned in his 2009 speech, in a town hall meeting in Costa Mesa California.

Surprise! —we just have to work to earn money. It does not fall from trees. Nor do they come to us like manna from heaven. And yes, ” God helps those who help themselves”. Even with my parents, everything that they have now were all earned through blood , sweat and tears. I guess this is why my father dislikes people who just laze around, counting chances & spending dreams.

Manny Pacquiao had to box his way to fame.

Mega Star Sharon Cuneta, even with affluent parents, still worked her way through songs like Mr D.J. and movies like, P.S. I love you and Dear Heart.

Even author J.K. Rowling , (who was then at that lowest point her life) did not wallow in self-pity but instead worked and wrote to earn her keep . ( thereby creating one of present days amazing young adults’ book)

Whether we like it or not, there is no such thing as easy money..

You have to earn it!

9.. “Standing Still“

I panic a lot -too much and too OFTEN!

Especially, when I could not see beyond those piles of worries that seem to be just stacking up, every day. I lose myself over problems that never seem to go away.

In the midst of it all , I found a way to get through me and my nerves.

I try my very hard to “Stand Still” breathe, relax, meditate and slowly find myself and return back to ME. Remember in the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean 4 ( On Stranger Tides)”? Think of that scene that takes place between Jack Sparrow & uhm, the Cliff?

Jack Sparrow: You know the feeling you get, when standing in a high place, the sudden urge to jump…

[looks over the cliff, as if considering jumping, then comes back to reality]

Jack Sparrow: I don’t have it.

Exactly, DON’T!

Just “Stand Still”, breathe and think your options really hard.

10. “Still Standing“

I have learned MANY lessons in life : some hard, some difficult, some with misgivings, some with pain, some with anger, some with regret , some with sarcasm, some with hurt, some with self-pity , some with tears , and ironically some with a tinge of humor.

I sometimes feel that alignment of planets are not agreeing with me. My kid suddenly gets sick again, after just having the colds and cough a week earlier. My husband and I would have arguments and disagreements which most often that not, would turn into heated discussions.

In anger, just like with most couples I know, we carelessly say hurtful words and call each other names -which we of course regret later on.

People you trust, talk behind your back. Things you expect are just not what they seem. Everything you do is all wrong to everyone, except yourself. ( a time of introspection perhaps)

After all I have been through, after subjected to negativity –like being bombarded with protons and neutrons, mutation and all, I have learned to say something encouraging to myself.

I tell myself to be very proud that I am “Still Standing”. Or that I should be grateful that I still have everything to myself, my husband, my son and my entire family.

Think like Mystique and say,

“MUTANT & PROUD“

(read : Regina Brett’s 50 Lessons from God Never Blinks )