Shikata Ga Nai

Shikata Ga Nai which translates to “it cannot be helped” and represents the concept of accepting situations beyond your control and letting go of the need to change them; essentially, embracing the idea of “letting go.” As you can see, I have a very strong fascination with Japanese words and how it provides deeper meaning…

Read More

Finding My Ganbatte

I am currently in a social media detox, meaning no logging in on facebook. Because of this detox, I find myself doing more of what I should be doing.  In a previous conversation with my youngest sister, she mentioned that I got my talent for writing from our father, which I’d be honored to have. …

Read More

Where’s Your Nunchi?

Nunchi is a Korean concept that refers to the ability to understand and respond to the feelings and thoughts of others. It can be described as a form of situational awareness or emotional intelligence. Isn’t it amazing how certain foreign words sounded more profound when explained in English? How many of us can say that…

Read More

Wisdom Through Pains

Hebrew chapter 12 verses 3-17 tells us that God uses our pains to discipline us, sanctify us, and give us wisdom. But why our pains? Have you ever asked yourself that? Pains, based on my own experience, have a way of changing us or molding us. I do have my shares of pains, most of…

Read More

Our Wabisabi

Wabisabi is a Japanese word that refers to the beauty found in imperfection and transience. It celebrates the idea that nothing lasts, nothing is perfect and nothing is finished.  Seventeen days ago, I arrived back home after a twenty four day visit with my family in the Philippines. It was a long and quite stressful…

Read More

My Dearest Dy,

I started writing this a year after you had left us. But never got around to finishing it. I miss you dearly. I am writing this to celebrate the great and wonderful man, husband, father, and grandfather that you are. You have lived a great life. You may not know it, believe it, or want…

Read More

What’s In A Day?

Can you believe there’s only eighteen days left until the New Year? Every night, my daughter and I spend a few minutes talking in bed before I go to sleep. Sometimes it’s just about how our days went, what her plans are for the weekend, or what to cook for the next week. There are…

Read More

Revered Words

Just like any typical Filipino family, we are not keen on expressing our love and appreciation for our parents, siblings, or any immediate family members. It’s like there is an unspoken rule. On my last conversation with my father, I opted to say encouraging words for him to stay strong and to get better so…

Read More

Invisible Presence

There are times when the words just flow freely. And it’s at these times where I think I write my most memorable pieces. There’s no trying too hard, no pretense, and no desire to come up with something magical or mind blowing. I’d like to think of myself as a writer. That’s what positive thinkers…

Read More

Regrets, What’s Yours?

Do you know what is the number one thing people have at the end of their lives? Regrets…. There’s always that feeling of, “if I could,” or “I wish I’ve said this or done that..” What if we could rewind our life and go back to a time when you wanted to do better or…

Read More