“The soul that sees beauty may sometimes walk alone.” —Johann Wolfgang von Goethe I think it is safe to assume that everyone experiences bouts of loneliness throughout their lives. You will recognize it quickly because it is a dark, sad, pathetic, and unwanted feeling. It creeps in uninvited and takes residence for as long as we allow it to — …
With the Thanksgiving holiday nearing, I’m sure your mind is doing that familiar introspection thing that almost always leads to taking inventory of all the things you are thankful for this year. This season is a time when we pay attention to the simple acts of kindness bestowed upon us — whether deserved or undeserved. I’m there, and trust me, …
For the longest time, people around the world (especially in North America) have associated death with the Grim Reaper. Typically “he” is a creepy skeletal guy donning a dark hooded cape and a scythe to reap the souls of the dying. Now, if you live in East Asia, the Grim reaper is often portrayed in media as a hotter-than-hot, Calvin …
As a child, I was used to writing stories and poems as a way of making sense of life and the things I was experiencing during my formative years. Later, as a teenager, I developed two great passions: my faith and my studies. Although I never really stopped writing, I spent the most time at my school’s library, earnestly reading …
The best thing you can do for your precious ones, is to empower them to face life, and move on to build their own nests.
The flare-ups were constant and undeniable, as well as the night sweats and the tiredness. At some point I thought menopause had arrived with a vengeance. However, after a heart attack and follow-up open heart surgery, my surgeon diagnosed me with coronary heart disease. I could have sworn it was menopause given the similarities in the symptoms, but I was …
I have three sisters, and while growing up together in Puerto Rico, we shared a three bedroom house with only one bathroom. This was challenging as we grew into our teen years because, obviously, privacy was an issue, but the biggest issue was the bathroom usage. We would often fight each other to get some extra time for fixing our …
It isn’t often that I find myself without much to say. I am a writer and a storyteller, therefore talking is not a problem for me. I am also an extrovert and enjoy being with people. But there are times when I just want to be by myself in complete silence. Have you ever felt that way? It isn’t often …
One take-away I engraved deeply after I returned home from my trip to Asia, is the idea to value the company of friends and family around the table once again; like I used to.
I hosted a handful of international exchange students at my home several years back, and from the moment I picked them up at the airport until now, we have considered each other family. Recently, I was on a book promotion trip to South Korea and my Thai student/daughter insisted I come visit her since I was so close and would …