Define Beauty.

They say, 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I'd say, "True beauty is defined by how someone perceive him/herself.' What makes someone beautiful is based on how they see themselves, because no matter how many times you tell  how they look good on something they wear; how glamorous they look on a certain picture; how you look up to them as an icon of beauty; or how many times you tell them how beautiful they are, if they see themselves otherwise, your compliments are practically useless. 

When I see someone confident, I mean, who are confident with themselves and does not let other people define the standards of what it takes to be beautiful in the eyes of the society, it makes me appreciate them more. Beauty, in my own point of view is not defined my merely LOOKS and MATERIAL THINGS, but by the attitude and values of a certain person. It's not about whether people view you as someone beautiful because you are fair skinned; or whether because you have the latest brands of make-up; or whether you own a room full of designer clothes; nor because you have a 36-24-36 figure that guys go for--- but it's about how you feel about yourself that makes you beautiful. 

Because physical beauty won't last forever.  In due time, pictures will fade, your skin will get wrinkled, clothes won't fit you anymore, people will forget how you looked in your younger years, but if you learn right now how to feel good about yourself, no matter how many years pass, your perspective wouldn't be affected as to how the society thinks a beautiful person should look like. 

When you feel good about yourself, everything about you changes. Trust me. :)

Love---The Second Time Around.

They say, love is sweeter the second time around. But what if you never got to have a second time with that person? Would you be brave enough to start another love with another person?

I think, the second time that you will fall in love with someone; it’s going to feel different. Well of course, because when you had your heart broken on your first, you learn things.

The first time was a series of firsts indeed. It felt almost like a dream. You never experienced how it feels like to be engulfed by love and so you accepted love with open arms, embraced the exhilarating feeling of being drowned by your emotions for the first time.

But unfortunately, things don’t go well and you find yourself alone when it fell apart. You change your view on things. When it fell apart and you were left with a broken heart, your perspective changes. You realize that not all sweet beginnings could have their happy endings, that people could be so cruel and break your heart; that not all promises can be fulfilled; that sometimes, words uttered during your early days as a couple could eventually stop meaning anything as feelings start to fade. And that, after a seemingly happily-ever-after story, your world is turned upside down; and so you shut your feelings down.

But no matter how much effort you put into shutting down your feelings, things go unplanned, and there’s this someone willing to exert their very best effort to take down your walls to start creating their love story with you. So after sometime, when you find yourself go into it again, the cycle of love that is, you’re going to keep in mind everything that you’ve learned. And so you remind yourself, “I’ll take another chance on this, but in which case, I would like some advance warning.”

The second time around, or maybe even your third or fourth one, it’s natural that you tend to compare it with your first love. At some point during the beginning of another love, you find yourself comparing teeny-tiny details like, “He/She never gave a comment about my eating habits, why does this one care so much?” or “His/Her eyes are the same as my ex’s eyes.”; the list could go on a long way, and you feel like you need a map to show how to go on with your feelings. That’s okay; you’re starting a new love with someone new and unfamiliar to you— so it’s just normal that you are skeptical and wary. You just have to ask your new love for directions, plus the learning you’ve had from your previous ones, you’ll be okay with that.

The second time around, you feel as if you don’t know where to start and how you’ll go with your feelings. You find yourself asking, “How do you I do this again?”  It’s going to be scary at first, but you’ll realize, falling in love is just like riding a bike and getting bruised for the first time, you never really forget.

And let me tell you, the second time is not the first time, so no matter how stuck you may have been on your first, you have to let go of those feelings so that you can experience another; because you can never really fall in love for the second, third or fourth time with another person if you’re still stuck on your feelings with your first.  The first time will always have that special place in your heart; it’s a magical gift of life that you can never reclaim, but the best part of that first love is that you learned.

No love story is the same as the first, second or third one. Because love is like taking a leap of faith; a gamble with the unknown, and you can never know what will happen with any relationship you currently have at the moment. But I guess, anything can last as long as both of you will exert your very best efforts to make it work. Feelings don’t fade. You may say that you don’t love him/her anymore, but deep inside you, you know for a fact that the feelings will always be there, and that you will always care.

(Photo's not mine. Credits to the owner.)

WHY IS LETTING GO AND MOVING ON JUST ABOUT THE HARDEST THINGS IN LIFE?

WHY IS LETTING GO AND MOVING ON JUST ABOUT THE HARDEST THINGS IN LIFE?

People tend to linger back and reminisce in the past, thinking that by doing so could actually mean they can get another chance to correct their mistakes and shortcomings, which is quite impossible. 

Yes, indeed, we can always get a second shot at things, but I guess, once the damage is done, it is done. 

Hurt may be temporary but a scar can be permanent. 

Letters to Self: Journey to being a Good Nurse

___________________________________________________

  A/N: Hmm. This came as something I didn’t even anticipate writing. It just came to my mind.

I am still a student alright. I don’t mean anything harsh or negative by this. My point is that, we can help in making the world a little better than we found it if we start by making small changes within ourselves.

It just came as a realization to me. I just wanted to share. Actually, I feel like it’s actually a letter I did for myself. To act as a constant reminder to me: that every minute counts and that I shouldn’t be putting off things that are important. I don’t mean that I take studying for granted, I do study hard, but like any other normal student, there are times when things I have/ought to do would slip behind schedule, but not always.

Honestly, I also see myself as someone who constantly needs improvement. Yah we always think that way. Of course, the biggest room in the house is always for improvement, for the better, that is.

Fr: On Second thought…

To: Myself actually. (But can also be for those who can relate to this. )

Dear ________,

You’ve got to start reading. Not later. Not tomorrow. Not next week. Sure, studying can be put off for later, you can finish your college life by just merely meeting the standards of mediocrity. You can graduate with just an “ok” grade. But would you not regret things that could have been if you’ve tried a little harder? If you put on an extra effort, you know that you can do better.

You can’t say that you’ll help in changing the world if you don’t even make an effort to change yourself, right?

You promised you’ve been planning to review your subjects but when really was the last time that you’ve actually read and re-read your notes? Last week? Last month?

Don’t blame any external factors if weren’t able to answer your professor or your graded recitation; or if you weren’t able to pass your term paper on time. You say it’s because there’s little time for you to review or because of the fast and boring lecturer last week, or because you can’t keep yourself from logging on to your favorite social site (Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, MySpace or whatever site that keeps you from doing that homework) or because of your favorite drama that kept you from doing what you ought to do.

You have the tendency to blame others but can you just stop for a little while and think again?

Haven’t you got any part and fault in that also?

You are the one responsible for your actions but why do you point out on others?

If only you’ve read your lessons that night. If only you’ve listened to your teacher explaining. If only you’ve ignored the gossip of your seatmate and concentrated more on the discussion. If only you’ve tried a little harder and made an extra effort. If only…

So many ifs. So many could-have-beens and would-have-beens.

Think of this scenario if you would keep on doing that..

Are you just going to wait until its only a month before the board exams before you start to actually study and indulge yourself to what you are reading?

You cannot cover so much to study on short notice. You can freak out, feel depressed or feel nothing at all then. But you can NEVER back out nor turn back lost time. You can’t waste your 4-year hardships just because you think that you are not prepared, nor you haven’t had enough time to prepare and study for it.

THAT is a very lame excuse.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The making of nurse does not start 3-4 months before the board exam. It starts from your realization that you want to enter the realm of nursing. It then continues the moment you set foot on your chosen university until the moment your professor starts with their first lesson. It continues your very last one year in college.

So why nag that a 3-month review is too short a preparation when in reality the review and preparation started way too long ago? You probably were just too preoccupied and claimed that you were too busy to notice that time flies quickly not realizing the importance of every second.

Professors keep on reminding students to read. Read. Read. Read. That’s all. Because they care for you. They want what’s best for you. They know and see that you’ve got the potentials inside you. They know you can do better. It’s just that, sometimes, you tend to do unnecessary things and take the more important things for granted.

You say there’s always tomorrow.

You say you can always do things later.

But what if suddenly there’s no tomorrow?

How can you be so confident on tomorrow if you don’t even know if there’s still tomorrow for you? You can only assume. But you can NEVER be so sure of it.

What you have to do is to exert our freakin’ best today. For what tomorrow will bring to us are only the products of what we do today. Nothing more. Nothing less.

So do what you can do today. Or you’ll regret later.

The making of a nurse is not an overnight process nor is it a piece of cake.

It is a tiring journey and you constantly have to motivate yourself to keep going forward.

It only takes a matter of balance and time management on what you are doing.

Being a nurse is never easy. But throughout the journey, even with the hardships (the sleepless nights, stressful duties and the like), you get the prize of fulfillment that if you study hard and become a successful nurse someday, you can surely make a difference in someone’s life..

Nurses may not be angels. But they are one of the next best thing in life.

Sincerely,

xoxo D

Soo, gotta go for now. Have to study for the exams tomorrow. I’ll just post after the exams. D

Love or Perish.

I remember this as I was reading a favorite book of mine, the world renowned book from Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie. This was a favorite quote of his teacher, Morrie Shwartz from his favorite author, W.H Auden. The thought of the quote struck me and gave me something to think and ponder about about.

He (Morrie) thinks that, “an abundance of love and compassion is the highest sense of fulfillment that one can experience and love is the essence of every human being.” He also said that without love, there is a void that can be filled only with loving other people; and to live a life without love is nothing” –I believe in that.  I really admire his way of thinking.

Just being able to live and enjoy life everyday is already a big thing to be thankful for; not everyone in this world has the opportunity to spend life exactly the way he wants it to snd its not everyday that someone has the opportunity to say goodbye to his family, pepare himself and live his life to the fullest before saying goodbye to his family that’s why the expression of love is very important.

Indeed, LOVE is an essential need for a human being, it brings meaning to our lives, whether we acknowledge it or not. It is the one that keeps us going, the one that motivates us when all else fails. Whenever we are about to give up on something we think could no longer work out, just think of those people who loves us, and surely, we would never ever quit. We would be motivated to strive harder, simply because they love us and they think that we can do it.

LOVE will never ever fail us. Even if one day, we think no one loves us anymore, stop and think again. There’s always GOD who will forever love us more than anyone else in this world so there’s no reason in quitting and giving up on anything.

FLINGS OR COMMITTMENT. Which side are you in?

Why do flings seem to be a convenient choice rather than committing to an actual committment of being in a relationship?  As I see it nowadays, teenagers are so fond of having these so-called flings and pseudo-relationships through texts, chat, internet and e-mail-- these days, they aren't as particular about the technicalities and formalities of having a relationship as they should be. I know I should mind my own business but then, it just occured to me as a thought, why do some people choose flings over a relationship these days? So, being me, I grabed a pen and paper and started scribbling my thoughts, I don't mean anything bad about flings, I just want to express that, if we could have the chance to choose between the two, its better to choose the more stable one, relationship.

So, back to the question I have,   about why is it more convenient to choose flings nowadays,
I guess, a vast range of excuses and explanations may arise:

1. Maybe you felt something for the other person too, but you didn't want to acknowledge the feeling. YET.
2. Maybe you didn't want it to be just you and him, because you want to explore your other options too.
3. Maybe, you're afraid that nobody will ever stick around for as long as we want them to.

There are strings of maybes that you can enter here, but I guess choosing flings over committment is more convenient for some.

No deals. No commitment. No exclusivity.
With flings, you can enjoy the feeling of a pseudo-relationship without the worry of being committed.


BUT. There is always a big BUT. There is one thing lacking : a sense of security with THAT SOMEONE YOU LIKE.
It can end anytime.

For me, it all goes down to that someone being afraid of taking a risk, because  if you truly want it to, you could turn the emotions into actual decisions. You can either choose between having a real committment on a relationship or choose to have endless flings-- devoid of any real meaning of relationships.

Because there is always a choice. It's only up to you whether you choose to take an active risk and try or leave it all to fate.
The bottom line here that I want to tell is that, I don't mean any bad thing about flings, all I'm saying, Sometimes, a fling can lead to the real thing. You just have to make a choice and take the chance. Because you may never know how absolutely perfect something could turn out to be if you wouldn't try.  :)

So, committment or flings? We always have a choice. I'd say, for the future, I'd still pick committment, because WITH THE RIGHT PERSON, EXCLUSIVITY MAY NOT BE SUCH A BAD THING. :)

Later. (A story to think about.)

Hmm. I was going through my notes during my high school years, and I came across this. This was written by Michael Foster,  and dated, hmm, maybe when I was in my third year, this is a story that gives us a lesson about not putting off what we can do now, instead of doing it LATEER.  This has a sad ending,

:( but I hope you can get meaning from this.

I hope you guys will like it too. :) So, here goes...

LATER

(Michael Foster)

It's queer, the things you remember. When life has crumbled so suddenly, and left you standing there, alone. It's not the big important things that you remember when you come to that: not the plans of years, not the love nor the hopes you've worked so hard for. It's the little things  that you remember then: the little things you hadn't noticed at the time. The way a hand touched yours, and you too busy to notice; the hopeful little inflection of a voice you didn't bother to listen to.

John Carmody found that out, staring through the living room window, at the cheerful Tuesday afternoon life of the street. He kept trying to think about the big, important things, lost now--the years and the pllans, and the hopes. And the love. But he couldn't quite get them focused sharply in his mind, just now. Not this afternoon.

They, those important things, were like a huge but nebulous background in his mind. All he could remember, now, was a queer little thing: nothing, really, if you stopped and thought about it in the light of the years and the plans and the--the great love.  It was only something his little girl had said to him.

One evening, two--perhaps three weeks ago. Nothing, if you looked at it rationally. The sort of thing that kids are always saying.

But it was what he was remembering now.

That particular night, he had brought home from the office a finished draft of the annual stockholder's report. Very important, it was. Things being as they were, it meant a great deal- to his future; to the future of his wife and his little girl. He sat down to reread it before dinner. It had to be right: it meant so much.

And just as he turned a page, Marge, his little girl, came with a book under her arm. It was a green-covered book, with a fairy-tale picture pasted on it. and she said: "Look, Daddy."

He glanced up and said, "Oh, fine. A new book, eh?"

"yes, daddy," she said. "Will you read me a story in it?"

"No dear, not just now," he said.

Marge just stood there, and he read through a paragraph which told the stockholders about certain replacements in the machinery of the factory. And Marge's voice. with timid and hopeful little inflections, was saying: "But Mommy said you probably would, Daddy."

He looked up over the top of the typrescript. "I'm sorry ," he answered. "Maybe Mommy will read it to you. I'm busy, Dear."

"No," Marge said politely. "Mommy is much busier upstairs.Won't you read me just this one story? Look--it has a picture. See? Isn't it a lovely picture, Daddy?"

"Oh, yes. Beautiful," he said. "Now, that picture has class, hasn't it? But I do have to work tonight. Some other time..."

After that, there was quite a long silence. Marge just stood there, with the book open at a lovely picture. It was a long time before she said anything else. He read through two more pages explaining in full detail, as he had directed, the shift in markets over the past twelve months, the plans outlined by the sales department for meeting these problems which, after all, could safely be ascribed to local conditions, and the advertising program which after weeks of conferences had been devised to stabilize and even increase the demand for their products.

"But it is a lovely picture, daddy. And the story looks so exciting," Marge said.

"I know," he said. "Ah...mmmmmmmmmmmmm. Some other time. Run along, now. "

"I'm sure you'd enjoy it, daddy, " Marge said.

"Eh? Yes. I know I would. But later. "

"Oh." Marge said. "Well, some other time, then. Will you, Daddy? Some other time?"

"Oh, of course," he said. "You bet."

But she didn't go away. She still stood there quietly, like a good child. And after a long time, she put the book down on the stool at his feet, and said:

"Well, whenever you get ready, just read it to yourself. Only read it aloud enough so I can hear, too."

"Sure," he said. "Sure, later."

And that was what John Carmody was remembering. NOw. Not the long plans of love and care for the years ahead. He was remembering the way a well-mannered child has touched his hand with timid little fingers and said:

"Just read it to yourself. Only read it loud enough so I can hear, too."

And that was why, now, he put his hand on the book. from the corner table where they had piled some of Marge's playthings, picking them up form the floor where she had left them .

The book wasn't new anymore; and the green cover was dented and thumbed. He opened it to the lovely picture.

And reading that story, his lips moving stiffly with anguish to form the words he didn't like to think any more, as he should be thinking. about the important things: about his careful and shrewd and loving plans for the years to come; and for a little while he forgot, even, the horror and bitterness of his hate for the half-drunken punk kid who had careened down the street in a secondhand car- and who was now in jail on manslaughter charges. He didn't even see his wife, white and silent, dressed for Marge's funeral, standing in the doorway, trying to make her voice say calmly: "I'm ready, dear. We must go. "

Because John Carmody was reading:

"Once upon a time, there was a little girl who lived in a woodcutter's hut, in the Black Forest. And she was so fair that  the birds forgot their singing from the bough, looking at her. And there came a day when..."

He was reading it to himself. But loud enough for her to hear, too.

Maybe.

-END-

Though this story has a sad ending, I hope we have learned the lesson what John Carmody learned the hard way,

sometimes, we are always in a rush to do something, it's like we are being chased in what we do, like there's no tomorrow, that we forget to appreciate the little things that ACTUALLY MATTER, just like what the first paragraph in the story is saying,

"It's not the big important things that you remember when you come to that: not the plans of years, not the love nor the hopes you've worked so hard for. It's the little things  that you remember then: the little things you hadn't noticed at the time. The way a hand touched yours, and you too busy to notice; the hopeful little inflection of a voice you didn't bother to listen to."

So before its too late, we should stop for a while and look around us, learn to appreciate life more. Yes, it is indeed true that we should make the best the most out of our lives, but we should not forget to live one day at a time, and appreciate every moment that we have. :)

Taking Risks. :)

 

Learn to take risks. You'll never know what's in store for you if you always have your walls up. If in the course of the journey you fail, what's wrong with that?

Treat it as a single slap. No harm done. But it makes you more determined to be better, right?
We don't have to freak out if something about what you are expecting doesn't happen the way it was supposed to be.
It's always a good feeling when, at the end of the day, you can say to yourself that even if not all the goals for the day have been met, still you gave it a shot and gave it a try. :)
What makes life more meaningful are the little impurities and imperfections that are constant reminders that even though we are not perfect, we can always do better next time. :)

Remember, there's always tomorrow for another day and we'll realize that every thing is worth risking for. :)

(Photos are not mine. Photo credits to the owner.)