The Golden Years: 2009

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Concept of Marriage

Marriage is a ceremony officiated by a lawfully authorized person to officially pronounce the physical union of two adult individuals in a civilized society. It is evidenced by an official document called a marriage contract.

The marriage contract is a legal document that demands the two adult individuals who entered into it, to abide by the statutes that govern the marriage, including the sharing of a house and other properties, supporting the incidental children produced by the marriage into a family, and a host of prohibitions that protect the individual contractor of the marriage.

Marriage does not necessarily connote procreation, neither does it guarantee an eternal union of mind and body. It is a convenience invented by society to maintain social order but it does not assure maintenance of social order and peace of mind.
Too many marriages fail and too many children become victims of broken families. Too often, unplanned pregnancies become a reason to get married without a strong foundation for the demands of living together and having a family. Too soon, the persons involved in such marriage become disillusioned and can't wait to get out of each other's presence.

Sex in a failing marriage becomes not a tool for procreation, but a means to show superiority and domination. It deteriorates from a mutually shared loving intimacy to plain lust and humiliation.

The female is more often the victim of a deteriorating marriage. As a wife and a mother, she tries hard to preserve the family and many times suffers the emotional and physical hardships brought about by the disintegrating union. She has less freedom of choice, being bound by the morals and mores built by society around the marriage contract.

The children are the next victims of a deteriorating marriage and a broken family. The palpable bitterness and the thick emotionally charged home environment creates an undesirable and long lasting effect on the innocent children.
For a marriage to work positively and progressively, a deep and solid foundation for a long lasting relationship should exist between the two contracting parties.

A relationship built on trust and respect between two individuals does not need any ceremony to withstand the test of time and circumstances. Without trust and respect, love does not exist. And without love, no marriage can exist progressively.

A relationship that bears commitment of two people who love each other can withstand the test of time and circumstances even without the marriage ceremony or the marriage contract. Two individuals who love one another unconditionally, who trust and respect each other absolutely, who communicate openly, will make a lasting relationship that will grow stronger with time.

A marriage built on love and commitment will produce a happy and enduring family that is the basic unit of society. A family that will produce well adjusted and productive children that will in turn build a better society in the future.
A solid and strong loving relationship is something that the two persons contracting the marriage must make sure of before entering into such a contract. In getting into a marriage contract, never settle for less than love.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Transfer of my Yahoo360 Blogs to This Site

Yahoo 360 bloggers are given the option to export their blogs to wordpress.

However, I chose to (manually) transfer my 360 blogs to this site, because I feel more comfortable celebrating my Golden Years here.

I hope that Admin and the other gods that protect this site would understand and would not take offense or consider it a trespass against rules.

I will be more active on my blog posts here from now on.

Cross my fingers to this promise ! :)

An Inspiring Poem

I have always found this poem inspiring, especially when I am discouraged or depressed. It is truly an inspirational piece that lightens the spirit and keeps me going . . .

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let not this blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

--- Max Ehrmann, 1927

Blogs From My Yahoo 360 (Thirty Five Years)

Thirty five years ago, the miniskirt was in fashion. Everybody wore the miniskirt (otherwise you are not "in"). And we converted our high school uniforms into miniskirts. The nuns were not too happy about the state of fashion, but were really helpless about it. They could undo the hemming to increase the skirt length in the morning, but it will go up again by midday. The nuns were patient, but the students were stubborn! Being in high school was a great time for fun and rebellion against rules and regulations.

I attended an all girls Catholic School run by the Good Shepherd nuns. Our high school building was separated from the boys' high school building by the massive basilica. A small gate at the back of the church connects the two compounds. It was a mortal sin to cross that gate unless one has special permit on some school projects. It was mostly the boys who were allowed to cross the border to participate in programs and projects.

The miniskirt made a comeback recently. And with it we will make a comeback to our high school days. Thirty five years seems a very long time ago, yet, the years can melt down quickly in the memory lanes. As we start to plan for our high school reunion, the memories come lovingly and vividly and the burdened, matured in mind can only laugh and shake the head in jest and in longing for those happy, innocent, and carefree years.

Blogs From My Yahoo 360 (Excerpt from "The Prophet")

Yahoo 360 has given notice that it will close shop soon.
I have to evacuate the site, so I am transferring my blogs here.
Goodbye, yahoo 360! You have given me my first website and my first experience at blogging. I will never forget you!

01 October 2008

Excerpt from "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran

JOY AND SORROW

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.
And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises
was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being,
the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine,
the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?
And is not the lute that soothes your spirit,
the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart
and you shall find it is only that
which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart,
and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that
which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow,"
and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."
But I say unto you they are inseparable.

Together they come,
and when one sits alone with your at your board,
remember the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.
Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.
When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and silver,
needs must your joy and sorrow rise or fall.

Blogs From My Yahoo 360 (October 12, 2008)

It's Sunday again! The end of another week, or the beginning of another week?

Time seems to pass by slowly when you are just staying at home. It has been raining the whole week and everything is so wet. Even the plants in my garden are so drenched, I think some has been drowning or been choked to death by the torrents of rain.

Moss has been growing profusely along with the mosquitoes and other pesty insects. Whew!

The sun is shining out today. The birds are chirping and flying around joyously! As I am typing this entry they are calling out to one another as they chase each other around. The crickets are jumping around too, and the laden leaves of my plants are perking up.

Had to open all the windows of the house to get rid of the stale air. I hope the wind picks up too. It's sunny but windless. There are still rain clouds up there which I hope will be gone later.

It is still yucky to be out and about in the garden. Poodles are everywhere and the ants are having another parade to God knows where. They are marching in six abreast in long lines and make victims of prowling feet.

I have been planning to do some gardening but this weather always intervenes. I hope to be able to do it within this week.

Blogs From My Yahoo 360 (October 20, 2008)

At 52, life seems to be on the balance, sometimes thoughts can weigh you up or down, and time seems too impatient for the slow footed.

Thoughts are wild things that refuse to be bound by physical immobility. They are traitors that go their own way and can go wild at the least provocation. A simple word heard or a gesture seen, can make thought soar far and wide, sometimes to a deep despair or to the heights of happiness and beyond both.

Thoughts can even create imaginary worlds were the unsuspecting can leave reality and live in a life of fantasy. Such a form of escape is heaven to the heavily burdened spirit that has reached its limits.

But to most of us, uncontrolled thoughts and musings could be drained out of the burdened spirit through writing. Blogs or no blogs, we can write down our thoughts and feelings to unburden our minds and spirit and to be able to seek a new life for our drooping spirits.

This I found with my blogs and the other unpublished writings where I have unburdened myself. The mind of a 52-year old seems too easily filled with so much thoughts that it could not seem to accommodate. It is not because the brain has shrunk! More because the thoughts are too many, I suppose. Maybe some memories should be shredded to make room for new thoughts. And new memories!

Blogs From My Yahoo 360 (Life's Challenges)

A life without challenge is a boring life. It is a life without purpose and direction. Life at its vegetative stage.

Challenges are the spice of life. It nurtures growth of mind, body and spirit and makes a man out of a boy.

However, some challenges can cast a heavy burden to the spirit and manifest itself as a physical illness. In some cases, challenges or problems as it is often called can cause sudden heart attacks or a stroke. Generally, it causes stomach upset, headache, palpitations and lethargy. Sleepless nights and restless days, short tempers are emotional manifestations of challenges in one's life.

How challenges are met reflects the maturity of a person.

My Blogs from Yahoo 360 (January 21, 2009)

Some days are just lazy days.

Just like today....

Seems nothing productive has been done

And all I want to do is lie down.

The mind refused to grind;

The limbs are worn and tired.

The sandman would not leave me be

Its a lazy day today

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Hot Flashes

I thought hot flashes will go away when my monthly period stopped coming.
But they are still here to make life a little more uncomfortable.
And the migraines are enjoying their stay too!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Semana Santa in my Hometown

Sunday, March 8, 2009

My Profile

I have been a Human Resources Generalist for the last 20 years.

I have worked as a Human Resources Generalist in two of the largest cooperatives in the Philippines, both of which are located in my home province of Batangas.

I have also worked as Administrative Manager for a manufacturing company and had been a private consultant in the Human Resources and Administrative Management.

I was a member of the Board of Directors of Batangas II Electric Cooperative, Inc. (BATELEC II).

Presently, my colleagues and I are embroiled in a politically motivated legal struggle which has tarnished my offline and online name and reputation, through malicious and biased half truth press releases made by persons with vested self interest and self preservation motives.

I am presently working as an online writer at Helium and as an online Job Agent.

Writing serves as an outlet for the thoughts and ideas that crowd my overpopulated brain, and I am still trying to figure out how to go about it, especially in the complicated world of the internet. The mechanics of page ranking, links, leads, etc. are driving me into a whirlpool of technicalities and some incomprehensible jargons that slows down learning. It is totally different from writing policies, rules and regulations and of course, not the same as writing the minutes of a board meeting.

Being an online Job Agent is also a challenge. Online recruitment is a totally different task from offline recruitment. And formerly being the boss and giving orders to others to perform menial tasks, is different from doing things by yourself . There are adjustments to be made and many things to be learned. The virtual world of the internet is a new world of learning and experience.

I am working towards a full time career in online recruitment and writing. It takes time to learn the ropes in along these lines, but I am not in a hurry… I can get there in my own pace.

As I move forward into the Golden Age of my life, I discover so many things about myself as I evolve into a more mature and a more self confident person. I have strengthened some of my former weaknesses and have built on my strengths to brighten up my outlook as I grow older. The wisdom gained in the last fifty three years of my life gives me courage to face whatever comes with the Golden era and my spirituality and relationship with my God has improved a lot and gives me guidance and assurance as I eagerly step into the future.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

What Have I Learned in My Golden Years?

When you reach the age when there is more to look back to, you tend to evaluate which of the things you have experienced gave you important lessons that are worth keeping. What is important?

I have learned that it is important to have many friends and acquaintances, but you can keep only a few of them as close friends. Those whom you can rely on at the worst times of your life are worth keeping. But that does not mean that you will not extend a helping hand to those who are not close to you.

I have learned that it is important to have friends and acquaintances who know people in high places. (You know what high places are!) They come handy at some times in life.

I have learned that it is important to have friends and acquaintances who have money. In times of financial difficulties, having friends who can spare some extra cash is a life saver.

I have learned that it is important to have money. Having money in the bank or in a safe place is as important as having friends who have money. Saving a part of your monthly income is as important as well as keeping safe any centavo in excess of your budget.

I have learned that it is important to be honest with your self, to accept what you really are and to try to improve yourself, to reach self fulfillment.

I have learned that it is important to have a family. It's important to recognize your roots and to be at peace with your children, siblings and your parents. They are there for you, no matter what happens, as you are there for them.

I have learned that it is important to have a true companion, with whom you can be yourself, with whom you can share the laughter and the tears, with whom you can share your innermost fears and feelings. Someone you can trust and respect and who treats you the same way. Someone who loves you for what you are, and who supports and encourages you to be what you can be.

I have learned that it is important to have faith; Faith in yourself, in humanity, in other people.

I have learned that the challenges we face today, will be gone tomorrow, and will leave us stronger and wiser.

I have learned that it is important to have faith in God. Nothing is impossible when you have faith in God. Entrust everything to God and everything will come out for your own benefit.

I have learned that you have to be kind to yourself. If you do not love yourself, nobody else will do. You have to give time for yourself, to enjoy doing what you want to do, to pamper yourself, to be happy.

I have learned that working hard towards a good cause will not give you honor and respect. It could get you into trouble with some people with vested interests. And you could suffer for your good deeds.

I have learned that the balance of the scales of justice can be manipulated to tip to the other side, and that justice takes a peep out of the blindfold to see who bids higher to tip the balance.

I have learned that not everything you read in the newspaper or you hear in other communication media is true. That responsible journalism is very rare. Money speaks louder than truth.

I have learned that a person and his reputation could easily be destroyed through mass media by irresponsible people who have money or who have access to money.

I have learned that God does not let you down, especially in times of trouble and hardship. You just have to trust Him and learn to listen to the wisdom of His words and judgment.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Onset of the Golden Years

At the onset of the golden years, life seems to be nearing its end. The half time mark has been passed and the last half is not known to be as long as the first half has been.

It is said that

“God gives us memories so that we may have roses in December.”

Memories of childhood, puberty and adolescence come rushing in as I enter this new phase of my life.

Looking back over the years past, on the things I have done, there seems to be nothing of significance that will be remembered as an outstanding achievement to remember me by. The first half of my life seemed to be spent just for fun, without any meaningful purpose. There were things I have done, which may have hurt others; some things I have done which may have helped others. There were also things I have failed to do, which may have hurt or helped others too. There are regrets and uplifting memories.

In the first half of my life there was youth, vivacious energy, audacity. There were forbidden things which were done, out of curiosity or dare. Some were done just for the fun of it or to spite the forbidding elders, and some were done for things to be learned.

There were so many things I wanted to do, and had not had the time to do it. There were dreams and dreams and dreams. Big dreams, impossible dreams, achieved dreams, dreams which remain dreams. There were childhood fantasies, adult fantasies that made life more colorful.

Adulthood was full of concern for family, my son, my career, earning a living. It was a time of starry-eyed romance, hopes and more dreams.

As I cross the threshold of middle age, I have more time in my hands, more money to spend, less responsibilities with the family, no career to pursue.

I think of my youthful dreams and fantasies. I am now more equipped and ready to pursue them. I can live my life the way I want to. Not for others, but for my self-fulfillment.

I have time to spend with others, to have real fun, to share togetherness, to renew old friendships and to have new friends.

Now, I have more time for my God, to renew my faith, to grow in his love.

I have more time to complete myself, to live the rest of my life as God planned it to be. I am in my Golden Years!