Us birds

I felt I was in a cage, and that he was in there with me. And that now that I had let him out, even though he stayed near to cuddle and sing to me, I feared his song I'd never hear again. He could fly from me at any moment, with no warning.
Then I took a closer look and realized, I'm not caged and neither is he, and we both stay on the same tree. Not because there aren't other trees around, for this is no desert, but because we love each other's songs. So we sing to each other, and meet where his day ends and my day begins...

Robinson Crusoe

My literature book seems like a monster to me, but I'm starting to like it. To really like it, looking like a funky lil nerd engrossed in a book. Today I found this:

-From Chapter IV -First weeks on the Island.

And so it happened that dear Crusoe was stuck on an island, his circumstances were pretty awful and he was considering seriously his condition. So he began writing, the best list of "good and bad" in a situation exactly as it was - the best I've seen so far.

Evil:
I am cast upon a horrible, desolate island, void of all hope of recovery.
Good:
But I am alive; and not drowned, as all my ship's company were.

Evil:
I am singled out and separated, as it were, from all the world, to be miserable.
Good:
But I am singled out, too, from all the ship's crew, to be spared from death; and He that miraculously saved me from death can deliver me from this condition.

Evil:
I am divided from mankind-a solitaire; one banished from human society.
Good:
But I am not starved, and perishing on a barren place, affording no sustenance.

Evil:
I have no clothes to cover me.
Good:
But I am in a hot climate, where, if I had clothes, I could hardly wear them.

Evil:
I am without any defence, or means to resist any violence of man or beast.
Good:
But I am cast on an island where I see no wild beasts to hurt me, as I saw on the coast of Africa; and what if I had been shipwrecked there?

Evil:
I have no soul to speak to or relieve me.
Good:
But God wonderfully sent the ship in near enough to the shore, that I have got out as many necessary things as will either supply my wants or enable me to supply myself, even as long as I live.

Upon the whole, here was an undoubted testimony that there was scarce any condition in the world so miserable but there was something negative or something positive to be thankful for in it.

-Robinson Crusoe (By Daniel Foe, 1719)

And so, reminded of how good life is, I sit to update my blog. I should follow his example in more than one way (winks)

My life I love

With all its twists and bends, crazy turns and hanging upside down.
When I don't know the way. When I falter and fall and have to get up again.
When I sing and dance and know things gotta be okay.
When I wait. Always needing to believe.
When something that I thought was firm, crumbles. When what I thought would last, falls to pieces.
When love keeps me alive.
When nothing is sure but Jesus.
With all its uncertainties, surprises -pleasant and otherwise-, thrills, sunshine and thunder and blowing winds.
Ringing laughter in my ears, old memories, and memories in the making.
Anything that life brings my way is gonna be worth it in the end.

Benny The Wise

(He shows me the awesome spaceship he just came up with)
"Oh cool Benny! ( there's a contented smile on his face)...Do you think we're aliens?"
(looks at me seriously)
"No."
(Touches my hand) "This, no.
We're aliens inside."

Moral of the story: Listen to kids, they know a lot more than you think!
My eyes keep widening when I remember this...and so does my smile.
Aliens Inside, who would've thought?
Puts into words perfectly how I feel (grins)

I have all that I need

These people lost their houses and the little belongings they had, the fire consumed it all and they had to start anew. Two lives were lost.
My mom came back the other day from taking donated food to a children's hospital and said:
"We have to consider the poor more often. When you see people that are struggling so hard, with a kid in the hospital, while they sleep outside in tents made out of plastics and cardboard, while desperately hoping that the rest of their family back home fares well, you realize how petty your problems are. And I was worrying.
"I have it all, my kids are healthy- I am too-, I have you."

The happiest

If you want to be happy, be. ~Leo Tolstoy
Happiness is never stopping to think if you are. ~Palmer Sondreal

Cheerfulness is what greases the axles of the world. Don't go through life creaking. ~H.W. Byles

We are seldom happy with what we now have, but would go to pieces if we lost any part of it. ~Mignon McLaughlin, 1960

Plenty of people miss their share of happiness, not because they never found it, but because they didn't stop to enjoy it.~William Feather

Some pursue happiness, others create it. ~Author Unknown
On the whole, the happiest people seem to be those who have no particular cause for being happy except that they are so. ~William R. Inge

Pleasure is spread through the earth

In stray gifts to be claimed by whoever shall find.
~William Wordsworth, 1806

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. ~Marcel Proust

If a fellow isn't thankful for what he's got, he isn't likely to be thankful for what he's going to get. ~Frank A. Clark

You cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness. ~Author Unknown

It's never too late to have a happy childhood. ~Berke Breathed

We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder

"Enjoy life. There's plenty of time to be dead."
~Anonymous
If one only wished to be happy, this could be easily accomplished; but we wish to be happier than other people, and this is always difficult, for we believe others to be happier than they are.
~Charles Montesquieu

When you're really happy, the birds chirp and the sun shines even on cold dark winter nights - and flowers will bloom on a barren land. ~Grey Livingston
Happiness is a form of courage. ~Holbrook Jackson

Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy. ~Guilaume Apollinaire

I think this might be too much wisdom for one post -grins-
Many people know, they've really gone through it and have discovered, it's wonderful they share it with the rest of us. A toast to happiness! Pretend you have a tequila bottle, red wine, unromantic beer or whatever it is you'd like to drink right now. Take out the champagne, let's celebrate, we can be happy now.
I just remembered right now, that when someone is dying or knows will soon, there are simply no special occasions in their minds, no special occasions to wait for to do things. All we have is now, the past is past, nothing can be done about it, and we don't know what will happen in the future. So I'm happy now. You?
I'll head to bed. And fall asleep with a smile...if that doesn't happen, I know I'll wake up with one! :P

I turn to you

Jesus:

When I'm lost in the rain,
In your eyes I know I'll find the light to light my way.
And when I'm scared and losing ground;
When my world is going crazy, you can turn it all around.

And when I'm down you're there; pushing me to the top.
You're always there; giving me all you've got.

For a shield from the storm;
For a friend; for a love
To keep me safe and warm,
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong;
For the will to carry on;
For everything you do;
For everything that's true,
I turn to you.

When I lose my will to win,
I just reach for you and I can reach the sky again.
I can do anything,
'Cause your love is so amazing; 'cause your love inspires me.

And when I need a friend, you're always on my side;
Giving me faith that gets me through the night.

For a shield from the storm;
For a friend; for a love
To keep me safe and warm,
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong;
For the will to carry on;
For everything you do;
For everything that's true,
I turn to you.

For the arms to be my shelter through all the rain;
For truth that will never change;
For someone to lean on;
for a heart I can rely on through anything;
For that one who I can run to....
I turn to you.

For a shield from the storm;
For a friend; for a love
To keep me safe and warm,
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong;
For the will to carry on;
For everything you do;
For everything that's true,
I turn to you.

For a shield from the storm;
For a friend; for a love
To keep me safe and warm,
I turn to you.
For the strength to be strong;
For the will to carry on;
For everything you do;
For everything that's true...

For everything you do;
For everything that's true,
I turn to you...

- song by Christina Aguilera-

One of two things

"When you come to the end of all the light you know, and it's time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: Either you will be given something solid to stand on or you will be taught to fly."
-Edward Teller

A man I greatly look up to once said, "In the presence of trouble some people buy crutches; others grow wings."
I know that you my love, can grow wings.

Birthday thoughts

It's been a month now since my birthday and 3 extremely important birthdays have passed by as well.
I'm very thankful for all the sweet people that made my 16th birthday wonderful in some way, I Love You all!
Sandy, mom, dad and siblings, William, Meggy, Mikey, Sam D, Daniel the Panamanian, Esther, Teresa, Clara (and the wonder black and green bracelet she made me), Jesse, Lene, Benny, Rafael, Tania, Aurea, Priscila, Andrés, Beto, Tess, Kate n Kev, Ana my auntie, Rossana, Inés, Edit, Windy, Steph, Genesis 1 and Genesis 2, Lily, Sam my bro :P, Johnny Brown, grandmas, even strangers, and Jesus! As well as the dear ppl from the homes around here who put up balloons, made a cake, a great dinner for us all to enjoy and gave some gifts working toward buying my laptop -smiles-
You keep making me feel special n loved, on the most random days too! Thank you for being such loves!

I don't mean to give a recount of all the reasons the following people are so special, but they are! -and here's a sneak peek.

Uncle Solomon

French-Canadian uncle. You gotta love the french! Born the 1st of October of some wonderful year around the middle of the last century and I still tend to forget that people like him have seen so much and been through so many things. You can see wisdom and tranquility in his eyes, and at times a boyish twinkle is there. Yes, I really like uncle Solomon's eyes. And I admire him too. All in all he's an angel. Sandy -his daughter- said that the other day and I believe it.
Praise God for awesome dads with their quirks and funnies, and how they manage to keep a home running smoothly! Praise God for their unconditional love! And for all the running they do each day to have us happy n healthy. At times we seriously don't deserve it.

*

My mom -Topacio

Born the 10th of October, probably with the biggest smile, happy to be alive!
My mom is just the coolest one. She's the best for me.
She fills her role as a mother perfectly, she even goes to the length of caring for hurt birds or hungry pets when she actually dislikes animals. Not to mention all the people she adopts when they're in need. Whether it be a prayer, a listening ear, a word of encouragement or counsel, or an embrace, it hardly matters who it is.
People miss her for her smile and outrageous laughter.
She does things with such efficiency, I wish these things were hereditary :P, but her joy for living is catchy!
I don't know what I'd do without her. Probably have a nervous breakdown at the age of 16.
Thank God for moms who care for you and prepare you in all ways they can for what we may encounter, putting love in our hearts! Sigh of love

*

Sandy

Born the 13th of October of 1994, and since then lots and lots of people's days have been brightened and made richer...not to mention more interesting, haha! (wink). I can't compare my best friend to anyone in the world, and it doesn't matter if -by some funny and largely strange reason- I have the world for a friend, nothing will change the fact that she is amazing!

The truth is:
I love you dear, your friendship means the world to me.
You add color and laughter to my life. You make me smile at my worst times, and its like you're telling me, "keep that smile on your face stephy", and there are countless reasons to do that too. You teach me so much just by being your lovely, simple self. You help me believe in myself.
I love brainstorming with you, getting excited, enjoying life, looking out for the other, picking up, sharing our hearts, laughing, hugging and praying.
You're beautiful, trusting, fun, selfless, funny, crazy, with wild ideas, inner strength, sweet, sharing, honest, lovable, ready, squishy, practical, dreamy, you may forget some things (including faults and wrongs and stupidity on my side that hurts you, not only that you're supposed to cover the chicken with a particular cloth), though never the most important ones (You never forget to love -wink-). You're courageous, approachable, easy to talk to.
What would I do without a craziness partner?

Take the lead

There are many important things in life that this movie is able to portray, I love it! Not to mention the exciting dancing. Living life with passion. I don't really remember the number of times I've watched this movie, but it's a favorite.
There is nothing that can keep you down, or hold you back unless you let it.
When you feel you're not made to do something in particular; those feelings mean nothing, unless you don't wanna do it. Otherwise you could become the best in your field! -with passionate learning.
We could have a broken life and broken dreams, none of which are beyond repair, if we wanna repair them. Dreams' wings can grow too, and there are people out there that testify to that.
There is really no set of boundaries but the ones we put on ourselves. We can be great and have great lives, doing what we like to do and doing things that matter. I know that it seems more like I still have a pick, and perhaps someone older doesn't. But then again, there are no boundaries set, no limits to what you can do or not do. You may never become the president of a country, but if that's your dream and passion and goal, you'll get there. The people that outstand in a crowd are those that do what they wanna do with all their hearts, against all odds. Be it become a musician, find a lost love, open an orphanage, run in a marathon, raise a strong family, become the best you can be.