I am not telling...

I came across this quote from Louis Kronenberger.

"The closer and more confidential our relationship with someone, the less we are entitled to ask about what we are not voluntarily told."

I don't think I understand his point of view. However, it has been my principle not to ask more than what was shared with me. In my interaction with people, I realized that it comes across as apathetic. A lot of friends have voluntarily opened up to me about their lives and struggles. These are just for me to keep and to take to the grave.

I am honored by such trust and confidence that I felt it was my self-imposed discipline to ask about details that probably gave them the courage to speak out. But then, asking also shows interest in what they are going through. It is the feeling of being able to release their inner struggles to someone they know that won't be judgmental and critical no matter what.

In any case, I send out the message that I respect boundaries. In all likelihood, it encourages them to share more. How's that?

Halloween

After more than two weeks, I am posting again. There just seems to be a lot of things to do. Or maybe a lot of distractions. Lately, I think I am more engrossed about reading than writing. However, with everybody going crazy about Halloween, I thought I should somehow write about it.

It used to be not really celebrated much where I am. Though with commercialism and Western influence, malls and establishments have found ways to give it more than the attention it deserves.

As Catholic, we cannot simply find an excuse for participating in Halloween activities in the spirit of fun. Lately, more and more of ghoulish characters and scary images of the dead are taking over what should be the eve of All Saints' Day. The day when we should remember people who have lived exemplary lives and should inspire us to be better everyday in pursuit of the eternal reward.

Let's do our part in educating our children on what is really significant. We know better who deserve recognition in the midst of the evil that abounds.

Check out this interesting article, "It's Time To Come Against the Devil's Christmas."

Our Lady of the Pillar

Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Pillar. I came to know her when I was reviewing for the engineers' licensure exam in 1983. I attended a review school just across the church of the Blessed Sacrament Fathers where Our Lady of the Pillar is the patron. I sought the Lady's intercession and she did not disappoint me. From then on, I visit the church from time to time.

Our Lady of the Pillar is also considered the Patron of Hispanics as it was in Saragossa, Spain that she appeared to the apostle James on a pillar.

Our Lady of the Pillar pray for us.

God Will Do the Rest

My plate is still full. Everyday, things get heaped into it endlessly. Anyway, I believe we have to really make room for some things that we like to do. It's just a matter of making sacrifices once in a while or letting some things wait in the mean time.

Many of us have a lot of plans or ideas that are just waiting for the right opportunity. If we look back, there are things that we could, we should or we must have done. Unfortunately, somehow they were all put in the back burner until we forgot about it. We all have limited time in this world and it would be a pity if our ideas get lost forever.

St. Francis de Sales has this to say:

If we have good ideas or good desires but lack strength to put them into practice, we must present them to God with a firm hope that He will help us. Certainly, if we place all our confidences in Divine Goodness, the Lord will not fail to grant whatever is necessary to persevere in His service. (Sermons 61; O. IX, p. 310)

We are missing a lot if we don't ask God. We often try to do things on our own but humans have limitations. God will show us which needs to be done first and what things can wait.

Let us always live in partnership with the Lord. It matters a lot.