Heart, Mind and Body

People nowadays are really conscious of their self-appearance, especially me.

I’m one of those who stay long time in front of the mirror before leaving the house to go to school, to work, or go anywhere. The reason is that I’m not one you can admire because of my looks. I don’t have that great body figure that can melt a girl’s heart away.

At one point I aspired and wished to become a vocalist for a band, or a band instrument player that everyone idolizes, but I just don’t have what it takes.

Ever since childhood I always move along trying to improving myself, wanting to be appreciated and noticed by other people, especially by those I have special feelings for. I was always on the lookout for the right products that would make me feel satisfied when I look in the mirror. “Who’s the handsome of them all?”, I talk to myself in front of the mirror, because my answers are the only ones I can accept.

I closely examine all corners of my face. I stand sideways in the mirror and gaze at my stature, my clothes, my whole self. I will just stand there and stare thinking what else do I need to improve my looks.

My teen years were tough when appearance became more and more significant. I think back to those long hours standing in front of the mirror staring at the huge zit on my face thinking how I am going to get it off before someone sees it. I remember trying out “Master Eskinol, Secreto ng mga gwapo” (handsome hunk’s secret) skincare product, but still pimples keep coming out and my face got a lot worse.

In my attempt to get my crush’s attention I have even tried a skin whitening soap to make my skin fair, but it wasn’t effective as girls don’t seem to care much about a man’s skin tone.

I experimented with my hair style and changed my wardrobe, from shoes to accessories. These didn’t work either. I was still invisible to others.

There was a period when I decided to enrol in a gym class attempting to achieve an “abs of steel” in a few months time. After weeks of working out I started seeing results and I could see good muscles in my arms and abs. I walk through our street and it felt like everyone was looking at me in a different way (or was it just my imagination). Women I pass look at me straight in the eyes. I was even approached by a girl and asked for my phone number. But my hunk body didn’t last long. One day I was rushed to the hospital for an emergency appendicitis surgery. I was inactive for some time and then I completely lost my desire to go back to the gym. My body dropped down and I was back to my flabby self.

My appearance did improve as years passed but it took time and it was a slow journey. But I still felt I lacked something overall. I was perpetually unsatisfied with the way I look. I wanted everyone that I admire to like me. When they don’t and I’m heartbroken, I instantly become depressed.

I get headaches thinking “why, what’s going on with me?”

No one knew this. During bouts of self pity I cry alone in my room. Being the darkest skinned among my brothers always affected a part of me secretly. Those tears of self pity because of my appearance, because I was different in my style, my actions, in the way I think. It seemed I lost the feeling of being acceptable and presentable.

Then one day, for whatever reason, I found myself looking in the mirror that once showed my flaws… this time in a different way.

With a simple shift in attitude I finally found the courage to look in the mirror and see a person who is so full of potential, a precious being, a gift from above, a unique person inside and out, a result of love and hope.

After all this time I was placing my attention on the outward image while ignoring my inner connection with God. I didn’t realise He’s always been on my side and His love is reflected in me.

I was never satisfied because I was looking at myself the wrong way!

What I couldn’t see under this all is God’s glorious creativity within me. I am special because I was made in the very image and likeness of God.

Knowing Him is to know yourself and your potential to greatness. God is more than enough to fill up our inner emptiness. In knowing Him we can find satisfaction.

I have learned to appreciate my flaws, look at whatever hateful thing I saw in myself as part of who I am. I no longer pity myself, no longer envious of my brothers’ and other people’s strengths. I embrace my true self exactly as it existed, zits and all.

It all starts in our hearts - the change in how we see ourselves.

Surrender your hearts under the care and guidance of God.

Our hearts are capable of accepting anything be it happiness or pain. Even if it takes a long time, our hearts are able to heal. You nourish your heart by learning to love yourself as God loves you, accept everything about you. Believe God has moulded you into loveliness and a person with full potential. If sometimes you feel things are not fair and you feel trampled on by others, just accept and learn to overcome. Look at it as an opportunity for spiritual progress then go forward with your faith undaunted. Remember if God allows these sufferings it is because he wants us to learn and come out of these trials as a person not easily broken.

Our hearts can do us harm too. If we let it plan its way without God’s guidance, our hearts can explore things we have no understanding and may lead us in the wrong direction.

“I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there.” 1 Chronicles 29:17

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. “ Matthew 7:7

Our Mind enters when our hearts can’t bear a situation and can’t see the bigger picture.

Our mind helps us to think, ask, and look for answers. What are we going to do, how will we react, and how will we make the decisions that will influence our actions.

Continue to search for God. Nourish our minds by learning God’s words and His ways. Fill your mind with the things of God. This will give us wisdom, knowledge and understanding.

We should teach our minds to explore more about his grace, and use this as guidance to make the right decisions.

Again, without God’s guidance our minds can explore things we have no understanding and may lead us to troubles in the end, because our minds can cause us harm too.

Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how God and pleasing and perfect his will really is.” Romans 12:2

Let your heart and mind work together toward God, for then and only then will your body follow.

If we don’t recognise our connection with God, we tend to abuse ourselves. Many of us don’t care for our bodies as we know we should. We follow the directions of other people and accept many things without thinking whether they are right or wrong.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts.” Psalm 139:23

Through my childhood up till now, I know through my own experiences God has always been there guiding me all through my up and down moments. I rejoice finding obstacles in myself, since embracing and overcoming them brings me closer to Him. If you just let your heart and mind be nourished by wonderful things about God, and allowing it to flow through your body, you could become the perfect person that sees beyond his outer flaws, the role model for others to follow.

The path to knowing God personally is never-ending. My journey continues as my life goes on.

I still run into big problems every now and then and my life seems to have become much more complicated lately. But so long as I know in my heart, mind and body that God dwells within me and in each one of us, and is there watching our every move, his words guiding us in all that we do.

I know right now, God is talking to you, like He does to me.. All you have to do is listen.

God Bless and thanks for reading my story.

Jigsaw Puzzle

I went to mall last week for a short stroll, just to refresh myself on what’s new and latest trends in clothes, computers, and movies.

I checked every shop for special deals and new arrivals. I got a little tired walking and my window-shopping somehow got boring until I browsed through the “Toy World” shop.

I remember those times in the Philippines.. Every time I go home from work, I always end up window-shopping in this mall that is directly connected to my train station (MRT). The mall is also along the main road (EDSA) where I can find either bus or taxi whenever I miss my train.

I had one favourite toyshop in that mall. I remember spending hours looking through those matchbox cars and those little action figures that I dreamt of having when I was kid. If I had the money to blow I would have bought all those toys so I can display them in my room, to satisfy my childhood dream to become the supreme ruler of toys, own them in all possible ways.

So I entered the “Toy world” shop and I felt just like child again while walking around this store. I was imagining myself playing with these amazing toys. It’s a refreshing place to escape real life for a while, forget about your work your busy schedule and escape from your troubles.

As I wandered around the back end of the shop that doesn’t seem to be browsed through that much, I found the learning toys or those toys that encourage creativity and curiosity.

For some reason, there’s one toy that captivated me all of a sudden.

This is a “jigsaw puzzle” of a stunning picture. It’s so cleverly done holding hundreds of pieces in perfect position. The surface has got a glossy finish that reflected my face as I looked through.

As I stood there looking at the pieces in this puzzle, I started thinking about the “pieces” in my life - my family, my friends, the people I loved, events, achievements and celebrations.

I closed my eyes and looked back over the jigsaw puzzle of my life. There’s such a mixture of good and bad, joy and tears, happiness and sorrow. Every person, situation, goals, and trials - each one signifies a piece of my puzzle.

There are pieces that were hurtful. There are pieces that seemed out of place.

However each piece plays an important role.

And when enough time passes for every piece to ease into perfect place, there will be a big picture. A beautiful picture will reveal itself, one that represents myself, my character and my achievements.It will be a picture of hard work, an image of what God wants me to be.

I wonder how my puzzle is going to look like in the end? Am I near complete?

How much more pieces are there to be laid? Will I ever find all my pieces? I want to see the big picture.

But one thing for sure, there’s one piece that stands out as the most important piece in my life. It is my corner piece and it anchors my puzzle. From this corner piece I frame the image I am piecing together. This piece gives me an idea of what my image would be and how wonderful it would all look like.

This piece is God.

God is my strength and my cornerstone and I build my puzzle in the direction

He guides me. Knowing I have God’s guidance gives me hope in whatever I do. He helps me realise that those pieces of my past and present that have caused me pain are there to complete the picture and how he wants me to use them in my life.

I am grateful for the pieces of my life’s puzzle that I have found through experience and commitment to knowing God and his word. They have built my character today and a glimpse of what God has meant for in my life.

It takes a lot of effort to find the right pieces of the puzzle. Some pieces take more time and come harder. However God helps me to understand that my puzzle fits together in His own design and time. Gradually as my pieces fall into place, I am being molded into the man God has destined me to be.

Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands. Deuteronomy 8:2

I believe God wants us to be a part of other’s life puzzle too. He wants us to be willing to be used by Him to warm and touch other people’s hearts and to draw hurting people closer to Him.

Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7

When I look back over my life I can’t help but wonder what kind of piece am I to other’s puzzle.

Was I a great fit or did I just try to make myself fit, to the point of forcing it even if it wasn’t meant to be?

Two of my friends met their husbands through me.

I’ve led someone to pursue his talents and take up the right course in college.

One found true happiness through my encouragement and advise.

I’ve shared some of my ideas that made them successful in what they do.

But it’s not all positive..

I’ve given other people headache because of my shortcomings and wrong decisions.

I’ve created hurts to others because of my lack of regard for their feelings.

I’ve done a lot of really painful things in my life.

I’m not perfect but I try to be the best person I can be. The parts of me that are not pleasant I try to change. I try to make good things happen, but if they’re just not meant to be I’ve also learnt to let go and just listen to my heart and trust the Lord.

There may be situations in our lives that have caused us to ask ourselves - Where am I going? What am I called to do? Why me? Why this?

Instead of searching for answers, I just keep going on. I believe it is because of these pieces that other pieces are able to ease into place. Without those pieces I won’t be able to move on. Even though they cause me pain and heartache, they bring me one step closer to being complete. They make me the person I am today.

Let’s start putting pieces of our puzzle together. Fill the empty spaces. It could be very frustrating at times but extremely rewarding each time you find a piece that fits. If you find it difficult to look for a missing piece, stop and take a step back. The answers could just be right in front of you all along.

Let’s not shy away from “being a piece”. Inspire others by sharing who you are and how you have succeeded. Help them through their pain because you’ve walked a lot of those pains. Make a difference in their lives through your kindness.

Go in search for all the pieces of your puzzle across life.

Never give up with a piece that hurts.

And I hope it’s God you’ve found first in your jigsaw puzzle…

He sees the big picture, He knows what piece go where.

He will help you piece it all together.

PS:

Just recently, I was fortunate enough to witness and capture the talent of young kids in this video link.Somehow I feel I’m a fitting piece in their life’s puzzle.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHoZUfXUbdQ

"You Can't Keep A Good Woman Down" by Alice Walker

Among the books the weallexist recommends to its dear readers is Alice Walker's You Can't Keep A Good Woman Down.

Published in 1981, the book is a collection of splendid stories.

'Pulitzer-winning author Alice Walker often concerns herself with various types of violence toward women. Her stories are often painful to read, but she uncovers insights about race, gender and human resilience along the way.'--(search.barnesandnoble.com)

Proofreading Services by DBW

"Creative Non-Fiction: A Manual for Filipino Writers" by Cristina Pantoja Hidalgo

The book "Creative Nonfiction: A Manual for Filipino Writers" is rich with texts from other nonfiction works penned over the years. Among the topics discussed by the book were Strategies of Creative Nonfiction and Types of Creative Nonfiction. Hidalgo has a brilliant way of setting readers in a classroom mood that the book is a teacher in itself. This writer's copy was bought at F. Sionil Jose's Solidaridad at Padre Faura, Manila, priced at P250.

Recommending the book "Sleepless in Manila"

If my memory serves me right, I've been a periodic insomiac since I learned how to romance with books and scribble letters to any paper. To have chanced upon the book "Sleepless in Manila", edited by Christina Pantoja Hidalgo, was a relief. A relief in a way that I got to read essays,poems, and even medical explanation from the expert. The pieces in the book sure have humors creatively thought. It was also good to know that some of the Filipino writers in the book are friends, while some,whose others works I read before, were familiar names.

If I'd have the luxury of time, I might do a review of it for weallexist, but for now, this post is simply to recommend the encompassing book for all of you--insomiacs or not.

Pursuit

(after Ramon C. Sunico)
By Exie Abola

This pencil hovers. You surface
from the dusk of dreams.

The eyelids flutter sleep away.
The things press against the pillows
in sleepy regret of the dissipating night.

This slender wooden limb's desire:
to inscribe your waking warmth
into each letter.

It pauses, a familiar fear:
the slivers of graphite
like bottles in a heap.

Then it recalls its pursuit
of the word-worn rose, and resumes.
The page fills:

the sunrise on your brown body.

2003


---
Source: One Hundred Love Poems: Philippine Love Poetry Since 1905, eds. Gemino H. Abad, Alfred Yuson, The University of the Philippines Press,2004, p.86

"Verbs with Verve: Refresher Course in Grammar" Seminar

What's wrong if you're not chosen?

…is what I always ask myself whenever I realise that things did not go the way I wanted it, because it was not meant for me, or simply because I was meant to learn something from it.

You put your heart and soul into doing one thing, you put your best foot forward, you strive and pray for it, however at the end of the day, there will be only one person who will be rewarded with the pot of gold, the lucky winner, the only chosen one.

Imagine Cinderella has a friend named Hopefella who’s always there for Cinderella whenever she needed someone to talk to about the maltreatment of her sisters.A friend who’s always at Cinderella’s side and never ceases to encourage her to not surrender, Hopefella herself has her own personal pain and grief as she is also going through the same difficult situation with her master. But at the end of the fairytale, the Fairy Godmother can only give one pair glass of shoes for one person to find happiness and everlasting love. She only came for Cinderella and no one else.

Have you ever felt this way? Have you ever felt like something kind of belongs to you but you can’t have it?

I can empathise with you. I know how it feels…. because I’m always second choice.I’m never first with anything… and it gets harder everyday.

There are some things I want to share, true stories of my (not so pleasant) experiences of life. Things that get me and pull me down to..somewhere.

I don’t think my stories below are any different from yours..

During my childhood days, I was that kind of person who’s always looking for a special attention from my family, friends and schoolmates. Unfortunately no one except my parents paid special attention to me.

But even though I know that my parents love me, as a child sometimes I felt that they really don’t care about me much. I have three brothers and I feel that they are always catered to and favoured compared with me.

Perhaps it was because I wasn’t that cute, cheerful, adorable child people like to pinch. Perhaps it’s because I was dark skinned, maybe I was naughty, or maybe because I was too shy and insecure.

My childhood friends don’t call me whenever they plan to play “patintero”(tag game).

They would call on me only because they’re missing one player. Most of the time

I’d just be standing on the side of the street watching while they continue playing forever.

Sometimes we’d watch a movie together and then we’d play the characters in the movie we’ve just seen. They wouldn’t allow me to play the hero though and always I’d be the bad guy who gets up and starts beating the main character.

I always do my best work at school but I was never good enough or smart enough to be a favourite pupil.

Whenever our teacher would ask us to form ourselves in groups, I sometimes pity myself because my friends (even my seatmate! who I talk to most of the time) don’t seem to want to group with me. I’d find myself either alone, or in a group that lacked a label. I had very few friends. I’ve spent a lot of time in a secluded corner with the unpopular kids… kids like me that are sometimes picked on and teased, or otherwise ignored.

When 6th grade came around, things changed a bit when I became part of the volleyball varsity in our school. Our team made our way up to the district level competitions and I was chosen to be part of the final team that goes to the final level. Or so I thought because my coach disagreed. I thought I was going to make my big debut at volleyball, but that day became the collapse of my sports career.

I didn’t get any Merit badge or any award during my scouting days because I didn’t belong to a higher troop.

I was aiming for a 1st place award in Metal Crafting competition we had in school. I’ve put so much and time and effort into mastering every detail of the piece that we will make in the event only to be told that I’d have to be disqualified because of an accident cut in my hand during the competition. I almost fell apart, nothing is more frustrating than that.

I’m highly unsure on what exactly was going on and oftentimes I’d ask myself is this what real life is all about?

Am I that clumsy and un-attentive that I always make the same basic mistake every single time?Is it because of my appearance that I’m never a personal favourite among my friends? Perhaps because I cannot afford anything to share to others so I can make more friends.Or maybe because of the slight speech deficiency I had which was a very obvious flaw in my character?

I continued to ask God what this all means.

Why am I always rejected.

Why am I always the one left behind..

the person not chosen ?

I have come away sometimes with wonderful ideas, but I’m more easily ignored

I have some good thoughts and suggestions, but no one seem to be interested.

For most people my best was never good enough

I tried so hard to get noticed, but I’m still the invisible one.

I’ve tried to reach out and care..but there’s no one there

Is there something wrong with me?

I’ve loved someone who didn’t love me and I’ve loved someone who’s loved me at one time but couldn’t sustain her feelings because she thinks there’s a far better person than me. I’ve experienced the latter twice.

One prayed for a sign from heaven that whoever does something first is the one.

One thought I’m childish and not emotionally mature enough to handle a relationship.

Is this really my lot in life, to constantly love people who can’t love me ?

When Pope John Paul II visited the Philippines the second time around, I remember my father and I were watching TV about the event. There was a segment in the TV program where a girl was being interviewed and was introduced as the child whom the Pope carried during his first visit to the Philippines.

My father remembered something when the name of our hometown (Villamor Air Base) where Pope John Paul plane first landed, was mentioned. He said he was there too, and he was one among those parents holding their child up in the air as if in offering toward the Pope. In Catholic tradition, the Pope is expected to carry one child and it will be a beautiful blessing.

My father told me I was the child he was carrying. The Pope stopped in front of my father and stretched out his arms, and as my father lowers me down towards him he realised the Pope shifted his body and chose to carry the child beside me.

Now let me say this again…Why not me?

I’m only human, I can’t help but dream that one day I’ll be loved so much that I’m the one that is chosen. I want to be loved for my flaws and my oddness, unconditionally and unwaveringly.

What’s keeping my hope alive right now is the thought that with God and my prayers, I know those whishes will come true.

God is the one who showed me wonderful ideas, that’s why I listen to him.

He teaches me good thoughts, that’s why I follow him.

He reaches out to me and I’m holding his hands so tight.

He’s doing His best for me, that’s why I’m doing my best to share His love and a lot of my heart to other people no matter who they are.

In the story of Abraham (Genesis 21: 1-32), when God promised that Abraham will become the father of all nations he was confused because his wife Sarah is in old age and can no longer become pregnant. But God told Sarah that she will bear a child and told Abraham to name it Isaac. But before Isaac born Abraham had a child named Ishmael from Sarah’s slave named Hagar. Sarah was worried that Ishmael would try to lay claim to Isaac’s inheritance and told Abraham to drive out the slave and her son out of their land. Abraham didn’t like Sarah’s idea but God told to Abraham to listen to his wife because it is Isaac who is the one who will bear his seed.

In this story you will see that Isaac is the chosen one, but God told Hagar not to be afraid and worried because He will take care of them and will make a great nation out of Ishmael’s descendants.

A similar story is in Genesis 48:17-19, when Jacob gave his blessings to his son Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh. When Joseph saw that his father has laid his hand upon Ephraim, he was not pleased, and he tried to take hold up his father’s hand to remove if from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head for he was his first born.

But Jacob refused and said: “I know it, my son, I know it. He too will become a people and he too will become great. But, just the same, his younger brother will become greater than he will, and his offspring will become the full equivalent of nations.”

There’s a lot of stories in the bible confirming that the ones that are not chosen are blessed by God as well. Jeremiah 29: 11 “for I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

The ones that are not chosen may not be the top employees in their company, but they are winners in the hearts of their colleagues, friends, and their family.

So what’s wrong if I’m not chosen?

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad?

I really shouldn’t be.

Because I know within me, that I’m not alone. Although I’m rejected by people, I know that someone out there is willing to choose me, even if we don’t choose Him, even if we push him aside. He wouldn’t leave us alone even though we have to endure many trials in our lives.

He knows how it is to be rejected and not chosen but his understanding is much more than man’s foolish understanding.He is Jesus Christ our lord, our God. Remember he died for us just to save our sins, to make us free, and be connected again to God, our big boss in heaven.

Just continue to hold to your faith and be fervent in your prayers.Do not fret at all that’s happening around and believe that God will make a way for your time to shine.

In the meantime,I do not mind not being chosen…

I do not want to let my head get in the way of my heart. I want to be so humble and childlike that God can use me as He wishes.

I am willing to be weak and without a will of my own, if this all means just submitting myself to the righteousness of God and letting His will be done in my life.

——

I dedicate this piece to the loving memory of my friend Ms Ai (Aileen Betic.)…you will never be forgotten, may the Lord watch over your soul. My heart goes out to the rest of her family and friends. Stay encouraged because she is with the Lord.

Rainbow

Have you seen a rainbow lately?

Just recently after a rain, I have witnessed two beautiful rainbows side by side appear in the sky. I've seen lots of rainbows but never one like this one.
I feel very lucky to have been able to see this. It’s a special thing and was such a wonderful sight to see. At the same time I felt a warm contented feeling inside.
It has left me with a peace and sense of gratefulness I have not experienced in a while.

Where I am I see rainbows all the time.
Maybe it’s because of this weird Auckland weather where rain is kind of on and off and coming from all directions. But I knew in my heart it is God working on me, I needed to be reminded that he is always there for me and I wasn’t alone.

I remember that day I was travelling the road home with friends and there was a light rain shower outside. Our usual route was pretty much all motorway and there wasn’t a lot so we decided leave the main road and turned left at the signposted “Mill Road” and take the back way home.

The backway route is our favourite. It’s a smooth ride and eventhough it’s narrow, it’s got scenic views of the mountains to the left and right. But the great part is this route goes up and down like a real roller coaster ride!

As we reached the top switched back and plunged downhill, there in front of us was the most beautiful sight. A huge beautiful rainbow appeared in front of us among the hills.

I said to the group, I’ve seen the same one before and I know where the ‘end’ of the rainbow exactly will be, and we will see it as we climb up the highest part of the road. So we all got very excited to see the place, our eyes stuck in the sky as we don’t want to miss one moment of this spectacular view.

The little kids in the car started asking questions about rainbows.
They knew about the story of the pot of gold hidden at the end of the rainbow but got excited when one of us told the tale of the seven colourful fairies that live at the end of the rainbow. The other one said if you touch a rainbow you will become pretty and the rainbow will impart lots of colours in your body that can’t be removed forever.

While the kids started laughing at the fairy tales, a flashback scene from my childhood popped into my head…

I saw my childhood friend holding colouring books. He had three but the one that says “Noah’s Ark Coloring Book” on the front caught my attention as it seemed to have a story. I approached him and asked if I could borrow the book for a while to read it. He looked at me and I noticed he thought twice before he handed me the book.

He asked me to be very careful because the book is a gift from his Aunty and it’s expensive. “Okay”, I said sheepishly as I sat beside him, but obviously he didn’t like me to stay close too him so I moved a little bit far.

So I started flipping through the pages of the coloring book. Some of the words I didn’t understand, but the drawings and the images fascinated me. On the left page is a colored scene from the story and beside it is a paragraph explaining the scene. On the right page is the same scene but in simple line drawing, the page to put colour into however one wants.

There was a scene in the clouds where two men are talking. There was scene where a man (Noah) was building an ark and on the side are people jeering and laughing at the him as if he was doing something crazy. The boat is then finished and the man’s family entered the ark along with two of all living creatures, small and big.

After the door of the ark was shut, heavy rain fell and the waters flooded the earth and every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out. When the rain stopped, the man let loose a bird who came back with a flower in it’s beak. They all came out of the ark and as the man in the clouds spoke, the sun came out from the clouds and the rainbow appeared in the sky.

I understood as child that God gave instructions to Noah to build an ark, and gathered each every kind of animal, male and female, to put inside the ark along with his family, because God will punish all the mankind and other living creatures.
As I grew up and got to read the story of Noah from the Bible, I learned that the rainbow symbolises the covenant God made with man not to destroy the world in such a way again.

That’s why a rainbow for me means hope. God gave us a unique and beautiful sign that good things are coming and to remind us that He keeps His promises.

Everytime I see a rainbow, I smile because my spirit is renewed and my hopes are reborn.

I hope next time I see our next door neighbour, they’d be nicer to me.

I hope someday I could l rejoin my childhood friends.

I hope I could fix my parent’s house, so that they won’t experience a ‘flash flood’ in the living room anymore everytime a heavy rain comes.

I hope my experiences in life have shaped me into a strong and compassionate person.

As I came back to my senses I realised we have gone past the spot where I thought you can see the ‘end’ (or the start) of the rainbow coming from the top of a hill.

But the rainbow stayed with us until we reached our destination.

I hope whenever I am down and hurting I could see a rainbow,
To remind me that no matter what goes on in my life, there is always hope
and that no matter what happens, God does not want me to give up,
Like the promise of a rainbow I will be happy and I’ll brighten up.
I will have no troubles but instead help others with their troubles.
I will be strong and live my life to the fullest completely surrendered to God’s will …


"I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth. And it shall come to pass, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the bow shall be seen in the cloud: And I will remember my covenant, which [is] between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that [is] upon the earth. " (Genesis 9:13-16)