The Curse of the Forgotten Curtains (A Short Story)

I woke up one morning feeling a blaze from the heat of the sun. I am furious with myself that I have forgotten to close the blackout curtains in my windows. I got up soaked with sweat even though my air conditioner unit was on. I started questioning myself why I forgot to do that simplest thing that I usually do before going to sleep. While I was walking towards the bathroom to take a hot shower, I decided to brew coffee that would give me energy that was stolen by that stupid morning. But damn! I ran out of coffee beans. So, I took my shower and got dressed. Feeling irritated, I headed to the nearest convenience store near my apartment.  

As I was walking in the alley, I noticed that somebody was following me. I walked faster just to make sure that person was following me or not. My thoughts were proven wrong. Maybe it was just the effect that I hadn’t had my coffee to think reasonably.  I reached the store, and a homeless old man opened the door for me. I looked at him and noticed that he looked like he hadn't had his breakfast. Based on his looks, he resembled one of my relatives from the province. I was moved by his situation and decided to buy him a sandwich too for him to have breakfast. I picked up my on-the-go coffee-in-a-bottle and proceeded to the cashier to pay. I handed the sandwich to the old man and his face turned happy with a big smile on his face. He thanked me as I left. 

As I took my coffee while I was waiting for my company shuttle bus to arrive at the bus station, I had some realizations. First, we take all the things that we have for granted. Second, a small act of kindness can ripple outwards, creating waves of positivity you never anticipated. That smile on the old man's face warmed me more than the coffee I was holding. Maybe that's why I forgot the curtains – the universe, in its own mysterious way, was nudging me outside to perform a good deed. 

As I sipped my coffee, phone in hand, an alert buzzed on the screen. It was a notification from my bank – an unexpected deposit for the exact amount I spent on the coffee and sandwich. I furrowed my brow, confused. Glancing around, I saw no one who might be the benefactor. Perhaps it was the old man, I thought, a strange but heartwarming possibility. The idea sparked a flame of curiosity within me. 

Just then, the familiar rumble of the approaching shuttle bus interrupted my musings. I boarded the bus, the mystery of the money swirling in my mind. As I settled into my seat, a glint of something on the floor caught my eye. A small, worn package sat nestled beside me. Curiosity piqued, I reached down and picked it up. It wasn't addressed, but a single slip of paper peeked out from a seam. I carefully unfolded it, revealing a single line written in familiar, scratchy handwriting: "Good deeds are always rewarded." A grin stretched across my face. Maybe forgetting the curtains wasn't such a bad thing after all. 

The bus moved forward, carrying me not just to work, but towards a day filled with newfound curiosity. The kindness of strangers and the strange way the universe works now held a deeper meaning for me. The mystery of the old man and the unexpected payment hung in the air, a reminder that even the smallest choices can spark extraordinary experiences. I clutched the package tightly, a tangible reminder of the ripple effects my simple act had created. Who knew what other surprises this day, or the ones that followed, might hold? 

End Game

 screenshot from GMA Drama

Fidel's love for Klay was pure and true,

It changed him, made him see anew,

He learned to care not just for himself,

But also, for his homeland, to help.

With Klay by his side, he found his way,

To make a better world, come what may,

She showed him how to be selfless and kind,

And to leave behind a love that's somewhat, blind.

But as the day approached for her to go,

Fidel felt his heartbeat slow,

The thought of losing her by his side,

Filled him with an overwhelming tide.

He knew that she had her world to live,

But the love he had for her, he couldn't give,

He knew that he would miss her so, dearly,

And the thought of them being apart, eerie.

But Fidel knew that love knows no bounds,

Even in the world of the novel, where his truth surrounds,

So, he holds on tight for his hope,

That one day they'll be together, in this world they'll cope.

The Importance of Integrity, Kindness, and Discipline in Building Strong Relationships and Achieving Success

In today's world, there are certain qualities that every person needs to build strong relationships, succeed in their endeavors, and make a positive impact on the world. These qualities are integrity, kindness, and discipline.

Integrity involves being honest and true to oneself and others. It is the foundation of trust and respect, and it is essential for building strong and meaningful relationships. When we have integrity, we can gain the trust and respect of those around us, and we can build genuine connections with others. Without integrity, it is difficult to establish trust and respect, and it is nearly impossible to have genuine connections with others.

Kindness involves being compassionate and understanding toward others. It is the foundation of empathy and understanding, and it is essential for building strong and meaningful relationships. When we are kind, we can show empathy and understanding toward others, and we can build genuine connections with them. Without kindness, it is difficult to show empathy and understanding toward others, and it is nearly impossible to have genuine connections with them.

Discipline involves being focused and driven in one's endeavors. It is the foundation of self-control and determination, and it is essential for achieving success in any area of life. When we have discipline, we can stay focused and committed to our goals, and we can achieve success. Without discipline, it is difficult to stay focused and committed, and it is nearly impossible to achieve success.

It is important to note that these qualities are not easy to attain, and they often require suffering and adversity to be developed. Heartbreak, for example, can teach us valuable lessons about honesty and compassion, as we learn to navigate our emotions and be there for others in their time of need. Tough times can also teach us discipline, as we learn to persevere and stay focused despite the challenges we face.

Therefore, it is important to embrace suffering and adversity as opportunities to grow and develop these essential qualities, rather than seeing them as obstacles to be avoided. By cultivating integrity, kindness, and discipline, we can build strong relationships, succeed in our endeavors, and make a positive impact on the world.

The Strength of Lifting Others Up

Strong people are often admired for their physical or mental strength, their courage and determination, and their ability to overcome challenges. But true strength is not just about being able to lift heavy weights or achieve great accomplishments. It is also about the way we treat others and the way we conduct ourselves in the world.

One of the hallmarks of a strong person is their ability to lift others, rather than tearing them down. This means being supportive and encouraging, rather than critical and judgmental. It means offering a helping hand or a kind word when someone is struggling, rather than taking pleasure in their misfortunes.

This type of behavior is not only kind and compassionate, but it also has a ripple effect on those around us. When we lift others, we help them to feel valued and appreciated, which in turn boosts their self-esteem and confidence. This can lead to a positive spiral of support and encouragement, as those who have been lifted feel more empowered to lift others in turn.

On the other hand, when we put others down, we not only hurt their feelings but also damage the relationships we have with them. No one wants to be around someone who is constantly critical or judgmental, and this type of behavior can lead to resentment and distance in our relationships.

Furthermore, when we put others down, we are often motivated by a desire to feel superior or to bolster our ego. This type of behavior is rooted in a lack of self-confidence and a need to compensate for our insecurities. It is a sign of weakness, rather than strength.

So, how can we be strong and lift others? One of the most powerful things we can do is to simply be there for others when they need us. This could mean offering a listening ear when someone is going through a tough time or offering practical support when someone is struggling with a task. It could also mean offering words of encouragement or praise when someone is working hard to achieve a goal.

Another way to lift others is to be a role model for positive behavior. This means leading by example and showing others that it is possible to be kind and compassionate, even when we are facing challenges ourselves. When we set a good example, we inspire others to do the same, and we create a culture of positivity and support.

We can lift others by being present in our interactions with them. This means truly listening to what they have to say and showing genuine interest in their lives and experiences. It also means being authentic and genuine in our communication and being open and honest about our struggles and challenges.

True strength is not just about being able to lift heavy weights or achieve great feats. It is also about the way we treat others and the way we conduct ourselves in the world. Strong people are those who lift others, rather than tear them down. They are supportive and encouraging, rather than critical and judgmental. They offer a helping hand or a kind word when someone is struggling, and they set a good example for positive behavior. When we lift others, we help them to feel valued and appreciated, and we create a culture of positivity and support.

The Meaning Behind 'Auld Lang Syne': Reflections on Friendship, Departure, and Death

As we welcome the new year, the song "Auld Lang Syne" has become a familiar and poignant reminder of the passing of time. But beyond its role as a New Year's anthem, the song's lyrics carry a deeper message about the complexities and bittersweet nature of friendship, departure, and death.

"Auld Lang Syne" translates to "old long since" or "days gone by" in Scottish, and the song reflects on the memories and experiences shared between friends. The lyrics ask whether we should "forget the friends we made" and "look forward to the new year blankly" or whether we should "take a cup of kindness yet" and cherish the memories of those we have lost.

This theme of friendship and memory is particularly poignant in the context of departure and death. The song acknowledges that time pass and people come and go, but it also reminds us to hold onto the connections we have made and the lessons we have learned from them.

In this way, the song reminds us to cherish the present moment and the people we hold dear and pay tribute to those we have lost. As we say goodbye to the old year and embrace the new, let us take a moment to reflect on the connections we have made and the memories we have shared with those we love. And let us raise a cup of kindness in honor of those who are no longer with us, remembering their impact on our lives and the bonds of friendship that will forever endure. As we continue to navigate the challenges of a global pandemic, the themes of friendship, departure, and death have taken on even greater significance. Many of us have experienced the pain of loss or the heartache of being separated from loved ones.

In this time of uncertainty and upheaval, it serves as a reminder to hold onto the connections we have with those we care about. It encourages us to reach out to friends and loved ones, to stay connected even when we are apart, and to offer support and kindness to one another.

But it also reminds us that loss is a natural part of life. It acknowledges that we will all experience the pain of saying goodbye to those we love, and it encourages us to find ways to cope with and honor the memories of those who have passed on.

As we move forward into the new year, let us take the message of "Auld Lang Syne" to heart. Let us cherish the friendships we have and try to stay connected to those we love, even when circumstances may try to keep us apart. And let us find ways to honor and remember those we have lost, finding comfort and strength in the bonds of friendship that will always endure.

The Importance of Respect for Every Individual, Not Based on Occupation or Profession

It is not appropriate for people to base their level of respect for someone on their occupation or profession. Everyone should be treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their job or profession. It is important to recognize and value the inherent worth and humanity of every person.

It is also important to remember that people's needs and interests in their work and livelihood vary from person to person. For some, their job or profession is simply a way to provide for their basic needs, while for others it is a way to contribute to their community and society. In general, people should not allow their job or profession to dictate how they are treated or how they treat others. Instead, they should focus on their own needs and interests in life and find ways to meet these needs in a way that does not require abuse or exploitation of others.

When people ask about your occupation, it should not be an opportunity for you to show off your status or achievements to them. Instead, it should be an opportunity for you to show your honesty and respect for them as individuals.

As human beings, we all deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, no matter who we are or what we do for a living. Unfortunately, our society often places value on certain occupations or professions, leading to a hierarchy of respect that is not always fair or just. 

This hierarchy can have a negative impact on individuals who are not seen as valuable or worthy because of their profession, leading to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and even discrimination. But the reality is that every person has worth and value, regardless of their occupation or profession. Every person has unique talents, skills, and abilities that make them valuable members of society. Every person has dreams, aspirations, and desires that deserve to be recognised and respected. Every person has a right to be treated with kindness, compassion, and understanding, regardless of their profession.

It is important that we all recognize and embrace this truth. We must work to create a society where everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of their occupation or profession. This means valuing and respecting the inherent worth of every individual, and treating them with kindness and compassion. It means acknowledging the contributions and value of every person, and recognizing the importance of diversity and inclusion in our communities.

By embracing this philosophy, we can create a more just and equitable society where everyone is valued and respected for who they are, not just what they do. We can foster a sense of belonging and connection among all people, and create a world where everyone is treated with the respect and dignity they deserve. So, it is very important to give respect to every individual, not based on their occupation or profession.