Mein Neues Leben in Deutschland

Monday, January 31, 2005

The Secret Cause

When I was younger, I said to myself that I will devote myself to a social cause by the time I reach 21. I was going to adapt an issue, and devote my life to fighting for (or against) it. I turned 21, then 22, then 23, until twenty...mublemumble... And still my life has been devoted simply to myself.

I've spent many years trying to improve my body, my mind, my skills, my relationship, my life, my computer, my room, my career, my, my, my, my, my. I did feel for issues pertaining to environment, human rights, animal rights, and education, but not with the kind passion that could sustain that effort.

But there's something happening to me right now thats scaring me. I think that I'm beginning to feel strongly for a particular issue that I have always taken forgranted. I was reading an magazine article on a train, then something snapped (metaphorically of course) and I felt that I found a cause that I can really put my energy to.

I'm scared because having a cause is scary. It's that simple. Fighting for something brings you way past your comfort zone, into very dangerous territory. I'm scared because I'm beginning to see things differently. I'm afraid that once I explore this, I can no longer be silent.

Im still looking more into this "cause". I don't wana jump into it like a "Dazer" in his fourth day, Or some of the obstinate Erap rallyists during EDSA 3 (How many of them really understood what they were fighing for?) I want to understand the situation more before I start claiming that I am an advocate of this or that. I'll be doing my research, you can be sure of that. Until then, wish me luck.



Dazer - Reference to Days with the Lord, a 3-day retreat held in many Catholic Schools where the participants (Dazers) usually go through an inspiring life changing experience. The fourth day is a metaphor for the rest of their lives, where they are supposed to continue to live up to the ideals they have learned in the retreat. Most 4th days last for about 2 weeks.

Friday, January 07, 2005

A message to my friends

Christmas has passed and the new year is well on its way.

A lot has happened since my last post. So let me run down a few messages:

1) Congratulations to my best friend Eric and Aimee, who just got engaged! I'm very happy for you, my friend. May your blessings multiply in the years to come. I have been asked to the best man at my best friend's wedding. (Ohh, the innuendos). He shares his story for us at his new blog.

2) Congratulations to my bespren Joel and Eena, who just got engaged! (as in I found out after typing this post!) Joel is my bespren to differenciate form best friend Eric, hehehe. Eena got an engagement Beagle, a very cute little puppy. If you ask me, Eena probably gave birth to a beagle and their having a wedding as cover up for the illegitimate puppy. Hehehe. Just kidding. Congrats EEEEENNNNAAAAA!

3) Thank you to Mike and Andreas for taking care of me during the Holidays. You're my new family in Germany. Hehehe. Special thanks to Mike for the wonderful food he has served during the time I stayed with them. Love ya! char

4) Happy Birthday Mike (different person). I forgot to greet you. So sorry! Belated Happy Birthday!

5) To my family, I miss you! I miss the dysfunctional way we celebrate Christmas. I miss the wisecracking conversations we make that only we can understand. (Except dad, he never understood it hehehe) I'm glad everybody is doing well.

6) To my bebe, Love ya be! (Yun lang, censored na yung iba, since this blog is PG)

7) To my Physics CE group, I miss u guys. I wish I was there when Eric told the story. I wanted to hear Eena scream (I think I did hear it from Lübeck, she CAN scream ya' know). I wanted to see Bryan's reaction, Mike's tanggala, and other colorful expressions from the rest of you. I'm glad you were able to manage a reunion without me. Hehehe.

8) To my English class of over 10 years ago, sorry I'm not too active in our egroups. I'm never really a "poster", but it's so nice to be able to talk to some of you over at YM. Abby, I'm going to link your blog OK?. CD too, after I get permission from you both. Teena, well talk about the origin of Philippine style photos again soon :)

9) To the Fallen Eagles. May you continue to fall...oops...I mean... WHERE THE HECK ARE U GUYS! What have u been up to? Haven't heard anything in ages! Did anybody get married secretly again?

10) Hi to all my new online friends! Thanks so much for dropping by and adding me to your links! I do enjoy reading your blogs. May this year be a good year for us.

I have undoubtedly missed a lot of people, but I have to wrap this up already. If I should have greeted you, or mentioned you, but have not, I appeal to you, and lay the blame on my dislex...dslx...dyslix....dyslexia. :)

Happy New Year To All

In Memoriam

I get regular newsletters from Yoga Journal. I really love receiving these because it helps keep me in touch with my yoga practice with inspiring and well written articles. I was really touched by a recent editor's comment about the tsunami disaster. While watching the news in Germany, I cried several times seeing the images, and hearing about the number of people, especially children that were killed. I believe this article speaks the heart of the matter

An Exerpt from the Jan 4,2005 issue of Yoga Journal Online

Like many of you, we at Yoga Journal have been closely following the recent devastation in South Asia and East Africa caused by the earthquake and resulting tsunami. For us, this concern is both general and personal, as some members of our staff were traveling in the affected areas. But whether or not you know anyone who was affected personally, you are probably also concerned and saddened.

Yoga is a practice of union. Through yoga's teachings, we learn that we are connected to others, even if they live far away, speak different languages, and hold different beliefs. In the eyes of the universe, we are one. So when tragedy strikes anywhere in the world, we are all affected.

Each of us may respond to this tragedy differently. Some of us may wish to travel to those areas to give aid personally. Others may wish to contribute financially. Others may send prayers, invoke loving-kindness meditations, or recommit to their practice in order to bring peace to the world one person at a time. Whatever your personal response to this tragedy may be, we hope you'll find this week's articles about compassion and connection to be of assistance in the coming weeks.

Namaste,

Leila Easa and the Yoga Journal Staff