Make peace with your shadow. Unless you are able to,you will never dare venture in the light.

Let not another's measure of happiness be your own measure.Judge not the things that can make you happy.

God does not take us only when we are lovable,but moreso when we are most in need of love.

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: Inspiration, Inspiring Quotes

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that we cannot be loved enough

and that we cannot love enough
the people we care about the most

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: burden, carrying the cross, cross, how to carry cross, Inspiration, religion, two crosses we must bear

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God was there
from the very beginning
but I knew Him not
and I turned away

I looked at the world
and beheld its splendor
til that same splendor
snatched me
and I was thrown
amidst its cold brightness
and I yearned for the warmth of home

In despair I wept
and I cried out to my God:
Rescue me for I desire not these things
and I will have none of this beauty
if only to be back in your arms

And my God heard me
and ran to me
and snatched me away from the world
and took me even
within His heart

Therein only
did I find joy
and peace
and LOVE
atlast!

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | 2 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: God, Inspiration, Life, poem, redemption, religion, salvation, salvation poem

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I celebrated that. I rejoiced when those dreams came true. Yet somewhere in my heart, I knew I had a few secret dreams. Dreams too extravagant for me then that fulfilling them seemed to be selfishness already to me. For how could I even think of them if I don’t even know how we can get by from day to day?

I dreamt again. I dug up the passions I’ve buried for so long. Music, photography, writing. I wanted to do the things I’ve always wanted to do. I wanted to put more meaning in my life.

And yes, I was able to do those, too. I won recognition in a national scriptwriting contest. I was able to write my first book. I was able to establish a website that can reach many people around the world. I celebrated that, too. I felt so blessed to be able to touch lives and comfort others through these gifts.

At first I thought this was enough. I thought I only have to strive harder to improve my skills so I can be more effective in making a difference in the lives of many I haven’t even met. Then it hit me. I’m such a fool thinking I could make such a difference in others while neglecting my own growth, while failing to define who I really am, who I really want to be!

Funny isn’t it? When you thought you’ve been trying to be what you want, when all the while you didn’t even know who you really wanted to be.

I thought I wanted to be an accountant. I thought I wanted to be a writer. And yet it seemed the picture had always been incomplete. For a person is not always in one’s office doing the piles of assignments in her desk. Neither is a person writing 24 hours in a day writing some humorous story or inspirational article. When I’m not doing any of the two roles I mentioned, who am I? Infact, who am I when I’m not doing anything at all?

It was then that I realized how I had been living my life all these years. I realized how I had been striving and pursuing my dreams while remaining the faceless person I had been all along. Yes, faceless and nameless, for I was without a clear understanding of my whole person, and without a concrete vision of the kind of person I really wanted to be.

It’s no wonder then how shy I had been for so long. I was always withdrawing, always afraid. In truth I was afraid of looking at myself, and of realizing how far I am from the person I really wanted to be.

It was not that I was a bad person. Nor was it that I do not know my intelligence and other strengths. But I guess I was hindered since my early years by a certain physical defect in my right eye. I’ve always felt it was the first thing people notice in me, something that made me unattractive, something that made me feel I’m different from all the other kids. I thought I could never be beautiful, so why even try? I thought I could never blend in as a normal kid, so why risk rejection?

So began my journey in the shadow of my fears. So began a life without a real identity, for maybe I’d rather have none than an ugly unacceptable one.

And now, as I ponder upon what I truly want to achieve, these things haunt me as ghosts from a troubled past. For in order to begin the journey towards the person I desire to become, I must begin by facing who I am now, and of accepting myself, warts and all.

I accept my defect. I accept my limitations. I accept and recognize the darkness in me that needed to be illuminated. Yet I also accept my virtues. I accept my gifts. I recognize every good seed that had been planted in my heart all along. And then I am free. Free to remain the way I am today. Free to change and be the best possible me there could ever be.

Finally, I could ask myself who I really wanted to be. Not what job I want. Not what achievements or awards I would like to have. But the kind of person I truly want to be. Because that’s the only thing I could always possess, the only thing no one can ever take away from me, the only thing that can truly make my life meaningful and worthwhile.

Who do I really want to be? I paused and looked into my heart and soul. I asked myself how I wanted to live my life, how I wanted to deal with other people, what impact I would like to create, what sweet fragrance I wanted to leave wherever I should set forth. Am I to be a gloomy cloud casting darkness wherever the wind blows me? Or am I to be a soothing joyous light that brings happines and peace wherever I may choose to go?

And if I wish to be the latter, shouldn’t it follow that I must learn to shine in order to give out light? Doesn’t it follow that I must take off the dark cloak that has hidden my true beauty all these years?

Indeed, if I choose to be light, I must be a light in everything I do, in anywhere that I may go, in all my ways, and in every aspect of my being, from my thinking to my manners, from the purity of my heart to my physical appearance.

From the light of that vision, I begin to define myself. For what indeed is light? And what indeed is beauty? And I must define these in the light of my own wisdom, lest I fall in the trap of trying to please only other people, lest I forget what’s truly important for me.

I can begin now. And I begin by writing down my life purpose:

To walk in perfect peace, true love flowing from my heart, my spirit resonating with a song of gladness as it touches other people’s hearts, comforting each troubled spirit, breaking free from the loneliness and emptiness that had been, and moving on towards the burning flame of hope that never ever dies.

This article was written by Jocelyn Soriano at ITAKEOFFTHEMASK.COM

You are free to redistribute this article as long as proper attribution is given to the author and a link back to this site is provided. For more free stuff and blog ideas, visit ITAKEOFFTHEMASK.COM

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: achievement, ambition, dream, Inspiration, life purpose, self improvement, success, who do you want to be, who do you want to be really

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posted by itakeoffthemask.com

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Post tags: blog, blogger, blogging, Inspiration, Life, musings, personal, personal sites, quote, reason for blogging, reason for writing, reasons for writing a blog, reflections, thoughts

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I believe there is a way by which we can achieve a perfect balance in all these things, for after all, there is only one truth albeit different perspectives in seeing the truth.  If we can just learn to see things in a new way, maybe we can find a new way in living a better and fuller life we all deserve.

A spirituality that is not practical is no spirituality at all, but an illusion, or a dream that cannot be.  Its powers are nonsense, for it cannot be lived.  True spirituality is practical, and covers the connection between the soul and the mind, the body and the spirit.  True spirituality leads to healing, and from here we can seek much of the answers we are looking for in our daily life.

 What do you seek?  Is it wisdom?  Is it some answer to your long uttered prayer?

Let us learn to seek them here where I shall persist to discuss these things - spirituality, prayer, healing and wisdom for living.

SPIRITUALITY

Together we can ponder the mysteries of life be it so called miracles, near death experiences, the invisible force around us, the law of attraction and art of allowing.

PRAYER

Together let us let to go back to ourselves and utter the true desires and cries of our hearts.

HEALING

Is there any part of you that is in pain and needs healing?  Maybe we can find some of the causes and answers.  Maybe there'll be some words of comfort to accompany you today.

WISDOM FOR DAILY LIVING

No problem is too small if it bothers you.  No solution is too trivial if it can help alleviate your troubles and bring you closer to the better life you desire. 

I surely do not know most of the answers yet, but I know that as the need arises, we shall all be provided for with more than enough to find our way.

BE BLESSED!

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: daily living, healing, Inspiration, life advice, practical spirituality, prayer, Spirituality, wisdom

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It was kinda embarassing, but I knew the Lord knew my heart and there was no point in hiding anything. I remained true to my feelings, and I asked God for something I've never asked before. I've asked Him to send me a rose, just one. I don't know how it could possibly happen, but I prayed, like a daughter asking something from her dear father. I prayed for a single red rose. I prayed for a small expression of love, a small sign that I am loved, and that I am special as well.

It was a heartfelt prayer, though I never really thought much of it the day after. I guess it was enough for me that I uttered it, and that the Lord heard me. It was already upon God's hands whether to grant the prayer of silly girls like me.

So I went through my activities for the day, attending a seminar in the morning, and meeting my bestfriend afterwards in the afternoon. My friend and I strolled at a mall for a while, and then proceeded to pick up our materials for our upcoming training in Puerto Galera. After picking them up, we tried to find a ride back home. We found it difficult though, and found ourselves trying to find alternative routes.

On our way to EDSA, we chanced upon the Manila Seedling Bank, which we had seen many times before from the outside. A bit curious, we decided to look inside. We were amazed to see such a variety of plants wherever we proceeded. We certainly didn't expect so much there. But it turned out there was even an exhibit at that time from many skilled participants all over the country!

There were plants of all shapes and sizes, of common and rare varieties. There were beautiful flowers everywhere: gerberas, orchids, sunflowers, yellowbells, roses of all colors! Their scent enthralls the senses, their soft and vividly colored petals can't help but delight the eyes. The presentation was just terrific, and it really felt like we've just entered an enchanted garden, far from the harsh activities of men, protected by fairies and elves that guard them night and day.

And suddenly, right in the middle of that garden, I remembered my prayer. My prayer for a single red rose. And I realized, right there and then, that that prayer had been granted far beyond how I expected it to be answered. For right before my eyes lay not just a flower, not just a rose, not just a red rose, not just a bouquet of roses, but hundreds of flowers flourishing, blooming, glorifying the God that answers all of our prayers.

I've only asked for a small emblem of care, but what I received is a mountain of flowers testifying God's immeasurable love for me. I felt so happy. I felt so special and blessed. I believed then that no other girl was able to receive as much that Valentine's Day. No other man could have given as much. But the One who did was the One who loved me, the One who loved me enough to answer that silly prayer for a single lonely rose.

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | 5 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: ask, blessing, gift, god's gift, god's rose, Inspiration, Life, personal, prayer, rose, roses from god, Spirituality, valentines

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Some people would insist on conviction, others would say they are those who found the right way.  Yet what is it that prompts us to find these convictions? 

I think that we are most afraid of things that we do not know, and so we try to explain everything, even at the expense of reaching the extreme.  People are most uncomfortable with the mysterious that we'd rather side with an absolute statement than suffer the vagueness of matters we can't resolve.

We don't like the abstract.  And so goes the many beliefs we have now that seems to cast all other things aside-

Beliefs that unless we do this and that, we won't be saved, and we won't reach heaven.

Beliefs that since there are many things we can't explain about God, then there must be no God at all.

Beliefs formed from the wonders we observed in nature, such beliefs that make us worship nature alone.

Beliefs saying that because having desires causes us so much frustration then we should have no desires at all and lose our personal identity altogether.

We cannot connect everything perfectly yet.  And though this should not prevent us from seeking out the truth, uncertainties for the moment need not take us to extreme beliefs either.  I am lead to belief that this line of thinking was what made Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruit from the tree of knowledge.  They wanted to know everything that they would do everything even if it is not yet time.  Must we eat the forbidden fruit also?  Can we not be comfortable with the mysterious for the moment and enjoy the wonderful revelations given us one moment at a time?

"The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious. It is the fundamental emotion that stands at the cradle of true art and true science. Whoever does not know it and can no longer wonder, no longer marvel, is as good as dead, and his eyes are dimmed. It was the experience of mystery - even if mixed with fear - that engendered religion. A knowledge of the existence of something we cannot penetrate, our perceptions of the profoundest reason and the most radiant beauty, which only in their most primitive forms are accessible to our minds: it is this knowledge and this emotion that constitute true religiosity. In this sense, and only this sense, I am a deeply religious man." -Albert Einstein

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2008. | Permalink | One comment | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: bible, catholic, Inspiration, Life, musings, philosophy, reflections, religion, Spirituality

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And I yearn to wake up and awaken;
I yearn to walk beneath the light;
I yearn to walk just near the trees,
And watch some little birds in flight.

I yearn to walk just near the shore,
And watch the waves at sea;
There’s nothing I could ask for more,
Than earth’s enchanting melody.

In the early hour of the day,
When night has just passed away;
When all is fresh, and all is beautiful,
When all is brilliant, ever pure.

Joy is in cool mornings;
A stroll amidst a brand new day,
When life is just beginning,
When angels sing and dance and pray!

poem+morning

© Jocelyn Soriano for I Take Off The MASK!, 2007. | Permalink | 3 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: comfort, Inspiration, morning joy, poem, Poems, poetry

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