A man only begins to be a man when he ceases to whine and revile,
and commences to search for the hidden justice which regulates his
life. And as he adapts his mind to that regulating factor, he ceases
to accuse others as the cause of his condition, and builds himself
up in strong and noble thoughts; ceases to kick against
circumstances, but begins to _use_ them as aids to his more rapid
progress, and as a means of discovering the hidden powers and
possibilities within himself.

Law, not confusion, is the dominating principle in the universe;
justice, not injustice, is the soul and substance of life; and
righteousness, not corruption, is the moulding and moving force in
the spiritual government of the world. This being so, man has but to
right himself to find that the universe is right; and during the
process of putting himself right he will find that as he alters his
thoughts towards things and other people, things and other people
will alter towards him.

-James Allen

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Post tags: Inspiring Quotes, Life, life advice, Spirituality

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What is the meaning of life?

What is the meaning of life? The meaning of life is simple – it is love. There is no other. If there are other things we seek or need or strive for, it is only because of love. How we can understand it and grasp it with our finite minds. How we can be worthy of it, or how we can realize that we have been loved in times when we are most undeserving of it.

Wisdom, truth, power. They do not possess meaning in themselves. They are but avenues with which to be more acquainted with love, to be more immersed in love so we can discover who we really are and so that we may not lose what we have struggled so hard to find.

God is love. Family is love. Work is love. Passion, excellence, immortality, freedom, all these are but attributes of love.

The meaning of life is in this simple word. And we just couldn't believe it. So we often take the detour instead of pursuing the straight path.

Whatever road you are in right now, do not be fooled. There is only one desire and one destiny. And you must find it if you truly desire to find what is the meaning of life.

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Post tags: full life, Life, life purpose, meaning of life, meaningful life, what is the meaning of life

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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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posted by itakeoffthemask.com

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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

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Post tags: bible, catholic, Inspiration, Life, musings, philosophy, reflections, religion, Spirituality

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