How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of everyday's
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with a passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood's faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints, --- I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life! --- and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
XLIII. "How do I love thee? Let me count the ways..."
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Monday, January 2, 2012
I Have Little, But I Am Rich
If I do not have eyes, I will sing my words.
If I do not have a voice, I will write to praise and protest.
If I do not have legs, I will train my arms to lift me up.
If I do not have arms, I will play soccer for a living.
If I do not have a home, I will pack light and move around.
If I do not have things, I will invite everyone I know to stay at my home.
If I do not have money, I will collect soda cans for pennies.
If I do have money, I will not buy soda.
If I do not have a lover, I will go for a romantic dinner with my friends.
If I do not have friends, I will travel the globe and find godparents in every place.
If I do not have anything, I still have love.
If I do not have love, God will love me, so I can love in return.
[And if I do not have life, Ben Breedlove tells me to have peace about dying.]
If I do not have a voice, I will write to praise and protest.
If I do not have legs, I will train my arms to lift me up.
If I do not have arms, I will play soccer for a living.
If I do not have a home, I will pack light and move around.
If I do not have things, I will invite everyone I know to stay at my home.
If I do not have money, I will collect soda cans for pennies.
If I do have money, I will not buy soda.
If I do not have a lover, I will go for a romantic dinner with my friends.
If I do not have friends, I will travel the globe and find godparents in every place.
If I do not have anything, I still have love.
If I do not have love, God will love me, so I can love in return.
[And if I do not have life, Ben Breedlove tells me to have peace about dying.]
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Too Difficult to Explain
I love you for even the difficult things and especially the wonderful things. You make me feel alive to myself and enlivened by God. Thank you.
What a breath of fresh air. I love you just the same, and have been affected by you greatly.
What a breath of fresh air. I love you just the same, and have been affected by you greatly.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Be
Be understanding to your enemies,
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need for yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.
Above all, be yourself.
~ Unknown source
Be loyal to your friends.
Be strong enough to face the world each day.
Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.
Be generous to those who need your help.
Be frugal with what you need for yourself.
Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.
Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.
Be willing to share your joys.
Be willing to share the sorrows of others.
Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.
Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.
Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.
Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.
Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.
Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.
Be loving to those who love you.
Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.
Above all, be yourself.
~ Unknown source
Monday, January 3, 2011
Dear Man
Man,
Do not settle for less than what is destined for you.
One that finds you an equal. To live, learn, and laugh with.
One who comforts you with his calm river. So your boat sleeps peacefully.
On his pulsating heart, broken soul.
Receive what you don’t deserve, yet.
Embrace the harsh truth of pain and weakness.
Extend your growing gratitude as minutes prove longevity.
Emanate the flow of grace. Forgive yourself and forget. [That is how you shall bear with yourself.]
For you have endured uncertainties, hurt, and glimpses of success.
Thus deserving rest in abundant commodities of generosity and love.
Find your place in this earthy maze.
In good faith, you take a huge leap to new waters.
In solemnity, you pray for the surrounding shapes, welcoming you.
In health or sickness, in riches or poverty. In love.
Guard your chiseled heart. Hope for renewal.
Undo the tangled rope, find your way to simplicity.
Under the heat of the sun, wash, let the scars dry.
You may find revolution.
I am no solution.
I am a mere cup. Of overflowing, unguided waterfall.
I may topple in the storm, yet aware to set my sail.
I make choices, bad and good, round and about.
I am a puzzle to solve. With casualties.
For you have learned your wisdom. Handsome silver and deep brown.
Thus I breathe out wind. Set sail. Find your man.
Sincerely,
Non-Conformist
Do not settle for less than what is destined for you.
One that finds you an equal. To live, learn, and laugh with.
One who comforts you with his calm river. So your boat sleeps peacefully.
On his pulsating heart, broken soul.
Receive what you don’t deserve, yet.
Embrace the harsh truth of pain and weakness.
Extend your growing gratitude as minutes prove longevity.
Emanate the flow of grace. Forgive yourself and forget. [That is how you shall bear with yourself.]
For you have endured uncertainties, hurt, and glimpses of success.
Thus deserving rest in abundant commodities of generosity and love.
Find your place in this earthy maze.
In good faith, you take a huge leap to new waters.
In solemnity, you pray for the surrounding shapes, welcoming you.
In health or sickness, in riches or poverty. In love.
Guard your chiseled heart. Hope for renewal.
Undo the tangled rope, find your way to simplicity.
Under the heat of the sun, wash, let the scars dry.
You may find revolution.
I am no solution.
I am a mere cup. Of overflowing, unguided waterfall.
I may topple in the storm, yet aware to set my sail.
I make choices, bad and good, round and about.
I am a puzzle to solve. With casualties.
For you have learned your wisdom. Handsome silver and deep brown.
Thus I breathe out wind. Set sail. Find your man.
Sincerely,
Non-Conformist
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Lazy comedy
I recently watched recorded stand-up comedy. Two names surfaced: Ricky Gervais, a comedian whose acting I respect, and Kathy Griffin, whose jokes are guilty pleasures in times of need.
I find myself in dilemma in enjoying American comedy these days. I know myself to be controversial and bold at times, but other times it is convenient for me to be politically correct. Having a Christian faith apparently can also cause a dilemma. We Christians call laughing at dirty jokes “the flesh” and find hearing the names of God used in vain “offensive”.
Most commercials comedy materials now find comfort in mocking the idea of religiosity. Some brave comedians target certain religions, allegedly, when they have enough audience to make a living out of their jokes that they can risk the religious” audience. It is “fun” to laugh at certain beliefs that are taken for granted or embraced at face value because those who believe suffer consequences. These consequences make them do things out of the ordinary, or in some religious cultures those things become the norm. You can make endless jokes about people wearing religious clothing or believing in religious stories. Post-modernism, with its technological and scientific resources, is self-sufficient to explain all phenomena ever existed, after all.
Religiosity is such a vague term that people can use the words “agnostic” or “spiritual” to describe their worldview. In my experience, the term covers all who fear evil, death, or hell. One who does seems to find solace in activities related to religions conducted as redemptive measures, that are funny to some. For those who are raised religious, parental pressure may be as frightening as evil and all his vices. This probably explains why adulthood is when religiosity fades. A character on a TV show says, “I stopped observing religious holidays when I knew enough.” These exact people should probably penalized for not being able to stop using their god(s) name in vain. Religiosity is so diverse that we all may have the license to mock those who attempt to define their own or others’ religiosity, including those so ignorant of religions they create their own religion of atheism. It is one of those things that is funny in itself.
Comedians, I know you work hard. But you can be lazy! Picking all these easy materials is certainly not a crime, especially when people pay a fortune seeking them. One of the most famous and forever amusing topic is gender. Male comedians make fun of women and their intricate lives; female comedians do the same of male sloppiness and irrelevant habits. Both seem to find gays and lesbians easy targets, perhaps due to their religion of sexuality. Celebrities are certainly in the same picture in this easy materials family. Comedians know that their audience have the vote on whether or not a joke is good. If easy materials are what people are willing to pay for, that is what they shall get. Easy joke, easy laughter equals immediate satisfaction. A cheap thrill for dumb audience by lazy comedians.
American comedy materials ranging from The Simpsons and The Family Guy to stand-up comedy sell jokes on certain religions or religious groups. The Jews, Christianity and Jesus, as well as the new-age beliefs such as the Church of Scientology or Mormonism are the most popular targets. I should probably say that they are also the most harmless, although some of their members can be dangerous: those who use political threats or those who go hunting for leisure. Religions have tales to tell and these tales can be funny when comedians put spicy twists on them. Gervais’ recent extended joke on an HBO special was on the story of Noah’s Ark. He did not necessarily make fun of the story; he dwelt in a children’s storybook of Noah’s Ark by making fun of the drawings. I am very sure that I can do the same sitting down at a Barnes and Noble children’s section and have a comedy “session” with friends who are nice enough to be willing to listen to me. Lazy, I say! I also recently read a transcript of an interview between a Wall Street Journal journalist and Gervais. He is, as I found out with no surprise, a proactive evangelist of atheism who like Richard Dawkins upholds science as the upmost source of truth. To him, science knows what it knows and does not know, which is why it is more reliable than religions. Reading this before watching his stand-up on HBO gives me an idea where he is coming from. [And! Oh my … he has an essay on atheism.] Not forgetting Kathy Griffin, Jesus recently caused a controversy though her award acceptance speech “Suck it, Jesus”. Some churches went into rage, which made it even more fun for her to use as her stand-up materials. Her jokes, not surprisingly, are based on the religious followers of Jesus who use God’s name in vain unnecessarily and endlessly and are as hypocritical as corrupt politicians and criminals. She probably gained most of her fame now due to this one career-defining event; good for her!
Now, my question is why haven’t I heard of Islam or Moslem followers being used for comic materials in the United States? Is the subject too sensitive or dangers? Is it 9/11 that will criminalize them for making jokes on Islam? Or they actually respect Islam enough for 9/11 that they stay out of the topic? Their religion, I say, along with the rituals and theology can be as funny as those of other beliefs. But why do these comedians refuse to highlight certain religions? Is it because they are simply difficult in some ways? The attempted answers to these questions will be too controversial for public exposure, but I will leave it to the minds of comedians and their audience.
I, as an audience, demand less easy materials and more unthinkable jokes. I can use fresh ideas once in a while, especially when I have to pay in US dollars to witness them.
I find myself in dilemma in enjoying American comedy these days. I know myself to be controversial and bold at times, but other times it is convenient for me to be politically correct. Having a Christian faith apparently can also cause a dilemma. We Christians call laughing at dirty jokes “the flesh” and find hearing the names of God used in vain “offensive”.
Most commercials comedy materials now find comfort in mocking the idea of religiosity. Some brave comedians target certain religions, allegedly, when they have enough audience to make a living out of their jokes that they can risk the religious” audience. It is “fun” to laugh at certain beliefs that are taken for granted or embraced at face value because those who believe suffer consequences. These consequences make them do things out of the ordinary, or in some religious cultures those things become the norm. You can make endless jokes about people wearing religious clothing or believing in religious stories. Post-modernism, with its technological and scientific resources, is self-sufficient to explain all phenomena ever existed, after all.
Religiosity is such a vague term that people can use the words “agnostic” or “spiritual” to describe their worldview. In my experience, the term covers all who fear evil, death, or hell. One who does seems to find solace in activities related to religions conducted as redemptive measures, that are funny to some. For those who are raised religious, parental pressure may be as frightening as evil and all his vices. This probably explains why adulthood is when religiosity fades. A character on a TV show says, “I stopped observing religious holidays when I knew enough.” These exact people should probably penalized for not being able to stop using their god(s) name in vain. Religiosity is so diverse that we all may have the license to mock those who attempt to define their own or others’ religiosity, including those so ignorant of religions they create their own religion of atheism. It is one of those things that is funny in itself.
Comedians, I know you work hard. But you can be lazy! Picking all these easy materials is certainly not a crime, especially when people pay a fortune seeking them. One of the most famous and forever amusing topic is gender. Male comedians make fun of women and their intricate lives; female comedians do the same of male sloppiness and irrelevant habits. Both seem to find gays and lesbians easy targets, perhaps due to their religion of sexuality. Celebrities are certainly in the same picture in this easy materials family. Comedians know that their audience have the vote on whether or not a joke is good. If easy materials are what people are willing to pay for, that is what they shall get. Easy joke, easy laughter equals immediate satisfaction. A cheap thrill for dumb audience by lazy comedians.
American comedy materials ranging from The Simpsons and The Family Guy to stand-up comedy sell jokes on certain religions or religious groups. The Jews, Christianity and Jesus, as well as the new-age beliefs such as the Church of Scientology or Mormonism are the most popular targets. I should probably say that they are also the most harmless, although some of their members can be dangerous: those who use political threats or those who go hunting for leisure. Religions have tales to tell and these tales can be funny when comedians put spicy twists on them. Gervais’ recent extended joke on an HBO special was on the story of Noah’s Ark. He did not necessarily make fun of the story; he dwelt in a children’s storybook of Noah’s Ark by making fun of the drawings. I am very sure that I can do the same sitting down at a Barnes and Noble children’s section and have a comedy “session” with friends who are nice enough to be willing to listen to me. Lazy, I say! I also recently read a transcript of an interview between a Wall Street Journal journalist and Gervais. He is, as I found out with no surprise, a proactive evangelist of atheism who like Richard Dawkins upholds science as the upmost source of truth. To him, science knows what it knows and does not know, which is why it is more reliable than religions. Reading this before watching his stand-up on HBO gives me an idea where he is coming from. [And! Oh my … he has an essay on atheism.] Not forgetting Kathy Griffin, Jesus recently caused a controversy though her award acceptance speech “Suck it, Jesus”. Some churches went into rage, which made it even more fun for her to use as her stand-up materials. Her jokes, not surprisingly, are based on the religious followers of Jesus who use God’s name in vain unnecessarily and endlessly and are as hypocritical as corrupt politicians and criminals. She probably gained most of her fame now due to this one career-defining event; good for her!
Now, my question is why haven’t I heard of Islam or Moslem followers being used for comic materials in the United States? Is the subject too sensitive or dangers? Is it 9/11 that will criminalize them for making jokes on Islam? Or they actually respect Islam enough for 9/11 that they stay out of the topic? Their religion, I say, along with the rituals and theology can be as funny as those of other beliefs. But why do these comedians refuse to highlight certain religions? Is it because they are simply difficult in some ways? The attempted answers to these questions will be too controversial for public exposure, but I will leave it to the minds of comedians and their audience.
I, as an audience, demand less easy materials and more unthinkable jokes. I can use fresh ideas once in a while, especially when I have to pay in US dollars to witness them.
Friday, October 1, 2010
Letters from my lover (Week 2)
Not sure if you have really decided to burn the bridge altogether.
But I want to assure you that I am no longer committed to you or trying to get your commitment in any way.
I am explaining why it makes sense now.
I think it’s crazy to still tell you what I’m about to tell you. Partly because you’ve told me some of your story. Partly because I want to remember and tell you where I’ve been, so I remind myself that I don’t want to go back.
You’ve told me where you’ve been: your family, your past relationship, etc.
I love you for where you’ve been, things that you did not do, not for what you’ve done or what you have.
I thought it would be so easy to love you, coz I felt I’ve known you a long time from a distant past.
Your story sounds so familiar to me. So I gave it everything.
Where I’ve been will explain why I’m not interested in you who have chosen your pride over me. Stories I’ve never told you:
I’ve been through this all my life. Pride that rules the heart of a man is a same, old story: my old man.
Perhaps I am too much like her. We believe in hardwork, endurance, and commitment.
I knocked on your door you slammed shut, simply thinking I was committed.
Even when you said you were leaving.
In the end, I decided to leave you because I don’t want to go back. I may have waited. 26 years, maybe.
I was knocking. I was sleepless. I was hurting.
I wanted to wait and see.
She has always had faith in people. “Whatever he’s like, he’s your old man.”
Maybe I do have faith in people. I did and I do.
Young men like us choose pride. Just because of our youth that makes us seem so powerful.
It may be a defense mechanism for people like us, who have come a long way with intense, constant fight.
But eventually it will be given up. When we lose our job. When our wife and kids leave us behind. When we are on our deathbed.
I am not sure if I fully reject pride. But I’ve endured it. I grew up wanting to be the opposite of pride.
I am not looking for pity or sympathy. I am only looking for life lessons and ultimately love.
I don’t want to burn bridges because I believe I have to build them, although I have to swallow my pride deep.
There was not one bridge in my childhood, in my early adulthood.
I may be tired of building but I refuse to stop.
Someone can only make you feel inferior if you approve of it, a Roosevelt used to say and believe in.
I choose to see the best of you. Coz I love your life journey. Someone like me falls in love with orphans, the underprivileged, fighters, heroes because I see myself in them, abandoned by the happy-go-lucky world.
That’s all it took for me to fight for you. It was and will be so painfully easy.
I guess I didn’t know any better. Or I actually know better. Not really sure.
Not sure if I can consistently thank you for not burning this bridge.
I don’t know what we each will have in the end. But we’ve said goodbye.
Even though I wish you had heard my story that may make you feel that we will fill each other's void.
Even though I wish you knew me better.
Even though I thought we would understand each other so easily.
Not like them who constantly seek anything fun and platonic. Anything that has no meaning.
You’ve build such some walls from brick of pride. They’re getting higher now. High enough that you refuse to see many things, including the good in yourself and others. The bad is so much easier to see.
I’m stepping back now. Now and again.
I don't really know why my mom did not leave. But I now know why she stayed.
I am better.
I will be here sitting in the shade of an orange tree in the middle of a field.
You may wander around enjoying the withering dandellions out there with pride weighing you down.
When you decide to lay that burden down, come by, kiss me on the forehead, and we'll have a good conversation.
Let's laugh about the pieces we left behind.
Wish you well ...
But I want to assure you that I am no longer committed to you or trying to get your commitment in any way.
I am explaining why it makes sense now.
I think it’s crazy to still tell you what I’m about to tell you. Partly because you’ve told me some of your story. Partly because I want to remember and tell you where I’ve been, so I remind myself that I don’t want to go back.
You’ve told me where you’ve been: your family, your past relationship, etc.
I love you for where you’ve been, things that you did not do, not for what you’ve done or what you have.
I thought it would be so easy to love you, coz I felt I’ve known you a long time from a distant past.
Your story sounds so familiar to me. So I gave it everything.
Where I’ve been will explain why I’m not interested in you who have chosen your pride over me. Stories I’ve never told you:
I’ve been through this all my life. Pride that rules the heart of a man is a same, old story: my old man.
Perhaps I am too much like her. We believe in hardwork, endurance, and commitment.
I knocked on your door you slammed shut, simply thinking I was committed.
Even when you said you were leaving.
In the end, I decided to leave you because I don’t want to go back. I may have waited. 26 years, maybe.
I was knocking. I was sleepless. I was hurting.
I wanted to wait and see.
She has always had faith in people. “Whatever he’s like, he’s your old man.”
Maybe I do have faith in people. I did and I do.
Young men like us choose pride. Just because of our youth that makes us seem so powerful.
It may be a defense mechanism for people like us, who have come a long way with intense, constant fight.
But eventually it will be given up. When we lose our job. When our wife and kids leave us behind. When we are on our deathbed.
I am not sure if I fully reject pride. But I’ve endured it. I grew up wanting to be the opposite of pride.
I am not looking for pity or sympathy. I am only looking for life lessons and ultimately love.
I don’t want to burn bridges because I believe I have to build them, although I have to swallow my pride deep.
There was not one bridge in my childhood, in my early adulthood.
I may be tired of building but I refuse to stop.
Someone can only make you feel inferior if you approve of it, a Roosevelt used to say and believe in.
I choose to see the best of you. Coz I love your life journey. Someone like me falls in love with orphans, the underprivileged, fighters, heroes because I see myself in them, abandoned by the happy-go-lucky world.
That’s all it took for me to fight for you. It was and will be so painfully easy.
I guess I didn’t know any better. Or I actually know better. Not really sure.
Not sure if I can consistently thank you for not burning this bridge.
I don’t know what we each will have in the end. But we’ve said goodbye.
Even though I wish you had heard my story that may make you feel that we will fill each other's void.
Even though I wish you knew me better.
Even though I thought we would understand each other so easily.
Not like them who constantly seek anything fun and platonic. Anything that has no meaning.
You’ve build such some walls from brick of pride. They’re getting higher now. High enough that you refuse to see many things, including the good in yourself and others. The bad is so much easier to see.
I’m stepping back now. Now and again.
I don't really know why my mom did not leave. But I now know why she stayed.
I am better.
I will be here sitting in the shade of an orange tree in the middle of a field.
You may wander around enjoying the withering dandellions out there with pride weighing you down.
When you decide to lay that burden down, come by, kiss me on the forehead, and we'll have a good conversation.
Let's laugh about the pieces we left behind.
Wish you well ...
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