Good morning! I know well that I have not been posting so much these past weeks and months as I am very busy, as in. But guess what? I just received an email dated yesterday notifying me of an upvote in one of my articles. Just read it now! and it is real. I am overwhelmed I must say, not just because I earned an additional points but because of the fact as well that my articles have been noticed. Thank you so much @TheRandom Rewarder
Whether you be an AI or an actual person like me, or a whatsoever and whoever. Just thank you, your upvote gave me a new sense of encouragement.
If you wish to read the article @TheRandomRewarder upvoted, just follow this link https://read.cash/@Amare/this-is-my-family-b969a373
Happy reading, and have a blast today!
Hi SYT community! Just recently joined as I find this community's articles interesting. Hope to be reading more beautiful pieces from this community. And hope to be posting some too. Have a great day everyone!
You were with her, while I was alone
Holding her hand, while I held my own
Hello everyone! I just posted a new article. Check it out here https://read.cash/@Amare/just-maybe-tonight-ill-heal-45328810
I have always wanted to write a happy-ending story or a happy-ending anything but I always at the same time ended up ruining the mood, turning it into a sort of tragedy. How painful. However, I wish you still like it, and if so, please do leave a comment. I'd gladly appreciate it. Thank you!
Just maybe, tonight I'll heal
As I stand under the graying shade of the moon, watching the glistering light of the stars. I wonder, how beautiful this one in a million nights is. How I wish I could keep it locked inside a locket closest to my heart's deep.
A shutter click was heard right at my back. I pause in surprise. Then a familiar voice enthusiastically uttered "*smile!".* I turned my back and faced the owner of the voice I recognized. Stared for a minute, though his face is a little dim. "*Can I be spared with a little smile?"* He asked with a soft chuckle. Unprepared, I gave him a short yet genuine smile. But surprisingly, his fingertip is a quick-clicking thing that automatically captured the scene. I turned my back at him, and once more faced the scenery I momentarily left. I felt a mild touch of the night's cooling breeze that swift through my pores. I flinched for a second. "*The night's deepening. Do you want to take a rest?"* he asked. *"I will in a moment"* I answered.
We are now gazing at the same night view in the very same place. "*Isn't it beautiful?*" I asked. "*It is*" he answered in a soft and low voice. This man is not a stranger, but this feeling makes him an intruder, an uninvited guest that made me feel unease. *"The night sky is always lovely, but tonight is extraordinarily beautiful"* he added, and I can feel his sharp stare. However, I set those thoughts aside. It shouldn't be, this is not right. "*Do you know that staring at those celestial lights above comforts me?*" I asked out of nowhere just to divert the topic and set off a new vibe. *"Nope"* he answered plainly, *"would you mind telling me?"* while looking back at those magnificent lights above. ***"Because it makes me feel that whatever distance there is and wherever we may be, as long as we're staring the same celestial lights at night we are never truly apart"***. I know it may not sound interesting saying those words, but deep down, those are just the right words I long wanted to say. *"Distance is just a number to count how far we are from one another, but our memories together measure how close we are to each other"* he uttered with a soft husking voice. ***"But those memories are tainted and slowly vanishing, I no longer know how to keep them"*** I added.
Memories flashed back like a film in an old camera rolling individually. It was painful, very painful like a dagger stabbed right into the perfect spot in my chest. Unwarranted, my tear suddenly dropped. I turned my face away from his sight, wiped it gently, and stood more steady. This time, it won't hurt the same way. "*I am sorry,"* he said. *"You shouldn't be, neither of us is at fault.* ***Our choices didn't just lead to each other****"* I answered. *"Don't worry I'll heal in no time"* I added. *"Don't worry I have kept the same wound you have"*, *"You have a big heart, I am pretty sure, someone else will come and fill in the space I left"* he added with a voice trying to comfort a child, but my heart is severely bruised, still uncertain when to heal, if it will ever be. I gave him a quick fainted smile. *"****There's no more space****, you've occupied them all, and* ***it went with you when you left****"* I answered with a shaky voice. *"But don't worry, someone else will build its own space in it. I hope so"* I added. *"I'm speechless, it'd be hypocrisy to comfort you at this point"* he uttered in dismay. *"You are not speechless, you just had all the thoughts mixed up that you couldn't find the right words to say,"* I said trying to cheer up the vibe, but I guess I failed.
Seconds have passed and we are still standing just outside the main hall, in the hallway that led to the gazebo at the end of the path. *"Go back into the party, it'll be improper for a groom to be spotted with his ex"* I sarcastically said, just trying to shoo him away, because I feel like I'll breakdown any moment. He gave me a consoling look and a genuine smile of empathy. And he walked away. **We never said goodbyes** even back then, **because we don't want to**. **We never broke up**, **we just chose to continue with a different path separately**. And that same path led us to where we are tonight.
This night is not the best night, but it is arguably memorable. I don't want to forget this night. It may be the first step towards healing, just maybe.
(c) photo: Farmer's Almanac
*Hello there readers! It has been a while since I posted my previous article. Appointments' flooding my busy sched, hope you understand.*
*Here's the explanation why I can't write so much as of the moment* https://read.cash/@Amare/post-ef3fdbd2
*Keep safe everyone!*
Hi everyone! I know it's been a long time. I just wanna share an update for those who have been awaiting my new posts of articles and thoughts. I am sorry to disappoint you that I haven't posted for a while as I became very busy these past few weeks and will still be for more weeks to come. But do not be weary about it, and please do keep a high spirit awaiting as I will be posting a couple of articles when I finally have the luxury of time. Thank you and God bless everyone!
At sa huli't huli...
Mahal?
Iyon ang gusto kong itawag sa iyo
Iyon ang nais kong maramdaman mo
Nais kong alalahanin mo na sa bawat sandali
Sa bawat saya at pighati
Sa bawat pagpintig nitong dibdid
Ikaw lamang ang iniibig
Ala-ala ko pa ang ngiti sa iyong mga mata
Mga nigiting magpang-abot langit ang dala
Noong mga sandaling binibigkas mo ang mga kataga
Mga kataga ng iyong mga pangako
Mga pangako na ikaw lamang at ako
Natatandaan mo pa ba?
Noong tayoy walong taong gulang pa
Ipininta mo sa isang kapiraso ng papel ang aking mukha
At nag-iwan ka ng mga salitang
Ikaw lamang sapat na
Ala-ala mo pa ba?
Noong nakita ito ni ina
Ibinahagi niya ang piraso kay ama
At tayo’y pinagtawanan nila
Sapagkat hindi sila makapaniwala na tayo’y umiibig pala
Sabay tayong lumaki
Sabay nating pinagmasdan ang langit at buwan
Sabay tayong namalagi sa dalampasigan
At saksi ang kalangitan
Sa matamis nating nakaraan
Ako’y labis na nasiyahan
Noong ako’y pinayagan ni ina na magtungo sa iyong kinaroroonan
Iyon ang aking ika labing siyam na kaarawan
Dala-dala ko ang kahon na laman ang ating mga sula’t at larawan
Labis akong nagalak, walang mapagsidlan
Dali-dali akong nagtungo sa iyong silid aklatan
Katabi ng kusina sa baba ng inyong tahanan
Ang sabi ng iyong ina ay naroon ka upang magbasa
Ako raw ay magtungo upang ika’y masurpresa
At dahan-dahan akong nagkubli sa likod ng lamesa
Isa, dalawa, tatlo
Ako ay nagbilang hanggang sampu
Dahan-dahan kang lumingon sa aking direksyon
At sa muli ikaw ay kaharap ngayon
Dali-dali kang lumakad tungo sa aking harapan
Iyong mga hakbang ay sadyang kay bilis hindi ko mabilang
Ang iyong mga bisig ang sumalubong sa aking katawan
Ngiti mo’y magpang-abot kalangitanan
Ang iyong yakap ang syang aking inaabangan
Yakap na mahigpit, na nagsasabing ako’y iyo lamang
Wala kang pinagbago kahit lumipas man ang ilang siglo
Ikaw pa rin ang dati na kilala ko
Ikaw pa rin ang bumuo ng aking pagkatao
Ang iyong mga mata’y nangungusap
Tumitingkad na parang alitaptap
Isa, dalawa, tatlo
Apat, lima, anim, pito
Pitong taon na pala ang nakalipas
O! mapait na pag-ibig ba’t di ako nakaligtas
Ba’t ako ay nahihirapan, sadyang kay malas
Sa loob nitong pitong taon
Hindi ko mawari ang mga panahon
Kung may araw ba na ipinanalangin ko na sanay kapiling kita?
Sadyang oo, sapagkat ni isang araw ay hindi lumipas
Ng hindi ikaw sa aking mga panalangin ay naibibigkas
Ako ngayon ay naritong muli
Kaharap ang kwarto kung saan ka namalagi
Pinagmamasdan ang bawat sulok
Baka sakaling makitang muli
Baka sakaling ikaw lamang ay nagkukubli
Isa, dalawa, tatlo, apat, lima
Hindi mapigilang lumuha ang mga mata
Ako’y nagbilang muli ng isang daan pa
Baka sakaling ika’y magbalik na
Ilang libo pa ba ang bibilangin?
Upang ikaw ay muling makapiling
Pinunasan ko ang aking mga luha
Idinilat ang mga mata sa ibaba
At ibinulong ang mga kataga
“nawa’y ika’y maging masaya, kahit na ako’y kailan man hindi na liligaya,
Pagkat alam mo na sa iyong piling lamang ako’y muling sisigla.”
Kailan man sa buong buhay ko ay wala akong nais pagsisisihan
Subalit kung mayroon man akong nais baguhin sa nakaraan
Iyon ang hindi ka na sana kailanman natagpuan
Upang sana, ang puso’y hindi ngayong nagdurusa
At sana ikaw ngayon ay buhay pa, kahit kapiling ka ng iba
Sana’y hindi na tayo nagtagpo
Sana’y ako na ang kusang lumayo
Sana ay itinaboy kita dati pa
Sana ay hindi kana nakilala
Sana’y hindi mo na ako minahal
Sana hindi na tayo pinagtagpo ng Maykapal
Subalit sadyang mapaglaro ang tadhana
Ang ating kahapon ay hindi na muling maibabalik pa
Sadyang ubos na ang papel ng ating istorya
Hanggang dito nalang ang lahat ng pait at saya
Ikaw at ako ay nagtapos na, subalit mahal pa rin kita
At sa huli’t huli ikaw pa rin, walang iba
*Note: This article is a 'spoken poetry' recited during the author's University's Foundation Day Celebration.*
(c) photo: Pixabay
A shoutout to @JasmineC! I didn't expect to open my readcash account with a notification of your upvote on one of my articles. Rest assured that I will be writing more when I have the luxury of time.
Thank you so much!
This is my family
Growing up in a Christian home is a thing that I always thank God every day of my life.
I have been living for two decades and a year now, and within that length of time, I have asked myself, what if I was not born in this family? How would my life be? That question resonated within me longer than I expected it to be. Not because I question my role in the family, nor feel unloved, but because I was simply wondering how my life would be if they were not with me and I with them.
To be a daughter in the family that I am in right now is one of the many things that made me realize how blessed I am as a human; and that thing is the fuel that drives me further towards reaching my dreams. Their love is the reason why I am moving forward continually, even with bruises, still fighting. Their existence is my strength, my happiness, and my joy. Their sweet smile every day is what I always want to see for the rest of my life. It is something I want to paint in my memory and a moment I always want to seize every single day. Their every how are you, makes me endure the pain I have been struggling with. In simple words, their every way is the strength that keeps me going. There are times that I pity myself for the circumstances I am trying to overcome but never was a day that they fail to make me feel that they are always, always by my side. Whatever happens, they will cry with me in pain and laugh with me in triumph. When one of us weakens for the burden he’s carrying, the other would never hesitate to be the strength and be that 'one' to carry the other half if necessity requires. That is family. That is them. That is my family. For that is how our Almighty God has designed us to be. They are my strength. They are my weakness, for I cannot endure every day without them.
As Friedrich Nietzsche quoted, “***In family life, love is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony.****”* So, what if I was not born in this family? How would my life be? I’d say, I will never be what I am today if I was not born in this family. I will never be the same, and I cannot stand to see myself being someone else rather than this. Therefore, if a day would come that I'll have a hard day tracing my track, I would ask God to send me back to my family’s embrace. To the home, my heart belongs.
*Thanks for reading. Please hit subscribe, and if not too much you may hit the upvote button too. That would be awesome!*
It all started with...
***I am not an excellent writer.***
This has been the phrase that is encrypted inside my system for so many years. This has traveled with me, ate with me, and slept with me. It is in me. This phrase has hindered me from writing more and has kept me locked inside the box that I made myself. Whenever I write something, I will then always be anxious as to its grammar construction, its coherence, its relevance, and literally to its everything. And? In the later run, I ended up nothing rather than a piece of something.
***Why?***
I had attended several press conferences of journalism since my elementary years up until secondary. I had written multiple articles about just any topic that the speaker wants. I had joined various competitions but it paid me nothing. I won not a single prize. The closest people around me that had read my pieces would always say that they'll expect the highest prize as it was great. Maybe, that was where the mistake started. They expected too much, and that too much was still uncertain to be received. That circumstance led me to question my ability and doubt my very own capability. Am I really for this? Therefore, I lay down low. I quitted the very thing that fuels me. I let all those thoughts and words and phrases and paragraphs stay inside my head until they seem to slowly vanish. I let my insecurities and uncertainties rule over me.
Days passed, and weeks melted like frosting in a newly baked cake. I missed my pen. Where did I place my notebook? I then started looking for things I am accustomed to. But since it has been so long, laziness crept in. I got tired to write more than a 3-line verse. Thoughts got mixed up unwarranted. So then, I stopped. But then, something in my head burst out. I let it stay still. Unaware of the consequence I have to pay after disregarding the gift I possess.
Not until one day, my own version of wonder woman approached me and talked to the most inner and deepest me. Enlightening me of the things I did and showing the things that could possibly happen. She played a great role in recovering the soon-to-be trampled me. She offered her hand right at the moment I lost balance. She was there when I wanted to talk over the things I could not voice out. Her trying words made me stood up my feet and started my track again. The once lazy and discouraged me strove back the course once more.
The back pages of my notebooks and school workbooks became the haven of my thoughts. Those pages became the hideout of my emotional battles and everyday endeavors. Finally, I for once more joined writing competitions, did better, and gave the best. I won.
One thing I learned from that passing page of my life was that "one need not be excellent in something to be someone". Because everyone undergoes a cycle to better themselves like how a pupa turns into a beautiful butterfly. Thus, I realized; I did not quit, I just rested. I did not lose it, I just transformed into a beautiful creature I was destined to be. Everyone transforms differently; the process may be rough, but believe me, it will all end gorgeously.
It all started with words of **I am not** transformed into **I can be**.
A Mother of Many
Eighty-nine years of existence, eight decades of excellence. Misamis University holds her 89th foundation year anchoring a theme “MU @ 89: Sustaining Excellence, Strengthening Internationalization Initiatives”. The University has set her goal on producing globally competitive individuals able to meet global challenges, ever since her foundation. Over the years, the institution has never failed its promise; to climb the steps toward excellence is way less difficult than maintaining the rank of excellency.
The academe is a non-sectarian institution that sets no limits and boundaries for learning; open to all regardless of gender, denomination, culture, language, and any other barriers known, for as long as one is eager to gain knowledge. The university does not enclose herself within limited zones but is opening her arms to welcome every individual who aims success from all over the archipelago. The 89th foundation year of Misamis University calls for a celebration for it is her birthmark of undying endeavors and continuous innovations in initiating world-class education. In partnership with varied international agencies and universities, surely the institution will soar higher than is expected.
Like a mother, the academe feeds her students like children of her own, nurtured with care, and disciplined to strive for excellence. However, to be able to have her children face the terror of the real world, they should not be forever treated as infants but rather warriors ready for battle. She has to be tough and courageous enough to initiate varied programs for learning that is applicable to world trends. She has to be the mother that never gets tired by pain, a mother that never stops because of failure. Albeit, it is evident that one or two of her children are uncertain to be bold warriors equipped enough for battlefield; she must still be the mother who is proud of whatever her children have become; encourage them when they fail and recognize their pain. However, she should not forget the task she was born to accomplish.
For if once, she fails to pursue excellence and strengthen internationalization initiatives, the mark that is set for decades shall be put in vain.
*Note: This article is submitted during the 89th Foundation of the author's University. It has won the highest prize. :)*
Photo credits: ClipartKey
Wanna know me?
Hello there!
Let me start this with an apology as I have mistakenly submitted an article that was not supposed to be submitted here. A while ago, I received a notification that my article was not approved and I expected it. I laughed inside thinking how silly that circumstance was. My little niece was playing around dragging my chair, hugging me, and filling me with kisses like she always does. Then suddenly I mistakenly clicked on this community which was next to the community it was supposed to be submitted. I am deeply sorry about that.
Enough with the dramatic explanation. So here it goes.
Hi everyone! My name is Jem and the people around fondly call me the same. I am twenty-one years young (haha) soon turning to be twenty-two. I have curly, thick natural hair and most of the time it gets frizzy. I don't have a fair complexion as I have a brown-toned skin. In the Philippines, we call it *kayumanggi* or morena, and yes I am from the Philippines and I am a proud Filipina. I like tea over coffee, but I drink coffee anyway when the tea is unavailable. I like food so much that I spend most of my time of the day inside the kitchen cooking anything edible. Funny it is, that at times I make innovations of some recipes and it oftentimes doesn't look palatable but my family eat it anyway (how supportive of them). I started writing just anything that comes to mind when I was in third grade. I could still remember the content, though not entirely. I wrote there how I hated my classmates as they kept bullying me, and guess what it was a poem with rhyme. How incredible that was! So it went on just that, I wrote about just anything that comes to mind. Not until I am in my high school years that I got lazy to write down the thoughts in my head. I kept it inside. But my mother played a great role in rescuing me from that drowning timidness (hahaha). So to make the story short, I now am writing again. I usually write random thoughts at the back page of my school notebooks and workbooks (I don't know why tho).
I love music the way I love food, but it seems like music does not love me back with the same intensity.
I play sports but I don't excel so much in it, just an average player. By the way, I am a frustrated archer. I don't know why but I really love to excel in archery as much as in darts. I like hitting things (just kidding!).
I love gardening too. Since I love eating foods and making them. I like to grow my own ingredients as much as possible. I have an approximately 15 by 20 square meter garden in our backyard with a variety of vegetables and spices, thanks to my papang, you're the best father.
I also love painting, and this time I guess it loved me back a little bit more than music. I like to paint landscapes and abstracts. It gives me a sense of peace. And I love nature too.
Did I share too much of myself? I guess not. Please stop me from typing more. If only I could insert emojis here, I'd put more than a dozen.
Just a short request, please hit the upvote button and click subscribe. Thanks a lot for reading! Have a great day ahead.
I grieve for them
Just earlier this morning, I was scrolling down the news feed of one of my social media accounts. My eyes caught the picture of a crying monkey that had cut one of its feet. It is so painful to see such agonizing pain from a creature that had caused no harm to the public. A creature that had been living within their borders, nourished within their habitat, and yet some of us still go after them.
My heart aches for it. My heart feels heavy as I looked at more of its photos. According to the post the monkey was being **chased** for murder. Why? All these monkeys' lives they had been living in harmony with nature. It is ***us*** who have destroyed their natural habitation. I feel shameful. I feel like I am one of those that hurt them. I feel responsible for their suffering. Monkeys are similarly like humans. They feel the same way as us. The only difference is that they cannot voice out themselves. They cannot speak up their mind and tell us to stop. They cannot call for justice. They cannot. But just because they cannot, does not mean we should tolerate such horrible actions. They have lives, and every life matters. It was not long ago since I felt the same intensity of pain upon seeing a post similar to this. The only distinction was that the life being hurt was an elephant and its baby being deprived to view the world. However, one thing in common is the "***CRUELTY****".*
You may think that I am exaggerating this matter and that it does not matter at all. You may think of me whatever you wish to. But the pain I feel for these creatures and the sympathy will never be washed out.
Seeing that monkey's tear tortures my heart; and I grieve for them.
*Note: This is a post to voice out my pain. So please do not discredit my pain just because it is about an ANIMAL.*
Photo credits to: **Phương Bình July_Sỉ lẻ đầm váy, giày dép** https://web.facebook.com/Phuongbinh1994/?__tn__=kC-y.g&eid=ARBCWjkilAZK4rR_Z2eiwoMfRILmakx1Q4cNIqKsPhdDiq70Ok8zNEQItPUfBl-PgQBcqXUaGQQbDOH8&hc_ref=ARSnbCP9tnKLyG1MEB5SgYOlmSMjE83y3jW-U8Lb9D-7sCQpTtO9ys8KbuENLJzvSX4&fref=nf&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARAdsV6gg7FDA9HXco_fBVjxMG-VNDxPOZyGUQIIEOsoGhjl0ij1HxcVUPf9PzgA39a86ftKCjRt8f7ORfxzkYLV_4AkV14g1ElJLldWbc1U4dMrXsFwq9ggIfcyekG44F1cNtaKR3MRDO30ij5bNvlAnFfbT7qwIt0-Tl5hC5s6GgxD-3pVhoNL_UhfozXfX-OjfMEYipWgYPpdd5eYk3X0Lgy7vchFFy6tJA3cLzFYeczzQCojW3i3SzdK2FnH54YCBuIjOy7xYqapyq97fjtQXkwFdXhThzmCDsuBhuWB-1C726YeaaXCpYsiCd18-T0B5Q1iTtFldBISO1DTrVuxqd6rnD0p6JPFKO0rFFz0igEZIoU1dIs
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"A boo is louder than a cheer"
**Why so**? asked my professor. It was once a normal day, but that one question changed it all.
I have no idea **why it was me**, but I answered anyway. Why so? I asked myself. ***A boo is louder than a cheer****,* and it reverberated back into my ear.
A ***boo*** is something you say to a participant, or a competing somebody, or anyone that is not you that seeks applause and approval from someone else that could be you. Meanwhile, ***cheer*** is the opposite. It is something you say to uplift that somebody's self-esteem and awaken his fighting spirit. *A boo is louder than a cheer.* I asked myself again. Because saying something mean and awful to someone can cause them pain and leave a scar; **who knows how deep?** It can oftentimes lead them into failure and destruction. However, saying something good and pleasant can be the fuel that drives them into success; **who knows how far?** So you can choose either of the two; **be somebody's wound or be somebody's medicine.**
In a crowd, someone may not remember you when you cheer, but they will never forget you when you boo. So choose what mark will you leave for those who hear you. **Your words are either a sweet honeycomb or a bitter woodworm per se.**
Then that two-word question changed not just my day, but the-me-within. Once an echoing sound, now a lesson stamped and sealed. Therefore, I knew why it was me. Because **it has to be me**.
Flower in Bloom
A flower needs water to bloom,
So is an eye needs tear to see light in doom.
-photo credits to: WoWpencils
@Amare
