Maybe... It’s Happiness :)

Maybe... It’s Happiness :)
by Marie Jeddah B. Legaspi

Questions boggle my mind... they echoed to my big, rounded ears; they whispered to my soul-

When I was asked,

What is it about giggling in the middle of the grassy area on campus with your friends that makes you feel glad? Is it because of corny jokes they cracked? Homeworks, all left undone? When you sit there, on your favorite spot, and a gentle wind suddenly touches your face, and you lay your head back down and close your eyes towards the glistening ray of sunlight, do you feel sleepy? What gives you serenity that lets you relax (almost) beyond heavy school works? Is that your happy face?

What is your initial reaction when you noticed him noticing you? Felt awkward? Did you throw him your sweetest smile? Did you utter him words you long to say? Or did you look him on his eyes then suddenly divert your attention away? Are you optimistic that same things will happen tomorrow? ...the next days? Does it gives you exultant feeling of joy?

How does it feel to see him wraps his arms to her but looks back to see if you’re staring? Do you let him know your watching? How does it feel to see him locks his fingers on her hands? Are you wishing it was your palms? Are you really seeing? Or, do you feel contented – assured that he is happy while you drown into tears? Is it self-sacrificing satisfaction?

How did you feel when you wake up in the morning and see your mom prepared your breakfast? That soft and fluffy, warm pan de sal freshly-baked (actually, freshly bought from bakery :D) with love, the hot choco sweetened by thoughtfulness – does it taste good? Did you listen to what your papa says? When he is encouraging, uplifting your weakening faith to go for it? You believed him? Does it make you feel comfortable? Have you taken your one on one conversation with your brother while he’s teary-eyed discussing his latest heart break? Felt happy for him? Do you help him reach for another bottle of cold beer he hid on the refrigerator? Are you of great pleasure they were your home? So you think you can make all of them wear a smile?

Why did you murmur no? Why is it a yes? Do you speak up for yourself? Or do you feel in behalf of others? Silence – love it or hate it? Do you listen to music while running over piles of paper works? What’s the best vacation you ever had? With whom? Want to go there again? Why do you wear flip-flops when you go to school? Does it make you comfy? You think the color suits you? Do you walk with an umbrella on a rainy day? Have you tried bathing in the rain, soothing your senses with downpour of heaven's tears?

I say, the craziest thing in the world is to live. Most people exist... that’s all. I'm not sure, but, I was thinking if; is it just a matter of usual felicity?

...and still could not find answers.

-THE END :)

A Little Love – It Doesn’t Cost a Cent

A Little Love – It Doesn’t Cost a Cent
By Marie Jeddah B. Legaspi




The unselfish loyal concern for the good of others – it is love defined.

With a little kindness, it makes our universal pursuit of happiness a little less stressful.


Both are contagious and surprisingly, not everyone realizes that all is useless unless, we, as man; initiate the will. Just as how we take a deep breath of free oxygen in order to thrive existence (inhale... then exhale), it is always free to take in part to someone’s happiness. The cycle won't cost you a cent, thus, it won't require a complicated process as it goes on and on. When a soul intakes a dose of love, it begets kindness that circulates from the heart to the mind, producing fruits of sweet smiles – and a lifetime of favors; that flows back in return.


It’s harsh though; sometimes, the only way to prove that four letter word can be a lot more difficult. The sad reality dictates that man longs to reach the stars while pathetically disregards to see the beauty of flowers that blossom right at their foot. If only more “love-and-kindness generating machine” were invented and integrated on human, all we need to do is be naturally tenderhearted to others and be thankful for the outpour of blessings.


Drizzle of friendship. The inner concept is more than just hanging out or sharing your favorite kwek-kwek and fishballs to barkada. It is more than just doing your regular bullying activities to your faction’s favorite victims or sharing right and wrong answers during exams. Without friends, we are incomplete. Keep in mind that a friend is an extension of ours. Beyond giving advice and attention, we share a part of us.


Shower of sympathy. It is putting oneself to other’s shoes. You feel, reflect, and relate to somebody as if you take in part to their sufferings and try to lessen their burdens. Gently, you help ease pain not because you hear them wail during troublesome situation, but, it is because you listen to their problems. It is lending them your ears to absorb pain and eyes to enable a friend to see rays of light during their dark days.


Downpour of love. The best way to pay the collateral you owe to persons who dearly loves you but were never appreciated is to let that little affection prevail. There is no written rule stating that we need to pay people for all the good things they bring to us; well, they will not ask you to do so. But at least, try not to hurt them. Be sensitive. Never make someone feel they are important then just leave 'em all hanged up. Appreciate one’s being. You are very lucky to have people that gather at your side ready to outburst concern and support. Know what they see, feel, and think. Draw on your love and show a little kindness. Love them at their best, love them even more during their worst.


Be generous. A little love – I repeat, it doesn’t cost a cent.

Waiting Shed

Waiting Shed
by Marie Jeddah B. Legaspi


photo by MARIE JEDDAH B. LEGASPI


Let me tell you a story about –
A woman who waits for her ideal man; a man who waits for the love of his life. And so life happens while they are both busy making other plans. It’s a universal experience. It’s a crucial part of every, if not, most of the relationship. The magic word, it's -

Waiting.

Based on a study, the psychology of waiting tells us that both the perception and the expectation are psychological phenomena. They are not the reality. Accordingly, all who seeks for his special someone must pay attention to three things: what was actually done to for the longed ones, what was perceived by the person who waits, and what the “right one” expects. Fortunately, all these can be managed.


Waiting sounds frustrating, agonizing, annoying, time consuming and sometimes demoralizing. But for those whose intentions are pure – waiting sees no lapse, no boundaries.


In a relationship, waiting defies strength and trust to both people and destiny… or not. It’s about holding on, keeping promises, and giving honor to words of commitments. He promised to come back, and so she waited because someone asked her to. One holds on, because one trusted his words. Now is not the right time, here is not the right place; so you wait. You might succeed and find your happy ending, but too bad, others might fail. Then there's what we call fear of ‘being forgotten’.


When we wait for a kettle to whistle, it seems much longer to boil.

Boredom results from being attentive to the passage of time itself. The more you wait, the more you get bored… and gives you greater tendency to, later on, loose hope. Uncertain waits are longer than known, finite waits. And too bad, the most profound source of anxiety in waiting is how long the wait will be. Unexplained waits; it seems longer than explained waits. I begin with the expectation that my wait will be longer after some dark clouds formed above my head on (my) a rainy day. For that reason, one waits with a great deal more patiently because he/she understands the causes for the delay. You'll find it non-sense to know how you will wait; you just need to discover why.


Now ask yourself whether the dream of heaven should be waiting for us in another lifetime, or, whether it should be ours, yours, today and now on this waiting shed where we stood.