A Reader’s Perspective: WenF from the Philippines
Periodically, I publish curated comments posted by readers over a period of time. After I have made the choice, I ask the author/reader for their written permission. I make sure that the final piece retains the original thoughts and style as I received them. There is not much editing, except to tailor it according to SEO (Search Engine Optimization) standard.
This post is from comments submitted by WenF from the Philippines, for the period March 21, 2023 to April 28, 2023 .
Permission
(Comment posted: April 23, 2023)
I am sorry for this much-delayed reply to your request. It is okay to share my comments. But please keep me anonymous. I am simply WenF from the Philippines.
And I remain hopeful that your blog will create many ripples that will move many hearts.
On “What Doesn’t Break Your Heart Makes You Stronger“
(Comment posted April 28, 2023)
I enjoyed reading your new post mainly because of the new perspective you presented on a familiar quote. My children often hear me repeat this reminder whenever I hear them complain about how difficult a problem they are encountering in school, in the office, or in their relationships. “What does not kill you, makes you stronger.” Sometimes, when in the point of quitting, they would jokingly retort, “Kill me instead!”
I agree with you that suffering presents us options. We either choose the easy way out or we soldier on. And, yes, we can choose to be catatonic too and be paralyzed. But hindsight always reveals that we emerge from the problem a little differently. A line from Barbara Streisand’s song says, “There are no mistakes, only lessons to be learned.”
The restless heart is the new perspective I learned from your post. Now I have a better appreciation because I continue to seek or experience new longings. And I am not afraid to pursue them because I am confident that they will reveal to me new lessons.
Thank you for the story of Bill and Steve.
On Artificial Intelligence (ChatGPT)
(Comment posted: April 26, 2023)
The first time my son asked me about ChatGPT, I had the most natural reaction of, “What’s that?” When he explained to me how the app can make simple codes, I raised two eyebrows in disbelief.
Next, my daughter, who is a visual animator, tested ChatGPT by asking for suggestions of a plot for a storyboard. Voila! ChatGPT churned out a couple of workable plots.
Now my turn comes. I was travelling from the capital, Manila, to Baguio City after more than 10 years of not visiting the Pine City. I turned to ChatGPT for suggested itinerary. Surprise! I got a day-by-day list of what to visit.
Amazing technology, indeed. We only fear the unknown. But surely, AI can never replace or outdo the human mind. Sure, AI will be faster and may accumulate more information. But it will still be a human mind that can stop it.
Humans will continue to learn and adapt. Fear will only have the power that we humans give it.
On “Thank You Scott”
(Comment posted: April 18, 2023)
I have often heard this quote: “When a student is ready, a teacher will come.” My own personal experiences have proven this to be true. Sometimes, I did not recognize the teacher at the first meeting. There were even times I must have looked down on the teacher. But after some time, when I look back, I realize the perfect timing and the unforgettable impact of the teacher who came.
Numbers always intimidated me. Yet, I learned to manage money pretty well. My mother used to ask me how I learned. I am always grateful for the many nameless teachers along the way.
May there be more Scotts in our journey. May they be true to their promise to help. And may we always recognize them.
On One-Month Anniversary
(Comment posted: April 17, 2023)
I am so happy and proud of your first month milestone! We never really knew how far your light would shine. But reaching 18 countries is truly an amazing gift! Carry on and touch more hearts, open more minds, and share the restful time of slowing down to wonder.
So many things to look forward to as your blog evolves. Sharing your joy with your readers is heart-warming. Seems like you are creating a community of restful, introspective readers who are craving to connect with kindred spirits.
Remain inspired and inspiring.
On “A Confession Of The Other Woman”
(Comment posted: April 16, 2023)
Your story reminded me of a former officemate who was once so dear to me. We were only in our 20s when we worked in the same department. She came from a prestigious catholic school. And she was very talented, though lacking in discipline. Being two years her senior, I took it upon myself to lead the way even though we were of the same rank.
I saw all the red flags when she developed a closeness to an officer of the company. Like an elder sister, I tried to dissuade her from pursuing beyond friendship a relationship with a married man. He was not only married; he also sired a daughter with another young and impressionable lady.
But love is blind. No amount of reasoning was acceptable then. They considered each other as soulmates.
Fast forward 30 years to the present. My friend has lived with the company officer who left his first and second families. Were there regrets? Plenty perhaps. My friend still longs to live as an honest woman before her end comes. But how to let go? How to repair broken lives along the way? When is it time?
Both are suffering from serious illness now. My friend asks, “Is there a salvific purpose in all these?”
On Holy Thursday
(Comment posted: April 6, 2023)
Thank you for sharing a child-like narrative of Holy Thursday. It is very different from the readings I have encountered about this day. But you were able to connect it to the total self-giving that Jesus did in the Last Supper.
In our selfishness, we only look after our own satisfaction. This is why we “eat” others. But when Jesus gave Himself to us as real food, He nourished not our mortal bodies, but our immortal souls. And when our soul assimilates Jesus, we become like Him. What an awesome process that only faith can explain.
I listened to a Jesuit reflection on kenosis this morning. It is the self-emptying that Jesus went through when He gave Himself, flesh and blood, to His Apostles. I found it very difficult to accept how an ordinary human like me can follow such an example of kenosis. But in deeper reflection, I realized that it is by grace that I can deny myself even in small measures. And in so doing, experience my own kenosis in union with Jesus.
More encouraging thoughts
(Comment posted: April 5, 2023)
I really intend to read all your articles and comment on each one of them. My way of encouraging you to keep on writing. Your articles are thought-provoking and invite reactions. They are well thought of and very informative. Well-written, too.
So, carry on and share your thoughts.
On “The Day Canada Stood Still”
(Comment posted: April 3, 2023)
Thank you for sharing historical events that I am ignorant of. They were scary experiences then. Even more so now. Last time I shared a comment, it was about speed. Now, I am commenting about a stand-still. What extremes!
I have not experienced a nationwide outage in internet service. The worst that I can recall is a service interruption by 1 of 2 providers. Never both.
I remember how my kids who work from home would dash out of our house and search for a place where service is available. Work cannot stop due to local disruption. Their clients are abroad and expect output or feedback.
But for a retiree like me, a day’s pause in internet service is not mind-altering or a day-breaker. I can switch to physical activities like visiting neighbors, sewing, making rosaries, putting order to my closets, etc. Maybe even quieting down in prayer.
Your article is very thought-provoking. The kinds of research you shared are amazing occurrences in history. They all make me feel how great and mighty the hands that created and controlled our universe.
On Winning the Lottery
(Comment posted: March 28, 2023)
I am sending my comments since I share your confidence that you will win TONIGHT! And you will remember me to include me in the list of your beneficiaries.
I have had some luck in games of chance. My name was called during a Christmas raffle in the office. I won cash enough to buy a big can of soya milk for my infant son.
Another time, I won grocery money for using my debit card. I was not even aware that there was an automatic raffle inclusion when I spent the minimum amount.
My winnings were not in the millions, so everyone was just happy for my good luck. But what if I had a windfall of millions? I certainly would not want to ruin any of my relationships over money. God forbids!
My loyal house-help who always buys a lotto ticket during paydays promised me that we will travel the world when she wins. She has been with us for more than 30 years.
But I am already a winner in many ways, far exceeding millions. I won the “parents’ lottery”; I had selfless parents who made sure I had the best education that they could afford. Also, I was raised to be self-reliant despite my minor health challenges. They formed me in the faith that has sustained me from my youth till now in my senior years.
I live in simplicity and contentment which are priceless. Ahh, but I will still welcome whatever winning you will share with me.
On “Speeding In A Narrow Space”
(Comment posted: March 27, 2023)
I am writing this from my iPad after checking out your site on this device. The look of the site is calm and inviting. I took note of the pictures again. I like them a lot because they are so appropriate, sometimes even witty. Then I checked out the response time when I navigated the different drop-down buttons. They are fine with me because I was still orienting myself and I do not want speed in turning the pages.
Now speaking of speed, I recall that my son, an IT practitioner, asked my husband how many milli-seconds there are in a micro-second. I did not understand the reason for the question. A second of time is fast enough for a senior like me. Why the interest in a milli second? It turns out, he was measuring the speed of time when a site of information can be accessed upon pressing a button. I figure out that researchers are very mindful of how fast they can reach a desired site when navigating the information highway.
How blessed I am that now that I have retired from corporate work, I have the luxury to enjoy a pause, of slow-measured steps so I will not trip or stumble. I am not interested in the speed of response time. There is wonder in waiting even just for a second.
On Making Comments Public
(Comment posted: March 22, 2023)
Hello. I hope you get more interactions from your readers. And I wonder if it is possible for the comments to be visible to your readers too. There may be pros and cons to this, but your community of readers might also learn from each other.
One of my sons also pointed out to me the “slow” response time of the site. He said there is a waiting time for the blog to open. I really do not notice this but a web programmer like him takes note of such.
Carry on with your good work. You may never know the ripple effect you are creating.
On Pictures And Other Added Features
(Comment posted: March 22, 2023)
I like the pictures you used to punctuate your blog. They are so appropriate. I wonder if at some point you can also put instrumental music to accompany parts of your write up.
I like reading your articles one day at a time. It makes me reflect, ponder, and look within me. You have wealth to share. And you share it in beautiful prose.
On Turtle’s Determined Determination
(Comment posted: March 21, 2023)
Determined determination. That struck me. I recalled the many times I pressed forward even when I was unsure of what lies ahead. I only had hope that I would prevail or will overcome. Somehow, trying again and again, trying differently just might work for me. And oftentimes, they did. Then looking back, I’d realize, it was all grace. I was made for this!
On Losing Friends
(Comment posted: March 21, 2023)
I used to have lots and lots of friends in high school and college – not just classmate-friends, but friends from the different organizations I became part of. But come to think of it, you are right. As I grew older, my circle of friends became smaller. Not because I was into less organizations, but because I chose to have more quiet time and spaces. And I chose the people who enjoyed the same. No regrets there. Just grateful for the connections that have remained deep and nurtured over time.
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