Hope for the Lost

I lost my blazer. More than that, I lost:

• Warmth. It is insanely cold here.
• Inconspicuousness. I am now very visible.
• Trendiness. My uniform does not look as nice without it.

And it's only been almost 5 hours! Sigh...

Everytime I lose something, my mind automatically plays this line from an OST of a Sandra Bullock flick: "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone...."

God knows how many things (and people) I have lost in my lifetime. Some through my own fault, others by accident, and still some by choice (applicable to people only). Still, I believe that for every loss, there wil be a gain, regardless of whether it is tangible or not.

I cannot and do not intend to promise not to lose anything anymore. I will try my best, though. If and when I do lose something or, God forbid, someone again, I will make sure that I do not lose the lesson.

There is hope that my blazer and I will be reunited, you know. I can still go back to where I think I could've left it. On the other hand, there is a difference when we talk about wisdom, love, relationships, people, respect, faith, dignity, happiness, and truth. These are things in life that one cannot afford to lose. But when you do lose one of these things, there will always be hope of finding it again.

Hope shines eternal.

Reminder

Old rhymes still ring true.

I came across this poem as I was tinkering with my "documents" on my not-so-orderly desk. Its message could not have been more timely and needed than now. This just goes to show that there is wisdom in chaos.

Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

--Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.