The Lonely Life (a.k.a. Many people are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.)

Music: My mother and kuya eating in the dining room

I just want to share portions of my devotion for tonight, since I think a lot of people suffer from depression or plain loneliness. Dave Branon says:

Using God's Word, discover how the following three actions can help to ease your loneliness:

1. Learn contentment. Read Philippians 4:10-13*, then ask God to help you to depend on Him each day and to learn to be content in any situation.

2. Do good for someone. Read Hebrews 13:1-3**, then look for someone in need of help. You'll get rid of loneliness for both of you.

3. Worship with God's people. Hebrews 10:21-25*** emphasize the value of worshiping with other believers. Find someone with whom you can praise God.

If you're feeling lonely, lean on Jesus for contentment. Help someone else. And worship God with other believers. These actions will redirect your thinking and remind you that when you know God you're never alone.

I may not be undergoing depression right now, but like most people, I've been there, done that. And I have had bouts of loneliness every now and then (recently, to be honest), but I've learned to be content (as much as I could), and to focus on what I have rather than what I don't. It's not as easy as it sounds, but with constant communication with the Lord (and crazy but wonderful friends), I think I'm doing pretty well.

I also remember a conversation I had with my high school best friend years back. I was telling her about a problem I had, but not in a way that showed that I was bothered with it or something. Then she said something that made me pause and think for a bit. She said that I always listen to other people's problems and try to fix things for them, that I don't have any time left to deal with mine. After some thought, I told her that by doing so, I can focus on others' problems and forget my own. Though it may not be the healthiest of practices, I think I understand how it can connect to step #2. By helping other people, you have less time to worry about your own loneliness. And the sense of fulfillment when you see someone's day brighten up because of you is wonderful as well.

And of course, worshiping God, whether alone or in a group, is a sure-fire way to ease the loneliness that may be slowly eating you. Because, really, what better way to feel joy than talk to the greatest listener of all?

Footnotes:

* 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

** 1 Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. 2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. 3 Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.

*** 21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Untitled #2 (a.k.a. True love is not found in fairy tales.)

Music: Keep It Quiet by Ra Ra Riot

I'm not really a lyricist, and I can't play any instrument either, even if my life depended on it. Well, okay, I can play a few songs in the piano, and maybe one or two with a guitar, but that's about it. I'm not a poet either; I'm more of a fiction rather that poetry person.

So I'm not really sure what to call this. Maybe, one day, I'll ask (force/blackmail) someone to add the melody for this little piece. Maybe.

Currently untitled, again.

There was once a girl

who knew too little and loved too much

and she found herself

disconcerted.

So she gave too little and expected too much

and she found herself

disappointed.

This girl grew cynical and jaded

and refused to believe that she could be

deserving of the happy ending

Disney princesses always get

and she found herself

disillusioned.

Who will tell her that true love is not found in fairy tales?

That knights often come in rusty armor

And she has to fight dragons by herself?

Who will show her that endings are not always happy

And hearts break quicker than they can heal?

Who will tell her that true love is not in fairy tales?

So she keeps to herself

and braves the world

Alone.

And she tries to prove to everyone

that love is for simple-minded fools

and still,

a part of her wishes for her prince to come . . .

but no one does

and she finds herself

disenchanted.

Who will tell her that life is not made up of happy endings?

That sometimes, the prince charming runs off with

the wicked witch of the west?

Who will save her from the tower she locked herself in?

Who will tell her that life seldom offers happy endings?

Hold your head high, little girl

and don't give up hope

happy endings may not exist

but happiness does

open your heart to endless possibilities

and brace yourself

you will be hurt, you will cry

but it will be all worth it

in the end.

True love is not found in fairy tales

Because fairy tales are just that--tales

But the best stories are often filled with the most painful things

So hold your head up, little girl

And brace yourself

Life is not made of happy endings

but that does not mean

love is not

real.

Untitled #1 (a.k.a. This story does not have a fairy tale happy ending.)

Music: Me singing "Kill the Messenger" by Jack's Mannequin, with the electric fan whirring noisily in the background

A snippet of a short story in the making, just to get the ball rolling, get things (re)started, so to speak. Unbeta-ed, of course, so grammatical errors, subject-verb agreement errors, and typos may/might abound. Currently untitled too.

This story does not have a fairy tale happy ending.

Unlike Cinderella, there is no fairy godmother to grant wishes and no glass slippers to try on. Snow White’s seven dwarfs are not present to battle the evil witch, and no woodcutter to save Little Red Riding Hood from the hungry wolf. The beast continues to be a beast, and no Belle will ever fall in love and turn him back into the prince he once was.

There is only the lost young woman walking in the rain, bare feet caked with mud, white dress soaked with raindrops. She wanders around a deserted highway, summoned by an invisible force unknown yet familiar. She doesn’t remember her name, doesn’t know where she came from. She does not remember anything. She woke up and found herself in a shallow grave two months ago, but panic did not overcome her. She merely dug her way out and started searching for the source of that silent voice that beckons her.

And so she finds herself walking aimlessly in the streets, the pitter-patter of rain her only melody. How she survived those cold nights alone even she cannot tell. Many a times she felt danger lurking her way, and always she would escape before evil stops her in her tracks.

She feels that she is near her destination, that sooner or later she will meet the owner of this voice, the sole reason why she rose from the grave, why she, a lady Lazarus, continues to walk this earth.