Blog by Jedde

There are just days that have no magic in them. Sometimes, we do not have the energy to be our best and that is perfectly normal. With a toned-down zest for life, messy hair on the loose, and our face having no traces of society's standard for beauty, we are all set to nestle on the bed and put down our armors after a long day of battle. Every day, we work so hard to give our best in every aspect of our lives even when sometimes it doesn't make us happy. We do so because we have a greater goal - perhaps providing for our family, traveling to a new place or saving up for the future. We put in a strong effort in achieving our dreams one day at a time too, despite all the criticisms and rejections we receive along the way because we do not want to disappoint the people who believe in us, and sometimes the people who rely on us. We hustle for our loved ones - their happiness is our happiness and we want to give them the best by sharing what we have. That is why, when we ...

Photo taken during the holiday season last year. Many people treat Valentine's Day as a special day for lovers and loved ones. There is a subtle expectation that something special - a grand gesture - must be given to one's partner to celebrate the day. Some book expensive restaurants in advance so the couple could enjoy a romantic dinner, others prepare and order bouquet of flowers along with a box of chocolates ready to be gifted to their significant other. In fact, modern display of affection now involves practicality. Interestingly, instead of flowers, a sack of rice is more yearned for, and instead of an expensive dinner date where the served food sometimes does not suffice, a bouquet of real paper bills is more preferred. While each person has their own style of celebrating Valentine's Day, there is but one, underrated practice that only a few people do which is proven to give anyone larger amounts of returns in terms of emotional satisfaction and well-being:...

- A Reality - I packed my suitcase that night with deep sadness. Once in a while, I catch myself staring blankly into space still feeling dumbfounded about the news. Not wanting to be late for my evening flight, I snapped out of it and brought myself back into what I was doing and shoved the tugging melancholia back inside my head. I took a slow, sharp breath; mustered the courage to finish my preparations, and carefully ensured I had everything I needed for my short trip home. I gave it my best to focus and get my packing done. I prepared only the basic items - my clothes, some snacks for my nieces and nephews, passport, and my travel essentials. Then, I did one final check which made me feel a tinge of satisfaction knowing everything was set. But within the tick of a second, that satisfaction turned into a quiet pause that made time slow down. Clenching a fist over my chest, I broke down in tears again and while I knew I've prepared what I can, there's one more thing...

When was the last time  you had a nice meal, ate without guilt  and enjoyed it for real? How about the last time  you woke up in the morning, felt glad and excited as if  it was a fresh beginning? When was the last time  you did something for yourself, without thinking it's a crime, no hesitations for oneself? How about the last time  you felt genuinely proud of something  that you have achieved with all your heart, like it was spring? Or forgave yourself  for making a mistake, being flawed and imperfect or for feeling inadequate? For feeling weak, especially at night when the world is heavily quiet? or when your mind traces back right at the core of your fears in delight? When was the last time you told yourself it's alright, to cry and let go for a while, howling like a wolf in the moonlight? How tired you must have been feeling, How lost you must have become....

Nurturing a relationship takes a long conscious effort. In fact, it goes beyond the butterflies in the stomach and flutters of the heart. It extends beyond words of love and affirmation and it transcends beyond momentary sparks, passionate kisses borne from romance, and overdramatic promises. Truth to be told, maintaining a relationship means working hard to always choose the other person every day - and this is extremely difficult. How could we possibly choose someone who is flawed? The thing is that there are bits and pieces of us that are broken. There is no way we can find a superglue that could magically put these broken pieces back together as if no storm had wreaked havoc at all! We've just got to meet that person who sees our broken parts and loves us, not despite it , but because  of it. This is just one side of the whole picture. The other half tells us to reciprocate - to also see that person's flaws and love him all the same. On one hand, seeing and whole...