The Spoken Word

Words, specifically the spoken words, are powerful; let no one convince you otherwise. You may have been brought up with phrases like “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words never will.” True, words don’t necessary break bones; they do something much worst, they can shatter souls. Words can penetrate where no physical blow can fall, and when misused can do far more damage to the person. Of our five senses, you can refrain from touching; you can close your eyes and not see. You can shut your mouth and pinch your nose, but you cannot turn off your ears. Oh, we are all very gifted at selective hearing. Just think about the times you have shut your parents and teachers out… even to my voice right now. But the reality is nature did not provide us with the mechanism to close off our ears adequately short of bursting our eardrums. Words invade us, bypassing all natural defenses to touch our inner souls - incorporeal to the incorporeal.

Indeed, the spoken word is so powerful that it was used by the Judeo Christian God to create the world and command a people. The Greeks call it Logos, and define it as the underlying reality of all things; the “Way” things should be. Interestingly enough, the word Toa in Chinese can also mean “Speech” as well as the “Way”. Which goes to show that ancient culture holds the spoken word in high esteem. In fact, for the longest time, people were measured by their words; the quality of their speech, their power to debate and profess. From Cicero to Churchill, history has shown us that great statesmen were often great orators, individuals who can inspire passion in the masses with words. Of course, the reverse is true; just think of our beloved president (President Bush).

Anthropologists, sociologists, historians and scientists alike all agreed that language is the foremost indicator of development. Just think, many of our ancestors preserve the identities of a people through oral tradition. The original guardians of a culture, a people, were the storytellers, the shamans, and the gurus. Even to this day, every religion preserve its morale and virtues through story telling. Words form these stories, words of meaning, words of power. As humans, words give us power over things. When we seek to name things, when we tell stories to explain things, we use words to place ourselves above what we seek to control. The spoken word can alter the course of lives. It certainly can affect our moods. The soft spoken, the harshly said, and the passionately professed, influences the listener who in turn may pass it on to others.

In short, words are powerful. The quality of our vocabulary denotes our intelligence, it reflects heavily on our personality and the pride of a people. Therefore I urge you from this day forth, don’t open your mouth and utter so lightly. Treat each and everyone of your words carefully for who knows what they may result in. Thank you.

Thoughts on Life

Life is confusing, but that is the point isn't it? We all seem to want to find some sense of security, to feel certain and be secured in the concrete. Yet, often times, we neglect the fact that it is the mystery of life that makes it worth living. True, it is nice to have a comfort zone, to have foreknowledge. Often times, I look back and wish I had done certain things differently, but  the truth is, I can't. 

In my head, things went differently. I imagine myself to be more suave. I picture myself as someone who has the elegance to glide about with ease. A person of charisma, charm and grace. Instead, I must admit that I am rather awkward... but that is ok, because I am learning  to be better. Its like dancing... by my standard, I am still a pretty lousy dancer. I am still very awkward, but compared to where I was a month ago, a year ago, I have more confidence in asking people to dance with me. I am slowly beginning to enjoy dancing more, and it shows. I asked this one really good dancer why she chose to dance with me, she just shrug and said "because you smiled a lot." It was that simple... it wasn't my skill (or lack there of) that made her willing to dance with me, but the mere fact that I enjoy dancing that got to her. 

Perhaps that is how I should  lead my life. I may not have a lot of money to go spending on luxuries. I may not be a talented individual who shall scale mountains and rescue nations. But I can learn to enjoy each moment of it. To smile often, and to encourage other to do so. I shall catch hold of the simple, and sometimes finer points of life, and just enjoy it.

I shall learn to be like Pierre Dulaine (portrayed by Antonio Banderas in the flick TakeTthe Lead). Here is what Beth Sullivan of WM Flat Hat said of him

"Watching Dulaine use dance to unfold life lessons to kids who do not have the luxury to explore them on their own is fascinating. He is not a reproachful, holier-than-thou moralist. Instead, he is simply a man who has personally embraced the finer aspects of living and wants to share that grace with others. A relic of chivalry, he is mercilessly ridiculed by the students for opening doors, demanding to hear thank you and playing Gershwin. There is something to be said for patience and politeness, though --they both pay off. The students begin to value the gentle advice he offers. Though he appears passive and wimpy, he is actually strong beyond measure; hes an urban Don Quixote. "

Maybe that is who I shall become, not some big shot lawyer or doctor, but a simple urban Don Quixote. I think that would be grand, wouldn't you agree?

Faire une promenade sur la rue d'ete

Seeking for some more laughter in my life,
I wandered the streets this night. 
Looking through windows, 
watching people sitting on the side cafes.
I ponder why in the amidst of all this gaiety,
a smile cannot be found on my face.
Why do I feel the burden of the world upon me, 
when in truth I have nothing to worry
On this hot summer evening, I took my promenade.
An observer, a stranger amongst happiness midst.

A Walk with Sorrow

Since Joy was busy, Sorrow came and visit me instead.
Cloaked in a dress of solemn gray, hands as cold as ice,
She clasped my hands in hers, and we took a stroll side by side
Down along memory lane.

Images that were once filled with happiness now tinged with sadness
As Sorrow invoke  her doleful charms. 
How strange to behold all that was wonderful are now marred.
Sorrow by my side, tilts her head and smile that ghost of a wistful smile. 

Lament? No. There is beauty even in sadness, 
As if Sorrow, in her serene way, begs me to remember 
That she is after all the dear sibling of Joy- her sister.
Without her saturnine presence, sweet memories can not be. 

Quietly, silently, she relay to me,
"Human, remember this, you know of true happiness
Only because you are aware of the tragedies of the human condition.
Therefore, do not spurn me but love me as you have Joy"

And I said to her,
"If I can hold you, and keep you that you may visit no other, I would.
I would give up Joy, if it means you will stay by me and away from she whom I hold dear.
Give me her sadness that she need not feel even a hundredth of it"

Sorrow shook her head,
"Sadness is not yours to take, but my to give.
Hear me once more, only through me will you know of happiness.
Why then deny her that by depriving her of me?"

And then Sorrow left my side as I awash my eyes with tears.
My head upon the pillow that is wet, I awoke to sun rays seeping through.
Was it a dream? Nay, Sorrow was here, and she left her mark upon me.
A tinge of relieve shadowed by sadness.