So I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around today, at this loss for words that rarely happens. I’ve been trying to prepare myself to write another Valentine’s Day entry reminiscent of last year’s (which is a favorite among many), but…there’s nothing. For the first time in the longest time, I don’t know what to write today.
I was whining about this to my best friend yesterday and she said, “Then don’t write anything.” But it’s like…I can’t. Especially now that I’m trying to embrace my inner romantic, so much that I’m trying to write a romance novel(la) this year and moderating a romantic short story/book discussion in our book club. I’m trying not to fear being vulnerable and I’m trying to love fiercely and freely, because that’s what brave hearts do, right?
But…nada. I can’t think of anything.
Or maybe I just feel that I’ve written about love (what I know of it, anyway) so many times here that I feel like whatever I write now is redundant. But is it? I mean, will we ever run out of words to use when talking about love?
And so another Lent and Holy Week came and went, and it is now time for my favorite season, Easter. I used to say that I liked Advent and Christmas more than Lent and Easter, but now I’ve grown up (a bit :D), I realize that I may just love Lent and Easter more. Not that Advent and Christmas aren’t equally important as Lent and Easter, but the latter seasons are pretty much the defining moment of my faith, of our faith. Without Lent and Easter, Christmas means nothing.
ALLELUIA! (Risen Christ image at St. Pio Center, Libis)
Lent. I meant to post more about how my Lent was, but March’s events got me so busy that I hardly found the time to post. I tried, but you know, it wasn’t easy especially when I was always out. But I didn’t take Lent easy this year. I tried something new, which I think are efforts that were blessed. I’ll post about it in the next few days (I promise!), but suffice to say: this Lent is probably the most meaningful one I’ve ever had.
Triduum. For the first time since I can remember, I managed to participate in as many church activities that I can during the Triduum. There was the usual Maundy Thursday mass, followed by Stations of the Cross on Good Friday (with actual crosses!) and Veneration of the Cross, and finally, Easter Vigil on Black Saturday. I used to think that Good Friday and Black Saturday were best spent at home in silence and reflection. But all the podcasts I listened to were right — the real best way to really and truly understand and feel the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus is to attend these activities because the Holy Week is meant to be spent in community with the church. :)
I can’t remember the last time I felt a holy kind of excitement in my heart until the Easter Vigil at our parish last night, and my heart was thrilled when the lights in the church were turned on. If I could shout, I would probably shout “Alleluia!” out loud. :)
Then, Easter Sunday. Bright and sunny (and hot!), and it felt like everyone was so full of cheer. Like there’s a new beginning.
And you know what? I think there really is a new beginning offered to each one of us. Because Jesus Christ had conquered death, we are free. And most of all, we are loved. :)
The best and most tangible feeling of this freedom: I gave up some things for Lent — these things aren’t bad things, but things that I could live without. It was hard to give up, and I broke my fast a few times. I almost thought I wouldn’t make it until Easter. But when Easter finally rolled around, doing the things I gave up again felt like such a huge gift. It felt like I was suddenly free to do those things again, when the only thing stopping me from doing those things were myself in the past 5-6 weeks. It’s like things were made new again. I was given another chance to live, but this time mindful of the fact that I should do these things I gave up for Lent for His glory and not mine because my Savior suffered so much to set me free. :)
See. I love Easter. How can you not love Easter?
Happy Easter, my dear friends. Today is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. Jesus has risen, indeed. May this Easter bring you new hope and new beginnings. :) Alleluia!
Also known as:Because I’m a sucker for dates, and leap year comes every four years.
So today is a date that comes only every four years, and because like what I said there ^, I can’t let this day pass without a blog post. Yeah, I’m shallow like that.
But anyway, leap day! This calls for a leaping picture, or a jump shot:
Taken at Bohol Beach Club, photo c/o Billy
Corny. But anyway, I obviously owe a few more entries to this, and I’m finding time to work on it soon, especially now that I am back on normal day shift. I’ll find time soon, I promise.
On another note, I have major (major) updates regarding the things I wrote in this post: I have a word and a pretty okay draft of my five year plan! :) So exciting to finally get moving on that, but it’s also very hard to really live the word I chose, especially during times that I feel anything but that word.
Lent also started last week, and it’s been very interesting so far. I’d post about what I gave up and what I decided to do. It’s challenging, but I’d like to believe there’s growth somewhere there. Especially in blurting out random nonsense online. Suffice to say that this is also stretching me to be a nicer person, and it all connects to my word for the year again. Hm, it goes full cycle — I love it.
There’s really no point in this post, except to post for the sake of posting. Four years ago, I was too busy during leap day because our team hosted an event for work. This year, I’m just at work. Doing nothing really spectacular (except maybe trying — and sometimes/often failing — to be a nicer person), except facilitating a planning later tonight. I guess this is one of the times when choosing to have an ordinary day is already special enough.
So I hope you have an extraordinary February 29, and may it make you look forward to the next leap day. :) As for me, I’m just thankful that there’s an extra day in this year for me to feel and thank God for His grace. :)
And with that, I leave you with another jump shot:
Photo taken at Alabat Island, Quezon
P.S. OMG it’s March tomorrow! Hello, favorite month! :)
