Dolly de los Reyes

My life is a pilgrimage to the unknown. True, my life is a gift from the Divine. But every moment of my existence is flooded with uncertainties. There are things that would seem irrelevant, but are actually part of a bigger puzzle that has yet to be completed. I was seated on a bench inside De La Salle University’s campus reading Paulo Coelho’s “Aleph”. I recounted being excited about it, then falling back to the routine of leaving it in one corner of my room for dust to accumulate. I was too engrossed with every line, every syllable vibrating in my head, sensing the urgency to act on my life NOW. Knowing your personal legend. Following your heart. Listening to the soul of the Universe. All these things boil to one: living your purpose. A state of euphoria washed over me, for somehow a portion of my being has been revealed. “Listen to the signs,” as Paulo Coelho would say. Yes, signs. They surround us, until that one instant when that sign hits you directly that there is no other way

God is… Even when nothing makes sense “Who is God?” asked a pained man. My answer … God is… the rejoicing Father when you were born God is… the Wisdom that guides you as you mature God is… the Friend who stays by your side no matter what God is… the Hope when tomorrow seems to never come God is… the Light when darkness seems to swallow you God is… the Knight-in-shining armor when escape is impossible God is… the Merciful Angel when the world has grown so cruel God is… the Love that gives you joy and delight God is… the Creator your creator our creator whose infinite wisdom and love for humanity has made us whole. Whenever you are in doubt, pray Whenever you are troubled, call on Him Whenever you are despaired, let Him comfort you. When God seems distant, He actually isn’t When tribulations come and go, He is there to tag along When the storms of life threaten to drown you, He watches over you. When sleep seems so far away, let Him cradle you When the world brings tears to your

10 days – Realizations came one after another. If I would look back, I might have giggled to see myself in such a desperate situation, face in an exasperated expression, and looking so pitiful in that dire misery. SMILES… I saw those as the promise of 2013. For that moment was a turning point. I had thought of it as a punishment, but then I saw that it wasn’t. Oh! It was actually a lovely renewal… of my love for God. It seemed impossible; but now that I’ve been into such a dreadful situation, I somehow understood this line: “In the midst of pain and suffering, praise God!” That I did without me realizing it. I had nothing to hold onto but my faith in God. I had no one, not even my parents, to whom I could whisper the deepest desire of my heart. I learned to call Him and to rely on Him desperately. Day after day, He would carry me in His arms. When negativities came, I would call His name frantically. Lo! I would feel Him touching my heart, easing the pain until it was totally gone

“The most important experiences a man can have are those that take him to the very limit; that is the only way we learn, because it requires all our courage.” - Eleven Minutes (Paulo Coelho) The only major trial I have had for the past years of my life had come so stealthily; it left me shattered, devastated. The once close-to-perfect divine partnership had come to an end abruptly, and nothing else could be worse than experiencing it during the Christmas season. For once, Christmas had lost its meaning. Rising from that sudden tragedy seemed impossible. Queries were thrown, some remain unanswered. I had him minutes ago; I unexpectedly lost him without any clue. Giving your heart and soul to someone so special is indeed a risk, and I did risk everything, including my happiness. It was at this point when I prayed to God so desperately, begging for answers, inducing miracles, and pleading for rescue when the pain bore deep in my heart. Weeping was part of it. I was in a terrible emotiona