Dolly de los Reyes

Between now and tomorrow lie uncertainties, and that is where life’s paradox dwells. We are taught to work hard for something we want done. We start to believe that there is a somewhere where all dreams meet as one. We heed the signs that seem to lead us to that one destination. We ignore the hindrances to keep focused. There is nothing stopping us to move forward. And then we give our partial best in any area of our life. We live, laugh, and love to experience that momentary bliss. That is NOW. But tomorrow doesn’t come in quickly. In between the two is a small crack, a gap, where countless heavings and sighings are witnessed. This is that one instance when doubt suddenly crowds our hopeful minds. When we suddenly realize that we are not equipped enough for the battle that awaits us. It is when life’s crossroads are met. The end of the tunnel is seen, but the only thread of hope we are clinging into is as dark as a starless night. Negativities creep in and consume most of the powe...

I used to think about the real meaning of LOVE. And as usual, figuring it out isn’t an easy thing. As I grew older, things have changed somehow. Gradually, piece by piece, I feel the puzzle of love is nearing completion. As experiences come one after another, so do lessons and learning that have taken root in my soul. I have come to understand that I have been blessed with the opportunity to grow with my pupils. Slowly, I have realized, there is so much wisdom in these young minds. And since it is February, Love Month, I asked them to define love. Well, I was expecting the usual childish stuff, but it turned out the other way around, for these are things that I have somehow forgotten along the way to adulthood. Through careful observation and innocent reflection, my cherished 11-year old pupils gave me these definitions of love: - True love is not to be found, only to be felt. I did not give flowers to someone because I haven’t felt true love. And for me, it’s not something you can ...

(For my class – Gr 5 Simplicity) Victory isn’t luck; it is earned and gained. I thought it would be me guiding my pupils all throughout the week-long sports fest; it turned out the other way around. Divine Light Academy’s most-awaited event, Palaro 2012-2013, took place last Feb. 4-8, 2013. And it really was fun. I had thought of it as a mere bonding time with my pupils, but my advisory class had shown me things I never really took notice of. Two days before the opening, we scheduled a 3-hour practice in whatever sports they were assigned to compete for. Everyone was eager enough to prepare that they arrived in their full sports attire. (You should have seen them!) And yes, it was a fun morning for all of us. Then the opening came; I was as excited as they were. I was wearing my class’ official jersey. Wearing a bright smile on our faces, we headed off to the parade. The program that followed was more than what we expected. Everyone was really set into high energy level. C...

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...