Category: Words of Wisdom

“Nothing is permanent in this wicked world – not even our troubles.” – Charlie Chaplin

Nothing is permanent in this life. Not sorrow. Not happiness. Everything passes away.

If you have sadness now, take comfort in knowing it cannot last forever. If you have problems, they can be solved. We need not add more sorrow for our present grief.

On the other hand, if you are happy now, be wise in knowing you may not always possess what you have. If you are rich now, your wealth can be taken away and you will weep for what you have lost. So enjoy what you have while you still have it. Love the people you have in your life while you still have the time.

We are but pilgrims in this life. We arrive at some place and then sooner or later, we shall have to depart.

It isn’t that we should weep for what we cannot control, but that we should rejoice for everything that is given us. It isn’t that we should not aim to possess anything, but that we should lift our hearts to possess those things that will last for all eternity.

But I say this, brothers: the time is short, that from now on, both those who have wives may be as though they had none; and those who weep, as though they didn’t weep; and those who rejoice, as though they didn’t rejoice; and those who buy, as though they didn’t possess; and those who use the world, as not using it to the fullest. For the mode of this world passes away. But I desire to have you to be free from cares. – 1 Corinthians 7:29-32, WEB

“In every friendship hearts grow and entwine themselves together, so that the two hearts seem to make only one heart with only a common thought. That is why separation is so painful; it is not so much two hearts separating, but one being torn asunder.”- Fulton J. Sheen

What do we look for in a friend? Are we looking for someone who will always be there for us? Are we looking for someone who is honest and who can keep our secrets? Are we looking for someone who can understand us?

Sometimes, I think people don’t really know what they are looking for. And because they do not know, they do not find.

They think that friends ought to be perfect. They think that friends are those who will never let them down. But who could qualify for such standards?

This does not mean however that we can’t really find friends. It doesn’t mean also that we have to stop looking.

When we start looking for them however, let us think again whom we desire to find.

Are we not looking after all for someone whose soul is somewhat similar to ours? Someone who can see our pain yet also see our courage?

Are we not looking after all for someone whose beauty gives us true delight? Someone who though imperfect, has that certain goodness we wish we had or wish we saw in ourselves?

A friend is someone whose soul is similar to yours. And what joy it is to be able to see that soul, and to see how beautiful it really is!

“And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures.
For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
-Kahlil Gibran

A man of many companions may be ruined,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
-Proverbs 18:24, WEB

Greater love has no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13

“Grief does not change you, Hazel. It reveals you.”
-John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

There are many things that can happen after the storm. Things may not be the same anymore. Many things could even be broken. Many things could be lost.

Yet for those who were able to make it through the storm, they are the ones who come out of it better and stronger than before. They are the ones who see a new kind of sunrise, a new life they have won through their struggle in the dark.

Whenever a storm tries to break you, let it break only the outer shell that covers the beauty and strength of who you really are.

“The world breaks everyone and afterwards many are strong at the broken places.” – ERNEST HEMINGWAY

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.” – Isaiah 43:2, WEB

A gentle answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
-Proverbs 15, WEB

Peace is achieved not by being kind or patient enough. In order to achieve peace, we need kindness and patience that is more than what we consider just or necessary.

It isn’t enough just to be kind to those who are being kind to you. We need to be kind even to those who are rude.

It isn’t enough just to forgive those who are asking for our forgiveness. We need to forgive even those who are not asking it from us.

It isn’t enough not to do any harm; we must do good. It isn’t enough that we must not hate; we must love.

For if we fight darkness with even more darkness, how can we ever find light? If we return violence for violence, how can we ever find peace?

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. – Matthew 5:43-48, WEB

“Go in this your might, and save Israel from the hand of Midian. Haven’t I sent you?” – Judges 6:14, WEB

Not everything happens according to our plans. No matter how carefully we execute our steps, no matter how much brain storming we make in anticipation of future problems, there will be times when events will take us by surprise.

When they do however, it isn’t the time to blame ourselves or cry endlessly in grief for failure. When unexpected things happen, it is time to rise up and tap our hidden strength to face the challenges in our way.

We face the problems not as we imagined them to be, but for what they truly are at present. We adjust our plans. We think of better solutions. We move, we look for other resources; we do what can still be done.

“When the unexpected happens, it’s time to discover also unexpected courage and unexpected strength.” – Jocelyn Soriano