I was quickly reading through news on the Philippines over lunch today. I wanted to get the latest on the pork barrel scandal (our rich lawmakers are alleged to have shamelessly and illegally allocated the impoverished Filipino people's money to their own selves, in other words, they've stolen from the poorest of the poor). I don't know what I clicked on but I was fortunate to have been led to this column on the late Hollywood icon, Audrey Hepburn. It got me interested in her life. It sounds to me that she had very well-lived life. After a few clicks, I found this:
"People, even more than things, have to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed. Never throw out anyone." - Audrey Hepburn
I remember that a few months ago I "liked" a quote on Facebook: "Sometimes removing some people from your life makes room for better people."I also said "Avoid the ex, i.e., remove him/her from your life." as part of the strategy to help a good friend of mine recover from a break-up.
BUT ...
Ms Hepburn made me look really closely at myself. I now realize that I don't really believe in "removing" people forever. In fact, while there were a few instances in my past that I had "removed" people, these were all temporary. I don't think there is anyone really that I had kicked out completely and irrevocably. Nevermind that they had made me cry until my eyes were so swollen that talo ko pa ang boxingero na nabugbog ni Pacman. I harbor no hard feelings at all. Promise. I am always ready for anyone coming up to me with a peace-offering! Recently, my first-ever boyfriend called me to tell me how sorry he was that he broke my heart and that it was all his fault. Surely, it could not be all his fault! But, isn't that sweet? So, how could I not forgive him? The timing of this man's peace-offering was "impeccable". I've had the space and time .... all twenty years of it ... to see the light. Because every creature on earth needs me-time. Some more than others!
To my most avid reader ...
I am not saying you will have to wait twenty years.
I am saying ... There I was, looking for war and yet, I found peace.
I am saying ... Life is like a glass of sangria. If you drink just enough, it makes you light-headed. If too much, it could give you a headache. Either way, it's good company after a hard day's work.
CHEERS!!!
 |
| The Sangria that I made for myself last night |
Well said. I think time gives us maturity that can only happen through having experienced something ourselves (good or bad). I had a similar epiphany recently, when I was told, "Don't you know that people can make the choice to change? Just because they did something before doesn't mean they'll do it again." And I realized how unforgiving I had been all along.
ReplyDeleteSangria toast to you too, dear! xx