A nugget of inspiration

DISCLAIMER: This is not an original post. This is from sikhphilosophy.net. 


Reading this story made me realized how grateful I am for having wonderful parents who brought me and my siblings up in the atmosphere of love.  That even at times when I am a brat... when I am difficult and stubborn... they still patiently stand by my side waiting for me to regain my dependence on their guidance. And, I couldn't thank God enough for having them!:)


Hope that you guys would also be inspired. (as much as I did)

***

An old man was sitting in the courtyard of his house along with his son who had received high education. Suddenly, a crow perched on a wall of the house.

The father asked the son: What is this? The son replied: It is a crow. 

After a little while, the father again asked the son: What is this? The son said: It is a crow.  After a few minutes the father asked his son the third time:What is this? The son said: Father, I have just now told you that this is a crow. After a little while the old father again asked his son the fourth time: what is this? At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the son’s tone when he said to his father with a rebuff. Father! It is a crow, a crow. A little after the father again asked his son: What is this? This time the son replied to his father with a vein of temper. Father, you are always repeating the same question, although I have told you so many times that it is a crow. Are you not able to understand this? 

A little later the father went to his room and came back with an old diary. Opening a page he asked his son to read that. When the son read it the following words were written in the diary:  ”Today my little son was sitting with me in the courtyard, when a crow came there. My son asked me twenty-five times what it was and I told him twenty-five times that it was a crow and I did not at all feel irritated. I rather felt affection for the innocent child.“

The father then told the son the difference saying: Between a father and a son’s attitude, while a little child he asked me this question twenty-five times and I felt no irritation in replying to the question twenty-five times and when today I asked him the same question only five times, he felt irritated and annoyed.

And the Lord has decreed that you be dutiful to your parents, If one of them or both of them attain old age with you, do not say uff to them, nor repulse them, but speak to them a gracious word. And lower to them the wing of submission and humbleness out of mercy to both of them and say: “My Lord! Have mercy on them both, as they cared for me and brought me up when I was a little child.”

Traditions

Indeed, the Christmas spirit is around the corner - Parols hanging anywhere from malls, schools, offices even in the individual family homes. Caroling can be heard from little kids walking from house-to-house singing the old-time Christmas songs. And, houses are already strung with tiny, multi-colored Christmas lights. 

But, much more than having a fully decorated Christmas tree and the gifts beneath... Christmas is the best time to reflect, give love and share our blessings to other people.

When I opened my formspring account yesterday, I was stunned with this question, "What holiday traditions do you and your family celebrate?" I reflected on this question for a while but instead of answering the question right after, I decided to write an article regarding "traditions" in this blog.

My parents brought me and my siblings up making sure that we knew how to share. They would emphasized to us that we should always be thankful for every blessing we received and at the same time, know how to share this blessing to other people.

One month before Christmas, we would sort our clothes into "will still use and for donation" and, on the day before Christmas, we would help our mom pack all those used clothing together with canned goods and noodles for it to be ready for our simple gift giving. 

Little did I know that this upbringing would have a big impact on my life. As a grown-up, I have learned how to appreciate life more - to be more thankful for what I have, for the love I receive and for what God has given me. My life may have twists and turns but weighing the good and the bad things that happened, the good has definitely weighed more! And, I am eternally thankful for that. :)


I just have a good feeling that life will continue to be good to me and I am counting on it. :)

***
One of the traditional Filipino symbols - The Belen

It represents the nativity scene: the infant Jesus in the manger, surrounded by Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, the shepherds and their flock.

 Our Christmas Tree. We still prefer the traditional one.

Just one of my Mom's Santa Claus..HAHA. We would put this underneath our Christmas tree instead of gifts.

3 days to go.. It's Christmas time! 

And, we will all be Santa Claus for a day!

:)