RED

Almost all stoplights turned red on me today.

What a way to start my day. I felt the frustration of waiting running through my veins. Every turn was a red stoplight. From EDSA, Makati Ave and Paseo de Roxas my timing was impeccable! I asked myself “WTH?! Did I wake up on the wrong side of the bed today?” I really don’t know.

The red light signaled me to stop. So I stopped and this came to mind. Red lights are like obstacles in our lives that has no other solution than to wait. Even if we wanted to do something about it, we simply can’t because there are other cars passing by. And it would be dangerous to run against the tide; someone could be really hurt if we force it.

After all, stoplights are there to keep traffic flow in order and to keep us away from deadly collisions. Maybe that is the very same reason why it is better to let go of things beyond our control. So that we won't be hurt. Sometimes we must just allow the traffic light of our lives give us the signal when to go, slow down and stop.

Then patiently wait for it to change colors once more.

7:55 AM

I arrived at exactly 7:55 A.M. today. Not bad for an 8 A.M. target.

Time is a valuable and irrevocable resource. In fact, as I turn the corner of the street to the parking lot I was surprised to see that 10 minutes already elapsed. It is comparable to singing 3 happy birthday songs or cooking instant noodles. But it sure feels like it was just seconds.

If time is money, I wonder how my financial statement would look like.

From this day forward, I will cherish every moment of my everyday because there is no replay button in real life. No matter how things turn out, I will choose to possess a happy and grateful heart that appreciates life in full circle.

SUN

The sun shined brightly today.

I felt the warmth of its embrace as I walk in the streets of Makati. It felt good to see the sun shine again after a week of pouring rain. Somehow it made me feel better and a little less melancholic. Suddenly my mood changed. I almost wanted to sing Kevyn Lettau’s Sunlight out loud where the lyrics go “I think about the morning and it warms my heart”.

It is amazing how certain things around us can affect us. How a small gesture of appreciation, thoughtfulness and concern could warm our hearts and make us smile, or how some trivial things make us sad. But ultimately, it is our perception of things that can make us feel the way we feel.

Then, I realized just like the sun we also have a certain effect on others. Good or bad we don’t have any control. And that is the hardest part of it all.