Random Thoughts on Imagining, Remembering, Writing.
April 30, 2013 (PHT - Manila, Philippines Time)

I enrolled in Sarah Kathleen Peck's Spring 2013  "Start Writing Workshop" that started April 29, 2013, Monday, PST.  Lesson 1 is about Visualization and Imaging. 

Bright sky on a sunny day!

On this early sunny morning of the second day of the week, on my side of the world, I sat alone in my garden with a renewed awareness about my surroundings. The red color of the outdoor umbrella's canopy, dulled by its years of witnessing my thinning hair, transformed into a bright hue of fresh blood as the radiance of the summer sun began exploding around me. I have not consciously thanked the Lord on a daily basis for the gift of life but on this beautiful and divine morning that no mortal could make, I knew I had to say a special prayer of gratitude for everything that has been, is happening and will be.

Imagining, remembering and writing. Those are powerful guide to stir one’s ability to paint life in the form of writing. Anyone can imagine and remember but not everyone can write. Not all who can write however can be a painter of the written words, pretty much like an artist who expresses himself in canvass.

I remember how I felt this morning as I stirred from my restful sleep. At my very ripe age, my abused body did not feel the same way as it did years back. As I pounded on my laptop,  I glanced at the withered skins and pathways of veins of my hands.  I imagined how it would have been if  our body did not age. Wouldn't that be fun? 

I took notice of the potted very young pine tree on my left, with its brown dried leaves. It looks dead.  I took a mental note to take better care of the other plants in the garden given the intense heat of the season. We're currently experiencing here in Manila the heat of summer (36.6-39C).    I watched as the tiny black ants in single file, paraded back and forth  in one corner of the garden. I welcomed the slight breeze that caressed my body and thought of it as God’s way of saying “Good Morning to you too”. The colorful flowers of the bougainvillea shrubs and its leaves were swaying and I could hear them declare to its surrounding what a beautiful day it is. The calm of the morning is punctuated by the musical chirps of the birds making love to each other. Aaah, it’s going to be a beautiful day in Manila, Philippines.

 Not all mornings are the same for all people. A group may be seated right now in various benches in the park near my home, but each one of them have different perception of their surroundings. The frame of mind of each one can be different. As the saying goes, not everyone got off on the same side of the bed and not all are enjoying the beautiful day. I decided to have a beautiful day today, my going to the concrete jungle notwithstanding. 

Thank you Lord for the blessing. Good morning everyone wherever you may be!