Very often we feel guilty about giving more to ourselves because of all the things we need to do. It seems there is no time to "give in" to what will give us pleasure.
Ive realized more than ever that we owe it to ourselves to feel good. It is a gift we should give to ourselves. These are some of the "gifts" Ive given to myself these past weeks and Ive been feeling wonderful ever since.
I thought of my Dad picking me up every Sunday and taking me to Aristocrat along Roxas Blvd. Where we would eat an adobo flying saucer sandwich. "Ay ang sarap nun." We would sit outside, me sitting on his lap under those big umbrellas.
Recalling made me feel like a little girl again. My Daddys little girl.
You never know how your smile can affect another person. Maybe thats what they needed that very minute and you gave it.
A hot towel on your face after a tiring day also feels so good.
I feel like a child again. We should never lose our being childlike. Let go and discover how uplifting it can be.
I allowed her to snap away. Boy, did she have fun (and I did, too). She asked me to pretend I was asleep and I did. She took a fun photo of my rubber shoes, my coffee mug and a slice of my whole wheat bread. She even took a photo of the toilet being flushed. Funny talaga siya. Then of course she posed and asked me to take pictures of her.
What fun we had. We were so happy that we promised well do it again.
I give her scraps of paper and shed find something to turn them into. Different shapes, different sizes. Tissue paper shed soak in the water and let it dry and wait to see what shape it will take after.
We had fabric paint and she asked for an old T-shirt of mine and made designs. How happy she was when she finished it, but even happier when I wore it.
After watching her complete something, seeing the joy in her face is a wonder.
My daughter Rikki Mae heard a song at her Ate Issas house the other night. She liked it so much that everyday on her way to school she would sing it so loud, marveling at how she would reach the high notes at the end of the song.
My youngest daughter Arabella would pretend she would be annoyed, covering her ears and her Ates mouth, but would be singing the song herself later on.
It surely lifted their spirits and put us all in a good mood.
I took them to Rockwell two Sundays ago. It was a typical outing. Going around, playing billiards, bowling, eating. But on our way home, Ken turned to me and said, "Thank you, Mama." I asked, "Thank you for what, son?" "Just thank you for today," he replied. It was a simple thank you but I felt so appreciated. My heart became warm with joy.
Say thank you for the simplest things. Kenneths thank you filled me with happiness.
Life is short, often complex. Find pleasure in the things you do. Savor every moment. Taste Life! Welcome everything that comes your way. Living is about experiencing everything. Feel good! It is a gift we should give ourselves and others.
(E-mail the author at babyjackster@yahoo.com)