Tag Archives: reflection

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We’re All Just Trying to Survive (In Our Own Ways)

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Photo by Nurhossen Sarder on Pexels

During Holy Week, I realized I wasn’t really in the mood for the usual shows- no drama, no love stories, not even action. I wanted something different. Something that would make me pause and actually think.

That’s when I stumbled upon “Outlast” in Netflix, a survival contest set in the wilderness where people are pushed to their limits, physically and mentally. 

At first, I thought it was just another reality show-intense, dramatic, maybe even a little exaggerated for entertainment. But the more I watched, the more it pulled me in… not because of the competition, but because of what it revealed.

Somewhere in the middle of all that wilderness, life becomes very simple.

No comfort. No routine. No distractions.

Just the basics- staying warm, finding water, building shelter, and making decisions that actually matter.

And watching that made me realize something… life can become fragile so quickly when those basics are taken away.

But more than survival itself, what really stayed with me was the people.

How they react when things get hard.

Some stay calm and focused. Others break down. Some make wise decisions, while others act purely out of emotion. And honestly, it made me reflect-because aren’t we all like that too?

We may not be out there in the wilderness, but in our own way, we’re all trying to survive something.

Deadlines. Financial pressure. Family responsibilities. Personal struggles we don’t always talk about.

Different situations, yes- but sometimes, the same feeling. That quiet pressure to keep going even when things feel uncertain.

One thing I noticed while watching is how easily energy gets wasted under pressure.

In survival, every movement matters. Every decision counts.

And in real life… I think it’s the same, just less obvious.

We lose energy to overthinking. To stress. To distractions. To unnecessary drama.

And most of the time, we don’t even realize how much it drains us.

Lately, I’ve been learning that survival isn’t always about being strong.

Sometimes, it’s about being clear.

Clear on what really matters.

Clear on what to hold on to… and what to let go of.

Clear enough to pause, breathe, and not react right away.

Watching Outlast didn’t just feel like entertainment.

It felt like a quiet reminder-

That life puts us in small “survival moments” every day. Not in extreme ways, but in the choices we make, the challenges we face, and the way we respond to them.

And maybe the real skill isn’t just surviving those moments…

…but learning how to stay grounded while going through them.

And maybe that’s what this season is really about. Holy Week isn’t just a pause from our usual routine-it’s a time for reflection, quiet moments, and prayer. A chance to slow down and really look at our lives, not just rush through them.

And sometimes, even something as simple as watching a meaningful show like “Outlast” can open that space for us-to think, to reflect, and to see things from a different perspective.

Because in the end, it’s not just about what we watch…

…it’s about what we take with us after.

~Nodz

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The Dream

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I had a strange dream, in a strangely familiar place,
Walking in silence through empty old hallways.
A sacred space hidden deep in my soul I chase –
I felt peace… yet confused. Why am I here? What’s this space?

Life lately has never been easy, as I journeyed this road,
Detours, diverging paths, and crossroads heavily snowed.
Fog thick around me, and rain endlessly pouring,
While the sky flashes with thunder, relentless and roaring.

I must find my faith – keep driving, trusting peace will find me with ease.
As I closed my eyes for just a second, time seemed to freeze.
I returned to that mysterious dream, but this time I stood at a deep well –
Looking down… a sudden splash – then a voice of the Divine began to swell.

God always finds a way to send His message – though often puzzling.
He knows when we’re sinking… He sees when we’re drowning.
That dream reminded me: He’s just behind, quietly waiting.
He will never abandon – His eyes forever watching.

That Holy Bible rising, dripping with such sweet grace,
A sign from above in that quiet place.
Now I rise too – no longer blind,
With peace in my heart and soul, and God on my mind.

This poem came from a dream I had last night — not just an ordinary one, but something that made me pause and reflect deeply. The image here is what I saw in that dream: a Holy Bible rising from the water of a deep well. It felt like God was gently reminding me that even in silence, even in storms, He is near. Through this poem, I tried to capture what my soul saw and felt. May it speak to anyone else who’s quietly searching for peace, for answers, or for a moment of divine light in the dark.

~Nodz

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The Symbiotic Dance of Self-Care and Forgiveness

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In the intricate tapestry of personal growth, I’ve come to recognize a profound dance between self-care and forgiveness, a symbiotic relationship that weaves resilience, emotional healing, and a tapestry of well-being.

Within every family or any relationship, chaos prevails, misunderstandings arise, and clashes of pride are inevitable. One might express, another might rectify, yet ultimately, it is communication that intertwines the threads of hurt and pain. Can we address internal conflicts through venting or expressing grievances? Allowing space and time with prayers helps and collaborate harmoniously. Navigating this complexity is no simple feat. As humans, we inherently justify our beliefs, often insisting on our opinions. We truly need guidance, a need to actively listen, to genuinely feel, and to deeply understand each other, our hearts and mind should collaborate and exist in harmony.

Reflect upon this as query to dwell upon. Is it correct to perceive forgiveness as a facet of self-care in your perspective? Are there individuals whom you have not forgiven, perhaps for specific reasons? Have you navigated the journey of forgiveness for those who have brought about considerable turmoil? and distress in your life?

Perhaps now is the moment to pause, reflect, and contemplate the transformative potential of forgiveness . Certainly, this embodies authentic self-care—easing the burdensome load and welcoming a serene peace into your life. I am offering insights based on my own experiences and reflections.

~Nodz

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Suffering Simplifies Life

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<Reflection-Prayer>

Trials put our faith to the test.
No matter what its source or intensity, there’s something about suffering that simplifies life and draw us back to the basics. Invariably, especially during a time of intense trial,…. I go back to what I really believe. I return to the elementals such as prayer and dependence, like getting quiet and waiting on God. I remind myself, God is sovereign… this is no accident. He has plan and a purpose. Those thoughts give us hope beyond our trials.

Trials put pur faith to the tests as well as stretch our confidence in Him. They force us back to the bedrock of faith upon which our foundation rests, and this becomes a refining and necessary process.

<Hope again>
~Charles Swindoll

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Dear God
When it feels as if everything falls apart,
I will cling to the fact that you keep your word.
One thing you have promised is, in Heaven,
suffering will cease, never again will we grieve.
Help me to trust that you will deliver me from,
these tough times, see me through for your glory.
Amen.

Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope
we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.

*HEBREWS 10:23

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Life Moves..

Time fleeting, things keep moving,
each day, in a second, phase changes.
Season is blowing, the world turning,
bits and pieces of our moment switches.
Embrace each flash and feel the flow,
dance with the sunset, kiss every sunrise,
Give a smile, a hug, let our love grow.
spread, share, shout it out now, time flies.

~Nodz

My favorite Ryan Farish 🙂

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Reflection

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I see you in the mirror, waving at me,
too close yet far, your love and strength I see.
Hear me I say, I am reaching for you,
I am lost, this heart wanders, carry me through.
I long to wish again, awake this soul,
fill my mind with new dreams that once stole.
Write me a story with chapters of hope,
paint my path with love and hues of the rainbow.
When will I see you again,  old reflection?
An image of the past,  once I was.

~Nodz
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Sometimes in life we come across so much hurt and pain that will try to break us, and lose ourselves. In the corner of our heart, there’s always this seeds of hope God sprinkles that awaits to sprout, grows, flourish, if we only allow. Trust God’s power to bring back one’s self.

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ELEMENTS

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You don’t seem to see, heart is on fire, burning,
you don’t seem to know, tears keep falling.
Sadness, longings written in every drop of rain,
in bracing winds I whispered hurt and pain.
Unspoken words you’ll hear in notes of string,
love you took, you left, lost and wandering.

~Nodz

 

 

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The Fairest Flower

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<Weekly Reflection-Prayer Poetry>

Genuine humility isn’t something we can announce  very easily. To claim this virtue is, as a rule , to forfeit it. Humility is the fairest and rarest  flower that blooms. Put it on display and instantly it wilts and loses its fragrance!…No, humility is not something to be announced. It simply belongs in one’s life, in the private journal of one’s walk with God.

There are two simple and quick ways God says the true condition of the heart is revealed. The first is through eyes and the second is through the mouth ( Luke 6:45)…keen counselors and wise people are careful to listen words ( what is said as well as what isn’t said) and watch the eyes of others. You soon discover that the heart is like a well and the eyes and tongue are like buckets that draw water from the same well. If true humility is not in the heart, the eyes will show it.

~Charles Swindoll

humility

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Dear God,

Please show us what it means to be humble.
Then, we’ll be able to find the delicate balance
between recognizing our sinful flaws,
and knowing how much you value us.
True humility involves seeing ourselves,
as you see us, no better or worse in your sight
than anyone else but one who’s worth dying for.
No wonder true humility is the pathway
to discover how to serve you and other people.

Amen

 

~Nodz

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Silence Speaks

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In water below, a reflection I see,
a resemblance of another image
In those two eyes, sadness rooted
blank stare that tells me a story.
Silence speaks volume than words
space in between, truth  unfolds.

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We should learn how to listen  more than it say,  effort to hear not only the words that another person can say  …..

~Nodz

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Chalk of life

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Got inspired by this American animated television series ChalkZone , the series follows Rudy Tabootie, an elementary school student whose magic chalk allows him into the ChalkZone, an alternate dimension where everything drawn on a blackboard and erased becomes real.  I  was watching last night and something popped into my head…

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If given two
magic chalks
to draw a thing,
write anything.
First will be a pair
of wings flapping,
to fly, soar high
so as to give this
little fantasy a try.
It’s like reaching
a wishful dream,
only waiting for
a light to gleam.
Second is a word
PEACE to touch
a troubled heart,
yearns for love,
hurting  much.
Imagine a world,
without  fears
It’s a beautiful place
to stay and settle in.

Oh magical chalk
If you’re only real….

.(◕‿◕✿) Nodz ~

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God’s gift : Understanding

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There’s nothing better than seeing your love ones  still fast asleep. We all had a good night, thank God, no night ouchies!  Our little one  joined us over dinner last night and  finally smiling now. I can say our little soldier is finally  back but  I know how it feels everytime there’s  a burning  pain somewhere. Still,  he is recuperating from 3 weeks hospital stay , 3 more weeks, I guess, then hoping. Early this morning,  I was clearing some clutters in the room, saw this mickey mouse alphabet coloring book and  a box of large crayons. I suddenly remembered it was him who chose this stuff, while we were in a mall bookstore. It seems like ages now since we had this little shopping alone, no  series of surgeries had done yet, he can still run and walk  freely without something that would bother him. On the other side of the room, there’s this two little bikes kept (when was the last time he rode this bikes) His childhood  was  stolen from him, in and out of the hospital for 4 years, prefers to lie down most of the time. One of my  sentiments – how can he still manage to smile and be contented, yet he knows  he’s carrying something  that would stay there for a lifetime. I know kids are resilient by  nature than we are –– taken  from my personal journal 

Sometimes , when we love someone , we feel we just can’t give them enough. I think most parents feel this way about their children. Love make us generous. But generosity is more than giving. If anyone could have showered gifts on those he loved, it was God, but He didn’t. Instead He provided  for their basic needs;  he saw to it  that they had sheltered and enough to eat . He watched them counting coins when he could have filled  their laps with riches. God gave something more precious and more lasting  than gifts.  He gave us the gift of understanding. He knew how hard it is to live  in this world. He felt what others felt and couldn’t put into words. In our little boy’s case, if not with  that gift of  understanding towards his real health condition, probably  he won’t be smiling and fighting. Just a share 🙂 Short  poem for today-

Out of the depths,

My  utter despair

Out of my blahs

I cried  to you

the  wisdom

 you gave

I was saved

(◕‿◕✿) Nodz ~