THE great lesson we can learn from the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin (cfr. Lk 15,1-10) is that with the unavoidable differences and conflicts among ourselves, we have a golden opportunity to be like Christ and develop the true charity that knows how to love everyone in spite of whatever.

Like Christ, we have to take the initiative to understand everyone, to be patient and willing to suffer for whatever it takes to have that all-inclusive kind of love. Far from turning us off or distancing ourselves from the parties concerned when we experience these differences and conflicts, we should all the more be interested to be with them, to help and love them in whatever way we can, always with God’s grace.

We have to be wary of our tendency to keep grudges, resentments, critical and negative thoughts, mental reservations, etc., against anyone when we are confronted with these differences and conflicts. We should try our best to rid ourselves of them no matter how small or insignificant we think they may seem to us.

Only love that channels the love of Christ for all of us can handle this condition when we have to deal with our unavoidable differences and conflicts. When we find it hard to have that love, we have to beg God for the grace, and little by little develop the appropriate attitude, virtues and spirit.

Obviously, some struggle would be involved here. And it can be of the severe kind. But as long as we go to God for help, we can manage to win and conquer those human and natural weaknesses and limitations that hamper our power to have the charity of Christ.
Let’s remember that when we react negatively toward these differences and conflicts, it would be as if God is showing us those weaknesses and limitations that we need to correct and transcend with God’s grace. In a sense, we should be welcoming of these differences so that we can know ourselves better and have the chance to become more Christ-like as we should be.

We should bring these issues in our prayer, always begging God for light and strength. We should remind ourselves that as St. Paul told us, as long as we are with God, all things will always work out for the good. (cfr. Rom 8,28)

The ideal condition of our heart is that of being light and bearing nothing other than pure love and understanding for everyone. As such, we can live what St. Paul described how true charity should be: “Charity is patient, is kind, does not envy, does not act wrongly, is not inflated, is not ambitious, does not seek for itself, is not provoked to anger, devises no evil…” (1 Cor 13,1-6)

So, we just have to learn how to be sport and game with everyone without compromising the rules of the game, so to speak. Foul is foul, cheating is cheating, and the appropriate penalties should be given, but the game has to go on.

Just the same, we have to be ready to get dirty. There is actually no game where the sportsman does not get dirty or does not experience extreme tensions and suspense.
In this regard, we have to realize more deeply that we need to be strong and flexible ourselves. Thus, we have to undergo continuing formation, just like those good athletes who never fail to practice daily and to go through endless training exercises.

What’s in a plant? Why we MUST go back to our photosynthetic roots and hopefully thrive because of it? Why it is our savior and without Plant our doom is certain?
In the recent NETFLIX documentary, What the Health! Advertised as “The Health Film That Health Organizations Don’t Want You To See”, the film follows Kip Andersen as he interviews physicians and other individuals on diet and health topics. Andersen is also shown attempting to contact representatives of various health organizations, but comes away dissatisfied with their responses. Through other interviews he examines the alleged connection between the meat, dairy, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as various health organizations. The synopsis is that serious health problems are a consequence of consuming meat and dairy products, and that a conspiracy exists to cover this up.
I have seen first hand the answer to the questions that lingers in my mind. What causes destructive conditions like Diabetes, Hypertension and Cardiac Arrests. My guess is as good as yours, it is diet.

And that there are industries that spend millions of dollars to overlook the fact that food, specific kinds of foods, create problems to our health. Further, the film also discloses that meat is the culprit of many ailment of sorts like cholesterol build up and ingestion of chemicals which is similar with the effect of smoking. Ergo fastfood staples like burgers, hotdogs are downright evil, for this film. Some sectors call this film as propaganda by vegans against the meat and dairy industry. Surely they would counter this head on with propaganda dollars of their own.

What fixed my attention is the realization that plants or plant based diet can actually prevent sure fire way to catch sickness like hypertension, diabetes and others. Propganda or not we Filipinos knew fully well that this is a fact. In fact, herbal supplements which is a Million Peso worth industry is a proof to that claim. And that the idea or notion organic is a comforting word and that we shall never panic when it is organic. These plant based reality is also undeniably established in the psyche of Filipinos. But why are plant based foods sold by local and specialized shops are never as popular as the fast food giants burgers and others. Two things, taste and the status it brings . The meat lovers in our Homo Sapien mind and taste are etched to be a reward of hunting and that it is conquest and a symbol of wealth or affluence. Two, the plant based foods are bland and at times bitter. A friend of mine criticized me buying Kangkong and Pako, lest snakes grew in the stomach because i am eating grasses where they can hide, a joke perhaps but its true, plant based diet are never hip nor cool.

The fact is established; Eating a plant-based diet improves the health of your gut so you are better able to absorb the nutrients from food that support your immune system and reduce inflammation. Fiber can lower cholesterol and stabilize blood sugar and it’s great for good bowel management. (mdananderson.org). Is a plant-based diet healthy? Yes. A plant-based diet is considered to be nutrient-dense and packed with fiber, healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. It is a very healthy way of eating and can meet all of your nutrient needs. (https://www.cuimc.columbia.edu/news/what-plant-based-diet-and-it-healthy).
Very recently, a Provincial Head of a national Agency suggested that plants, cash crops can be grown in campuses and that this is a sure way to instill discipline. Fully convinced that it can, we are launching a campus wide gardening initiative, thank you madame for the timely suggestion.

In closing we need to take a second look at the vitality of plants, in their lies our salvation.

A media colleague once featured me as a multi-artist—that’s in his article about an international award that I received from the United Federation of Fil-Am Educators. In a way, his ‘multi-artist’ regard of me is true, but not all the way.

Of all the arts—visual arts, plastic arts, literature, dance, music, and drama—dance is my handicap. I’m never good at it. I’ve tried it countless times already, out of fun, but just in private. I don’t remember doing it in public, except during our P.E. in college which required us to present a dance performance. Good thing it was a group performance because I was just trying to hide behind my classmates.

Indeed, dance is a form of art using bodily parts to create various movements that respond to musical beats. Supposedly, anyone with no hearing impairments can dance to rhythmic music. But I just can’t do it with gracefulness. My movements are so awkward I start to feel dizzy in the process. And once dizziness strikes, I feel like tumbling down to the floor, losing my balance.

Imagine if it happens in the midst of a dance venue. How embarrassing it would be! Not quite injurious had it happened in my youth when my joints and bones and muscles were still strong. But if it happens to me now when the said faculties no longer cooperate well, I might end up in the hospital.

How I admire those great dancers whose bodily movements prove superb. They really can bend and swing and tango, etc. Some are so gifted they can perform any dance with mastery, blending their movements with the beats of musical background. They either interpret the music or express their thoughts and emotions in the process, making dance an effective form of communication.

Given appropriate attire, they can communicate themselves better through their skillful dancing. I sometimes imagine myself being in their shoes, doing the same moves, expressing the same emotions, but the fact remains—I’ll never be able to perform even their simple moves for reasons that I do not possess the same artistic impulses that they have.

Our mother used to tell me that when it comes to dancing, my legs are both right legs, or left legs, and could not then carry me on the dance floor. Forcing myself will just lead to injury. I think I could only agree. Even when I was still a little child, dancing never crossed my mind. I’d rather paint, draw, write, or play a musical instrument, or sculpt an object. But to dance, no way.

During my elementary years, then, when my teachers would ask me to join some dance groups to perform in programs and special occasions, I always refused and would resort to crying when forced to do so. Dancing is never for me, and this I had realized early on. Yes, I am a multi-artist as my colleague describes me—but just exclude dance.