It happened just the other day. I was in a coffee shop, minding my own business when a song started playing—an old love song from the late eighties. And just like that, I was no longer in that café. I was back in high school, awkwardly watching a Christmas dance party, my palms sweaty, my heart racing like it had a mind of its own. It’s funny how music does that—how it hijacks time, drags us back to moments we thought we had buried, and makes us feel things we didn’t sign up for. And let’s be honest, sometimes it’s infuriating. Who said I wanted to revisit that embarrassing chapter of my life?

But that’s the reality. Like it or not, music stitches itself into the fabric of our experiences, binding songs to emotions, places, and people in ways we never agreed to. We don’t get to choose which song gets glued to which memory. A funeral hymn might forever remind us of a loss. A cheesy pop song could transport us to a road trip with friends, windows down, the wind tangling our hair. And sometimes, unfortunately, a once favorite love song turns into an unbearable gut punch after a bad breakup. Music doesn’t care about our preferences. It’s the uninvited guest in our subconscious, hitting the play button whenever it pleases.
This strange power of music isn’t just some poetic nonsense—it’s science. Our brains are wired to connect sound with memory, creating a shortcut that makes a few notes enough to flood us with feelings. That’s why an old jingle from childhood can make us recall the smell of our grandmother’s kitchen, or why a song we barely liked can still remind us of a specific summer. It’s not the melody or the lyrics alone—it’s what they carried when we first heard them. Music is less about sound and more about context.

And yet, for all the nostalgia it brings, music can be a cruel prankster. Have you ever tried to move on from something, only for a song to drag you back? There’s no way to prepare for it. One moment, you’re fine, and the next, you’re standing frozen in the middle of a grocery aisle because the supermarket decided to play your song—the one that belonged to someone who’s no longer around. You try to shake it off, but it’s too late. The music has already done its job.

But maybe that’s also the beauty of it. Maybe music exists to remind us that nothing is ever truly gone. People leave, places change, but the songs remain, stubbornly preserving the moments we think we’ve forgotten. Even pain, when set to music, becomes something almost poetic—a melody of what once was. Perhaps the reason music holds on so tightly to our past is that it knows we need those reminders, whether we like them or not.

Of course, not all musical flashbacks are welcome. Some songs bring warmth, not wounds. A childhood lullaby, a wedding dance, a song played on repeat during the best summer of our lives—these are the ones we seek out, the ones we turn to when we need comfort. In that sense, music is both a curse and a gift, ambushing us with some memories while gently cradling us with others. We can’t control which songs get attached to which moments, but at least we can decide which ones we keep playing.

Maybe, instead of getting annoyed at music’s hold on us, we should embrace it. Let it pull us back to where we need to be, whether for closure, for laughter, or simply as a reminder of who we once were. After all, if life insists on being a playlist of memories, we might as well learn to appreciate the music.

Many people who follow the news on various media platforms are appalled by the falsehoods being spread to refute conflicting allegations.

Adverse parties and their followers are mudslinging each other with allegations that are too good to be true. The contrasting stories are clearly aimed at sowing confusion in the public mind, resulting in the concealment of the truth in defense of the principal who is accused of wrongdoing. People watching at the sidelines are sometimes duped to take sides with the real culprits.

The strategy is to keep repeating the falsehoods until people are convinced that it is true. This is reinforced when the principal takes the lead in attacking the accusations by maligning the accusers to destroy their credibility.

What is revolting to the public mind is the brazenness of denying the truth despite glaring evidence that supports the accusations. People are witness how the accused openly targeted high-ranking government officials with grave threats on social media. The nocturnal tirade with profanities was witnessed by many people across the country and the world and was recorded by concerned people who captured the statements.

In the face of formal accusations seeking her removal from office through the constitutional process of impeachment, the vice president had the gall to deny the accusations. The desperate attempt to extricate herself from the predicament of removal from office and getting disqualified to hold government office in the future had made her this generation’s bad example of being a top denier.
comments to alellema@yahoo.com

GOD himself tells us how that is going to be. “Cursed be the man who trusts in man, and makes flesh his arm, and whose heart departs from the Lord,” he said in the Book of Jeremiah. (17,5) And he continues: “Blessed be the man that trusts in the Lord, and the Lord shall be his confidence.” (17,7)

No amount of human power, no matter how formidable, if not animated by the power of God, can stand the test of time with all the different conditions, challenges and trials we are going to meet in life. It would just be a matter of time before failure, in all its forms, can take place. Only God can assure us of victory, because he can even draw life from death, the worst failure we can have.

With all the things that we have to contend with in this life, we certainly need to have a healthy sense of trust in God’s loving and wise providence, abandoning ourselves in his will and ways that often are mysterious to us and can appear to be contrary to what we would like to have.

Especially in our dark and difficult moments, which these days are not anymore uncommon, when we feel so miserable that we can think that we have been deserted by God, we need to react immediately and reassure ourselves strongly that God never fails us.
It might be a good idea to rally the power of our faith that tells us that God takes care of everything. There is really nothing to worry even if we are made to suffer, since that suffering, if united to that of Christ, becomes something purifying and redemptive not only to oneself but also to everybody else.

It might be a good idea to come up with the different arguments of our faith to buoy up our drooping spirit that is weighed down by our many challenges in this life. God is a God of mercy and compassion. He, more than us, will take up all our suffering by bearing them himself—of course, together with us.

Precisely God sent the Son to us to save us. And this Son, Jesus Christ, perfected his redemptive work on us by assuming all our sins through his passion and death on the cross. He conquered sin and death and gave us the possibility of eternal life of bliss with God in heaven through his resurrection.

The merits of this redemptive work of Christ are made effective all throughout time through the mechanism of the sacramental economy that is provided by the Church.
Christ himself has told us that while troubles would unavoidably come our way in this life, we should not worry too much because he has overcome whatever troubles we may have. (cfr. Jn 16,33)

We should just make our faith strong and operative because that is how we can start and maintain our life to be a life with God as it should be. With faith, we start to share God’s knowledge of things and his power, and that is how our life should be since we are God’s image and likeness, meant to share in the very life of God.

When everything in our life is lived with Christ and for Christ, that’s when we can manage to be trusting of men who can never be perfectly trustworthy. Our trustworthiness can go only so far as our identification with Christ goes.

Listening and empathy are not mere passive actions, but powerful tools that shape our relationships, communication, and personal growth. They go beyond simply hearing or understanding; they involve actively engaging with another’s perspective and connecting with their emotions. This ability to listen deeply and empathize is the foundation of effective communication and emotional intelligence, fostering trust, understanding, and connection in all aspects of our lives. For instance, imagine a coworker struggling with a personal challenge, perhaps a family health issue. By actively listening to their concerns and offering empathy, you create a safe space for them to share their feelings and feel supported. Instead of offering generic advice or dismissing their concerns, you acknowledge their struggles and offer a listening ear. This act of empathy can not only ease their burden but also strengthen your relationship and foster a more positive and supportive work environment. Your coworker might feel less alone in their struggle, knowing that someone understands and cares. This, in turn, can boost their morale and help them navigate their challenges with more resilience.

Here’s a deep dive into the profound power of listening and empathy:

1. Active Listening and Understanding:

Active listening goes beyond simply hearing words; it involves fully engaging with the speaker, understanding their perspective, and showing genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings. When we actively listen, we create a space for the speaker to express themselves authentically, feel heard, and establish a deeper connection. This level of understanding fosters trust, respect, and meaningful communication.

2. Empathy and Compassion:

Empathy is the bridge that allows us to truly understand and share the experiences of others. It means putting yourself in their place, seeing the world from their perspective, and responding with compassion and sensitivity. Empathy acknowledges the emotional experiences of others, validates their feelings, and builds bridges of understanding and connection. By practicing empathy, we cultivate deeper relationships, foster trust, and create a supportive environment for emotional expression.

3. Strengthening Relationships:

Listening with empathy is a powerful way to strengthen relationships, whether in personal or professional settings. When we listen attentively and empathize with others, we communicate care, respect, and understanding. This deepens bonds, resolves conflicts, and nurtures a sense of connection and belonging. Strong relationships built on listening and empathy are characterized by trust, open communication, and mutual support.

4. Enhancing Communication and Collaboration:

Effective listening and empathy are essential for enhancing communication and collaboration. By actively listening to others and showing empathy, we create a safe space for open dialogue, honest feedback, and constructive problem-solving. Empathy promotes a culture of inclusivity, respect, and teamwork, enabling individuals to feel valued, understood, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives.

5. Personal Growth and Self-Awareness:

Listening and empathy are not only outward-focused but also contribute to personal growth and self-awareness. By practicing active listening and empathy, we develop emotional intelligence, expand our perspective, and deepen our understanding of others and ourselves. Through empathetic listening, we gain insights into our own emotions, biases, and communication patterns, fostering self-reflection and personal development.

6. Resolving Conflicts and Building Resilience:

Listening with empathy is a powerful tool for conflict resolution and building resilience in relationships. By actively listening to all perspectives, acknowledging emotions, and responding with empathy, we can navigate conflicts with compassion and understanding. Empathy helps de-escalate tensions, promote mutual respect, and find collaborative solutions that strengthen relationships and foster growth.

The power of listening and empathy lies in their ability to bridge the gap between individuals, fostering connection and understanding. Active listening, a practice of truly hearing and acknowledging another person’s perspective, creates a space for trust and open communication. This, in turn, allows empathy to flourish, enabling us to step into another’s shoes and experience their emotions. By cultivating these skills, we move beyond superficial interactions and build meaningful relationships built on genuine connection. This transformative power extends beyond personal relationships, influencing our professional lives as well. Empathy fosters a more compassionate and inclusive workplace, promoting collaboration and understanding. Ultimately, embracing listening and empathy empowers us to navigate the complexities of human interaction with greater awareness, compassion, and resilience.
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If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts on the column, feel free to send an email to jca.bblueprint@gmail.com. Looking forward to connecting with you!