Showing posts with label Spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual. Show all posts

Friday, March 4, 2016

El Arte de la Restauración

Kintsukuroi
El Arte de la Restauración
4 de marzo de 2016
Autora: Gina Yoryet Román
Artículo escrito originalmente el
21 de febrero de 2016


Estos tiempos al acercarse semana santa, siempre son una reminiscencia para tratar de trazar mis fallas y luchar contra mi rival más fuerte – Yo   con el fin de mejorarlas. Como ser humano que fracasa día a día muchas veces siento que no soy merecedora de otra oportunidad de Dios y de nuestra madre del universo – la Virgen María. Más no debo dejar que mi mente se inunde de pensamientos no gratos ya que Dios es amor y perdón. No obstante, esto no significa que debo seguir cometiendo faltas deliberadamente que vayan en contra de mi fe. En cambio es mi deber como ser humano imperfecto tratar de mejorar mis desperfectos.

Esto me recuerda a una lectura que leí hace un par de semanas que me hizo reflexionar sobre Kintsukuroi, el arte  japonés de reparar la cerámica. Cuando un alfarero (ceramista) hace un tazón, lo hace a mano, lenta y minuciosamente con barro maleable. Al terminarlo es considerado como una escultural y verdadera obra de arte. De la misma forma, nuestro creador nos diseñó meticulosamente. No para encajar con la belleza superficial mundana, sino para cumplir con su voluntad.

En cuanto a Kintsukuroi, el alfarero se enorgullece de presenter esta belleza en su forma más pura. Pero pensemos ¿que sucedería si esa delicadeza se hiciera trizas al caerse? ¿Cuál sería nuestro primer impulso? ¿La repararíamos? ¿La consideraríamos tan linda y delicada como al principio después de hacerse pedazos? ¡No lo creo! La desecharíamos y compraríamos otra en lugar de repararla y elevarla a un nuevo nivel para poder apreciarla por haber sobrevivido.  

En japón a mediados de los años 1500 se les dio un nuevo significado a los tazones rotos, cuando son enmendados su misión es tergiversada y se aprecian aún más. A menudo las fisuras se rellenan con oro porque los japoneses creen que cuando algo ha sido dañado deja una historia atrás, se considera más hermosa por haberse roto y enmendado. Después de esta caída es más resistente y este incidente define el verdadero propósito de este objeto. Este cuerpo cobra una nueva finalidad, su misión comienza en el momento que se fraccionó en pequeñas partículas.

De la misma forma cuando los seres humanos nos equivocamos ya sea espiritual, emocional, física o económicamente, nuestra engañosa y engatusadora mente, nos lleva a creer y sentir que no valemos nada. Sin embargo, nuestro supremo nos da el regalo de la vida y cada amanecer nos brinda muchas oportunidades. Él no nos desprecia y mucho menos nos desecha porque ya no servimos. De lo contrario, si nos arrepentimos verdaderamente de corazón, él pasa por alto nuestros errores, horrores, atrocidades, barbaridades, vulgaridades, pecados y demás.

Él considera cada grieta y fisura como una posibilidad de redimirnos y acercarnos a él para encontrar el camino no elegido por la mayoría de la población a nivel mundial – el camino hacia Dios. El mundo donde es difícil, pero no imposible, mantener una mente firme, un espíritu limpio, un corazón fiel, y una alma pulcra, en un cosmos donde la corrección política es obligatoria, cuando se retira a Dios de todos los lugares. En una sociedad donde todas las impurezas y desfachatezes se imponen ante lo verdadero. En un planeta donde la mayoría se deja llevar por sus arrebatos carnales, banales, materiales, y no están dispuestos a negarse a sí mismos. En una humanidad donde el término ‘Yo,’ es soberano y donde cada vez su mayoría está alejada de Dios y donde día tras día el abismo entre la fe y los humanos crece más. En una tierra donde el temor por defender nuestra religion abunda. En una humanidad donde los altibajos nos llevan a ‘perder la fe cuando desde el principio no se dedica el tiempo, esfuerzo y energía necesarios para fortalecer nuestra relación con Dios.

He conocido a muchas personas que han sufrido por la pérdida de un ser querido, por problemas económicos, físicos, emocionales, etc. Gente que está destrozada por varias razones. Algunas se recuperan y se acercan más a Dios, pero muchos se niegan la oportunidad y se engañan a sí mismo inclinándose a lo ‘más fácil,’ - lo mundane. Para los que se recuperan y ponen a Dios ante todo, sus fisuras e imperfecciones definen su verdadera finalidad concedida por él a su tiempo a su manera – sus grietas concretan la belleza y valor en sus formas más puras, el encanto de Dios.

Por este efecto es nuestro deber inculcar y guiar a futuras generaciones hacia la verdad. A vivir una vida sin miedos defendiendo nuestra religión muy a pesar de lo que los demás piensen de nosotros. A enseñar a nuestros niños y jóvenes a tener fortaleza y convicción para luchar y prevalecer.

También es de suma importancia infundir lo siguiente:
Lo primordial es la espiritualidad para encontrar tan añorada armonía la espiritualidad es lo esencial. Para poder encontrar todo tipo de éxito se necesita un cuerpo sano; para poder tener un cuerpo sano, es necesario tener una mente sana; para tener una mente sana y equilibrada, se necesita fe. Por esto es sumamente importante resistir estos tiempos tan duros y creer y aceptar que todo lo que ha acontecido en cada etapa de tu cruzada – como tu formación, tu pasado, tu vida a hoy en día, tu entorno, tu profesión, tu salud y pasatiempos – ocultan un razonamiento hacia la única realidad – la verdad. Por lo tanto tú tienes derecho a la llave que te guiará hacia las respuestas. Así que no tendrás que divagar muy lejos por mucho tiempo. Tu relación espiritual en conjunto con tus fisuras, te ayudarán a mantener tus pies en la tierra, pero es tu deber aferrarte a Dios con todas tus fuerzas bajo cualquier acontecimiento.
Siempre ten en mente que tu fe y tu relación con Dios son sustanciales. No puedes decir que Dios te ha abandonado cuando no has tomado tiempo para hacer crecer y mejorar tu relación con él.
Ten en mente que cualquier tipo de relación require dedicación, tiempo, devoción, lealtad, esfuerzo, energía, amor, cariño y transparencia. Por ejemplo, para poder tener un jardín bello y grande, las flores, frutas, verduras y árboles que plantas necesitan de tu cuidado. Por lo tanto tienes que regarlos, cuidarlos, brindarles cariño y tiempo constantemente. No puedes esperar que dejando de cuidarlas florecerán. En intercambio de esto, este regalo de Dios a la humanidad te brindará un aire más puro para respirar, uno de los mejores obsequios – la gracia de la naturaleza. Esta aventura de amor es tan importante como cualquier relación de Dios en la que estás. Ya sea la de cónyuge, la de hermano, de padre o madre o cualquier relación natural, la llama tiene que mantenerse viva con el fin de que sea eterna. De acuerdo con esto, la relación personal entre tu yo interno y externo, es el primer y más importante elemento clave para alcanzar la estabilidad emocional.
Siendo así, ¿Por qué no usar el poder divino para aliviar todas tus emociones negativas. La oración es el sustento emocional más poderoso del universo, pero tienes que cumplir con él y poner de tu parte. Por ejemplo, los atletas competitivos de alto rendimiento son buen ejemplo. Portan la vestimenta adecuada digna de concursantes profesionales, y hacen un excelente esfuerzo en mantenerse en buena forma física. Sin embargo, muchos de ellos anhelan la aptitud mental que es tan importante para competir por la Gloria del cielo. Si su mente no se entrega del todo a esta aventura espiritual, siempre perderán. Quizá te preguntas, “¿Qué ganan con esto?” Su ganancia no tiene nada que ver con lo material, más bien acumulan algo más profundo – la paz emocional y la simetría cuando no pueden luchar contra la vida y sus circunstancias.

Ahora es momento para iniciar una vida pulcra y entregada a nuestra religión y obrar, pensar, hablar, escuchar, sentir, oler, hacer todo con amor. A unirnos más y rezar con más devoción. Hoy en día es momento de en lugar de preguntarte, “¿Dónde está Dios cuando más lo necesito? Consulta a tu almohada, llega hasta el fondo de tu corazón y pregúntate esto, ¿Dónde he estado yo, que fisuras tengo que restaurar,  y que he hecho para merecer la Gloria del cielo?

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Christ is in Me

And I am in Him
January 3, 2016

"Christ is in me and I am in Him.  I have only to love Him, to let myself be loved, at all times, in all circumstances.  To awake in love, to move in love, to sleep in love, my soul in His Soul, my heart in His Heart, that I may be purified and delivered from my miseries by contact with Him..."
Bl. Elizabeth of the Trinity

"For truly our Lover [God] desires that our soul cleave to Him with all its might, and that we evermore cleave to His Goodness. For of all things that the heart may think, this pleases God the most and is most helpful to the soul.
For our soul is so specially loved by Him that is highest, that it surpasses the knowing of all creatures: that is to say, there is no creature that is made that may fully understand how much and how sweetly and how tenderly our Maker loves us.  
And therefore let us with grace and His help meditate, with everlasting marvel, upon the high and inestimable love that Almighty God, in His goodness, has for us. And therefore we may ask of our Lover with reverence all that we will.
For our natural will is to have God, and the Good Will of God is to have us; and may we never cease from willing nor from longing till we have Him in fullness of joy: and then may we no more desire."
Revelations of Divine Love (chapter vi), Julian of Norwich

"It is the nature of love to love as much as we feel we are loved and to love whatever the one we love loves." St. Catherine of Siena, Letter T299

"There is nothing we can desire or want that we do not find in God." St. Catherine of Siena, Letter T360

Sunday, July 5, 2015

A student of life and An instrument of God

A student of life and
An instrument of God
July 5, 2015
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


“I am NOTHING but a student of life and an instrument of God, triggered and guided by my passions, dictated by my heart, strengthened by my faith...”
GYR

And all along I ignored that in the pain from my past lied the answers. I was in the dark to my vision, my mission, my reason, my purpose, my meaning, therefore I had been neglecting and denying the woman I was meant to become. Now that my mind has unclogged, I can clearly visualize my responsibility as a human being. My phone conversation with grandpa Hal yesterday, thrusted me to revisit my adolescence when I was livin’ La Vida Loca, when I dodged any type of responsibility. At that moment my mind, soul and spirit were illuminated with what I long sought for - the crystal clear vindication of me, and my heart was filled with the divine invasion that had paid me a visit other times before.

At last I can regard myself as a ‘normal’ person for whatever that means. I am still incredulous as to how long it’s taken me to get ‘there,’ because all along I was ravaged by skepticism. In fact, reluctance is trying to break into my space right now, it is trying to rob me from peace now that I need to make a very important decision professionally-wise before the fall arrives. I would assume that ‘normal’ people are occasionally infringed with disbelief as well.

Grandpa always reiterates this, “you’ve gone a long way young lady, I cannot believe how much you have accomplished despite all the setbacks lying in your journey, I don’t know a single person like you.” It is very nice to hear a wise 89 year old’s affirmations but there is still so much to get ‘there’ professionally. I told grandpa about the talks Father Romo at F. S. S. P. had my husband and I listen to before we can say our vows through the catholic church. Talks, readings, audios, positive and spiritual people in my life have been the right fuel I’ve always needed to help me revert all my negative emotions and purge my heart, soul and spirit from all corrupting memories.

The Philosophy of Life - The Way People Regard Life 
It goes like this:

There are two ways to start your day, these ways define the type of person you are.
- Be grateful for everything you were gifted with, and be happy.
OR:
- Complain and look for excuses and an escape to be unhappy.

2. And the difference between a normal and an abnormal person.
An abnormal person looks for excuses, escape mechanism, rationalization, in order to avoid discovering the meaning and purpose of life. The abnormal person is locked up in his/her own mind.
 A normal person sets for him/herself a time/goal. What do you want to do once you reach a goal, and then another. And then what? A normal person knows what that ‘then’ means, but more than that, what that entails; time, energy, effort, sometimes money, insistence, persistence, faith, focus. A normal person asks him/herself, “What is it all about, where do I go from here, where, and how do I find it?”

On these grounds, I no longer grant my past the benefit of burglarizing my territory because not only do I NOT want to dig for excuses and be abnormal, but also because I am at a point where I not only do I reason my meaning and purpose of life, I am acting upon my mission. Who would I be if I don’t stand up for what I believe?

As a steadfast alumni of life, when I open my eyes at the crack of dawn, I slowly integrate into the promise of a new day. In despite of feeling lethargic at times, the first thing I do is:
1. Be grateful for the blessings I am gifted with.
2. Pray to fix my flaws to be a better wife, daughter, sister, friend, human, mother (whether or not I am meant to be a mother), professional, peer.
3. Devote my loved ones, my thoughts, actions, work, projects and everything to the divine power above me.
4. Pray to keep all evil in every way, shape and form, away from my family, my loved ones, my friends, my home, my neighborhood, my community, my society, my world and my universe.
5. Pray so I only welcome nothing but optimism regardless of what lies ahead, and that every abstract deterrent is an enriching lesson which will help me grow as the spiritual woman I am.

Because after all, I am NOTHING but a student of life and an instrument of God, triggered and guided by my passions, dictated by my heart, strengthened by my faith, and I chose to be a ‘normal’ person.



Sunday, May 17, 2015

Faith overrides fear

FAITH OVERRIDES FEAR
& I am stronger than that
May 17, 2015
By: Gina Yoryet Roman

Eight days ago, Saturday a long-awaited day. Before May 9, 2015  barged in, dread, insecurity and unease invaded my mind, body, heart and soul. I had two choices, cancel the workshop, or proceed with it. Since February when I proposed the Practices and Theories of Spanish <> English Medical Translation/Interpretation to the Mexican Translator Association, I kept reprimanding myself, “What did I get myself into!?" My cajoling, negative and deceitful self kept grinding in these thoughts, “You will be better off calling off the training because you will fail, you are not a public speaker, you have always dreaded public speaking!”

Rather than canceling, I tackled my fears by spending a few moments in silence and prayer, as I have always believed that Silence Reveals the Answers, and Prayers Provide the Solution. I also confided my anxiety to my husband and we prayed together. After we hang up, I felt like I could conquer the world.

It was in those unobtrusive moments that I got a hold of myself and my confidence was restored. First and foremost, I prepared thoroughly, made sure I had enough material to make it interactive to keep my audience from drifting after sitting down for a number of hours. I used a very nice metaphor and the wisdom of quotes. Some of the attendees were taking photographs which indicated their contentment.

Before May 9, my fear towards public speaking had always ravaged and numbed me from setting challenges and reaching out to specific goals...until I stepped up and proved that I am stronger than my fright. That day was a landmark from Gina Yoryet to me. When I was in High School and college, I would find every possible excuse to get away with NOT doing speeches, I would always go incognito, I detested being the center of attention. The reasoning behind it was my upbringing which stirred an inexplicable and revolting uncertainty. People could see right through me and I was bullied and taken advantage of because of that. That was then, now it is a different story. I have worked arduously to build a spiritually, professionally, physically and emotionally resilient woman, it’s been a long process but I can finally see her very clearly when she looks back at me in the mirror. I do not hold on to pain like I did when I was younger. Amidst all of that, I ingrained in my mind that unfortunate events in life happen to everyone. Therefore, it is our sole duty to make the best of even the worst and focus on the good like Mirtha Michelle stated.

“There is beauty in tragedy. For tragedy has the power to motivate the human mind. It can turn weakness into strengths and become greatness. Why would you focus on the storm, when you can focus on the rainbow?”

And at last I can tell her, I am no longer afraid to overcome any adversity lying ahead. I am no longer terrified to set high standards of me and the people I surround myself with. It is the end of torture and oppression by life’s happenings. No more feeling afraid to tell the world that based upon those expectations, I liberated myself from conformity and found THE man I always longed for and reached all the long-sought accomplishments. All these hindrances have made me who I am and whatever hasn’t killed me, has made me stronger. Today I am in the mindset of Georgia O’keeffe

I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I've never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do.”

Today I am at ease with all my accomplishments which have forged me into me the woman I have become because my faith has overridden my fear...

These are two of the quotes I  used in my presentation:

“I am the messenger, the one who takes your statements and brings them to life in an unknown language to you. I was trained to play with a game called words to best interpret and deliver your message. And that is exactly what I want to do because my interpretation can only be as inerrant as I am, and that´s always good to keep in mind.”
GYR

“The medical Translation artistry, (like any profession), is NOT simply a matter of skill acquisition. It involves a process of personal deconstruction (internal structures) and reconstruction in dealing with each client, individual and/or patient, case, prior medical history, needs, priorities and objectives. This means that I must constantly evaluate my personal values, motives, and goals and I must be willing to make any necessary positive changes in order to evolve as a professional and improve day by day in pursuance of delivering ethics, honesty, and transparency. I can become highly skilled and educated, but SANS a genuine desire to serve others, my career, one of my strongest professional sustenances, would eventually become an unbearable burden.  My goal is to genuinely be of assistance to others, entice them and persuade them to reach towards a better and more promising tomorrow to reach wholeness This is the effect of reciprocating - I am an important element in the medical field and I serve others through my skills. In exchange of that, I am at ease with myself professionally. Furthermore this reward propels me to strive for better.”

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

La clave de la armonía

La clave de la armonía
May 13, 2014


El amor, la humildad y la oración resuelven todos los problemas.
El amor no repara en quién tiene la razón y quién está equivocado.
El amor procura brindar ternura, sanar, entregarse.
El amor engendra más amor, de tal forma que el dador
se convierte también en receptor.

La humildad tampoco repara en quién tiene la razón y quién está en un error;
solo le interesa la reconciliación. La humildad busca el sitio menos exaltado
y desde allí procura prestar asistencia. No se preocupa por sus propias necesidades.

La oración es el secreto para acceder a recursos sobrenaturales.
Aunque las plegarias que hacemos por nosotros mismos son buenas,
las que elevamos por los demás son resultan todavía mejores, pues son una
expresión de amor y de interés. Y a mi me agrada bendecir a quienes aman.

EL AMOR, LA HUMILDAD Y LA ORACIÓN: JUNTOS CONSTITUYEN LA CLAVE PARA ARMONIZAR CUALQUIER RELACIÓN.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

A special guest


A special guest
January 19, 2014
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


On our way back from church this afternoon, we ran into Father Romo and one of the priests in training. When he saw us carrying a few plastic bags with groceries, he offered us a ride (we always walk to the temple as it is only a 20 minute walk), and we nodded yes, immediately.  During our ride I asked them if they had already had lunch and they both said, “no.” “Oh Lord, it’s too late, you must be really hungry, want to come over to our place? we can fix something quickly.” I asked. “ok,” they answered with a wide smile on their face. 

During our ride I was thinking about how selfish I tend to be sometimes. For example when I was walking I was telling myself, “I can’t wait to get home and hop into bed, I am so tired, my knee hurts and I can’t handle this pain anymore!.” But I felt revived when they accepted our invitation and I momentarily forgot about my feelings and physical issues. The power of kindness overturns our mind towards another direction, that of others’ needs and suffering and it entices us to add the unique spice of love to simple actions. 

When I was cooking I looked at their hungry faces through the corner of my eyes and felt comforted for being useful and providing for two hungry people who cleanse our souls and do so much for their community. I felt very blessed for having such special guests join us on such quiet day. Giving back and doing something for my priests and our church has always worked when I have to tend to my feelings. Just when our society overwhelms me, I seek for them to regain peace, quiet and emotional balance and I find it. 

Since I was sixteen years old when my voluntary affair initiated, not only did I bond with the needs and hardships of others, I enjoyed doing small things for them because those small details are what make a difference in someone’s life. Even back then when I was a teenager, I said to myself. “if I don’t become successful, I will become a nun to do charity work and help feed those hungry souls.” The final word hasn’t been said, like I said on my previous post, “I have not heard God’s calling yet, or perhaps I am too oblivious to let it happen. 

Regardless of whether or not my destiny is to become a nun, I will always provide food and warmth for the special guests at my fraternity...

Friday, November 29, 2013

Trust in God


November 29, 2013





In everything that you do, do your best and leave the rest to God.
Everything is written by HIM. He is ALL knowing.
When you have faith, no wind can blow you off your track,
no storm can sink your ship without HIS permission.
Keep on sailing and faith. God willing, everything will be alright.

Do not worry. Be still.
God is never blind to your tears,
never deaf to your prayers,
and He is never silent to  your pain.
All things are possible with Him.


Count your gains instead of your losses,
Count your joys instead of your woes,
Count your friends instead of your foes,
Count your courage instead of your fears.
Count your health instead of your wealth.
Count on God instead of yourself.


The adventure of life is to learn.
The purpose of life is to grow.
The nature of life is to change.
The challenge of life is to overcome.
The essence of life is to care.
The opportunity of life is to serve.
The secret of life is to dare.
The spice of life is to befriend.
The  beauty of life is to give


Without dreams we reach nothing.
Without love we feel nothing.
Without God we are nothing.


Saturday, October 26, 2013

God does answer prayers


God does answer prayers
October 26, 2013
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


Today I spent a little time reading Los Mártires Cristeros - Saints of the Cristero Wara group of 25 saints and martyrs from the Mexican Cristero War. The majority of them were Roman Catholic priests who were executed for carrying out their ministry despite the suppression under the anti-clerical laws of Priista Plutarco Elías Calles. 

  • Cristóbal Magallanes Jara (1869-1927)
  • Román Adame Rosales (1859-1928)
  • Rodrigo Aguilar Aleman (1875-1927)
  • Julio Álvarez Mendoza (1866-1927)
  • Luis Batis Sáinz (1870-1926)
  • Agustín Caloca Cortés (1898-1927)
  • Mateo Correa Magallanes (1866-1927)
  • Atilano Cruz Alvarado (1901-1928)
  • Miguel De La Mora (1874-1927)
  • Pedro Esqueda Ramirez (1897-1927)
  • Margarito Flores Garcia (1899-1927)
  • José Isabel Flores Varela (1866-1927)
  • David Galván Bermudes (1882-1915)
  • Salvador Lara Puente (1905-1926)
  • Pedro de Jesús Maldonado (1892–1937)
  • Jesús Méndez Montoya (1880-1928)
  • Manuel Morales (1898-1926)
  • Justino Orona Madrigal (1877-1928)
  • Sabas Reyes Salazar (1879-1927)
  • José María Robles Hurtado (1888-1927)
  • David Roldán Lara (1907-1926)
  • Toribio Romo González (1900-1928)
  • Jenaro Sánchez Delgadillo (1886-1927)
  • Tranquilino Ubiarco Robles (1889-1928)
  • David Uribe Velasco (1888-1927)
  • José Sánchez del Río (1913-1928), This is the most touching death mirrored in the film For Greater Glory

All these martyrs were robbed from their existence because they refused to give up their faith. Their conviction was so strong that deep down, they knew that God always prevails even though they would not live to witness it. Validation of that was Plutarco Elías Calles himself who according to historical reports, he ironically became interested in spirituality. Prior to his death in October 1945, he allegedly stated the following that he “most certainly believed” in a higher power

I have known some individuals who deny themselves to believe in this divine power during their early years and later as adults when everything in life “seems” just fine. When they reach a certain stage, they turn to spirituality as they cannot handle life’s ups and downs. Just like Plutarco Elías Calles, they feel remorse for their wrongdoings and they seek for inner peace. I ponder on how remorseful Elías Calles felt for taking all those lives only because they fought for a good cause. 

All those martyrs stayed faithful to this verse, “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him! Matthew 7:7-11.

They sacrificed their life but in the end, his prayers were answered. Just like those martyrs, we have to keep in mind that prayers are answered at God´s time, not at ours. It reminds me of a special request I’ve been petitioning for every since I was a little girl. Even at times when I’ve drawn apart from the church, I’ve never given up on praying, questioning and wondering why that particular request hasn’t been answered, perhaps those are not his plans for me, maybe it has been manifested to me in many ways but I am oblivious to see it. 

My doubts were assuaged a little while ago after talking to my sister, she reaffirmed that when we talk to God with an open heart, our prayers are acknowledged so I shall keep asking for that aspiration and if it is his will, I shall be given it at his particular time, not at mine. I must keep my faith alive and pray for patience...

God bless!

Sunday, October 20, 2013

The Perfect Game


October 21st, 2013
By: Gina Yoryet Roman


Last Sunday, October 6, when I approached the little stand (that sells Christ and Saint images and other religious relics), right after mass, my eyes locked onto,  “The Perfect Game,” a 2009 American drama film directed by William Dear, based on the 2008 book of the same name written by W. William Winokur. The film is based on the events leading to the 1957 Little League World Series, which was won by the first team from outside the United States, the Industrial League of Monterrey, Mexico, who defeated the heavily favored U. S. team. Mexican pitcher Angel Macias threw the first, and so far only, perfect game in championship game history.


César Faz (Clifton Collins, Jr.), moves to Monterrey, Mexico after he is let go by the St. Louis Cardinals from his job as a clubhouse attendant. There he meets local children being led by Padre Esteban (Cheech Marin), enjoying baseball; he takes pitcher Ángel Macías (Jake T. Austin), under his wing and brags about his own pitching skills and how he used to coach the Cardinals. Ángel convinces César to help recruit and coach Monterrey's first-ever Little League team. With César's skills and Padre Esteban's support, the boys hone themselves into a competitive team worthy of international competition. At the final game of the World Series of Little League, Monterrey defeated the team of West La Mesa, California 4-0. Enrique Suárez (Jansen Panettiere), hit a grand slam home run, and Ángel Macías pitched a perfect game, a feat that has not since been repeated in Little League World Series history.
When the team arrives in the United States, they are met with racism, a language barrier, and visa troubles. Though the underdogs, the team scores a series of victories that endear them to the media, and new fans. They befriend a sports reporter, Frankie (Emilie de Ravin), and the groundskeeper, Cool Papa Bell (Louis Gossett, Jr.), who then assist the boys in reaching the final game.
During the first few minutes of the movie I started dozing off but as the story progressed, I was very awake and alert to all the events of the story. All through the film I realized something that wasn’t apparent when I was first recommended the movie; sports and faith, two key elements in my ABC’s.
As described on Wikipedia, when the little boys arrive to the United States, not only did they have to face racism, discrimination, language barrier and visa issues, they are faced with money matters, fatigue, the proper attire to wear. After they are dropped off by the bus on the border of Mexico and the U. S., they lacked the financial or other means to find another form of transportation to get to their first game, so they are forced to walk ten miles! 
Considering that athletes have to be well-rested the prior few days before competing, they lacked that, they were instead exhausted and hungry, yet they overcame that by blindly trusting and following their coach’s commands. Along with the faith and prayers of Padre Esteban,  (Cheech Marin), who served as a motivating drive to Cesar when he came close to giving up due to all the physical, financial and emotional hardship, they proved the entire world that they were worthy of the long coveted prize. 

When one of the little boys was asked, “Aren’t you afraid that your opponents are taller, heavier and stronger?” He replied, “We are going to play them, we are not going to carry them.” Despite being underweight and shorter, they didn’t wimp out at any moment. 
This narrative based on a true story proves that there are many little heroes out there in this world who lack money and opportunities but they aren’t daunted by that. Despite the endless matters lying behind and ahead, they aren’t controlled by that, they are guided by what lies within to reach their goals and to get a hold of their destiny.

I couldn’t help crying as I was reminded of my personal and life stumbling blocks that have hindered some of my plans. There have been many things in the past that I’ve wanted with all my heart and when I am very close to reaching them, for one impeding block or another, they don’t come through. There was a lot of anger and disappointment at that given moment but each time when I am finally able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, I’ve learnt and accepted that perhaps that is not God’s will, that I have to learn to regard at life Through the eyes of God, in spite of my circumstances. 

I must reach out to acceptance because I am the ONLY one who can control my destiny amidst all the daily circumstances. As long as I am alive and opportunities come, I will keep trying...

Reflexions by: GYR, Mea Spirituali Res, March 31, 2013:

“Later in my twenties, I was ready for a new spiritual quest when I moved to Sacramento. As a result, I started going to English mass which I really enjoyed but had a hard time learning the missal but I eventually narrowed down most of it. I never confessed this to anyone but during all or most of my high-intensity season trainings up in the mountains at  Howarth Park in Santa Rosa, on the Sacramento River trail, at Mckinley park, or at the stadium in Sacramento City College, Sacramento State University, or during most of my state meets and competitions, I constantly prayed silently and did a lot of self-talk. Time after time, I asked God to manifest his unconditional love to me by helping me find my (his) way. I asked him to reach out to me not based on my appearance, my intelligence, the color of my skin, my social status, or my  failures but based on the grounds of being another one of his disoriented children who wanted to serve his purpose, yet those talks went ‘unanswered.’ 

I possibly denied myself from sensing and seeing his intense, direct and clear presence.  I kept telling myself, “I have the right attire worthy of a competitive and professional athlete and I’ve done quite well at keeping at a physically fitness level...yet, I long for mental fitness which is as equally important to compete for your glory. If my head is not fully in you, I will always lose. 

All through my life my intuitive self has challenged my faith (and all the other aspects that entail (The Circle of Life), and raised many questions, such as: Why is this happening? Where is God when it hurts? Why doesn’t he doesn’t do something? Why doesn’t he reach out to me when I need him the most? Where is the protection he promised? Why doesn’t he answer prayers and grant me all my requests whenever and however I want them? How can I fathom your presence? How can I unravel your existence? Are you manifested through certain humans, through someone’s voice, through the immaculateness of a child, through a mother's tenderness, through words and music, through the act of love and forgiveness, through an object?”

Reflexions by: GYR continued, September 26, 2013
“I am unaware of, or on denial to fully engage and accept my nature, the only spiritual, emotional and physical sustenance in the midst of any ‘impossible’ obstacle. Help me surrender to your will but more than anything, help me hear and regard life through your eyes. Help me   purify my mind, body and soul all through this quest . Show me how to reach out to you through ups and downs and if/when my heart gets wounded and if I hurt others,  open my soul and give me the right tools to avoid letting my actions speak louder than my words. 

Thank you for letting me witness you earlier today during El Apostolado de la Virgen, and for endowing me with the most valuable gift any human being on this planet could ever ask for...."

Spiritual and mental peace. 
Priceless!!

Monday, September 16, 2013

Is it Possible to Change Ourselves?


Is it Possible to Change Ourselves? 
Harvest Daily Devotion for 9/14/2013
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2013
September 16, 2013

We like the idea of change, of starting over again, of becoming someone different than we are. Sometimes we move to a new place, thinking we can escape our problems. Sometimes we think if we had some new friends or get married that life will be better. Then we think if only we had kids things would be different.

Others think a change in their appearance will do it. A survey revealed that 80 percent of American women are dissatisfied with their appearance. And research has also shown that the more time people spend consuming media, the more unhappy they are with their bodies. They think that if they could look like someone in a magazine, it would meet the deepest needs of their lives.

If you think you would be happier if you were really handsome or strikingly beautiful, consider this statement from actress Halle Berry: "Being thought of as a beautiful woman has spared me nothing in life. No heartache, no trouble. Love has been difficult. Beauty is essentially meaningless and it is always transitory."

A professor of sociology said, "The demand for instant identity transformation has never been so pervasive. People want change, and they want it instantly. From fame to the instant thrills of Botox or liposuction, the capacity to reinvent ourselves has become fundamental."

But can we really reinvent ourselves? Can we really change? Here is the answer: No. You cannot change who you are on the inside. You can change your appearance. You can change your location. You can change your relationships. But you can't change yourself any more than a drowning person can save himself.

Sometimes it is said the answer is within, but the reality is the problem is within. And that problem inside of you and inside of me is called sin. We have all sinned. And we can't change our essential nature. The Bible says, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9 NLT). There is only one person who can change the human heart, and that is God. God can change your life. It is possible.

There is a story in the Bible about a woman who got caught committing adultery. Some religious leaders found her and decided she ought to be executed for this. We don't know what happened to the man she was with, but apparently he walked away free. But they brought this woman to Jesus and threw her down at his feet. Now, they didn't really care about this woman. What they really were trying to do was to trap Jesus. They wanted to know what he would do.

They said to him, "This woman was caught in the act of adultery. The Law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?" (John 8:4–5) Now, Jesus was on the horns of a dilemma here. If He said, "Stone her," he would have been justified, technically, but that would have been pretty harsh. If he said, "Let her go," then he would have been seen as being too lenient.

So what did he do? He looked at them and started writing in the sand. What was he doing? I don't think he was playing tic-tac-toe. I think he wrote something significant. And when he was finished writing in the sand, he stood up and said, "All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!" (verse 7). Then he stooped down and started writing again.

We don't know exactly what Jesus wrote, but I think he probably wrote the names of the religious leaders next to the commandments. Yeah, Caleb, I know what is up with you. . . . Hey, Joshua, I know where you have been. . . . Eliezer, I know all about you, buddy. And then they left, from the oldest to the youngest. And why did they leave in that order? I think it's because the older guys had more sins they had committed. They got busted. Instead of condemning the woman, Jesus condemned the self-righteous condemners.

Then Jesus said to her, "Where are your accusers? Didn't even one of them condemn you?" "No, Lord," she said. And Jesus said, "Neither do I. Go and sin no more" (verses 10–11).

Some might say, "How could Jesus pardon her? She was caught in the act. She wasn't even a believer." But I think she was. Why? Because she believed. I am not sure exactly when she believed, but probably right before she said, "No, Lord." How long does it take to believe in God? Only an instant.

Jesus said four things to her that were very important.

Her sins had been forgiven. He said, "Neither do I [condemn you]. Go and sin no more." God can forgive you of all of your sins. And not only will he forgive them, but he will forget them. They will be behind you. The Bible says it will be like they are buried in the depths of the sea (see Micah 7:19).

She did not have to fear the judgment day. There is a day of judgment coming when everyone will stand before God—the rich and the poor, the famous and the unknown. And the question in that final day will not be whether you lived or a good life or were a nice person or whether you recycled. The question will be: What did you do with Jesus Christ?

She had new power to face her problems. "Go and sin no more," Jesus told her. God will give you the power to be the person he wants you to be.

I never wanted to be a religious person. I never wanted to be someone who went to church. But when Jesus started changing me, I said to God, "I don't even know how to pray. But I will say this: if you are real, then you will have to make yourself real to me." And he started changing me. He will start changing you too. You will see.