Celebrating Life Through Gratitude

If I am to make a significant declaration today, I'd say 'Life is beautiful'! That is quite a bold assertion in such woeful circumstances we have in the world. However, I wouldn't let this day pass without acknowledging the grand splendor that is left amidst awful crises.

Today marks the 37th year of my remarkable earthly journey in the eternal scheme of things. I want to look at it that way to remind me that I am plodding through a temporary sojourn. By having this conviction, the purpose of life in general becomes easier to approach and realize. The challenge becomes setting priorities and doing what’s needful. It is a struggle if one has a blurry resolve.

I’ve been around for a long time, yet I have not been able to run around as much as I needed to, to accomplish what one ought to accomplish at this point in life. At my age, some had already pulled off a lot that deems them to be successful. I am still far from the foyer of success. Nevertheless, what I’ve carried out and gone through by far taught me humility in extreme measure. Whether or not I even reach the midmost part of success, I am, nonetheless grateful.

I’m grateful for a beautiful life. What makes it beautiful?

First, it is a beauty because of my knowledge of God and of His Son, Jesus Christ. Appreciation for what I’ve been, what I am now, and what I’ll be, was not as and will not be as splendid if it wasn’t for the learning I’ve gone through and the ongoing education I have about Deity. Knowing that God is my Father—despite His being the ruler of the Universes, the most powerful Being, and the Creator of all, makes me live comfortably and with a sense of security in a world of sorrows and trouble. Knowing that Christ is my Redeemer and Savior makes me hopeful in the midst of uncertainty.

Second, life is beautiful because of family and friends. Literally I don’t have my family with me, anymore, (and I have not yet created one, either) but the foundation that was laid by them which is in me now, made my journey more profound than it could ever be. I am what I am and what I stand for because of my family. I do not drink what most people drink; I do not do what most people do; I do not listen to what most people listen to; I do not watch what most people watch; and I do not believe what most people believe, because my family taught me so. To have been able to know for myself the validity of those teachings makes life more meaningful & stunning than I could ever imagine.

I now live practically independent around my friends. They add zest to my life which makes it beautiful. Although they come and go, the memory of these friends makes it all worthwhile. I sometimes feel alone, as that may be a natural feeling for someone who’s detached from family, but these friends compensate for that lack which is supposed to come from “biological” means. For this cause, my friends have become the metaphor for family in my life now.

Albert Schweitzer, an Alsatian theologian, musician, philosopher, and physician, once said:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us”.

We are products of what we gain and get from each other. What we sometimes lack can be obtained from another. I’m grateful for what I have, both intangible and tangible—for those who have “lighted the flame” within me and are continuing to kindle that flame which keeps me going in this rough course of life.

My Take on First Class (X-Men)

The above clip is my favorite, not because I pine for fight scenes in superhero flicks but because by it, mutant is defined as “better men”. In this part of the movie we discover both where Magneto (Michael Fassbender) gained his signature helmet and Xavier (James McAvoy) lost the ability to walk. The drama combining Charles’ demonstration of his tenet, Erik’s culmination of his resentful heart & the helpless situation of the U.S. & Russian forces (world’s superpowers the time the movie was supposed to be plotted) made this part the highlight of X-Men: First Class movie.

Being a late bloomer in the X-Men fad, I started “liking” the characters and their mutant capabilities when the first movie of the franchise was released in 2000. I was aware of the cartoon series when I was little but I never got to really follow like other kids did who grew up at the same time I did. Nonetheless, despite the lack of history, the trilogy that came between 2000 and 2006 afforded enough familiarity towards this prequel. It focuses on "the formative years of Xavier and Magneto, and the formation of the school and where their relationship took a wrong turn." [Fleming, Michael (2009-12-17). "Bryan Singer to direct 'X-Men: First Class'"]

This prequel film showcases mutants, both new and the familiar. Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) & Beast (Nicholas Hoult) are probably the most well known. The recruit Banshee (Caleb Jones) is quite amusing. He can produce glass-shattering screams and sonar. Another recruit is Adam Summers (Lucas Till), known as Havoc. He can create arcs of red energy around his body. All along I thought he was Cyclops and I was waiting for the scene where that red energy will come from his eyes (pun intended).

Just as the film is entitled “First Class”, it really is just that—a prologue. Of course it’s geared towards discovering the origins of some, but the only coherence I learned were those of Xavier’s and Magneto’s beginnings. The vibrancy of the plot is made-up around the difference of ideals between these two characters. Charles Xavier wants to intermingle with humanity thus seeking cooperation & peace. Erik (Magneto), on the other hand, fueled by a sore past, believes that mutants will never be accepted so he pushes for dominance and superiority.

I find Mystique’s “relationships” with Xavier and Beast inconsistent with the first trilogy’s story line. I find no trace of this past association in the character of Mystique. Furthermore, how can Mystique be a teenager in 1960 and middle aged in 2000? There may be an explanation by X-Men geeks out there so if you read this blog, please let me know. That may also be true for Beast.

The good thing about my experience with this movie is that I don’t have to be an X-Men geek to keep track of what’s going on & enjoy. For a superhero motion picture as classic as X-Men to make its mark, a strong villain character is needed.  Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) and his band of mutants known as the Hellfire Club provided that worthy opposition. Their role is to intimidate US & Russian political “biggies” to take steps towards war. This is when the X-Men intervenes. Driven by personal purpose, Erik joins Charles’ cause to avert war only to put to action his long awaited arrangement with his past, to avenge his mother’s death and usher Shaw’s demise. The integration of Shaw’s character and his being villain made this film a more anticipated flick as it contributes to raising the bar for all superhero movies.

Despite negligible inconsistencies, the movie delivered what it ought to deliver. The cast were brilliant enough to complete each other. I take on the counsel of Xavier to Erik: There's so much more to you than you know. Not just pain and anger. There's good in you too, and you can harness all that.

The balance, the control of power is what this movie is all about. In the end, the more rational means of the interpretation of right or the good triumphs. The sequels carried the same theme and this First Class definitely stands out as a clear-headed introduction.

Justly, we become “better men” once we use our abilities towards the good of others—when we subdue pain and anger and utilize the good that’s inherent in us. 

I'm Back!

I had not recently updated this nook since who knows when. My last post was still about the country’s presidential elections—bummer. I’m active in Twitter. That was where my preoccupation went.

There’s this Twitter friend I follow, @akosidudoy who tweeted about a poem that made him cry. I went to take a glimpse and there read the elegy. That was the turning point. We exchanged blogspots and here I am writing this comeback note, hoping that I can sustain writing about my thoughts again.

By the way, here’s the link to the poem: Click here. It’s about a mother’s misgivings for not being a better parent. Why don’t you just read it. I hope it does something to lead you into becoming more involved—for those who are raising children, and be more effective parents.

Thank you, Doy Gonzales II for sharing.