TIMELESS

PROLOUGE

Faith is the first. It is timeless. Thank God always. This book is simply a dream for me. It is short and filled with my own perspective of life. 

I dedicate this to people who loved and still love me in any circumstances.

Thank you and I love you too.

Chapter 1

“CHOICE“

I recently developed a fascination for this word. The reason mainly is its presence and value. Without realizing, it has always been there. Since childhood we are making choices unconsciously, it is part of everyday life. Each day, you choose to get up, to shower, to eat and go to work or school, you choose to live. World you are born in will affect how and why you make one. With God's grace, life has given you a chance to experience everything that comes with it. It can make or break you. It can give the greatest moments and hardest breakdowns. How wonderful it is that a single choice could have a massive difference. Like how I have chosen to use this as my first chapter. I am not a writer. I just choose to be happy as writing a book is one of my dreams. 

There are many things to consider in making one. It does not always come easy. There will be a time as you might have heard one say, I have no choice. It means that you have to make one that is suitable for the situation. Choices are presented to you but how do you see them? Some will seem bad, some will seem fair and one will seem better than the rest. A good deed, that is how I see it and that is what makes it so important to me. There are endless scenarios where a person chooses out of need and care for others and for himself. It can define what kind of person you are, people you are with and what kind of life you are living. Let me share a story. A short and genuine one, dedicated to my grandma. 

I was born lucky, loving and seeing an old lady, widowed, young at heart, happy despite being alone. It was her choice to continue living. She had a way of seeing imperfect life with choices and opportunity. To survive. To fight. To be happy. To feel blessed. A great example of how it can change your life. A choice is a simple matter with complex nature, in many ways. In my case, choosing spaghetti as my favorite food until I grow old, choosing to love a person as much as I love myself and lastly choosing to give back and keep all the good things in life with me. 

It's beauty truly lies with its nature. It can be given or made. Depending on how you will apply it in a situation in your life. It can improve or worsen everything. My mind is not broad enough with impressive words, having average vocabulary and way of life. However, I understand what a single choice can do. Thirty years in this world, still continuing to discover things. I have seen a child pick a color that he likes. I have met a woman who studied a language to reach a certain destination. I have seen people going to different churches. People make choices everyday and eventually shape their lives.

What is your choice today? Next week? Next year? Next lifetime? and why? No one knows, but if you are alive to make one, only you can answer this question. I personally would choose to be happy in days and years to come, that is my general answer. But as I have said previously, it does not always come easy. I would make choices that will bring peace and happiness as much as I can. Respectfully writing, as people have different beliefs and opinions. 

This is how I see this word “choice”. How do you see it? At the end, it is your choice. Thank God for giving you one. 

Chapter 2

“MEMORIES”

I have always loved this word. No one knows what happens in the afterlife exactly but I know memories last. Years ago, I wrote a quote quickly. “Memories are like water in and out of a sponge, it will never be the same amount, some stays, some fades.” The bad ones make you appreciate the good ones. It can be related to the fact that you can forgive but you cannot forget. Special events close to heart will be imprinted to you as memories. The power of mind is infinite. From dreams and realities to collection of pictures and moments. One of the most precious gifts one can have freely. 

Endless, if I share each memory I have, it will be endless. Whether it be my life or life with others. Some will stand out and I will gladly keep them with me in my heart. These memories made me who I am. Moments I have spent with my family growing up, the laughter, sadness and bonding. The best friendships, conversations, dates and celebrations. I could picture some of them instantly if I closed my eyes. These can give the best lessons in life and this is what makes them so special. 

Remember and learn from memories. Learn to love and value their meaning. How they made you who you are. Appreciate how they make you happy and feel inspired to strive to survive as you make your own way to life. You are given a chance to live in this world, it is just once and what a great blessing to have. My favorite expression and I do think I will keep saying it until I grow old is keep making more and more great memories as long as you can. Time will challenge you and be ready to face it. It is worth every year you have for that one memory you are so happy to have. 

Memories last in many ways. Through arts, literature and nowadays with the appreciation of technology, videography and photography. Suddenly I remembered another quote of mine “Power of mind goes beyond science”, keeping things in your mind is the fastest way to retain memories. Depending on circumstances, not all memories can be remembered, as part of the natural process of aging, people tend to forget some and in some conditions, memories can be lost completely. I will definitely treasure the ones that stay as long as possible.

Looking back on a memory can give different feelings. You may feel blessed, happy, sad, old, young, scared, inspired, weak, strong, one memory can simply make you smile or cry. It is unique as it is yours to keep. The moments, words, images are from your perspective. Their meaning will be the same through the years. Memories are untouchable gifts that flashes before your eyes. Wonder or grief can come along with them but life is imperfect. A constant reminder that in a lifetime, something never changes.

This short book will be included in my memory, how it brought happiness and many ideas that I might not remember again fully but I am certain that once in a lifetime I made it.

Chapter 3

“HOPE”

Never ever lose hope. Everything can be taken away from you in an instant. Calamities, accidents, viruses, crimes, illnesses, uncontrollable things that could change your life drastically but in the midst of all that, there is hope. One may not realize at the beginning because of feelings of grief, fear, anxiety, unworthiness, disappointments and loss of faith. One can overcome all these by hoping that it will change to positivity and will pave the way for the best things that life has yet to offer.

I have made again a quote that is somewhat related to this “No matter what you do, you still have something to look forward to and it will help you become positive and eventually have a fulfilled life”. I truly believe hope can make you better. You will feel that you exist and can offer the best in whatever life brings you. You hope for change, for stability, for love, for unity and for life to stay kind. These hopes are to live for.

Most important aspect of hope is its purpose. Inspiration and guidance could bring hope but what for? Why do you need to hope? Each has a different answer however it will all be about the fact that you never give up no matter how many times you fall. One could say “I hope for the best”, despite not knowing what could happen means you are optimistic about life. It will be difficult for people who have been through and still in darkest times such as abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, to people who are mentally challenged, who face death penalties, who have incurable diseases, and who are born with disabilities. I suddenly remember one statement from a reporter on youtube: “One does not have to have a clear vision to experience love and compassion”. There is hope in the midst of chaos of war. 

Not everyone is born with people who can support them. These people hold on to no one but themselves to survive. I can never speak for them because I honestly have never been in a situation of being neglected and I am scared to even think about it but there are a lot of people who experience this and I truly admire each of these people with all my heart. They are for me the epitome of hope. They came into this world alone with nothing but through faith they have hope. Hoping to overcome the fears of survival and in return give hope to other people who need them. Hoping to have not the best but a good life can give motivation to each of us. 

Hope is equal to a light in darkness. A single spark in a dimmed universe. Do not let this be taken away from you due to unfortunate circumstances that you may encounter along the way. It starts with a simple thought “There is still hope, as long as you breathe” and you can either show it to yourself or to other people. It will make a huge difference in life, hold on to it during failure and misery. One can only hope but one can still live. 

While you live, you have to hope for something great, something better, something meaningful. One can lose everything but hope remains. It starts with a thought of a chance whatever you want might happen, you always hope…

Chapter 4

“ARTS”

This word makes me smile instantly. This is truly my passion. I have a massive amount of appreciation and admiration for the arts. One, if not the most, creative thing God has ever made. Everything you lay your eyes with has some art in it. It exists to make life beautiful. The colors, patterns, shapes of nature with its trees, glimmering stars and the moving sky.

Arts have many forms, it gives you freedom. Artists make decisions. I do have an artist that I admire, his name is Edward Munch.  The reason is simply because we define arts in a very similar way, an art piece reflects the artist. One can make the most beautiful, enticing painting in the world and it will still be worthless to everyone. The most beautiful art is the one that made its artist achieve fulfilment. A simple drawing can do that. A kid after making an art project, a card, a lettering can be very pleased with his work that he shows to his mother as he feels proud.

In other words, art is not about impressing the world but impressing yourself.  This is my idea of art. It is great that some people feel the same way as you do and you can make a living out of it. Arts can be shared through exhibits, news, classes, photography, video and filmmaking. Various ideas put together in one image, suddenly reminded me of the song that has lyrics that “a picture paints a thousand words”.

Art is never hard to love for me, I adore it truly. Although I do not make one often, when I do I feel like an artist. An artist not in the way of wanting to be famous but in such a way I am creating something I really want and unique. The famous Mona Lisa could be remade by modern artists but its value will never be the same, not because of imitation but  because you are not Leonardo da Vinci. Circumstances are very different in his time. Arts in times of war, chaos, old civilization, plague will influence one’s way of making and seeing arts. With no technology, poverty, limited resources and generally a different timeline are factors that you consider in appreciating one’s art.

Now, what makes an art great? To me, It is not the strokes, technique, colors, materials, skills. Art is great when the artist feels proud, whole, fulfilled and most importantly happy. Its value entirely relies on its meaning and purpose. It could be a form of communication, expression of feelings, inner thoughts or it could just be a random idea for the day that can help one to not feel the pressure of time.  It is a reflection of life itself at a certain point of time. Some might have prices ranging from thousands to millions which is a great thing but in the end, what matters is its existence through the years. The artist’s value of art will last forever.

From my perspective, the process of creating art lies in its true beauty. It will make you think, make you commit mistakes, and then learn how to fix and eventually achieve satisfaction. It never is about the scale, it can be a simple drawing of a flower or different faces of people, it will have the same effect on a person who appreciates art beyond the visual and understand its story, its journey. It can be inspired by emotions and ideas, it can be genuine and superficial but what matters most is it causes one happiness and fulfillment, might be in a very short time but still it is worth it.

Chapter 5

“FRIENDSHIP”

What a powerful word, to me. A true friendship is once in a lifetime, one can say, friends come and go but family stays, however a true friend can be more if not the same as your family. One can agree, based on experience, there are some things you can tell and share to a friend and be kept from family. A friendship has mutual understanding as you can be on the same stage in life that are close in age or people living in the same place. Longevity is not the basis of a friendship. Knowing a person early on does not secure a friendship, true friendship has compatibility. There is trust, care and love and most importantly it is unconditional. This is the foundation of a strong friendship. 

This hits deeply to my heart, as I am blessed to have friends who understand me and accept me for who I am. Up to now, I thank them. One cannot argue that no man is an island. You will always meet a person that will help you grow. That person can be a friend or a lesson. That person can pass by or stay. Friendship lasts depending on how much a person means to you. As I am writing this, I suddenly remember thinking how someone adores me and sees me as a lifetime friend. Answer is because I also see that person the same way. Eventually, both of us would want the best for each other. That makes a friendship a real gift.

As I have mentioned, it is unconditional. Time and place does not matter. You may not see each other for years and still be friends. However, there is always that feeling that started it all. That moment you realized and said, I have a real friend. In my case, I felt blessed as they loved me truly, I felt it. As we grow old, we are chatting to each other with the same care we had in our early lives. Something never changed, that is what defines friendship. You truly care and I am getting emotional as I have an inferiority complex and quite late in realizing how friendship can make your life worth living. Difficult times can be easy, struggles can be overcome, loneliness can turn to happiness. A friend stays and lifts you up in times you feel so low. When you need someone to hold on to, they will offer a hand without hesitation, without asking anything in return. 

The value of friendship is priceless, it’s timeless. How grateful I am to experience and have this forever. A friend can be the best person you will ever know simply because you met them at a certain time you never planned unlike a family. He or she came to you willingly. My mother is my best friend but she doesn't know all the things in my life, a friend can. In the worst times, you will know how true your friend is. 

Suddenly, moments in my thirty years on earth flashed into my mind. Moments I felt special with a friend. If a mind could record this, I will gladly keep them. These moments help me become who I am. Not every moment is great, some of them actually made me cry, break down, feel lost but all of them help me value a friend. I will define friendship as a lifetime blessing. 

As my last chapter, you may relate to some of the things I have written, if ever someone reads this. I truly believe a nice person will stay with you and will keep you as a friend at heart, no matter how short or long you know them. 

EPILOGUE

These timeless chapters are treasures to me. I would like to end by talking about dreams. Dreams never end. A simple thing that you want to have may be a dream. You can be happy with it. Not all of them can be achieved but a thought of them can inspire you in some way.

I will never stop dreaming. Despite the time, I may be old and grey and suddenly I feel like I want to catch a fish. I might try it. Hope and pray I get to experience more things in life that will make me happy, I think that is everyone’s dream. A job, a house, a family, a car, money, a business, a trip, a date, nice food can be a dream. It can be small to you and big to someone else.

For my last paragraph, writing this made me really happy. I know to be fair, some of them could be wrong but this is for me to remember what I feel and what I think about life. What really matters in the end is never material things but the good a person has. I chose “timeless” as a title as I want to share and give importance to what you hold later in life and what matters even if you are not in the world anymore.

Have faith while you live.