Faith is personal, yet universal in nature and application.
Synonymous with belief and trust, faith is inherent in each one of us. In our thoughts and actions, we have faith, not just in matters of religion, but also in the way we live our life.
Faith is linked to trust, as manifested in the statements, "i believe in you," and "Believe in yourself."
"I trust you," signifies faith, and so does this: "In God, we trust."
From a song, "Walk with faith in your heart...and you'll never walk alone," or in church song, "We walk by faith and not by sight," or Cher's "If you believe in love," there's this thing called faith in our life.
What are we without faith? No hope to rise up, better ourselves and become victorious? No hope of overcoming adversity because we're "walking dead?"
Faith can lead us to new adventure in life. Take education, for example. Education is a component of faith. How? If we have faith, we have the ability to empower ourselves to do great things, not only for ourselves but also for others. With education, we can learn something new each day. We have faith to influence others and make a difference in the world, no matter how great or small.
Learning never stops, because we have faith. If we don't have faith, we lose the ability to learn to make a difference in the world.
With faith, education is always possible, and so is success. But, of course, it depends on one's definition of success. Overall, faith is the defining factor in learning, acquiring or obtaining education and information, and eventually in attaining one's success.
Faith is the driving force that keeps us alive, dreaming and making a difference for others. We still believe in the goodness of humanity, amidst a cloud of doubt in the back of our mind.
With faith, all things can be possible, because we have programmed ourselves to believe that our positivity or optimism supersedes our negative thoughts.
With faith, we can't be left alone, in desolation, in state of nothingness, because we believe in goodness over evil, love over hate, unity over divisiveness.
Faith binds us together, as evidenced in churches. Faith enables us to keep moving forward, to continue living for our dreams. It is the most important thing we have to survive and to succeed. It is the only thing we have to counter hopelessness and fear, to overcome obstacles, changes and challenges.
We can learn from and educate others because we have faith in ourselves and others. We believe we can change and accept change for the better. Because of faith, we can move mountains; we can treat or cure disease; we can eradicate or minimize poverty, people's pain and suffering.
Faith keeps us safe and at peace with ourselves and others. Trusting our government, our leaders and fellow citizens is a manifestation that faith plays a big part in our life.
Faith in God, our Almighty Father, is a guiding force that can save us from a lot of temptations, bad activities and thoughts that (prevaricate or) lie about what is good and what is truth.
-Chris A. Quilpa, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, lives in Suffolk. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.
*Appeared in the Opiniion page of the award-winning Suffolk News-Herald, Friday, January 29, 2016. For more information, visit www.suffolknewsherald.com.
Friday, January 29, 2016
Tuesday, January 19, 2016
Feeling much better
That's right, folks. We're feeling much better, after weeks of being under the weather! Thank God! I can't complain. I'm grateful to be alive and well...
Now, we're into real wintry mode in our area. Bitter cold weather has finally arrived! With that snow-rain mix that fell to the ground yesterday, and further drop in temperature to below freezing, there was this snow-white "shaved" ice that covered the ground this morning. That's what we witnessed in our backyard, particularly in our partially snow-covered wooden deck. It was cold! But, not that freezing cold.
Anyway, we bundled up, especially when we went out for brunch at International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in the neighboring city. By the way, the day's sunny but cold. Likewise, it's a national holiday because it's the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day in the U.S. of A! With the exceptions of private firms and businesses, public offices and institutions are closed for business. No schools, too.
There's a lot of diners at IHOP, this morning, we observed. Was it because it's a federal holiday and majority of people are off from work? Or, people just love pancakes, and wanted to enjoy the day with their family or friends, I suppose so. Well, whatever the reason may be, I would say, we had a great time, enjoyed the food with my family members. In addition, we had left-over food for dinner.
From IHOP, we went to NEX and bought some stuff, winter clothes, and a bag of dog food for our 8-month old puppy chorkie. That completed our day today.That's how we observed MLK, Jr. Day today. Personally, we're cognizant of the contributions the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had to America and to the world. He fought for equality for all, with peaceful agenda in mind. His "I Have A Dream" speech is, to me, a lofty goal and everyone's dream. It continues to impact freedom-loving and peace-loving people of goodwill, I believe.
Well, on the other hand, feeling much better has been my goal since I got sick on Christmas Eve last year. With positive attitude, I've been praying for my speedy recovery, after two visits to the nearest clinic and two bottles of colds-cough medicine and plenty of fluid and rest and citrus-based food.
Thank God, we're alive and getting much better as we continue to live life the best we can. We're optimistic and hopeful for good health and good life. That's all.
Here's wishing you all a great day! And, "May God bless US always!"
-Chris A. Quilpa
Now, we're into real wintry mode in our area. Bitter cold weather has finally arrived! With that snow-rain mix that fell to the ground yesterday, and further drop in temperature to below freezing, there was this snow-white "shaved" ice that covered the ground this morning. That's what we witnessed in our backyard, particularly in our partially snow-covered wooden deck. It was cold! But, not that freezing cold.
Anyway, we bundled up, especially when we went out for brunch at International House of Pancakes (IHOP) in the neighboring city. By the way, the day's sunny but cold. Likewise, it's a national holiday because it's the observance of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Day in the U.S. of A! With the exceptions of private firms and businesses, public offices and institutions are closed for business. No schools, too.
There's a lot of diners at IHOP, this morning, we observed. Was it because it's a federal holiday and majority of people are off from work? Or, people just love pancakes, and wanted to enjoy the day with their family or friends, I suppose so. Well, whatever the reason may be, I would say, we had a great time, enjoyed the food with my family members. In addition, we had left-over food for dinner.
From IHOP, we went to NEX and bought some stuff, winter clothes, and a bag of dog food for our 8-month old puppy chorkie. That completed our day today.That's how we observed MLK, Jr. Day today. Personally, we're cognizant of the contributions the civil rights leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had to America and to the world. He fought for equality for all, with peaceful agenda in mind. His "I Have A Dream" speech is, to me, a lofty goal and everyone's dream. It continues to impact freedom-loving and peace-loving people of goodwill, I believe.
Well, on the other hand, feeling much better has been my goal since I got sick on Christmas Eve last year. With positive attitude, I've been praying for my speedy recovery, after two visits to the nearest clinic and two bottles of colds-cough medicine and plenty of fluid and rest and citrus-based food.
Thank God, we're alive and getting much better as we continue to live life the best we can. We're optimistic and hopeful for good health and good life. That's all.
Here's wishing you all a great day! And, "May God bless US always!"
-Chris A. Quilpa
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
When holiday is over...
Now that the holiday season is over and done, we're back to our normal life. What do you mean, you ask? Well, after all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we're back to work for those of us having employment and business, school for those who are students, and doing something that we have not done in previous years.
For those of you who made new year's resolution, I believe, you've begun to actualize what you have planned to do for this new year. Whatever it is that you've wanted to change or reinvent in order to advance your career or profession, you are, I'm sure, working on it. I know, it may take some time to accomplish it but you're on the right track to achieving it someday.
Did I make a new year's resolution? Not really. Why is that so? Well, I'd rather not make a resolution that, I regret later, would be doomed to fail. But one thing I put my mind into is to just live (in) the present moment well, thanking my Almighty and Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, and enjoy life each day, as if it's my last day on Earth, without reservation, without regret. That's all.
Looking back at the past Christmas, I caught the bug, characterized by entire body and head ache with intermittent productive coughing. In short, I had the signs and symptoms of colds or flu or URI (Upper Respiratory Infection). Yes, folks, I got sick and had visited an outpatient doctor twice. With bed rest, enough citrus fruits, lots of liquid and juice, and prescribed medications for colds/flu, I feel better now, but with intermittent coughing, up to this day as this article is being written. As my doctor said, it takes time to get back to normal health.
But, of course, I celebrated Christmas and New Year with family and friends. That is, without much fun fare, but with restraint and caution, because I don't want to infect others with the virus. I don't want my family members or friends to get sick. I would rather be the one to be ill than they, you know. I am willing to sacrifice and suffer for them.I remember there was one national holiday, July 4th, that I was home alone, while the rest of my family were having a great time with our friends. Yes, I got sick with the same condition I've been having this time. You and I know, it's no laughing matter when you get sick, folks. But what can you do if you get sick? It happens when it happens and it's beyond control. We just have to deal with it and have hope that, one day, after those moments of unpleasant feelings of pain and discomfort, we get well and back to normal health again.
Life has its ups and downs, we know that. It's not always constant. Same condition with our body which is not always functioning smoothly or not in sync with our mind and other parts all the time, like a machinery or a gadget or a car's engine that it's not always functioning or working well all the time. Sometimes, it breaks down for whatever reason or reasons. Same thing with our body. It experiences breakdown, at times. That means that we have to find out what's going on with our body, find out what went wrong and and try our best to fix the problem or problems. If we ignore it, we're into more troubles or problems. Once fixed or repaired, everything is back to normal life again.
One thing that's certain, though, with our life. We age, get older. That means we have to maintain or continue to to keep watch our health, just as we have to have periodic check up or maintenance of our car or equipment for a longer life shelf.
It's hard to believe when holiday is over but bodily pain and discomfort linger on as in my case. It makes you wonder what's going on? Why does it take longer to get well or better? I wish I have the easy answer, folks and friends. But, as time goes on, I just let things go and have to wait, be patient and hopeful and that my life will get back to normal. How's that?
Having a positive attitude in life can go a long way as we try our best to get better or recover our health from lingering illness. Prayer, too, can make a difference in how we live and enjoy life. With prayer, we feel at peace with ourselves and our God, the Almighty.
Good cheers and good vibes for a better, peaceful and safer life-world on 2016 and beyond!
-Chris A. Quilpa, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, lives in Suffolk. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.
For those of you who made new year's resolution, I believe, you've begun to actualize what you have planned to do for this new year. Whatever it is that you've wanted to change or reinvent in order to advance your career or profession, you are, I'm sure, working on it. I know, it may take some time to accomplish it but you're on the right track to achieving it someday.
Did I make a new year's resolution? Not really. Why is that so? Well, I'd rather not make a resolution that, I regret later, would be doomed to fail. But one thing I put my mind into is to just live (in) the present moment well, thanking my Almighty and Heavenly Father and His Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, my Savior and Redeemer, and enjoy life each day, as if it's my last day on Earth, without reservation, without regret. That's all.
Looking back at the past Christmas, I caught the bug, characterized by entire body and head ache with intermittent productive coughing. In short, I had the signs and symptoms of colds or flu or URI (Upper Respiratory Infection). Yes, folks, I got sick and had visited an outpatient doctor twice. With bed rest, enough citrus fruits, lots of liquid and juice, and prescribed medications for colds/flu, I feel better now, but with intermittent coughing, up to this day as this article is being written. As my doctor said, it takes time to get back to normal health.
But, of course, I celebrated Christmas and New Year with family and friends. That is, without much fun fare, but with restraint and caution, because I don't want to infect others with the virus. I don't want my family members or friends to get sick. I would rather be the one to be ill than they, you know. I am willing to sacrifice and suffer for them.I remember there was one national holiday, July 4th, that I was home alone, while the rest of my family were having a great time with our friends. Yes, I got sick with the same condition I've been having this time. You and I know, it's no laughing matter when you get sick, folks. But what can you do if you get sick? It happens when it happens and it's beyond control. We just have to deal with it and have hope that, one day, after those moments of unpleasant feelings of pain and discomfort, we get well and back to normal health again.
Life has its ups and downs, we know that. It's not always constant. Same condition with our body which is not always functioning smoothly or not in sync with our mind and other parts all the time, like a machinery or a gadget or a car's engine that it's not always functioning or working well all the time. Sometimes, it breaks down for whatever reason or reasons. Same thing with our body. It experiences breakdown, at times. That means that we have to find out what's going on with our body, find out what went wrong and and try our best to fix the problem or problems. If we ignore it, we're into more troubles or problems. Once fixed or repaired, everything is back to normal life again.
One thing that's certain, though, with our life. We age, get older. That means we have to maintain or continue to to keep watch our health, just as we have to have periodic check up or maintenance of our car or equipment for a longer life shelf.
It's hard to believe when holiday is over but bodily pain and discomfort linger on as in my case. It makes you wonder what's going on? Why does it take longer to get well or better? I wish I have the easy answer, folks and friends. But, as time goes on, I just let things go and have to wait, be patient and hopeful and that my life will get back to normal. How's that?
Having a positive attitude in life can go a long way as we try our best to get better or recover our health from lingering illness. Prayer, too, can make a difference in how we live and enjoy life. With prayer, we feel at peace with ourselves and our God, the Almighty.
Good cheers and good vibes for a better, peaceful and safer life-world on 2016 and beyond!
-Chris A. Quilpa, a retired U.S. Navy veteran, lives in Suffolk. Email him at chris.a.quilpa@gmail.com.
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