The Power of Now: Being Aware and Present

Living in a fast-paced world like ours is like a marathon, a race with an uncertain outcome. People are always in a hurry but arrive late at their destination. Along the way, we bump into each other to get ahead. No matter how hard it seems, there's a lot of shouting, screaming, or even crying. Still, a determined soul can conquer obstacles and overcome defeat. There's no way to quit but to continue the race toward the peak.

Unhurried life isn't a thing nowadays, even in a rural village. We are all connected by the power of technology and get the latest information in real-time, at a particular moment, and as needed. Through an upgrade in transportation and communication, everything is quick and instant, as fast as teleportation if it's real. Yet, amidst this speed, there is a journey we can embark on, a journey towards mindfulness. Getting to a destination excites us, and the journey becomes a cherished expedition. 

Years ago, life wasn't that complicated, and people enjoyed it much in the present moment. Compared to now, most people live in their past when they can't leave their worries behind. Others may live in an uncertain future and become anxious about what lies ahead. That's life! Truly complicated.  Whatever comes into our heads are unfiltered noises, like the constant buzz of social media, the pressure of work deadlines, or our self-doubt. These distractions prevent us from fully experiencing the present moment.

Living in the past and in the future is inevitable. When the mind wanders, it means a lack of focus and awareness of the present; not truly conscious -- not being aware. A complicated life of being not present at the moment has its consequences. However, we are not powerless. We have the power to be more focused and productive. Our worries, fears, and uncertainties are enemies of productivity and consciousness. Though it is a result of previous traumatic experiences, we are still in control and have the power to return to a normal state of being; we enjoy the present moment and truly live. 

As we progress to the next level of spiritual existence, we learn to ignore or filter out noises that do not benefit us. We become more alert and focused on our actions, and the result is fascinating —stress-free living.

Being present and aware at the same time is a gift to ourselves or to someone dear to us. When we are aware and conscious of someone's presence, they feel accepted and loved by us. However, when we ignore their presence, they will feel neglected, abandoned, and uncared for; that's miserable and unacceptable. Being present is a gift to ourselves and a way to show others they are valued and essential in our lives. 

But in today's world, there's another side of the story; we often focus on our own, our personal intentions, and our goals to achieve. We go on our own without validation from others. That's consciousness from the individual level. It's about self-awareness, understanding our needs and desires, and taking steps to fulfill them. We go for healing when our soul finds its peace and being.

The power of now is so mighty that we experience and practice mindfulness. We do not allow our minds to wander but focus our intentions on our present reality. We choose to be peaceful and live stress-free lives, leading to our health and well-being. The power of now is a spiritual gift to the people surrounding us. When we are at peace with ourselves, we are present in dealing with people no matter what happens, and we deal with life peacefully. That's the power of presence and awareness — the power of now and the key to a fulfilling and joyful life!

© 2018 Del Cusay

Celebrating the Feast of Sto. Niño 2018

Devotion to the Holy Child Jesus, popularly known as Sto. Niño is celebrated in the Philippine archipelago yearly, particularly in January. This is not just a tradition among the faithful but a meaningful celebration of being a youthful and cheerful servant or believer of the Holy Child. The image brought by the Spaniards was the reason for our celebration. Since then, Christianity has spread in the Philippine Islands, and our ancestors have embraced Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

Generations have come and gone, yet the allure of the Holy Infant remains as strong as ever. In the Philippines, numerous parishes pay homage to Sto. Niño. The recipient of the first Holy image, Cebu City celebrates the Sinulog festival on the third Sunday of January. In Iloilo City, the Dinagyang festival is celebrated the same week as the Sinulog. These two festivals have transcended time to become some of the most significant religious events in the country, drawing thousands of followers who bear witness to the grandeur of this festivity.

On January 21, I was again immersed in the devotion to Sto. Niño. From the old commercial district of Pajo in Caloocan, passing along the Parish of San Roque, I was among the thousands of devotees, including children, who displayed their faith through a long procession of the Holy image. The creativity and vibrancy of the devotees in showcasing their images were genuinely inspiring. Parents carried their children on their shoulders, dancing to the beat of the drums, a sight that filled the air with joy and faith. 

Indeed, the significance of this celebration is the innocence of the child, who is full of wonders and gives a sense of happiness and joy to the parents and everyone. It was in 2013 that I witnessed one of the biggest celebrations of Sto. Niño in Luzon. Celebrating The Feast of Sto. Niño de Tondo gave meaning to personal devotion, a reflection of one's faith in the Divine. 

Celebrating the Feast of Sto. Nino 2016 was another chance to witness and glimpse this celebration. Two years later, it became more upbeat and alive. Unlike other religious procession, this is not the solemn type since they would carry the image and have it move or dance. This, however, is a personal devotion and belief. In the end, it is our faith that matters.

Like the Holy Child Jesus, we are called to embody innocence. But our faith, like a river, must not stagnate; it must keep flowing and growing. We must continually expand our faith, reaching out to those who continue to believe and have faith in God, no matter their challenges. 

© 2018 Del Cusay

Divine Light: Our God's Greatest Love

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, Sitio Lomboy, Linambasan, Jamindan, Capiz

As a community, we are united in our quest for the Divine light in times of darkness. We seek Divine protection when we feel weak and need comfort in the deepest pain. Our struggles and endurance have a purpose, and we find meaning in suffering. In our battles, we experience the presence of Divinity in our community; the church, the parishioners, the servants, the followers, and the believers. We are part of a community that is Divinely inspired and committed to serving its purpose. As members of this community, each of us plays a crucial role in upholding our faith and serving our purpose, strengthening our collective bond and commitment.

Our heart's desire is to see a larger, more inclusive community of the faithful. When one is called to serve his purpose, it becomes a reality through the support and cooperation of the chosen community. Our desire is for the presence of Divine love for all, regardless of one's creed, societal status, and character. Our merciful and loving God has called its people to renew their faith, no matter how sinful they have become. Our church and parish are open to all, regardless of their past or present, and we strive to embrace everyone with the love and compassion of our merciful God, fostering a sense of belonging and acceptance. 

The church's foundation is more substantial, built with love and compassion. People from even the farthest location are called to follow and to serve. There's no hindrance to a spiritual path when one is called to serve and believe. Doubts and uncertainties are inevitable, but a stronger community will overcome the negativity and support each other, bringing more light to the path. There's no big or small contribution as long as it is wholeheartedly given through Divine inspiration and guidance. Individual and group donations will go a long way, making the church and the spiritual community a leader whose obligation is to spread the message of hope, peace, and love to all. 

The church is not just a building but a guiding light in our lives. It is built closer to its people; we continue to make it bigger and brighter for future generations. When the unknown future creates fears and doubts, we call for the Divine, just like when we call our mother when we are frightened and helpless. Our merciful and loving mother would rescue her child and save him from harm and danger. Similarly, as a guiding light, our church is constantly being heard when we call for Divine help when we can't stand alone in our battles and are easily defeated by the dark. Until we call for Divine guidance, we remain weak and helpless. Through its teachings and guidance, the church helps us find our way back to the Divine path, strengthening our faith and commitment to our purpose, providing reassurance and support to all.

Through the spiritual community founded, we are one for all and feel the warmth—Divine presence. We become more transparent with our plans and decisions, guided by our intentions, and servants to those who need help. Years may have passed, but the church that was built by the faithful will continue to become a sanctuary for everyone: the lost and wandering souls and those seeking the path toward Divine love and light. You are always welcome here, no matter your past or present. 

© 2018 Del Cusay

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New Year 2018: Beyond The Limits

That was a challenging year, 2017. A roller coaster of unforeseen events and unexpected triumphs, an opportunity that was never lost but continuously on a cycle. When I look back to the previous year, I am still overwhelmed by the circumstances I experienced and feel grateful for what I have achieved. I have learned through the years that when the door closes, a window will certainly be opened for another milestone and breakthrough. 

The year 2017 ended with a positive spirit and gratitude to the Divine while looking forward to a beautiful life for 2018 for myself, my family, my friends, and everyone who has made a significant impact in my life.


To celebrate New Year means celebrating a new life full of hopes and optimism for a brighter future. I always look forward to the brighter side and removing the negativity that may hinder future success. Looking forward doesn't necessarily mean the inability to reflect on past living, where struggles, obstacles, and defeat are inevitable. 

It's always good to look back for self-realization leading to more vital determination. Whatever we have gone through will not change, but we can always learn a lesson for positive change and renewal. Celebrating a New Year is just the start of another challenge to take and hindrances to break. New Year 2016: A New Beginning was a liberation of the mind and grounding back to reality. Attainment of higher consciousness will always be instilled in the mind and will be the guide for a more excellent living beyond the physical plane.

A thousand-mile journey will need a guide, a GPS leading toward a destination. The will can complete the trip no matter how far it may seem. Time will be the barometer of success; we arrive on time, behind the time, or ahead of time. New Year 2017: A Hopeful Journey was about having the faith and perseverance that things will be better ahead of time; another life is waiting and will be something bigger and still significant. Indeed, that was an incredible opportunity, and I will persevere despite my challenges.

The time has come that I don't have to be on the same level of the fight but to understand and find meaning in every challenge encountered. I ended 2017 with a more significant fight of optimism that things would improve and healing would eventually take place for the benefit of the greater whole.

A New Year celebration with the family is always a source of joy, to be reunited and gain positive insights about living. It needs to be fixed from a different perspective when things go wrong. We may have been defeated and put to the test, but we can always reconnect the dots and rewire the broken lines to become whole and complete again. The principle of higher consciousness is beyond our lower emotions and limits. We can always stand up again and face the world with greater heights and a clearer view of the path. 

The road ahead is always about advanced thinking and the ability to see the next episode of life. The year 2018 is welcomed with incredible energy. The light from above will serve as a reminder that things become brighter even in the dark. We can rise up from the challenge and will emerge as a champion —  a winner in life.

© 2018 Del Cusay