Monday, September 07, 2009

Look Up by betsisanders


Title: Look Up
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 8 x 10 inches
Artist: betsisanders 09

"UP", Disney-Pixar's latest animation film. The film had such rave reviews that I just had to watch it with Alvin. It was Ateneo High School's exam week, but that didn't stop us from seeing the film.

The film is about friendship, love, marriage, life and death. It is also about pursuing one's dreams, taking risks, being adventurous, living, loving, sharing, reaching out... all of life's lessons that we needed to learn, relearn, and be reminded of.

One's life is more meaningful when shared with friends and family... those who love us back, are appreciative of our accomplishments, who push us up when we are down, are truthful, honest, sincere, grateful, fun-loving, smart, never selfish, always kind. These are the ones that help us fulfill our dreams. They are the ones that love us unconditionally.

>>>>>>>>

Loss... death of a loved one, my greatest fear... Early on in my life,(1979) my dear friend, Bobbet (brother of Aimee) died from complications of meningo-encephalitis. I wept.... visited his grave daily. After school, I would pass by Loyola Memorial Park and sit there, staring, weeping... I was sad and angry. I questioned God.... asked Him why... reached a point when there were no more tears, and there no more prayers.

Millet, a classmate and dear friend in Dentistry, died from colon cancer in 1983. I came face to face with death again.... my best friends' deaths left me scarred, scared and angry.... :(

In 1987, I gave birth to my first child, my daughter, Marie Angelica... she spent her first two months of life at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at the Heart Center. She had a congenital heart defect (Pulmonary Valve Atresia), lived for a year and nine months, and became an angel too soon. Eleven years later, (2000) my Nanay died from complications of diabetes and septicemia due to gangrenous legs.

Again and again, I asked why... I didn't find any answers ... until now. I realized that in the worst moments, in the saddest moments, when one is unable to do anything, when one's tears have ran out...the answer was up there. All I had to do was keep still and look up to Him. The first few lines of the Our Father was my answer... "Our Father, in heaven, Holy be Your Name...your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...." .... that was the answer. He is the answer.

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Loss... marriages fail, friendships end... how do you deal with this? Forgiveness is the answer. "Forgiveness is giving up the right to hurt you because you hurt me. When we forgive someone, we send them away and release them into the hands of God, the only judge. In doing so, we are choosing to no longer be the person's judge. We commit every hurt to the Father. We place every dart and arrow that strikes in the care of our Savior. The one who hurt us didn't hurt us, but our God. All sins are against God. If I forgive, then I am canceling the debt that God has already cancelled. I am taking sides and agreeing with God. jesus paid all debts in full. Forgive and let God take care of the rest." (taken from Forgiveness, by Malcolm Smith)


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Life is an adventure. Let go of people or things that weigh you down. These could be people who use you, take advantage of your kindness, are ungrateful. Let them go and free yourself from the heaviness of their lives. Let go of the past, it cannot be undone. Let go of material things, or wanting and needing more and more. These things do not make one happier. Let go of negative emotions, sadness, anger, envy, pity.

If you free yourself, you will be able to pursue your dreams, work towards your goals, become productive, and attain happiness. A happy person has more to share and more to give.

Life does not end after a loss of a loved one. One becomes a stronger person after one has survived these losses. Life goes on. No matter how difficult our challenges are, we will do everything and anything to survive these difficult times. In the end, we become better versions of our self. We will excel when we live our dreams.

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Tomorrow is the birthday of Mama Mary. Look up, let go and let God!!!

betsisanders / Sept. 7, 2009

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