Oh Daughter of Eve | Embrace Being a Woman

The other day a good friend of mine surprised me. I was reading or probably staring into oblivion and someone back-hugged me and it truly made my day. You know the kind that you thought only happens in K-dramas. Now before any of my avid readers squeal with glee, it's not what you think. Prayers pa more for me to ever publish THE ONE here. That blog already has a draft and a working title of TOTGA: The One That God Allowed. Not today though, not today. 

Going back to the other day. I usually don't like surprises. That's why in any given establishment, I always have to face the door. Specially if I'm with my siblings or lady friends. I am always alert. If there is any danger coming toward, like water about to be spilled, I will be the first to guard and shield you from it.

You will only see me seated with my back to the door if: 1. I am with my father. 2. I am with a male relative or friend that I trust my life with. 3. I am with that person that God allowed.

It can be tiresome at times. To be both woman and man in a world that requires it. We live in a world where some fathers are abroad leaving their wives and children fatherless and needing to grow up and fend for themselves. If you never experienced this, good for you. Thank God for having that solid male presence in your life growing up.

However, the realization that women are privileged enough to receive hugs and reciprocate is something that we women should relish in. It is something that not even men can have. I mean you hardly see a man hug or touch a fellow man. Specially in our society that manning up is so well praised.

Yet I do admire men who are expressive, who let people in. Men who unlike most, do welcome correction and guidance. Specially when you see how they are towards their mothers and sisters. Who are gentle with children and babies. I do notice these things and I do take note. How you are to the women in your nuclear family will be how you are to me and those important to me.

I do also admire men who are cautious and mindful of their actions and are clear with their intentions. Who know when to extend a gentlemanly gesture and when to hold back to protect myself or a friend. Now don't get me wrong, I come from a family of huggers. We are very Western that way. I find holding hands and a quick or tight long hug with family and close friends a norm.

I do however try to keep this warmth to fellow ladies as it may give other people the wrong message. Specially men. I remember an instance when a guy from church confessed that he liked me and that he thought I liked him too. 

When I asked why, he said because every Sunday or every fellowship I would smile at him and at times tap his shoulder ever so quickly to give him his share of snacks. Which shocked me. I am an usher and Kids Church teacher so we always have this motto, give your best smile. Keep your energy up. Whatever it takes.

Being warm is a good thing. Yet it can also very easily, get so misconstrued. Several Sundays after that shocking revelation, I would control my smile and my good friend Neil approaches me, and says "Huy Res, are you okay? Why are you frowning? There are church attendees coming in, best smile diba?" and I quickly told him the matter at hand in a hushed and muttered breath that he needed to cover me so I can smile and not make that guy fall even further. Though here's the thing. It takes 2 to tango. Men need to protect women. Women need to protect men. 

To be honest, not being able to smile killed me inside. Dramatic I know. Yet not giving my brightest smile, is just not me. I always faced life with a smile. I always smiled. I smiled even if my life was falling apart. I smiled even if it was only God and my closest siblings in Christ that knew I was truly devastated. 

Oh daughter of Eve, don't ever be afraid to smile. Don't ever be afraid to show warmth. Don't ever be afraid to shed a tear because that is how God made you to be. Let the right people in. The right ones will know how to keep you smiling, or how to bring it back. The right ones will know when it's also not genuine. The right ones will know how to cry with you. The right ones will cheer you on and will know how best to let you grow to become the woman He has called you to be.

        

                                        "You are altogether beautiful, my love;
                                                        there is no flaw in you."   

                                                          Song of Solomon 4:7

From the Highest of Mountains to the Depths of the Sea.

I learned to love hiking in Japan. Perhaps because the beaches there are nothing compared to the beauty of our beaches here in Negros.

Before I left, I was more of a beach person. Staring out at the waves, hearing it crash to the shore. Taking in all that salty air. A trickle of salt on my lips. Yes, the beach instantly calms me.

It's as if for a moment there, you just get reminded that everything is in place. Everything is just right.

Yesterday, I planned with some church friends to go hiking. Days before the said hike, we realized due to work and some personal reasons, almost all of us couldn't make it.

So I prayed and asked a few close friends to help me pray for favor. 'Coz after spending time with a ton of people and the busyness of life, I just need to get away and breathe.

A few hours before the said hike, I found out I could go!

They say when you hike, you have to hike either by yourself or a friend for it to be effective. 'Coz the purpose of the hike is to regain your sense of things. To be one with nature.

Now how can you do that if you go on a hike with someone that you'd fight with as you try reaching the top? Someone that would discourage you from reaching your goal? Someone who would drive you nuts you'd like to push them over the edge when you get there?


So here are some things I've learned from that 6.6km hike:

1. Hike with the right people.

2. It's always better to be with someone. Life is not meant to be traveled alone.

3. Pace yourself. Baby steps. It's okay if you go slow. Just keep moving.

4. Appreciate the person who will look for you when you're trailing behind and guide you.

5. Say thank you when someone calls to check if everything is okay. It means they care. You are not forgotten.

6. Appreciate life when you find a person that will link arms with you and remind you of the beautiful view up there.

7. There is a time to share and there is a time to listen. 6.6kms will help you realize that.

8. Friends are an extension of God's love and grace toward us.

9. It is great to break bread together to share in laughter.

10. Time. Time is the best gift you can give to anyone and to yourself.

11. Glory. God's glory is around you. Even when you think otherwise.

12. Finish what you started.

13. Rejoice with those who rejoice with you.

14. Share each other's burden.

15. The pain is all worth it in the end. God has something beautiful in store for you if only you persevere.


The list could go on but then I wouldn't have a reason to write again now would I?

Oh and of course, we always go back to our first loves.. We went to Dauin on a whim. Wahoo BEACH!

Again, all is well with my soul.


"For where two or three gather together in My name, there am I among them." Matthew 18:20

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders." Job 37:14

"How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small." Psalm 104:24-25


Here are some photos of those who taught me these things and many more:

Abba, thank you for linking arms with me.

Sashi, your surprise at the peak reminded me of God's surprises and mindfulness.

The best people to climb with!

Imagine if I stopped, I wouldn't have seen all of this!

Kin, your leadership and discipline is worth emulating.

Keep climbing!