Monday, June 13, 2011

The Butterfly Effect

In 1963, Edward Lorenz made a presentation to the New York Academy of Sciences and was literally laughed out of the room. His theory, called THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT, stated that a butterfly could flap its wings and set air molecules in motion that, in turn, would move other air molecules - which would then move additional air molecules - eventually becoming able to influence weather patterns on the other side of the planet. For years, this theory remained an interesting myth. In the mid 1990's, however, physics professors from several universities, working in tandem, proved that THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT was accurate, viable and worked every time.

Every single thing we do matters. We are uniquely created as one of a kind. We have more power and impact than we give ourselves credit for. It is our thoughts, speech, beliefs, actions and attitudes that we project onto the world that make it show up in a particular way. Much like the butterfly. It's simple act of flapping its wings create enough influence in the weather pattern to alter it.

Where have I been?

I've been traveling, experiencing, learning, growing, caring, loving. I'm creating a butterfly effect in the small corner of my world.

My Relationships are evolving to Creationship. I am discovering ways to create an even deeper understanding of those I hold dear to my heart. To be present and listen. After all wisdom is the reward you get for a lifetime of listening when you'd have preferred to talk. It is an ongoing process for which I will always be a student.

The vacation this year took me back to the Philippines. My mom was my travel buddy, my map, my savior, my voice of reason and the one who provided bottles of Gatorade when I got food poisoning. My angel disguised as a totally rad mom.

An all encompassing word I can use to sum up my adventure would be Humbled.



I didn't go to any tourist resort spots nor did I lavish myself with spa visits. The hair cut I got cost me $12. I brought one pair of flip-flops with me and wore it the whole time I was there.

This vacation was all about giving - time, resources, hugs, kisses, love, patience, understanding, compassion and empathy. My time there consisted of going back to the town where I grew up, met with childhood friends, visited the house I grew up in and shared what I had to give to the local orphanage.

I also participated in feeding the street children during Holy Week. A while ago, I wrote about the place where I grew up and how I lived in the outskirts of the slums. Not much has changed since I left. The town, though much cleaner is still poor by our standards. The kids played in the streets barefooted. Their parents eeked out a living by doing odds and end jobs just to feed the said kids for the day. I am humbled by the experience.

As my surroundings moved me, I reflected deeply on the fact that I am so blessed to have my friends, family, beloved, and a place where I can call home with a little dog who loves me unconditionally. The seed of compassion has been planted. Plans are in the works for me to do more.

I am Change, Changed and Creating Changes for a Better me, Better world.

Better get busy.

Street kids lined up to receive food -




This was my grandparents home. I spent about5 years of my life here before I left for the U.S . I was saddened to see the condition it is in now. It has been abandoned for many years. So many happy childhood memories were created here. From my first ballroom dancing lesson, to being chased around by my grandma with a broomstick because I was such a brat, lots of meals shared with my cousins, birthday parties and most especially memories of my Grandpa playing classical music in his old record player.




This little blogger grew up in this house. My memories here are not as happy as the ones from my grandparents home. I lived here until I was 6 years old.



This was the pre-school I went to. The room with the green curtain. I couldn't go in because it was closed when I visited. My mom used to drop me off every morning and at the end of the day, my cousin Joel would come pick me up and we'd walk home together. I was 5 years old (^_^)



Everyday, my uncle and I went to the market and got fresh vegetables, meat and seafood. It's probably one of the things that I missed the most from my visit. My Uncle is the family cook. He makes the best eggplant dishes!





There were mom & pop stores at just about every corner in our neighborhood. Whenever I would buy a soda, they would pour it into this plastic bag and stick a straw in it. So funny!!!




Hanging out with my Grandma.




My mom took me to this Chinese restaurant where she said she used to go to even before she was married! Walking in to the restaurant, we were greeted by all these exotic animals. I asked our waiter what the significance of having these animals inside the restaurant and apparently, the owners believed them to be auspicious. Who can argue with that when they've been around for over 40 years and it doesn't look like they are going anywhere anytime soon. The food there was probably the best Chinese food I have ever had in my life thus far.


Wild boar at the door. It's hair was very prickly and it was quite smelly :(









My Grandma's Birthday Party at Romulo's. This restaurant used to be the home of one of the Philippine's ex General, Diplomat and National Hero. It was a really cool space and the food was also pretty yummy :)


She turned 93 -




With my favorite cousin Joel and two out of his three daughters. Its so crazy to see him as a dad. We grew up together, got ourselves in huge troubles, boxed, made up, fought again and I can blame him for just about every single scar I have on my body.




Puppies!! They were soooo cute!




It has always been my mom's tradition to go to this one church in the Philippines every time she goes back to visit. She said that the patron saint of the church has always granted her deepest wishes and desire and she has yet to have her prayer unanswered.


Following my mom's footstep, I lit a candle and whispered my wish...




This was taken in Baguio City. I fell in love with this town. The weather was perfect, the people were so kind and friendly, it was lush and the churches were beautiful. I even suggested to my mom that she should live here once she retires and move back to the Philippines. I left a piece of my heart in this city.



The White Cross Orphanage - http://www.dot.com.ph/whitecross/

I was knee deep in daily chores from washing clothes by hand, preparing food, feeding, doing dishes and playing with the kids. I loved every moment I spent here. Though some of the tasks were physically taxing, I never felt tired. There'll be more about this later for I think my experience here deserves more than just a blurb. It deserves it's on web page...

I'm working on setting up a charity for the orphanage. I've done the initial paperwork already. I'm laying out the groundwork for changes to come, happen, transpire and grow beyond my wildest imagination.





This is JohnMark. He has a neurodevelopmental disorder.




Aside from being a loving dad, devoted husband and all around awesome person, my cousin Joel is also a magician on the side. He performed a magic show for the older kids during my last visit at the orphanage. I love you so much Joel. You are such an inspiration to me.




My heart is filled with little handprints, forever touched, deep love, embedded in my soul.


The act of compassion begins with full attention, just as rapport does. You have to really see the person. If you see the person, then naturally, empathy arises. If you tune into the other person, you feel with them. If empathy arises, and if that person is in dire need, then empathic concern can come. You want to help them, and then that begins a compassionate act. So I'd say that compassion begins with attention.
—Daniel Goleman


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