Forgiveness
By Sherry-lynne Mitchell
Forgiveness is a conscious choice
It must begin first in your head
In an aware and planned way
Sometime change engenders dread
Sincerity involves the heart
Need to realize time to let go
Monsters live and thrive in the dark
Pain involved in having to grow
Prison caused by anger and hurt
Trust is not something that is free
Forgiveness is a conscious decision
Trust is destroyed for you and me
Will never be okay, never
Forgiving does not mean to say
What was done then, is now okay
Wasn't right when it was done
Forever it will not be right
Forgiveness does not change the past
Does not erase what was done then
The years are passing too fast
No consent for enabling
Time to move on with living
Thoughts are ever turning backward
Have been thinking of forgiving
When I have it all worked out
I shall write for you a letter
Leaving it for you to read
When I am gone, this is better
I'm not a vengeful man. This is the only way I can express myself and how I can forgive you guys. The gravity of what was done was heavy, but like what the poem says, "Forever will not be right" and "The years are passing too fast". I don't have a lifetime to keep a grudge nor do I intend to keep one. Four years would be a waste and I'd like to cherish only the good.
Give me time guys.
Moving With the Cheese
So I've finally given the last resignation to the last company I'll ever work for here in the Philippines. It saddens me to know that I'll be on board another plane back to Toronto...for good. I'm leaving so much behind here in the Philippines. However, I know deep inside that life has to move on. Just like what my resume states, I'm in it for both professional and personal growth.
It's been 4 years since I moved here. I've learned so many things from so many people. One of the things that I've learned is that nothing is guaranteed. Who's to say you'll be in that nice cozy chair in your office forever? Or you'll be in the same relationship 5, 10, 15, 20 years from now? The best thing we can do really is to cherish the memories we have and regret nothing. After which, we should prepare for the next challenge.
Ever heard of a book titled, "Who Moved My Cheese?" Well...figuratively, "Who Moved My Cheese?" features four characters; two mice, "Sniff" and "Scurry", and two little people, miniature humans in essence, "Hem" and "Haw", live in a maze, a representation of one's environment, and look for cheese, representative of happiness and success. Initially without cheese, each group, the mice and humans paired off, travel the lengthy corridor looking for cheese. One day both groups happen upon a cheese-filled corridor in "Cheese Station C". Content with their find, the humans establish routines around their daily intake of cheese slowly becoming arrogant in the process.
One day Sniff and Scurry arrive at Cheese Station C to find no cheese left; they, however, are not surprised. Noticing the cheese supply dwindling, they have mentally prepared for the arduous, but inevitable task of finding more cheese beforehand. Leaving Cheese Station C behind, they begin their hunt for new cheese together. Later that day, Hem and Haw arrive at Cheese Station C only to find the same thing, no cheese. Angered and annoyed, Hem demands "who moved my cheese?". Unprepared, the humans have counted on the cheese supply to be constant. After verifying that the cheese is indeed gone and ranting at the unfairness of the situation, both head home hungry. Returning the next day, Hem and Haw find the same cheeseless station. Beginning to realize the situation at hand, Haw proposes a search for new cheese, but Hem, dead set in his victimized mindset, nixes the proposal.
Meanwhile, Sniff and Scurry have found "Cheese Station N", a new supply of cheese. Back at Cheese Station C, Hem and Haw, affected by their lack of cheese, blame each other for their predicament. Hoping to change, Haw again proposes a search for new cheese. Hem however, comforted by his old routine and afraid of the unknown, again knocks down the idea. After many days in denial, including a search for cheese behind the wall of Cheese Station C, the humans remain without cheese. One day, realizing his debilitating fear, Haw begins laughing at the situation. Realizing he should move on, Haw enters the maze, but not before chiseling "If You Do Not Change, You Can Become Extinct" on the wall of Cheese Station C for his friend to ponder.
Still fearful of his trek, Haw jots "What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?" on the wall and, after thinking about it, begins his journey. Still with worry, perhaps he has waited too long to begin his search, Haw finds some scattered cheese and continues his search. Slowly losing his denial, Haw realizes that the cheese has not suddenly disappeared, but has dwindled from continual eating, and that the older cheese was not as tasty and had been moldy. After a let down, an empty cheese station, Haw begins worrying about the unknown again. Brushing aside his fears, Haw's new mindset allows him to again enjoy life; he has even begun to smile again and is realizing "when you move beyond your fear, you feel free." After another empty cheese station, Haw decides to go back for Hem with the few bits of new cheese he has managed to find.
Uncompromising, Hem turns away the new cheese to his friend's dismay. With knowledge acquired along the way, Haw heads back into the maze. Still going deeper into the maze, impelled by bits of new cheese here and there, Haw leaves a trail of writings on the wall, hopeful that his friend will be aided by them in his search for new cheese. Still traveling, Haw one day comes across Cheese Station N. Abundant with cheese, some varieties strange to him, he has found what he is looking for. After eating, Haw reflects on his experience. Pondering a return to his old friend, Haw decides to let Hem find his own way. Finding the largest wall in Cheese Station N, he writes:
Change Happens
They Keep Moving The Cheese
Anticipate Change
Get Ready For The Cheese To Move
Monitor Change
Smell The Cheese Often So You Know When It Is Getting Old
Adapt To Change Quickly
The Quicker You Let Go Of Old Cheese, The Sooner You Can Enjoy New Cheese
Change
Move With The Cheese
Enjoy Change!
Savor The Adventure And Enjoy The Taste Of New Cheese!
Be Ready To Change Quickly And Enjoy It Again & Again
They Keep Moving The Cheese.
Cautious from past experience, Haw inspects Cheese Station N daily and explores different parts of the maze to prevent complacency from setting in. After hearing movement in the maze one day, Haw realizes someone is approaching the station. Unsure, Haw hopes that it is his friend Hem who has found the way.
Well, this is what I'm doing. I'm moving with the cheese so I can enjoy new cheese.
I will miss my homeland. I will miss my friends. I will most definitely miss the Malchiks. Last but not least, I will miss the Fallen Angel who's helped me each and every step of the way.
Cheers to us...to all of us.
...
A sliver of light shimmering in the expanse of darkness
What is that?
“It is the end and it is the beginning” she said
I don’t understand.
“Your bitter journey’s end is at hand. You’re free.”
A sliver of light shimmering in the expanse of darkness
Hope?
I hear the voice, yet I can’t see you.
“Come close to the light.”
Near the light, a silhouette patiently waiting
Who are you?
“You never were alone.”
A sliver of light shimmering in the expanse of darkness
Hope.
I never wanted to be alone.
“Come closer.”
I need to do my time.
“Here, time has no meaning. Come closer.”
A sliver of light shimmering in the expanse of darkness
Hope.
As I come closer, I feel the warmth emanating from the light.
What does it mean?
“Salvation. Life.”
“Come closer."
A sliver of light shimmering in the expanse of darkness
Hope.
I see her.
The eyes…the face…the smile…
I know you.
“Yes you do.”
A Fallen Angel
She smiles
A sliver of light shimmering in the expanse of darkness
Hope.
A journey into the light
Salvation
Life
Love
