ASH you know it.

Today is Ash Wednesday and the ash on my forehead served its purpose. I get different reactions with similar thoughts from almost every person I bump into --

"Ay, Ash Wednesday nga pala ngayon."
"Ash Wednesday nga pala ngeni neh?"
"Ay, oo nga. Hindi pa ko nakakapaglagay (ng abo).."
"Yiih, saan ka nagsimba?"
"Saan ka nagpalagay?"
"Saan may simbahan dito?"
"Nadapa ka ata, Ms. Denise. May dumi ka sa noo."
"May galit yata yung pari na naglagay ng abo sa noo mo?"
"Mamacau, parang napakapal ah."
"Bakit may ganyan?"
"Ano yan?"
"Ano ibig sabihin? Kailangan?"


Some surprised. Some shocked. Some enlightened. Some reminded. Some curious and some even found it senseless.

Nevertheless, I am honored and proud to be one of today's 'reminders'. Not that I'm deserving of such role. But like they say, you are where you're supposed to be and you are who you're supposed to be (but not always, i think.)


Prayer. Fasting. Alms-giving.

After hearing homily, I wondered what sacrifices would I be willing to make. I was thinking "what else" is there for me to abstain from since being financially-challenged means deprivation up to a certain degree on some luxuries in life. So, I think abstinence on luxuries won't mean much right now. (I guess this is also a reminder to some people that they should be very thankful for the generous blessings coming their way -- and be responsible for those blessings. They probably should put it somewhere else, somewhere useful, instead of letting it slip into their heads.)

I will (try to) make sure I pray every night before falling off to sleep (no matter how tired or distracted I am).

Fasting has become one good reason for some people I know to take their "dieting" seriously. I can only think of two kind of "fasting" for me : abstaining from sweets or desserts, and strictly sticking to one cup of rice for every meal.

Sometimes I am too proud and mayabang to say that I make sacrifices everyday because as a mom most of the time that's what you're called to do to make everyone else in your life happy. I would just probably lessen the ranting. hehe

Hopefully, I'd be successful... and maybe, after this season I would come out better with God's grace.