Thursday, September 20, 2007

In The Deep

After three extremely memorable years, two successful template changes, 75 meaningful posts, over 1,000 insightful comments, and 12,000 extraordinary visitors sharing my quest for happiness and true love, I have made another momentous chapter in The Unbearable Lightness --- my new header. =)

Allow me to share a little anecdote about each panel.



HAPPINESS


“This is the true joy in life, being used for a purpose recognized by yourself as a mighty one… My life belongs to the whole community and as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can. I want to be thoroughly used up when I die, for the harder I work, the more I live. I rejoice in life for it's own sake. Life is no “brief candle” to me. It is sort of a splendid torch which I have a hold of for the moment, and I want to make it burn as brightly
as possible before handing it over to future generations.”
~G. B. Shaw

The first panel represents happiness – like the feeling of a child chasing down dandelions on a warm sunny noon, the feeling of stillness, of fulfilment, of satisfaction, of being with the ones you love, of remembering your own spirit. The panel also symbolizes faith and hope, that after the deepest, darkest nights, the sun will surely rise to cast its radiance amongst the shadows that lies within.

FREEDOM

“To live content with small means; to seek elegance rather than luxury, and refinement rather than fashion; to be worthy, not respectable, and wealthy, not, rich; to listen to stars and birds, babes and sages, with open heart; to study hard; to think quietly, act frankly, talk gently, await occasions, hurry never; in a word, to let the spiritual, unbidden and unconscious, grow up through the common --- this is my symphony.
~W. H. Channing

The second panel symbolizes spontaneity, freedom, and vitality. It reflects vigour, energy and dynamism --- for we are always ever-changing, we are all capable of growth and self-actualization, and we need each other in order to survive. For as long as we are alive, we play a huge part in the intricacies of this universe, in this cosmic destiny, and in this inexplicable circle of life.

PEACE

“People spend a lifetime searching for happiness; looking for peace. They chase idle dreams, addictions, religions, even other people, hoping to fill the emptiness that plagues them. The irony is the only place they ever needed to search was within.
~R. L. Anderson


The third panel reflects peace of mind, tranquillity of spirit, and the unity of mind, body and soul. That amidst this world of hatred, pain, and chaos, our most-yearned personal peace is attainable, just look within the silence of your heart, and if we’re lucky enough, is just one shower away.

INNOCENCE

“It is in deep solitude that I find the gentleness with which I can truly love my brothers. The more solitary I am the more affection I have for them…. Solitude and silence teach me to love my brothers for what they are, not for what they say.”
~T. Merton


The final panel shows an angel --- in a silent, introspective, contemplative mood, with a veiled, mysterious smile and an oversized unfolded wing, symbolizing innocence, purity, and goodness of spirit. With the image, we are reminded that we are all capable of goodness because of our intrinsic worth and dignity, and the heaven that we all aspire for is just a wing spread away.

*

We are all individuals of beauty and goodness, of radiance and warmth, of wisdom and character, of harmony and balance --- all packed-up in facets, in panels, forming a composite of our own personal selves. I just hope, and pray, that in this short, ephemeral existence of ours, may we all learn how to spread our wings, and soar the highest, the deepest, the farthest point our soul could reach, to that place where true happiness, freedom, peace, and innocence springs eternal.

What are the facets of your unbearable existence?

*

Images from flickr. Do you like my new header?

33 comments:

kalansaycollector said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
kalansaycollector said...

nice header friend! hmmm ano kaya ang facets of life ko? hindi ko masabi. basta im enjoying my life. nabubuhay ako na wala akong nasasaktan(i guess.;p)... masaya ako kapag masaya ang mga mahal ko sa buhay.. excited akong dumilat sa umaga... umiiyak kapag kinakailangan... hinihintay bawat sorpresa ng buhay...

***

@KALANSAY: don’t worry pag nakabalik na ako sa ust, eb tayo awkie? hehehe. sabi ko nga eh kung naghubad na lang dun si ty tang, kirk long, simon atkins or chris tiu eh baka nanalo pa ang ateneo/al salle. anyways, they’re rich na naman eh, they don’t need the money anyways. just kidding. hehehe. sorry. =(

sige sige hihintayin ko ang iyong pagbabalik sa uste. hehe... and whats with the sorry and the sad icon?

[chocoley] said...

Hi there ;) i like yer new header this time. it wuz really a pleasant one to see, esp the memories you've gone here for the past year.

i thought the header this tiem is very meanignfu lfer you.. as what it takes in yer latest entry.

i wuz expecting a lot from this fellow blogger, keep bloggin' and i'll be one of those great readers of yours. definitely yes! ;)

cheers for the a successful year that comes by, i felt the happiness/freedom/peace/innocence and love for yer blog! keep it up.

Drake said...

A simple yet thought-invoking header there Ruff. I like the leftmost picture clip. Plain bliss for me...

I just have one comment/suggestion here regarding the header text. They seem to be hard to read, especially the caption. I don't know if a little shadow effect would help. Well, just a thought.

Thanks for your persistent concern Ruff. Drake is well. Peace indeed comes from within; We are the ones who make our own lives, be it perplexedly complicated or humbly simple.

savante said...

Why am I fixed on the guy in the shower? :P

x said...

hey, ruff! :) the new header, i likey. those pictures are wonderful, especially the one with the sunset/sunrise (the 1s pic). :)

and hayayay... peace... happiness... freedom... those are exactly the things i've been secretly longing for, for a long time now. so thank you super for sharing those quoties... they're nice. makes me wanna find all three asap. haha. god bless, dear!

Winter said...

bongga! :P it talked about life in general huh.. :) i love it..

mikel said...

nice header. :) parang ad ng kung anong inumin. yung tipong gugustohin mong bilhin dahil sa ganda ng presentation...

Misterhubs said...

I dig your new header. It's so you! :) Parang I want to change my header na rin tuloy.

Yoshke said...

savante, im actually asking myself the same thing. haha.

McRey said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
McRey said...

Wow, it is such an accomplishment...

Did you make it yourself?

I like it!

WOW!

Anonymous said...

Ohhh... A new header huh? Much better ruff much better... The header reflects YOU and that is cool of you...I like the MAN doing a shower... Go Go GO!!

gorjess said...

yihhh bongga toh panalo...... congrats and more power to your blog.

chase / chubz said...

i really really love your new header ruff.
grabe, genius ka talaga.
i am very impressed sa explanation mo sa new header mo.
na ning2x jud ko.

vigour, energy and dynamism ?
hmm.. reading this from your blog makes me really hot. hahahahaha

Anonymous said...

Did u change the logo? Loved it.

Anonymous said...

nice header! how i could wish i could do a good one too. i need help! hehehe

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@KALANSAY COLLECTOR: thanks friend! i'm glad you liked it. based on your description, i can say that you treasure spontaneity very much. you're very altruistic and selfless, you value your relationships to your friends, families, and loved ones to the point of sacrificing personal happiness for their sakes. you are sensitive, but you’re not afraid to show your true self to the world. you are special, and you deserve to be loved. =)
~the sorry and the sad icon are for my meanness to al salle’s fanatics, hehehe. =)

@DAZEDBLU*: thank you very much dazed. the header (and the panels) really meant so much to me. its as if the images really captured everything that’s happening in my life right now and for whatever reason, i'm just utterly speechless for the solace it gives me as i see it grace my mainpage everytime i open my site. =)
~thanks you for the compliments dazed, don’t worry, i'll do everything in my power to bring you, my readers, more meaningful and inspiring entries. here's to happiness, peace and love for now and eternity!

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@DRAKE: that’s my most favorite frame too drake, when i saw the pic, i just knew that i have to have it. and everytime i look at it now, i couldn’t get more at peace with myself. it just makes me so happy. though alone -- but never lonely.
~i hope you’ll get through this phase drake, you deserve to be happy my friend, after all the pains, sorrows, and the heartaches you’ve been through, i’m just hoping that you’ll have the clarity of mind, the closure, and the happiness you so truly ought to have. cheeriup drake. if everything else fails, i just want you to know that you’ve got me. =)
~and the revisions? i'll definitely take note of that.

@SAVANTE: as i was doing the header, i told myself that i have got to have at least a single male image, which may or may be in a provocative pose, in my panels in my header! =) i have another spare pic but this one definitely got my approval! =) i might post it, however, on my next pose.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@ACEY: would you believe acey that that image was not even included in my first draft? good thing i have decided to have my initial masterpiece (?) revised. hence, that image --- that was almost too good to pass.
~and the meaning behind the panels? i guess basic knowledge of humanity tells us that each one of us truly yearns for those four --- lasting happiness, freedom, peace, and solitude --- and all human experience are driven by our quest to attain them. as to the manner and the time? that, my friend, is a thing that only you and Him knows. =) goodluck to us acey.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@TONSKIE: thanks tonskie. yeah, that’s the impression i'm tyring to impart --- that life always leads us into something new and exciting, happy and joyful, peaceful and blissful, and meaningful, it’s all a matter of perspective. =)

@AMICUS: that was sweet amicus. as to the “inumin” part --- you got me. i have a thing kasi for rain and water drops and showers – the thought of water makes me nostalgic and peaceful. and as for the anticlimax, i know that every after shower, the sun appear and will stood still. =)

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@MISTERHUBS: oooh thank you misterhubs. “It’s so you! :)” <- this comment coming from you meant SOOO MUCH to me. its as if we’ve known each other for soo long that you’ve gotten to know me based on that header alone (and i've gotten to know you too based on your witty, beautifully-written posts). i'm so touched misterhubs. i just want you to know that i'll always be, will forever be, one of your biggest fans. =)
~what happened to the other header with the peek-a-no-boo pic of yours? one thing i've noticed? we both have a thing for water drops. =)

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@YOSHKE: does it have something to do with the yellow thing? yoshke ha, you’re taken na diba? hehehe

@MCREY: thanks mcrey! thanks for the visit! i really appreciate you dropping by!
~the header? yup i made it myself. and by far, it’s my biggest, biggest accomplishment yet (hahaha). and guess which programs i just used? microsoft powerpoint and the uber-generic paint!! the photoshop thing scared the hell out of me. does any of you offer free photoshop tutorials, everyone?
~and yup, i’m likewise pleased with the result. =) im glad you appreciated it.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@DAIZUKE: oh my daizuke, you know naman how html/photoshop idiot i am. on the contrary, changing the header in blogger is a breeze! just a few clicks away! making one, however, is another thing. =)
~as for the header, it will definitely remain as my way of connecting with my readers, with all of you --- that by the moment you’ve seen this site, and glanced at that image, you’ll get to remember me, the man behind the unbearable lightness, always looking after each of you. =)

@GORJESS: thank you sweetie. its for wonderful people, like you, that have made this unbearable existence of mine more tolerable to journey with.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@CHASE: thanks chasey! glad you liked it! the fact that most of you liked the first header that i’ve made makes me so ecstatic. now, ive got to work on removing the gray thingie underneath it. hehehe.
~genius? hindi naman, its mostly paint and powerpoint, and flickr too… and lest i forgot, boredom and a whole great deal of creativity as well.
~hehehe. i'm just sooo inspired when i was making the header that every panel and every description falls into its perfect place. the rain makes me so hyperactive and melancholic at the same time. about the hot part? hmmmm, kaw talaga chase oh. but thanks, worry not, reading your blog makes me feel, er, hot as well.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@REYVILLE: yup i did. my first time, actually, hehehe. hopefully not the last.

@MIKKOI: i looked for non-copyrighted images at flickr, rearranged them on powerpoint, made some revisions on paint, and voila, there it is. hehehe. looking for beautiful images, however, remains to be the hardest part. =) goodluck mikkoi! (you can always message me for queries) =)

kalansaycollector said...

wow. hindi ka lang pala nurse, psychologist ka rin pala! or guidance counselor?hehe.

i deserve to be loved? hmm.. i think love naman ako ng mga friends ko.. hehe. pero... NBSB ako kasi.haha well maybe because im not that good looking... yuck magbitter ba bigla? hehe. wala lang. sa mundo kasi nating ito they value the face more than the heart. ;p kaya waiting lang ang drama ko. kung darating, darating di ba?

and yes. i love spontaneity very much! as in.

aries said...

ang high level naman may meaning-meanings...ang taray.

ibang meaning ang dating sakin day,

pic1- u blow
pic2- liquid comes out
pic3- the big O
pic4- heaven

ahahahahay...sensya na gutom lang ahihi

ruff nurse-du-jour said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@SKELETON COLLECTOR: hehehe :) of course skeleton you deserve to be loved. on being NBSB, minsan feel ko mas okay pa nga siguro kung naging NBSB na din ako eh, unlike now na meron na akong (at least) 3 failed relationships and i'm starting to sense a cynical cycle over again. =(

ang lagi ko na lang iniisip, the right one will come, for sure. and as for the moment, i'll definitely have fun muna. =) and yup, darating siya.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

@ARIES: parang mas feel ko yang interpretation mo aries! mas suited nga sa personality ko! =)

~after all, who cares about happiness, freedom, peace, and solitude when you can have the u blow, liquid comes out, the big O and heaven, right?

~you're such a genius aries! my hats off to ya! =)

Kiks said...

i like it. i simply like it.

ruff nurse-du-jour said...

thanks kiks. grabe no "it's so me." hahaha. you inspired me to make one kasi eh. =) be well kiks. missya!