Rainbows, Happiness, Dorothy and The Fish (Are YOU STILL SAD?)

Somewhere Over the RAINBOW

Who could ever forget this song which became so popular because of the classic movie “The Wizard of Oz”? Everyone who has read the book and watched the film would really appreciate this song so much and would truly remember DOROTHY.

Originally "The Wizard of Oz" (a.k.a "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz") is a children’s novel, authored by L. Frank Baum and was published in1900. Since then, it has then been reprinted a million times. In 1902, it was played on stage and eventually was filmed in 1939. It remained a very popular fantasy film for many years. This paved way to popularize the name DOROTHY because it was the name of a girl who is the center of the story.

This film was well loved by many, maybe (or surely) because of the after taste that it leaves in the hearts of those who have read or watched it. I, myself have loved the story so much that I would love to share it to my son when the time is right.

A short review of "The Wizard of Oz".... and DOROTHY

Dorothy is a girl who lived with her Uncle Henry, Aunt Em, and little dog Toto in Kansas. She always wished to just go away and have her own life with her dog. At that time, she did not appreciate the goodness of her own home.One day the farmhouse, with Dorothy and Toto inside, is caught up in a tornado and found themselves in a field in the Land of Oz. The falling house kills the ruler of the Munchkins, who is the Wicked Witch of the East.

The Good Witch of the North came to welcome Dorothy and gave her the Silver Shoes that the Wicked Witch of the East was wearing when she was killed. In order to return to Kansas, the Good Witch of the North told Dorothy that she will have to go to the "Emerald City" and ask the Wizard of Oz to help her.On her way,Dorothy freed a Scarecrow from the pole he is hanging on, restored the movements of the rusted Tin Woodman with an oil, and encouraged them and the Cowardly Lion to journey with her and Toto to the Emerald City. The Scarecrow wanted to get a brain, the Tin Woodman a heart, and the Cowardly Lion, courage. They all believed that the Wizard can help them. Together, they overcame all obstacles along the way.

When they arrived at the Emerald City, they are asked to use green eyeglasses by the Guardian of the Gates. The wizard showed himself in different ways every time he appeared to someone. To Dorothy, the Wizard is a giant head;the Tin Woodman saw a ravenous beast; the Cowardly Lion saw a ball of fire and the Scarecrow saw a beautiful woman. The Wizard agreed to help each of them, in one condition that one of them must kill the Wicked Witch of the West who rules over the Winkie Country.

As the friends traveled across the Winkie Country, the Wicked Witch sends wolves, bees, crows and her soldiers to attack them, but they managed to conquer them. Then, using the power of the Golden Cap, the Witch summons the Winged Monkeys to capture all of the travelers.

The Wicked Witch got one of Dorothy's silver shoes, Dorothy got angry and grabbed a bucket of water and splashed it on the Wicked Witch, who begun to melt. The Winkies rejoiced for being free from the witch, and they helped to reassemble the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman. The Winkies love the Tin Woodman, and they asked him to become their ruler, and he agreed and promised to come back after helping Dorothy to go home.

When Dorothy and her friends met the Wizard of Oz again, he did not want to talk to them anymore. And with the help of fate, Toto accidentally tipped over a screen in a corner of the throne room, revealing the Wizard to be an old man who had journeyed to Oz from Omaha long ago in a hot air balloon.

The Wizard provided the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion with a head full of bran, pins, and needles, a silk heart stuffed with sawdust, and a potion of "courage", respectively. Not knowing that these items were really useless, it caused a "placebo" effect on them and has helped them to go on with their journey. In order to help Dorothy and Toto get home, the Wizard realizes that he will have to take them home with him in a new balloon, which he and Dorothy made. Revealing himself to the people of the Emerald City one last time, the Wizard appoints the Scarecrow, by virtue of his brains, to rule in his stead. Dorothy chases Toto after he runs after a kitten in the crowd, and before she can make it back to the balloon, the ropes break, leaving the Wizard to rise and float away alone.

Dorothy became hopeless and thought that she can't go home but The Soldier with the Green Whiskers informed her about Glinda the Good Witch of the South. Together, with her dog, they escaped the obstacles but almost losing Toto along the journey to Glinda's home.Glinda eventually told Dorothy that she had the power to go home. Dorothy and Toto returned home realizing that there's no place like home.

We are at times like DOROTHY, wishing to find happiness and believing we can have it elsewhere, and thinking that we can find joy by having some things that we don't have at the moment and leaving behind what we have.

"It's pretty hard to tell what does bring happiness.  Poverty and wealth have both failed." (Frank McKinney "Kin" Hubbard)

Sail upstream like the carp fish swimming up against the waterfalls...

The FISH...

"Happiness is a form of courage." (Holbrook Jackson)

I can still remember what my grandfather once told me about a fish most admired in Japan. I felt so down, so unhappy because of the pressures of being a teenager, and seeing him sick and bedridden was so difficult. One thing I remember most about my grandfather is that he was always so sensitive to how I felt. He always knew how I truly felt and always had the right things to say to make me feel better. Seeing me feeling down might have caused him to talk about the carp fish. According to him, the carp fish is considered as courageous and determined fish in Japan because it swims upstream, even against the flow of waterfalls. Because of their reverence to the fish, they even celebrate Children's Day in Japan every year on the 5th. day of May, by tying carp- shaped wind socks to their homes as a way to wish their children HAPPINESS.

In our own quest for happiness, we cannot achieve what we are looking for if we don’t have enough courage and determination to go against the waves of life and without the heart to just sail with the winds to find our own rainbows. Whenever you feel sad, go on and cry as much as you like. In reality, life’s like that, no one has ever had constant feelings of happiness. But don’t let it take you away. Don’t cry and feel sorry all your life, stay courageous and determined.

Happiness is in the small things that come to us unknowingly everyday... We may have long found our rainbows but never realized it at all.

... true HAPPINESS and finding our own RAINBOWS

 In this life, we can’t deny the fact that true happiness does not linger constantly. Although much has been heard and read about how to be happy and what happiness is all about, we sometimes suffer the blues, or even depressions brought about by the hassles and bustles in our day to day existence. And like Dorothy, we sometimes wish that we could just go away find our own rainbows and eventually be happy. We often lose hope, letting go of our own courage and determination.

"Happiness often sneaks in through a door you didn't know you left open." (John Barrymore)

We dream of a land that is hassle free… yet in the real world, nothing is hassle free. It is just that we fail to realize sometimes that only after the storms can we find rainbows and beyond the clouds are blue skies waiting to show up. Troubles don’t really melt like lemon drops, but who cares? We have God to help us to be sturdy enough and face whatever life may give us. We wish that clouds may be far behind us, but it would be better if we ask Him to stay with us and keep us strong as we rage the storms of life. We may envy the birds for their ability to fly yet we could have known that we’ve been flying without wings because of His love and the love of the people who truly cares for us. We complain of a boring life, yet we forget that the things we do and care for everyday are the things we live for. We are at times irritated with the people around us, never realizing that they are actually our reasons for holding on. They are the ones who stay with us through the good and the bad. We often forget the people who always pat our shoulders to inspire us whenever we feel down. As always, life is not a fairy tale, but dreams turn into reality as long as we keep believing and doing things with God’s never ending mercy, with the knowledge that we can never be alone because He has blessed us with a family, friends and even strangers who can teach us lessons in life that no book could ever teach.

In a gist, we can always be happy as long as we realize how to appreciate and look at the brighter side of life, with the heart that knows who holds our future despite our day to day uncertainties. Like Dorothy, we should realize that everyone has the power to overcome their own obstacles, and sometimes, we need the help of other people to make us realize how tough we can get. The wizard did not really “gave” them what they wanted because they had it inside themselves all along; the Scarecrow had a brain, he just needed to be given a chance to use it; the Tin Man had a heart, he just needed someone to care for; the Lion had courage, he just needed a true opportunity to be courageous; and of course, Dorothy, according to Glinda, had the power to go home all along with the use of the silver shoes which was given to her even at the very beginning of her journey. And they would have not done all these if they were not courageous and determined.

Aside from that, the adage popularized by “The Wizard of Oz” which says, “There’s no place like home,” is true. Sometimes, we fail to be happy because we don’t often realize the true value of the people who are always with us. Like Dorothy, we sometimes want a place elsewhere thinking that we could be happier and have a better life only to realize how much we want to go home and how happy we could get when we get back to where our real happiness is- OUR HOME.

At the end of the day, we could realize that our quest for happiness has taken us away from it, because we failed to keep in mind that true happiness is the appreciation of what we have and the security of knowing that although we are not perfect, some people truly love and care for us. Happiness is in the presence, the hugs and loving gestures of our family, the encouragement of our real friends and the life we live everyday with these people who loves us unconditionally. These are the cause of our joys, and the things that we should always keep in mind whenever we face the stormiest days of our life… these are the things that somehow keep us HAPPY.

"I often wished for a "better" life... and then I woke up one day realizing how blessed my life is... At that moment, I knew deep in my heart, that I could never wish for a better life again. Because life has always been so good to me... what could be better than that?" (DjBryle Works, "Dancing With HAPPINESS AND STORMS")

 

Copyright by DjBryle Works, 2010 (ALL RIGHTS RESERVED AND AUTHORIZED BY LAW)

Photo credits: Robert Bell/ Freedigitalphotos.net; Graur Razvan Ionut/ Freedigitalpnotos.net; Luigi Diamanti/ Fredigitalphotos.net; Graor Codrin/Freedigitalphotos.net

Make ways to be happy... find happiness as you take your journey with life.

Okay, MOMMA Knows BEST (Happy Mother's Day!)

Months ago, I came across this article that was sent at “Mother Knows Best” by Ephraim Kahana, and it made me laugh really hard. Let me share it with you, anyway, it is MOTHER’s DAY, and it is the best time to remember our loving moms. Here it goes:

“What My Mother Taught Me”

1.       My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2.       My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You'd better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3.       My mother taught me TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"

4.       My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."

5.       My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the shops with me."

6.       My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7.       My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."

8.       My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9.       My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10.   My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11.   My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12.   My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I've told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13.   My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14.   My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15.   My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16.   My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17.   My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18.   My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19.   My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20.   My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21.   My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."

22.   My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23.   My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24.   My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25.   My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you".

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LOL! This one reminded me when I was a little kid, and how my mom used to say, “Hey, if you three want to fight, go yell at each other outside, anyway, we don’t take care of you just to kill each other!”… And me and my siblings would stop arguing, look at each other and pretend that we are not about to laugh. That was how our mom would make us stop arguing ~ “reverse psychology” at its best, and everything will be back in peace and order in our lovely home. 

How I miss being a kid… I would love to spend those humorous days again that have molded me into a more mature adult. These things may make us laugh, but we can never deny the fact that our moms who often said these “funny” little things have influenced us much more than we could imagine.

On a more serious note, let me share what my own mom has taught me. I could mention just a few, but I hope I could touch the very heart of every child that I hope will always appreciate his own mom no matter how much he age. Here are some of the things that my mother taught me:

• She taught me how to be more than just physically beautiful without giving out a single cent from my wallet…( errr… or from her own bank account by keeping in mind the following):

1. Exercising at least two to three times a week is a better pore cleanser than the deep pore cleansing treatment done monthly by one’s dermatologist, or than massaging one’s face with a pore cleanser everyday and then dabbing a toner after. Regular exercise does not only clean the pores of one’s face but all the pores in one’s body, aside from that it tones one’s muscles helping one to achieve a better figure and healthier body.
2. Sleeping naked is okay, but make sure that you do it in your own room ALONE. Lol! Of course I was still single when I heard this from my mom. This one helps our skin pores breathe, better than applying those soaps and skin cleansers that claim to help your skin breathe.
3. Forgiving and prayers are more rejuvenating than spending so much time and money at the spa. Forgiveness frees one’s heart from carrying baggage that is not essential in one’s own life struggle, and prayers keep one close to God who never lack anything, therefore, no prayerful being could ever lack anything as long as he keeps close to God and follow Him in every way he can. God provides everything we need so this thought will make us carefree and more relaxed lessening one’s chance to have unwanted wrinkles. Having the heart to forgive and knowing that one is secured in HIS own loving care rejuvenates one’s mind, soul and spirit. Aside from that, it lessens one’s chance to acquire any illness that day to day stresses could cause. She says, these are the secrets for looking younger than your age too! Hehe!

• She taught me that the art of being liked starts with truly liking what I really am and that pretending to be someone I am not will just make me miserable.
• She taught me how to choose clothes that flatter my (according to her) assets and remain respect worthy even to people that I pass by.
• She taught me when not and when to use a fuschia pink lip color. ;)
• She taught me how to be assertive without being aggressive.
• She taught me how to tell the truth even if it will hurt big time because it is better to feel bad as long as one knows the truth than to be happy with lies.
• She taught me to pretend to be dumb when people starts to abuse my rights, but use all the knowledge that I have when they start to abuse my "goodness". lol!
• She taught me to fight fair and  square and that wearing a "bullet proof" belt is just for soldiers who deal with real bullets, guns and bombs.
• She taught me that talking behind the back of others makes me pathetic. 
• She taught me to be humble because every people who come and go in my life, good or bad are the people who made me what I am today.
• She showed me that the adage that says, "Rude people are like sandpapers, they rub you hard but they end up useless and you become polished because of them..." is true.
• She taught me to giv a good fight as long as you know that you are on the right side.

Of course, there are much more than these that my mom taught me, but there is one thing that I will never stop keeping in my heart and mind- she will always be the BEST mom in the world who taught me how to live with grace and courage through the good and the bad just by living a life that is worthy of all the prestige and honor that anyone could give. My mom has not given me all the best material things that a daughter would wish to have, but she has shown me a good, dignified and prestigious life not every mother could show their children. She lives with principles and values that she teaches her children just by living by them - no lectures nor learning sessions needed.

To my loving mom, thank you for showing me how to live with dignity. To have a good life without taking advantage of others, for showing me how to forgive and learn from what cause me pain. For showing me how to keep calm especially in times when my rights are trampled to the extent of looking like a fool yet showing me how to fight back with courage and dignity when these people seem to never stop because they think that I am a fool just because I don’t fight back. Whatever and whoever I am now is more of my mom’s workmanship. I will always live up to what she has taught and gave me. Most people would say, “You are just like your mom…” and I smile back, at the back of my mind I would say to my self, “I hope to be just like my mom…” =)

If you have the BEST MOM IN THE WORLD, feel free to share this blog. Happy Mother’s Day TO ALL WONDERFUL MOMMIES OUT THERE… and to MY MOM and GRANDMA, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, we love you so much, and thanks for everything that you’ve been, for everything that you are and always will be to us! 

Copyright by Jen Magante, 2012. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

How to Keep Your WIFE HAPPY (For Good Husbands... and Wives Too)

(Image copyrighted to DjBryle)

“… I wish I could have five lives. Then I could have been born in five different towns, and eaten five times’s worth of food, and had five different careers, and fallen in love with THE SAME PERSON FIVE TIMES…” This is a quote sent to me through a text message from a good friend few days ago, and it made me laugh and think twice. Would a married man tell these things whole heartedly after marrying the woman he fell in love with?

Most of the time, I can hear my guy buddies complain about their wives being insensitive and how much they have changed after marriage. I laugh and say that, most (if not all) married women are asking those same questions.  As the old adage says, “Men are from Mars, women are from Venus…” the two genders will never ever really understand each other as much as they want to.

I know that I am not in the right position to suggest things that may alleviate the burdens of these married men. As one of those women from Venus, I honestly don’t know how to understand men as much as I would like to. So I humbly admit that all I could do to give a little help for my buddies and to some husbands out there is to remind them again what truly makes a woman happy.

Source: Africa at Freedigitalphotos.net

Gone are the days when you were both care free and could spend all the time being alone since your first child was born. And as naturally as other married people, you can always watch so many things that seem to change, like her mood that used to be so jolly and loving turned into being rude. She may also be feeling tired and exhausted most of the time that you slowly feel like you are her last priority. Before you worry so much about the “evolution” of an adorable woman into a horrible monster, think twice. Here are a few things to keep in mind to at least understand your loving wife:

• Marriage has given both of you new tasks and responsibilities, this means that both of you should adjust and make compromises if necessary.

• If you worry that your wife is becoming physically ugly, analyze why. She might not have so much time to take care of herself because she puts the needs of your kids and yours her first priority before her own.

• Being a single woman is so much easier than being a mom and wife, so if she starts to show some mood swings, or starts being rude, realize that she may need more of your attention and needs to communicate, or she might need some time alone.

• Many (if not all) husbands manifest alterations from adorable to being a “monster” without them realizing it. So, before wondering why your wife is becoming a fearsome monster, be wary of your unconscious evolution too. You might be one of the causes of your wife’s horrible behavior.

Source: Nuttakit at Freedigitalphotos.net.

Make your wife HAPPY…

For husbands who are burdened with their wife’s “monstrous evolution”, be reminded that women can be truly happy with the little things that men do. We don’t really need the most expensive diamond with the best cut or the finest flower arrangements.

Here are a few ways to make your wife happy and for you to enjoy once again her beauty and grace that made you say “I do.” :

• Stay with her and communicate, not just to hear but to listen. Most of the time, women just want someone that they can talk to, especially about their fears or just about anything. And most married women would prefer their husband to listen to them. Being listened to is far more meaningful than just being heard. Let us be reminded once again that listening is about paying attention on what others are saying and taking them into account, while merely hearing is just being aware on what others have to say without understanding with the heart. Women want to be understood. Most of the time, you don’t even have to say your opinion, just listen with your heart and be thoughtful to hug her after she talks.

• Be sensitive when you are having a day off from work and change more diapers. When your child has a dirty diaper, don’t rely to your wife to change it all the time. Whenever time and space can allow you, do it for your wife and she will be very thankful.

• Surprise her. No, you don’t need to buy some fancy stuff to do this. You can just get a sticky note pad, write things from your heart, or just a simple “I love you… have a great day ahead. Take loads of care!” note and placed somewhere where you are sure that she can find. Your wife will be so happy and yearn for the afternoon to come for you to be together again. You will have a big hug and a kiss instead of the usual bad mood or whinny statements that most husbands complain of. You may even have a hearty dinner together with the family, instead of opening canned goods because she feels so tired to cook.

• Let her know that you are alright especially when you need to go out of town. Don’t forget to call her to tell her not to worry because you are okay. And if you do so, be sure that you are REALLY okay. And don’t forget to say “I love you” from the heart before hanging up.

• If your wife has a job, visit her at her working place from time to time. You can bring some flowers or just invite her for lunch. She will soon be the envy of her co- workers for having a thoughtful and sweet husband, and as they tell her all these compliments, she will realize much more how much she has been blessed to have you for a husband. Sometimes, we all need constant reminders that we have wonderful husbands.
• If your wife stays full time in the house, make her happy by helping her enjoy her hobbies much more and give her opportunities to make her own money. I love to make hand crafted jewelries and other things as such, and I love to write. So when my husband and I decided that I have to be a full time mom and wife, he bought and put up necessary materials so that I could enjoy doing my hobbies, and helped me make money out of them. This simple act of love enhances your wife's creativity, as well as her self esteem and even helps her stay away from boredom and depression. Aside from that, it gives her the chance to make extra cash even if she is not employed while enjoying all her time with you and the kids.

• Hire a house helper if needed once a week or more often to keep your nest clean and comfortable. Help your wife with the household chores. Take note that doing this will get all the chores done faster and that means more time for you and the kids to bond together.

• Say, “I love you” whenever she says the same. Women say these words from the heart and your wife deserves something equally affectionate. Never respond with “I know,” or other things like, “Thanks”.

• NEVER compare her with other women. You married her because she is one of a kind, and make her feel that she is special because she is unique.

• Take care of your kids as a “father” not the “baby- sitter”.

• PLEASE DO NOT say bad words, especially when your kids are near enough to hear it. Your wife won’t be pleased to hear her 4 year old kid say the b***s*** words.

• Never learn to forget to maintain your proper hygiene like you did when you were still a bachelor. Most husbands complain that their wife is becoming untidy and ugly, never realizing that they are undergoing the same transformation.

• Watch your diet as much as you like your wife to watch hers.

• Encourage your wife to bond with her good girl buddies. Let her go on a girl’s night out once in a while. She will thank you for that.

• Never forget to give her a deep, slow, long and loving kiss. You never failed to do that when you were dating, now that you can do it anytime you like, do it whole heartedly again, and AGAIN… and AGAIN.

• Keep in mind, the best things in life are FREE. I can still remember when I first used a hand bag to work which was given to me by my husband. One of my co- workers said, “Wow, I like your bag… where did you buy that?” and I answered, “I don’t know, my husband bought it for me.” And almost all of my married co- workers said, “Oh, you are so lucky to have a thoughtful husband...” I just said, “Oh, yes I am…” Deep in my heart, I know that I am really blessed for having a very thoughtful husband, not because of the bag or any material things that he has given me. What came to my mind that moment are the days that we spent eating street foods while we take a walk down town… I most treasure the companionship he gives as we hold hands eating the cheapest food in town! And at this moment, I know, that if I could have FIVE LIVES, I WILL CHOOSE TO FALL IN LOVE FIVE TIMES TO THE MAN I MARRIED. 

.... for WIVES TOO

Of course, there are many more ways to keep your wife happy. And I bet you know it better than me… Hey, she is YOUR WIFE you know her much more than anyone else does (aside from her parents maybe… lol!). Every day, keep in your heart and mind why you married her.

Errrr… I guess I have to address the wives out there too. Your husbands are struggling as much as you do, so as much as they like to keep you happy, try to make them feel the same. Try the tips above, and add up your own tricks.

“The best gift that a father can give to his children is to love their mother…” We have all heard this before… but can we make it this way, “The best way to show your kids that you love them is to love one another through the good and the bad…” For all married women, please do not put all the loads to your husbands, share the load with them and you will both be happy. Hey, husbands, please do the same! Have a joyful family life!



Copyright of DjBryle, 2011
Images courtesy of Nuttakit and Africa at Freedigitalphotos.net
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It is BEST to GROW OLD with that ONE PERSON we vowed to LOVE and CHERISH FOREVER...

 

 

"... There is NO ROOM for TRUST in a MAN who can not be TRUE to someone that HE VOWED TO LOVE AND CHERISH before GOD and MAN. For if one can't be true to that promise, one can fool anyone around him... If behind any successful man is a woman, keep in mind that behind every successful, beautiful and happy wife is a THOUGHTFUL AND TRULY LOVING and TRUSTWORTHY HUSBAND..." (DjBryle, "Are You The OTHER ONE?")