Friday, November 17, 2006

Photo of the Week: QUIAPO CHURCH



















In reviewing all the pictures I took this week, I had chosen this as my favorite, and thereby decided to post it and refer to the entry as my photo of the week feature. I took it on the same day I went to Hidalgo Street to get my old film camera fixed and the day I searched and found Globe Lumpia House at Raon Street.

This picture of Quiapo Church, to me, conveys serenity; and quite an appropriate choice not only due to aesthetic reasons, but spiritual as well. You see, this past week has been quite a mental roller coaster due to a couple setbacks that I had to contend with. But I figured no matter how serious or important they may appear at the moment, a hundred years from now they won’t mean a thing. So instead of getting dragged down by these events, I instead chose to let go and let God.

And as if by some divine affirmation, I received an email from Cathy about her post for today,
Six Worry Busters To Live By. Talk about perfect timing. Also, Larry King’s show this evening was aptly entitled, Your Thoughts Create Your Future, in which he had a panel of interesting people who are proponents and successful practitioners of a certain school of thought — creating first in your consciousness whatever condition you want to manifest in your life. So Cathy’s blog entry and Larry King’s show reminded me not to empower the problems by constantly thinking about them; rather, I should give power to the ideal condition I want to experience in my life by filling my mind with a vision of it.

So does that mean that I have now ignored my problems altogether? Not really. What I had done was release them to the universe; confident that the perfect solution will unfold effortlessly and in a timely manner. In so doing, I am now able to focus and become even more appreciative of the good things. In other words, although I may not have full control of things and events that occur in life, I do have, however, full control to pick and choose what I allow to occupy my mind. And supposedly, whatever it is I think about will happen in my life. Thus the adage, “thoughts manifest themselves”

Have a joyful and creative weekend everybody!

posted by Señor Enrique at 7:38 PM


23 Comments:

Blogger ipanema said...

This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

November 17, 2006 11:29 PM  

Blogger ipanema said...

May you find peace in your heart. Yes, there are things in life that aren't meant to be. Instead of mooning, it's better to let it go.

That's a lovely photo by the way.

Have a good one too.

November 17, 2006 11:30 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Ipanema.

BTW, that lady with an umbrella in the picture somehow made me think of you.

Have a good one :)

November 17, 2006 11:42 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

The colors in the photo is nicely saturated. And the church looks beautiful and magnificent.

It is true that we all face problems every day, but it's always about letting those thoughts float into universe knowing that God will help us almost in any way.

Have a happy weekend Eric. Ingat!

(:

November 18, 2006 5:53 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Wonderful to find a kindred spirit :)

Would you believe, Kyels, the only editing I did with this photo was cropping, and that I took the pic with my point and shoot camera?

Enjoy the weekedn!

November 18, 2006 6:10 AM  

Blogger ipanema said...

Really? Ok, let's get the picture clearer. I usually bring fan to cover my head. Another thing, I only use skirts at work. I'm more comfortable with pants and I swear by this. And I'm not that big...lol. But she's got good legs. :)

I've been thinking of putting up photos perhaps late this year or next year. Have to ask my family first. :)

Anyway, I went to Quiapo during my last visit and lighted coloured candles.

November 18, 2006 7:27 AM  

Blogger abet said...

Hi Eric,

Nice view of the church from the distance huh....ganda! Lift up all your worries to HIM and He will give you rest...happy weekend everyone!!!

November 18, 2006 10:46 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for these wonderful thoughts, Eric. I could use the "let go and let God" motto. I also let problems drag me down mentally.

Nice shot of the church!

Have a nice weekend too.

November 18, 2006 1:27 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Nice pic there.. very crisp. The clouds add contrast to the picture which is great..

Very interesting thoughts Senor. You sounded like Deepak Chopra with your lucid explanations! Worrying too much about everything is dangerous. In my opinion seeking perfection in everything is asking for trouble. Life is all about managing stress and as you said we should condition our minds to approach stress in a different manner, making them positive tools for change instead of being overwhelmed by them.

November 18, 2006 2:04 PM  

Blogger sheilamarie said...

Hola Senor! Great picture, and even better, the message that came with it. Have a grand weekend as well :0) happy thoughts to everyone!

November 18, 2006 3:03 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Lol ... I wasn't referring to the physical attributes, Ipanema, but more on the memory of our once discussing the colors of the candles sold by the church. So that lady with the smart clothing and matching umbrella made me wonder if she had lit some candles prior to going inside the church, and then ... Ipanema! lol!




Thanks, Basey ... and you, too!




Not an easy exercise, Niceheart, but if practiced consistently, problems become more managaeable. As I get older and hopefully, wiser, I realize even more that it really works.

November 19, 2006 7:03 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, BW! BTW, I have a couple of books by Deepak Chopra. I like the way he thinks. He was once a guest of Larry King (and an entire hour was dedicated just with him).

There was a time I'd lose sleep over some problems only to realize later that I had only exacerbated it by worrying too much. And you are right, nowadays I ask what lessons are intended for me to learn when the universe ushers in certain dilemmas; "positive tools for change as you say." I like that :)




Thanks, Sheilamarie! Have a nice one also :)

November 19, 2006 7:09 AM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I watched Deepak Chopra on a Larry King show discussing religion. He was there along with known leaders of many other faiths - Catholic, Evangelical, Muslim, Jew, etc. At the end of the show I thought Chopra was the one that made the most sense and that's shooting myself in the foot because I feel like i'm betraying my own religion.

November 19, 2006 9:46 AM  

Blogger Sidney said...

You are a wise man and you have the right attitude in life. A lot of wisdom in your words.

Between photographers: A cool shot of Quiapo Church. I just have the impression that it is a bit too "white". In my recollections Quiapo church is a bit more "yellowish".
Let's have a closer look when we meet! ;-)

November 19, 2006 9:48 AM  

Blogger ipanema said...

There! At least you laughed at my comment. You'll be fine soon. :) I know what you meant, I just let my mind run any direction it wanted to (most of the time I think).

Know what I learned? The yellow and white candles mean almost the same. I told the lady I wanted to light candle for the dead. She gave me yellow. I thought it was only white. And white is also used for wishes. Ah, I learned something more. :)

November 19, 2006 10:21 AM  

Blogger ipanema said...

BW

You should Depak Chopra's book, forgot the title. :)

November 19, 2006 10:23 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

I happen to have also seen that show, BW, and I was quite impressed by how Chopra held his philosophical perspective amongst top religious leaders.

Chopra had somehow drawn from his medical training, Indian culture, and from the new thought movememnt that emerged in America during the early 1900s. BTW, writings by Ralph Waldo Emerson conveyed much of this new thought philosophy.

November 19, 2006 10:44 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Thanks, Sidney.

And you are right with the colors. I shot in auto mode and when editing the shadow to add contrast and make the church look less white, the dark areas became almost black. So I just left it at that and cropped it. Am only using Picasa 2; not ready to invest on and study Photoshop, yet.

November 19, 2006 10:49 AM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

You just gave me an idea, Ipanema, next time I'll lit a yellow and a white ... and wish that your wishes come true in time for Christmas! :)

November 19, 2006 10:51 AM  

Blogger -= dave =- said...

Point-and-shoot with no editing, Señor E.? Then it's a miracle shot indeed.

Note that in the background, the billboard is fortunately not carrying an ad, else, it might have ruined the picture.

November 19, 2006 2:21 PM  

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Ipanema - I have his book "Knowing God" in my laptop bag these days. It's not in any way religious, it's about experiencing God without knowing him- which sounds like an oxymoron to most people. Chopra was in Toronto for a speaking engagement but you need a ticket to get in ( of course).. dang I was out of town that time.

November 19, 2006 3:34 PM  

Blogger Sidney said...

Maybe you should go to our Moslim brothers in Quapo and buy yourself Photoshop CS2.
Photoshop CS2 is a very complex program and you can almost do everything with it. But you will not use 95% of the features(unless you want to do special effects). I can learn you the basics (just what you need to enhance your pictures.)in one hour. It will not take more than 1 hour. No kidding.

November 19, 2006 7:43 PM  

Blogger Señor Enrique said...

Not really a miraculous shot, Dave. As Sidney had pointed out, the church facade is much too white.




Ok, Sidney, I'll remind you when we get together. Thanks!

November 20, 2006 9:45 AM  

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