Are you at the Crossroads?

Quo vadis? (Where are you headed for?)
Dr Abe V Rotor 

"Looking outward, the world's a maze, infinity;

Looking inward, towards a goal, convergence; 

Crossroads inevitable, simple, complex, many; 

Crossroads in life, every road never ends." avr

 

AUTHOR'S NOTE: I have had the rare honor and opportunity to work with a famous person - Sister Eva Fidela Maamo - as art instructor in summer workshops she organized for  children in marginal communities, including those living "under the bridge."  

I had then as focus of the workshops the development of skills, and in instilling the "humane aspect" of growing up, bridging social gap and building confidence through self expression in the arts. Teachers often aim at the ideal, which they should. To them them it is a great challenge of understanding that ideal in idealism, the real in realism.  In the same  way we seek the abstract in beauty, impressions and expression of values. They seek and sought for that human nature expressed through goodness, love and compassion.  

I discovered this poem of Sister Eva in my old file of two decades ago. It is to me a treasure of thought raised to the level of philosophy. Beyond its religious style and orientation, the message of Sister Eva's CROSSROADS is universal. It truly speaks of human nature, the core of which is the human spirit.  

By chance I found these two contrasting illustrations as shown above from the Internet.  These inspired me to write the opening verse.  As an advocate of naturalism, I find it fitting in trying to understand existentialism which governs much of our actions and beliefs. 

After reading this article, make your own interpretation or version of CROSSROADS, better still a reflection of your own. This topic may be introduced in workshops, or assigned as research or literary paper.  

Crossroads

Sister Eva Fidela Maamo SPC, MD

  
Sometimes when I look back and think

Of all the could-have-beens in my life,

I often wonder:

     Did I make the right choice?

     Did I miss a road sign?

     Am I on the right track?

Sister Eva Fidela Maamo SPC, MD

C-R O-S-S-R-O-A-D-S.

They happen at the time,

Saying goodbye to some,

Choosing only one.

Letting go, holding on... settling for now,

But facing what must come...

Yes, in life we all reach a crossroad some time,

We make painful decisions and take some risks

     as we pursue our dreams,

But one should not stay at the CROSSROADS too long,

For even the birds have to leave their nests sometime

     and learn how to fly,

Life's road is long and rough, and there are stretches

     when one has to do it all alone,

And should you meet the cross at the road, be consoled.

     Yes, more often than not, the road least traveled

     will surely bring you home.

Face the light and the shadow falls behind you,

Turn your back the shadow stays in front of you.

Indeed, the truth hurts, but it will surely set you free.

The bitter fangs of parting will give birth to another moment

     called GROWING.

So grow … until it's time for you to move on…

     and face the crossroads again,

Knowing that God loves you and is in control of everything.

Be strong at the crossroads.

Embrace the Cross at the Road

The Lord is at the Cross, at the road, at all your CROSSROADS.
-----------------
 SR. EVA FIDELA C. MAAMO, SPC, MD 

Sr. Eva is a recipient of The Outstanding Filipino Awardee for Community Service in 2003, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1997 and the Mother Theresa of the Philippines Award in 1992. She continues to be an inspiration of the partner communities and volunteers in their joint efforts to achieve the total development of the individual, families and communities.Sr. Eva is a recipient of The Outstanding Filipino Awardee for Community Service in 2003, the Ramon Magsaysay Award for Community Leadership in 1997 and the Mother Theresa of the Philippines Award in 1992. She continues to be an inspiration of the partner communities and volunteers in their joint efforts to achieve the total development of the individual, families and communities.