Next Sunday is Easter Sunday, and this coming week is Holy Week – the most eventful week for the Catholic church, but also, one of the slowest, and quietest weeks in the Philippines. A lot of people take advantage of it to go out of town, and plan vacations, while others (like me this year) choose to relish in the slowness and quiet of the days, and spend time with family. However you choose to spend it, to those who are Catholic, let us not forget the true reason for the break. May we take it as an opportunity to reflect, introspect, and meditate in prayer that will lead us to better understanding, and find deeper meaning in the life we live. Perhaps it will give us answers to questions that have been lingering within us. Remember that silence speaks volumes – if only we choose to give it a chance and listen.

As a child, I always associated Easter with bunnies, pretty pastels and eggs. I remember looking forward to egg hunts my aunt would organize on Easter Sundays. I remember having to attend long masses and vigils, do stations of the cross, as well as spend the Holy week out of town, but what really stood out was the festivity that surrounded it that upon thinking about now had absolutely nothing to do with the religious aspect of it. For one, rabbits do not even lay eggs. But perhaps it is the symbolism of the egg that signifies new beginnings that ties in with the spirit and core of the Easter holiday. That, and, if I were to reflect upon a lesson that eggs can teach me it is to never put all your eggs in one basket. Leave yourself room for growth, other opportunities, and always make sure that you have an alternative should things not go as planned.

Lastly, in the spirit of faith, this is probably the perfect moment to remind ourselves that should we place all our eggs in one basket, and regardless of the time, place and/or situation, we should always be grateful to, and surrender to God – His greater plan, and let his will take charge. As the saying goes, “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today, and make a new ending” (Maria Robinson). And whatever moment we find that to be, can inevitably mark somewhat of a “new beginning.”

Easter, or otherwise, is as good an opportunity to make a change to areas of our lives we would like to improve on, and parts of our selves we would like to make better. After all, nobody is perfect, and it is those imperfections that bring substance to our very being. That is not to say that we do not seek change because it is, after all, the only constant in this world.