ABC STARS Inspires

Sadly, in times of war, people with disabilities are the first ones to be discarded. That is a fact! I have been writing about people with disabilities; the blind, the deaf, the mute, people without limbs, although not comprehensively. Yet. Why? Because I myself have a disability. I never pull that Disability Card here in my hometown lest I would be beheaded. The law protects us as it is written. However, narrow-minded people would state that I should not be included in that minority group because I come from a moderately privileged family. It is crazy, psychotic, delusional that they would do that. People without disabilities will never understand what my brothers and sisters in the People with disabilities group are suffering as they go on with their lives. If I don't tell people that I have a disability, they would never know, however, if I do tell them then they are surprised in disbelief. People have taken advantage of me because of my disability. Bu...

"To you our children, we must say this - we shall always be there to care for you; and to listen to you every time you talk to us. But when we have to talk to you, you shut up. And you listen! We shall be good. That we may show you it pays to be good. And if you do bad, we'll spank you! And underlying these, we want you to remember, always, that no matter how bad you may have been, if you return like the prodigal son, you will always meet our open arms. And you will find in our embrace, forgiveness. And love. The love that was always there . And will ALWAYS be there." - Papa and Mama  I was having a meal with my nephew at a Vietnamese restaurant, in Chicago. And, I said, 'I wanted to use chopsticks and then, I said maybe on second thought I would just utilize western utensils?' But, I told my nephew that, upon seeing the chopsticks, they were fine. (Backstory, I was at a Korean restaurant and they had steel chopsticks which were difficult for me to use bec...

"James, you have to see this," he said with enthusiasm. How could I say no?  My cousin was correct, it was a sight that is one for the books. The reflections I saw from the astonishing work of art were like rays of light bouncing off a prism. It is multi-faceted although it is not cut like a diamond. Moreover, the tourists were all frenetic having their pictures taken with it as a background.  I took a mental picture, captured and will stay in my mind forever after, unless, of course, if I will have Alzheimer's. I hope not, with God's grace. More often than not, when I travel I would stay in a hotel. When I went to the U.S.A. recently, I stayed in three and in one sort of like an Airbnb arrangement. Providentially, I had been welcomed to stay in the homes of my two Aunts and a lunch at another Aunt's place. My self-deprecating humour and demeanor would often put people off track. Family is family. I remember my friend, Nancy, who told me t...

Samantha Perkins saw a tall, dark man approaching her in front of the church. The man greeted her and said, 'Good morning, may I sit beside you?' She replied, "Yes, sure. It is a lovely day today, isn't it?" 'Hmmmm, yes it is, the weather is amazing, I am Stephen Bell by the way, and you are?' "Ms. Perkins, Samantha Perkins, but I'd like to be called Daisy." 'Well, Daisy, what are you busy with these days?' "I am a Therapist at Saint Andrew's Hospital." 'Wow, that's incredible,' Mr. Bell retorted. "Tiring, actually, and draining," she explained. "How about you, what do you do?" 'Nothing,' he said, 'except I would write a bit.' "What do you write about?" She inquired. 'Everything. I was even into ghostwriting,' then he laughed. "Do you enjoy your work?" she delved deeper. 'Yes and no: it...

Since the first day I begun my career in writing, God has always been my Master. Recently, I had become a juggler. Unfortunately, not a good one. It became catastrophic. A lot of doors opened, and I was being "nice" and I tried to accommodate their requests. Regretfully, I have to let go of being a Columnist. With a heavy heart I would have to bid my final farewell to the firm. Providentially, a writer will always be a writer until his last breath.  photo credit: Waiting For The Word God the Father 13 via photopin (license) License: (license)

Captain Strawser was waiting for his flight back home to Britain at one of Chicago's airports. He was reading a book, when, at peripheral sight, he saw a young man walking while carrying his laptop and with his right hand holding his snacks in a paper bag. For whatever reason, the brown paper bag was torn and his bottled water, a sandwich, some chocolates and other stuff fell on the floor. Captain Strawser, immediately, stood up and helped pick up the fallen items. The young lad in his late twenties, was smiling and thanking him profusely. 'Thank you, Sir,' the young fellow stated with all seriousness. Almost monotonous. As if nothing happened. "You're welcome, I am Captain Strawser at your service." 'I'm Mister Vaughan.' "Next time, Son, you should like to ask for a more sturdy paper bag or make it double," Captain Strawser suggested. 'Okay,' he replied and further added, 'I'm used to it, ...

I had a dream about Father James B. Reuter. And when I woke up that morning, I wondered why? I had met him in person when I was a young boy in our house in my hometown.  I have never dreamed about him in my entire life, prior to that, of course. Immediately, I googled his biography and to my pleasant surprise he was born in that State. Well, he was a Columnist and his column was—At 3 A.M.—and the best line for me that he had written was: "God is a Friend". photo credit: sameold2010 Kings Highwy Just Past the High Speedline Station 1 via photopin (license) License: (license)

The Tribal Chieftain named him Eagle Eyes. When he turned thirty seven, Eagle Eyes Reubens, finally, realized his mission. He could see the unseen. He could analyze anything. He could make something profound into something superficial. Complex to simple. Difficult to easy. Everything into nothing. He has full control of his senses. If he wishes to solve a problem he could do so with ease. He can even be invisible. One late afternoon, he saw in the skies, his guardian angel. He was astonished. It was a celestial apparition and he was enveloped by light. To be continued. photo credit: bartosz.mogiełka Polish Indian friends rally - 1 via photopin (license) License: (license)

Soon enough, a Grandfather at early forties? He received the news like he won the lottery. Well, babies are cute to begin with and each time you see one, you marvel at the miracle of life. He would often say, "they should be... otherwise no one will take care of them." He has always been difficult to deal with, and he thinks differently. He would always get frustrated whenever he would be corrected.  He had read that when we were born, we did not have a guide of instructions on how we should be raised. No manual... to be simply put. But, he has become the potential that God gave him. He chose the vocation of writing. And, a writer who happens to be Roman Catholic. Now, he understands why he had to go through all those excruciating trainings and sufferings all his life. He had to be 'unoffendable'. It is a tough world out there. No guts, no glory. He can sleep on the floor, walk for some kilometers, hike, climb a mountain, take insults, discrimi...

Pattern It is enigmatic that the different patterns still do not confuse anyone. An extreme contrast of the Minimalist concept.  He remembers how busy it was, people coming and going, to and fro, with suitcases and myriad luggage.  Design Opulent, ornate, and extraordinary. It seems like an airport for the affluent. A feast for the eyes.  Arrangement Exquisitely crafted that no one would have difficulty finding the gate to the airplane. At the core is an architectural tower as a centerpiece. It is well-planned because it is spherical.  He surmised that, indeed, through a circle is the best way to arrange everything. The planets are round, our eyes are round, and our God who is the Master Creator is like a circle, with no beginning and no end. Collection While he waited for his flight to Europe, he collected his thoughts and ideas. He ruminated on how to help his people. Collage He was reminded of the many faces of h...

James Z. Carpio, writer My younger brother would always tell me to smile more for pictures. I have a thousand different smiles. But, never really captured. Why? Because I feel your pain. and I always have in my mind, The Prayer of Saint Francis... Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.  Where there is hatred, let me sow love;  where there is injury, pardon;  where there is doubt, faith;  where there is despair, hope;  where there is darkness, light;  where there is sadness, joy. O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. Amen.

Ascension Press  and  Ascension Presents   in collaboration with  Inspires   give you this riveting magnum opus.‎.. Condensed Reflection by James Z. Carpio Whenever one of my older brothers would introduce me to social circles he would say, 'he is the most shy among all of us.' And then, I feel shy even more. Religion is not really meant to be talked about in polite conversations. We can only talk about the weather. When Father Mike enumerated the traits, I was laughing out loud. I am quiet, reserved, thoughtful, calm, peaceful, and attentive.  Definitely, I am not outgoing.  However, I do listen. Providentially, I was given the gift or talent of writing. This is how I do my own way of evangelizing. I do have conversations about God. My door is always open to   talk to family and friends in my own personal life about God.  Someone once asked me, 'James, you are so confident, what's your secre...

His heart was captured by Times Square. It was night but it seemed like day. All the lights made the setting magically transformed from darkness into bedazzling radiance. Then, he remembered a few lines from that iconic song, "the city that never sleeps."  However, people do sleep, of course, except perhaps the workers who report for night duty. But, its veracity cannot be doubted, New York is illuminated 24/7, he finds that mind-boggling, by the way. People do not seem to pause or meditate. They walk fast. A hurried pace, going somewhere, meeting someone. But for him, he treasured every moment to last into eternity. It is an old city. For a moment he was reminded of the fictional city, Gotham.  Diverse, crowded, and a confluence of tourists from all corners of the globe. He tried to soak in everything. It seems to be most foreigners' dream, to see the Big Apple. Why? He was, actually, just invited to see it. If you dream it. It will happen. You h...

James Z. Carpio, writer 1. Be resilient  It is easier than you think. Stay close to God and He will help you. 2. Endure suffering See it as redemptive. Offer it to humanity and God.  3. Be emotionally strong  Take the punches. What does not kill you will only make you stronger and wiser. A seasoned warrior. A living survivor. 4. Bring yourself up Confident people do not bring people down. They bring people up. Stay away from negative people when you are vulnerable. When you are ready, help them as well.  5. Focus on the good  A coin has two sides. See the good. When it comes to people, accept them and understand them. Everyone is fighting a war. Be kind, probably you have it much better. We tolerate the weather but we should like to love people. 6. Cultivate optimism Always be positive. Like attracts like. Good deeds beget good rewards. Hard work pays off. 7. Be  proactive Do not wait for things to chang...

Daniel Hughes fetched his Uncle Nick from JFK airport. It was the first time that he met his Uncle. Nick Hughes is based in Uruguay. It was awkward to say the least, the long pauses and trying to break the ice. Just small talk really. Well, for about thirty minutes. Then, his Uncle Nick asked him, "why did you not take that route, that was a shortcut?" Dan's face became red with embarrassment and replied, 'to be honest Uncle, I have a phobia with that avenue.' "Ohhh, I see..." then his Uncle gave a hearty laugh. He then elaborated, "let me tell you about me, Dan, would you believe I was afraid of a few colors back in the day, I was afraid to step on cracks, airplanes, almost everything." He added, "I was the personification of phobias. You name it I got it.' Then, Dan asked, 'you traveled by plane, so I guess you're not afraid of flying anymore?' "Yes, Sir." His Uncle chuckled. The ...

Dear  Reader: Peace! That photo is closest to what is on my desk; a laptop, a notebook, a pen, and an analog phone. I am glad that I have just few readers. No pun intended. The reason behind that is there are not a multitude of people who need inspiration. Logically, or more succinctly, people visit websites that are more to their cup of tea. That is very good. It means that the number of successful people or able-bodied people far outnumber the people who need to be elevated. My family is worried that I should write more about other "popular" topics. Frankly my friend, there are too much of those in the mainstream Media.  I reiterate that my writing style is simple. I am a firm believer in brevity. Another well-esteemed and highly regarded writer expressed that, "the more you say, the less people remember. The fewer the words, the greater the profit." With my heart and my soul I bid you farewell for now! Thank you for always visiting...

Octavio never met his older brother Alejandro. In October 26, 1670, Alex died along with their father. During that time, photographs did not exist, it was only introduced to the public in 1839. Octavio was only three years old when they passed on to the afterlife. But, fortunately, he was blessed because his sister was a genius in the Art of Painting. She, lovingly, painted Alex and their father just from her vivid and distinct memory. Octavio often wondered how they were like; their mannerisms, hobbies; in short, he wanted to know their character. A lifetime is about eighty years. His big brother died when he was just nineteen years old. When Octavio celebrated his twenty fifth birthday, his mother gave him a present. It was the journals that Alex wrote. The first thing he noticed was his penmanship. It was exceptional almost like a computer. Impeccably legible. Their family are sheepherders. Alex wrote that when a new yellow puppy arrived at th...