IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

By Alex M. Eduque

Published Oct 18, 2026 12:05 am

We are well into the second weekend of October. It is already October, which means we ask ourselves, “Are we all ready for the holidays?”

Before we talk Christmas though, as a Catholic, there is a lot in October that I personally feel adds a lot of meaning into our lives if we choose to notice, and that substantiates our spiritual and holistic health. October is the month of our holy rosary – a reminder to us not only to pray. More importantly, that prayer is not only about asking and waiting for our wants to be granted, but just as much about giving thanks for what has been, and what is to come.

The month of October also celebrates a lot of feast days of saints I pray to. The month actually begins with the Feast Day of Saint Therese de Lisieux who is known as the “little flower of Jesus.”

Saint Therese is revered because of her “Little Way” philosophy. Her life and the manner in which she chose to live reminds us all that whether it is holiness, or success, can be achieved through small everyday acts for as long as they are done rooted in love, and with intention, rather than more grand deeds.

This resonates so much with what this column chooses to celebrate and highlight – that at the end of the day, it is the small things we should place emphasis and focus on because in the grander scheme of things, they are what constitute and build greatness, and thus, matters most.

October second is the feast day of Holy Angels which honors the significance of our Guardian Angels and divine protection – the notion that the Lord assigns a heavenly guardian to guide and watch over each one of us from birth until death. Again another reminder to all of us to give thanks for the divine protection bestowed upon us, and to carve out even a small amount of time everyday to pray.

October the seventh was the feast day of Saint Gerard, known as the patron saint of mother’s and children. I remember praying fervently to him during my pregnancy, and I truly felt that he helped me traverse such a stressful and tumultuous time. His feast day is a reminder to all of us to always honor our mothers because of what they went through to bring us into this world.

Toward the end of the month on the twenty-fourth is the feast day of Saint Raphael the Archangel who is a reminder to all of us that God heals, and that even in the face of evil, our protectors will slay and we will make it through. And then on the twenty-eighth is the feast day of Saint Jude Thaddeus, he who is known as the saint of the impossible. A representation that nothing is impossible with prayer, and if we truly believe.

Of course, the month ends with Halloween. For the kids, and kids at heart, here is another excuse to dress up, play around, and enjoy the treats. Moreover, it is a reminder to all of us to take the time to honor those who have gone ahead of us; to pray for their memory and to find even the smallest ways to continue their legacy.

If there is a realization I want to end with this week it is, of course, to always stop, and take a pause to be grateful as that is the key to contentment and ultimately, happiness. Let us always keep an open mind because there is something new to learn everyday. And with that, let us also make the conscious effort to rid ourselves of bad habits, and to choose kindness always. It is hard enough to learn things, yes. But what we tend to forget over time, and take for granted is the difficulty that comes with unlearning them – the bad habits, the clutter, and the unnecessary, most especially.

As with a lot of things in life, cleaning up our everyday starts with the small things. And there is no better time to start than now. Always keep a prayer in your pocket, consistency is key, and remember that sometimes, our prayers are not answered exactly in the way that we request and that we expect, but trust that God listens and will always work to grant it in the way that is best for us.

Just like that

 

By Alex M. Eduque

Published Jul 4, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jul 3, 2026 05:38 pm

IT'S THE SMALL THINGS

And just like that it is July. The first half of the year is over. Another six months, and we will be welcoming a new year again. When you are a mom to a toddler, and you look back at the past six months and gage it on development, then six months must be one heck of a long time because my son seems like a whole new human being as compared to the beginning of the year. So much can, and has happened in the last six months in life itself as a whole. As always, there were gains and losses, but ultimately, I am grateful for my cup overflows – with what, and who truly matter.

It is inevitable that in life we encounter stress. If it were possible to avoid stressors, then why would we even thread through the tough times? Life without stress would be perfect, and ideal, but it is sadly, impossible. What I have come to realize though is that while we cannot foresee the future, nor control how things turn out, we do have the capacity to determine what is worth worrying about, who we let in to our lives, how, and who we choose to spend our time with, and have some plan of sorts.

Becoming a mother has made me become more discerning and mindful of how I spend my time. And since I have become more intentional, I have found that happiness comes to me faster – albeit in a calmer way, it is constant, and at the end of the day, that is what we want – an uplifted spirit, and a good mood. Of course not every day is a good day, but we must not forget that we somewhat have the ability to control the stressors around us, in terms of what and who we will allow to affect us. At the end of the day, while we cannot control everything, we can control some things, and so why wouldn’t we?

One thing I have also come to realize in the midst of slow days and long weekends that give me time to reflect and introspect is that we must not ever undermine the effect of stress on ourselves. While stress itself is not a direct cause of sudden death, a plethora of studies have shown that extreme and/or chronic stress can have a severe impact on one’s body and organs functions overtime. So to say that stress does kill has truth behind it because it may not be considered a cause of death per se, but via a combination of factors, it can lead to physical strain (cardiovascular collapse, immune system suppression due to hormonal impact and unhealthy coping mechanisms being the most common) and eventual death (Mayo Clinic).

Lastly, faith. The older I get, the more I see the importance of faith in ones life. At my most helpless moments, and those times that render me speechless and can practically bring me to my knees, there is no other way to turn, but in prayer. It is, however, just as important to pray in times of triumphs to give thanks, and in the mundane as well. Prayer soothes the soul and gives an incomparable calm.

Just like that it is July. And just like that, comes the realization that we have the capability to control not everything, but what we can in our daily lives. Let us make the most out of the second half of the year. Let us maximize our moments, pray everyday, and listen – to those around us, and most especially to that voice within us. Let us live with meaning and intention. Let us put purpose at the forefront, and really ask ourselves: what is worth stressing over? And really, what truly matters?  

On February the fourteenth

by Alex M. Eduque

IT’S THE SMALL THINGS

This coming Tuesday is Valentine’s Day. Traditionally, we celebrate Feb. 14th – or as hallmark and Hollywood culture supposedly dictate – with a significant other. This is perhaps why Valentine’s Day has also given rise to the notion of Single Awareness Day when really, it need not be the case. Of course, as a high school student, the girls who received grams and roses were always the “cool girls,” and Feb. 14th was yet another excuse to highlight that invisible crown they sported. It was not until I got to college in the most cosmopolitan city of New York when my eyes were opened to the reality – Valentine’s Day celebrates all sorts of love and relationships. Not only the types we knew and were accustomed to, but even the most mundane – if one can even dare label a relationship as such. From friendship, to romantic love; sisterly love, parental love, the list goes on – my opinion of Valentine’s Day since transformed to becoming one that is yet another excuse to make those special ones in your life feel loved. After all, love wins. It always has, and always will.

For many, the path towards finding true love – regardless of the type – is not a linear one. After all, it would not be as exciting if it were. It is more of an adventure of trial and error. For many, it takes a lot of heartbreaks and earthshaking moments that question reality before finding the one. But in the end, it is how we transform this pain that we have lived through and endured into bettering ourselves as individuals that matters. The trials and hardships we go through shape us. Pain, in no way, is pleasant or pretty, but if we choose to turn it into growth, then it can become one of the most beautiful experiences and life-changing lessons we will ever know. 

And then there is the strong bond of friendship which ultimately, is cemented by love. In our lives, just like finding “the one,” we also go through a lot of betrayals until we find our tribe – our people who will stick it through with us, and by us, through hell and high water, come what may. In this day and age, friends like that are not easy to find, and I have learned that you will know once you have found them. And when you do, hold on to them, and never let them go. These are the friends who will be tone deaf to the rest of the world on instances when they may go against you, and will unquestionably blindly fight for you even when you are not around. These are the friends that give you the happiness and contentment that numbers will not. The ones that remind you that as we grow older, though our circles may grow smaller, the ones that remain are the keepers – the truest of gems that add only sparkle to our lives. The diamonds, whose love will just grow stronger through the test of heat, time and pressure.

Of course, there will always be familial love – the kind that should be, and is forever. These are the people who know you at times perhaps more than you know yourself. Who have seen you through all your phases and changes, yet accept you regardless of how you look in the morning. These are the people you can be most openly yourself around, yet, can also sometimes be the ones you tend to mind the least. If there is something I have discovered in the recent years, it is that we must give utmost importance to those who will stand in front of a bus for us in any situation, and these people, you will most likely find first (and in some cases only) within your family.

So as Valentine’s Day rolls around this year, do not think twice about those who you love. Show them, tell them, and let it be known. There is no better time than now.