Hi! My name is Celia. You can also call me Celery. Welcome to this website!
A tiny white butterfly fluttered by as I headed in the opposite direction. This was at a garden in the hills of Tagaytay. It caught my attention, and it lingered in my thoughts during the entire Eucharistic celebration. This happened on the last day of our leaders’ retreat. How strange that the image had stayed with me. It made an impact on me, touching my heart and my spirit. I felt static for a while, and filled me in wonderment.
How awesome that such a minuscule flying insect had metamorphosed from a crawling caterpillar. Something tugged within me, making me think that I could be like that butterfly. But then vainly, I thought – surely I am meant to be bigger, brighter, more colorful, and much more significant than just this white minute creature.
Later, I sought my spiritual director for some guidance and discernment. It looked like it was a divine invitation, he said, to be precisely like that butterfly in the purity of its whiteness and the humbleness of its size. He did add that I had the choice to accept or reject it, as with any other invitation.
This invitation came as a surprise to me on a cool morning by the beautiful gardens of St.Joseph’s Sanctuary at Gourmet Farms. How grateful I am to have received the grace to accept the invitation, though admittedly with some apprehension and resistance for a while. To emerge humbly from caterpillar to butterfly requires surrender, faith, and patience. New day after a new day, it is all at once scary, challenging, and liberating.
I invite you to walk with me in this JOURNEY OF FAITH INSIDE OUT, maybe share gifts we receive, such as one’s life-shaking, life-changing, and life-giving “butterfly” stories, special moments, inspirations, or awakenings.
*Written with the assistance of Alice E. Gonzaga
I know that I am incredibly biased, so full disclosure here – the author of this blog is my mother. That aside, you will never meet a more caring, genuine, and generous person. She continues to dedicate her life to see the best in everyone around her and help them recognize it when they can’t see it themselves. She is the prototype of a servant-leader and I hope her blog speaks to you as much as Her voice has been my conscience my whole life.
I am touched, Ian, by your loving expression of your love. But this website is really not all about me. It is more of a ..”gathering place” for people of all backgrounds and interests, sharing common aspirations and discoveries and perhaps inspiring and encouraging one another through stories of transformation in their life.
I await yours!
God bless Tita Celia! Cheers!
Hello, Mannix! Thank you. Would love to hear from you about your own awakenings.
Just do it Celia dear! Never too late for goodness in the world. So much needed!
Thank you, Corinna!
You have always impressed me of “walking your talk”. We are fortunate to have you as a classmate and friend. ?
Thank you my tokayo!
Nice one Celia! I would like to subscribe in your website and be inspired by you !
Thank you, Nancy! May I request you to post one of your paintings representing a person’s journey of change, growth, and transformation similar to that of a butterfly?
Probably the greatest woman to have ever walked this earth. I’m incredibly lucky to call her a loving mother, a faithful best friend, a mentor, a motivator, forever my number 1 supporter, and an over all inspiration. Love you, my beautiful Mama! ?
Hi Kat! Thank you very much but I am cringing over your statements about me. Please read my reply to Ian!
Hi Celia! Thanks for sharing your mind and your heart ❤️
Wow surely – will do that 🙂
You are most welcome to share yours too, Nancy…and do not forget about your painting please!
Hi, Celia…. I ‘ve always said that you should share your thoughts and experiences by being a speaker. But having a blog can reach more people and you can achieve your purpose just as well… I look forward to reading more of how the Lord leads you to where He wants you to go.
Hopefully, we can be inspired to share as well.
Thank you, Lina, I will count on that sharing soon! I know that the more people inspired to share in this page, the more life-giving it will be!!!
Dear Celia,
I’m so touched and inspired by your blog, having experienced first-hand your kindness and willingness to help others through their difficulties.
The high esteem and love your children have for you were obviously earned the hard way – by being an outstanding mother and friend to them. I consider that the best testimony and highest accolade anyone could ever achieve in their lifetime! So, KUDOS, my friend! You so deserve them.
Good luck on this blog. May you enjoy your journey with your friends/subscribers. I’m so proud of you!
Thank you so much for kind words, Yoly! It was great getting reacquainted with you after so many years. Hope you drop by this way again and share some lessons learned from your side of the world.
What a beautiful blog. Like a butterfly, you always bring delight to all you encounter.
May the Lord bless you more and bring together your friends and family to make this space more vibrant and reach more people.
All the best tita ???
Thank you, Michelle, for your very encouraging words. Hope you continue to bring your positive energy into this website!
Celia …what a beautiful way to reach others n create a common journey into a fulfilling spiritual life….. Still feeling like I am still in the cocoon…I wish one day to become like the butterfly the Lord has meant me to be.. Celia your constant search for the Lord’s will for you have shown you many paths but I think this one Celia is the path to become that white butterfly the Lord wants you to be and because of this we get to share in this journey. You are so infectious and i am glad we are reviving the butterfly spirit. God bless you, Andy and your lovely family.
Wonderful to hear from you, Tesha, and to know that you are glad we are reviving the butterfly spirit of ages ago. Hop in for a much more exciting and adventurous ride together!
Finally Celia…..your gift unravelled!!! God bless your pure heart and may this white butterfly be a witness to all that this Blog will reach!!! Miss you. ❤️❤️❤️
Mimi- miss you too! I know you have something to contribute to this website. Please do not wait too long to share a word of wisdom from your own journal.
Just filed my subscription. Let me know when you hit 5 million subscribers, so I can submit your name to a political party for 2019 Senatorial campaign! Hahaha!
Corinna, my friend, do not worry. I will inform you right away – or better yet there will be no need for me to let you know because it will reach so many subscribers that you will hear about it right away — hahaha!
Congrats for creating this site, Celia! Your family and friends are all excited about it – so am I! Being your sister who is in constant communication with you, I know there is much you can offer. I call you my “library” as you have introduced me to the great big world of spiritual realities many years ago. As we share our experiences and insights in this site, I can see that it will take us to a road that leads us all to know and appreciate what matters most in life. So bring it on, Celia!
Dolly – my heart is filled with wonder and excitement as to how this website will develop and unfold. It is a giant step because as you know, I am far from being a writer. Will wait and see where it will lead us.
Looking forward to this journey of life, Celia!
Looking forward to your participation, Girlie! Would love to hear your own insights and reflections.
So glad you’re doing this, Celia. One of the pleasures of being a footloose lola was rediscovering your kind and gentle soul. Aside from having you as a wonderful boogie partner!
Thank you, Lyn, this website is for everybody who wishes to share a positive message to others. I am sure you have – so do come join me.
Celia – you have always been an inspiration to us all. Your sharings, your insights are filled with depth. Your thoughts and words calm and strengthen us. It also gives us a glimpse of the beautiful soul you have within. You are so kind to share this Gift with us!
Thank you Cheri, for being a gift to me too! I look forward to your share of insights and personal reflections.
Very nice and inspiring tita!!?? Looking forward to more blogs…. This will be my little coffee companion?
Hi Gino! I am deeply gratified to see a young male and successful entrepreneur visit this website. Yes – this can serve as a coffee companion but hopefully for other reasons as well.
Hi Celia, So inspiring ! I enjoyed reading your stories…. beautiful ! Did not realize you had such great gift! God bless you more to touch more lives. Irma
Thank you, Irma! This website is actually a gift to all of us especially for our community. I am just an instrument. I see this as a life giving and life receiving space for many, like you, who may be inspired to contribute your own insight and awakening moments to this website!
Hi Celia! Wow…Im really so awed and glad that U Have this God-given/ hidden talent (which now finally emerged and did U Justice!
Even during ur Golden Wedding ANNIVERSARY message, what U delivered was just touching and amazing ( bringing out D BEST in composing such a meaningful ’yet literary’ beautiful GOLDEN WEDDING MESSAGE!!!
Keep it UP cz U hv the GIFT! SPREAD D GOSPEL as it should be!!! Wishing U MORE BLESSINGS N SUCCESS!!! Ur childhood (I think) Friend till now!!!
Celia dear, you are an inspiration in this dreary world we now live in! Danke, for embracing me in your circle of butterflies! I pray I deserve to be one. While in our pre-departure area, may all of us focus on the Light…assisting & guiding each other attain our full potential, in our twilight years. God bless you & your kin, forevermore!.
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