Merry Christmas

Hello! Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! I'll be out for a while and hopefully comes back by January 5! I will miss you all, guys! See you then!

Ho, ho, ho! Merry Christmas!!!!

Love til You Can

When we are happy about ourselves, and about the things that are
happening around us... when we are happy with the people we are involved with... when we are happy because we generously give and share our love with others without any expectations... when we are happy because we are confident of God's love for us... surely, it will manifest on our everyday deeds, actions, and words.

Life has too many to offer! Never waste time hating someone... Always forward and never backwards...

Remember that "life is too short to wake up with regrets... Love the people who treat your right and let go of those who don't! Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, LET IT! Nobody ever said life would be easy, they only promised it would be worth it."

Treasure the people you love and forgive the people who caused you pain and heart aches. Life is all about LOVE anyway! Love while you still CAN! Have a lovely weekend to all!

HOME

My past two-weeks were spent in travels. I was really busy the whole time and all I long for was to get to my bed and sleep. My mind was too pre-occupied with a lot of things... mostly of workloads with deadlines to meet. I was kind of mentally exhausted!

On top of that, emotional stress also hit me because of some personal issues! What made it even worst is that my health and my spiritual life were also impaired! I can only spend too little time in praying and reflecting (though I made sure never fail serving as a lector in our chapel and parish every Sundays, that's TOP priority). I had episodes of asthma attacks (I only experience asthma under emotional distress) and a very bad cough for the past several days!

Yesterday, I decided not to go to work because I felt so wasted and tired. I just wanted to be alone and reflect on the things that happened for the past weeks. I was really touched upon hearing the song 'HOME' by brian mc knight... it refreshed my spirit. I realized that, really, I have forgotten my Faith. I got too self-centered and work-centered that I missed the things that matter most.

When we get too busy with so many things and we get too down and troubled, we long for rest and yes, we still find our WAY BACK HOME...

Thinking back when we first met
I remember what you said
You said you'd never leave me
I let go of your hand
Built my castle in the sand
But now I'm reachin' out again
And I'm not letting go

Till you
Hold me
Mold me
Sometimes I feel so all alone
See, I gotta find my way back home

So why don't you
Shape me
make me
Wash me whiter than the snow
I gotta find my way Back home

Master upon my knees i pray
I just want to be the clay
Put your arms around me
Place my life in your hands
Lord, I know I'm just a man
I know you understand
This time I'm not letting go

Till you
Anoint me
Appoint me
Sometimes I feel so alone
See, I gotta find my way back home

So why don't you
Chastise me
Baptize me
Wash me whiter than the snow
I gotta find my way

'Cause I'm lost and alone
I've been wandering
Long enough to know
Humbly I search for you
And I'm not gonna rest

Till you
Choose me
Use me
Sometimes I feel so alone
I'm on my way back home

So why don't you
Direct me
Bless me
Wash me whiter then the snow
I'm on my way
Back home

Work Under Pressure

Oh, I missed 'blogging' so much! I've been too busy lately... I could not even take a look at my e-mails... hopefully, I can bring my laptop in my travels... but, it's not that practical cause I don't have 'we roam' or any device for internet connection... and it might just cause me 'pulled elbow' or muscle cramps...hehehe!

Anyway, I hope to visit you all, guys when I come back on December 8!

Just one of my candid shots in our latest convention in shangri-la hotel... I didn't look too stressed (well, it's my job to make all things look easy and neat...grrrr)! But let me tell you that I only had 2 hours of sleep before the convention and prior to that... I never had enough quality sleep at all because of the preparations, etc... well... whenever faced with too much stress, I always just tell myself "All things shall pass" ... "this convention shall pass... and I can have all the time to sleep and relax" and it did!!! It is my rule not to panic or to stay calm most especially when under pressure! And it works all the time! My boss just couldn't believe how could I possibly handle so many things, all at the same time, yet so calm and cheery... hmmm, well I guess I just want to look good and feel good even when I'm not... that's all I got, anyway!

Always remember the GREATER Blessings!!!!

I Was Wrong and I AM Sorry

When conflicts arise, it is always safe to point our fingers to others without acknowledging our own shares of mistakes. Sometimes, it takes a brave heart to accept other’s inaccuracies much more accepting our own weaknesses.

Everytime Joel and I are caught up with heated arguments, we make sure that one of us must stay cool while the other one does all the talking. It is our agreement not to get angry all at the same time no matter who’s right or wrong. It should be one at a time. He may take the moment of pouring out all his things while I listen and absorb everything. The same applies to him when I take the center stage!

Honestly, it’s hard to follow this rule! Most of the times, I will try my best to control my flaming emotions but sometimes, I can’t help getting pissed off. Joel is different, though! He never gets angry when I become too pushy!

I read from a book (Healing Wounded Emotions), that it is not bad to get angry. It is a normal reaction of a person especially when he is hurt or someone has done something unpleasant or annoying to cause harm and injury. What matters is how the person handles that emotion and the next steps that follow after feeling angry.


When You are Wrong and I am Right

I always believe that there are three sides in every battle. Your side, my side and the right side! It is too biased to say that I am right and you are wrong and it is very shameful to admit that I am wrong and you are right. I remember the homily of our priest last Sunday. There are three things a person must do when faced with anger:

a. never make decisions when you are angry because 99% of that decision is wrong. Remember that when you are angry, you are ruled by your emotions. The mind finds it hard to think logically when the heart is agitated. Let things cool down then decide what to do next.

b. shut up when you are angry. We can’t be too careful with the words we say when we are mad. Most likely, we might speak the wrong words which we will regret afterwards. Hurtful words will only add up to the injury. So, it is better to just shut up and wait til everything is settled.

c. cool-off. It is advisable for couples/partners to take a cool-off when they disagree too much with each other. Instead of bragging and nagging each other, take some time to cool-off, not for the purpose of ending the relationship but just to give space and enough time to feel and think clearly. You can’t be effective anyway everytime the stimulus of your anger is there around you. All the more it will trigger the pain and feelings of anger.


I am Sorry

The final step to heal disagreements is acknowledging your mistake and accepting the apologies offered by the other party. It is not enough that you forgive. You have to acknowledge and accept the request of forgiveness.


Once the flame of anger subsides, admittance of fault follows. This usually happens for couples. They come to a point when both parties admit that it’s their fault and finally realized that both has their shares of mistakes. An effective communication is helpful in resolving conflict. Effective communication means expressing the things you need to say with an equal share of listening with the person you are communicating to. You have to express your feelings and to be heard and to be listened to. In the same way that your partner deserves the same treatment as well!

It is not demeaning to say sorry. It is actually a very brave act. To humble down one’s self is a very good offering not only to the people we hurt but also to God. Accepting our faults will take away the cobwebs in our hearts and will make us calm and peaceful! We can sleep at night without the anxieties and guilt. It helps our spirit to be healthy and physically, it will make our system work normally and more efficiently! Nothing beats a healthy spirit!

“Always do your best to avoid, at all costs, the necessity of experiencing the negative results of anger. The healthy release of anger must be presented in a way that empowers the relationship; anger expressed without blame, without pointing fingers. To avoid unnecessary pain, it is important to learn that anger must be expressed with an attitude of acknowledgment; acknowledgment for the responsibility you have for your equal share of the upset.”

My Palawan Experience

Just got home from Palawan... we had a book launching and gheeh... I was the one who actually launched our new titles. It was quite a nerve-breaking night because the AVP suddenly did not cooperate and I have to do some ADLIBs... I wasn't able to follow my script and I have to reshuffle the sequence of events! Gosh, I was too nervous but I couldn't show it in front of hundreds of people... so I just took the embarrasment all in and just gave my best shot! I called for the storytellers for the launching of our new storybooks and good thing, the AVP finally worked when the story telling was over! So i was able to proceed with the launching of our new textbook and interactive CD-ROM! Gosh, it's an experience I will never never never forget! God, thanks that it's really finally over!

I had no time to stroll around the beautiful Palawan... but hopefully, we will have our company outing there this coming summer! I hope to get back and really enjoy PALAWAN!

Before I end this post, I want to thank Joan for sharing this award to me and Fibe... (this award came from Blue)... thank you so much girl...

Have a good week to all!

Time to Clean Your Windows

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning, while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hang the wash outside.

“That laundry is not very clean,” she said, “she doesn’t know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap.”

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash to dry, the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband, “Look! She has learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this?”

The husband says, “I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows.”

And so it is with life: What we see when watching others depends on the purity of the window through which we look. Before we give any criticism, it might be a good idea to check our state of mind and ask ourselves if we are ready to see the good rather than to be looking for something in the person we are about to judge.

I'm Back

Yey, I'm back from a 3-day business trip away from the metro. Thanks God! The event was very successful. It was quite tiring, though but it really makes a difference working here and out of town.

Baguio is Baguio! It is a very romantic place for couples and an exciting place for travellers. It is a 6-hour drive away from Manila. But despite of the long travel, for me, it provides relaxation (especially, mental) and more time to reflect. The sites are very relaxing to the eyes! The place that I went to provides a very peaceful atmosphere despite of the tons of works to be accomplished, still I did not feel stressed or harrased or whatsoever...

So that's it for now... I hope all of you, guys will have a stress-free weekend! Take time to recharge both physically and spirtually!

Thought for Today

Always believe that TODAY is special! Never put off tomorrow the loving words you can express TODAY! ... tomorrow might be too late!

Thought for Today

Think about it...

Out Here on My Own

It's a speechless wednesday... just one of my favorite songs...

"I may not win... but I can't be thrown... out here on my own"

What Really Matters in Life

Another week has ended. How time flies and leaves us. It only seemed like yesterday when I was too excited, nervous, and busy preparing for my brother's wedding. As I am writing this post, I realized that it was already a 'week-old' thing. Time is too fast (and furious) and sometimes we just couldn't cope with all the demands. We see ourselves trying to deal with at the same time survive the pressures put upon us; may it be in our work, relationship, family, friends, etc. What our world needs now is to SLOW down even for a while so we could have more time to reflect and enjoy our selves. But since the world wouldn't slow down for us... then we should, in ourselves, take steps to hold back, relax, and enjoy the things that really matter in our lives!

Let me share this story which I heard from our priest...

A vacationing American businessman was standing on the pier of a quaint coastal fishing village in southern Mexico when a small boat with just one young fisherman pulled into the dock. Inside the small boat were several large yellowfin tuna. The American complimented the Mexican on the quality of his fish.

"How long did it take you to catch them?" the American casually asked.

"Oh, a few hours," the Mexican replied.

"Why don't you stay out longer and catch more fish?" the American businessman then asked.
The Mexican warmly replied, "With this I have more than enough to support my family's needs."

The businessman then became serious, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?"

Responding with a smile, the Mexican fisherman answered, "I sleep late, play with my children, watch ballgames, and take siesta with my wife. Sometimes in the evenings I take a stroll into the village to see my friends, play the guitar, sing a few songs..."

The American businessman impatiently interrupted, "Look, I have an MBA from Harvard, and I can help you to be more profitable. You can start by fishing several hours longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra money, you can buy a bigger boat. With the additional income that larger boat will bring, you can then buy a second boat, a third one, and so on, until you have an entire fleet of fishing boats.

"Then, instead of selling your catch to a middleman you'll be able to sell your fish directly to the processor, or even open your own cannery. Eventually, you could control the product, processing and distribution. You could leave this tiny coastal village and move to Mexico City, or possibly even Los Angeles or New York City, where you could even further expand your enterprise."

Having never thought of such things, the Mexican fisherman asked, "But how long will all this take?"

After a rapid mental calculation, the businessman pronounced, "Probably about 15-20 years, maybe less if you work really hard."

"And then what, senor?" asked the fisherman.

"Why, that's the best part!" answered the businessman with a laugh. "When the time is right, you would sell your company stock to the public and become very rich. You would make millions."

"Millions? Really? What could I do with it all?" asked the young fisherman in disbelief.

The businessman boasted, "Then you could happily retire with all the money you've made. You could move to a quaint coastal fishing village where you could sleep late, play with your grandchildren, watch ballgames, take siesta with your wife, and stroll to the village in the evenings where you could play the guitar and sing with your friends all you want."

The moral of the story is: Know what really matters in life, and you may find that it is already much closer than you think.

See you All on Monday!!! Have a great, God-filled weekend!

HEARTS ARE BREAKABLE

Yes, hearts are breakable especially when we are in terrible pain! We usually experience that “deep” pain when we have loved too deeply as well! We usually feel like we will never get through the pains! And for us, that’s the most very bad feeling that we will experience in our lives.

Most people resist change until they feel that there is nothing else they can do. Change takes courage and effort. You have to do something different. It means taking responsibility for your relationship and being brave enough to take the first step towards change WHILE YOU ARE STILL AFRAID.

Most of the times, a relationship fails because the person has not sought God from the beginning. He or she entered into a relationship carelessly, with no thoughts of self-offering, praying, or waiting for a word from God. Usually, the relationship is self-willed and irresponsible. It is governed primarily of feelings, but true love goes beyond feelings.

What’s so wrong with us is we always thought that we know best! “All a man’s ways seem right to him, but the Lord weighs the heart” - (Proverbs 21:2). When we get ahead of God and try to force things, the consequences are often tragic.

Always remember that God has glorious purpose in permitting heartbreak. One is “that we may reach spiritual maturity” - (James 1:4). It is during this time that we draw near to Him. Our sufferings are not for nothing. Never. However, small that may be, we may see them as God’s mercy in giving us the chance to unite with His own sufferings.

A broken heart is an acceptable offering to God. The trial of faith is a thing worth much more than gold.

Trusting God with your love life is a rigorous daily exercise of FAITH.


Letting GO & Letting GOD!

When all else fails and there is nothing more we can do to bring back the love, trust, and the feelings, then the engagement must come to an end. Better now than after the wedding!

When you are in a relationship with someone and both of you are angry, chaos abounds. Two broken people can’t fix each other! They can only work on the problem. “What is the problem?” You ask? The answer is looking back at you in the mirror. Recovery comes from ceasing to be one of the problems.

A relationship is a commitment. To commit means to give in trust; to put into change; or keeping. It is a deliberate act, a total handling over; a pledge to do something.

When we are experiencing heart breaks, we pray for wisdom, and for something to help our wounded souls.

“The Lord is near to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18

The Most Impressive Gift

What is the greatest gift you could give yourself or your loved one ?

You - the real you, the one who lives the truth, the one who stands in his integrity, the one who has an open heart that can both give and receive love.


In a relationship, especially in these modern times, it is easy to give yourself physically. You entrust your whole being to the one you love but not necessarily the one that is deep lying within you. Almost, if not all, are only superficial in expressing their love. Love is about being comfortable to be yourself at any given time and circumstances. It is hard to be true but it is even harder to pretend to be someone you are not!

There is no true relationship with another until there is a truthful and loving relationship with yourself.

Be Still

How about a relaxing weekend; away from the tension and pressures of every day’s life? Well, life as always, has been too stressful and that is one of life’s ingredients! Life will never be happier (should I say?) or meaningful without all these challenges! It’s just a matter of how we handle things and how we realize our weaknesses and strengths amidst all trials!

So, comes another weekend! I am so excited to see my mom and dad… I am excited to see my pets and to lie on my bed! I miss the smell of my bedroom and everything about our home! All I want is to spend the weekend with them with no hassles, no pressures, no expectations… just a quiet, wonderful time with my family (and pets hehehe)!

I HOPE THIS HELPS…

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Phillipians 4:6

Be honest with God - tell him how stressed out you are.

See you all, guys on Monday! I wish you all a stress-free weekend!

What About Men?

Let’s admit it; men are often so misunderstood as apathetic form of human beings. It seems that men are viewed as unemotional, impassive, and less caring individuals. This is definitely a wrong and unfair impression of men in our society. The problem is, sometimes men wanted to be viewed as such. They find it hard to express their real emotions because they might be perceived as weak.

Men have feelings too, however they often refuse to acknowledge them, much less talk about them; seldom to their spouse or significant other and especially not to other men. Most think it is a sign of weakness.

Not so!

It is a sign of strength and of courage. Men who get in touch with their feelings can reinvent themselves. It opens up numerous possibilities. It is possible for a man to be tough AND tender!
Someone once said that women are the ones with feelings. Men are the thinkers and fixers. This is how our society thinks about the difference of men and women.

Men think that they are the "rock;" the one who must be strong and not demonstrate his feelings lest he be seen as a weak man. Men are supposed to be macho. Oh, really? The truth is most men lack the skills to express their feelings. They find it hard to connect their emotions and feelings to the situation. They would rather walk away and divert their attention doing other things just to break away from the present scenario. Worst is, they will no longer go back to their emotions to deal with it anymore. For them, it is a ‘no big deal thing’. Crying is definitely a big ‘NO’ and a minus point for them.

Expressing feelings is a woman thing. Says who? The truth is the more you are in-touch with how you really feel about things; the easier it is to communicate those feelings. I call this: getting totally honest with yourself!

Men are usually scared of sharing their intimate feelings. Intimate feelings… are they scary or what? Remember that when we run from our feelings, they follow us… everywhere!

Maybe the proper term would be that men are selective, not really scary, when it comes to choosing whom to confide their feelings with. But most men are notoriously poor at cultivating and maintaining close friendships with other men. Often when you ask a man how many close friends he has, he will be at a loss to come up with more than one or two (if any at all).

Feelings must be expressed. To stuff your most intimate feelings is to stay stuck with the feeling. What is the solution? How can you find a way to communicate your feelings in a way that feels safe and where you can always be assured of being heard? To be heard is to be healed.


What Should A Man Do?

Developing a confidant is significant in expressing out emotions. It may be the spouse, girl friend, best friend, a counselor, or a men’s group. Face your fears but then again, men usually fear their emotions. Remember, it is acceptable for a man to cry. It is not a sign of weakness rather humility that men are also human, also vulnerable to hurts and pains.

Men can learn a very important lesson from fully participating in a group of male friends. They learn to empathize with women who are often heard complaining, "He never listens to me!" Once men experience the committed listening of the group, they begin to feel more at ease in sharing their deepest concerns about their relationship, their work and their life with their spouse or significant other. Although most men experience some level of discomfort when talking about their feelings but frequency assists in the bonding process.

Most often this is the salvation for their personal relationship!

So, how does this help you? You get to "vent" all you want or anyway you want but this time without the destructive tones that damage the relationship you have with your significant other. Also, it helps you to learn when to listen. You discover that you can benefit from the experiences of the other men.

Note: A solution that you discover on your own rather than being told by someone else is almost always the better and most workable solution.


An Extra Note to Women

Be a good listener to your ‘man’! Sometimes all they need is a listening heart. To be listened to attentively feels good. Men learn to talk openly and honestly in an environment of absolute confidentiality where there are no rules about what or how you say what you need to say. Provide the kind of atmosphere they need (not what you need)! Control the need to provide advise or offer solutions, there are always a time for that! Learn to suspend your judgment about what they think or feel. You are there to be his committed listener! Listening is Support! It is not a venue of showing to him that you are all-knowing, super “feeler” person than him. All the more, it will intimidate him from saying what’s inside him!


“Every man needs to bond with other men from the heart. He needs to fulfill his needs for intimacy with someone other than his lover, so she isn't his only outlet for feeling. He needs mirrors of his own quest to understand his masculinity; soul buddies who can validate his journey like no woman ever can. Find a friend. Take off your mask. Show him who you really are.” – Barbara De Angelis, author, Real Moments

P.S: I dedicate this post to all the male readers out there especially to Joel, Bluedreamer, Coolingstar9, and poor prince! Always remember not to put off until tomorrow the things you can express today! Have a great day!

Alone and Happy

A lot of people are afraid to be alone, alone in a sense that they always enjoy the company of others. It’s like their happiness are controlled with their social activities. But what people don’t know is to be able to determine true happiness; one must experience to be alone. We need NOT fear being alone, instead we should welcome those moments in our life; those moments when we can be alone with ourselves and be able to contemplate and reflect. I am not saying that we can live alone. Humans are design to live and interact together and with each other. No man lives alone. All of us are responsible for each other but remember not to overlook ourselves, as well!

Wouldn’t you think it is nicer to get out from the busy and noisy crowd and the pressures that keep on pulling our energies down? We need sometime alone to rejuvenate, revitalize and re-energize ourselves.

What is the relevance of being alone in a relationship?

You must learn to be alone and happy before you can be together with someone else and be happy. Your happiness only and always depends upon how you feel when you are alone, never how you think you will feel when you are with someone else.

This also applies in terms of healing from a hurtful past. Our healing comes and mostly experienced when we give ourselves time to be alone. It is making up with the lost times we supposed to have for ourselves when we were still in a relationship. We should be strong enough to resist rushing to the next relationship before all the hurts of the past are healed. Healing takes time.

Being alone for a period of time usually has an extraordinary long-term benefits. When you get comfortable with being alone; when the feeling that you must be in a relationship to feel complete disappears, most likely you will be ready for another relationship.

Over-all, one of the secrets of a healthy love relationship is to be happy being alone with yourself! Your happiness must not depend with how you feel when you are with someone else but how you feel when you are alone. If the satisfaction and happiness are felt without needing and getting them from others, that is the time you can be able to share the happiness with others!

Start Right

What does it take to have a healthy love relationship?

A good relationship begins with YOU. This works more efficiently when two partners are focused on a goal of keeping their relationship better than ever before. Ever wonder why some relationship started so sweet then eventually dies? It is because couples have the tendency to become more and more negligent over the years, months or even days of being together. It is not how a relationship progress. It is not right to say “as the relationship grows old”; rather it should be “as the relationship matures”.

I always have this saying in mind… ‘Love with the hottest beginning has the coolest end.’ Love does not develop over time. While it is true that there can be a ‘love at first sight’, still it depends on both partners how to maintain and sustain that love they have first felt from the start.

It is important that partners work together in achieving their goal of making the relationship works for them. It is a combined effort; a shared endeavor for both parties in order to have a “hale and hearty” love relationship. Remember, only selfish people think only of themselves. When you really love yourself, you cannot help wanting to give some of your love away!

What you become, you attract! So, when you want a great love partner, become a great love partner! Like attracts like! Sharing love with someone must only and always begin with YOU. Learn to relate with yourself better!

The Butterfly

A man found a cocoon for a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through the little hole.
Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no farther. Then the man decided to help the butterfly.
He took a pair of scissors and snipped the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily.

Something was strange. The butterfly had a swollen body and shriveled wings. The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time.
Neither happened. In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and deformed wings. It was never able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the small opening of the cocoon are God's way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life.

If God allowed us to go through all our life without any obstacles, that would cripple us. We would not be as strong as what we could have been.

Not only that, we could never fly.

- Author unknown

My Brother's Wedding

Right now, I'm getting busy with my new task as my brother's wedding planner! Ahaha!!! At long last, somebody from the family is getting married... (we're just two, anyway!) After so long of being single... at last, my dad's dream of having a grand child is coming true! Here's the good news... my brother's soon-to-be wife is already 3-months pregnant (see how fast my brother is...)! We will be having a new family-member!!! Am sure that baby will bring so much love, joy, and happiness to our family!

But for now, I am more focused on my brother's wedding! He expects a lot from me (as if I'm an expert... he always believe, I am - hehehe). This is gonna be a first-hand experience for me... I attended a lot of weddings but only as secondary sponsor... I experienced all of them... from lights to cord, to veil! 'Though I must admit, it has always been my dream to be a wedding coordinator! I have witnessed a lot of weddings and I learned a lot from those experiences... things that I appreciate and things that I want to avoid in my own wedding! So, here's the realization of my dreams... to be an effective and unique wedding coordinator!

Well, whatever it is... one thing is for sure... am so glad that my brother has finally found the girl of his dreams... and I wish them LUCK, more love, and countless blessings from Up Above!

Be A Blessing To Others

"May the One who gave blessings to those before us now give us the strength and endurance to become a blessing to others." (a Hebrew prayer)

The past several weeks (one month to be exact), I’ve been counseling my college best friend who is now suffering from the pain of breaking up with her long time boyfriend. Their 11-year old relationship has finally come to an end.

My friend actually is not the type of person who will open up everything to me. All the while I thought that she’s no longer committed with her boyfriend since we graduated from college. They had split before (4th year) and I never knew that they had continued their relationship since then! Although, I had a feeling that they are still sweethearts… but the fact that she didn’t share stories with me about her relationship is enough for me not to touch the issue anymore.

Several weeks back, I was surprised when she called me and told me that their relationship is finally over. She was really despair and in pain. I could feel her with every word she utters. For the first time, she told me everything. She opened-up everything from the largest down to the smallest detail. How could I turn my back to her now? She would call at the middle of my work, meeting, and even during my rest. But I just couldn’t let her down every time she needs someone to talk to. I knew how it is to be in that condition.

Honestly, I could see myself to her just a year ago when I also gone through the same situation of being broken hearted. It was Jackie who became my confessor, listener, adviser, and praying partner that time! She was very patient to me when I needed someone to voice out my feelings! It was mayhem! I knew deep inside that I was very irritating but she was too patient in listening to me. She never got tired of giving me real good advises; she brought me closer to God.

Now in the case of my friend, I could see myself to her during my times of helplessness! I never thought that after a year of enduring that stage of my life, I can be “Jackie” too! I can give wonderful advises and thoughts to my friend. I feel happy every time my friend would tell me that she appreciates my presence during her times of darkness. I told her that I am just here to listen to her and share with her my experiences before. Still, it’s God who gives us the strength and the reason to move on.

Because of this, I thought of sending Jackie a message. I thank her for everything she has done to me before. I thank her for being with me on those gloomy days of my life and for the constant prayers she is giving me until this time. I told her that right now, it is my turn of helping a friend who is suffering from the same agony I had a year ago. I was so delighted when she replied “Thanks God that I’ve been an instrument, now it’s your turn to be a blessing to others.” Isn’t it great? God makes use of people as instrument of His love and grace!

I know she still has a very long way before she could finally accept and move on, but with God’s unconditional love and a friend’s moral support, she can get through it… slowly but surely!

Prayer Works

God is so good! Once again, I felt God’s power working in every single decision I make. I believe that when you lift up your concerns to God, He will in His best way will guide and direct you to the right path.Prayer works! Praying has become very simultaneous to me. It is a time when I can really speak to God. Most of the times, I speak to Him in silence. Every time I experience something, whether good or bad, or if there is something I want to consult or refer to Him, speaking to Him in silence really works for me! Every time I get mad, happy, sad, or any emotions I have at the moment, He certainly knows! It is true when you have developed a deep relationship with Him that you really can not live without telling Him almost everything in your life. Of course, God knows everything we do! But He loves us to converse with Him. It’s like having a normal conversation with a friend. He loves and longs to hear from us. God is not just our Father, Guardian, Redeemer, Salvation… more than all the towering names we call Him; He is our Friend!

What I really realized in praying? It is having a stress-free conversation with God. It is like lifting up everything to Him and believing that He will listen! I realized that He’s the only One I have 24/7 (24 hours, 7 days a week)! He never put me on schedule. There are no conditions or moods I need to express everything to HIM. I can talk to him at my happiest, silliest, and even scariest mood.

Do we really have to get what we prayed for?

I received a text message from a friend that says: “The point of prayers is not always to get answers from God, but to have a perfect and complete unity with Him.” I remember my boss once told me that praying is not actually demanding from God what we want to happen or achieve. The power of prayer is when we pray for something and we don’t get it and still we are at peace and we gladly accept God’s response to our prayers. I always believe that God’s delay is not God’s denial!

Does He respond?

At the silence of my heart, I can hear the messages, answers to my prayers. What’s wrong with us is that we are too loud. We only listen to ourselves. With so many thoughts, worries, and anxieties in mind, we barely hear what God wants to impart to us. We find it hard to be silent and trust Him that He will provide answers to whatever we asked for. We may never get exactly what we want but He never fails to give the best answers, the best solutions, nothing but the best!

What have you prayed for lately? Did you get wha you asked for? Does He offer a better answer instead? Never get tired of praying because in the proper time and right motives, God will provide answers! Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances and be joyful always! God always answers prayer. Always. It may not be the answer you want but He always answers.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

“If the only prayer you ever said was, ‘Thank you.’ that would be enough.” - Meister Eckhart

The Power of Praying

God is so good! Once again, I felt God’s power working in every single decision I make. I believe that when you lift up your concerns to God, He will in His best way will guide and direct you to the right path.

Prayer works! Praying has become very simultaneous to me. It is a time when I can really speak to God. Most of the times, I speak to Him in silence. Every time I experience something, whether good or bad, or if there is something I want to consult or refer to Him, speaking to Him in silence really works for me! Every time I get mad, happy, sad, or any emotions I have at the moment, He certainly knows! It is true when you have developed a deep relationship with Him that you really can not live without telling Him almost everything in your life. Of course, God knows everything we do! But He loves us to converse with Him. It’s like having a normal conversation with a friend. He loves and longs to hear from us. God is not just our Father, Guardian, Redeemer, Salvation… more than all the towering names we call Him; He is our Friend!

What I really realized in praying? It is having a stress-free conversation with God. It is like lifting up everything to Him and believing that He will listen! I realized that He’s the only One I have 24/7 (24 hours, 7 days a week)! He never put me on schedule. There are no conditions or moods I need to express everything to HIM. I can talk to him at my happiest, silliest, and even scariest mood.

Do we really have to get what we prayed for?

I received a text message from a friend that says: “The point of prayers is not always to get answers from God, but to have a perfect and complete unity with Him.” I remember my boss once told me that praying is not actually demanding from God what we want to happen or achieve. The power of prayer is when we pray for something and we don’t get it and still we are at peace and we gladly accept God’s response to our prayers. I always believe that God’s delay is not God’s denial!


Does He respond?

At the silence of my heart, I can hear the messages, answers to my prayers. What’s wrong with us is that we are too loud. We only listen to ourselves. With so many thoughts, worries, and anxieties in mind, we barely hear what God wants to impart to us. We find it hard to be silent and trust Him that He will provide answers to whatever we asked for. We may never get exactly what we want but He never fails to give the best answers, the best solutions, nothing but the best!

What have you prayed for lately? Did you get what you asked for? Does He offer a better answer instead? Never get tired of praying because in the proper time and right motives, God will provide answers! Pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances and be joyful always! God always answers prayer. Always. It may not be the answer you want but He always answers.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him" (1 John 5:14-15).

“If the only prayer you ever said was, ‘Thank you.’ that would be enough.” - Meister Eckhart

ABC's of Friendship

• Always be honest, would you want THEM to lie to you?
• Be there when they need you, or you may wind up alone.
• Cheer them on; we all need encouragement now and then.
• Don't look for their faults, even if you have none.
• Encourage their dreams, what would we be without them.
• Forgive them, you just MAY do something wrong sometimes.
• Get together often, misery loves company, so does glee.
• Have faith in them, the human animal is remarkable.
• Include them; you may need to be included sometime.
• Just be there when they need you.
• Know when they need a hug, and couldn't you use one?
• Love them unconditionally, that is the ONLY condition.
• Make them feel special, because aren't we ALL special?
• Never forget them, who wants to feel forgotten?
• Offer to help, and know when "No thanks" is just politeness.
• Praise them honestly and openly.
• Quietly disagree, noisy NO's make enemies.
• Really listen, a friendly ear is a soothing balm.
• Say you're sorry, don't let them assume it.
• Talk frequently, communication is important.
• Use good judgment.Verbalize your feelings!
• Wish them luck, hopefully good!
• Xamine your motives before you "help" out.
• Your words count, use them wisely.
• Zip your lips when told a secret.

Glow in the Dark

Lately has been very exhausting. I am involved as one of the witnesses in a case that happened in our office. I volunteered to say what I knew about the case to bring about justice to the victim. But I guess there’s a price for saying the truth. And I assume that after all the hearings and after the case is settled, there will be very few friends left of me. As I was reflecting on the happenings, I realized that it is better to have few friends who are true rather have many friends but will never stand for you during the worst times. I realized that friends are NOT those who are with you during the best times but those who remain during distress and frustrations. Friends are those who encourage you to speak for the truth.The true measure of friendship is not covering up the truth but aims to let the truth come out.


I know that my choice of standing as a witness to the offense made to one of my officemates, will cause me to lose some of my friends. Maybe we have our own ways of expressing or showing our love to a friend, that’s why I expected too much from these people. I don’t ask them to believe me or stand for me but I don’t even expect that they will leave me alone in this battle and play safe by not getting involved. I may never make them understand why but for me it is the best thing that I can do for the person being affected by the case.


I made a choice of coming out for the truth even if it takes losing some of my valued friends however here I have proven who my real friends are. Indirectly, though I am not the ‘victim’ here, I am still very grateful to God for this experience because I was able to see the very purpose why these things happened and it’s significance in my life: 1. I was able to see myself; my strengths and weaknesses and my capability to tell the truth; 2. I was able to determine who my real friends are.


I am really disappointed with some whom I thought are my closest since they are my usual companions during trips, dining out, watching movies, outings, etc. On the other hand, I am very happy for those who remain to be my real friends until this time.


They are just two beautiful (inside and out) persons that I treasure even before then! Jackie and Rachelle are proven to be my real friends even before this occurrence. They were there even during those times when I was broken-hearted. These friends who never tolerate me to do bad things, instead strengthens my faith and brought me closer to God. I never had the chance to have them during travels and pleasures but they are always present during my dark moments. They always offer their listening ears, their shoulders for crying, and their golden advises to me. They are just two but they are real. Indeed they are like "glow in the dark" items... they provide light during dark moments of my life!


I am giving them the highest tribute by posting their picture here hehehe! Thank you, my dear friends!

Taste of Inspiration

Here are some of inspirational text messages I received this week:

Sooner or later, start taking yoursel seriously.
Know when you need a break.
Know what to get worked up about and what to get rid of.
Do something that makes you stronger and more complete.
Because it's never too late to have a life and never too late
to CHANGE one!

Life is full of uncertainties.
We'll never know when our time on earth is up
'til it's over.
So, take many pictures, laugh much, take time
to look up at the stars, sing loudly, feel the cold wind,
SMILE A LOT, and LOVE like you've never
been hurt because every 60 seconds you spend
is a minute you will never get back!

Sometimes we know the answer to our questions
yet we still ask WHY?
It's because the answer we know is the one
we can't bear to ADMIT

If it takes great courage to fight for something...
Sometimes it takes even greater courage to
just walk away and leave things behind.

The point of prayer is not always to get answers from God,
but to have a perfect and complete unity with HIM.
So endure life with prayers!

Have a great weekend everybody!!!

Don't QUIT

When Things go wrong, as they sometimes will,

When the road youre trudging seems all up hill,

When the funds are low and the debts are high,

And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,

When care is pressing you down a bit,

REST if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,

As everyone of us sometimes learns,

And many a failure turns about

When he might have won had he stuck it out;

Don't give up, though the pace seems low;

You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than

It seems to a faint and flatering man,

Often the strugler has given up

When he might have captured the victor's cup.

And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,

How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;

The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;

And you never can tell how close you are,

It may be near when it seems afar;

So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;

It's when thing seem worst that you mustn't QUIT!

(A poem i used to memorize during my training as COCC in our school... i post this out of inspiration to Hye's recent write-up "YOU ARE NOT THE BEST PERSON YOU CAN BE" thanks, Hye!)

Love is Acceptance

Our relationship with our partner shapes who we are, who we love, and why. It can be our greatest strength and our greatest weakness. How we find our relationship depends on how we perceive, handle and value it. If there’s one thing I learned about love, that is ACCEPTANCE. Love is not only merely sacrifice but also acceptance.

“A man is a man. He is not a woman. A woman is a woman. She is not a man!” (Let Me Be a Woman by Elisabeth Elliot)

We should appreciate the mystery of our personhood and the one we love. Love is at its best when we accept the fact that we are who we are and that we love someone for who they are.

No human has ever been, and no human will ever be perfect. It is a blessing to be imperfect, because it is a blessing to be human. Errors are natural. Mistakes are inevitable. Embarrassing moments sometimes happen. When we accept that complete perfection is impossible, we can accept ourselves, others, and the world, exactly as is. Why should we be afraid of this freedom? Only out of such acceptance can we can actually make positive changes, because positive changes only come out of a loving heart. We don't deserve love by being perfect.

I love a man, a person, a human who is not perfect and will never be. Just the same as Joel loves me; a woman, a person, and a human!

Love Languages

Five Emotional Love Languages:
by Dr. Gary Chapman, Christian counselor and author of The Five Love Languages

1. Words of Affirmation

This is when you say how nice your spouse looks, or how great the dinner tasted. These words will also build your mate's self image and confidence.

2. Quality Time

Some spouses believe that being together, doing things together and focusing on one another is the best way to show love. If this is your partner's love language, turn off the TV now and then and give one another some undivided attention.

3. Gifts

It is universal in human cultures to give gifts. They don't have to be expensive to send a powerful message of love. Spouses who forget a birthday or anniversary or who never give gifts to someone who truly enjoys gift giving will find themselves with a spouse who feels neglected and unloved.

4. Acts of Service

Discovering how you can best do something for your spouse will require time and creativity. These acts of service like vacuuming, hanging a bird feeder, planting a garden, etc., need to be done with joy in order to be perceived as a gift of love.

5. Physical Touch

Sometimes just stroking your spouse's back, holding hands, or a peck on the cheek will fulfill this need.

An Inspiring Speech

I found this wonderful speech of Nelson Mandela. On 10th May 1994, he became the first democratically-elected President of multi-racial South Africa. In his inaugural speech as South African President, Nelson Mandela said:

“Our biggest fear
is not that we are inadequate;
our biggest fear
is that we are powerful
beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness
that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves:
‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous’
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
You’re ‘playing small’
doesn’t serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened
about shrinking
so that other people
won’t feel insecure around you.
We are born to make manifest
the glory of God that is within us.
It’s not just within some of us
- it is within everyone!
And as we let our own light shine,
we consciously give to other people
permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence
automatically liberates others.”

Intelligence or Wisdom?

I found a very wonderful site about prayers and I thought of sharing this one:

One of France’s greatest scientists was
Louis Pasteur, who lent his name to the
process of “pasteurising” milk. He became
well-known in his lifetime, receiving
national honours in recognition for
his scientific achievements.

One day he was travelling by train and
was reading the Bible to himself. The
man who happened to be sitting next to
Louis Pasteur did not know who he was,
but saw that he was reading about Jesus
feeding 5,000 people with five loaves and
two fish. The man said to him: “You don’t
believe that story, do you?”

“Yes, I do believe it,” said Pasteur. The
other man, not knowing who he was
speaking to, said, “Well, I don’t believe
it. I’m a scientist, you see, and that story
doesn’t fit in with science.”

At that point the train slowed and the
man was about to get off. He said goodbye,
giving his name. He was more than
surprised to hear in response, “And my
name is Louis Pasteur.” The man, claiming
to be a scientist, had been very dismissive
of the religious beliefs of Louis
Pasteur, one of the world’s greatest scientists.

Let us pray:

Lord, I ask for the gifts
of knowledge and wisdom
and understanding.
What I pray for
I intend to work at,
so that I may develop
an open mind,
a thirst for knowledge,
and a wisdom that makes good use
of my knowledge and experience.
I know that any gifts are useless
if I do not also have
love and concern for others,
and so I ask that you inspire me
to live in such a way
that I am caring and compassionate
and promote understanding
between people.
May others respect me, Lord,
as much as I respect them. Amen.