Steve Jobs

I don't have an Ipod but my son has. I don't have a Mac computer but my boss has one. Steve Jobs has become famous on his death. Well, for me Bill Gates is more popular because of Microsoft and he has some charity works too. But Steve Jobs, a little low profile. He comes out only when he launched his new product lines.

With all the media feed these past days after his death  what struck me was his learning when he was young that he treats each day as if it it his last day....

I also teach that in my seminars that I conducted ...Today is the last day for the rest of my life...Then you ask the participants, "What three (3) things you would like to do if you have only 36 hours to live ?"

Majority responded on things that really matters...God , family , relatives... your material riches you can not bring it when you die ...

Well, not everyone can afford his products but the principles he left behind is for everyone to catch on... Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish...Think Different....

His humble beginnings has created a hunger in him or a desperation to succeed in his life...he seems simple but his impact to the world is truly amazing...a college drop out but now a billionaire...

Then you realize life is short and even the richest man of earth can not prevent his death...

Again as most of my seminar participants would want to do at their last 36 hours on earth...they want to ask for forgiveness to God or their family... spend time with the Lord and their family...

Then at the end of the seminar, you ask your participants,  when will do you do all these three things that you wrote....


The powerpoint slide shows "NOW"

Truly indeed let's do them now...let's given time to the Lord and our family... for no one knows when we leave this earth... there is no insurance policy that will ensure you will be here tomorrow...maybe if there is one it will sell like a hotcake.

Steve Jobs, you are truly amazing....

Awesome God

Thank you Lord for your graciousness and protection.

It was only last night when I saw the late night news that I realize the devastation of typhoon Pedring. It has the strength of Ondoy though the affected places are lesser compared to Ondoy but nonetheless the effects was just as tragic.

Houses were in floodwaters up to the roof... dams overflowing... people are upset because of the calamity that struck them... government people trying to justify why they failed to do certain things and that they are doing everything they can to remedy the situation.

 Lunch time yesterday we had our weekly Bible study at the office and our facilitator mentioned that God blesses those who favor His chosen people, the Israelites...

I have not been to Israel, I heard what happen to them  , why some races despise them or persecuted them just because they were God chosen people.  But as what our facilitator said those who go against Israel, God punishes and we saw what happen to them, history has its stories. Even the Bible attest to this fact.

 Then it struck me ...am I God's favor people ? When Ondoy struck, I was at the office I brought my car at the office because it was a Saturday. Usually I just hitched a ride with my husband to save on gas . I got stranded the whole time and went home at 2am but reached home at 4am, because there was still traffic at the North Luzon expressway. By the way, my husband told me that afternoon not to try to go home ( I live in Marilao, Bulacan ) because many streets are flooded.

When I reached home, I saw mud in the streets in our subdivision, with fallen trees lying around. I learned from my husband that they were also stranded outside our home because my kids asked him to bring them to the jeepney terminal because they have classes that day so he brought his car with him. Because of the strong rain, my husband convince my kids not to go to school anymore.  But they were not able to go home anymore because of the deep flood waters along the way. They left home at 11am and was able to go home at 7pm.

The next day, a Sunday, Sept 27,2009, we learned that floods swept our street damaging properties ( beds, furnitures, even our local church was not spared from the flood waters ) including cars.

It suddenly struck me how blessed I am , that day , why ? My house , no streak of any flood waters , not even a drop of water, not a trace. Our cars, mine and my husband's company provided car were ok.

Then the other night while typhoon  Pedring was rampaging Metro Manila, when I went home that day, there was no electrical power so I was not able to hear any news about the storm. I hardly had a sound sleep, I prayed the rosary the whole night asking for protection because I saw the water at a nearby water creek in our place getting higher. Lord, please protect our home and our cars... I ask the Holy Spirit for his white light of protection around my home and my cars.

I woke up the next morning with a head ache ( due to colds and lack of sound sleep ) but again I was protected by the Lord, my house and my property are safe with God's grace and generosity...

Maybe that what God wants us to do to surrender our trust and faith for his deliverance and He will take care of us...

Awesome God.... thank you and we love you Lord.

Whatever You Send Out Always Comes Back To You

Lifted from the book " Become a Better You" by Joel Osteen

I heeard a story about a man and his small son who were hiking up a mountain. Suddenly, the little boy slipped and slid about thirty yards down the mountainside, getting caught in some bush. Unhurt but frightened , he called out, " Somebody, help me."

A voice called back, "Somebody help me!"

The youngster looked suprised and confused . He said, " Who are you?"

The voice shouted back, " Who are you ? "

The boy began to get aggravated. " You're a coward!" he yelled .

The voice shouted back,  "You're a coward!"

The boy shot back.  " You're a fool ."

The voice repeated, " You're a fool."

By then, the boy's father had reached him and helped him extricate his son from the bush. The boy looked up and said, " Dad, who is that ?"

The father chuckled and said, " Son, that's called an echo, but it's also called life. He said, " Son, let me show you something. "  The father shouted out, " You're a winner!"

The voice shouted back, " You're a winner!"

The dad's voice boomed, " You've got what it takes."

The voice boomed back, " You've got what it takes."

The dad shouted , "You can make it."

The voice shouted back, "You can make it."

" Son, that's exactly how it is in life, " the father explained, "Whatever you send out always comes back to you."

Let me ask : What messages are you sending yourself ?

"I'm a failure. I'm unattractive. I'm undisciplined. I'm broke. I've got a terrible temper. Nobody likes to be around me."

Start sending out, " I'm approved, I'm accepted, I am the righteousness of God. I am creative. I am talented. I am more than a conqueror."

Make sure you are transmitting good messages about yourself.

Don't Be Ordinary

When we make up our mind, things happen. Make up your mind right now that for the next 24 hours you will only look for the good there is in people and express the good in words. Do this at least one day every week for the coming four weeks.

The best laboratory will be when you are with your loved ones - the people whom you live with - or the people you work with - even for just 24 hours each week.

As we become  aware of the people around us, we start to release powers we never dreamed of.

As an HR head in my company , I regularly conduct training with our employees. One of my seminar deals on setting and achieving  personal goals. Employees lights up when you give them the opportunity to identify what do they really what in their lives. They get so excited when they do the exercise on making their "Dreamboards". As if you give them the power to dream and make a wish.

Having a life dream really gives you the power...you are excited to wake up in the morning and face a new day. Have you seen the coffee commercial with the tag line "para kanino ka bumabangon"? Translated " for whom  do you wake up in the morning"?

Dreams or goals perks you up ...guides you...sets your pace...just like a signpost or a map. Will you reach a destination if you do not know where you are headed ? Maybe but may take some time, right ?

Having goals gives you a different kind of energy and you will not stop till you reach that goal.

My life journey has taken me to different companies, places and situations... and having dream goals has lifted me up not to just go with the flow and be ordinary.... but to be the best that I can be...

For in the end what we become is our gift to God.

Your Inner Power

We all have this inner power that can help us experience success at our work and personal life. However, we have to use it correctly and provide it with the right information . This inner power is our subconscious mind ( inner mind, power source ).

When we learn how to use our inner mind correctly, we will enjoy success and happiness in our life.

We all have this special power , it is just we don't know how to use it to enjoy our life.

First of all, you have to define what you want in your life. Then you have to direct your inner  mind to attract people and opportunties that will help you succeed and create the changes that you desire.

You have to think of what you want, and not what you don't want.

For instance, instead of thinking about your debt, think of having money. By shifting your intention to what you want, your direct your inner power to help you get what you want. So you stop creating what you don't what.

Then change the way you see things and your self ...if you want to be a successful person, see yourself as someone successful.

Don't focus on what you don't have, but on what you have so you will attract more positive energies.Think of your positive traits. Downplay your negative thoughts and beliefs especially about yourself....these prevents you from achieving your goals.

Change these negative thoughts to positive affirmations...encourage yourself to be better and excel on your field. Define your core gifts. 

Focus  on that day that you will see your dreams become reality. Stop saying that it is difficult but use your inner power to convince your inner  mind that nothing is impossible to those who believe.

Believe in yourself ...your core gifts...use your inner power today...only you can determine if you will achieve your dreams...nobody else can help yourself except you and only you...

Even if others downplay your strengths, your inner power can uplift you, you just have to believe and have faith.

Decide today to be the person who is happy and successful ...who is a blessing to others...Use your Inner Power... and be the great person that God has envision you to be... 

  

Educating The Mind's Eye :An Exercise on Visualization and Imagery

To begin, simply relax and close your eyes; then :

Imagine yourself on a bed of soft, fragrant moss, on a gentle slope beneath a large tree , on a hillside overlooking the ocean. The sky is clear. The ocean is calm. The air is skin temperature. With each breath your lungs fill with fresh,clean air that is at the same time soothing and revitalizing . Don't count or change your breaths, but pay attention to them as they become deeper and more relaxed. Although your " eye of flesh" is closed to the external world, your mind's eye is awake and alert. With each breath, you feel lighter , and the interior landscape comes into sharper focus.

You take a particularly deep breath and discover that you are floating effortlessly above the ground. You float around the tree and see what was behind you, opposite the seascape. Gently rolling green hills stretch out to the blue horizon. In the distance, a single snowcapped mountain peak beckons.

As you start to gently  float toward the distant peak, you notice a path across the foothills , aimed directly at the mountain. As you move faster, the mountain grows nearer. You can discern the rocky crags and cliffs as you float closer. All your senses seem to sharpen, and a  feeling of well being and pleasant anticipation grows within you as the mountain looms ahead. What new discoveries does it hold for you ?

As you move faster and faster, the mountain grows still nearer. You are still perfectly relaxed, still floating, but now you are ascending higher and higher with every breath. There is no physical or mental effort involved in your ascent, but you notice that the path and the plain and the tree are far, far below and behind you as the foothills rise into the base of the mountain and the path climbs up the mountain toward the peak.

At the top of the mountain, the green countryside rolls and the shining sea ripples into the distance. The sky is deep blue above you. You look over the top of the peak and discover that you are atop an extinct volcano . In the crater is the clearest lake you have ever seen. So clear is the lake, in fact, that you don't notice it until you notice the small , wooded  island in the center of the crystalline waters.

You descend to the island, skimming a few feet above the ground.  On the island, beneath a small, old bonsai like tree, a clear, cool spring bubbles forth from the roots and cascades down to the lake. You lie on the ground and peer into the roots at the very source ,and when your eyes adjust to the darkness, you see something in the depths . What is it ?  Remember whatever you see. Study it . And let it go.

Drink from the spring, move away from the tree , float away from the island, up over the lip of the crater, down the other side of the mountain , and at the crest of a foothill, pause for a moment to look at a small valley you've never seen before. What do you see ? Go down into it. Who and what do you meet ? Do they have anything to say to you, show you, give you ?  Be sure to thank them for their gifts, and prepare to return to your "other " world.

When you are ready to return , imagine yourself back at the tree on the hillside overlooking the sea. Imagine that the sun is slowly setting. When darkness begins to fall, take a deep breath and open your eyes . Try to fix the impressions from your journey in your external consciousness, then immediately write or draw your impressions and images.

The images that may appear on this first journey are often clues to your most important feelings, solutions to current problems, or helpers on your journey to full visualuzation skills. But sometimes, the meaning of images  only become clear later, when other images can furnish a context .

Don't be discouraged if nothing spectacular happens at the beginning . Simply repeat the exercise  daily , until you are comfortable with it and the images grow vivid. After all, it is worth a little practice and effort to learn the language of the unconscious so that when it speaks you can understand and communicate with it.

 

How to Get Rid of Our Negative Thoughts

Have you ever pay close attention on what you think about ? We have hundreds of thoughts every day and we lose tract of it as the day wears on.

Try to pay attention on what you are thinking about .

You will notice that among the hundred of thoughts that comes into your mind. a lot are negative thoughts that does not help us to be the success we want to be.

When we think on why we can not do something or why things are not working out  ... these are negative thoughts....

These negative thoughts can be powerful influence if we constantly entertain them in our daily life. 

Your thoughts create your reality. So the more that we have to avoid negative thoughts and banish them to oblivion.

But why do we have these negative thoughts ?

First of all, we are used having them . They came from parents, teachers and other authority figures whose words have power over us. When we try not to follow what they want, they blackmail us and tell us all sorts of negative things just so we follow their instructions or what they  want us to do.

Secondly, we feel comfortable with them. In fact, we don't even notice they exist until we pay attention.

However, if we want success in our life, then we have to get rid of these negative thoughts. We have to change our thought process and replace them with empowering beliefs or affirmations. This will allow us to have a happier and abundant life.

How do we replace these negative thoughts ?

1. Create positive beliefs/affirmations to lead a rewarding life

2. Think about how things could work for you

3. Think about how you can improve your life or find solutions to your problems

4. Direct your "subconscious" mind or your inner mind to create more positive situations and positive outcomes

5. Constantly focus on positive things so you will attract positive events and people

Start directing your mind to create the life that you want.

Pay careful attention to your thoughts . As I said, your thoughts become your reality.

If you persistently think that you are not good enough or that you don't have what it takes , this becomes your reality.

When you develop your goals, don't think yet how you are going to get to the future , just have a clear picture of what the future will look like. But as you regularly think on why you can do something, you will eventually believe that you can achieve your goal.

The moment we believe we can do it , our "inner" mind create situations to help us achieve our goals.  

Creating Your Own Reality

We have to learn how to listen to the voice of our inner self ( the subconscious mind ) and work with it. We simply ask our inner self , questions or answers to our day to day concens/problems.

We create our own reality based on what we believe and expect. If you do not like your present reality, then review your own expectations.

Our world is just a replica of our own thought. If we have positive thoughts about a certain situation in our life we send vibrations for positive use for this.

We have to learn how to "delete" the negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones. A negative thought , if it persists results to a negative condition.

However, negative thoughts such as fear, anger, and resentment, though must be "deleted", must not be "repressed" or simply ignored. We need to recognized, face and eventually replaced them with positive thoughts . Otherwise they may result to sickness.

We have to be careful with the pictures that we form in our imagination ( again, the subconscious mind ). Our present reality is a direct result of what our inner expectations are.   If we constantly think of scarcity, illness or depressed feelings, these will " automatically" govern our thought  processes.

That's why there is a popular cliche which states " Be careful with what you wish for for you might just get it ."

We also create our own difficulties . Our inner psychological world is projected outward in our physical reality . There are no exception, the rule applies to all.

We cannot escape our own attitudes , because they will form part of what we see in our environment . If our attitude is negative , distrustful, fearful or even worst degrading, this can work against us. If we are obssesed with evil or bad thoughts , we project this toward others and we become blind to what is good.

If you want to know what you think about , ask yourself what you think of others and you will find the answer. You must first know what you always think about, if it is a positive picture image then develop and nurture it.

Always remember that you are part of your inner self. What you can do is to change your mental attitude, search yourself for your inner conflicts manifested by symptoms of your sickness.

You are not maximizing your potentials as a person when you think you are only a physical living organism.

Life is abundant. We should trust our innate ability to prosper and succeed in life.

We are unique. We make and change our world. We must live with faith that we will fulfill our purpose as designed by God for us. We have to appreciate the talents/gifts as bestowed to us.

As another cliche goes, " What we are is God's gift to us, what we become is our gift to God. "

Have a fruitful day today.

Mind Healing ( Your Mind Can Heal )

Our mind can make us sick. You see evidence of this in our every day work and responsibilities. Our "monkey" mind keeps on jumping from one idea or thought to another causing us to be confused and  stressed out.

Sometimes, or most of the time we end up not finishing anything because of too much multi-tasking. We become jack of all trades but master of nothing.

Accomplishing nothing, we are pressured to perform and to deliver outcome. Since we can not produce the required outcome, we become sick to cope with the demands of work and our company's expectation.

Easier to say, that I can not report to work because I am sick. Rather than say, I can not report because I can not deliver what is expected of me. Ouch !

Haven't you noticed we have a lot of incidence of ADHD cases ?   Kids can't focus, they have a lot of stimulation in their environment and they can not be still in one place or task.

Since we are not delivering results, we feel bad and our self esteem becomes affected. We think we are not good enough and the more our performance suffers. Worse, we become sick - tension headaches, migraine, hypertension and other chronic diseases.

We tried traditional medications but the results are temporary but the symptoms are recurring.

It is all because our mind is the one who is sick. So alternative therapies advocate quieting our "monkey" minds through relaxation, meditation and prayers. Research shows dramatic results of healing using these various mind tools.

So healing begins with the mind first. We must have the intention to get well. Conventional medicines merely suppress the symptoms but if we do not address the root cause of our sickness , we fail to have complete healing.

Visualization techniques let you see in your "mind's eyes" that you are healed or that you are healthy and strong. Visualization is a powerful tool in mind healing.

Our mind can do everything for us. We just have to tell it specifically what we want to happen.

When I was still a Psychology student in college, we learned from Sigmund Freud that our mind has two components : the conscious and the unconscious/subconscious. He even compared the conscious mind to an iceberg where only 10% is visible  and the 90% which is the subsconscious mind is submerged.

This 90% which comprise the subsconscious mind, is the one we can use for healing. Without the power of our mind, complete healing is not possible.

In the book, Minding the Body, Mending the Mind by Dr. Borysenko, she talks of Milton Erikson, a famous psychiatrist, who became paralyzed when he was young because of polio but was able to recover from his paralysis through the use of the power of his mind.

One day while still paralyze he was left tied at the rocking chair at home but he would like to go to the window  and see the view outside, through his desire to go near the window he notice that the rocking chair moves so the more he concentrate with this desire the more the chair  moves so becoming aware of this power of his mind, he used this to heal his paralysis.

We really have to understand how our mind works. You can use positive affirmations and visualizations to influence our subconscious mind, where repressed emotions are. To be effective, affirmations must be simple, easy to recall and believable. You have to repeat your affirmations daily to be effective.

Examples of daily affirmations :

I am healthy and strong.

I am willing to change my eating habits and lifestyle.

These positive affirmations can change our negative thoughts to positive ones.

In 2004, I was diagnose with ovarian cyst and endometriosis, and the doctor's recommendation was hysterectomy. I got scared so I did my own research and did not just rely on the doctor's evaluation. Because of the information I got, I decided not to have the surgery recommended by the doctor. What I did , I prayed every day to the Blessed Virgin Mary using the novena for the Mother of Perpetual Help and asked for healing . When I went back to the doctor after six(6) months, the cyst was gone. Miracle still happen in our midst., We just have to ask for it.

Only you can help yourself to heal, only you can change your thinking process. The road to healing is not easy, we may encounter obstacles and hurdles . But with your determination to heal, you can overcome all these obstacles .

Your thoughts create your reality. So we have to be careful with what we conditioned our mind to be.

Based on our physiology, our mind is our brain. So to heal, our brain should be healthy. so how do we have  healthy brain ?

A healthy brain has to be relaxed, which we can achieved through meditation. Because meditation creates a state of calmness to relax both our mind and our body, creating an environment conducive to mind healing.

Doing What You Love

Your call is to enjoy what you do for a living, that some writers say it becomes play. Then it becomes fun and rewarding. Because we enjoy what we do, abundance comes into our life and we become successful.

But sometimes in our life journey, we feel stuck. Why ? Maybe we don't know what we want. We have wrong priorities.

So define what success looks like for you. Imagine how it is being in a job that you love to do. Write it if  you can, plant it in your subconscious. Visualize having it every day.

Negative attitude about our work create toxins in our body which contributes to illness we have in our body. If you are having back pains, recall when did it start ? What events has taken place in your life ?

I saw a video in youtube, a therapist interviewing a patient about his back pains and the patient said it started when he felt hatred towards his job.

Either you change your attitude towards your job or you change your job rather than suffer every day with chronic back pain. Lucky for this person he was able to identify the cause of his back pain, what about thousands of us who does not know  what causes our chronic pain. Start becoming aware of your body, as well as your thoughts and activties.

If you know what you want in your life, start working how you will be closer to your dreams, than suffering with daily pain and feeling better with your situation.

When we love what we do it, we are excited every day to face the day and its challenges. Something can be done. You just have to act on it.

Be careful how you talk about abundance. Listen to your daily talk to yourself. Make sure that you believe what your positive affirmations are. Don't counter it with negative thoughts.

Think about your job right now. Are you just there for the pay check ? We can do positive changes by afffirming our daily activities.

Think of it this way, you are place there at your present job because you have a lesson to learn...There are no coincidences on Earth. Where we are place today is a key towards our future success. Most of the time, not until we learn the lessons for our "stopovers" in our success journey, we can not move on towards our dream goal.

Do your best right now and love what you do...

GIGO

It stands for Garbage In - Garbage Out. It's a computer lingo. It can also apply to us. What we feed our minds and bodies affect us tremendously.

How ?

If you watch TV for at least two (2) hours every day and you are now 50 yrs old and you started watching when you were 10 yrs old, that's equivalent to three (3) years of unproductive time.  Imagine you could have 1,200 days of productive undertaking to write, paint or any worthwhile activity .

So what do we see on TV. Lots of commercials, drama or violence and bad news most of the time.  The commercials  for instance creates a hypnotic trance to our minds, that's why when we go to the grocery store , we pick items we saw on those commercials and put it in our carts.

In soap operas, they pictures cancer as a deadly diseases so we have this notion that cancer is a hopeless case. So if we have this in the family we just surrender to that idea and do nothing.

Parents who keep repeating to their children, " Don't do that, you will get sick or, you may fall " What we expect to happens, happens eventually. It's a self fulfilling prophesy.Then we wonder what' s going on .

Every day we are bombarded with negative stimuli and worst expectations which drains our energy and then this comes out in forms of illness and accidents even depression.

But if we feed our minds with positive affirmations and positive energy, we feel good about ourselves and we welcome good health in our life.

We become what we put in our minds. Our thoughts become our reality. We decide which in our environment we will attend to or which one to ignore.   

My Dearest One

It was a usual day in April , the sky exceptionally bright with no traces of dark clouds hanging around, when you came into my life for the first time. I could still vividly recall that day, you tried to get my attention and I snubbed you. I was young and I did not particularly care. Though in silence I admire your cute ways. I thought that someday we'll gonna have all the time in this world. But I was wrong.

When we were in college ( you back in the province and I here in Manila ) I was really crazy about you. I felt free to write poems about you. Hoping that someday I could give them to you. At night , I couldn't sleep , your image kept flashing in my mind. At my bedside lies the picture of your image together with the softness of my pillow, the glister in your eyes could be seen at the fluorescent lamp of my room.

At first I thought it was merely infatuation I've felt towards you. But with every little changes one encounter in life, every thing seems to be affected and gradually the feeling grew deeper and it changed my life. I remember how I  wanted the days to fly so that I could see you and be with you. When I came back that summer, you smiled at me. There was a certain glow in your eyes and I mistook it for love. And so I thought that half the battle I won. Back in Manila, I nurtured that feeling, knowing that you love me too. I ignored those guys courting me. I was so sure of myself that I entertain no doubts. I was very much in love that I took for granted your feelings. You never really said that you loved me too. So I let the pretension go on, not knowing it was only masking my fears.

Thinking of it now, we never really shared anything. I only let the dreams go on, not noticing the swift passing of the years. After that meeting that summer, I never saw you again. I can't go on cheating myself, I have a world to which I must belong, a world of reality and not mere illusions. I never thought I was a quitter but I have to give you up. I let you go, though in the first place you were never mine. I just let life go on. I refused to think of you. I busied myself with so much activities, buried myself in books - studying and working like someone possessed. For a while I did not give a single thought about you. I was busy with Chemistry and Psychology.

I tired myself during the day so that at night I'm exhausted to even think of you. Somehow I succeeded, associating myself with other guys but the pretension later was too much for me to bear. I felt that being with them won't help me in anyway so I invested all my energies in my studies . I kept myself occupied, I took summer classes, I bought tons and tons of books, I watched movies - all these stuff to keep you away from my mind. I earned scholarships, people around me were all praises for my so-called achievements not knowing that inside me I was just compensating for my frustrations. I was too proud to accept my defeat. I was a good researcher but I never bothered to investigate the sudden change in you. I could not force myself to bend and let go of my ego. Perhaps I was even afraid of the truth.

In college,I've learned a lot. I was able to build confidence in me. It was a world I deserved, where I belong. I came back at San Carlos, confident I was free of you. But I was wrong , how fragile my defenses were. One look at you and everything came rushing back. I couldn't help looking at you. I felt like a high school girl again looking at my high school hero. I could not deceive myself this time. I have outgrown my childish wishes, my nagging fears but there was one thing that did not changed in me - I am still in love with you.

All these years, things rarely do change no matter how much we want them to be. The futility of things I've done throughout the years and all because of that someone I met that day in April. I asked a question and my books just stare back at me like neon lights at the empty shaded streets. Did I really lost the battle ? Am I not entitled to fight for a dream no matter how shattered ? Are you in your own self, a complete success, and I a total failure ?

I loved you so much that I thought you couldn't help loving me too. I could have love you forever if you only gave me half the chance. But I'm not giving up now. I kept this feeling for years and I guess I refused to let it go . Perhaps my tactics are all wrong.And I could still try.

After four long years, why do we have to meet again ? And I saw that sweet smiles and those eyes again, it kept me hoping once more. Will my renewed hope turn my dreams into reality now ?

I can only wait.......

This Strange Feeling

laman ka na naman
ng aking gunita
kahit ano pa
ang sabihin mo
ikaw pa rin
ang sinisigaw ng aking balintataw

corny stuff, isn't it ?
but i just want
to voice out
how i feel deep inside me
this is no strange feeling

i know you are aware
as i am

my life seems so empty
yet full of dreams
(and oh nightmares ?)
if you'll only be there
to comfort me
and ease my loneliness

when i love a person
i try to give my all
always wishing the other person
to be happy
even if happiness
means leaving you
alone with yourself

i hope that
even for just sometime
you take time
to think of me as well

but with you i know
half the battle is won
i hope you're dead serious
or else i don't know
what's going to happen
to me ?

remember that
love never gives up
whatever happens
i'll stay
if trials will come
it is just a test
on how much love endures

i don't know
if you're the "real one"
but i never felt this way
nor can i understand
the sudden change in me

i never dream
this way
and all because of you
i don't only love you
during a particular part of the day
but every seconds
minutes and hours of the day

i long to kiss
the smiles on your lips
to touch
the strands of your brown hair

i've never been this foolish
 i guess...

Enlarge Your Thinking

Enlarge Your Territories...THINK BIG, LOVE BIG

Do you remember the prayer of Jabez ? 1 Chronicles 4 :10

Oh , that you would bless me and enlarge my territory ...

We are encourage to do our best in our jobs , in our family and for us to STAND OUT.... we can only enlarge our territory if after praying we have to do small actions towards what we are asking for.

God has inplanted in our hearts big dreams and He will help us see this dream come true...

Why are we not making it ? Perhaps our fears ... prevents us make the first step... we are afraid to be a failure so we got stuck up from where we are... then all we do is complain and complain...

We are also afraid of rejection so we avoid dealing with people ... all successful people knows how to deal with others because any business endeavors has a people component and unless you understand how this work , you will be grouchy and isolated...

We want to Think Big...to Love Big because in the end we always say we work hard for our family ...so Love Big..we want to share with others whatever blessings we receive...

We are encourage  not to hurry, to let the natural growth of things , of dreams to be ... because most of the time when we hurry that's when that we face a lot of obstacles...maybe because the lessons we need to learn has not sink it yet...in our hearts...

Don't forget to thank God for His goodness.

Gratitude is the best attitude...thank God for today you are here alive and still part of this world.

Missing You

i am missing you...

it's so hard

because you're very far

for me.... to reach you

but every night

you're always with me ...

in my dreams

i hope you try

to understand my feelings

towards you

when "someone" told me

you're giving your regards

my heart beats so fast

knowing that somehow

you still remember me

you change my life

no one has ever

made me change

like this...

sometimes i wish

i never know you existed

for you are affecting my whole system

First Love

the surprise of my life i got it today
God, if i am dreaming, please don't wake me up
i was not expecting a letter from you
since you're coming over during the weekend

am i really your first love ?

my first love
is a love that turned into an illusion
    and a challenge
can you somehow read between the lines ?

will you really choose me ?
i almost memorize the sweet lines
      in your letter
but you might just be patching me up
   because of last week's event

but no matter what you did to hurt me
i know in my heart i can always forgive you
because i love you...

is this love strong enough to
    survive the years ?
to surpass all the trials and obstacles ?
will you really fight for your feelings
   for me ?

i studied the letter in detail
trying to dissect  it piece by piece
i never grew tired reading the lines

but somehow deep inside me
i still have my doubts
are you really telling the truth ?
or are you just manipulating me ?

again if i am dreaming,
please don't wake me up

No More Tears

i love you
but how about your feelings
Do you feel the same ?
or not ?
when will things get clearer ?
will it stay as obscure as
      it is now?
are you hating me?
or the other way around

but no matter what i do
i go back
to the same "old" crazy feeling
i have for you

i want time to fly
so that things will be clearer for me
it's killing me, the endless questioning
i am even losing hope
as if i can't wait no more
but i hope
that there will be
 a fulfillment for every wishes
kept in my heart

so many things
i can't seem to face
but i have to
it's part of my life
trying to smile
amidst the difficulties
and frustrations
i encounter

sometimes i want to just cry
but there are
no more tears to fall
why am i becoming like this ?
i guess the pain
made me numb

life is like a lost dream
all because of you
you taught me
to weave dreams
in the air castles
it is only there
that i could find
fulfillment of my love for you...

Self Talk for Personal Health

I do everything I need to be healthy and fit.

I exercise, and I enjoy it. Healthy exercise is a natural part of my day.

I only eat food that is healthy and nutritious for me, and I always eat the right amount.

Even the thought of food or eating serves only to remind me of my own morning healthiness.

I make sure that I weigh the weight that is best and healthiest for me.

I keep myself fit - and it shows.

Being fit and keeping my body in shape is something I really enjoy working at every day.

Every time I hear the word "health" or the word "fitness" , I automatically think of positive health, positive fitness and a healthy picture of myself.

I recognize that not everything about my health is always under my control. But I choose to always do everything I can and need to do - to create the greatest possible healthiness that I am capable of achieving.

I replace worry with action. Instead of being concerned for my health, I take control of it.

I never put off taking care of myself. When something needs to be done to improve or protect my health -  I  take action and I get it done.

I recognize that I exercise in the natural way to reduce stress in my life.

Instead of letting stress effect me in any negative way, I control it - it never controls me.

I choose my friends, I choose to spend my time with people who care about  themselves as much as I care about me.

I choose to have no habits which could be harmful to me in any way.

I create only positive, healthy habits in my life.

I program my own mind to always think and act in the healthiest possible way.

I create more health and fitness for myself by setting fitness goals, writing out a plan of action , and working at it everyday. I set my fitness goals and I reach them.

I look good, I feel good and it shows in everything I say and do. I'm taking charge of my health and my fitness , and it shows.
 
Adapted

Move Mountains

The Bible says that whatever we ask for in prayer, if we believe that we will receive it and it will be yours.

I have experience this personally in my life whether financial, material possessions, relationships concerns, even parking space...God is so good if you put your trust in Him.

Moments when you do not know what to with your life and there is no one to turn to except God. Surrender your worries to Him and He will take care of your problems. Just have faith and be humble to ask for His help.

There are times we feel proud that we hesitate to ask or we assume He knows...perhaps but His words said Ask and you shall receive so that's the hint we fail to see most of the time we have to ask...

There maybe times that the answers does not come easily or when we want it... God's delays are not God's denials...maybe there are lessons that we are not learning yet...so we have to wait for the time...

Personally I believe based on my personal experience that He will answer our prayers but in His time...maybe we have to deserve the grace...but in the end with our persistence He will grant our wishes...

Don't  focus on the mountain but focus on the mountain mover ...Jesus...

Most of the time we tend to complain when what we need is to conquer our fears, our anxieties, etc...We get sick...maybe He wants to get our attention. The disease is a messenger of God. He is calling our attention to pray, to slow down, to see what really matters ....relationships versus material possessions....

Sometimes we become obsessed with the material things and we neglect our relationships when on the outset we tell them we are doing these things for them but how come we failed to give them the attention that they need from us , most especially our love, our affection...

 Our problem maybe a surface problem, when we have to find the source problem...like you maybe sick of a heart problem (surface problem) but work alcoholism (source problem) so even if you take medications for the heart problem until the source problem is address, the symptoms will just recur or there will be no complete healing.

The Day the Lord Came Into My Life . . .

...I Was Blessed With An Abundant Life


When I was  much younger and still struggling in my career, I feel there was a lack in my life. My earnings  is not enough to even sustain my needs, much less save for the future. I can not even afford simple luxuries.

All my money goes to  my daily needs and helping my parents in the educational needs of my siblings.

Life was such a big challenge but I move on and face the daily chores with the hope of things getting better.

Then I discovered in my search that I have not been maximizing my mind power. My subconscious mind is responsible for my thought process.

What I feed it, what I tell it becomes my Reality.

So I have to think of abundance, that there is enough for every one. Just conceive what you want to become and it will be a reality. Just continue to dream your goals and you can write it. Visualize it... as if you have it .

When you think of abundance, you think of sharing... sharing your blessings makes it a double reality.

You are happy and you share and others are happy as well. So you sort of double your blessings and you create an abundance mentality.

The Lord does not want us to wallow in poverty, in wanting but instead wants us to be happy and experience abundant living.

Ever since I change my attitude and has utilize the power of my mind ... my life has been blessed...so bless that I can even share my blessings.

At the start , it was not easy to face all your so called negative "programs", such as "I can't afford it",  "Money is the root of all evils"' I'm not good enough", If I give, nothing will be left for me", etc.

All these programs were blocking my way to prosperity.

Then I read on books, I have to write what I want and say it every day. Proclaim it to the universe.

I have to know what I want, specify my dream goals. Is it money ? car ? career ?

I have to know what my priorities are. What do I value in my life ?

Most of the time , we want a lot of things so our mind becomes confuse what to achieve first. So we have to have FOCUS, when we write our goals , what do we really want ?

If its money ? how much ? when will we have it ? will others benefit from it ?

The Bible mentioned in one of its verses that "we do not have because we did not ask"..

Lately I even learn how to make dream boards....or so called  Vision Boards ...

Just have a blank white board,  cut out from magazines of images or pictures of what your goals in life represent or you may draw...create a collage... then place this dream board where you can always see it .. be surprise to see them coming to reality

So start having goals, weave your dreams and know what you want... then surrender it to the Lord for manifestation...

Have a great life....

Enjoying Everyday Life

Do you ?

Or are you always complaining ? finding what's missing ?

What don't you instead appreciate with what you have ? now ... whatever is infront of you ...

Yes... your kids... do you have time to bond with them ?  Stop the excuses of doing all your work for them. How will they appreciate you if you are always absent ? Find the time...no excuses...

Your spouse...when was the last time you had a date ? or simply chatting with the days event ...don't be a boarder in your own house.

Your relatives and friends, always there when you needed them...a shoulder to cry on....  a bank with no interests when you borrow...

Your house ...how many are living in the streets and yet you have a house complete with modern day conveniences... food at the table ...and many other things...

Your work... thousand of graduates and unemployed lined up companies just for an interview and yet you ...you have a good paying job...appreciate your co-workers especially your boss...he decides for your annual merit increases...

the flowers on the road....the beautiful sunset at the end of your day... all of nature's best...all yours to appreciate without a single cent from your wallet ...

Life is one big joy to have...we just have to be thankful with what we have ... see the glass as half full... not half empty...

You may feel nothing to be thankful for... take a deep breath.... air ... our breath is God's special gift to us...  we have life today ... do we have the insurance that we will still be alive tomorrow?

Well, how we wish we can buy that insurance policy ... so enjoy your every day while you have the opportunity...

If you have 36 hours to live, what three (3) things will you do ?

Most would answer spend time with family and ask for God's forgiveness... but why wait for the last 36 hours of your life...since we don't have the insurance...

So when will you do these 3 things... DO THEM NOW...and enjoy

Just A Friend

you're my crush 'coz of your cuteness
it might be the difference in you
the uniqueness of your sweet smiles
with caress and embraces of your touch

as days passed by
with you, i've made the most of my life
and face life with smiles on my face
perhaps,the down of it, didn't made me?

to discover the inner most part of myself,
of what do i really feel towards you ?
and then i begin to reflect my thoughts,
what meaning do you give to life ?

i spent so many sleepless nights
thinking of the down to earth jokes we've shared
but why must your image
keep haunting me even in my dreams ?

is it love ?
or mere kindness that make us near
i was mixed up for it is difficult
to understand  the real score of our friendship

what cause us to share love's goodness
why can't i simply turn you down ?
will there be  a place for us someday ?
why can't i make things go without you ?

i was lost and confuse
and your touch gave protection
your eyes gave light and love
and i started to "need" you

am i not worth to be called your "dearest one"?
what am i to do now?
start building a "new" world
just to break it into pieces later on

i may be bitter but i'm not hating you
i am still in my right senses
and i know we're nothing but friends
for...it had been "that way" ever since

you left me with a touch of pain
and shattered dreams to cling on
what's instore for my "tomorrow"?
now i am lost again...

now i know the real score of our "friendship"
for you, i may just be a friend
and yet for me
you're more than just a friend

i love you...so soft and oh so sweet
filled with affection and earth's goodness
perhaps even paradise and heights of heaven's glory
a very short phrase you took for granted

Why Do We Get Sick?

Our natural state is one of good health and vitality . When we are sick there is an imbalance or blockage in our  total energy level . This may mean we maybe blocking our emotions , not loving our self enough , limiting beliefs or afraid to ask for what want in our life . Sickness is a sign of suppressed emotions .

Research shows that 90% of our sickness is caused by our emotional issues such as unresolved anger, resentments and other negative emotions. Cancer stricken  patients are found to have unresolved  emotional issues, that is why they are sick. These suppressed emotions are stored up in our bodies which prevents energy flowing in our body and eventually causes symptoms and sickness so that our attention goes to these unresolved issues.

On top of this, our busy lifestyle has cause us to rely so much  on processed ready to eat foods – canned goods , so called “junk” foods , chemically laden fruit juices and drinks. Our career has caused too much stress also which contributes to diseases such as hypertension , diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, etc.

Sometimes we get sick because our “ spirit” is sick. The state of our spirit manifest in our body. We get sick because we are spiritually deprived. Because we have the  material things  we need, our  tendency to overlook our spiritual self.

We shop, we dine, we play but we forget to go and hear the Holy Mass even just on a Sunday . We overlook  our responsibilities with the Lord.

Relationship issues causes us to be sick.  Differences with parents, spouse or children depresses us. Do the people around you uplift our spirit ? or put down our self-esteem ?

Environmental  toxins  causes us to be sick. Pollution, waste and chemicals causes asthma and other air borne diseases. Waste generate germs in our surroundings.

Some with what they call Type A personality are prone to stress related disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, gastro intestinal, fatigue , stress ,hypertension, migrane headaches , ulcers , asthma , depression and chronic diarrhea. 

These people have a strong sense of urgency , they are highly competitive and gets easily angry when he doesn’t get his way. Although they are successful however they have a high incidence of the stress related disorders.

So you see a lot of factors affect our health …we just have to be aware what causes us to be sick…Is it the food that we eat ? Or the emotional pains we carry in our hearts ? the pollution in our environment ?

Knowing these information, lifestyle change will heal us from our so called sickness …  of course  , prayers help also.

  

What does your sickness mean ?

1.  Work out the body language

What metaphors is your body using ? What is your body expressing is a symbolic way ? What issues in your current life might it be linked with ? Brainstorm the possibilities , and check what relates with you.

   2.  What are the advantages of having this sickness ?

Be honest . Is it giving you time to rest for a few days ? or excused for an important but unwanted responsibilities ?  Just a way to say NO ?

   3. What are your unmet needs or suppressed emotions that you have been ignoring ?

Which emotions is your “inner “ child trying to express ? Sadness ? Resentment ? Love ? What unmet needs are you  trying to get attention ? In what ways are you not giving importance to your self ?

4.  What are the negative beliefs which encouraged this illness to develop ?

How have you programmed your body to become sick ?  such as “I always get cold” , “My family has a history heart disease” , among others . Beliefs are more dangerous than viruses .

  5. What action do you need to take ?

What is the lesson you need to learn and how you can prove that you learned the lesson from it ? Understanding the message from your body is a waste of time unless you can act on it .   

  6.  Focus on health rather than sickness .

    See yourself in perfect health . We get what we concentrate on . The more we think about something  ( sickness ) , the more likely that we create them. Make the decision to get well .

Dark Night of the Soul

Have you experience "spiritual dryness"? Moments when you can not feel God's presence in your life...when all your prayers are not answered and you wonder is there really a God ? Then you drift away and do all the worldly things regardless of the consequences... that they say is the "Dark Night of the Soul".

Do you remember the story of the "Footprints in the Sand "?... where there was only one set of footprints because God carried you along the darkest moments...

Perhaps there was "dryness" because we failed to realize that only God can satisfy our deepest need.

What we really need is to trust God, after doing our share and we may feel there is nothing we can do then it's time to surrender to the Lord and let Him do the rest. It is hard to explain this phenomena but perhaps that is why we have what we call a miracle.

After praying for your needs and wants, do your share and then God answers your prayers. How else can you explain except for God's graces.

There are times the answers does not come when you want it.

But "God's delays are not God's denials".

The answers comes at the right time. Perhaps at God's appropriate time.

When you feel spiritual dryness, try to :

1. Find God in the ordinary

See God's love every where even in the small things ...a beautiful flower...a cute baby...a sumptuous dinner

2. Continue praying

Sometimes we do not have because we do not ask. We assume God knows what we want.

But no, He wants us to be humble and ask for His graces and blessings.

3.Surround yourself  with holy company

Be with people who will have a positive influence in your life. Listen to inspirational speakers. Read motivational books. Listen to God's preachers.

This is just a challenge and like any tests, we have to pass it with flying colors.

Have a great week ahead and God bless you always.

Writing of Pain

Parenting is one responsibility that college education did not prepare us to handle or even any other experience. It just comes, the daily challenges of parenthood.

Now the storm has somehow calmed down but there were moments of pain and feelings of desperation and hopelessness. But with prayer and God's help, I was able to overcome those stormy nights.

Someday I want to develop a training program for parents to assist them in their parenting skills and be the best parent that they can be less the stress and pain.

God does not want to spare us from the pain so you truly appreciate the joy when you achieve your goals.

Once in while there are still bumps along the way but the bonding that has developed during those stormy nights has given us strength to pass all the challenges of daily life as  a parent.

Reflect on life ? How has it been ? challenges...accomplishments...trials...triumphs,love, joy, pain, success...

How will you describe a life well lived ? Everything happens for a reason.  Lessons learned from every challenges that we face. My parents has instilled  within me proper values on family, hard work and love of God.

My Dad left us 8 years ago to join his Creator , a bullet ended his life. Till now we don't the reason why he was killed.

Dad loved us so much. He labored hard to give us a good future. I think he did not even finish his high school education because he got married at 18 yrs old. But despite his humble beginnings, we finish our college education. We are seven, well, one brother decided not to pursue college but now has his own business.

Sometimes you wish he is still around especially during Christmas time where we have family reunions.He feel so accomplished seeing all  his children and grandchildren together even for a day.

We really miss him during such events knowing all the hard work he had just so we can have a better future than what life has offered him.

I know Dad you are so proud of us. You inspired us to do our best so we can be the best we can be.

We miss you as you always empower us with your presence. I know you are still around to guide us and protect us.

Sometimes when I stroll at the mall, I remember how you love to go to malls to while away your time but that time I was a busy corporate executive and you said I don't have time for my children. So we did not have a bonding time.

Dad, probably you can see now in heaven how malls has mushroom in the city and the provinces.

When there are special events in the news..hostage taking, celebrities funeral wake, I suddenly remember you because I know you will go where the action is. Remember how you took the effort and fall in line in Rico Yan's funeral wake at La Salle Greenhills.

You were always in a hurry then...now I know why...your life was short... we joke that maybe you have a meeting to attend.

Your life was short but it was well lived for in our hearts you will always be there.

It's Father's Day and today I want to honor all the fathers out there who gave the same sacrifice you had for us  .

Dad, Happy Father's Day. till we meet again. We Love You.

Just You

24 hours a day

my mind and heart is

preoccupied with your thoughts

i just can't get enough of you

my life is all about you

the moment I wake up

  in the morning

you're in my mind 

asking myself if you are awake

 as well already

have you started your day too

i always look forward

the time we can be together

  and share life's moments

how crazy can I be

  all i want is just to be with you

spend my whole life with you

but what if you don't feel the same way

all i have in my mind, in my life

  is YOU...you and you

nothing more, nothing less

JUST YOU

 

The Power of the Mind

Research shows we only use 10% of our abilities. Just imagine what will happen if we will use the 90%. So why are we not using it.

Our mind is a powerful tool. In it we weave our dreams, we relax our body, we form our attitudes and belief. It literally rule our life. Whatever we tell it to do even if there is no physical stimuli, we follow it's command.

Imagine a green mango infront of you ( please close your eyes when you do this exercise ) then you get a knife and you started to peel it off. Afterwards you slice it.

Did you experience the sour taste of the mango ( even if there is no physical presence of the green mango ) ? That's one test of how powerful our mind is.

Using this powerful tool, we can heal our physical ailment. Dr. Simonton of the book " Getting Well Again" use this powerful tool when he treated his cancer patients. He discovered that patients using visualization techniques imagining cancer cells being beaten by healthy anti-cancer cells.

He combined traditional medical treatment with alternative therapies which involves using the mind to combat the cancer cells in our body.

Before we use this techniques we have to let go of whatever emotional pain we have and do relaxation exercises because as long as we have a scattered and confused mind we can not heal our physical ailments.

The medicines we drink may temporarily heal us but our symptoms keeps on recurring once the immediate effect of the medicines wears off.

It is powerful but still the free will to utilize it will still depend on us. We are not force or coerce , we have to want to make it work,

I Remember My Dad

Right after college I decided to fly my own wings, look for a job in a nearby province where I worked as a guidance counselor in a university. I can still remember the pain in my dad's face as tell him that I am leaving home to work somewhere else.

How time flies that was 23 years ago and here I am now with my 16 years old son going to college. I have no choice but to let him live in the city where most good schools are.

I suddenly remember the day I was telling my Dad that I am gonna leave home and work in another place.

Dad has left us three years ago to join His creator. So he could not tease me now with my dilemma .

I  miss having my son every day at home. Now he goes home during weekends .

Suddenly time is of the essence , pretty soon my twin daughters will also go to college and I am literally home alone. I decided two years ago to leave the corporate world to be  a full time mom.

These past two years is quite a learning experience for me. It is just now that I am getting to know my children. Sometimes you wonder and perhaps my co-workers too, why leave a high paying job with all its frills and job titles.

Well, I have no regrets because these past two years I have gotten to know my kids.  Now I am there when I am needed... fetch them from school...go to the bookstore to buy their projects...just simply malling and bonding as a family.

It was worth the sacrifice. Dad would usually remind me then that I have no time for my children. It's all work for me. When I have to bring my youngest daughter to the doctor, I have to call him to bring her to the hospital or sometimes just be at my home to take care of my kids.

I was so consume by my work then.

When he died, I suddenly realize how short life is and that I have to hear his advise to have time for my family. So a year after he left us, I decided to resign from work and focus on my family.

I miss you Dad.