Friendship

Friendship
is a two way street
If it is not fed
from both sides,
it will atrophy

Why do I
always have to make
the phone calls ?
How come
you never call me ?
this kind of complaint
is a  bad omen
corrosion has set in
because there is
no real exchange

We have to
have time
for our friends
We must be
available

It is so easy
to plead
a multitude of demands
on our time

How important are these demands ?
If a friendship is to thrive ,
We have to face this question because
a friend can not survive neglect

Being available means to take the initiative
Write that letter , make that phone call
stop for a visit even if it isn't your turn

Being available means
altering plans to accommodate

Being available means to listen
not only to what our friends is saying
but what he is not saying
or trying to say and can not

Sometimes we are unavailable
because we are afraid of getting hurt
So we withdraw to our tower
fill the moat , and pull up the drawbridge

This fear is there but we have to cope with it
We have to be willing to suffer
the agony of opening to others

We have to let down the bridge
open the gate
Soon we will discover that people will
treat us gently
We have to risk it

More than anything we have to realize
We can not drain the cup of friendship
taking all we can get of care , attention and concern
without doing our share to help refill the cup

How can I be an Everyday Hero ?

I was watching ANC this Saturday morning featured was Bryan Benitez McClelland , the founder of Bambike , a Philippine based community development organization who employs bamboo builders from rural villages . They were discussing about planting a tree every day during the quarantine time . Then it suddenly dawned on me taking one thing at a time during these days than be overwhelmed immediately with big things or projects which causes us to get stuck and immobile .

Just simply writing a piece everyday will enable me to make that difference I am seeking . By simply looking for a thing at a time will make that difference . We don't have to do big things or anything that overwhelm us so much that causes us to get stuck .

Just a short written note or anything occupying your mind will create that wave you are seeking , it doesn't have to be so great or enormous.

Just be .     

Our Dear Alonzo

 I remember this day last December 2019, we just had our annual family Christmas party and Alonzo visited us from his hometown Isabela . We were so happy going through different kiddie rides and our Alonzo was so happy . 

Whenever there is an opportunity we also visit him at his place in Isabela but with the present pandemic it will take some time before we can visit him again .

We miss you and will just be contented with the once in a while video call . We want to hug you again and spend happy moments .

See you soon my dear Alonzo

Knowing Yourself

Offhand, it may seem absurb. But come to think of it, do you really know who you are ? We assume that we know who we are but when we are asked to answer certain questions like, What is your Purpose in Life ?, What are your Core Gifts ? , What are your Strengths ? You are at a lost for words.

As the cliche goes, we can not give what we don't have. So for a start, we have to get to know who we are. Take the time to understand who you are. - how are you different from others, how will you balance your strengths and weaknesses, or what would you like to accomplish in your life.

Begin by evaluating your physical appearance, we all have our gifts. Accept whatever God has given you to work to with. Then you can proceed to improving those aspects of your appearance that needs attention without jeopardizing yourself in anyway.

If we are upset with how we look, this causes anxiety, bitterness and depression which may affect the other area of our life. Acknowledging and accepting our physical body  is an indispensable step in our journey to success.

Then you evaluate your physical health. Good health occurs when we appreciate our body. If we have bitterness or resentment, real or imagined , can only make our life more difficult.

We are design to be the best we can be.

Next, identify your core gifts. Developing our talents will be our tool for success. Using our core gifts in making this world a better place. Find ways to influence others in a positive way and you will feel good about yourself. This feeling of satisfaction is a key to having the much sought peace of mind.

We are what we make of ourselves . We can be our best friend or our worst enemy. Our strengths comes from within. You must learn to believe in yourself. Take time to do an inventory of your strengths and weaknesses.

Take time to understand who you are, what you stand for and what is your purpose in life.

This is your starting point in your success journey.

Thank you Lord Jesus for being alive

It's probably the 31st day of home quarantine here in the Philippines because of the Luzon wide lock down brought about by the Covid 19 pandemic . Majority are bored and wanting to go back to their normal lives . I am just happy to be alive and well  including my family members all over the world even my friends like former students , former co-employees  and present team members . I am just thankful to God for blessings us with dear life and health . Sorry but right now my mind could not think of business or future strategies I am just happy to be well and alive .

How to proceed with our lives ? I am still not worried , I have save during the abundant time and live simply I can still afford to live the quarantine days I am just happy to be alive and healthy . I am thankful my husband and my children are well and healthy including me of course. This is enough to give joy in my quarantine days .

Everyday is filled with prayers and thanksgiving and joy . Thank you blood of  Lord Jesus Christ . Thank you white light of the Holy Spirit . Thank you Father God for your amazing love for us . Thank you cloak of Mama Mary .

Luzon Lockdown

I know we are all now in interesting times , we have been on lockdown for 11 days if I am not mistaken , here in the Philippines . From a nomadic life , we are  on "quarantine" in our homes  , force to face ourselves and our own challenges with fear in our hearts.

We are force to face our own frailties, our own individual fears . Then we have no recourse but to face our God and ask for his help to save us from this danger . We have no idea what this danger, where it came from and how will it end . So we learn to trust our God , our Savior and only Savior . So every day we face our God praying , asking for His salvation , His protection and His love.

People begun to pray the rosary , I myself who prays it everyday for 2 years because of my medical crises , prays it 3 or 4 times in a day nowadays , crying for Mama Mary's protection and intercession for me and my family members .

It such  a journey to Faith but let us continue praying for deliverance and forgiveness .

To God be the glory.   

The Second Touch

If you have time watch this on your YouTube channel "The Second Touch" a sermon from Pastor Joel Osteen . It talks about the blind man that Jesus healed but has experience half healing because he said he was not seeing clearly as if people were dancing .

So Jesus touched him again a "second touch" as per Pastor Joel which healed him fully . So sometimes we may have the same experience thus we have to ask God the real desires of our heart . Sometimes we are not given because we have not ask . We just assume God will give us what we need     .

In truth God wants us to ask for His grace .

Have a successful and prosperous life .