Thursday, November 26, 2009

Of Down Days

Why am I lonely? Why am I down? These questions I've asked myself. I enumerated my activites of the past few days. I did good. I did physical exercises. I prayed. I contemplated. But there was one thing - I allowed actions of people to get the worst of me. There are people I do not like, honestly. How I wish I could go somewhere and avoid all these people all along. Sounds a good choice. I always have a choice. At least some things are quite right. But then as I contemplated of getting away from these people, I asked myself would I be happy forever now? Sadly, the answer is no. As long as I live I would always meet people that I do not like.
I thank those people in the U.S. who celebrate their Thanksgiving Day and shared their thoughts on gratitude; especially Deepak Chopra who advised to engage the unfriendlies. To be grateful always maybe is a good thing to do.
As I contemplate on this 'gratitude' thing I told myself, perhaps I have another choice in solving my present dilemma. Perhaps it would work if I will just be grateful with everyone who comes into my life. And instead of focusing on the discomfort that these people are bringing in my life I will face myself and ask, "what is it I have that I can I give to these people?"
I think I now the answer.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

AS I SURRENDER

So many thoughts concern me the previous month. Some are the desire for advancement financially and spiritually. Financially is a must in order to thrive physically; yet spiritually is much more important especially now that we are bombarded with the ideas and possibilities of the world's end by 2012. Of course, I do not believe it one hundred percent to happen exactly in that year but I do believe it will. Thus I looked at my life and asked myself if I were ready for that inevitable event.

But then, should I worry for things that could go out of my control? No, I guess not. The best thing that I could do is strengthen my belief, brace myself for whatever is to come; whether I witness the event as it takes place or my death would come first before it does.

When I think of my own death, only one thing I know - I want to live the best life; I want to strive to be the best as I live. Yet the best things that I know could not be the best because my mind and understanding are limited. What seems to be the best for me may not be the best for God. I believe the best is only with God. With these in mind I surrendered everything to God's hands - everything that I have: my life, my loved ones, anything I own.

This may seem letting go, well, it probably is. But it is more than that. I want a total surrender that is beyond words to explain. I am tired of words. I am fed up with words. I know I could explain through words, yet, I don't want everything to end in words. I don't want words to freeze everything.

As of the moment this is all what I could say. It may seem boring but this is how I grasp the truth as of the moment.

Happy Living!
Zel

Sunday, September 20, 2009

JOURNEY INTO YOUR HEART

     I have come across this essay of Ron Bissel, who is an accomplished surgeon and an award-winning author, and believe it to be worth sharing.




Many search their lives for a glimpse at the potential for a peaceful Journey.  They attempt this by transfusing their world with accolades and accomplishments.  They use these tools to bring quiet and comfort to their world.  They search in vain, for in things they cannot find peace.  They forget another world that can provide solace and calm and forget the potential that lies close to their conscious mind.  They wander and become confused.  They follow a road that contains both blocks and detours.  They become lost and feel forgotten.

In this world it is important to use the wisdom and knowledge that is inherent in the human species.  It is important to begin to allow that inner self to become the director of your Journey.  In doing this, you will begin on a path that will lead you onward in peace.

Where can you find such peace?  Where can you begin to unleash the peace that is present for all to find?  The answers lie in the quiet solitude of your heart.  All it takes is the time and willingness to hear.  All it takes is the wisdom to approach the world of the Spirit.  When you approach this world you will open a door to the potential that lies within each of us.  You will begin to understand eternal sounds that create a resonance that transcends the limitations of the physical world.  You will harness a power greater than any you have witnessed.

It is necessary to listen to your heart, for it is in your heart that you will find the peace you are seeking.  It is important to listen carefully, for in listening to your heart you will explore the inner recesses of your mind.  It is essential to work to overcome any stumbling blocks you see in life and to explore the inner recesses of your heart.  It is necessary to work hard, for it takes work to uncover the heart.

Many feel that merely by being they will explore the heart and all it contains.  However, you must realize that it also is necessary to become.  For in becoming, your heart becomes the uppermost point of your life.  Work to become your heart, and in so doing you will explore the unknown.  Begin this process by listening carefully to all the voices that are within.  You must listen.  You must then begin this search by action--action to become the very essence of the messages you receive.  Receive these messages in joy and use them to move forward in the accomplishments of your life.

Live your life from within your heart, for in this pursuit you will find your soul.  Your heart is the seat of all love and compassion.  Your heart is the only place that will overwhelm you.  Therefore, become the consistency of your heart and you will find wonder all
about you.

Think for a while about the abilities contained within your heart.  Peace is found there in abundance.  Love is shared with others.  When you become this love and become this peace, you will look and will find that you are within your heart.  Walk within your heart and see.  Look carefully and witness the many parts it contains.  You will see that the beauty and the secrets of the heart are for the enlightenment of your soul.  Therefore, listen to your heart.  It is by listening to your heart that you will find the outermost secrets of your desires.  By doing this, you will transfer the wants of your heart into the desires of your soul.

Watch your life change in perspective to the wonders you see.  If you listen to your soul and become your heart's desires, you will transform your life forever.

Look, listen and become your heart.  When you become the essence of your heart, you move onward in life.  All will see the difference in your being.  All will notice the desires and the feelings you possess.  They will notice the changes you make in your life and begin to wonder at the newness of life you have found.

Therefore, search your heart for the Spirit.  Search your heart, for in the spiritual you will find life.  You will discover your Creator's love is contained within your heart and manifests Itself through your soul.

In all the events of your life take the time to look with your heart.  In all the desires you possess, seek with your heart.  Transmit the love you find within by way of your heart and see your exterior change.  Witness the altering of your life and see the joy that will come of this change.

Remember that you are the heart of the universe.  You are the beauty of the heavens.  Learn to see, feel, and be by the inclinations contained within your heart.

In doing this, you will become and be altered.  You will become and be changed.  You will welcome these changes in your life and become at peace.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

YOUR LIFE IS ALL ABOUT YOU

     It is all about me once again. Sometimes I feel guilty for always talking about myself if not downright bored.

     But, yeah, this is the impression that we are going to leave in this world. Everything we do is all about ourselves no matter what our craft is. Just like the president of our nation; it is always about her - what she is. She may claim to be the servant of the people; yet whatever her accomplishments or failures are is all about her - the person that she really is.

     Just like Cory Aquino; her death triggered awareness from the people to keep talking about her because she had expressed something in her lifetime and that was what she left behind. Her life still was all about herself. She did help and inspired millions; yet her life was not about those she helped. Her life was all about herself. And thus the people keep talking about her because she left a lasting impression that was truly hers.

     So, here I am talking about myself always because my life is all about myself. If others benefit from my words much better; if not, then perhaps it is I who would learn from others. Yet, my life still is not about others who would benefit from me or not, rather my life still is all about myself.

     The Bible also did not go deeper into the lives of the people whom Jesus helped; rather it stay focused on Jesus' life because it is all about Jesus.

     Therefore we must live our lives to the fullest because if we would not, no one would. The people and figures whose lives we admired and looked up to just live their lives simply to the fullest. And remarkably they lived. So let us take away the focus from others who are just dictating us on what to do specially our society. Let us take our lives back. Let us start to live and believe that our life is all about us.

    Yes, there are those who say, forget yourself, deny yourself, sacrifice yourself. But could you do it when you even do not know who you are? Thus, live your life and when you do there would be no need for you to deny yourself because you are living your TRUE SELF, the one breathed and molded by God.

     Live life fully!
     Zel

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Rumblings Of The Spirit

     In my last post I shared about the rumblings of my spirit in achieving perfection in life thru happiness and getting my soul in shape. One underlying reason for it was my desire to achieve many things within a little period  of time. Why was this so? Simple, I just forgot I was racing against time by doing so. I forgot, in order to achieve a balanced life, I must walk hand in hand with time. I must make time as my companion in order to live life moment by moment.

     I do not deny the fact that I am one of those bombarded by tons of information daily. One of my main source now of the so-called knowledge is the internet. By following my desire to get much information with just a series of pressing keys one to another I failed to watch how greed took control of me. I became a victim of the white screen before me. I am just glad I immediately became aware before I lost myself totally.

     Happiness is just living life moment by moment. It is more about being with oneself and communicate with the God within. Though it is right to look for more knowledge on the things we are interested in, yet we must not forget that the answers to most of our questions almost always lies within us. We are not a walking computer thereby we must not try to "know" everything. If there are things we must learn we must ask God first that He may show us the way and that it would be easier for us to sift the right from the not-so-right. We are not everything therefore not everything work for us.
   
     With these realizations I am now a little bit relaxed; for no one could ever question me what little "achievement" have I got other than myself. And no one carries myself better than me.

     Live life fully!
     Zel

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I Just "Live" Anyway

     You know what? This happiness thing and keeping my soul in shape sometimes do not work with me well. There is nothing wrong with these ideals. In fact, we need goals and ideals to keep our direction in life stay focused. What makes it disadvantageous for me sometimes is my attitude towards it. My desire sometimes goes out of bounds. I become literally obsessed with achieving these goals. The one measure that I evaluate myself with is the peace I experience of the moment. Sometimes I catch myself restlessly thinking: I must receive positive words today that my mood will be positive, I must read something enlightening today that I will be enlightened, I must write today that I may not scold myself for being lax, I must..., I must..., I must... This is how I live my life day to day. I live with the I must that I may not experience the I must not. I slowly realized this is not healthy because I am doing a thing not for a very good reason. I am doing a thing just not to experience any discomfort.

     So, I come to think, could I live my life a little differently? In which I could just live for the enjoyment of it, for the fun of it. I will live to experience how it is to live without thinking much; without bothering much whether I did do a thing rightly or not, consistently or not. I just live because I AM ALIVE!

     I guess it is wonderful to live this way. Anyway, as long as I live I have all the time in the world to discover for myself whether this kind of living could help me or not. If it could, I have lived after all. If it could not, then I will never tire of finding a way in which I could live a life to the fullest.

     For now, I will just LIVE anyway.

     Have a happy LIVING!
     Zel

P.S.
You may also enjoy:
"Aha Moment"

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Even Weeds Do Grow In The Garden

     I was happy. We were having fun. Then a thought struck. I asked a question. I was answered indirectly and cut short. Everything went quiet as if nothing happened. But deep within me an anger slowly was being conceived until I could no longer contain it. Like a volcano my temper erupted. What started as a small issue, multiplied a hundredth shaking the milestone of a relationship.
     Marriage is a two-way street. If one is at a loss the other is suppose to hold him/her. Not taking care on one's part is nontheless unhealthy. Disagreement in a relationship is normal and healthy if both are to solve it positively.
     In my case, I became furious for just being shrugged off by the shoulders. I was on my way to happiness; yet failed to control my temper, uttered words and did things I regretted later. What was happening to me? I was supposed to be calmer, to be in control. I was supposed to be composed all the time. Then it struck me, why was I mumbling these things? I am creating a garden in my soul, yes, but even weeds do grow in the garden. In the garden of my heart I may want it to be clean always; yet I need to separate the weeds from the flower. I need to pull out what is not important and settle for what I have. Merely noticing and grumbling about the presence of the weed could not help.
     The same is true with the relationship I have with my husband. It would never be perfect because we are both imperfect people; but we can do something about it. If we just know how to listen to each other and both try to pull out the weed that does not belong there. Patching things up may not be that easy but that is just the way it is. If we choose to grow in our relationship and ourselves things would be a lot easier. 
     As for me, I discover that the way to happiness is not always filled with the "good" old me. I must accept that I, too, have to continually face the monster within me. I have to always expect weeds to grow in the garden of my soul and must be courageous enough to pull it out. Then after I shed the tears I move on.

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Like Attracts Like

     It has been said that birds of the same feather flock together. Well let me put it more accurately, birds of the same feather attract each other. This is what happened to me. As you can see I really take life seriously. And I am more interested in doing things that has to do with the growth of my spirituality and of the people around me. Yep, I could not influence others who have different interests from mine. In return they also could not influence me. At least, I just do what makes me happy and let others be.

     Anyway, I am a great fan of Bo Sanchez, the founder of Kerygma Magazine and many other non-government organizations. He is a famous Christian speaker actually. Just yesterday I received an email from him inviting me to join his circle of friends in his new website. Of course I was so excited and so pleased to recieve such invitation. I joined immediately.

     Thus I do believe there is a power in the universe which create links of like minded-people to find each  other. Others say it is the law of self-fulfilling prophecy wherein what you think would come to you. Well, I really was thinking of good friends, blessings and goodness. And it came to pass. I now have a great friend!(^~^)

     Happy Weekend!
     Zel

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

The "Perfect" Thing

"There is no such thing as perfect", we always hear it being said. We agree of course. Yet we are a stupid race. If we do believe in it so heartily, then why are beauty clinics and operations for the sake of beauty enhancements are the "in" thing nowadays? It becomes normal for someone to correct ones physical "imperfection."

However, the perfect thing that we are always after of is not only physical but also spiritual. I, for one, once believed that if I would just be as enlightened as Buddha I would be as perfect a human being could be. To my dismay I discovered I was just chasing winds; for enlightenment is not something that one could catch in the act, rather it is what catches us in the act. It is not something we hold. It is something that holds us. I even thought spiritual perfection is the absence of problems within one's self. But no, it is not. Problems are always there because "there is no such thing as perfect."

There is only one thing: spiritual pursuit is a big help in overcoming the vicissitudes of life. We are not only physical beings but spiritual as well. If we could not correct our physical appearance without using money, spiritually we can. More specifically, we need nothing to achieve spiritual "perfection", only a deep-seated will and an open heart. God is always available. We just have to give time.

I may not be spiritually perfect, but I am happy pursuing it. For me perfection does not mean a thing; for "perfection" is just an empty word. What matters most is the ecstasy and fulfillment and oneness that I feel whenever I feel the God-within holding me. During those times even the word "perfection" is not enough to describe the feelings associated therewith.

Have a happy day!
Zel

"Aha" Moment

Have you heard about what they call "aha" moment? It is a moment in which you feel so okay regardless of your surroundings and of the circumstances you are in. This moment is a natural gift to spiritually mature people or the enlightened ones as how they call it.

I used to feel it sometimes during those times I considered as my peak moments, when I was still free from the sharp fangs of life. However, as I went deeper into the "real" world my focus shifted more on physical than on spiritual. How it happened was a long story.

Anyway, I was so joyful for yesterday I felt the "aha" feeling suddenly. Though It was only a fleeting second, the moment seemed to last forever. And I felt, Oh wow! And it was gone. And I felt so okay. It felt as if I did not care about the world; for I felt deep inside no matter what happens I was under God's care. Even until now the memory of the feeling still lingers. And the assurance that God is holding me is enough for me to say, yeah everything is okay.

Monday, August 31, 2009

Life's Little Lessons

I am not much at ease this time. We have a neighbor who is suffering right now of kidney failure. It is quite unnerving to see such person whose physical state is slowly deteriorating, much more to hear her moan in pain. Her pain is not only physical, but also emotional. Perhaps this emotional pain is what makes her immune system weak. I've known others who suffered the same disease she has; yet managed to live longer because of a deep faith in God and the presence of a loving family.

Our neighbor's family is not much considered as a happy one. She got married in her thirties and bore one son who died in the ship while on duty. The most painful part is, her husband has other woman and repeatedly brought the woman in their house and let her sleep there. I always see the woman myself whenever she is around. I don't know why her husband had such courage to do it in her presence. Some say it is due to bad karma because our neighbor is not that "good" one during her younger years when she still has lots of money. I really don't know the real story behind such unlikely happenings in their family. I can only draw lessons from them.

We all know how to be good. We all know how to believe in God. We all know that we should pray in order for God's blessing to be poured upon us. Yet, why are there people who are living a life in which we fail to see God in them? I guess, it's because what we are inside is what will manifest outside. Living a life is not knowing alone; rather living a life is acting on what we know and believe.

I could not tell if my neighbor failed in her life because I don't know her thoughts and the kind of relationship she has with God. Also, I meet her only in her twilight years. Thus I do not know much how her life goes. My neighbor just taught me not to do the mistakes she did. Her life taught me to take care of my family and to cherish much every moment I spend with my son, because I know we would not be with each other forever in this world. Moreover, she taught me I should love myself that others would love me instead of abuse me the way she was abused. Finally, she taught me to love life and cherish life while I still have the capacity and the chance to do so.

Keep living!
Zel

Saturday, August 29, 2009

     "Love is what we were born with. Fear is what we learned here. The spiritual journey is the relinquishment, or unlearning, of fear and acceptance of love back into our hearts. Love is the existential fact. It is our ultimate reality and purpose on earth. To be consciously aware of it, to experience love in ourselves and others is the meaning of life."

     Abuse of anyone is simply a lack of love in ourselves and others. While allowing anyone to continually abuse us is simply a lack of self love alone. For if anyone loves her or his self, why would she or he allow such abuse? This is the ideal; yet we naturally fall out of this thin line. Until what is wrong would simply appear as "normal" because we just simply get used to it. Until love is no more than a wishful thinking.
    
     We are able to fill our lives with love because that is what we were born with.We can, and we simply must.

     Keep on Loving!
     Zel
    

The Power Within

     The center of power is not to be found in summit meetings or in peace conferences. It is not in Peking or Washington or the United Nations, but rather where a child of God prays in the power of the Spirit for God's will to be done in her or his life, in her or his home, and in the world about her or him.
      Ruth Bell Graham


     No one is able to defeat someone whose power is within. Anybody whose power depends on material wealth and even has the highest position in any given office is full of hidden fears; for these kind of powers could be easily snatched by anyone interested in these. However, anyone who is not even a position holder in any given office, yet possesses the power within which could not be taken or stolen by anyone, is by far the happiest of all. Because this is the kind of power that is rooted in a deep faith of the Most Powerful Creator of all: God. Such person fears nothing; for how could he when the Power within does not recognize such fears?

Stay IN-tuned!
Zel

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Little Moments

     In your occupations, try to possess your soul in peace. It is not a good plan to be in haste to perform any action that it may be sooner over. On the contrary, you should accustom yourself to do whatever you have to do with tranquility, in order that you may retain the position of yourself and of settled peace.
     Madame Guyon

     In life I learned most when I come face to face with choosing between the relevant from the irrelevant. It is true that I learn from others. But then, what others have gone through that makes them what they are, is much different from what I have been through. I may envy the eagle that teaches me about soaring high as something achievable; yet should I do what the eagle did when I am given another gift wherein I could be everything that I am?

     Lots of people are shouting at us, to do as they did that in the end we may be like them having achieved what they call as highest achievement of a human being; like having much money, visiting places, increasing assets and many others. Though it is tempting to live in comfort as a result of my effort; yet why drive myself to the edge just to possess these things, when all that matters to me is the shape of my soul and spirit and not my status? If others are in their highest awareness while doing these things then I let them be.

      As for me, the greatest achievement I would have made is being at peace and happy with every moment that is given to me. It does not mean I would stop giving my best in my work and in every responsibility that is given me. It only means living as I am, the real God-given me, is much effective for me and all the relationship I am involved with. I am not on the side of being harried in life in order to enjoy it much in the end. I am on the side of enjoying my life in these little moments, for in the end when these moments are all summed up I would have lived a happy and fulfilling life.
 
     Have a happy moment!
          Zel

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

God's Will

     Nature has blended your mind so completely with your body, as to deny you the power of limiting yourself and bringing under control everything that you are. Always bear that in mind, and with it, how little is needed to live a happy life. Just because you've given up on becoming a great logician or student of physics, don't despair of being free, modest, unselfish, and obedient to the will of God. It's quite possible to become a great sage and yet never be recognized.
Marcus Aurelius

     If the prediction of 2012 is indeed true, I would continue to be doing just what I am doing now - still improving what needs to be improved in myself, especially my relationship with God. What lies ahead of me is not under my control. I would just be obedient to the Will of God. The rhythms of life are under God's hands. God also gives me the Will to be at pace with the rhythms of this life. Why would I despair when the God I believe is faithful to His promises? He is God and has given me everything I need to be happy. When I am unhappy, it only means I have stray away from God's pace. That is what life is all about; keeping with the pace of God.

     Whatever will come, I am at the center of God's mercy.

Monday, August 24, 2009

PREDICTION 2012

     I could not say whether it was coincedence or not; but it took only one day for me to discover the end of the world prediction in 2012 after I posted about my dream of our planet's possible end. In my post I was positive on what to do. However, after reading Gerard Le Flamand's blog I was speechless. I did not know what I felt. It was kind of fear or unbelief that the planet I am living will soon end in three years time as predicted. It was only a prediction I know. But then some possible reasons for it to be so were already manifested; like the increased heat of the sun.  
     For days I was restless. I wanted to talk to God, to search Him, to ask Him why. I felt so much betrayed. If we, humans, are God's focal point of His creation, then why does He wants to end us? Why does He would allow such catastrophe to befall on us?
     Last night I did talk to God, and He answered only the questions I managed to ask. He could have said more, but I was not on a deeper level so as to listen God's voice in its entirety. My spirit heard only the beatings of my heart and its little messages.
     These were the messages I managed to gather: God loves us so much. If He were to end this world, it is not because He loves us less; He just loves us so much that He is taking us to some beautiful place, much much better than where we are now because we deserve that. And if we, too, love Him and believe in Him, then why must we doubt His promises? Why must we be afraid on where He is taking us? In the Old Testament God was always saving His people, those who heard His voice and took heed of His will, and brought them out before any damage was done in the place where they stayed.
     I am not saying God will take us out just like the way He intructed Noah to build an ark. I don't know how. This is just what my heart of hearts told me. Whether the prediction will come true or not, at least I am assured that everything is going to be alright as long as I would not doubt God's faithfulness. I am a little pacified by now.
     By the way, while talking to God last night I was looking up at the sky watching the brilliant stars. A beautiful thing registered in my senses: the sparkling stars I watched were forming heart-shaped. Wherever I looked up, my gaze focused only heart-shaped formations by the stars: the very first time that ever happened in my stargazing activity. The very first time ever.
     Be not afraid my soul, for the love of God assures.     

Sunday, August 23, 2009

SLOWLY WE'RE DYING

The tide was low exposing the seashore's rocky surface that beckoned me to come and gather some shells from its bounty. As I was about to step out to the tempting shore, seawater rushed to cover the exposed surface. The tide became higher and higher and higher; until I was surrounded by four walls of waters. Becoming aware that that there was no escape, I prayed, believing that would be my end. Fortunately, I have woken up and realized that it was all a dream; a dream that left my restless mind pondering.

We all have heard of islets and islands already submerged in water due to the fast melting of ice and glaciers. What if the formidable will actually happen in our generation and we will be a witness of a whole civilization being buried in water? Heat waves strike anywhere in the globe from Asia to Europe to America. The ozone layer's hole increased day by day. Who knows what will happen in the next ten or twenty years?

If we could no longer save our planet then let us at least save our souls. From now on let us focus more our energies on striving to make our souls in the best shape so that if we are to go back to the Father either by our own doing or by the Father's will we are already prepared and would have no fear whatsoever in our hearts.

We may not be able to control others destroying our planet but saving our souls depends so much on ourselves.

Friday, August 21, 2009

VIRUS

When AH1N1 virus hit Mexico and ultimately some parts of the world in the second week of March this year WHO got alarmed and so were the respective governments of the affected countries. Prevention was taught to the people, especially when no medicine yet was ever manufactured to counter the virus. Almost everyone's attention was focused on the outbreak. More so when the virus proved fatal to some patients.
From this view alone we see that people are attentive only to what is obvious. In truth there are some viruses in our society that are more deadly than AH1N1. The only difference is that these viruses do not have proper names. And it hurts so much to know that people love these viruses. Let's take the example of sex videos. We know such act is contrary to our Christian faith, if ever we have such one. But people love watching it, love downloading it and love passing it on from cellphone to cellphone. What about the virus that drives a father to rape his own daughter; the virus that drives people to rob others and ultimately kill them; the virus that drives government officials to rob the wealth of the nation through corruption? Countless viruses are tearing our society apart with the least of our awareness; all because sadly, we got used to this kind of news. What matters is only to whom this kind of incident happen; who are the carriers and who are the victims. These viruses have long been present and are increasing in number.
What must we do now? Vaccines that could prevent these viruses have long been introduced. Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Mother Teresa and Mohammad to name a few have proven themselves to be a vaccine against these viruses. Each one of us could either be a carrier or a vaccine. The great thing is WE HAVE A CHOICE. WE HAVE THE WILL.
What would you be: a carrier or a vaccine?

Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Paradox Of Our Time by George Carlin

     Today I am sharing the thoughts from a person who has lived a life and left meaningful words that would make us, the living, contemplate upon for the sake of preserving our values. I agree with George Carlin. Hope you would too.
     "The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.
     "We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
     "We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
     "We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.
     "We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learn to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.
     "These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or just hit delete...
     "Remember, spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.
     "Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.
     "Remember, to give a warm hug to the next one to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.
     "Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.
     "Remember, to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again..
     "Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

"AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
      Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away."
    

Friday, August 14, 2009

Keeping Quiet And Keeping Still

I had been quiet for awhile. Did not know what to say. Being happy is not an easy task especially with what is going on around me. I do not like pretenses. So I did choose to be quiet and keep still. Better not utter a word than give a long list of empty ones.
Everything had been going on normally in my life. There are some setbacks at work. But then what can we expect from those around? Nothing is perfect. This is what I learned from my ponderings. So, why would I be baffled when things do not go as perfectly as I want them to be.
Another thing I learned is letting go of the ideals I have set with myself. Ideals are good. Many had been successful by following the ideals they have set for themselves. But for myself such is not the case. The more ideals had I set, the more burden had I placed upon myself. I did not profit from my ideals. I become obsessed with them. The desire to achieve my ideals had been greater than the joy of living my life to achieving them. Thus, I gave up my ideals. It does not mean I choose to live a life of mediocrity; it just means I choose to live my life more simply. Who cares whether I am successful or not? Who cares whether I fail or not? I only have my lifetime. I choose to live it as to how my heart tells me, whether it is impressive to others or not.
As to happiness, I do not have an exact description for it; nor do I have steps in achieving it. Only one thing I can share: as I went outside the other night, feeling the coolness of the soft breeze, watching the soft grass danced with the gentle wind, with nothing in mind except the focus on the nature all around, the trees seemed to smile at me with its strong stance, I felt a surge of peaceful feeling I could not explain. It brought a smile unto my lips and a lightness inside of me. Was it happiness? I don't know. That was all the feeling there was.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

The Strangest Secret by Earl Nightingale

A happy life stems from a happy mind. Here is an excerpt of Earl Nightingale's The Strangest Secret. This is the secret of how we could cultivate a happy mind.
George Bernard Shaw said, "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are. I don't believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and if they can't find them, they make them."

Well, it's pretty apparent, isn't it? And every person who discovered this believed (for a while) that he was the first one to work it out. We become what we think about.

Conversely, the person who has no goal, who doesn't know where he's going, and whose thoughts must therefore be thoughts of confusion, anxiety and worry - his life becomes one of frustration, fear, anxiety and worry. And if he thinks about nothing... he becomes nothing.

How does it work? Why do we become what we think about? Well, I'll tell you how it works, as far as we know. To do this, I want to tell you about a situation that parallels the human mind.

Suppose a farmer has some land, and it's good, fertile land. The land gives the farmer a choice; he may plant in that land whatever he chooses. The land doesn't care. It's up to the farmer to make the decision.

We're comparing the human mind with the land because the mind, like the land, doesn't care what you plant in it. It will return what you plant, but it doesn't care what you plant.

Now, let's say that the farmer has two seeds in his hand- one is a seed of corn, the other is nightshade, a deadly poison. He digs two little holes in the earth and he plants both seeds-one corn, the other nightshade. He covers up the holes, waters and takes care of the land...and what will happen? Invariably, the land will return what was planted.

As it's written in the Bible, "As ye sow, so shall ye reap."

Remember the land doesn't care. It will return poison in just as wonderful abundance as it will corn. So up come the two plants - one corn, one poison.

The human mind is far more fertile, far more incredible and mysterious than the land, but it works the same way. It doesn't care what we plant...success...or failure. A concrete, worthwhile goal...or confusion, misunderstanding, fear, anxiety and so on. But what we plant it must return to us.

You see, the human mind is the last great unexplored continent on earth. It contains riches beyond our wildest dreams. It will return anything we want to plant.

Saturday, May 23, 2009

Happiness Happens

I'm so grateful this week for so many blessings God did bestow on me: happiness does happen, having communicated with my long lost friends, finding myself, and discovering some helpful tips from the net.

Happiness does happen
We all know happiness does happen. But it would not happen by chance. In my case it happened because I gave effort to making it happen. The first thing I did was choosing happiness and saying, "yes, I will make happiness happen in my life." That was what I call my WILL. I willed to become happy and so did I.
The second thing was identifying the thing that barred me from becoming happy. One of the things that kept me from being happy was fear. I had so much fear and lived with fear since childhood. God helped me face my fears and strengthened my faith in Him. I have just chosen to work it out.
The third was learning from Michael Anthony about the effect of physiology in reference to happiness. Upon knowing how my body reacted to certain factors especially my brain, I then reversed my self-talk. Instead of the usual negative thought I focused on, I find ways to make those destructive thoughts become positive and constructive. I was so glad I did make it.
My happiness chart is growing slowly, yet it is a big thing to me. For at last I am moving upward instead of downward.

Reunited with friends of long ago 
One advantage of the internet is finding friends through the social networks it offered. I am so glad I am one of those people blessed enough with very dear friends and actually communicated with them after six long years. Thanks to friendster.com I found ate Anj and Amie last Monday.

Finding myself
Being married and having a two-year old toddler sometimes deny me of having precious time with myself. This made me depress at times. However, this week I could say I was at home with myself. The very act of praying and positive self-talking did help. Perhaps communication with true friends did help too.

Helpful sites
Some of my favorite sites are mountainwings.com and livelifefully.com. This sites too made remarkable impact on my quest for happiness. It has been easier for me to work with happiness with the help of these sites.


Tips from the net
I consider myself a blogger. I just found out that bloggers had been categorized into five types: journal blogger, hobby blogger, google blogger, value blogger and an overlapping of these four. Journal bloggers are those who write any thing under the sun. Hobby bloggers are those who write tips on a certain kind of hobby. Google bloggers are those who aim much on financial gains and write with the purpose of being crawled easily by search engines. Value bloggers are those who prioritize content, branding and service. They are the ones who see to it that readers could gain insights and tips from what they write. The overlapping type are those characterized by two or more of those four types.You could read more on this in this link.
While aiming for financial gain is not wrong since we need money to keep us living, we also should not degrade ourselves by forgetting our purpose of living in this world. Right results always follow right actions. So, why do the wrong thing in the first place.
Anyway, I am not raising my own chair. I am just standing for my beliefs. And I do hope I belong to the value blogger ones.

Get happy!:-)
 

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Our Brain's Function In Relation To Happiness

Hello folks!
Happiness in the net
The other day I surfed the net about happiness, checking if my blog would come out from the search; I tried google and yahoo. To my dismay, it did not. Lots and lots of blogs and websites about happiness were already there. Sure, I was disappointed. For this means to me, my chances of being read by any possible searcher was zero if not a negative one. Thanks to my Lord for my guardian angel who tapped my shoulder and said, "Come on lady, why cast down your soul? You already know what it means." Right then an idea sprung up. It only means more people want to heal this illing world. Those people were there, offering what they could, sharing happiness according to how they were blessed with it. This is not a bad world after all. Our world has a big chance of healing. Most importantly, there is still a large part of humanity who were not all that "bad."
The call
If my calling is in sharing happiness, then surely, God will find a way on how would I fulfill it. So, why worry? I just need to close my eyes, take a deep breath and allow the urgings of the Spirit to guide me. I will go my merry way then.
Our brain's chemistry
With the previous blog I share about the power of our brain or our personal computer that varies according to its chemistry. Again, I acknowledge Michael Anthony who is the original author of it. In continuation, we can increase our natural abilities and happiness by consciously adjusting the chemistry of our brain's cranial fluid. This fluid is affected by our thoughts, diet/nutrition, exercise, rest, environment and physiology.
Thoughts
As previously discussed our thoughts, positive and negative cause our brain to secrete chemicals, which in turn, affect all our abilities and functions. Our thoughts have two components: facts and emotions. A fact is the stimulus that we receive through our nervous system. However, we attach emotions to this fact. As negative emotions cause adverse chemical secretions, therefore hindering our natural abilities and happiness, we should be more objective and must restructure any negative emotional attachment we have to certain facts. Facts are merely facts. The good thing is, we can choose any emotional response to them. Remember, we are what we think.
Diet/Nutrition
As is the case, everything we eat and drink is chemical and affects our performance and feelings. This is true with people who drink alcohol, their attitude change as they increase their intake. Likewise, people whose diet consist mostly of vegetables and fruits tend to be healthier physically and mentally.
Exercise
Our body is designed to function properly with physical exertion so it can remove toxins and secrete beneficial chemicals. A depressive person feels better after exercising.
Rest
Sufficient rest is necessary for the body to eliminate toxins and rejuvenate itself. While we sleep, our brain is busy processing all the information it received during the day so that it can make spontaneous decisions when we are awake.
Environment
Environment in relation to happiness does not only limit to our physical surroundings but also to the people around us as well. If we are to be happy, it helps more when we are surrounded by positive people. There is what they call mood "infection". We would not be infected with negative mood if our electromagnetic field and positive thoughts are very strong; rather it works the other way round.
Physiology
How we carry our body reflects our emotional state whether we are positive and confident or negative and depressed. To improve our chemistry we must change our physiology. One step is to take slow, deep breaths, stand tall and stick the chest out. Another, is to raise the eyes to the sky and smile. We will then feel alert and energized. If we always carry ourselves like a winner, we will feel like a winner.
There, I have my share of happiness tips. I share this not because I already live this way; but I share this to ensure that I will live this way and walk my talk.
Get Happy!:)

Monday, May 11, 2009

Improve Your Brain's Chemistry

Growth is a daily effort. There are days when I grow; days when I just stay afloat not knowing what to do; days that I just shrink back. But the good thing is, knowing that I hold the key to my growth.

At the previous blog I talked about the Owner's Manual for Human Beings. Well, no one is born having one. I'm just glad I have a mentor like Michael Anthony who had gone ahead of me at the path I long to trod. From experience, he is wiser enough to teach me how to trod such a path easier. Of course, I know I learn hard when I bump into reality the hardest. Yet, it makes the journey much lighter when I know not only the problems but also the cause of the problems.

My objective is getting happy. Good enough, MC points to me that happiness is not only a state of the spirit or soul but also a state of the brain. I will borrow the words from his book "How To Be Happy And Have Fun Changing The World" because he is able to explain this in details much better than I do.

"Human beings were designed by the Creator to all function the same way. A good analogy is the hardware of a computer. We are all hard-wired the same. What makes us behave differently from each other is the way we think, feel and act, which is our software.
"What most individuals don't realize is that the power of your brain or computer's hardware varies according to the chemistry of your brain. You can dramatically increase the power and efficiency of your brain or personal computer by optimizing the chemistry of its cranial fluid.
"It is critical to conceptually understand that your brain actually secretes chemicals corresponding to your positive and negative thoughts. The resulting chemistry of your brain's cranial fluid influences all of your natural abilities and functions. This, in turn, determines how well you perform in everything you do because your brain is like a powerful computer. This fact is very easy to demonstrate in the world of sports with athletic performance because of the mind/body connection....
"Your mind and body function together. Athletes live and die by the performance of their bodies. From their own personal experiences, they easily relate to the concept that their negative thoughts cause their brain to secrete chemicals that immediately impair their performance. This awareness helps them to be more objective and positive when dealing with challenges. It helps them to control their emotions and increase their performance.
"A good metaphor to help you understand the influence of your brain's chemistry on your performance is a fine-tuned racing engine. Those engines, designed to run on super high-octane gasoline, sputter when using regular gasoline.
"This is similar to what happens when you are negative. You put low octane chemicals in your brain, causing your performance to suffer. When you are positive and operating on instinct, your brain, metaphorically, secretes super high-octane chemicals and your ability to perform excels as you enter the "zone."
"Your brain receives input through your five senses.Whenever you 'see', 'hear', 'feel', 'taste', and 'smell' something (stimuli), it enters your nervous system as an electrical impulse through a neuron (nerve cell). Once the electrical message reaches the end of the neuron (called a synapse) the electrical impulse/message converts into a biochemical (called a neurotransmitter). Then, this chemical message is converted back into an electrical impulse/message when it reaches the next neuron. This process repeats itself over and over until the message reaches the brain and is acted upon.
"In reality you have an electrochemical nervous system. As the chemicals change, the message change and your brain's performance varies accordingly. When you are positive and operating on instinct, your brain, metaphorically, runs on super high-octane chemicals. Your performance excels and you feel at your best.
"It is important to realize that your electrochemical nervous system is an alternating electric current that generates an electromagnetic field, which is infinite in nature. The strength and quality of your electrmagnetic field is felt by those around you. As your awareness increases you will realize that you can't hide your feelings from those you interact with and they can't hide theirs from you. That's why you have good chemistry with people you enjoy being with and bad chemistry with those that you don't.
"What is even more important to realize is that the electromagnetic field that your thoughts create cause attractor fields which affect your life and happiness."

Amazing words! This explanation is not new to me since I studied this in college as part of the curriculum. Only that the study focused only on the body and not so much on the person. What makes this amazing to me is the way I acted on it - the reality of it.

Everything is relative to each other. One wise man says it all depends on what we plant in the garden of our brain. For the brain is just a system waiting for whatever is stored in there. With regards to attractor fields, New Age Enlightenment call it as aura - that energy which people felt even when you are far. I will focus more on this on my next blogs and the continuation of our brain's function in relation to happiness.

Get Happy!:)

Monday, May 4, 2009

Owner's Manual For Human Beings

"When I was growing up, my parents didn't give me an Owner's Manual for Human Beings. How about you? Were you given an owner's manual explaining how you were designed to function? Did it come with instructions how to operate  correctly and happily?"
The words above are the first four sentences of the Chapter Two of Mark Anthony's ebook "How To Be Happy And Have Fun Changing The World." His questions are true and correct for me. If anyone of us has been born from perfect parents and given an Owner's Manual for Human Beings, surely that person is the luckiest one ever born in this planet. However, neither of us is given such privilege.No one  is born with a golden spoon prepared for him. All of us are given the opportunity to seek, ask and be fulfilled when we have reached our truest potential.
 What I used to believe
This is the reason why I seek happiness. Before, I used to believe I was unlucky for having been born with imperfect parents. I used to be disappointed why I was not taught the right things, actions and reactions. I used to hate it when unhappiness smiled before my face and accompanied me in my journey for awhile. For so many years I lived with these destructive thoughts. 
Letting go of unhappiness
Now I know better because I understand better. I have finally opened my mind to positive change. But take note, the road to happiness for me is not as easy as it appears to be. It took several years for my depression to worsen due to fears. Naturally it would take years for me to let go of these fears which are the barriers to obtaining happiness. When I am in the state of depression or is about to complain, I always remind myself that these things are not my circumstances; they are not my enemies, rather they are there for me as reminders that something needs to be improved. Whatever that something is, these negative emotions help me clarify my situation. 
 My Owner's Manual
Thus, the Owner's Manual For Human Beings for me are my negative emotions, especially unhappiness, because through it I would learn the things which I could change and improve and thereby could find the happiness that is hiding behind those things. 

Sunday, April 26, 2009

How To Be Happy

Next week I'll be starting a series of blog which would change my destiny and your destiny. I am here for the mere reason of searching happiness and so are you. Happiness is a choice. I choose happiness because this is what I am here for in this world. If you choose happiness too, then join me in my journey.

Becoming Happy
My series of blog is inspired by Micahel Anthony's ebook "How To Be Happy And Have Fun Changing The World." I already finished reading the book and I am giving it all thumbs up. I have been trying to connect myself to happiness for so many years. The reason I was not yet successful was the fact that I am on the wrong track. It is just like prescribing a wrong medicine to a certain disease; no matter how effective the medicine is, if it is not the right one for a certain kind of disease, it would still be worthless. This is true with me. I have read many good books about spirituality and healing by really enlightened individuals. I would be enlightened for a moment; but after the excitement is gone and my disease is triggered by the toxins of the mind I would return to my old weak self. The good thing is, I still do not lose hope of becoming happy, really, really happy.
Happiness Is...
One way of knowing happiness is by defining it. What is happiness for me? My own definition of happiness is, it is a state whereby I would be at peace and truly united with myself no matter what the circumstances are. It is a state where there are no conditions, no what ifs, no fears. One step of putting this definition into action is by scraping the barriers to happiness, taking out what causes unhappiness and eliminating it one by one. This I will do on my next blog. And I am following some of the steps of Michael Anthony.
The Way To Happiness
The hardest thing on changing one's destiny the way I am doing now, is not lacking the knowledge of the how to's; rather it is putting into action the how to's slowly, daily. Unhappiness caused by fears thrived for so long and is accumulated by just small things. With the passage of time it has grown enormously until one's destiny just like mine is already misdirected. It is only when I bumped so hard into reality that I awaken and realized something is wrong with myself. I believe in a good God; yet I am not happy. I believe that God wants me to become the person He destined me to be. I believe God created no mediocre. If I feel being a mediocre right now it only means I have not yet grown into the kind of person God created me to be. The choice for growth is mine and does not depend on God for God is always there for me.
God Is Happiness
God is happiness and pure bliss. If I am not yet fully happy now does not mean God is not with me. God is with me, I just have to take away from me anything that does not belong to God. I already identified the causes of my unhappiness; to take it slowly from me the way it enslaved me is what I will write on my next post.
Get Happy!:)

Thursday, April 23, 2009

Pacing With Time

It's been three days since I published my last post. My initial plan was to post daily. I was hindered by one thing: time. For the past few days I had so much going up in my mind: work, blog, home, etc. The result, I was over fatigued and had to give myself the rest that I needed.
I complained to myself, "hey, could I just care nothing for one day?" I was tired of running against time.
I set the priority to this blog, to improvise it hoping I could get the attention of Adsense. But this time I gave up the hope. Not that I surrender, it's only that I believe I would not worth as a recipient of the price which required a presentable competitor. I know where I stand because I know where I lacked. I lacked the time, I lacked the preparation to make this blog a readable one that would attract any reader. For this time I'll just enjoy posting here, waiting where would this lead me. I give myself a span of one week as enough time for me to prepare something here that is of value.

Clark's blog entitled 'Why "Multitasking" Slows Productivity-And What To Do About It' in soulshelter.com was so timely with what I am feeling right now. I tried to multitask without predicting it would slow my productivity. Worse, my creativity was lessened due to the pressures I burdened my self with.
I had my goals. My mistake was I tried to achieve it in the shortest time possible. I forgot I would not achieve any goal without taking the process step by step, and most importantly, I must enjoy along the process. Success is never sweet, if at the end of it the self is too tired to acknowledge it.
What I'm taking right now is part of my journey. Who cares if Adsense would not love me? It's only me who would care. We'll I do not care for now. What matters is I'm moving, it might be slow, at least I do.
Get Happy! :)

Monday, April 20, 2009

The Business Of Blogging: An Amateur's Confession

Starting a blog was one undertaking I just suddenly bumped into. I never knew the existence of blog until just recently. It would seem embarrassing to confess this, but this is true. After I got married and given birth to my little boy, my time was dedicated only to office and home. I did not have any more time for the internet.

The First Time Of Bumping Into A Blog
It was the time when I consider the idea of looking for another source of income which would fit my interests and idle time. As I was surfing on the net I was intrigued by an ad of a young lady who said she became a millionaire in just a short time through her internet business. I clicked the ad and arrived at Ericabiz.com. At that time I never yet knew what blogging was all about. I just read on.

The Search
I continued to search about how to earn income through blogging until I bumped into an Australian writer, Angela Booth, with whom I learned about blogger.com and which is offered for free.

The Start
I immediately started by just following the instructions. After I published my first blog I felt so fulfilled. I thought success at last; for writing is also my passion.

The Realization
What I realized later is that blogging is not all about writing what I, myself believe to be the best. I also need to consider my target audience and my topic. Blogging is not more about me, it is more on what I can give. I need to consider not only my wants but also of what my readers to be want. I need to be more accommodating, more open. The most important is, I need to provide answers to any possible questions and searches. Wow, I've got to consider these things, or else I would only be the only reader of my blog.

The Adsense Business
Another coach of mine is the Adsense which rejected my first application and until now is giving me goose bumps awaiting its reply for my second application. The reasons for the rejection are technical. Hopefully I am doing the right thing now.

Web Design
Feed burner said my present style is poor. I affirmed to it. I'm still on the process of trial and error. Anyway, I'm planning to talk to a web designer who may be able to help me with my blog's design.

The Topic
Sometimes I ask myself if the topic I am talking about is within the boundaries of my blog's description. While my previous topics are quite generalized I adhere to be more personal on the blogs to come.

After almost two weeks of blogging these are my successes and failures. One thing I can say though: I have so much fun.

Sunday, April 19, 2009

Steps To Achieving Personal Growth

It has been my interest to develop myself. Personal Growth is one of my focus. Sometimes I am right. Sometimes also I am not so right. Facing my pitfalls is a challenge I love in learning though it hurts in some way. But that is how it goes. I would not learn without knowing what to unlearn. Anyway, here are the steps I found in achieving personal growth.

Honor Your Unhappiness and Divine Discontent

Happiness is what I so much desire. Simply put, to be not happy means something is missing. Though there is no problem at hand, something is not yet right. This is what Mary Mannin Morissey call as 'Divine Discontent' in her book Building Your Field of Dreams. It is the small voice inside of us that says we must do something or else we would not achieve fulfillment in life. This Divine Discontent is the arrow that points us to where we should go and that there is some place somewhere which has been prepared for us. Until we do not heed to the calling of this voice we would not achieve the peace and happiness that we dream of.

The Desire For Improvement

It is said that the greatest room there is in this world is the room for improvement. This is the Divine Discontent in action. Knowing what we want or what we should do is just a start. We need the desire to do it; to improve or develop something in us that is necessary for our growth. Desire is the fire that would cook our dreams. The stronger our desire, the nearer we are to achieving our dreams.

Believe In Yourself

It took years for me to heal myself and build my dreams because I failed to believe in myself. In short, I neglected my own capacity. Each of us is endowed with talents that we should use and develop. Remember, every little thing about ourselves depend on us. The bigger is our belief in our own capacity to do something, the bigger is the possibility of achieving our dreams. It is we who must believe in ourselves first before others would follow; a good way to start by example.

Search Your Place

Everyone of us has our own place in this universe otherwise we would not belong here. This is the place where we could be happy. This is the place where we could be at peace. We are not born out of circumstance; we are born for a purpose. The same way as Oprah was born to inspire people or Charisse Pempengco was born to sing to people. Search your place. If you could, try everything until you find the right place that is perfect for you.

Discipline

Discipline is important in all areas of life. An athlete could never become a master in his field if not for the discipline he applies in his own self. If you feel you are called to dance, then practice until you achieve the necessary discipline required in there. If you feel you are compelled to write, then start writing until you become one. This has been one of my struggles.

Acknowledge The People Around You

You are not doing personal growth for yourself alone, right? If so, then let your loved ones know what you are up to. Let them know so that they would not wonder why you have become so weird in the next few days; or that you increase your time being alone. If possible bring those people around you to achieving your dream, perhaps they too share your interests.
One thing, save yourself from negative people. While you are still new in your undertaking, shun away from people who has the ability of pulling you down.

Do It Outwardly

This does not mean showing off. This just means that you must be bold in what you stand for. In this way you are creating a foundation for yourself. This is doing the thing in your own way. This is making your dream visible. This is acting out your dream. As what the Bible says, "...happy are you when you do something that does not contradict your conscience."

Be Grateful

"In everything give thanks." Be grateful to everyone who help you in achieving your dream including yourself. Be grateful for your failures along the way; for it made you stronger. Whatever blessing you achieve share it, it will multiply under God's hands.

Do Not Forget Spiritual Guidance

Do not forget the spirit within, the Source of power who gives everything and grants every prayer. Even if you may already have what you dream for, continue to pray. God does not leave any person who continually pray to him in every circumstance. Everything needs God's guidance for He is the giver of all.

The steps above are what I am following now. I am not yet a master of my chosen field; yet I know one day I will be, since this is the place I believe God prepared for me.

Friday, April 17, 2009

Good, Better, Best

Good, better, best. I think it is better to think things this way to slowly eliminate the negative thoughts that accumulate in our minds. Whenever something unlikely happens let us just consider it as good and aim for a better result next time. For if we consider it as something negative then it is difficult to eliminate from our system something that we keep on fighting. We should be thankful instead that we are still given the opportunity to improve things. Every situation is an opportunity either for growth or destruction; the choice is ours. And if we are to improve ourselves then let us start with a positive attitude coupled with a positive outlook until the good becomes better and the better becomes best.
As much as possible we will ignore negative people and focus only on our growth; they do not share our mission anyway. Let us just do our thing and follow what the Spirit within us compels us to do. Even Jesus in his own time did not condemn the Pharisees, the High Priest Caiphas, nor Pontius Pilate who allowed him to be crucified. He just focused on his mission-on what the Father ordered him to do. He was born for that mission.
Similarly, we have different missions. Let us stop joining the club of condemners. If you feel you have the heart of a peacemaker then start the work now. We could not be peacemakers by counterattacking troublemakers with their own tactics. God already know what to do with them. Let us begin our mission by using God's weapons of love and understanding. True love casts out fear. This we must never forget. And we must always remember, God's power is greater than any power on earth if He choose to show it. As long as we believe that miracles happen it will really happen.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

What We Can Do In The Darkness Around Us

There are as many nights as days, and the one is just as long as the other in the year’s course. Even a happy life cannot be without a measure of darkness, and the word “happiness” would lose its meaning if it were not balanced by sadness. It is far better to take things as they come along with patience and equanimity.

Carl Gustav Jung

The world is full of violence and hatred as we see it. What we failed to see is, these things are what make us search for peace and happiness. There is no guarantee that this world can give us what we crave for deeply. The only thing that can give us the tranquility we aim for is the Higher power within us. This power is the voice within us that is not at rest by the state of our world. This voice is what made us complain for the darkness that we see.

The darkness that we see outside of us and which is only created by us brings us only one message: to seek the righteousness inside ourselves. Violence in this world would not stop as long as each of us keep blaming anyone. It may be true that other people realistically made us suffer; but if we go on with this game of blaming, it would be just like the question of which comes out first, the egg or the chicken? There would be no end to this violence if you and I continue to pass this game from our generation to the next. In order to minimize if not eliminate totally this violence let us start the change in ourselves so that this change will be passed on to our children and to our children's children until a community of changed people would emerge from us as the root.

Let us accept the world as it is. Let us not fight it. Let us just start the change and sow the seed of positivity wherever and to whomever. The good thing is, if we do this, the first to benefit from this is no one other than ourselves.

You may also love to read:

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...