Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Thirty-Sixth Lesson

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Lesson Number Thirty-Six: Growing old beats the alternative - dying young.

Most of us are afraid to become old. This is a reality we could never escape. 

While still in my twenties, life was so good. I never imagined of getting old someday. When I reached thirty, still no worries of getting old were lurking inside my mind. However, when I was halfway in my thirties, the thought of reaching forty someday snatched the happy-go-lucky side of me. I was slowly afraid of getting old. They say, we could grow old gracefully. But, no I wanted to stay young forever! Whether I like it or not, I have to face the reality -- that yes, I am getting older. 

But hey, it only means I am betting the alternative of dying young. So instead of shedding tears for nearing old age, I should be happy and celebrate each year that adds my age because it means I am still alive. I am still given by God the opportunity of being with my loved ones. So then, why fret?

Other people opt to get the doctor's help to maintain younger looks. Others say, younger looks is maintained by proper sleep, proper diet, proper exercise and the lack of stress. Well, whatever could help maintain younger looks could never beat the vigor of youth in my mind and heart. It sure could lead me to aging gracefully.

Get happy!
     

Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Thirty-Fifth Lesson

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Lesson Number Thirty-Five: Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

Do we become strong simply by trying? Or just by thinking? Nope. We become strong when we are tested. We could not be strong by our looks alone. Strength is inherent inside of us. A strong person is the one who has been through life's thick and thin. 

Thus, when we are tested by life's vicissitudes, let us not complain. As long as it is not killing us, let us welcome trying times with open arms, hearts and minds. The actual reality of this event in our lives may be difficult and hard to accept, yet it is in this times that we could grow stronger. 

We always fall when hit by life's strongest slap. As a reaction we have two choices: we could either lie where we fall and cry forever accepting our dreadful fate, or we could choose to stand up, cry for a time for the painfulness of the unexpected event and move on with our lives until time heals it deliberately. If we choose the latter action, we would emerge as victors in life and stronger than ever before. 

Which one would you choose?

Get happy!

Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Thirty-Fourth Lesson

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Lesson Number Thirty-Four: God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

Correct me if I'm wrong but most children born before the nineties are afraid of the God who punishes. These are the children who are disciplined out of control. We could not blame the parents of these children because they are raised by their parents in this way too. I happened to be one of these children, but as much as possible, now that I am a parent, I do not intend to leave this kind of legacy to my children. 

The easiest way to control a child is to instill fear in his mind. Are you one raised this way? Shake that off now because that is so untrue. While God is the highest power, it is easier to picture Him as a God who hates evil doing. Thus, children grow with fear of God in their hearts. They love God not because He is a lovable God, but because He is a God who punishes those who do not love Him. Even until now there are people who still use this kind of theology to others and to children most especially. Thereby creating fearful followers of God instead of being loving people.


For those who want liberation; for those who want to hear the GOOD NEWS; for those who want to love unconditionally --  GOD is a loving God. He could not unlove because to love is his nature. God is a loving power. The more we come nearer to Him, the more we feel closer to Him, the more we realize His loving power, the more we become more like Him. 


It is not what we do that makes God, God. it is not what we did not do that makes God, God. GOD IS. Period. Therefore let us stop feeling guilty for crucifying Him on the cross. Let us stop feeling guilty for not being as perfect as God. We are just humans. Yet, God loves us no matter what or who we are. By believing this, we are saved from the hell of negative thoughts and wayward beliefs. By living this way, we are bringing heaven on earth. By realizing this, we are making God alive in our lives and those around us.

This is my belief. What is yours?

Get happy! 

Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Forty-Seventh Lesson

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Lesson Number Forty-Seven: Take a deep breath.  It calms the mind.

There is no other way to calm the mind and relax the spirit than taking slow deep breaths. It helps much if you are with nature. However, if your circumstances do not allow you to be in the heart of nature, you can then just retire to a solitary place -- your room is the best place, and do the exercise there.

Due to our busy lifestyle, we often forget to do the proper way of breathing. In my experience, one factor that leads me easily to fatigue is my inability to breath properly. From then on, I start to become aware whether I am breathing properly or not.

If you want to be refreshed on how to breathe properly, here are some tips:

    Basic Breathing Exercise

1. Inhale deeply through your nose, keep your mouth closed, and hold it a few seconds. You will feel your chest (or, even better, your belly - if you're breathing through your diaphragm) expand.
2. Release it by blowing it slowly out through your mouth.
3. Do this a few times and you will be amazed to have a feeling of being relaxed.
      
   Belly Breathing
    
    

   1. Remain calm. Have good posture.
   2. Inhale through your nose at an even rate and allow your stomach to push-out, thus relaxing your diaphragm, and allowing more air to enter your lungs. You can place your hand on your abdomen and feel it being pushed away as your abdomen rises.^[1]
   3. Exhale slowly through your mouth and allow your stomach to return to its normal position. Exhaling should take double the time it took to do the inhale.
   4. Repeat.
   5. Note this method of breathing is said to allow the accumulation of chi energy in the 'tan t'ien', a point an inch and a half below the navel.^[2]
       
       
       
       

Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Thirty-Third Lesson

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Lesson Number Thirty-Three:  Believe in miracles.

I do believe in miracles. I believe in miracles happening everywhere. 

The fetus developing inside a mother's womb is a miracle. The flower that slowly opens its bud and greet the day with its beautiful petals is a miracle. The soft raindrops that gently fall on the swaying leaves are miracles. The minute sands along an unending shoreline that bathe the sunshine is a miracle. The sweet smile of a baby that quickly eliminates away the tiredness of his mother's body and mind is a miracle. Oh, miracles are happening everywhere.

Sadly, most of the time, we forget all about these miracles. Because the miracle we are waiting to happen, is the time when we will win the lottery, or when we get our desired ipads, or dream car, or dream house. 

You know when we know how to pray and tune in to God's power inside of us, we can make miracles happen. Try this, it's true.

Believe in miracles and soon your life would be filled with miracles.

Get happy! 

Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Thirty Second Lesson

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Lesson Number Thirty-Two: Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends will.  Stay in touch.

The latest news that shocks the Philippine corporate world is the successful suicide commitment of DBP's assistant legal counsel, Benjamin Pinpin. In a statement in his suicide note, he mentioned, he only did what was told of him to do because he was afraid to lose his job. He thought, if he would lose his job he would lose his family and dignity as well. In short he was allegedly pressured to do something against his will, yet done it just to save his job. Apparently, he did not lose his job. However, the truth always prevails. When the time of reckoning arrived he was overpowered by confusion and ended up taking his life away...

It was so sad. He was afraid to lose his job for his family. Yet, his job did not take care of his family. It did not take care of him. It did not take care of his life.

This is one lesson all of us must put into consideration. Our job would not take care of us. Even if we are just sick, it won't take care of us. It is right to keep in touch always with family and friends. Because when we lose everything, our job including, our family and true friends would always be there for us.

Have we kept in touch lately with our friends and family? Let's do it now.

Get happy!

Regina Brett's Fifty Life Lessons: The Thirty-First Lesson

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Lesson Number Thirty-One: However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Do you believe this to be so? For me, yes it is. Just like some of you, I once was a negative thinker. When a situation seemed to be out of hands, I easily panicked and get depressed and frustrated over things that did not turn out the way I planned them to be. 

Over the years, this is what I learned, 'however good or bad a situation is, it will change.' There is always hope for bad situations because our loving God up there is watching us. Because He is a loving God, He does not want us to suffer. He is always available every time we ask for S.O.S. over things beyond our control. There is only one condition He is asking of us -- we need to call on Him whenever and wherever we need Him. He does not want us to whine. He does not want us to complain. Like a loving Father as He is, He wants us to explain what we want and ask of Him anything we want, as long as it is in accordance with His will of us. 

If we are suffering over something and we thought we have prayed hard enough, yet no answer has been given, I guess this is the time to check the whole situation all over again. Either what we ask have to change, or we, ourselves need to change our values, disposition and direction in life. As long as we need not forget, God always gives what is best for us, that is His weakness.

On the other hand, there are also times when 'good situations' change. As what the song says, 'some good things never last.' It is true. We need not expect good things to last nor to happen all the time. Because God wants us to learn. God wants us to be perfect as He is. It is in these bad situations that we can see the real meaning of life and of our existence. It is in these situations where we need God the most. That's why He allows bad situations to happen because it is in these situations where we are closer to Him.

Quiet naturally, nothing lasts forever. Whatever it may be; good or bad situations alike. Just like night and day, it does not lasts. Therefore, whatever is at hand, let us enjoy it. Always and for always let us call on God. Let us thank Him in good situations and ask for His strength in bad situations. He is the only ONE that lasts forever.

Get happy!