Everyday Notes to Enjoy Life (13)

Was there a time when your boss noticed your good work or accomplishments? Or perhaps a good old neighbor noticing your orhids which you have painstakingly labored for them to grow wonderful flowers. It feels great, right? There's a feeling of satisfaction inside you, even though there isn't any material rewards. In fact an honest, sincere praise is worth more than any rewards. Somehow it lifts your moods. It keeps you on your goals. It motivates you to work even harder and it gives you a sense of pride. You would feel elated that someone appreciated you.

Praising is like putting someone in a higher pedestal without lifting a finger. The problem is that, some people find it easier to look for the flaws. Because it's much fun and amusing to gossip about other's imperfections. These people are selfish. They are jealous. And they hide their dark pride by resenting others.

Praise someone. "Lift him up" and you'll find a pleasant reward in return.

Happy Father's Day!

I'd like to share this wonderfull poem by Edgar Guest dedicated to all responsible, loving fathers all over the planet.

Only A Dad

by Edgar Guest

Only a dad with a tired face,
Coming home from the daily race,
Bringing little of gold or fame
To show how well he has played the game;
But glad in his heart that his own rejoice
To see him come and to hear his voice.

Only a dad with a brood of four,
One of ten million men or more
Plodding along in the daily strife,
Bearing the whips and the scorns of life,
With never a whimper of pain or hate,
For the sake of those who at home await.

Only a dad, neither rich nor proud,
Merely one of the surging crowd,
Toiling, striving from day to day,
Facing whatever may come his way,
Silent whenever the harsh condemn,
And bearing it all for the love of them.

Only a dad but he gives his all,
To smooth the way for his children small,
Doing with courage stern and grim
The deeds that his father did for him.
This is the line that for him I pen:
Only a dad, but the best of men.

Everyday Notes to Enjoy Life (12)

It's been awhile since my last post on this series. And now it's back after a deep slumber.

I am a conservative, old-fashioned, extremely plain guy when it comes to choosing clothes. My taste for fashion has not changed for the last decade, same color, same style, same get-up. I am a bit picky when it comes to what I wear. I always pick those that I have been accustomed to use. My wife has been trying to influence my fashion taste. She's been trying to reboot my image. In fact this Father's day, she gave me a really cool T-shirt and I really love the fit. It's a great feeling to reinvent yourself sometimes and I appreciate my wife's effort for helping me out. So be adventurous on what you wear. It creates better confidence and adds self-esteem.

Keep on doing good..

I've received another uplifting email message...

A man woke up early in order to have his morning devotion in the Lord's house. He got dressed, set on his way to the Lords house.

On his way to the church, the man fell and his clothes got dirty. He got up, brushed himself off, and headed home. At home, he changed his clothes, and was, again, on his way to the Lord's house.

On his way to the church, he fell again and at the same spot! He, again, got up, brushed himself off and headed home. At home he, once again, changed his clothes and was on his way to the Lords house.

On his way to the house of God, he met a man holding a lamp. He asked the man of his identity and the man replied, "I saw you fall twice on your way to the house of God, so I brought a lamp so I can light your way".

The first man thanked him profusely and the two were on their way to the house of God. Once at the house of God, the first man asked the man with the lamp to come in and pray with him. The second man refused. The first man asked him a couple more times and, Again, the answer was the same.

The first man asked him why he did not wish to come in and pray. The man replied, "I am Satan".

The man was shocked at this reply. Satan went on to explain, "I saw you on your way to the house of God and it was I who made you fall. When you went home, cleaned yourself and went back on your way to the house of God , God forgave all of your sins. I made you fall a second time, and even that did not encourage you to stay home, but rather, you went back on your way to Church. Because of that, God forgave all the sins of the people of your household. I was afraid if I made you fall one more time, then God will forgive the sins of the people of your village, so I made sure that you reached the house of God safely."

So do not let Satan benefit from his actions. Do not put off the good you intended to do as you never know how much reward you might receive from the hardships you encounter while trying to achieve that good.

For your righteousness can save your family and nation at large. Do this and see the victory of the Lord.

One Day I Decided To Quit

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality... I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

His answer surprised me... "Look around", He said. "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.
I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo." He said.

"In the third year, there was still nothing from the bamboo seed. But I would not quit. In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed. I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He said to me. "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been
struggling, you have actually been growing roots."

"I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you. Don't compare
yourself to others .." He said.

" The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern ... Yet, they both make
the forest beautiful. Your time will come, " God said to me. "You will rise high!"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can? " I questioned.

"Yes." He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can. "

I left the forest and bring back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

He will never give up on you.

Never regret a day in your life.

Good days give you happiness

Bad days give you experiences;

Both are essential to life.

A happy and meaningful life requires our continuous input and creativity.
It does not happen by chance. It happens because of our choices and actions.
And each day we are given new opportunities to choose and act and,
in doing so, we create our own unique journey." Keep going...

Happiness keeps you Sweet,
Trials keep you Strong,
Sorrows keep you Human,
Failures keep you humble,
Success keeps You Glowing,
But Only God keeps You Going!

And as a postscript I may add, that just like a bamboo when it grows so tall, it can bend back to the ground and dance with the wind. It doesn't grow stiff and boisterous. So learn to grow roots and rise like the bamboo but never forget humility.

Summer Time!

Summer life in the Philippines is so fiestarrific. It is one of my favorite seasons, second to Christmas. Because summer here is synonymous to beaches. Almost the entire summer season, you'd find beaches in fiesta atmosphere.



The Philippines is very blessed with great summer getaways, from north to south and within the scattered islands, beaches abound. In the north, the Batanes islands welcome tourists and whale pods alike to its majestic hills and temperate waters.



In Pangasinan, the famous hundred islands entice you to go island hopping. In Boracay, the pristine waters and white sand beaches attract thousands of visitors all year. Puerto Galera, another popular white sand island boasts its attractive diving sites.



Down the south is Siargao beach, which is considered the surfing capital of the Philippines where international competitions are held. And then there is Bohol and Palawan islands, hosting the most diversified wildlife in nature. Their magnificent diving sites, beaches and vacation islands such as Panglao, El Nido and Aman Pulo entice even Hollywood celebrities.



I am looking forward to another nice summer dip in the beach, forget work, throw away stress and get in touch with nature.

Rice Crisis!

It's very ironical to know that a very agricultural country like the Philippines is actually experiencing a rice crisis. Some areas of the nation have people literally lining-up in stores for their daily ration of rice. And some people are now crying for help from the government which repeatedly assures plenty of supply. The price of rice zoomed from 24 pesos to 35 pesos per kilo of the same variant over the week and continually climbs.

The Catholic church has offered help in distribution of rice. Some restaurants and food chains have also offered to their customers half-orders of rice.

I really hope this will be controlled soon as police authorities have warned that crime rates will rise if the situation aggravates.

Happy Easter 2008

Happy Easter to all! Hope that the risen Christ finds His way into your hearts and that the reflection on the past Holy Week gives birth to a new you.

That is actually the basic message in the Easter celebration - rebirth. Which is why we have Easter eggs because eggs symbolize the nature of being reborn. It is the season of renewal. We reflect on our past past values, shed those that were not proper and instill in our hearts those that Christ wants us to accomplish.

The season of Lent re-echoes God’s call for us all to reorient and redirect our hearts toward God. What we love reveals what we value. The secret of having a meaningful and grace-filled season lies in what is hidden in us. May God find a contrite heart in each of us. May we be renewed!