July 2011
Dream Big
”If there were ever a time to dare, To make a difference, To embark on something worth doing, It is now!” Not for any grand cause, necessarily-but for something that tugs at your heart, something that’s your aspiration, something that’s your dream. You owe it to yourself to make your days here count. Have fun….Dig Deep….Stretch!
Before We Learn to Live
An ancient Philosopher offered this interesting observation: “If we could be twice young and twice old, we could correct all our mistakes.” There is no real assurance that this is so, because too many of us repeat our own errors, even when we know better. But sometimes we well may wonder why we have to live so long before we learn to live.
Butterflies are FREE!!!
FEW sights are lovelier than a multicolored butterfly fluttering in nature’s garden. Butterflies are not only pretty but also have the enviable ability to fly from beautiful rose to sweet gardenia, skipping the unruly weeds in between, unmindful of the ugly caterpillar crawling up on the rose’s thorny stem. It’s a pretty sight, a real tonic to tired eyes and perhaps to an even more weary soul. It is so pretty we cannot help but pity the caterpillar that is not only as ugly as the butterfly is beautiful but also as slow and tied to the ground as the butterfly is fast and free. Indeed, at first glance, we see the butterfly and the caterpillar as two different creatures.
“Attitude, Character and Dream” – My personal quest
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life. Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important than the past, than education, than money, then circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say, or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill. It will make or break a company, a church, or a home. The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day.
A River of Kindness
ALL of us should be eager to convert ourselves into a gushing river of love and kindness every day, because this is our goal and perfection. We are nothing without love. It’s amazing that nowadays this ultimate and constant goal of ours is often frustrated, perverted if not obliterated by other values and virtues that in fact can be such only if related to charity. The essence of these values and virtues, can only vanish when love is not their soul. Let’s not deceive ourselves. Let’s have our priorities clear right at the most fundamental level of our life.
“Marriage” and “Character”
What we have in our hearts to say could be said at any time, at many times; for it pertains to the goodness and purpose of life and to the peace and happiness for all who marry – and of children – and to the whole future of families. First of all, marriage must be coupled with character. It requires character to live in this closest of all relationship of life. Marriage requires also kindly consideration, the overlooking of many small things, and an earnest disposition not to find fault. Anyone could annoy or upset anyone at times, and anyone who looks for faults and flaws … will surely find them.
With A Child’s Heart
“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15) It feel very good to act like a child when grown up to a matured self, it take away all worries to make your present happy and worth living. In saying that, I certainly do not mean that one should shun away the pursuit of living for knowledge, but, at the same time, one should understand its limited capacity, and one should seriously try to acquire that knowledge which alone can save a person from the slavery of imperfections.
It’s My Life
Many times I feel I do not exist and not being appreciated. I feel as if I am only a fragment of imagination. I always try to live everyday trying to serve and please people all the time. Often that brings a lot of disappointments. Sometimes I tell myself never to do it again – but emptiness always follows. I have nothing to prove to you or to anyone else. I am my own person. I act according to my will and to His will.
What Should We Do for a Friend?
Aside from loved ones, aside from those close of kin, friendship makes life most meaningful. With friendship nothing is impersonal. Everything is more enjoyed. Everything has greater purpose. Everything is better understood. It is something to be nourished and cherished; something that cannot be forced; something that must grow naturally; something that must not be abused.
Come Holy Spirit…
The story is told about a father who asked his nervous little boy: “What’s wrong, Son?” “I left my bike outside our gate,” was the little boy’s answer. “Don’t worry, the Holy Spirit will look after your bike. Now, lead us in our prayer before our meal.” And the little boy started: “In the name of the Father and of the Son. Amen.” “Where’s the Holy Spirit?” asked the father. “Looking after my bike,” was the little boy’s reply!
Honour or Honor
SOMEONE SAID that Robots will play a big role in the future – they function for hours, they never seem to run down, they are low on maintenance, and they do everything without praise, acknowledgment or attention. Actually, Robots are nothing new. They used to be called Mothers, Fathers, our Partners, Lovers & Friends! In this church where I go from time to time, for the last few weeks they have been talking about Honour which is good. But I am not really sure if all of us fully understand what the word meant!
Lying…
With all the lying going around, please remind our children that it is still a sin to tell a lie! Please tell and retell to your children the message that lying is bad, and that to prevent others to tell the truth is also very bad! These are the exact words of Jose Rizal (Philippines National Hero) in regard to this tendency of religious observers (from Rizal’s “The State of Religiosity in the Philippines”).
Acting with Integrity
Many people have the perception that the fabulously rich and powerful are dishonest and unethical. And who can blame them after hearing stories of how millionaire executives rip off their shareholders in scandal after scandal? Certainly there are unethical & unscrupulous rich people around especially where I was born and where I have been living for the last 30 years (I better not mention the location…hehehehe). Incidentally, their wealth & businesses rarely last, but the truth is that most self-made millionaires share a common habit of personal integrity.