The Least We Could Do Now

This has been a catastrophic start of October for us Filipinos. Typhoon Ondoy has definately made its mark to the hearts of the Filipinos. It targeted the majority of Metro Manila washing away many lives. While people were still suffering from Ondoy, typhoon Pepeng already entered the country. Houses has been rampaged, cars were ruined, properties dumped, business transactions were interrupted, schools closed, many have lost material possessions because of the typhoon. Hundreds have lost their lives in their struggle for survival. What's even more painful is that a lot have lost their lives saving other people's lives. Mother nature sure was harsh these past few weeks.

Why is this happening to us? What do we do now? How are we going to start over again? When do we get back what we've already lost? Who should be responsible for all these?

These things don't just happen. Events happen for a reason (well, i believe, not for the reason people talk about on Facebook and Twitter). Maybe this is a wake up call. This is a call for us to realize that everything here is just temporary. We must bear in mind that our possessions won't last forever, same with our lives (and we are all aware of this, right?). We are all well aware that we will all eventually lose everything and die.

I know this idea had been stressed a thousand times before because, apparently, we don't seem to live by it because we don't seem to understand what it means to live by it:

The least we could do now is to be truly GRATEFUL.

To be truly grateful is:

* to accept that everything is not truly ours but God's

* to be truly thankful and appreciative of all the temporary possessions lent to us

* to truly care for all that we temporarily own

* to love all that has been shared with us

* to acknowledge God's love

We all have one God. The world may be comprised of different religions and cultures, but I truly believe that we all worship the same God. Now, its the same God who loves us that blesses us with what He thinks we need. He challenges us to seek for wisdom and courage so we'd be able to understand what he truly wants for us. If only we recognize how much we have and h0w blessed we already are to be granted this chance: this chance of a life.

Rick Warren believes, as he wrote in his book, The Purpose Driven Life, that life is three things: Life is a test, a trust, and a temporary assignment:

Life is a TEST. We should be grateful for the challenges. If we believe that all pains, hardships, and sufferings are just tests, we will never complain about life and the unpredictable. We are constantly being tested to be better, stronger persons; like pencils needed to be constantly sharpened to be used (by God).

Life is a TRUST. We should be grateful for the faith God has in us. We won't be granted with life if God does not trust we could pull it off. We have been entrusted with this temporary life to make great things for Him and so it is just that we take the best care we could give it and everything that comes with it. We are now being called to take care of the gifts we might have taken for granted: for nature and all its life-giving resources, for our fellowmen, their lives, and their same importance.

Life is a TEMPORARY ASSIGNMENT. I have been talking about the non-permanence of everything and our existence here on earth. I hope we recognize that this life of ours is a temporary assignment: one that has been assigned for a great purpose, one that has been for His Glory. We are all missionaries. We should be grateful that we are all instruments for the fulfillment of His dreams for all of us.

The very least we could do now is to be truly grateful for all there is. We must be grateful for all that is left of us. We must be grateful for the tiniest possession that we have. We must be grateful that our country is united in pursuit of the nation's well-being. We must be grateful that many even bother to care. We must be grateful for the time efforts of other people to make our lives be even more meaningful. We must be grateful that we are able to be of help to others in need. We must be grateful for the littlest things we could do and share.

I have blogged about how I've experienced and realized how gratitude really works in bad times. Now is our chance to experience what gratitude can give us. Let us take this chance of a lifetime to be ever grateful. ^_^

Guide to Personal Freedom

Just yesterday, I noticed my friend Kristine's book on the table. She left her book at our place weeks ago. That girl. Maybe she didn't know where she'd forgotten it that's why she's not asking any of us about it or maybe she left it on purpose for me to read. Haha! She's so cute. (I love 'ya sista'!) I purposely didn't text her to remind her to pick it up because I thought the book was interesting and I wanted to read it (How mean. I know. She's probably going crazy looking for it. Well, I'm planning to return it to her tonight. M a text her after this blog. Promise. Nyahaha!). Whatever her reason is for leaving the book at my place, I'm sooo grateful that she did. It was providential. Thank you very very very much Kristine!

Anyway, the book is entitled, "The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom" written by Don Miguel Ruiz. Here, the author shares his wisdom on how to set one's self free, letting the person realize a beautiful way to live life. Don Ruiz believes that everything we believe in is an agreement and that a great majority of these agreements have been keeping us from living life to the fullest. Even Let me share you some insights:

The Four Agreements are:

1. Be impeccable with your word. This agreement tells us to speak only of truth and love avoiding the use of word to speak against yourself or other people. The truth is the only way. We must always side with the truth because nothing can argue with the truth. Your level of truthfulness determines your level of success. All the other agreements stem from this agreement.

2. Don't take anything personally. The 2nd agreement stresses that the world does not revolve around you. What people say or do is a projection of their own reality/dream that's why you should never take anything personally. Don Ruiz says, "When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering."

3. Don't make assumptions. This agreement tells us to always seek for the truth rather than to create what we want to believe to be the truth. Misunderstandings, dilemmas, and most problems arise from mis-communications and false expectations.

4. Always do your best. This last agreement tells us to always do our best in whatever circumstance we're at. By doing our best all the time, we make every other agreement a habit. It also teaches us to be forgiving of ourselves and to just do the best we can (no more no less) to be truly happy.

If I were you, I'd just read the book if I still haven't and be ever

GRATEFUL. ^_^

People I wish to meet

My Olongapo holdiday getaway has never been better. This is my last day of "homiee rest" because I'm leaving for Manila this afternoon. Happy happy happy has been the theme of my day. I immediately went on to my morning habit of grabbing a glass of warm water, to get my internal organs ready for my ecstatic day, as I woke up at around 9am. Then I played a little with Mimi and Momo (our 3month old shih apso puppies). I rushed to the living room to find out my brother, Juancho, watching the repeat of "Happy Feet" on Cartoon Network. The movie got my happy cells pumping and jumping (haha! if those are appropriate terms to use).

After Happy Feet, I ran to the computer and started playing my favorite karaokes on youtube. I've been singing Utada Hikaru's songs the whole morning because they are sooo beautiful. Then I thought, I want to meet her in person! Not only that, I wish to sing with her and sing her beautiful compositions. I'm not a JPop person and I only know two Utada Hikaru songs: First Love and Flavor of Life. I'd been singing these two songs the whole weekend! I'm soooo in love with these songs. I googled the original lyrics and the English versions. I enjoyed the English version of First Love but, sadly, I couldn't find a good English version for Flavor of Life.

Anyway, as I thought of wanting to meet this amazing Japanese singer-song-writer-musical-arranger, I realized, "Hey! I can write a blog about this!" Besides, its not just her, I realized how many great people I wish to really meet! A lot have inspired (and alienated ^_^) me and I'd like to thank them personally for what they've done to me, for bringing the freak out of me, for letting me be this grateful geek that I am now. Unfortunately, I won't be able to meet Michael Jackson. But I can still thank his family and his mom for the inspiration of the person that he was. Anyhow, below is the list of great persons who have touched and infuenced my being, those I truly admire, those I want to know better, those I wish to work with someday, and those I simply want to meet, greet, and look at. These are random names that come out of my brain and there's no certain order:

People I Wish To Meet:

Beyonce Knowles

Christina Aguilera

Whitney Houston

Celine Dion

David Foster

Lea Salonga

Fergie

Kitchie Nadal

Justin Timberlake

Timbaland

Simon Cowell

Utada Hikaru

Rain

Gong Yoo

Wondergirls

Lee Kuan Yew

Barack Obama

Bill Gates

Warren Buffett

Rhonda Byrne

Ruth Drayer

Oprah Winfrey

Tyra Banks

Gary Valenciano

Chris Tiu

Dingdong Dantes

Richard Gutierrez

Piolo Pascual

Angel Locsin

Judy Ann Santos

Stephenie Meyer

Robert Pattinson

AJ Rafael

Gabe Bondoc

Jack Canfield

Francis Kong

Manny Pangilinan

KevJumba

Happy Slip

Eugene Domingo

Jenica Garcia

Jean Garcia

Marian Rivera

Tom Welling

Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt

Cameron Diaz

Drew Barrymore

Lucy Liu

Adam Sandler

Angelu de Leon

Rhian Ramos

Pia Guanio

Vic Sotto

Joey de Leon

Julia Clarete

Bitoy

Alan K.

Chiz Escudero

Noynoy Aquino

Billy Crawford

David Stoop

Rick Warren

Joyce Bernal

Topel Lee

Mother Lily

Arnold Clavio

Lucy Torres-Gomez

Vicky Belo

Regine Velasquez

Jaya

Ogie Alcasid

Janno Gibbs

Lani Misalucha

Pops Fernandez

Aiza Seguerra

Buboy Ramirez

Mo Twister

Grace Lee

Andi9

Eri Neeman

Iya

Sarah Geronimo

Kris Aquino

Boy Abunda

Nina

Kyla

Jay R

Rihanna

Lady Gaga

Miley Cyrus

Lucas Grabeel

Zac Efron

Vaness Ann Hudgens

Ashley Tisdale

Jason Mraz

Colbie Caillat

Hayley Williams of Paramore

Tom Hanks

Jim Carey

Eddie Murphy

Jessica Alba

Jennifer Garner

Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez

Janet Jackson

Celine Dion

Kobe Bryant

Steve Nash

Michael Jordan

LeBron James

Shaquille O'Neal

Manny Pacquiao

Benjie Paras

Sean Covey

Madonna

Don Miguel Ruiz

A girl can dream right? Hehe. This is still incomplete. I got too excited to list everyone that I just couldn't recall everybody else at the moment. I'll keep adding more names. ^_^

Following plans

I hate it when people make plans and then don't make sure to go with it. Its like making promises only to break it. That sucks you know! But I don't blame people. I am guilty of this crime myself. I'm also human and I can't be perfect even as I try so hard to. The point is to give value to things that are important.

When we make plans with other people, we should remember that they give and make time and efforts for that. Wait. Let me rephrase that. When we plan something we must acknowledge that precious resources are at stake. Time and efforts, I believe, are two (if not the most) important resources. In business, we study and make our lives out of planning. But for most people, planning is a total waste of time. Well, as a business graduate, I don't agree that it is a waste of time. Planning is only a waste of time when it is planned not to be followed.

That is why in business, planning always comes first. Without (strategic) planning, businesses wouldn't be as beneficial to economies as they are now. Top wealthy corporations plan their strategies and operations carefully and follow them earnestly to achieve their successes. Not only businesses, following plans is applicable to practically anywhere and anything. The moment we wake up in the morning, we plan how to go about the whole day, from what clothes to wear for work or school to the clothes we wear to sleep, effortlessly only because we are used to it everyday. Planning, we are able to go through a wholeday. Imagine if our government agencies plan everything they do properly and actually follow it, our country would be very much of a first world country! A lot of our resources are wasted because our government officials (well, most of them) don't apply proper strategic planning in their way of living!

Indeed, planning, and actually following the plans that we make, is very vital in our very well planned lives!

May we all be grateful. ^_^

Gratitude in bad times

"It's not easy being grateful all the time. But it's when you feel least thankful that you are the most in need of what gratitude can give you."

- Oprah

This beautiful quote was sent to me via text message by my friend, Kristine Pantig. Thanks Kristine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ^_^

I remembered my year's dramatic times the moment after I read the text message. Those were the times when I lost my faith. Those were times when I didn't look at the blessings I had. Those were the times I felt so ungrateful. Those were the times I felt like my life wasn't worth living. Those times were when I felt like everything was just so imperfect. People were selfish and I never wanted to trust anyone including myself. I'd been failing myself. I felt like I was stuck in the middle of nothing and I actually considered giving it all up. I lost myself and I couldn't believe I'd experience what I went through. Things were perfect before until I started letting myself down.

Despite all my neglects and doubts, I just couldn't believe how good things still happen to me. Good, amazing people still stayed, loved, and took care of me. My siblings and the people whom I might have inspired before the "great loss" (well, this is how i want to call those down times =p) still respected and looked up to me. The talents He lent me were still there and they'd just be very useful whenever I needed them. That's when I realized (with the help of all the people around me, all the circumstances, and all the self-help books I forced myself upon) how blessed I am. I stopped believing in Him yet he never stopped believing in me. He never abandoned me. He made me realize how meaningful this life could be, the moment I acknowledged all the good he'd still left me with.

As I appreciated everything I was blessed with, I learned how to truly live my life. (The books You Are What You Think by Dr. David A. Stoop and The Secret by Rhonda Byrne were of really great help in making me have this great cognizance.)

The moment I started being grateful, everything turned just right. I learned how to be forgiving of myself for my shortcomings as I acknowledged my being human and understood that it was ok to make mistakes evry now and then. Instead of looking at my imperfections and what I couldn't do I just keep trying and trying to be my best everyday. Facing all the challenges, I give cheers to myself everytime I succeed or learn something and I give myself a reinforcing taunt whenever I fail or couldn't make things work. People are nicer and easier to tolerate. Suddenly, things aren't so upsetting after all. I became really contented with everything else. I feel in control and stable as I am able to convert reacting to acting and just being grateful. All at once, my dreams are just in the palm of my hands. ^_^

My usual tendency after having a great realization is being greatly overwhelmed with it. Learning how to live with gratitude had a huge impact on me. I wrote on a Gratitude Notebook. Everyday I would write all of the things I could be grateful for, even the littlest of the little things like how nice the clouds looked like in the morning and how tiny and cute my toe nails looked like. For days I religiously wrote on that notebook until I didn't need to write anymore to feel good and grateful every second of every minute of every hour of every day. Now, everyday is like a party, with myself always ecstatic, as if high on drugs. hahahaha! ^_^

As I've been living in total gratitude for almost 2 months now, I saw that gratitude is very much helpful in times when I feel the least grateful. Its in bad times when gratitude is in much greater intensity. ^_^

May everyone be hit by the gratitude virus for an everyday life of parteiii and great times!!! ^_^

NYAHAHAHAHHAHA!!!!

Thank you! ^_^

President Aquino's passing, a reminder

Filipinos are natural lovers. We easily fall for people we admire, be it a friend, a lover, an admirer, an actor, a musician, or a politician. Furthermore, when we fall in love, we give it all, we attach ourselves too much so when our loved ones pass, we feel like passing out as well in disbelief.

This is very evident now with the late President Cory Aquino's death. Many have expressed their griefs for her death. I heard a man on the news saying he'd be better off hit by a bus rather than suffer the grief he experiences now. Thousands have lined up just to get a glimpse of her remains as the Philippines follow news updates on her wake and burial.

I understand. The late president had touched our lives. In one way or another, she had made us feel special. Her loss is being commemorated now because, one cannot deny, her contributions to our country are exceptional. She demonstrated how a woman could be.

She has uplifted the spirits of women in the world by choosing to serve her country, emerging as the first female President of the Philippines, bringing honor to Filipinos. She has loved the country so greatly as she had demonstrated and the country loves her in return. She has been the icon of the Philippines' historical peaceful revolution. She has been an instrument for our country's democracy.

A house-wife-turned-President-of-a-country, the people are also aware of how she was as a mother to her children, how she took care of them and raised them with great love and understanding. In addition, devout Christians look up to her exceptional religious piety.

With all of the person she is, President Aquino is indeed a national icon and can, without a doubt, be considered a national hero. But who is Cory Aquino? We all know that she is but a human being who is also very imperfect just like everyone else. Not everyone liked her. But we love Cory Aquino. Who hadn't been touched by her? Haters maybe. Just maybe. In fact, even her political enemies have been touched by her. Let's face it, every single Filipino has been strained by the event, whether heavily or not. It's all over the news. The country mourns for her death. But what is this really all about? We get it. The Filipinos are now mourning because we have lost one great Filipino soul: an ordinary human being turned great because she made a conscious effort. Surely, we have shown our condolences to her family and they are overwhelmed, thankful, now. But does that end there? I believe not.

I regard this happening as a very important reminder: A memorandum of the "essence" of the

People Power Revolution and the example that President Cory had lived. It is the very reason why broadcasters keep on flashing and exhibiting clips of the late president and the tumult. It is for us to reminisce the unity that our country once had in that moment on the streets.

The memories are being exclaimed so we could ponder on the outcome of that one peaceful fight and the life lived by that brave soul who stood among and for the people.

For once, we have proven how a people, united, can counter a condition that's unwanted. As a people, we were able to bring democracy back. Now, we enjoy the fruits of it all. We have been testimonies of how unity brought peace and how peace brought unity. It was a conscious effort from all those who stood there. A conscious effort. President Cory lead, but everyone did his/her part, took responsibility, shared him/herself, to realize the objective. This is what it took to get the country out of the cage. This is what it takes to get the country to where it wants to go: Having that conscious effort from each Filipino.

We are off to another election a few months from now. Will we vote? Will we choose the right leaders? Will we take part? By taking part, we are not just voting and choosing the right people. By taking part, we as people of the country, share each of our conscious efforts. By taking part, we are starting with ourselves, could be by altering every single unpleasant habit. Its our call.

I am hoping now that the L-hand-sign (Laban sign or whatever you may call it), made popular by the late president, would serve as a wake-up call in giving conscious efforts each and everyday in uplifting each of our lives. Whenever we see a yellow ribbon, may we, not pass out in sadness but instead, be reminded of the great love President Aquino had lived through and that our love for her would inspire us to be instruments of change and move us to comprehend how great of a nation we could be as we work for our dreams to be brought about by love, peace, unity, and prayers.

We must be grateful. ^_^

Something worth sharing

I haven't blogged for like ages. I have to admit, I'm not really that of a writer. I'm not fond of expressing myself through words plus, I believed, I didn't know how to write well. I used to hate books, I never was a fan of school, and I thought these were stuff I'd never be able to love. Reading before was a heavy chore and I hated chores as a child. I was dead lazy, lazier than you can ever imagine. I procrastinated, I still do.

Growing up, I realized how important it is to be able to write and share and express your thoughts and feelings to the world. Not only because it makes you a better person as you get to reflect and talk to yourself and improve your grammatical skills and vocabulary but also because the world might someday benefit from your opinions.

Knowing that we all have a distinct purpose, it is very safe to say that we all have something to share. We are all creations of God. Each and everyone is blessed with unique talents. Everyone deserves to be treasured, to be loved. We all have a place in this universe. God loves us and he wants all of us to be loved. That is why, I now strongly believe that, everyone deserves to be heard. All of us have something to contribute to this world of wonder.

We start with God, by loving and believing in him, apprehending his being and his desires for all of us. Then everything else proceeds naturaly: Loving ourselves, being able to be self-sustained and contented, believing in our own capabilities, taking care of every inch of your body, and loving everyone and everything else, trusting and having good faith, recognizing that we are all the same and that everybody needs to be loved as God has willed.

With this in mind, we are all expected of nothing than to be ever grateful of a beautiful life, one that has been begotten of great love, and share the best of ourselves each day we are blessed with life.