Drop It....Let It Go

          Each day in our life, we encounter moments wherein we are pained, down, disappointed and it is as if life is so meaningless anymore. Yet at the end of the day, we all need to remember that when we look into our eyes, we can always tell ourselves, " I LOVE YOU" then just by saying those magical words, may we remember that life indeed is so precious. By telling ourselves those affirmative words "I love this self" in front of the mirror, we are therefore affirming our own belief and acceptance of our own uniqueness. On numerous circumstances, we fail to appreciate our own giftedness and instead, envy those of others. 

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          Learn to move on in life. As I was listening to one motivational speaker today, I was reminded that life is such a beautiful gift that we ought to treasure and no matter what obstacles lie along the way, there is always a force that will allow us to let it go of all those negative elements.

          Learn to accept who we are...... we all need to embrace our very own identity and it is only by then that we can also be able to accept others. How could we share love if we don't feel being loved on the first place.

Hence let us  treasure those special people in our life for from them we experience how wonderful this life is. Let us learn to let go then drop those negative events as well as  their memories and instead, let us focus on our dreams. 

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Acceptance and Self Determination

          Everyday we heard of stories of love fading away for some reasons. And usually at the losing end is someone whose heart is bleeding with tremendous pain that at times, it results to the person losing her identity and the will to hang on to life. And this is true to life's various forms of relationship such as wife-husband, family (parent to kids), friends and so on. 

          Days become so difficult to cope with. Other forms of relationships are deeply affected by the sudden loss of enthusiasm to life. No amount of comfort can ease the pain of letting go and love again. And to think that real love is so painful once it is destroyed and gone.

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          However, the other side of the coin will tell us that when somebody has the will and determination to hang on to life then everything seems to become gradually easy and cool again. Aided by acceptance and self determination, the pain of losing love will turn into a new beginning. 

          Acceptance comes into the picture when such person realises that life has to go on regardless of any day's turn of events. Everything comes with a reason and sometimes, these reasons are incomprehensible. Acceptance means letting go of the pain and embraces life's new beginning. 

           The idea to self determination helps the person to stand up after each incident of falling down. Our life is oftentimes moulded by determination- we are determined to hold on to life even though we are pained by circumstances beyond our control.

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Our determination to become the person we ought to be will help us  shape our future positively. As they say, stand and deliver....... accept life's reality and hold on to your will to self determination.

                                           

Celebration of LIFE

          In life, we have numerous occasions that we termed as milestones. What makes them deep-coloured is when we have the chance to celebrate them with good friends and special people in our life. We have gatherings such as work anniversary, golden wedding anniversary, retirement, birth of a new baby, birthdays etc.. 

          As I celebrate one highlight of my life, my birthday, I am grateful to all people who have come and made it colourful. At the outset, I am thankful to God for the gift of life that He has entrusted to me. And although I know that it is but a borrowed one and that sooner or later, I am going to return it to its Creator, I am but extremely joyful that I embrace this life. Consequently, I recognise that I have a great responsibility to take care of it thus allowing it to grow into the kind of life that will make its owner happy. On the other hand, knowing that I have both yin and yang of this life (light and dark shadows), I also have the accountability to grow into a more mature person and to share this life with others.

          I am also thankful to God for showering my life with wonderful people, first and foremost, my two treasured gifts- my wife Yanyan and our beloved kid, Kurt Kristoff. Being light bringers, they both radiate a constant positive energy to me to get up and face squarely whatever is at stake on every single day. As a social being, I am also indebted to other people who have  shared both my pains and joys. People come and go in our life and I am forever thankful to those who have helped me achieve the person that I am  now and would still be willing to journey with me to the rest of my life. 

         No matter how simple or challenging this life journey could be but with the presence of all these significant others in my life, I know that I could acquire the positive energy each day to continue with this journey. 

 

                                          

To Be or Not to Be?

          Dreams have always been a part of our life. And they also drive us into more determination even at the steepest road we trek in life. Yet at the end of the day, it constantly goes back to us the answer whether we really want to realise those dreams or just leave them behind as such. 

          As one anonymous author said, " The tragedy of life is that many people have ambition and so few have ability." Agreeing to what he said, I would say that uniquely, we are gifted with resources such as abilities, talents, skills and others that would become our weapons to make true those dreams. 

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          Regrettable as it could be, some of us fail to utilise those tools so that we will reach our goal of success. Don't ever focus on those negative points in your life instead give your full attention to what lies ahead and what is present to you. And the most important of all, learn to express gratitude to those gifts you own since through them, you are and will going to achieve those dreams treasured inside of yourself. 

        Thus, ask constantly oneself, "To be or not to be?" and be ready to embrace the consequence of your choice. 

                                       

New Year's Surprises: Resolutions....Resolutions....

          As we start another year, it is one common practice that we prepare a list of new year's resolutions- list of what we want to achieve in our life during the year. Actually this has been an ongoing practice since the time of the Babylonians and even during the knighthood era of the Medieval times.  At certain junctures, such practice offers a positive output to a person for it becomes a guide for him to perform better during the year and surpass what then was achieved during the previous year.

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          We have personally set up our goals for this year. And somehow, this resolution comes out in so many styles and forms like setting a limit to one's exposure to the TV or even in front of one's laptop. Some will aim for a more moderated lifestyle such as avoiding too much alcohol or if one is willing, an alcohol free life during the year. On the other hand, there are those who want to refrain from going out late at nights or others may just want to be a more fulfilled person in relationship, career and others.

          However, no matter how colourful, relevant, challenging our resolutions for this year, if we will not act them out and do them then everything becomes nil and unwanted. Nobody else will commit those good resolutions except we in ourselves. Thus, to be more constructive in our life, let us constantly be consistent in doing our plans. Our firmness, flexibility and openness supplemented by our determination will assist us to make true our dreams, goals and resolutions.

                                     

My Source of Happiness

          What really is happiness? This is a very relative matter in the sense that what could be your source of being happy may not be true for the other person. Somehow it is but essential for us to be aware of those things that can make and give us true meaning of happiness. 

To give us further insight on what happiness is, let us share these thoughts:

"Psychologist Martin Seligman asserts that happiness is not solely derived from external, momentary pleasures,^[11] and provides the acronym PERMA to summarize Positive Psychology's correlational findings: humans seem happiest when they have

1. Pleasure (tasty food, warm baths, etc.),
2. Engagement (or flow, the absorption of an enjoyed yet challenging activity),
3. Relationships (social ties have turned out to be extremely reliable indicator of happiness),
4. Meaning (a perceived quest or belonging to something bigger), and
5. Accomplishments (having realized tangible goals)."- from Wikipedia- the free encyclopedia

          From the above thoughts, it is obvious that happiness differs from one stage of being to the other. I know of some people who are happy by just being alone with themselves. They don't want to be interfered in their activities which for them are the ones that give them source of meaning in life.

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          There are also people who are happy with their titles like being managers, CEOs, COO, and the like. That when others devoid  them of any recognition and admiration of these titles, it seems their days are incomplete and they feel that they are not worthy. In some cases, what is worst is when they tend to vent their ire on others as if they already lose their sense of being human persons merely due to subordinates not addressing them with their titles. Sometimes, the real cause of this feeling of being unhappy is the sense of insecurity of oneself. 

          On the other hand, others are made happy by their achievements and the accolades that go with them. Moreover there are those who find happiness by being with their loved ones and no matter what their state of life is, they are still happy being with their significant others.

          Hence, in the midst of these various realities, it is important for us to recognize what are those things that make us real happy and how could we also radiate the same happiness to others. No matter what adversities we have in life, there would always be reasons for us to stay happy and be optimistic.

 
                                       

Life is Such a Great Gift

          It's Sunday and another week will soon start. If I look back on my previous week, indeed I could say that life is so good to a great degree due to everyday blessings we receive. The grace of our life is the greatest one and somehow it also entails from us a challenge to sustain, maintain, and improve it to the best of our capacity.

          Aside from that, we also receive the gift of friendship with other people whom we daily encounter in our home, workplace, surroundings, community etc.. These people allow us to appreciate more life's wonderment. Somehow, there are others whom could never become our close buddies or friends maybe caused by differences in life's views, cultures, beliefs and many more. At times, others might endow us troubles or stresses but we should learn to humble ourselves before them then focus our energy on what is good and positive instead of complaining about it.

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          Everyday we also receive the gift of good health that allows us to proceed with our day to day endeavours and responsibilities towards our families, communities, workplaces etc. At the same time, we are also asked to take care of it by maintaining positive lifestyle and daily exercises then keeping away from vices especially drugs, alcohol and other negative activities that may result to destruction of life.

          Thus, let us also keep our life is a straight path and hopefully it will lead us someday to its fulfilment no matter where and how that could be attained.

                              

Each One's Uniqueness

          As I study on Organisational Behaviour, the more that it becomes clearer to me the interrelationship between an organisation and society. Both are made up of group of people whom each one carries with him/her the unique attributes which make him/her stand out among the others. 

          On organisational behaviour, it mainly rests as well on human behaviour. As we all know, people have various ethnic backgrounds thus bringing along with them their own cultures, practices, taboos, rituals etc.. Each individual therefore has his/her own learning capacity and responsibility. 

          So vast is the complexity of each individual yet what struck me most out of this given complex element is the uniqueness that each individual carries along side with him/her. How unique one is from the other at times makes it difficult to achieve self satisfaction and in certain circumstances, may lead to one's disowning of oneself. 

          What then is your behaviour when it comes to your own uniqueness? Are you basically aware of it or not? Just like any organisation, there is no such "one best way" to approach this individual uniqueness but rather, the focus must be shifted to one's humbling ownership of such "giftedness". 

          Moreover, let us all be constantly aware how we are unique from each other and let us make use of this uniqueness to extend positive things and gestures to others. Thus, we should consistently complement each other until such time that we reach our own wholeness if there is such state in life. 

                                                

Don't Be Afraid

          While thinking for something to write on, this statement dwelt on me, "Don't be afraid..." and it made me reflect for a while, at another time looked back on my life......tried to think of those times wherein this fear (whatever was it) lived inside of me.

          Yes, everything boils down to one's sense of owning all of him/her including those fears. How about you? Have you asked yourself what are those fears in your life? 

Don't be afraid of failures.....

Don't be afraid of attachments.....

Don't be afraid of becoming a parent....

Don't be afraid of commitments......

Don't be afraid of the unknown....

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Don't be afraid of death......

Don't be afraid of fame.....

Don't be afraid of travelling....

Don't be afraid of another day, month, or year.....

Don't be afraid of rejections.....

          At times, our fears disable us and hinder us to unfold further ourselves-all our potentials, our capabilities, our giftedness, our aces.....

         At times, the fear of this feeling of being afraid moves us to resort to denial, suppression, regression etc.. Consequently, we are no longer interested to put one foot forward for what is reigning now in our mind is the fear of falling down.

          Yet this is not what this life is all about. Our life is such a wonderful gift that it deserves to be celebrated with others. This life is so special that genuine attention and extra care should be extended to it. Remove all those fears and exult in jubilation for we are fully alive. Share life and learn to tame any fear that comes along your journey. Don't be afraid. 

                                             

What is your Perception of the World?

 In life so frequently it is our own perspective that causes us pain or pleasure. As we go through life “feeling” the world with our fingers, if our finger is broken, naturally we will experience pain everywhere.

We make the mistake of blaming the external world for our ailments: “My job is over-taxing, my husband is too demanding, my wife nags, my children are disobedient, my in-laws don’t understand me, and so on.” Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD

          As I read this article by Fr. San Luis, I tried to recall back those times wherein I became like that of what he mentioned in his example. There were exactly times wherein I unceasingly complained about what was happening around me that I was blinded to see my own contributions to what has happened. Consequently, I joined others who have failed to remedy the situation. Think of the times that you focus your ire, dissatisfaction and upset  on outside factors except yourself.

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          What is invited from me and you is a so-called paradigm shift- a change and a turn around from the way we perceive both things and  ourselves. That instead of complaining much on external forces and factors, we better check initially within us if what are those things that need to be changed for the better. Shifting gears especially an internal one entails a long process and it requires consistency as well as discipline so as to fully reap positive fruits. 

          One common denominator among us is our perception of the world being a complicated one yet at the end of the day, if we ever change this perspective then most probably, when we wake up the next day, we feel better and further dignified to get ready and to continue one's life journey. 

          Thus, let us allow ourselves to undergo self-transformation for the betterment of our future and for us to have a solid grasp yet joyful relationship with everything around us. Peace within will also eventually lead us into a tranquil world so worthy to live in.

                                              

Are You Ready for This New Month?

          June 2014- welcome to this new month and the last month for the first half of the year. Have you realised how quick those first five months go? What were the memorable events that have come into your life since we started this year? Have you done one extra ordinary thing to a neighbour or a friend or maybe even to a stranger? Or have you made one person's life miserable for those past months? 

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          Looking back and trying to re- assess our past activities is somehow one positive thing to practice since it gives us a right perspective on what particular way we should be trekking in life. At times, due to our hectic schedules, we tend to neglect in minding our daily actions and even our dealings with our loved ones. Quality time is one of those things which is very instrumental in promoting our relationship with them and with others. 

          Thus, as we begin this new month, can we ask ourselves, "Are we ready to engage in activities that are worth remembering and life promoting?" As often as we are, we consistently make priorities everyday. Aside from these priorities, we also constantly involve ourselves in a decision making activity. With all of these matters being noticed, we can expect a more favourable interactions with other people, both known and unknown to us. Apart from that, it is also wonderful if we learn to express gratefulness for each day's blessings.  

                                              

Dreams are Sources of Strength and Motivation

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt

           So powerful....moving......challenging....these are but some of the words that came out of my mind when I read this quotation by Eleanor Roosevelt. In this world, what holds us firmly is unending search for the future. The future that would lead us into a more meaningful state of living...a future that will bring us and all our loved ones in a state of closeness, bonding, happiness, strength, satisfaction and peace.

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          Yet we also need to believe that reaching this future is something that we can do and accomplish. Day by day, we experience no two exactly similar things. All of these experiences, big and small, will enable us to gradually mould our dreams---- those dreams that will give us strength to wake up each day and face life squarely. These dreams may vary from me and you yet they all have one thing in common----these dreams will lead us into self fulfilment.

          Happy are we who have embraced our dreams and live them day by day since they will guide us into becoming self directed individuals. Accept wisely those times of falling and learn from them yet never do them twice or thrice since that will result to one's stupidity. As each day comes to its end, let us all be grateful for all the realisations and the opportunities that will move us closer to our dreams. 

                                       

Dreams Big

          The ongoing XXII Winter Olympics showcased to the whole world how heroes are made. Staging various events fo such a world caliber standards is such an amazing feat and for all those who have successfully topped their events, the glory are cherished not just by them but by their wellwishers as well.

          We all know how demanding the training of these athletes of such quality. Being away from their respective homes and families, the sacrifice they offer are so great that just by being able to represent their countries in the prestigious event is so overwhelming.

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          As the events continue to unfold day by day, the glory of all those who triumphed in their events were so infectious and great. On the other hand, the agony of defeat was also felt by those who failed to land a decent performance. However in the eyes of everyone, being able to compete and emerge as a real sport in its truest sense is all that matters now. 

          A true champion signifies not just the weight and color of each medal receive but by the virtue also of his/her performance. At the end of the day, a winner will always be a winner yet a loser will still emerge as a winner in the hearts and eyes of  others consequently upon displaying a positive attitude in performance and the right approach to acceptance in defeat.

                                 

What A Wonderful Blogging Year!

           By February 9 of this year, I will recall the first entry that I had on this blog. After such initial entry, I came up with several posts on various human interests topics. As the days and months passed by, I didn't notice that I will soon, in fact, two days from now, be celebrating one year of blogging.

          As this meaningful event for me arrives, I will express my extreme joy and sincere gratefulness to the following:

- to you readers, for sharing your time in reading my posts. It is my pleasure to impart with you my posts enabling me to share with you my thoughts, inspirations, journey, fears, aspirations, learnings as I continue with my treasured life;

- to my family, my wife Yanyan and my son Kurt Kristoff, for they are the very source of my strength and patience to come up with all those posts and for my coming ones;

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-to my fellow bloggers who have helped me in my endeavor as a blogger, for sharing me insights and innovations so as to be more effective in relaying those stories in this blog;

- and finally, to God for enlightening my mind and heart to come up with my posts. Recognizing you, my ever dearest friend, as the sole source of this borrowed life, I returned back to you all this goodness by means of all my posts here. Through them, I believe that I am able to share with others this gift of life that You have entrusted to me.

                                      

How Much Time Do You Spend on the Internet?

          With the growing popularity of the online world nowadays, it then becomes a reality that many people are exposing themselves to the lure of the internet to the extent that they sacrifice their personal affairs for online activities. Moreover, occasions spent on the internet could result either positively or negatively depending on their intensity.

           On the other hand, constantly consider that you certainly own various pertinent relationships and as such, you also owe the responsibility to nurture each one of  them. And by nurturing them, you allow each person involved in the relationship to grow in a positive manner. 

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            Yet in the midst of all these net developments that  you treasure nowadays, are you aware then of their brought risks to your life? It is said that 

"LIKE' FACEBOOK TOO MUCH?

The average user spends 75 minutes per day on Facebook

The average user logs on to Facebook 6.1 times per day

70% log in every time they start their computer or web reader

26% feel ill at ease if they do not get to log in regularly

Women spend on average 81 minutes per day on Facebook

Men spend on average 64 minutes per day on Facebook

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2175230/Too-time-online-lead-stress-sleeping-disorders-depression.html#ixzz2qgVZCTra Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | Daiu consider lyMail on Facebook "

            With all these facts, do you consider yourself one of those who have more time to spend on the internet rather than socializing and connecting with their loved ones? The sense of belongingness is very crucial in their stages of growth advancement. You need to spend more conventional time with them rather than just allowing yourself to stay and be a slave of the web. 

          Thus, it is you, yourself, who initially knows if your time spent on the net is still a positive one so much so that it allows you to grow as a person either as a husband/wife, or as a father/mother, or as a friend  and be a positive influence for others. Or are you the the type of person who excessively spend your time on the the web therefore losing precious and quality moments with your loved ones.

                                          

If You'll Not Do It, It Seems Nobody Else Will...

          As you make an entrance into another chapter of your life through the commencement of this new year, what comes out also are your prepared New Year's resolutions- list of things that you want to achieve in your life. This has been the practice of so many people since a long time ago dated back during the period of the Babylonians until the era of the knights on the Medieval times.

          You may have personally set up your own goals this year. May it be for a change in your lifestyle like limiting your time in front of the television set or in front of your laptop. Others will aim for a more moderation in terms of certain rituals such as smoking, drinking and going out late at nights with friends.

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           On the other hand, there are those who aim for self improvement such as positive mental disposition, getting rid of old practices, and being better in personal life management.

          However, all these new year's plans will go to nil when you will never act out on them. As they will say, if you will not implement these plans in yourself, nobody else will ever undertake that for you. Hence, so as to be more constructive in your life, be consistent in doing your plans. Your firmness, openness supplemented by determination will aid you in realizing these dreams, goals, and resolutions.

                                               

Life as a Gift

Think about it....2013 is over now. And as you welcome the new year, think about how you lived in the past. Think if you still has a purpose in life. Try to think how many eyes have tears because of you? How many hearts were broken because of you? Learn to say sorry if you made mistakes. Don't live a life that is full of hatred.

Learn to love and accept failures because no one in this world is perfect. Learn to forgive and forget as the Heavenly Father forgives us sinners. Don't be arrogant. Be thankful of what you have. All you have is a blessing. You may be lucky today but perhaps not tomorrow so learn to value what you have.

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Be kind to people because you also need their kindness sometimes. Always remember that you are like anybody else who commit mistakes and fail. Learn to accept your weaknesses. For what you will grow and will learn by your mistakes. Don't compare yourself with others because no one is exactly alike with others. Each one is a unique individual. 

Each one on this world has his own battle so don't judge others unless you live the same life as he has. You probably could read his actions but never his inner thoughts and feelings. Life is too short in this world. Be good and learn to think of others. Don't focus too much on yourself and just on your own good. Learn to share with others and touch other people's lives.

Moreover think that your beauty and nice skin will fade soon or later especially when you grow old but the good things that you do for others will never fade. Be kind, helpful, thoughtful and learn to love genuinely for others. Learn to appreciate the little things in this world and learn to love GOD and live your life in His grace.

Guest writer: Emily C. Devilbiss

                      USA

A Three-Legged Stool and Life: A Comparison

           While nearing the completion of this year, I reflected on what has happened on my life during its course. I was amazed on how blessed I am as I recalled back the events of this year. How precious the life is- that is one of the focuses of my reflections this year. Life just come and go so we must need to embrace every moment that comes each day.

Consequently, some of those reflections which I would like to share with you are the following:

A three-legged stool:
- each leg relies on each other for strength;
- on top of the stool is a space for a comfortable sitting;
- equal footing for each leg to stand in balance and in harmony;
- each leg's brace provides support and strength as the three of them       intertwined with each other

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Relating it to life:
- we need support system such as each other, family, friends, relatives, community etc. Alongside with this, there is a responsibility to nurture and constantly check the stability of each one;
- we can't stand being on our own. We need others to journey with us especially in the fulfillment of our dreams and aspirations. We need each other for life's check and balance;
- we provide space for others so as to feel comfortable with us;
- we need to mutually show equal footing. As such, we are invited to render due respect to others notwithstanding any differences in terms of race, status, gender, age, and any other differences.



                                            

The meaning of Christmas

          How do you define the meaning of Christmas? What is the importance of this season in your life and that of your family? Who do you spend your time with on Christmas time? At times, when you are obssessed with new things such as clothes and gadgets, what you look forward as a younger boy or girl at this season is the luxurious gift that you will receive from others.

          These are but just some of the questions that come to your mind when you think about Christmas. You may think perhaps of the times when you were still young and the idea then of Christmas was mainly focused on the following:

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a. receiving gifts and giveaways from loved ones especially from parents;

b. playing time with friends 

c. opportunity to go around and mill with friends to make carolling to various houses and even to strangers thus allowing the spirit of Christmas to be shared with everyone

          On the other hand, when you grow up and become more exposed to the world, your understanding and perception of what Christmas is changed as well. Driven by your interactions with others, you begin to learn Christmas on a much deeper level. Nowadays, as this world is challenged by both natural and man made calamities, as your day to day living is colored by both of your positive and negative experiences, you then realize that Christmas is sweeter and more meaningful when it is shared with others most notably with your loved ones  and with those people who are deprived of the resources to enjoy the season.

          In your life, you have so much to share and be grateful for everything that you have cherished for this year. Yes it is true that there is joy brought along by those big and small gifts that you give and receive during this season however, the most significant among these expressions is the sharing of genuine love for everyone. Learn to love and be loved genuinely.

                                           
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Salt for the Ultimate Chef

What would be food without salt? Salt, what an amazing ingredient. Can you imagine your favorite adobo without any salt? Salt is even added to caramel to give it a rounded rich flavour, don't believe me? Get a salted caramel ice cream or tart they're the craze nowadays, I've had an amazing, can't get enough of it popcorn that was sweet and salty. It was sold in this huge, plastic pillow case size bags and people where queueing up to buy not just one bag but two! 

Salt, what an amazing ingredient indeed. 

Ever wondered what it meant to be salt? In (Mt 5: 13) Jesus told us "You are salt of the earth but if salt loses its salty taste it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing. It must be thrown out for people to walk on."  

One of the functions of salt is that it helps preserve food. I know, I'm thinking of tuyo (salted pilchard or anchovies), dried squid man this writing is making me hungry!  

What salt does is it prevents the growth of food spoiling bacteria or nasties that can harm us. You see those nasties need moisture to grow and what salt does is it absorbs the moisture in the nasties.  No moisture, dead nasties. 

So salt does not only have what it takes to preserve the good stuff,  it also has what it needs to go on the offensive against the nasties. 

It's like spiritual warfare, we need not only have the right stuff for defending but also the weapons to go on the offensive against spiritual nasties. 

In Ephesians 6: 10-18, St Paul wrote: 

"Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with the flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the power, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and have done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones." 

We need those spiritual defences and weapons, to be the salt of the earth and only God can provide these. 

With these we can stand firm, preserving what is good, eliminating what nasties we have and helping others to do the same. 

The other function of salt is for seasoning, salt enhances the flavour of food. It is worthy to note that when salt is added to a dish, it disolves and is transformed and at the same time enhancing the flavours, enhancing what is good. 

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It is transformed in a way that you no longer see it but only know and taste it. In a way it has given itself up for the greater good. 

We are also called to do the same, in whatever dish of life we are called to serve and be a part of. We are called to die from ones self for the greater good, transforming enhancing the dish of life around us. 

Ever noticed how someone describes a good dish? "It has a hint of nuttiness and red wine, caramelized onion, the vegetables cooked to perfection not raw but still crispy, compliments to the chef.....ya di da di da.....hey, what happened to salty?

Salt is rarely the centre piece of any dish, yet it can make or break a dish. Not enough and the dish is bland, too much and it is ruined.

Same with us and our service if we are lukewarm, we are ineffective and bland, too much or to full of ourselves and we leave a bad taste in someone's mouth. Our service should always seek to glorify the one and only Master (Chef), not us.

A well seasoned dish is when the ingredients are in harmony with one another, allowing the chef's intended expression to come through. 

So it should be with our life and service, we should allow the ultimate Master (Chef) to express Himself through us. Humble, obedient and ever sensitive to the Master's leading, less our will be done and not His. 

Salt, who would have thought; Jesus of course. 

May you always keep your saltiness, ever ready to serve the Ultimate Master (Chef). 

Guest Writer: Ed Canilao
CFC Melbourne

                                      Thanks a lot Ed for the inspiration



                                                        


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