Light'emUp! Creative Lamps----Lamps for All Occasions

          Light'emUp Creative Lamps- a Company owned by May Advincula- Chan,  is a store that makes and sells various and distinct kinds of lamps. Her designs are meticulously chosen therefore all are guaranteed to be new and can be used as modern alternative decors.  Basically her lamps are modular that if one purchases them during the holidays such as Christmas, they can alter the shape so that they can be used for any other places like bedrooms, living rooms or use them on special gatherings such as birthdays and parties. 

          Moreover, the lamps' shapes can be changed into 22 different configurations. Hence, if somebody likes to reshape any of his purchased lamp, he can bring it directly to May for the reshaping and without any additional cost at all. If distance is a factor, then they could also be given a copy of the instructions and do it themselves. On the other hand, these lamps are weather and water proof meaning one can use them either indoor or outdoor such as gardens and lanai (porch) and since they are waterproof, cleaning is not an issue. One can just easily knock down the shade, and wash with soap and water, or with a rubbersocket inside (like those of the lantern type) they can spray the lamp with water, no need to dismantle them. 

          One distinctive feature about these lamps is the material used and that is non-toxic polycarbonate sheets- this is a 100% recyclable and does not release hazardous emissions on combustions. Furthermore, it is also extremely durable material with a lifespan of 10 years. It is also a clear plastic that offers excellent visibility and transmits light better than alternative materials. 

Another significant factor for these lamps is on the idea of home redecorating. If one is on tight budget, then these lamps could be his answer when it comes to house styling since what they need to do is just the lights. Whether one is into a modern or classic home, these lamps can provide ambiances, vibrant, relaxing, calming and festive mood since these are the kinds of lamps that naturally adapt to every customer's mood. Their geometric multi-petaled design comes in range of pop colours that can surely add a glow to their interiors or exteriors.  

          For more information about these uniquely featured lamps, direct your queries to:

May Advincula-Chan

Owner- Light'emUp! Creative Lamps

#lightenupco #creativelamps

www.facebook/com/lightemupco

Mobile numbers: +639237035775/ 09054461988

                                 

Is It Ideal For a Family If Both Parents Are Working?

          Previously, it was typical for any family that a father goes to work and provides the needs of the family. On the other hand, the mother stays at home to take charge of the children. Nowadays, it is but prevalent that both parents prefer to work so as to provide the financial benefits of the children. These two contrasting realities both have their positive and negative effects.

          You may perhaps think that children with both working parents naturally receive the material benefits. As such, the parents can afford to buy anything luxurious like toys, modern gadgets, and can even send the children to exclusive schools. Moreover, proponents of this view argues that due to the family's extra wealth, it will enable them to go overseas for a holiday.

          On the other hand, one of the possible negative results when both parents are working is the deprivation of guidance and moral support to the growing children. On certain situations like fulfilling school assignments, extra curricular activities and exams, the children direly need the after school support of the parents. Consequently, the children would not excellently perform at school and what is worst is when they get involve with friends of bad influence. This type of friends endow no good result except trouble especially when they get involved with drugs, excessive drinking and the like.

                                      
                              © Photographer Jinyoung Lee | Agency: Dreamstime.com

          I remember one friend of mine in high school whose parents were working. It was true that they indeed provided her needs. She grew up in such a situation that she badly missed her parents' support on times of assignment making, accomplishing school projects and many more. Being on this reality, she felt envious with her classmates who rather performed well in class more than her due to their parents' help. Apparently most of them emerged as top of the class while she wasn't. Consequently, she lost her self confidence, became inferior in the class and aimless in life.

          Thus, if this day's trend that both parents are active in their careers continue to persist, one thing that should be given importance as well as never be disregarded is their major role and responsibility towards the process of growth of their children. The parents' positive role modeling plays a significant part in the children's life. 

Guest blogger: Myra Flor Jugan



                                                      
                                 
 
                                         

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. 

imagecredit:
Exclusive image: ID 17261018 © Harun | Dreamstime.com

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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What Type of A Player Are You?

         When you're being a sports enthusiast, you would know that on each one of us, there stays a kind of player when you are into a game. No matter what your recreational activity is, from ball sports to cards and even to online games, one question that you ought to ask yourself is "Are you aware of your own dynamics when you are playing?" 

Just to point out certain types of player that you can be, you can either be one or more of the following:

1. passionate player

2. impulsive player

3. vindictive player

4. easy go lucky player

5. team player

1. Passionate player- you are into into the game...you put your heart in every game you play. You are willing to go one step farther from what others are doing....as they say, exerting extra mile. Moreover, you know the in and out of the game. You try and search for ways to improve your skills. You don't just stop while the practice is over, instead you go for extra effort to harness your skills. In spite of all the difficulties and challenges, you are always willing to proceed with your game. 

2. Impulsive player-there are two types of impulsive compulsive player as discussed by one study. These two are proactive and reactive- "Proactive cognitive control involves keeping information active in short-term memory for use in later judgments, a kind of task preparation. Reactive control is more of a just-in-time type of decision resolution." Dr. Craig Anderson- director of Center for the Study of Violence. Just try to check with yourself if you can identify yourself on any of these two dynamics. Impulsive player means that you play by your impulses disregarding on the process the consequences of such action. 

3. Vindictive player- are you the kind of player who goes for retaliation everytime you are hit whether it is physically or psychologically? If yes then you are this kind of player. Retaliation is the name of your game. As such, you will easily lose your focus on the game. For others, every sport comprises both the elements of winning and losing yet for this type of player, what is essential is to get even with somebody who causes him pain, intentionally or unintentionally. 

imagecredit:ID 35355557 © Lee Serenethos

4. Easy- go- lucky player- if you are this kind of player, then you are that kind of participant who seems to not really care if he wins or loses the game. What solely counts for him is that he enjoys the game. Fortunately for him, he is not after any reward or return after the match. 

5. Team player- with this last type, you stand by the team. It goes well that everything that you do is for the team. Consequently you disregard any personal desire and put the team's goal as forefront. Everytime that your team engages in a match against an opposing team, you always give your best. Notwithstanding the odds at hand, you always seek for what is the best for the team. For you, team first before your personal satisfaction. 

          In such a way that if you can identify yourself in any of these types (for sure there are other unmentioned ones there), that can be a positive point for you but if not, it would be best if you will discover what's your type. By knowing your type, you will learn to understand your own impulses and aggressions thus having enough control over them. 

                                     
                                                    

How To Be A True Friend?

          Do you have a true friend? Do you consider yourself a close friend to somebody? What is a true friend by the way? You may perhaps think of many diverse meanings on what a true friend is but the best part of this is for you to be one real friend to somebody before you could really tell that you have one.

          Allow me to share with you two quotations on friendship which I considered to be undoubtedly instrumental in establishing and maintaining friendship. First, this one by Nerrisa Nam as she says, " Always be there". Yes, giving quality presence is a very essential ingredient to a true friendship. Nowadays you are pounded with lots of technologies that keep much of your attention that at times, you tend to neglect in staying focus on your relationship with a friend. Physical presence counts a lot in progressing one's friendship. However when friends are separated by some distances or even a thousand miles away, there are always available means to stay in contact with each other. A true friend therefore is one who unceasingly makes himself/herself present whatever the circumstances are- whether in joy or in sadness, in abundance or in scarcity, in ups or downs.

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           On the other hand, Kimberly McCarthy says, " A true friend is someone who always listens and is genuinely interested in the good and bad, and someone who calls or writes just to say hello." Thus, to be a true friend, you need to invest yourself into a relationshiop with your genuine intentions to look after the welfare of the other rather than your own. Perhaps, you can now count with your own fingers your considered real friends. Have you ever encountered people who come to you and introduce as friends yet they are just after their own vested interest at your own expense? What a seemingly sad reality but very true. In this world that you live in, there are people who disguise as friends yet they only take advantage of you and when the going gets rough and tough, they abandon you. Beware of those people and be smart to identify them in your life.

          Hence lucky are those who have savored true and lasting friendships in their lives. After all, life is something that is ought to be shared with others- especially with a friend- a real friend.

                                         


                                                         

How Could We Consistently Believe That Life Is a Never Ending Education?

          Life is a never ending journey. And as we progress with our life journey, we undertake to reflect on previous events of our life then realize that we are actually reading our own book of life. With such realization, we become so glad to be active participants to this journey. Everytime we wake up each single day, new and fresh learnings embrace us and they support us in our personal development.

           On the other hand, we all know that life learnings are beyond any limit or bondary. It only takes one's responsibility to participate unceasingly in this journey that will make a corresponding difference in his/her life. One positive point in life is when we exchange our various giftedness with each other. As you and me go on with our everyday learnings, we grow the more when we exchange life's wonderful stories.

           Every individual chapter in our life entails huge amount of lessons that when utilized properly, they will lead us to a further colorful and fruitful journey. In life, there is no greater love than to offer oneself for the sake of others. Altruism as such is indeed a great virtue that when diligently practiced in a person's life results to a positive way on every neighbor's life. Yet, as human as we are, there are self- serving tendencies that we need to own in ourselves. A couple of times, we have the tendency to merely concentrate just on our own nourishment (nevertheless I am not saying that it is completely wrong) that at the end, we become indifferent to other people's growth. And if left unmonitored, this will resort to self destruction.

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           Meanwhile, have a look on this insight from Isaac Asimov when he said that, "Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is." Personally, I nod positively with him since as we enter each new day, we also commence to learn new things that multiply colors to this journey. Numerous individuals have shared the road with us on this life, first and foremost our considered significant people in our life like our families, relatives, friends and many more. Hence, we should be thankful to them as well as to God for these gifts.

          Finally,as we continue with our varying journeys called life, let us also persevere in internalizing Isaac's words above and may we remind ourselves that life's education enables us to be the best persons that we can be. By this, we can become agents of joy and change for others. After all, life will always be a meaningful gift for you and me.

                                 

How Does You Tube Affecting a Country's Politics, Culture and News?

          Since its foundation in 2005, Youtube has gained enormous amount of influences to viewers like me. And citing as an example the situation of my beloved country, the Philippines, I would claim that Yuotube has much impacted the world of politics while culturally also, it has emerged as one of the top influences when it comes to promoting the Filipino culture. Then next the area of the news reporting which for me, came as least affected among those areas (politics, culture) 

          Though I am now presently living abroad yet I keep myself updated everyday with what is going on in the country.Youtube videos showed how the Philippines emerged as the top economy in Asia this year.To put a further meat on the said comment, more Yuotube videos explcitly showed why the Philippines through the initiative of the president, Benigno Aquino Jr., was able to outgrow other performing economies in Asia. And it is such a source of joy to learn such accomplishment when I am far away from home that it is performing positively amidst the present crisis in other Asian countries. It is then my prayer that this positive growth will also benefit the lowest members of the society. (reference 1)  

          With regard to the Philippine culture, Youtube also brings a lot of help in its promotion since through this site, one can view and comprehend the various cultures of the Philippines which makes it a unique country. Eversince its occupation by the Americans, Japanese and finally by the Spaniards, it has made efforts to free itself from all those influences. The country did not stop to regain its freedom and continued with its own development. Thus today's social media becomes such an effective tool in spreading the vastness and richness of the Filipino culture.  (reference 2)

imagecredit: By digitalart, published on 03 August 2011
Stock Image - image ID: 10052038

          And going now to the least affected by Youtube in my country, I would still claim that Youtube's news reporting contributions are relevant for they enable viewers to own updates on the daily events all over the country. What made Youtube news relays more atractive to the viewers comparing to print media are the accompanying videos and footages that happen during the actual event. Thus just by acquiring access to the internet and viewing Youtube, any Filipino or even non-Filipino then becomes aware of today's happenings in the country. (reference 3)

          To end, I would say that since the beginning of Youtube in the early months of 2005 up to this time, much has been evolving in the world of the internet video. As Robert Kynel puts it, "There's a lot of work to be done....."- 

(Reference 4)  ((http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/01/16/120116fa_fact_seabrook?currentPage=all)....hence with his words, we can expect for more surprises and developments in the internet tv world-Youtube.

References:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rl_PSHXAqq8- Philippine Politics
2. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7iwmL13B0c- Philippine Culture
3.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoO3mAKqvpQ-Philippine News
4.  “It’s certainly not going to be easy,” Kyncl said of the new venture. “There’s a lot of work to be done, to make sure this works. But, as a friend who just landed a job at one of the networks said, ‘At least you guys are swinging for the fences. There are a lot of other people who are just sitting around and watching things happen.’ ” ♦- Robert Kynel- senior officer of Youtube.(http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2012/01/16/120116fa_fact_seabrook?currentPage=all)




                                                                   

On Primary Health Care

          As I proceed with my online course nowadays, I'm glad to share with you the subject of our study, " Health for All Through Primary Health Care". This is a five-week online course and my intention to join the class was significantly to educate myself about the concept and impact of primary health care to people especially to children, mothers and the underprivileged members our society.

To quote one of the active movers of the movement, John Wyon, he said, 

          "There are three kinds of public health: disease-oriented, service oriented and community oriented. Each complements the other like the legs of a three-legged stool. "- John Wyon, 1990

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          Among the most urgent needs nowadays of the world most notably to the third world developing countries is on health issues. And what was stated by Professor John Wyon as a collaboration among those three kinds of public health, there has to be a consistent co-relation among them. The process of extending health assessment and assistance to recipients should be mutual and positive. Focus on three aspects consequently leads to a more progressive impact of public health to people. 

          This issue on primary health care is a huge one and certain causes can be attributed to this such as "multi sectoral which may include education, nutrition, water and sanitation"- https://class.coursera.org/healthforall-003/lecture/27. As such, it is very important to know them (causes of diseases) so that proper actions through health care can be prepared and performed.

           Meanwhile, I would say that this study impacts strongly to every individual regardless of sex, color, race, practices etc. since one's health is everybody's concern. Such a very constructive as well as a productive approach to health care issues-that's exactly what this study brings to everyone since it allows each participant to have a grasp on the evolution, advances and implications brought about by primary health care to people.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

          We welcome this new month of September and we say goodbye to the month of August. Indeed we have so many reasons to say THANK YOU for all the good things we received and shared with our loved ones for last month. As we start this new month, we also welcome the season of spring and it indeed brings us a warmer weather as well as a brighter atmosphere around us. 

          Welcoming this new season, it helps us to be aware of so many opportunities for new growth of love and peace among us. Furthermore what makes this new day of the month a significant one is that we celebrate today Father's Day.

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Thus we honor all fathers out there and even though our commercial world nowadays constantly insists us to acknowledge fathers with endless list of "perfect gifts"  on a mere material value yet in the real sense of the word, there is no perfect gift to bring honor to all these dads just on such level.

          Their examples display to their families every moment in their lives make it more meaningful to every child to recognize their contributions to every child's development. Instead everyone needs to understand on a more deeper level the relevance of all dads that they all deserve a heartfelt recognition and appreciation.

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          Thus as anyone recognizes and acknowledges any father's love and sacrifice for the children, may we bear in our minds their constant welfare so that they can continue extending their genuine love to their families. After all, love begets love hence there is no greater love that every child could extend to his/her dad except by sharing one's real love in return.

  

THE VALUE OF TIME

          Time is one of our treasures in life. Therefore it is always a daily routine for us to plan ahead what we have to do with our time. Thus, time management is very essential in our life journey. But how much do we really invest in time? How much time do we spend for our family, our loved ones or friends? What percentage of our daily time do we spend for our leisure? These are but some of the questions we can ask ourselves in relation to time. 

          One of the sources that I researched regarding time is shared below:

Time management is the act or process of planning and exercising conscious control over the amount of time spent on specific activities, especially to increase effectiveness, efficiency or productivity. Time management may be aided by a range of skills, tools, and techniques used to manage time when accomplishing specific tasks, projects and goals complying with a due date.

from:www.pixabay.com

 This set encompasses a wide scope of activities, and these include planning,allocating, setting goals, delegation, analysis of time spent, monitoring, organizing, scheduling, and prioritizing. Initially, time management referred to just business or work activities, but eventually the term broadened to include personal activities as well. A time management system is a designed combination of processes, tools, techniques, and methods. Usually time management is a necessity in any project development as it determines the project completion time and scope. (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

          From this source, several components are being discussed and I would like to single out the element of "being able to consciously control our time" for whatever we want to do. We therefore  are the main protagonists each day on how we take control of our time from the time that we wake up then perform our different daily activities up to the time that we go to bed. No one could ever dictate us on what we are going to do with our time. However, it should always be a part of our consideration that our time should be shared and be spent in spreading love and concern for others.

          At times, relationships are being destroyed by the failure of each one to accord the other a quality time. Sometimes we think of any other excuses so as not to extend precious time with our loved ones. In some cases, we tend to enjoy and spend more time with officemates and friends rather than spending it with our family. What is being sacrificed is the guidance that our children specifically need from us. Consequently, there is this risk of soliciting this time and attention from other sources such as friends who can be bad influence, drugs, and vices. 

from:www.pixabay.com

          Hence, to rest assured our loved ones especially our children that they will experience quality time with us, we should always make it a conscious effort on our part to initiate interaction with them.  

                 

  (part 1)

THE VALUE OF SELF GIVING

          Just recently, I did watch a movie entitled " SEVEN POUNDS" with Will Smith on the lead role. Just to give you a gist of the story, it all revolves on Tim Thomas (Will Smith). As a flashback, two years earlier, he was involved in a fatal car accident in which seven people were dead including his fiancee and six strangers. 

          Being at fault, he was so remorseful of this tragedy. He was texting while driving his car thus resulting to his failure to control the steering wheel and eventually hits an approaching van. To make atonement for such mistake, he decided that he will select seven people to save their lives.

from:www.kozzi.com

         Hence he planned to donate his body parts to the following: lung lobe to his brother, a part of his liver to a child services worker named Holly, his kidney to George, a Junior hockey coach, his bone marrow to a young boy named Nicholas,  his beach house to Connie, who lives with an abusive boyfriend, his eyes to Ezra Turner, a blind meat salesman who plays the piano and lastly his heart to Emily Posa, who is suffering with a heart disease and has a rare blood type.

          There is a complication with the last one, Emily, since he falls in love with her. After spending some solitary moments with her, he goes back to his motel and fills the bathtub with ice to preserve his vital organs. He then releases his boxed jelly fish and commits suicide. (Source: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0814314/synopsis)

          With this as background, can we identify events in our life that we became like a "TIM THOMAS" to our neighbors? Have we asked ourselves such question, "How many times in our past life that we became self giving to others?" Or are we just solely focus on our own welfare and we tend to neglect our duty of care for others. Personally, this moral of the story is very relevant to my life. In fact, it is always an invitation for me and for others to share the very precious gift of life. 

     

from: www.kozzi.com

         Nevertheless, accepting this challenge doesn't necessarily be in such a huge thing and manner. Being self giving can be expressed in so many ways like giving full attention and care to others most especially to those who belong to our household. Being busy with multiple things most notably with those trivial ones is never an excuse to deprive others of our attention and care.

          Basically as human beings, those two are stand out among our primary needs. If we value receiving them from others then we might as well be generous in extending them. Becoming deprived in any stage of life is such a lonely fate hence may we all become agents of joy for our neighbors, near and far, so as to avoid this tragedy.

SHARING THE JOY OF A LOVED ONE

          While at work, I received a call from a loved one excitedly sharing with me her recent success. It was a sweet one for her since many were attempting to be in that opportunity and she triumphed over the odds of claiming it. 

from: www.pixabay.com

          In life, there are the so-called spices to it like trials, challenges, tears of joy and that of sadness, ups and downs. And we all need to be determined enough to overcome those negatives ones and generous to share with others the positive ones. 

          At this time, I will focus on the element of sharing in a relationship. Anyway, what makes a relationship stronger is the bond of sharing between parties involved.

from: www.pixabay.com

 As the relationship progresses day by day, the sense of connectedness is further strengthened  by those triumphant moments shared by both individuals. Day in and day out, we encounter various life episodes that brought laughters and joys to our hearts.

          Such triumphs as performing well in work or in class, accomplishing assigned tasks for the day, being on time for work/studies, and many more are sources of joy for any of us. When I received that call from a loved one, her joy was automatically radiated to my self as well.

          Hearing her voice, it was so vivid to me her sense of excitement and extreme joy as she narrated her triumph. On my part, I believe that it is but natural to feel the same way as my loved one felt when she told me her good news. Afterwards, the more that I became energized and motivated in performing my work tasks. Such joy is so wonderful when it is shared. 

  

A GUEST POST: MOTHER

          MOTHERS- the very significant people in our life who play essential roles in our growing up. Here then is a guest post from a high school student sharing to us her admiration for her mom. Basing from her own experience, this reflection will show to us how she valued her relationship with her.

Mother

Mother, mama, mommy or mum-these are just example of names that we usually give to our moms. They're the ones who carried  us while we are in their womb, the ones who`s given us the chance to see the world.  They're the ones who will teach us to be good children for the next generation. They will be the first teachers to teach us to walk, to talk, to write and read. They give us advice on how to live and survive. 

from:www.pixabay.com

They usually teach us to write and read but from those words the most important is that they also love us ,  no matter what, and even though we are at times stubborn and hard headed. In all of these, we've been

grateful for her undying love to us, her children. And that is the essence of being a woman, to give life for a child in an unconditional way. No matter what other people say she will always be there to protect and support for every achievements that a child make.

  

from:www.pixabay.com

In a child's eyes, she`s the goddess.

In a child's dream, she`s the fairy god mother.

In a child's world, she`s the superhero of all time.

And for me, she`s my world and my everything.

by: Romee Christine Gallano 

Are you determined in LIFE?

“Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.” - Og Mandino

          For many occasions in life, our dreams have been stifled and tested by distractions, failures, and limitations. Yet our hold on our dreams pave the way for us to recover from them. Further, emerging triumphant over them showers us with some light that everything will be smooth sailing. Consequently, we then become inspired, renewed and determined by those challenging  moments in our life. 

from: www.dreamstime.com

          As my favorite inspirational author said, " Failure will never overtake me if my determination to suceed is strong enough"- Og Mandino. We have known many  life changing as well as success stories and they extend to us a reality that life is such a wonderful gift.  

          What is common among all these names? Guy Laliberte, John Paul DeJoria, Ursula Burns, Howard Schultz, LI Ka-shing, Francois Pinault,  Leonardo Del Vecchio, Kirk Kerkorian, Sheldon Aseldon among others? They are just some of the rags-to-riches stories so familiar in the business world. They all grew up in a similarly difficult and deprived situations yet on the later part of their lives, they succeed in turning their fate into a wealth and put their names on top of those successful people in the world.  

          Presently they join the list of the world's billionaires. Their stories just showed to us that in life,  no matter how deprived a person is yet if he is determined enough then sooner or later, he will also fulfill his dreams. Life's toughest challenges come to us in various forms and to be able to overcome them, we need to be determined and persistent. Indeed, we may falter and fall down a thousand times however what counts the most is our desire to rise up and to try again. 

          On the other hand, I would like to share another favorite quotation of mine, " There's comes a time when our personal calling is so deeply buried in our soul as to be invisible. But know that it's still there"- (Paulo Coelho).   This just shows to us that for those times wherein we seem to lose our goals and sense of direction, what will help us grab a sense of light is our awareness that deep inside of us lies our deepest ideals and aspirations.

from:www.dreamstime.com

          Life is like that of a spinning wheel as what others would claim. During times of self- evaluation, we can then identify those challenging moments however looking it on a positive point of view, it becomes noteworthy to mark those events in our life wherein we learn to embrace life's crosses- those difficult moments that tested our strength and determination in life. 

          Moreover at the end of the day, we may   recall back those trying moments and smile at the way we emerge triumphant over them. Let us all  move forward and turn every challenge that comes our way into an opportunity for growth and self fulfillment. Be determined in life.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

“Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage, and confidence.”- Og Mandino

by: MINDER, www.pixabay.com

          Augustine "Og" Mandino II, a famous inspirational author, was once an alcoholic in life. Consequently, his family including his wife Mirriam and their only child abandoned him. Such predicament was so intense that he reached a particular point in his journey that he was entertaining the idea of committing suicide. What changed his life was when he made himself busy by reading books of self help. He then eventually became a famous writer and  speaker. (Source: Wikipedia-the free encyclopedia)

          Indeed, we all have our own "Og Mandino story" in our life. A certain point wherein we seemed overwhelmed by those odds before us. Life is such a colorful journey that it is but natural for us to encounter its ups and downs making it more interesting to live by. Amidst of all life's colors, it is so noteworthy for us to also count our own blessings. 

          No matter how we assess life as a struggle, as a constant battle between right and wrong, a persistent tug of war between two opposing forces of this earth, still we all need to embrace all the goodness that we have received and experienced. These are the so-called blessings in our life. We need to count them....we need to constantly remind ourselves that after all, life is still one of the greatest gifts we have received from somebody up there. 

by: TPSDAVE, www.pixabay.com

          May we not merely focus on what others have, may we not be overcome by our limitations such as discontentment, disillusioned, remorse etc for they will just make us blind to see as well as appreciate our own giftedness. Let us count our blessings everyday and thank whoever give them to us. Being as such, we are also invited to share these blessings with others especially to those people who have lost their will to move forward. 

          Remember always the wonderful feeling when we realize that we then become instruments for others so that they will also see the light after each of every darkness that comes into their life. Just like the example of Og Mandino's life, may we constantly strive to get up and face the world after every fall.