How to Be a Positive Member of a Community.

         Here in Australia, I am proud to share that I and my family are members of Cloverton Estate in the Northside of Melbourne. And it is always my dream of living in a community that is such a vibrant, fun and a loving one. And I would say that being a good member of a community includes  contributing positively and helping to create a supportive and harmonious environment. Here are tips to follow so as to be one: 

1. Respect Others: We must learn to treat all community members with respect regardless of their backgrounds, opinions, and beliefs. Respect differences and be open- minded.

2. Actively listen: Be a good listner. We should learn to give attention to what others are saying and show empathy towards their concerns and ideas. Engage in constructive and meaningful conversations. 

3. Communicate effectively: Communicate clearly and honestly. Express your thoughts and opinions respectfully and avoid aggressive or confrontational language. Effective communication is crucial for resolving conflicts and misundersatinding. 

imagecredit: Анита Морган from Pixabay

4. Contribute positively: Create a positive impact on the community through your action whether it is through volunteering, sharing knowledge or helping others. Be a prt of the solution and not a problem. 

5. Cooperate and collaborate: Work collaboratively, extend your resources with others to achive common goals. Teamwork and cooperation are essential in any community setting. Extending oneself for the growth of thew community is a very noteworthy action and if each member of the community will do this then most ;probably the community will grow tremendously. 

6. Offer support: Be present to your  fellow members in times of need. Offer help, support or comfort to those who require it. Acts of kindless go a long way.

7. Lead by example: Set a positive example through your behavior and actions. Demonstrating good counduct can inspire others to follow suit.

          These are but just a few tips on how to be a good member of any community. Remember always, no one amonbg us can live alone rather we always need each other. 

Life is Too Short

A Reflection:

     Life is indeed too short. I have been hearing and reading stories about life being too short. I have heard of somebody who has been diagnosed with a stage four cancer at such a young age......or that of a friend who is just on his thirties yet already suffering from a life threatening condition......or those cases we heard when Covid hit us so deep and hard where numbers of people were killed as a result of acquiring the dreaded disease.

 

    Personally I just had my own experience on how fragile life is. Though mine is one not as such a life threatening one yet with my present state, I still was able to reflect how vulnerable life is it. While at work last Tuesday afternoon, I began to feel pain on the lower part of my left leg. I finished work then went home and rested for the night. The next day, while at work, the pain on same spot was beginning to cause me uneasy and uncomfortable hence I decided to go home. The following day, I had check up with my doctor and he mentioned something about condition on my muscles plus some medical terms which for me are hard to digest. 

                                                                        

imagecredit: https://pixabay.com/users/kseniyaegor-8514713/

     Anyway, as I write this post, I am in medications and still experiencing the pain ( though not as intense anymore as of that Wednesday). My condition leads me to reflect how unpredictable life could be. We might be so healthy and strong today but the next day we don't exactly know how life would be for us. Thus, it is so notable for us to spend life to its fullest. We need to take care of ourselves ( I often heard this from a mate at work) and this is so true. We need to keep a constant positive checklist of our  body. Yet reality would tell us that somehow, out of our busyness, we tend to neglect and listen to our body. It's only when we are in a situation that the body tends to complain already through a sickness or any feeling of discomfort that we realise how fragile life is.  

     Being good to our body is a sacred obligation for us and it is done not just for our sake but also for those special people in our life- our family and for all people who loved us.  As I would always remind myself and others, when we hurt or experience pain in ourselves, directly or indirectly, our loved ones also feel the same. So let us constantly be good to our bodies. Be happy and always spread the positive vibes ( avoid any negative indeed).  

" Nothing on My Head"

     While at work yesterday, out of nowhere, I asked a colleague what could be a possible topic for this blog and she told me, "Nothing on my head as of the moment". Then I replied her, that's exactly would be my subject. Hence I am here now writing something about it. Personally I perceived her honest reply to my query as a consequence of her being so occupied with our job yesterday.

     Yet as I reflected on her phrase after work, I told myself that indeed, it is a reality that in many occasions in our life, we tend to wonder to nowhere. "Nothing on my head" could mean that momentarily, life seems to be so boring and vague....or that nothing spectacular or splendid is happening in life. Mountains of reasons could play in such situations like losing a special someone in life or getting sick or being rejected from a job interview etc. However looking on the opposite side of the coin, is it so wonderful to wake up every single day in life?

                                                                       

imagecredit: Image by Kohji Asakawa from Pixabay

     In our lifetime, heaps of reasons can be our motivations to make this life as such a wonderful place to be. One thing then that can help us reach such state is by constantly being present to our "NOW" moment. Let us not be imprisoned by things done in the past nor lazily dwell on things of the future. Rather let us learn to savour life's every moment. Remember always, life's journey is a passing one and   we could be helped by our previous experiences even the negative ones by embracing them and facilitate them as a guide to trek positively today's journey. 

     Yes there could be thousands of reasons for others to live a miserable and empty life but  there are also millions of reasons for us to look forward and smile  to each coming new day. We should learn to be grateful for all that has been as well as thankful for everything that is coming. 

Special thanks to my friend, Dream 

for the suggestion

                                                                           

Qualities of a Good Worker

     While working as in charge of personnel in a manufacturing company in Cebu, Philippiness and here as a worker of a big company based in Melbourne, Australia, I consistently noticed essential traits or qualities that any worker should have so as to be a positive contributor to the growth of the company.

     The workers, no matter how simple or ordinary their contributions to the company, play huge roles in its success. So it is but important to have people who are equipped with the following qualities so that the company can reach its full potential and productivity.

1. Optimistic- the company needs people who are full of optimism in their work that in spite of all hindrances or distractions that come to work, they still continue to perform 100% their roles thinking first and foremost the success of the company;

                                                             

imagecredit

2. Communication- this sometimes plays a challenge on the part of the company and basing on my personal experience here in Melbourne, Australia having the privilege of working on various industries for years, I noticed that sometimes, the inability to properly communicate an issue, situation or a problem becomes the reason then that no immediate remedy is accorded to the issue at hand. Workers in Melbourne is very rich in multiculturalism and this is somewhat very good as well as encouraging. However, the company needs to be adept and ready to listen and digest all forms of communication to properly assist them;

3. Self- motivated- this refers to the ability of any worker to go beyond his usual hours if needed by the company. He is ready to extend his working hours to in order to complete a task thinking and considering the welfare of the company before his own;

4. Cooperative- this area amazes me at my present workplace since I personally noticed that workers in our area as well as in others are displaying enough cooperation and consequently, this makes the task at hand an easy one and devoid of any stress. I always believe that workers should engage in a consistent  give and take process with the company. The latter rewards the workers with proper compensation as outcome of their contribution to the success of the former.

     These are but a few of those qualities and on my next post, I will share further additional qualities that a company should have from its workers.  

                                                                       

Family Bonding: Treasuring Memories with Significant Others

          Time is precious. Quality time creates special memories in our hearts. Thus last Saturday and Sunday, me and my whole family spent an overnight stay at Myrtleford Hotel right at the middle part of Myrtleford,  a popular tourist destination situated between Wangaratta and Bright. 

                                                                           

          For two days, we spent precious time exploring the similarly popular tourist destinations like Bright, Lake Buffalo, and Mount Beauty. While on our trip going to our destination, we already observed the breathtaking surroundings on both sides of the road most notably the Great Alpine Road. 

          When we were at Buffalo River Road which is more or less 21 kilometers away from Myrtleford, the serenity of the water attracted much of my attention. Further the cool breeze of the air penetrated the deepest part of me and gave me heaps of relief to free from stresses.

                                                                       

          Meanwhile, the town proper of Myrtleford was already filled with visitors when we arrived at 11 am. Both visitors and local folks were gratifying themselves with their delightful coffees while others were having fun strolling in the parka and chatting. Me and my family spent esteemed memories at the very clean park situated near the busy town centre. Night came and we had our dinner at the hotel and while we enjoyed our delicious food like my favourite salmon filet, we were at the same time delighted to listen to the live band featuring Tahlia Gibson, a very talented young girl who rendered both new and previous hits.

          Over all, the opportunity to bond together as a family allowed me and my wife plus our kiddo, Kurt to share wonderful moments.  

Health is Wealth

          Last Friday, I skipped work due to some pain on my knee part. It  started the day before while I was attending to my role at the workplace . As a result,  I went to see the doctor on that day and she initially assessed my condition as related to arthritis pain. She further recommended me for x-ray to find out the extent of the pain. 

          While I was resting at home since that day, I told myself how essential for us to maintain that good health day in and out. Comparing to any well oiled machine,  there comes a point in our life that we will suffer inconvenience in our bodies such as illness and others.

                                                                     

imagecredit:https://www.pexels.com/photo/white-curtain-near-ocean-water-169195/

          Indeed I know that this life is a gift and alongside with it is my huge responsibility to take care of it. And maintaining harmony as well as balance is my precious task. We need to take care of our bodies and think closely how we treat all its facets including physical, mental, social, psychological and others. 

        Being busy in whatever endeavour we are in is and never an excuse for us to forget listening to our bodies. On the other hand, we should also refrain from whatever activity that can cause negative outcome to it such as participating in vices and the like. After all, it is very true that "Health is Wealth!" We should love and nurture our bodies for our sake, for the sake of its giver as well as for our loved ones.  

                                                                       

A Poem

There is a You

For the world 

To look At

There is a You

Around which

The world spins

He walks silently

To every glance

Every step

The road left behind

Becomes light

imagecredit:https://pixabay.com/photos/water-surf-nature-spray-ocean-3288126/

Guest Writer: Victoria Dutu

Email: victoritadutu@yahoo.com, victoritadutu@gmail.com

Victoria Dutu is a graduate of the faculties of mathematics- 1995 and philosophy- 1999, University "Al. loan Cuza" lasi. She is a full-time mathematics teacher at the "Traian: Theoritical High School in Bucharest. 

She participated in Art and Book Festivals and Fairs in the country and abroad. She has won national and international prizes for painting and poetry and has has painting exhibitions in the country and abroad. New York, Miami, Oxford, London, Paris, Rome, Venice, Florence, Medellin-Columbia, Berlin, Velden-Austria, the center of France at Chouzy-sur-Cisse, Sanremo, Poland, Switzerland, Romania and Bucharest. 

Treasured Life's Every Moment

     While enjoying the start of this Sunday with a delicious coffee prepared by my beloved, it dawned on me to go back into writing since it has been a while that I did not have the luxury of the time to write something about life.  Hence I'm back now into one of my favourite past time which is blogging. And my inspiration for this day's writing is the idea of treasuring every moment of our life.

     For the past three years, life has been so challenging for all of us predominantly due to the pandemic (the Coronavirus event) and as a result, heaps among us resort to being pessimistic about life. There are those who tend to withdraw from it instead of facing it fair and square. We all have our individual reasons on our stance against the pandemic. Personally, what I am constantly practicing within myself is to savour every moment of my life. 

                                                                 

Imagecredit:https://pixabay.com/photos/bird-fluttering-berries-wings-tit-1045954/

     I believe that each day, life has so much positive to give to me and it is always a blessing to be able to wake up each day in the presence of my loved ones- my beloved wife and our son. Just similar to others, I had my own share of this Covid thing and it was difficult for me and my wife since we were struck almost at the same time yet with our faith in God and with taking care of ourselves, we were cured from the Covid virus.  

     Life is so full of surprises yet with determination and positive outlook, I believe then that everything will be placed on its proper place. We have to. move on from any defeat whatsoever it is and we instead will focus on the sweet side of life--- could be given to us by others like loved ones, family, friends, even strangers and most of all, by our own affirmative attitude towards it. 

Thoughts on Mother's Day Celebration

       As we celebrate Mother's Day today, allow me to share with you information with regard to this very popular and significant celebration. This event is remembered as having a multi-century history while in the United States, this was initiated by American Anna Jarvis during the 20th century.  Other countries have chosen other dates for their celebration. 

Below are some of the wonderful thoughts we have for this enormous celebration:

a.  " The influence of a mother in the lives of her children is beyond calculation."--- James E. Faust

       Early on, and since the development of the baby inside the womb of his/her mum, the bonding of the mother towards him/her is beyond any comprehension. And when the child is finally born until such time that he/she can stand on his/her own, it is the love of the mother that guides him/her all throughout the journey. That's how crucial the role of a mother is and for anybody that self- sacrifice should be acknowledged and kept deep inside his/her heart for such a lifetime. As others would say, one of life's best teachers is our mother. 

b.  "There is no role in life that is more essential than that of motherhood.
"- Elder M. Russel Ballard

       Being a mother is a never ending role. For when the baby is inside the mother's womb for 9 

months then usually proceeding to that risk taking activity called birthing on to the growing years, the love of a mother is always there to embrace the growing child whether in joy or in pain. Other roles such that of being a manager or a lawyer could carry an expiration date on them but the role of being a mother goes on even up to the point of death. They never say no to give us a good life, comfort and security. That's how great and crucial their role is. 

Image by abnerh843 from Pixabay 

c. "We are born of love; love is our mother."---Rumi

•        The unconditional love of a mother is beyond any material treasure in return. The sacrifices they make is without any doubt the biggest and greatest example of how true love should be. They don't care about themselves for what is essential for them is the welfare of the children. They are always ready to deny comfort for themselves as long as the children are happy.  

d. "A mother's arms are more comforting than anyone else's."--- Princess Diana

•        When a child is suffering any pain or discomfort, the mother's instinct is to forget all other things and instead, promptly attends  to get rid of the child's discomfort. For whatever pain the child is suffering, she herself carries it on how own. The moment the mother offers her warm embrace, the pain or the cry of the child is gone for he knows and being assured that his/her mom is always around to protect him/her from life's trivialities and trials. Concretely, have you observe it yourself that when a baby cries and the moment the mother carries her/him in her arms,  then she/he just stops from crying? That is so true since the baby unknowingly and unconsciously feels the warmth embrace of the mother which is motivated by her great love. 

e. "When you look at your mother, you are looking at the purest love you will never know." --- 

Mitch Albom 

•        What then is the true meaning of LOVE? I would rather say that when one is offering comfort and joy to another without expecting something in return, that then is the true meaning of love. No matter how cruel the world could become or the people around could be without love yet the love that is coming from a mother will unconditionally stay forever. Sometimes, the word love is misunderstood and taken for granted and that  it is only given as a reward for something accomplished but for the mothers out there, no matter how the child performs in his/her role yet he/she is constantly assured that the mum is there willing to offer him/her a warmth embrace when the world turns to its cruel side.  

                                                                                

Share Your Blessings

     We all have our own considered essentials in life. And one common element among these is money. Count me in as one of those who believed money as important element to our day to day existence. 

     But what will happen if ever I possess heaps of money in the world? I can count plenty of things to happen and I want to share with you three of them:

1. Providing for my family's needs- at this stage of my life, my top priority is the welfare and bright future of my family hence I am constantly enthusiastic to go to my workplace to earn money to provide for their needs. Moreover if I have heaps of extra money with me then I will make it sure that not only their present needs that are provided but also the security of their future. One way of doing this is by saving a big chunk to prepare for the coming years. 

2. Sharing with others- if I have lots of extra money then one possible thing that I can do in my lifetime is sharing them with others especially those who are devoid of the chance to provide for themselves. Personally I believe money is but a temporal thing and what is precious is the positive things that it can provide such as food, clothing, education and shelter. My heart is pierced with pain whenever I see unprivileged members of our society most notably children and old people. 

                                                                   

Image by pasja1000 from Pixabay 

3. Travel to other places both in and out of Australia- travel for me is a means to understand the culture and uniqueness of other places and countries. Me and my wife Yanyan love to travel and if the situation will allow us, it is our earnest desire to spend time travelling both interstate and abroad.  Travel could be a tiresome activity yet for me, I believe that its positive fruits outweigh the negative ones. If I own heaps of money then I would love to explore those lovely destinations such as Europe and Asia.

Hence those are just examples of what will I do if I have heaps of extra money in my possession. What about you, how will you spend your money if ever you are gifted with heaps of extra financial abundance?

                                                                                          

The Fear of the Unknown

  Today marks another milestone in me and my beloved's life since she had her medical procedure in one of the hospitals here in Melbourne, Australia. Thus this day has become a waiting day for me- anxiously waiting as her ordeal goes on. 

     We started the day by bringing her to the hospital. So I drove her very early since the procedure was scheduled in the morning. Upon arriving at the hospital, me and  our son said and kissed her goodbye as well as good luck for her surgery. While I was driving home and on most part of the morning, I had that feeling of fear of the unknown. Being far away from her and unable to witness her proceedings, I was without hint at all how everything goes by. Of course, I trusted fully the capability of her surgeons yet as human as I am, I could not deny the fact that I also had that negative feeling like helplessness for I don't exactly know what will happen on her journey today.

Image by Brigitte JAUFFRINEAU from Pixabay 

     In the midst of such feeling of anxiety, what comforted me is the thought that there is God who is willing to embrace me in such a state. Moreover, I was also aware that our loved ones including friends are joining us in prayers to give my wife a positive surgery today. Anyway, I didn't wait that long for maybe at 10 am, I was able to speak to one of the hospital's staff and she shared with me the GOOD NEWS that my wife's surgery was successful (plus the bonus point of her ovary being saved). 

     Indeed, it is challenging to be in a situation wherein one doesn't know exactly what will happen and consequently, this will result to an awkward or negative feeling such as fear of the unknown. However, we only need to remember to put our whole trust in God and on people in charge of any procedure or whatever. What counts most is the awareness of such feeling and trying to dialogue with the self that everything will be alright. 

The Ultimate Goal of Life

     As human beings, we may vary from our considered ultimate goal in life. One may say wealth is his ultimate goal while another individual would claim its his family. Others would pinpoint achievement as the decisive end of life. Somehow, for today's sharing, I would say happiness is the ultimate goal in life. We all strive to perfection so as to attain eternal happiness now and in the coming days. 

     Since we wake up each single day up to the time that we go to bed, all our actions are geared towards making ourselves happy. When one is devoid of any sense of happiness, life then becomes so boring and not worth living for. And it gives me heaps of inspiration to witness people around me who are seemingly deprived of life's abundance yet in the midst of that limitation, no one somehow could take away from them their being happy and determined in life. 

                                                                               

Image by kinkate from Pixabay 

     Personally I would consider my family as my source of daily happiness. Seeing my significant others in good health and in their sense of life direction, it becomes  my determinant of joy. On the other hand, if I witness any of them in pain or in agony then that also breaks my heart and it makes me so sad to feel such similar amount of negative emotion. Putting myself on the shoes of the other person-- that is constantly my motivation in my daily undertakings. And it is always my prayer to God to make me an instrument of happiness for my family and for others. 

                                                                                       

The Joy of a Father

     Being a father to a 10 year old boy, it is always a source of joy for me to watch every single day the journey of my beloved. I know from the very start how crucial my role as a parent to him and this task is one of the most important roles I need to perform each day.

     As I recall back the moment that my boy was born until this day, how I stand in awe to realise my being so blessed (and of course to his mother as well) to have him in our life. I have heard heaps of stories from friends and also from reading everywhere, both offline and online, about kids growing up  and I know, the role of a parent is not an easy one. 

Image by kinkate from Pixabay 

     While I journey with my kid these days, I notice how he has changed in so many ways. Too many to mention yet I would single out his ability to grow in self confidence as one of his surprises to us parents. Recently he run for the role of captainship for their class and in spite of his being not able to attain it yet to me and to his mom, we acknowledged his efforts and confidence to aim for the role.

     Thus, I would say that we, as parents, should always stress it to ourselves to endow time every day in accompanying our children in their journey. By allowing this to happen, we are giving assurance to them that they can rely on us whatever will be their journey's outcome- to laugh and celebrate on their successes yet to comfort them when storms of life hit them. 

Life is All But Temporary

     Life- one of the greatest gifts that we have received on this earth. In fact this is the most treasured one yet somehow along this gift comes our responsibility to take care of it. No matter what then is at stake to us every single day, whether positive or negative, still we have the huge promise that we will make the best of what we can do to preserve and improve it. 

     On this time of pandemic brought by Covid-19 reality, we are challenged to strive further in spite of all the limitations that we encountered such as the numerous lockdowns plus all the restrictions as consequences of this pandemic. Life must go on as the popular saying tells us and with this, we continue to trek our separate ways thinking that with or without this pandemic, life must be continued.

Image by Peter H from Pixabay 

     On the other hand, we should believe that this gift of life is a temporary one. That sooner or later, one will end his journey. This may come as a surprise for others while maybe an expected one for those who are on its ending point like those who are presently terminally ill. With this awareness, the more that we should realise how essential t is for us to make its every minute a positive one. 

     Thus we are tasked not just to make ourselves happy, productive, cheerful everyday but also, we are invited to allow ourselves as instruments to enable others see a light over their dark realities (such as problems, sickness, limitations etc). 

Life is Like a Three-Legged Stool

    While I am relaxing here on our living room with our kiddo, I am reflecting on my life and able to think of a comparison between it with that of a three-legged stool. Recalling back how lucky am I to have received all my life's blessings, I have heaps of reasons to be so glad and feel so special in spite of life's being so complicated. Everything in life then is temporary so we have to embrace every moment with openness and a welcoming spirit.

Consequently, these are my reflections for today:

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 are intertwined with each other

                                                                

                                                                 

Imagecredit: Photo by Artem Saranin from Pexels

                                              

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 survive relying merely on our own selves. Basically 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 give 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.

       

                                                   

Is It Good if Both Parents are Working?

    Before, it was typical for a family that the father is the one that works while the mother takes care of the kids and at the same time managing the house. But with the present set up that we have especially here in Australia and maybe in other countries, it is a common sight to have both working parents.  These two contrasting realities have their positive and negative effects. 

    One may perhaps think that the kids 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 and popular institutions.  Moreover,  proponents of this view argues that due to the family's extra wealth, it will enable them to go overseas for holidays. 

                                                                     

imagecredit: Photo by Francesco Ungaro from Pexels

    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 examinations, the children will 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 involved with friends of bad influence. This type of friends endow no good outcome except trouble especially when they  get involved with illegal drugs, excessive drinking and the like. 

    A friend of mine in high school had parents who were both working. Yes it was true that they indeed provided her all her needs. Yet she grew up in such a situation that she badly missed her parents' support on time of assignment making, accomplishing school projects and many other endeavours. Being on this reality, she felt envious with her peers who did perform well in school most notably due to their parents' support. Apparently most of them emerged as top of their class while she was not. Consequently she lost her self confidence, became inferior in the class and aimless in. life. 

    Thus if today's trend of having both working parents will continue, I personally believe that one thing that should be given value and utmost important is the constant giving of all out support to the kids towards their growth and development. The parents' positive role modelling plays a significant part in the children's life. 

Guest writer: Myra Jugan- my beloved wife