My Dear Blog Readers, as a backgrounder, Me and my wife Fely; were privileged o join a Marian Pilgrimage with Bro Bo. It was indeed a life and love enhancing experience. I was transformed by the people who were with us, and by the places we visited. The most instrumental to my transformation were Fr. Alex Balatbat and of course, Bro Bo Sanchez.
In one of our light moments, Bro Bo posed a challenge, that still rest in my heart and that is to put up a Feast in Cavite Area and be the Preacher in it. I told Bro Bo, it's a tough challenge.
I am praying that one day it will be a reality. And thus I start with preparing for my first Talk.
How Do We Claim The Greatest Miracle?
Good morning brothers and sisters.
I am not here to ask for votes as I'm just a Noynoy look alike, nor do I want to make this Feast a Talk Show as I'm not Boy. I am always linked to Kris on either mistaken identities.
But you know brods and sis, I'd really would love to be linked with Kris. Not Kristal coz obviously Manny is junior my age and "lamang naman ako ng mga sampung paligo" with Manny.
Pun and humor aside, I'd really love to get linked with Kris. not with Kris Aquino, but with Jesus Christ! I subscribed to Bro Bo's declaration that the greatest miracle we can have is to let other people see Jesus in us! Amen? And I would add, to that, that I would be able to be instrumental in making other people see Jesus in them, and that I could be a servant to transform people that others may see Jesus in them! Hallelujiah!
Having a loving wife and surviving marital issues and conflict in 25 years and counting is great miracle. Surviving financial crisis of having no regular job for about a year and even enjoying a European Marian Pilgrimage with Bro Bo is another great miracle. Being healthy and free from any harm including my entire family is a great miracle. But indeed, the greatest miracle I claim is that people start to see Jesus in me.
I love hugging people. Hug the person beside you and tell that person I see Jesus in you! I always feel good when I hug Bro Bo, please do not misinterpret this that I'm gay, but I really do love to hug people who is filled with love.
I think that's the secret, LOVE. The way to looking like, feeling like and making others see Jesus in us is LOVE.Now, hug that person beside you again, but this time, let that person feel the LOVE of Jesus through you! How does that feel? Didn't that make you not just see Jesus but feel Jesus in you and others?
And how do we achieve to be a LOVING person? We simply have to GIVE. Takers are not lovers as they are SELFISH. They just love themselves. We must be LOVERS who are GIVERS in three forms: GIVER, forGIVER, and thanksGIVER.
Giving our best , giving all we've got as Jesus did in His first miracle at the wedding in Cana... He gave the bride and groom the best wine... he gave thousands bread to eat beyond their fill.
Forgiving those who wronged us as He has done on the cross. Forgiving sinners of the flesh as the adulterous woman was, and forgiving the unscrupulous tax collectors as He did with Zacheaus.
And be always grateful for anything and everything.. a real Thanksgiving, no matter what the situation is. Finding God in everything.
Giving, forgiving, and thanksgiving all founded on love all the time will surely make us like Jesus to others!
God bless!
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Happiness Between a Child and A Parent
My youngest daughter Chiara had her Youth Camp and today was her last day in the camp.
We were requested to attend the last session, and as my schedules permitted it, we drove to her school where the sessions had been held.
Upon reaching the place, we were asked to make our letters to our dear daughter. I had no particular message for her as she has been a very good daughter to me. Not perfect...but really good!
Then we were asked to go to the gym where they are holding their last session. "Paiyakan" talaga, and everyone , almost was crying, including those that are facilitating, parents of facilitators in the background. Except me. I was just happy and smiling as this is the third time I've been in the same situation. Even Chiara was sobbing and crying. And when they were asked to look at who are at their backs, of course the more she cried and she hugged us.
When it was time for sharing, several kids had their sharing and some parents as well. Till finally, they asked for another final volunteer. Guess what, Chiara volunteered. Instantly I felt great and tears welled in my eyes. She just had stood up and not said any word yet. Then she mumbled and fumbled some words and then she thank her facilitators and sat down. The lady besides me did not understand anything from what she say. But I did, I was so happy.
I contemplated about it and knew why I was happy. I was listening not with my ears but with my heart. My ears also did not clearly heard and understood what she said, but my heart did!
I guess that is how the Lord listen to us His children. We mumble our prayers sometimes, we gripe and shoot tantrums but our God understands even before we open our mouths in prayers for I'm sure He listens with His loving heart!
God bless us all!
We were requested to attend the last session, and as my schedules permitted it, we drove to her school where the sessions had been held.
Upon reaching the place, we were asked to make our letters to our dear daughter. I had no particular message for her as she has been a very good daughter to me. Not perfect...but really good!
Then we were asked to go to the gym where they are holding their last session. "Paiyakan" talaga, and everyone , almost was crying, including those that are facilitating, parents of facilitators in the background. Except me. I was just happy and smiling as this is the third time I've been in the same situation. Even Chiara was sobbing and crying. And when they were asked to look at who are at their backs, of course the more she cried and she hugged us.
When it was time for sharing, several kids had their sharing and some parents as well. Till finally, they asked for another final volunteer. Guess what, Chiara volunteered. Instantly I felt great and tears welled in my eyes. She just had stood up and not said any word yet. Then she mumbled and fumbled some words and then she thank her facilitators and sat down. The lady besides me did not understand anything from what she say. But I did, I was so happy.
I contemplated about it and knew why I was happy. I was listening not with my ears but with my heart. My ears also did not clearly heard and understood what she said, but my heart did!
I guess that is how the Lord listen to us His children. We mumble our prayers sometimes, we gripe and shoot tantrums but our God understands even before we open our mouths in prayers for I'm sure He listens with His loving heart!
God bless us all!
Monday, December 21, 2009
Happiest Peson is a GIVER...FORGIVER...THANKSGIVER
3 days to go and its Christmas Day. But for us Flipinos, basta may BER na ang month, it's the start of Christmas!
Christmas as it has been celebrated all the time is about gift giving. We always connect gift giving to Santa Claus. But, I was made to realize in the dawn mass homily this morning by Fr. Ruel Castaneda at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in General Trias Cavite, that the very original giver on the first Christmas was Father God! He gave us His only begotten Son to be with us (Emmanuel- God with us) , and to be our Redeemer- Savior.
That's why it is so good to give as it is simply imitating what God the father did and is doing for us in our daily lives.
GIVING in three forms. GIVING what we have to less fortunate , ForGIVING those who wronged us, and ThanksGIVING for the many blessings we receive. These three are also very well present in the prayer Jesus taught us.
You want to be happy this Christmas! Give what ever you can...and the best gift you can give is yourself...your love!
God bless!
Christmas as it has been celebrated all the time is about gift giving. We always connect gift giving to Santa Claus. But, I was made to realize in the dawn mass homily this morning by Fr. Ruel Castaneda at the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in General Trias Cavite, that the very original giver on the first Christmas was Father God! He gave us His only begotten Son to be with us (Emmanuel- God with us) , and to be our Redeemer- Savior.
That's why it is so good to give as it is simply imitating what God the father did and is doing for us in our daily lives.
GIVING in three forms. GIVING what we have to less fortunate , ForGIVING those who wronged us, and ThanksGIVING for the many blessings we receive. These three are also very well present in the prayer Jesus taught us.
You want to be happy this Christmas! Give what ever you can...and the best gift you can give is yourself...your love!
God bless!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Active Holiness
A stark reality we need to share to all Filipinos who still love this one and only nation of ours.
We cannot be Holy if we are PASSIVE...Holiness is achieved by Being ACTIVE...
Read the text, obviously written from the heart and nails the country's problems right on the head.
We have to actively take part in this crusade........
From a very brave Filipina. She even placed her name and telephone number. There should be more. Sana hindi siya ipa-salvage ng mga "CRIMINAL"
To all Filipinos Everywhere:
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan.. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it..
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders.
YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
Let your voices be heard.
Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage.
Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good.
Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience.
Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves.
You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country..
You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater.
We are tired of the old trapos.
We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field.. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
Tel (632) 632-4248
www.adb.org
We cannot be Holy if we are PASSIVE...Holiness is achieved by Being ACTIVE...
Read the text, obviously written from the heart and nails the country's problems right on the head.
We have to actively take part in this crusade........
From a very brave Filipina. She even placed her name and telephone number. There should be more. Sana hindi siya ipa-salvage ng mga "CRIMINAL"
To all Filipinos Everywhere:
I used to think that corruption and criminality in the Philippines were caused by poverty. But recent events tell me this isn't true. It is one thing to see people turn into drug addicts, prostitutes, thieves and murderers because of hunger and poverty, but what excuse do these rich, educated people have that could possibly explain their bizarre behavior? And to think I was always so relieved when petty snatchers got caught and locked away in jail because I never fully realized that the big time thieves were out there, making the laws and running our country. Can it get any worse than this?
Every night, I come home and am compelled to turn on my tv to watch the latest turn of events. I am mesmerized by these characters. They are not men. They are caricatures of men - too unreal to be believable and too bad to be real. To see these "honorable" crooks lambast each other, call each one names, look each other in the eye and accuse the other of committing the very same crimes that they themselves are guilty of, is so comical and apalling that I don't know whether to laugh or cry. It is entertainment at its worst!
I have never seen so many criminals roaming around unfettered and looking smug until now. These criminals wear suits and barongs, strut around with the confidence of the rich and famous, inspire fear and awe from the very citizens who voted them to power, bear titles like "Honorable", "Senator", "Justice", "General" and worse, "President". Ironically, these lawless individuals practice law, make our laws, enforce the law. And we wonder why our policemen act the way they do! These are their leaders, and the leaders of this nation – Robin Hoodlum and his band of moneymen. Their motto? "Rob the poor, moderate the greed of the rich."
It makes me wonder where on earth these people came from, and what kind of upbringing they had to make them act the way they do for all the world to see. It makes me wonder what kind of schools they went to, what kind of teachers they had, what kind of environment would produce such creatures who can lie, cheat and steal from an already indebted country and from the impoverished people they had vowed to serve. It makes me wonder what their children and grandchildren think of them, and if they are breeding a whole new generation of improved Filipino crooks and liars with maybe a tad more style but equally negligible conscience. Heaven forbid!
I am an ordinary citizen and taxpayer. I am blessed to have a job that pays for my needs and those of my family's, even though 30% of my earnings go to the nation's coffers. Just like others in my lot, I have complained time and again because our government could not provide enough of the basic services that I expect and deserve. Rutty roads, poor educational system, poor social services, poor health services, poor everything. But I have always thought that was what all third world countries were all about, and my complaints never amounted to anything more.
And then this. Scandalous government deals. Plundering presidents pointing fingers. Senators associated with crooks. Congressmen who accept bribes. Big time lawyers on the side of injustice. De Venecia ratting on his boss only after his interminable term has ended, Enrile inquiring about someone's morality! The already filthy rich Abalos and Arroyo wanting more money than they or their great grandchildren could ever spend in a lifetime. Joker making a joke of his own "pag bad ka, lagot ka!" slogan.. Defensor rendered defenseless. Gen. Razon involved in kidnapping. Security men providing anything but a sense of security. And it's all about money, money, money that the average Juan de la Cruz could not even imagine in his dreams. Is it any wonder why our few remaining decent and hardworking citizens are leaving to go work in other countries?
And worst of all, we are once again saddled with a power-hungry president whose addiction has her clinging on to it like barnacle on a rusty ship. "Love (of power) is blind" takes a whole new meaning when PGMA time and again turns a blind eye on her husband's financial deals. And still blinded with all that is happening, she opts to traipse around the world with her cohorts in tow while her country is in shambles.
They say the few stupid ones like me who remain in the Philippines are no longer capable of showing disgust. I don't agree. Many like me feel anger at the brazenness of men we call our leaders, embarrassment to share the same nationality with them, frustration for our nation and helplessness at my own ineffectuality. It is not that I won't make a stand. It is just that I am afraid my actions would only be futile. After all, these monsters are capable of anything. They can hurt me and my family. They already have, though I may not yet feel it..
But I am writing this because I need to do something concrete. I need to let others know that ordinary citizens like me do not remain lukewarm to issues that would later affect me and my children. I want to make it known that there are also Filipinos who dream of something better for the Philippines. I want them to know that my country is not filled with scalawags and crooks in every corner, and that there are citizens left who believe in decency, fairness, a right to speak, a right to voice out ideas, a right to tell the people we have trusted to lead us that they have abused their power and that it is time for them to step down. I refuse to let this country go to hell because it is the only country I call mine and it is my responsibility to make sure I have done what I could for it.
Those of us who do not have the wealth, power or position it needs to battle the evil crime lords in the government can summon the power of good. We can pray. We can do this with our families every night. We can offer petitions every time we celebrate mass. We can ask others to pray, too, including relatives and friends here and overseas. And we can offer sacrifices along with our petitions, just so we get the message to Him of our desperation in ridding our nation of these vermin. After all, they cannot be more powerful than God!
I implore mothers out there to raise your children the best way you can. Do not smother, pamper, or lavish them with too much of the material comforts of life even if you can well afford them. Teach them that there are more important things in this world. I beg all fathers to spend time with their children, to teach them the virtues of hard work, honesty, fair play, sharing, dignity and compassion – right from the sandbox till they are old enough to go on their own. Not just in your homes, but at work, in school, everywhere you go. Be good role models. Be shining examples for your children so they will learn to be responsible adults who will carry and pass on your family name with pride and honor.
I call on educators and teachers – we always underestimate the power of your influence on the minds of our youth. Encourage them to be aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Instill in them a love of their country, inculcate in them the value of perseverance in order to gain real, worthwhile knowledge, help us mold our children into honorable men and women. Encourage our graduates, our best and brightest, to do what they can to lift this country from the mire our traditional politicians have sunk us into. The youth is our future – and it would be largely because of you, our educators, that we will be able to repopulate the seats of power with good leaders, presidents, senators, congressmen, justices, lawmakers, law enforcers and lawful citizens.
I ask all students, young people and young professionals everywhere to look around and get involved in what is happening. Do not let your youth be an excuse for failure to concern yourselves with the harsh realities you see. But neither let this make you cynical, because we need your idealism and fresh perspective just as you need the wisdom of your elders.
YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
Let your voices be heard.
Do what you can for this land that gave you your ancestors and your heritage.
Use technology and all available resources at hand to spread good.
Text meaningful messages to awaken social conscience.
Try your best to fight moral decay because I promise you will not regret it when you become parents yourselves.
You will look back at your past misdeeds and pray that your children will do better than you did.
Remember that there are a few handful who are capable of running this country..
You can join their ranks and make their numbers greater.
We are tired of the old trapos.
We need brave idealistic leaders who will think of the greater good before anything else. Do your utmost to excel in your chosen field.. Be good lawyers, civil servants, accountants, computer techs, engineers, doctors, military men so that when you are called to serve in government, you will have credibility and a record that can speak for itself.
For love of this country, for the future of our children, for the many who have sacrificed and died to uphold our rights and ideals, I urge you to do what you can. As ordinary citizens, we can do much more for the Philippines than sit around and let crooks lead us to perdition. We owe ourselves this. And we owe our country even more.
Remedios C. Paningbatan
Administrative Officer
Office of the General Counsel
Asian Development Bank
Tel (632) 632-4248
www.adb.org
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Christmas Tree Makes Me Happy....
Ever since I was small, the prospect of putting up and having my own Christmas Tree for my family has been my desire, so when I had the money and the chance, I started to set up my own Christmas Tree and had it upgraded every year then...
That's is why I also adore and is awed at the same time by people or groups of people who set up magnificent Christmas Trees! I know for sure , that like me, it is their way of giving thanks to our Lord Emmanuel, who came to us on which we commemorate on the Christmas eve...
Enjoy these Trees all over the world.... You'll love it...
MERRY CHRISTMAS
EVERYONE!
The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.
The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.
Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive withfestivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.
The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.
'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.
Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.
The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.
A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.
Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.
Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).
That's is why I also adore and is awed at the same time by people or groups of people who set up magnificent Christmas Trees! I know for sure , that like me, it is their way of giving thanks to our Lord Emmanuel, who came to us on which we commemorate on the Christmas eve...
Enjoy these Trees all over the world.... You'll love it...
MERRY CHRISTMAS
EVERYONE!
The Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., is decorated with 3,000 ornaments that are the handiwork of U.S. schoolchildren. Encircling evergreens in the 'Pathway of Peace' represent the 50 U.S. states.
The world's largest Christmas tree display rises up the slopes of Monte Ingino outside of Gubbio, in Italy's Umbria region. Composed of about 500 lights connected by 40,000 feet of wire, the 'tree' is a modern marvel for an ancient city
A Christmas tree befitting Tokyo's nighttime neon display is projected onto the exterior of the Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka.
Illuminating the Gothic facades of Prague's Old Town Square, and casting its glow over the manger display of the famous Christmas market, is a grand tree cut in the Sumava mountains in the southern Czech Republic.
Venice 's Murano Island renowned throughout the world for its quality glasswork is home to the tallest glass tree in the world. Sculpted by master glass blower Simone Cenedese, the artistic Christmas tree is a modern reflection of the holiday season.
Moscow celebrates Christmas according to the Russian Orthodox calendar on Jan. 7. For weeks beforehand, the city is alive withfestivities in anticipation of Father Frost's arrival on his magical troika with the Snow Maiden. He and his helper deliver gifts under the New Year tree, or yolka, which is traditionally a fir.
The largest Christmas tree in Europe (more than 230 feet tall) can be found in the Praça do Comércio in Lisbon, Portugal. Thousands of lights adorn the tree, adding to the special enchantment of the city during the holiday season.
'Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree': Even in its humblest attire, aglow beside a tiny chapel in Germany's Karwendel mountains, a Christmas tree is a wondrous sight.
Ooh la la Galeries Lafayette! In Paris, even the Christmas trees are chic. With its monumental, baroque dome, plus 10 stories of lights and high fashion, it's no surprise this show-stopping department store draws more visitors than the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower
In addition to the Vatican's heavenly evergreen, St. Peter's Square in Rome hosts a larger-than-life nativity scene in front of the obelisk.
The Christmas tree that greets revelers at the Puerta del Sol is dressed for a party. Madrid's two-week celebration makes millionaires along with merrymakers. On Dec. 22, a lucky citizen will win El Gordo (the fat one), the world's biggest lottery.
A token of gratitude for Britain's aid during World War II, the Christmas tree in London's Trafalgar Square has been the annual gift of the people of Norway since 1947.
Drink a glass of gluhwein from the holiday market at the Romer Frankfurt's city hall since 1405 and enjoy a taste of Christmas past.
Against a backdrop of tall, shadowy firs, a rainbow trio of Christmas trees lights up the night (location unknown).
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Wealth and Holiness... a Happy Mix
The whole intent of this blog space is to erase the misconception that being rich is not a deterrent to become holy. It is a misconception everyone must be able to erase from their existing programs to be able to jump start their journey towards being wealthy.
Yes indeed, wealthy and holy is what the Lord wants us to be. Think about it, Jesus friends from beginning of His holy sacrifice to His entombment are all made possible by His rich and holy friends.
They gather on the second floor of a house. During those days, it can be deduced that only rich people can afford a house, and a much richer person afford a second floor. In another instance, Mary pours out an expensive perfume worth at his time 300 dinars which is equivalent to almost 1 year meal allowance of a person. Poured out on His feet. So Jesus associated Himself with the rich.
Joseph of Arimatheus, a rich friend of Jesus, lends his tomb to Jesus. He is both rich and holy.
Wealth per se is neutral. It is the use of wealth that makes it good or evil. It is the use of wealth by which a wealthy person becomes holy or unholy. It is the inordinate attachments of people to wealth that makes them unholy.
Let's all strive to be wealthy and give back to the Lord our riches to be holy.
God bless us all!
Yes indeed, wealthy and holy is what the Lord wants us to be. Think about it, Jesus friends from beginning of His holy sacrifice to His entombment are all made possible by His rich and holy friends.
They gather on the second floor of a house. During those days, it can be deduced that only rich people can afford a house, and a much richer person afford a second floor. In another instance, Mary pours out an expensive perfume worth at his time 300 dinars which is equivalent to almost 1 year meal allowance of a person. Poured out on His feet. So Jesus associated Himself with the rich.
Joseph of Arimatheus, a rich friend of Jesus, lends his tomb to Jesus. He is both rich and holy.
Wealth per se is neutral. It is the use of wealth that makes it good or evil. It is the use of wealth by which a wealthy person becomes holy or unholy. It is the inordinate attachments of people to wealth that makes them unholy.
Let's all strive to be wealthy and give back to the Lord our riches to be holy.
God bless us all!
Monday, November 16, 2009
You want to be Happy-Wealthy?
I see a lot of definition of what is being truly happy. I observe many people do many things to find happiness. The Psalmist simply tells us that true happiness is in obeying God's Laws and being in the company of good people.It boils down to love as I has expounded in my previous blog.
Love of God, Love of Neighbor and Love of Self.
How do you know you love yourself? Oh, that is being selfish! No, do not think selfishness and love of self is one and the same thing. But, that's not the topic of this blog today. I want to focus on how do we know if we really love ourselves and why do we have to love ourselves.
Before we can give anything, we should first have it right? So, if you really want to love your neighbor, you've got to have that love emanating from your self love first.
And , so how do you know you love yourself? Simple, if you enjoy each moment. If you look always at the positive side of things. If you focus continually on what you have and be thankful to God for it. If you give your best in everything you do each moment, Then you really do love yourself, and God who created you.
Will that lead you to happiness? Certainly!
God bless!
Love of God, Love of Neighbor and Love of Self.
How do you know you love yourself? Oh, that is being selfish! No, do not think selfishness and love of self is one and the same thing. But, that's not the topic of this blog today. I want to focus on how do we know if we really love ourselves and why do we have to love ourselves.
Before we can give anything, we should first have it right? So, if you really want to love your neighbor, you've got to have that love emanating from your self love first.
And , so how do you know you love yourself? Simple, if you enjoy each moment. If you look always at the positive side of things. If you focus continually on what you have and be thankful to God for it. If you give your best in everything you do each moment, Then you really do love yourself, and God who created you.
Will that lead you to happiness? Certainly!
God bless!
Friday, November 13, 2009
True Happiness
Happy are those who reject the advice of the evil men, who do not follow the example of sinners or join those who have no use of God. Instead, they find joy in obeying the Law of the Lord, and they study it day and night. Psalms 1:1-2.
Interestingly, the first Psalm is a song of praise telling us exactly how to be happy. God is indeed a loving Father that all He wanted first and foremost is to make us happy.
Even in the beginning of creation , God made everything for man to be happy including a suitable partner (Genesis 1-2: 18), but of course with certain rules or law . "He told him (referring to Adam), " You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden , except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad." Genesis 2: 16-17
Do you see the parallelism. In the time of Adam and Eve, the Law is not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge. The evil men is the snake.
And exactly what is the Law? In Exodus 24: 12." The Lord said to Moses, "Come up the mountain to me, and while you are here, I will give you two stones tablets which contains all the laws I have written for the instruction of the people." That's the Ten Commandments. Which in Jesus' days He summarize into "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." this is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: " Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39.
And in the verse 40: "The whole Law of Moses depend on these two commandments."
So, you want to be happy? Love.... resist whatever is not for love.. do everything in the name of love... L O V E = H A P P Y...
God bless!
Interestingly, the first Psalm is a song of praise telling us exactly how to be happy. God is indeed a loving Father that all He wanted first and foremost is to make us happy.
Even in the beginning of creation , God made everything for man to be happy including a suitable partner (Genesis 1-2: 18), but of course with certain rules or law . "He told him (referring to Adam), " You may eat the fruit of any tree in the garden , except the tree that gives knowledge of what is good and what is bad." Genesis 2: 16-17
Do you see the parallelism. In the time of Adam and Eve, the Law is not to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge. The evil men is the snake.
And exactly what is the Law? In Exodus 24: 12." The Lord said to Moses, "Come up the mountain to me, and while you are here, I will give you two stones tablets which contains all the laws I have written for the instruction of the people." That's the Ten Commandments. Which in Jesus' days He summarize into "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." this is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important commandment is like it: " Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-39.
And in the verse 40: "The whole Law of Moses depend on these two commandments."
So, you want to be happy? Love.... resist whatever is not for love.. do everything in the name of love... L O V E = H A P P Y...
God bless!
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Be HAPPY! Give your Best with LOVE...
Who are the happiest people in the world? Definitely those who have open palms to give.
However, there are really many kinds of giver but only one is truly happy.
One kind of giver is a "duty giver". We give because it is obligated from us. Like a parent to their children or vice versa. We must give our children their basic needs and their education. Children on the other hand must give respect to their parents. Though this kind of giving can elicit happiness, it is not that profound as it emanates from mere fulfillment of an obligation.
The second type is that of a "grudge giver". One who is just forced by circumstance to give and follows what is given by nasty remarks. "O ayan, basta huwag ka ng babalik ha!" Sounds familiar? Or mayroong kakatok sa bintana ng kotse ninyo na naglilimos, tapos , kukuha kayo ng barya at iaabot pero wala namang concern o puso to what is given. Oops , I believe I am guilty at times on this.
On a husband and wife situation, this happens too often but not noticed.
The one giver who is truly happy is a "thanks giver". One who give his best all the time as a thanksgiving for what he has. His best shot at everything. His best offering. His wholeness. Remember St. Francis and St. Ignatius? Remember St. Clare? Look up at a cross.... there you have a perfect example of a thanks giver. That is what we celebrate in the Holy Eucharist.
How do we become a thanks giver? How can we transform our duty giving to thanksgiving? Simple, just give your Best with LOVE... you'll enjoy HAPPINESS in return...
God bless us all!
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
I have Seen the Light!
St. Francis was the inspiration of St. Ignatius , and both of them are our inspiration and role model.
"Take and receive o' Lord my liberty, take all my will, my mind, my memory. All things I hold, and all I own are thine, thine was the gift to thee, I all resign. Do thou direct, and govern all and sway, do art thy wilt command and I'll obey. Only thy grace, thy love on me bestow. This make me rich, all else will I forego."
This song captures the Light seen by both great saints, and believe me I have seen it and felt it in the person of Bro Bo, one I would consider as the St. Francis of the 21st century. If I would outlive Bro Bo, I would be one of those who will move for his canonization.
Why do I say this? I just feel it. Though, by Bro Bo's personal account, he did to a great extent what St. Francis did, even to the point of smelling like him. And just recently, we have the opportunity to have lunch with him. We told him about our visit to a relative who lost everything due to Ondoy flooding. And you know what, he dig into his pocket, handed Fely my wife some crisp 1000PHP bills as his way of helping out. Take and receive ....
I have seen the light and it's wonderful. I'm obliged to follow the light.... would you follow me...
God bless us all!
Monday, November 9, 2009
It's all About Love...L O V E...
Have you watched the movie "This is it" of MJ- Michael Jackson directed by Kenny Ortega? This is really beautiful and I've watched it 3X. The first 2x with my wife Fely and the last one just Last Sunday with our kids.
It's all about LOVE...
MJ has seen the light... He has obtained WISDOM on how to be Truly Happy... and MJ started the change from within...
"Is there anyone of you who is wise and understanding? He is to prove it by his good life, by his good deeds performed with humility and wisdom." James 3: 13. MJ has shown this very well, and beyond loving people, he cares about environment.
But if in your heart you are jealous, bitter, and selfish, don't sin against the truth by boasting of your wisdom." Such wisdom does not come down from haven; it belongs to the world, it is unspiritual and demonic. James 3: 14-15.
What's the antidote for the 3 sins: jealousy, bitterness and selfishness? Of course LOVE...
"Love is patient and kind, it is not jealous or conceited or proud: love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable: love does keep a record of wrong." 1 Corinthians 13: 4-6
What is the greatest commandment? " Jesus answered, "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and the most important commandment. The second most important is like it: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself"." Matthew 22 37-39.
You want to be truly happy ... it's all about LOVE....
Finally , what is True Happiness ? " When Jesus had said this, a woman spoke up from the crowd and said to Him, " how happy is the woman who bore you and nursed you!" But Jesus answered, " Rather, how happy are those who hear the word of God and obey it!". Luke 11: 27-28.
Spread LOVE... God bless us all!
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Happy Wedded Life
Just been through a 14-day European Marian Pilgrimage. Note that it's not a "tour", we were pilgrims. Everyday mass, and an opportunity to have confession at Fatima in Spain, and the highlight of this pilgrimage is our renewal of vows at Loyola Spain. See pictures in my facebook account.
Yes, I got married again, with the same wife after 25 years and I'll consider each day a happy wedded life. Of course , it is not void of trials and angry fights. You'll be amazed and we''ll be shamed because most of the arguments are brought by very unimportant and insignificant things like where to park or how to maneuver over potholes on the roads. I can see you LOL (laughing out loud).
Since the creation of man, God has designed it that we find a suitable partner. A God given partner much like what Adam had Eve, created specially fitted for him to give him a suitable partner in life. And at the wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. It reinforces the importance of union between man and woman in marriage.
So what am I saying here? To be happily married, you must ensure you pray for your suitable partner. And as you begin your marriage, look back at the meaning of the miraculous changing of water into wine. For me, it tells me, that all things in our daily routine, the ordinary activities (water) should be turned to celebration (wine) to enjoy an be happy.
Both the above I did and still am doing, and I'm happy and contented. Could not ask for anything more.
Happy life for married people is not a matter of feeling but a matter of decision as we learned in our Marriage Encounter Retreat. Being happy is a major challenge and it is doubled up for married couples, but with God as the starting point and the anchor, who could be unhappy!
I pray for more happy, blissful wedded life for all of us.
God bless us all!
Yes, I got married again, with the same wife after 25 years and I'll consider each day a happy wedded life. Of course , it is not void of trials and angry fights. You'll be amazed and we''ll be shamed because most of the arguments are brought by very unimportant and insignificant things like where to park or how to maneuver over potholes on the roads. I can see you LOL (laughing out loud).
Since the creation of man, God has designed it that we find a suitable partner. A God given partner much like what Adam had Eve, created specially fitted for him to give him a suitable partner in life. And at the wedding in Cana, Jesus performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. It reinforces the importance of union between man and woman in marriage.
So what am I saying here? To be happily married, you must ensure you pray for your suitable partner. And as you begin your marriage, look back at the meaning of the miraculous changing of water into wine. For me, it tells me, that all things in our daily routine, the ordinary activities (water) should be turned to celebration (wine) to enjoy an be happy.
Both the above I did and still am doing, and I'm happy and contented. Could not ask for anything more.
Happy life for married people is not a matter of feeling but a matter of decision as we learned in our Marriage Encounter Retreat. Being happy is a major challenge and it is doubled up for married couples, but with God as the starting point and the anchor, who could be unhappy!
I pray for more happy, blissful wedded life for all of us.
God bless us all!
Monday, October 12, 2009
How to Stay Young
Always be a "NICE PERSON"....... you never know when your time is done.
Enjoy the ride. There is no return ticket ........
George Carlin on aging!
(Absolutely Brilliant)
IF YOU DON'T READ THIS TO THE VERY END, YOU HAVE LOST A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. AND WHEN YOU HAVE FINISHED, DO AS I AM DOING AND SEND IT ON.
George Carlin's Views on Aging
Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we're kids? If you're less than 10 years old, you're so excited about aging that you think in fractions.
'How old are you?' 'I'm four and a half!' You're never thirty-six and a half. You're four and a half, going on five! That's the key.
You get into your teens, now they can't hold you back. You jump to the next number, or even a few ahead.
'How old are you?' 'I'm gonna be 16!' You could be 13, but hey, you're gonna be 16! And then the greatest day of your life ! You become 21. Even the words sound like a ceremony. YOU BECOME 21. YESSSS!!!
But then you turn 30. Oooohh, what happened there? Makes you sound like bad milk! He TURNED; we had to throw him out. There's no fun now, you're Just a sour-dumpling.. What's wrong? What's changed?
You BECOME 21, you TURN 30, then you're PUSHING 40. Whoa! Put on the brakes, it's all slipping away. Before you know it, you REACH 50 and your dreams are gone...
But! wait!! ! You MAKE it to 60. You didn't think you would!
So you BECOME 21, TURN 30, PUSH 40, REACH 50 and make it to 60.
You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!
You get into your 80's and every day is a complete cycle; you HIT lunch; you TURN 4:30; you REACH bedtime. And it doesn't end there. Into the 90s, you start going backwards; 'I Was JUST 92.'
Then a strange thing happens. If you make it over 100, you become a little kid again. 'I'm 100 and a half!'
May you all make it to a healthy 100 and a half!!
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3.Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever, even ham radio. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's family name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6... The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips.. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares? But do share this with someone. We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting ....what a ride!'
Monday, October 5, 2009
God's Clue to Healthy Foods
Hi!
I've taken this from an email of a friend.
It's amazing how God gave us clues to what is good to eat!
Read on and be amazed....
I've taken this from an email of a friend.
It's amazing how God gave us clues to what is good to eat!
Read on and be amazed....
It's been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish... All before making a human. He made and provided what we'd need before we were born. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw. We're such slow learners...
God left us a great clue as to what foods help what part of our body!
God's Pharmacy! Amazing!
A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye.. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye..... And YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red.. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.
Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.
A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three (3) dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.
Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.
Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don't have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.
Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today's research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine (9) months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).
Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.
Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.
Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries
Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.
Onions look like the body's cells. Today's research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.
Please don't break this even if you only send it to one person. Look at the date when this was started. Thanks
NOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.
I am not going to be the one who Lets it die. I found it believable ---
This candle was lit on the September 12, 1987
A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red.. All of the research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.Please don't break this even if you only send it to one person. Look at the date when this was started. Thanks
NOTICE AT THE END, THE DATE THE CANDLE WAS STARTED.
GONNA GIVE YOU GOOSE BUMPS.
I am not going to be the one who Lets it die. I found it believable ---
This candle was lit on the September 12, 1987
Someone who loves you has helped Keep it alive by sending it to you. Don't let The Candle of Love, Hope And Friendship die! Pass It On To All Of Your Friends and Everyone You Love!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Is it Bad to be Wealthy?
Is being rich bad? Will there be no rich people in heaven? Certainly not.
St. James admonishes the wrong kind of wealthy people in James 5: 1-6.
He said "And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes had been eaten away by moths. Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up your riches in these last days. You have not paid wages to the men who work in your fields. Listen tot heir complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you."
So the anti thesis of the wrong kind of being rich are:
1. Do not pile up but share your riches. Be good stewards.
2. Be kind to our workers and pay them just compensation for their labor.
3. Live simple lives and eat and drink with moderation. Do not be a glutton nor a drunkard.
4. Be kind to people. Use your money to defend innocent people.
So there you are my friends... be the right kind of wealthy people and stay happy, helathy and holy.....
St. James admonishes the wrong kind of wealthy people in James 5: 1-6.
He said "And now, you rich people, listen to me! Weep and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you! Your riches have rotted away, and your clothes had been eaten away by moths. Your gold and silver are covered with rust, and this rust will be a witness against you and will eat up your flesh like fire. You have piled up your riches in these last days. You have not paid wages to the men who work in your fields. Listen tot heir complaints! The cries of those who gather in your crops have reached the ears of God, the Lord Almighty. Your life here on earth has been full of luxury and pleasure. You have made yourselves fat for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered innocent people, and they do not resist you."
So the anti thesis of the wrong kind of being rich are:
1. Do not pile up but share your riches. Be good stewards.
2. Be kind to our workers and pay them just compensation for their labor.
3. Live simple lives and eat and drink with moderation. Do not be a glutton nor a drunkard.
4. Be kind to people. Use your money to defend innocent people.
So there you are my friends... be the right kind of wealthy people and stay happy, helathy and holy.....
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Are there Connections between being Holy, Wealthy, and Healthy?
Amen!
I'm sure you heard the maxim: Health is Wealth! But, being Holy and Wealthy? Some eyebrows will surely rise. Why so? Because so many Christians still have the wrong notion about being rich and being holy. That the two is like oil and water and cannot are not miscible or not capable of being mixed. But this is not so, God in His great abundance wants His children to be prosperous.
Brother Bo Sanchez in his book Secrets of Truly Rich expound on this beautifully. I hope you get a chance to read it so we can fully grasp the correct notion to riches.
Of course, just being Wealthy and Being Truly Rich are poles apart if you know what I mean. Truly Rich people are simple, loving and capable of sharing. If you are wealthy and do not fall in to the aforementioned characteristics of truly rich, then you are not capable of connecting being Holy and Wealthy.
Remember the foolish wealthy person who thought of making his barn bigger to hoard his good harvest? That is not the kind of rich we are called to be.
Let's be healthy, wealthy, and holy.
God bless us all!
I'm sure you heard the maxim: Health is Wealth! But, being Holy and Wealthy? Some eyebrows will surely rise. Why so? Because so many Christians still have the wrong notion about being rich and being holy. That the two is like oil and water and cannot are not miscible or not capable of being mixed. But this is not so, God in His great abundance wants His children to be prosperous.
Brother Bo Sanchez in his book Secrets of Truly Rich expound on this beautifully. I hope you get a chance to read it so we can fully grasp the correct notion to riches.
Of course, just being Wealthy and Being Truly Rich are poles apart if you know what I mean. Truly Rich people are simple, loving and capable of sharing. If you are wealthy and do not fall in to the aforementioned characteristics of truly rich, then you are not capable of connecting being Holy and Wealthy.
Remember the foolish wealthy person who thought of making his barn bigger to hoard his good harvest? That is not the kind of rich we are called to be.
Let's be healthy, wealthy, and holy.
God bless us all!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Call to HOLINESS
G O S P E L
SEPTEMBER 10,2009
Feelings are a lousy guide to the Christian way of life. Precisely because Christianity is all about living the truth about God and humanity, the key to a life of holiness is not how we feel about things, but the decisions we make to embrace the truth God reveals to us in the Scriptures and through prayer. Let us realize that we will have to engage all the faculties God has given us in the quest for holiness as it is essential that we use all the gifts God has given us to achieve this end.
Luke 6:27-38
27 Jesus said to his disciples: “To you who hear I say, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
29 To the person who strikes you on one cheek, offer the other one as well, and from the person who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your tunic.
30 Give to everyone who asks of you, and from the one who takes what is yours do not demand it back.
31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 For if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do the same.
34 If you lend money to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, and get back the same amount.
35 But rather, love your enemies and do good to them, and lend expecting nothing back; then your reward will be great and you will be children of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.
36 Be merciful, just as also your Father is merciful.
37 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
38 Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
my reflections
think: The key to a life of holiness is not how we feel about things, but the decisions we make to embrace the truth God reveals to us in the Scriptures and through prayer.Tuesday, September 8, 2009
How do we measure Wealth
Wealth is not measured in absolute value. Wealth is about ratios.
In the bible story between a rich man and an old widow, the widow just had a few cents given, but she has given them all away.
In another story, an old widow prepared meal for Elijah using whatever is left of her provisions.
Two widows, who are able to give what is left for them , had been blessed abundantly. The oil and flour in her jar did not run out.
These two widows are the truly rich.
Let me share to you, real life encounters with people whom I've met in the series of seminars we have done.
One couple who are working for the local government earns a total sum of less than 25 K per month. They can save 2K and give tithes to the lord.
Their uncle, a seafarer with high rank in one of the international shipping company earns a hefty amount of 300,000 per month. This is about the same income the couple earns in a year. However, , you'll be surprised to know, that it is the uncle who would be asking for loans from the young couple.
So, being wealthy is all about what you can keep and give back to God and for yourself. Your basic guide is about 10% for the Lord and 20% for your savings and investments.
Another measure or being wealthy is the ratio of what you saved vs what you spend.
In the above example, the uncle earns 300,000 but spends more than 300,000 in his lifestyle. If he suddenly lose his income, which is a great possibility because of age, he would not be able to survive even in a month.
The young couple saves and only spends 70% of their income. They live on a 17,500 budget per month. They are able to save more than 100,000 in the last 2 years. Thus, even if both of them lose their jobs, they can still survive for more than 5 months and this will be even go longer as they add to their savings and as their savings grow and compound.
In Genesis, this is what Joseph the "dreamer" had told the Pharoah of Egypt. He told them to save 1/5 of the good harvest for after 7 years of good harvest comes famine. Moral of this story is to spend less than what you harvest (income).
How do you do it?
1. Be simple. Live simple lifestyle
2. Avoid envy. Do not try to outdo the Joneses.
3. Spend on what is essential and needed
4. Be generous. Give to God (Church and Charities).
5. Save and invest your money wisely
I can guide you and coach you on this.
Just email me.
God bless.
In the bible story between a rich man and an old widow, the widow just had a few cents given, but she has given them all away.
In another story, an old widow prepared meal for Elijah using whatever is left of her provisions.
Two widows, who are able to give what is left for them , had been blessed abundantly. The oil and flour in her jar did not run out.
These two widows are the truly rich.
Let me share to you, real life encounters with people whom I've met in the series of seminars we have done.
One couple who are working for the local government earns a total sum of less than 25 K per month. They can save 2K and give tithes to the lord.
Their uncle, a seafarer with high rank in one of the international shipping company earns a hefty amount of 300,000 per month. This is about the same income the couple earns in a year. However, , you'll be surprised to know, that it is the uncle who would be asking for loans from the young couple.
So, being wealthy is all about what you can keep and give back to God and for yourself. Your basic guide is about 10% for the Lord and 20% for your savings and investments.
Another measure or being wealthy is the ratio of what you saved vs what you spend.
In the above example, the uncle earns 300,000 but spends more than 300,000 in his lifestyle. If he suddenly lose his income, which is a great possibility because of age, he would not be able to survive even in a month.
The young couple saves and only spends 70% of their income. They live on a 17,500 budget per month. They are able to save more than 100,000 in the last 2 years. Thus, even if both of them lose their jobs, they can still survive for more than 5 months and this will be even go longer as they add to their savings and as their savings grow and compound.
In Genesis, this is what Joseph the "dreamer" had told the Pharoah of Egypt. He told them to save 1/5 of the good harvest for after 7 years of good harvest comes famine. Moral of this story is to spend less than what you harvest (income).
How do you do it?
1. Be simple. Live simple lifestyle
2. Avoid envy. Do not try to outdo the Joneses.
3. Spend on what is essential and needed
4. Be generous. Give to God (Church and Charities).
5. Save and invest your money wisely
I can guide you and coach you on this.
Just email me.
God bless.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Be Wealthy
God wants us to be wealthy! That's the plain truth and you will find many many testaments to this form Genesis to Revelations.
However, not too many are able to achieve it.
Why? Because we have wrong notions about being wealthy, and we have even wrong religious notions about being wealthy.
I would advise you again to read the 8 Secrets of Truly rich by Bro Bo Sanchez to re-program our money mind sets. Being wealthy can be done while we build treasures in heaven.
It became much clearer to me, how do we become wealthy in the true sense of being "truly rich" not just materially but spiritually at the same time.
To be truly rich we need to understand the difference between achieving and fulfilling, difference between Achievements and Fruitfulness.
Both really requires hard work, patience, endurance, skills, intelligence, and passion but I assure you, the sure way to heaven is to be fruitful and fulfilled.
All my life, I have been driven with the desire to achieve. This is what the world is teaching us to do. The world teaches us to be full of self. Be the number one, be the head, be the president. Be on top of the world. Be the richest man on earth.
Well, is there something wrong about it? Yes, there is something wrong if our desire to achieve is driven by self. By our EGO which if spelled correctly also reads EVIL.
There is indeed a very thin line between achieving and fulfilling. This is in the SELF. If our desires is Full of Self (Selfish) or EGO-tistic, then being wealthy is useless. This is like the rich man who had a good harvest and planned to build a bigger barn for himself. What happened to him? He got ruined.
To be wealthy in the right sense therefore is to be Less of Self (Selfless). Not ego centric.
That is the secret. To be wealthy means to be self less.
When you are selfless, your desire is for others. When you are self less, you tend to live a simple life for you do not have to be showy on your possessions.
In my silent reflection on this, the images that came to my mind that made this more clearer is that of juice glass. The Lord tells me the glass is myself , the water in the glass are the other people while the Lord is the powdered juice.
If I only have myself without God and others, that is an empty life as in empty glass. If I only have only my self and my God, I can not be the juice I ought to be. If I only have me and the glass is filled up to the brim with others, how can He our Lord God come in?
For me to be the juice for others, I must have enough of others, and God.
The next thing I must do is to pour out the juice by having someone drink it so I can have it filled up again.
Some people do that, but they limit themselves to their capacity. This means that , since they were born poor, they think they would not have enough and thus only pour a little, thus they remain poor. Poor because they fail to see another secret to being wealthy.
To be wealthy means being able to let go. To be able to pour out our juice. Being wealthy means being able to give and not keep. Most people are with scarcity mentality that they do not want to share what they posses. They cannot see the generosity of God. The more we pour out, the more our capacity to receive will increase as the Lord our God wont be outdone in generosity. That is His promise. He will even replace our glass size to a bigger one so we can have more people to be helped.
So there you are, the secrets to being wealthy.
It is not the amount of money we keep for ourselves that will make us wealthy, but the amount of money we can give from what we have.
So, wealth is not measured in absolute amount. It is measured in ratios. You can be wealthy no matter who you are.
Let me expound on this next blog.
God bless.
However, not too many are able to achieve it.
Why? Because we have wrong notions about being wealthy, and we have even wrong religious notions about being wealthy.
I would advise you again to read the 8 Secrets of Truly rich by Bro Bo Sanchez to re-program our money mind sets. Being wealthy can be done while we build treasures in heaven.
It became much clearer to me, how do we become wealthy in the true sense of being "truly rich" not just materially but spiritually at the same time.
To be truly rich we need to understand the difference between achieving and fulfilling, difference between Achievements and Fruitfulness.
Both really requires hard work, patience, endurance, skills, intelligence, and passion but I assure you, the sure way to heaven is to be fruitful and fulfilled.
All my life, I have been driven with the desire to achieve. This is what the world is teaching us to do. The world teaches us to be full of self. Be the number one, be the head, be the president. Be on top of the world. Be the richest man on earth.
Well, is there something wrong about it? Yes, there is something wrong if our desire to achieve is driven by self. By our EGO which if spelled correctly also reads EVIL.
There is indeed a very thin line between achieving and fulfilling. This is in the SELF. If our desires is Full of Self (Selfish) or EGO-tistic, then being wealthy is useless. This is like the rich man who had a good harvest and planned to build a bigger barn for himself. What happened to him? He got ruined.
To be wealthy in the right sense therefore is to be Less of Self (Selfless). Not ego centric.
That is the secret. To be wealthy means to be self less.
When you are selfless, your desire is for others. When you are self less, you tend to live a simple life for you do not have to be showy on your possessions.
In my silent reflection on this, the images that came to my mind that made this more clearer is that of juice glass. The Lord tells me the glass is myself , the water in the glass are the other people while the Lord is the powdered juice.
If I only have myself without God and others, that is an empty life as in empty glass. If I only have only my self and my God, I can not be the juice I ought to be. If I only have me and the glass is filled up to the brim with others, how can He our Lord God come in?
For me to be the juice for others, I must have enough of others, and God.
The next thing I must do is to pour out the juice by having someone drink it so I can have it filled up again.
Some people do that, but they limit themselves to their capacity. This means that , since they were born poor, they think they would not have enough and thus only pour a little, thus they remain poor. Poor because they fail to see another secret to being wealthy.
To be wealthy means being able to let go. To be able to pour out our juice. Being wealthy means being able to give and not keep. Most people are with scarcity mentality that they do not want to share what they posses. They cannot see the generosity of God. The more we pour out, the more our capacity to receive will increase as the Lord our God wont be outdone in generosity. That is His promise. He will even replace our glass size to a bigger one so we can have more people to be helped.
So there you are, the secrets to being wealthy.
It is not the amount of money we keep for ourselves that will make us wealthy, but the amount of money we can give from what we have.
So, wealth is not measured in absolute amount. It is measured in ratios. You can be wealthy no matter who you are.
Let me expound on this next blog.
God bless.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Be Healthy
Are you happy enough?
Read through Bro Bo's How to be Truly Truly Happy and I'm sure you will be.
I hope you are happy now.
But certainly you wont be 100% happy if you're not healthy.
Being healthy is not a matter of weight , muscles, or absence of ailment.
Being happy is a state of mind while being healthy is a state of "body". Our physical self.
There are many ways of keeping ourselves healthy. You are healthy because it's in your genes, or because you have a healthy lifestyle. You are healthy because of your physical activities.
In this blog, I would like to just focus on the connection between being happy and being healthy.
Many researchers have made connections between worrying, stress in life and sickness. Worriers are definitely are one of the unhappiest people as they miss the fun for they focus on their worries affecting their physical well being in the process.
Those who are subjected to stresses due to work loads, relationship issues, and peer pressures age faster and like anything under stress breaks earlier.
How do we avoid these worrying and stresses in life? My formula is simply "Put God in everything you do, and He will do the rest for you". This is aligned with the very first commandment of loving God with all your mind, with all your heart and all your soul.
No matter what the situation is, He will surely be there.
In this times of economic trials, it is but natural to find a lot of people worrying for their future as well as their children's future.
Instead of worrying, we must focus on what we can do , and must be doing to secure our future and theirs. Trust in the Lord . He will surely bless us.
What complicates the situation is conflict between husband and wife. The whole family suffers, the whole family worries about what will happen in their lives. Thus, it is of paramount importance that the husband and wife has good relationship. This will make sure that no matter what the situation is, the family will be able to survive. And when there is love, assurance and hope there will be no worries, everybody happy , everyone healthy.
Got the connection now?
I Hope you do.
Till next blog.
Read through Bro Bo's How to be Truly Truly Happy and I'm sure you will be.
I hope you are happy now.
But certainly you wont be 100% happy if you're not healthy.
Being healthy is not a matter of weight , muscles, or absence of ailment.
Being happy is a state of mind while being healthy is a state of "body". Our physical self.
There are many ways of keeping ourselves healthy. You are healthy because it's in your genes, or because you have a healthy lifestyle. You are healthy because of your physical activities.
In this blog, I would like to just focus on the connection between being happy and being healthy.
Many researchers have made connections between worrying, stress in life and sickness. Worriers are definitely are one of the unhappiest people as they miss the fun for they focus on their worries affecting their physical well being in the process.
Those who are subjected to stresses due to work loads, relationship issues, and peer pressures age faster and like anything under stress breaks earlier.
How do we avoid these worrying and stresses in life? My formula is simply "Put God in everything you do, and He will do the rest for you". This is aligned with the very first commandment of loving God with all your mind, with all your heart and all your soul.
No matter what the situation is, He will surely be there.
In this times of economic trials, it is but natural to find a lot of people worrying for their future as well as their children's future.
Instead of worrying, we must focus on what we can do , and must be doing to secure our future and theirs. Trust in the Lord . He will surely bless us.
What complicates the situation is conflict between husband and wife. The whole family suffers, the whole family worries about what will happen in their lives. Thus, it is of paramount importance that the husband and wife has good relationship. This will make sure that no matter what the situation is, the family will be able to survive. And when there is love, assurance and hope there will be no worries, everybody happy , everyone healthy.
Got the connection now?
I Hope you do.
Till next blog.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Are you Happy... let's continue
Hi there again, dear friends and family.
Being present in the present is a key element in enjoying the moment.
You cannot enjoy an event you were not actually present in, thus it is very important that you are focused on what you are doing all the time.
However, we know the challenges of being human. We oftentimes find ourselves wandering about something while doing another thing. We are physically present but our minds are not.
Another cause of not enjoying everything is our desire to do many things at the same time.
Imagine this, eating dinner while watching Paquiao fight Hatton. Suppose your dinner is a the best "Kobe Beef" with a big tag price and is really delicious. What do you think you will enjoy... of course not the beef right?
Okay, let's leave that and go for another secret to happiness. Being grateful. Happy People= Grateful People. Check your feelings. If somebody gives you something and you feel that you do not need or deserve what was given, how do you feel? Now, let's change the scenario. Say you receive the same thing , you know you don't need it nor deserve it but you see the effort or the desire of the giver of the gift to make you happy . How will you feel?
Being grateful and finding God in everything , and staying positive are all parallel. If you find something good or positive on any event , then you find God in it, then you will definitely be thankful.
Stay Happy by being present in the present and thank the Lord all the time!!
Till next time...
Being present in the present is a key element in enjoying the moment.
You cannot enjoy an event you were not actually present in, thus it is very important that you are focused on what you are doing all the time.
However, we know the challenges of being human. We oftentimes find ourselves wandering about something while doing another thing. We are physically present but our minds are not.
Another cause of not enjoying everything is our desire to do many things at the same time.
Imagine this, eating dinner while watching Paquiao fight Hatton. Suppose your dinner is a the best "Kobe Beef" with a big tag price and is really delicious. What do you think you will enjoy... of course not the beef right?
Okay, let's leave that and go for another secret to happiness. Being grateful. Happy People= Grateful People. Check your feelings. If somebody gives you something and you feel that you do not need or deserve what was given, how do you feel? Now, let's change the scenario. Say you receive the same thing , you know you don't need it nor deserve it but you see the effort or the desire of the giver of the gift to make you happy . How will you feel?
Being grateful and finding God in everything , and staying positive are all parallel. If you find something good or positive on any event , then you find God in it, then you will definitely be thankful.
Stay Happy by being present in the present and thank the Lord all the time!!
Till next time...
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Be HHWH Happy Healthy Wealthy and HOLY
Hi There once again.
I talked about being Happy in my last entry and will still stick to it.
You want to know another secret of those who are happy all the time?
It's enjoying every moment.
It's much like finding God in everything every time. Enjoying the moment by moment of our life will make us happy.
Let me ask you a question. If you recall the happy moments of your life, what feelings does it evoke? ..Of course HAPPINESS! Correct? So how do you build up memories of happiness? Definitely by having moments of happiness. So, if we enjoy each moment and not miss any of it, we will have tons and tons of happy moments to go back to. Effect, we become happier.
Agree?
Pls comment. Send me your reaction...
I talked about being Happy in my last entry and will still stick to it.
You want to know another secret of those who are happy all the time?
It's enjoying every moment.
It's much like finding God in everything every time. Enjoying the moment by moment of our life will make us happy.
Let me ask you a question. If you recall the happy moments of your life, what feelings does it evoke? ..Of course HAPPINESS! Correct? So how do you build up memories of happiness? Definitely by having moments of happiness. So, if we enjoy each moment and not miss any of it, we will have tons and tons of happy moments to go back to. Effect, we become happier.
Agree?
Pls comment. Send me your reaction...
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Be HHWH- Happy Healthy Wealthy and Holy
Day 1
Hi There!
I believe all are in search for true happiness, correct?
Almost all of those who are past 40 seeks also to be healthy, right?
And we all want to be wealthy as well, correct again?
Can we be all of these three plus be Holy as well?
Yes indeed we can be. Do you agree with me?
You may react on this now....
Actually, these state of one's mind and being are inter-connected.
For it is useless to be wealthy if you are not happy.
Your happiness will be incomplete if you are not healthy.
All the first three are physical and material, while the fourth focus on the soul.
Will tackle this more detailed day by day.
I hope to see your comments and reactions.
Day 2
Holistic approach to life therefore is to be Happy Healthy Wealthy and Holy.
Each one poses a challenge for indeed life is full of challenges.
I was born poor. My father is a policeman and my mother did not have any business or work to support the meager income of my tatay. We are twelve and I'm the fifth among the dozen.
But, was I happy then ? Of course I am. Through life's challenges, the days when we have so much hardship and less in life , we have more than enough love to go by with. Nanay loves us all very much and so did our tatay.
Happiness therefore is not a factor directly linked to wealth. When my brothers and sisters talk about our youth when we were still all together as one family, we do remember the difficulties, but more so the fun and happiness we had. Bottom-line, the happiness we have are extracted from our relationships with one another. A loving relationship. A "nurturing relationship".
Bro Bo in his "Feasts" which happens every Sunday at Valle Verde talked about "Unlocking the Secrets to Extreme Happiness". He has this loving relationship or "Nurture Connections" as one of the main factor. You may want to request the March 15 to May 10 , 2009 issue of the Feast Weekly Bulletin at email: feastbulletin@gmail.com.
Another factor to achieve happiness is to always stay positive. Look around you and you will certainly find people who complains a lot, gripes a lot on so many or anything at all. Compare him or her with someone who finds something good in everything that happens. Who do you think is happy?
I read about a German billionaire who lost a lot of money in his stocks investments and was left with just a little over a billion dollars in his estate. You know what he did? He committed suicide by jumping off a rail track to be hit by a speeding commuter train. Why do you think he did that? He focused on what he lost (the negative) rather than be thankful for what remained with him. 1 Billion over $$$ is a lot of money and he did not see it!
We were poor , but we were blessed with good brains. We studied hard and most of us got scholarships that enabled us to finish college. I for one maintained my State Scholarship Grant and completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I did not focus on what we did not have, I capitalize on the blessing I posses.
You want to be HAPPY.. those two are enough...but, we will tackle more .. I promise you.
God bless.
Hi There!
I believe all are in search for true happiness, correct?
Almost all of those who are past 40 seeks also to be healthy, right?
And we all want to be wealthy as well, correct again?
Can we be all of these three plus be Holy as well?
Yes indeed we can be. Do you agree with me?
You may react on this now....
Actually, these state of one's mind and being are inter-connected.
For it is useless to be wealthy if you are not happy.
Your happiness will be incomplete if you are not healthy.
All the first three are physical and material, while the fourth focus on the soul.
Will tackle this more detailed day by day.
I hope to see your comments and reactions.
Day 2
Holistic approach to life therefore is to be Happy Healthy Wealthy and Holy.
Each one poses a challenge for indeed life is full of challenges.
I was born poor. My father is a policeman and my mother did not have any business or work to support the meager income of my tatay. We are twelve and I'm the fifth among the dozen.
But, was I happy then ? Of course I am. Through life's challenges, the days when we have so much hardship and less in life , we have more than enough love to go by with. Nanay loves us all very much and so did our tatay.
Happiness therefore is not a factor directly linked to wealth. When my brothers and sisters talk about our youth when we were still all together as one family, we do remember the difficulties, but more so the fun and happiness we had. Bottom-line, the happiness we have are extracted from our relationships with one another. A loving relationship. A "nurturing relationship".
Bro Bo in his "Feasts" which happens every Sunday at Valle Verde talked about "Unlocking the Secrets to Extreme Happiness". He has this loving relationship or "Nurture Connections" as one of the main factor. You may want to request the March 15 to May 10 , 2009 issue of the Feast Weekly Bulletin at email: feastbulletin@gmail.com.
Another factor to achieve happiness is to always stay positive. Look around you and you will certainly find people who complains a lot, gripes a lot on so many or anything at all. Compare him or her with someone who finds something good in everything that happens. Who do you think is happy?
I read about a German billionaire who lost a lot of money in his stocks investments and was left with just a little over a billion dollars in his estate. You know what he did? He committed suicide by jumping off a rail track to be hit by a speeding commuter train. Why do you think he did that? He focused on what he lost (the negative) rather than be thankful for what remained with him. 1 Billion over $$$ is a lot of money and he did not see it!
We were poor , but we were blessed with good brains. We studied hard and most of us got scholarships that enabled us to finish college. I for one maintained my State Scholarship Grant and completed a degree in Mechanical Engineering. I did not focus on what we did not have, I capitalize on the blessing I posses.
You want to be HAPPY.. those two are enough...but, we will tackle more .. I promise you.
God bless.
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