It's just a few hours before fireworks and firecrackers blasts left and right to usher in a new year. Most people spends a big sum of money to burn in this revelry. Even the poor folks under the bridge who do not have enough money to put food in their table surprisingly or should I say maddeningly burn their money on what I consider as senseless noise making. How about you? Does it make you happy creating noise to welcome the new year by lighting up fireworks and firecrackers?
Years back, I am part of the noise making revelry to welcome the new year. I had fun, but now there is so much regret that I did. As I look back not only did I burn money, but I also took part in polluting the environment with noise, thrash, and a lot of smoke! I cannot be happy, healthy, wealthy and holy this way. In fact, i am saddened by the fact that I took part in this senseless madness!
We need a different kind of fireworks... fireworks that do not pollute the environment, and does not burn our money... If we want to be truly happy, let the fireworks of love explode in your heart and make us move to share what we would have spent and wasted by burning fireworks. Then, if we do this , we can help reduce the pollution caused by this annual revelry, thus we breathe cleaner air rather inhale the sooth and smoke of fireworks. If we also desist in this senseless ritual, we can save a lot of money, individually and as a family, community, and country. Imagine . just say each family have spent 300Php to fireworks on the average, and there are say 12 Million Families in the Philippines, we could have saved that's a whopping 3.6Billion pesos, more than enough to feed so many people who do not have any food in their table... I hope more and more people follow the sample of people in Davao, and now in Bangkal Makati who had a total ban in fireworks....
I say again, let a different kind of fireworks burn in the streets!
God bless us all!
Friday, December 31, 2010
Friday, December 17, 2010
Stop Complaining & Comparing... Start Thanking and Trusting...
Most people search for happiness from material things, things they see around them. This is specially highlighted during this season of Christmas. They want this huge LED TV, this new IPAD , this new car, and many other wants triggered by the commercialism of Christmas. Certainly some people can afford it and be able to spend money in it within their means so they fall into buying things which they still do not need but can afford. There are those who also fall into it even if they cannot afford it because they saw their neighbors or friends or family having one. They fall into the trap of comparing and starts complaining why they do not have the same thing or things and to satisfy their want spend beyond their means attaining a momentary happiness but a long term financial disaster which eventually make people in this situation unhappy.
So how do we avoid this trap? We must always be thankful for what we have. We must simply avoid to compare with others for there are others who will be better than us that we feel sad about ourselves and there are people who are less than us that we also will feel sad for them. So when you compare with others you always end up unhappy.The best thing really is to be thankful for what you are, and what you have regardless of your situation. Thank the Lord first of all for the gift of life, for the gift of family, for the many blessings that you have, and that others have as well.
Secondly, trust in the Lord with all your heart that He cares and loves us all so much that He has always been there for us, and has already prepared all the things we need. We just have to recognize the blessings that comes our way and trust that there is more to come and that God will surprise us with His abundance so that in turn we can bless others.
You want to be happy? Stop Comparing so you can stop Complaining. Start Thanking the Lord for all the blessings that comes everyones way, and keep on Trusting that God will provide all that we need!
Merry Christmas and God bless us all!
So how do we avoid this trap? We must always be thankful for what we have. We must simply avoid to compare with others for there are others who will be better than us that we feel sad about ourselves and there are people who are less than us that we also will feel sad for them. So when you compare with others you always end up unhappy.The best thing really is to be thankful for what you are, and what you have regardless of your situation. Thank the Lord first of all for the gift of life, for the gift of family, for the many blessings that you have, and that others have as well.
Secondly, trust in the Lord with all your heart that He cares and loves us all so much that He has always been there for us, and has already prepared all the things we need. We just have to recognize the blessings that comes our way and trust that there is more to come and that God will surprise us with His abundance so that in turn we can bless others.
You want to be happy? Stop Comparing so you can stop Complaining. Start Thanking the Lord for all the blessings that comes everyones way, and keep on Trusting that God will provide all that we need!
Merry Christmas and God bless us all!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Spend Now or Later? Save Now or Later? Christmas Commercialized....
Every-time the last three (3) months comes, the Christmas frenzy heightens up. Christmas bazaars, Christmas Sale and thus Christmas spending abound. It is a beautiful season of giving but I hope we do not over do it. I hope and pray we can be spared from the commercialism of Christmas. I hope too that we have the right direction and answer to the question: Spend now or later? Save now or later?
We must be thankful for all the blessings we have received and show our gratitude by giving to people and institutions. We must carry on with the tradition of gift giving and still be able to save for future needs. How do we do this? Very simple. We stick to our prosperity formula. Income- Tithes(10%) - Savings(20%) = Expenses (70%). Since there will be an inflow of money which is our 13th month pay, we must ensure we allocate the amounts the same way and not go beyond the 70% of the Cash In-Flow.
We also have to ensure we only buy things that we really need and give also things which people can make use of and more importantly a basic need. For institutions that we would like to help, cash gifts is most appropriate. For individuals, and loved ones, we should identify what do they really need, which we also can afford.
We must not fall for SALE items which we actually do not need or we still have. Do not fall for nice items to replace old ones that are still usable. Many fall for new LED TV or a touch screen phone, to add on to their still working TV or phone. Big purchases like new cars also happens during this season as the cash inflow is really huge, but how about next month? Will there be another 13th month pay?
So there you are friends, I submit that we must spend now within our means and not later for this is the season of giving. And we must consistently do it even if it is not Christmas. Giving must be consistent and all through out the year. That's the real spirit of Christmas.
I also propose we save now and not later at least 20% of the total cash in-flow. And we must not fall victim to the commercialized Christmas.
Spend within your means for what is needed and save whatever you can consistently this Christmas and through out the year!
Happy Spending and Saving!
We must be thankful for all the blessings we have received and show our gratitude by giving to people and institutions. We must carry on with the tradition of gift giving and still be able to save for future needs. How do we do this? Very simple. We stick to our prosperity formula. Income- Tithes(10%) - Savings(20%) = Expenses (70%). Since there will be an inflow of money which is our 13th month pay, we must ensure we allocate the amounts the same way and not go beyond the 70% of the Cash In-Flow.
We also have to ensure we only buy things that we really need and give also things which people can make use of and more importantly a basic need. For institutions that we would like to help, cash gifts is most appropriate. For individuals, and loved ones, we should identify what do they really need, which we also can afford.
We must not fall for SALE items which we actually do not need or we still have. Do not fall for nice items to replace old ones that are still usable. Many fall for new LED TV or a touch screen phone, to add on to their still working TV or phone. Big purchases like new cars also happens during this season as the cash inflow is really huge, but how about next month? Will there be another 13th month pay?
So there you are friends, I submit that we must spend now within our means and not later for this is the season of giving. And we must consistently do it even if it is not Christmas. Giving must be consistent and all through out the year. That's the real spirit of Christmas.
I also propose we save now and not later at least 20% of the total cash in-flow. And we must not fall victim to the commercialized Christmas.
Spend within your means for what is needed and save whatever you can consistently this Christmas and through out the year!
Happy Spending and Saving!
Roxas City... I Love The Place and The People...
We have just completed our 5-day stay in Roxas City. It was actually our third time to be there doing our IMG Mission of spreading the gospel of Financial Literacy. We are so fortunate to be there this time to experience their "Sadsaran sa Halaran" which is A Street Dance Festivities as an offering to Mama Mary (Immaculate Conception). We are also so happy to meet up with a new set of families, couples, and people from young to old (24 Years old to 74 years old). Young entrepreneurs, Mayors, Vice Governors, and ordinary folks. Varied people with different status, dreams and goals in life.
It was hot and humid most of the time which supplements the warmth of the people of Roxas City. At times drizzling and in early morning rain pours generously which highlight to me the generosity of the town folks specially our host Kuya Rudy and Bebeb (Beth).
I did enjoy the street parade of young boys and girls from the different schools of the City. They all danced their merry way on one singular tune but with varying choreography for each of the schools. I enjoyed too the sumptuous meals we had at the plaza in front of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Provincial Capitol's Office. There are so much choices of food and drinks mostly authentic to the place.
The whole festivities run for five days from the time we arrive which culminated in the Feast of Immaculate Conception. We truly enjoyed it... the people and place... I love Roxas City....
It was hot and humid most of the time which supplements the warmth of the people of Roxas City. At times drizzling and in early morning rain pours generously which highlight to me the generosity of the town folks specially our host Kuya Rudy and Bebeb (Beth).
I did enjoy the street parade of young boys and girls from the different schools of the City. They all danced their merry way on one singular tune but with varying choreography for each of the schools. I enjoyed too the sumptuous meals we had at the plaza in front of the Immaculate Conception Church and the Provincial Capitol's Office. There are so much choices of food and drinks mostly authentic to the place.
The whole festivities run for five days from the time we arrive which culminated in the Feast of Immaculate Conception. We truly enjoyed it... the people and place... I love Roxas City....
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