Choices

When people ask me to define love, I say, "Love is like handing someone a gun, having them point it at your heart, and trusting them to never pull the trigger." (Sponge Bob)

When they ask me why I laugh at my mistakes and even write them with pride in my blogs, I say, "I'm not crazy. I just don't give a damn!" (Daffy Duck)

When one time I was conducting a group activity, a student asked what road sign I love the most, I said, "I like dead end signs. I think they're kind. They at least have the decency to let you know you're going nowhere…" (Bugs Bunny)

And when for the nth time a friend would ask me what do I get from writing, I'm not even sure if there are good old souls out there visiting my site, I just smile and say, "Kung gusto mong maging manunulat, eh di magsulat ka. Simple." (Bob Ong)

And last night when Eva said she wants to quit from her work because nobody believes in her, her boss got mad at her, she doesn't even have friends at her agency, and she's crying like hell, I said, "Either you stay to prove your worth or you quit and just show them you're a loser, you have to strive for your happiness." (MY original)

My CHOICES: I remained believing in love. I continued spicing up my mistakes and rewriting my life, accepting failure but keep on dreaming until words would fade into thin air.

Feb 28, 2008

A Mother's Wisdom: A Carrot, An Egg and A Cup of Coffee

A carrot, an egg and a cup of coffee... You will never look at a cup of coffee the same way again.


A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life and howthings were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make itand wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.


Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water andplaced each on a high fire. Soon the pots came to boil. In the first, she placed carrots, in the second, she placed eggs, and in the last, sheplaced ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil, without saying a word.


In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placedthem in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.


Turning to her daughter, she asks, "Tell me what you see."


"Carrots, eggs and coffee," she replied.


Her mother brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots. She did and noted that they were soft. The mother then asked the daughter to take an egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the hard-boiled egg. Finally, the mother asked the daughter to sip the coffee. The daughter smiled, as she tasted its rich aroma. The daughter then asked, "What does it mean, mother?"


Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the same adversity: boiling water. Each reacted differently. The carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after being subjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg had been fragile. Its thin outer shell had protected its liquid interior, but after sittingthrough the boiling water, its inside became hardened. The ground coffee beans were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water, they had changed the water.


"Which are you?" She asked her daughter. "When adversity knocks on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?"


Think of this: Which am I? Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?


Am I the egg that starts with a malleable heart, but changes with the heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a break-up, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside, am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and hardened heart?


Or am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water,the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, itreleases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you get better and change the situation around you. When the hour is the darkest and trials are their greatest, do you elevate yourself to another level.


How do you handle adversity? Are you a carrot, an egg or a coffee bean?


May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make youstrong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.


The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes along their way. The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches.


When you were born, you were crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so at the end, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.


It's easier to build a child than repair an adult.


This is so true - may we all be a COFFEE BEAN!

Feb 27, 2008

SISTERS!

This is for all the GIRLS!
A young wife sat on a sofa on a hot humid day, drinking iced tea and visiting with her Mother. Asthey talked about life, about marriage, about the responsibilities of life and the obligations of adulthood, the mother clinked the ice cubes in her glass thoughtfully and turned a clear, sober glance upon her daughter. “Don't forget your Sisters,” she advised, swirling the tea leaves to the bottom of her glass. “They'll be more important as you get older. No matter how much you love your husband, no matter how much you love the children you may have, you are still going to need Sisters. Remember to go places with them now and then; do things with them.””Remember that 'Sisters' means ALL the women... your girlfriends, your daughters, and all your other women relatives too. You'll need other women. Women always do.”

“What a funny piece of advice!” the young woman thought. Haven't I just gotten married? “Haven't I just joined the couple-world? I'm now a married woman, for goodness sake! A grown-up! Surely my husband and the family we may start will be all I need to make my life worthwhile!”

But she listened to her Mother. She kept contact with her Sisters and made more women friends each year. As the years tumbled by, one after another, she gradually came to understand that her Mom really knew what she was talking about. As time and nature work their changes and their mysteries upon a woman, Sisters are the mainstays of her life.
After more than 50 years of living in this world, these say it all:

Time passes.
Life happens.
Distance separates.
Children grow up.
Jobs come and go.
Love waxes and wanes.
Men don't do what they're supposed to do.
Hearts break.
Parents die.
Colleagues forget favors.
Careers end.

BUT.........

Sisters are there, no matter how much time and how many miles are between you. A girl friend is never farther away than needing her can reach. When you have to walk that lonesome valley and you have to walk it by yourself, the women in your life will be on the valley's rim, cheering you on, praying for you, pulling for you, intervening on your behalf, and waiting with open arms at the valley's end. Sometimes, they will even break the rules and walk beside you...Or come in and carry you out. Girl-friends, daughters, granddaughters, daughters-in-law, sisters, sisters-in-law, mothers, grandmothers, aunties, nieces, cousins, and extended family, all bless our life!The world wouldn't be the same without women, and neither would I. When we began this adventure called womanhood, we had no idea of the incredible joys or sorrows that lay ahead. Nor did we know how much we would need each other.


Thank you so much to the following SISTERS in my life:

Mama, not here present with me but I know is somewhere among the heavens watching over me.

Lolas, for making me look forward to graciously age with time.

Auntie Cely and Auntie Lita, for being just an email away.

Auntie Grace, for being just a thought away.

Auntie Dina and Auntie Lib, for being just a text away.

Auntie Tarcela, for being just a prayer away.

Nanay, for the patience.

Ate Arjo and Ate Leah, my sisters-in-law, for being available all the time.

Ate Imelda, for the listening ear.

Armila, for just looking at me when I cry. (And cry later… when I’m not looking.)

Gracia and Judelyn, my high school buddies, for just being there.

Macel, for uplifting my spirit.

Tata and Issa, my college sentimental pals, for always making your presence be felt.

Ate Arnila and Ate Flor, for the laughs.

Ate Chai and Ate Rosabel, for challenging me to be great educators like you.

Ma’am Naoe, for the inspiration. (I swear, I will put up my school for kids with special needs.)

Bea and Gaby, my beautiful and wonderful daughters, for making my day.


**Just a NOTE: For more than a couple of weeks not blogging, here’s what I learned: “I easily cry.”

Feb 14, 2008

Happy Heart's Day Everyone!

These are pictures of the crucifixion of Christ that a man sculptured out of metal near Amarillo , TX . The cross is a giant made of metal also. The man did this out of the kindness of his heart. Someone donated the land to him.










WHO IS HE?

In Chemistry:
He turned water to wine.
In Biology:
He was born without the normal conception;
In Physics:
He disapproved the law of gravity when He ascended into heaven;
In Economics:
He disapproved the law of diminishing return by feeding 5000 men with two fishes and five loaves of bread;
In Medicine:
He cured the sick and the blind without administering a single dose of drugs,
In History:
He is the beginning and the end;
In Government:
He said that He shall be called wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace;
In Religion:
He said no one comes to the Father but through Him;


So, WHO IS HE?


He is JESUS!
Join me and let's celebrate Him,
for in this LOVE month,
we remember that no one has ever showed us such great love but HIM;
He is worthy to be in the center of our hearts.
The Greatest Man in History
Jesus had no servants, yet they called Him Master.
Had no degree, yet they called Him Teacher.
Had no medicines, yet they called Him Healer.
He had no army, yet kings feared Him.
He won no military battles, yet He conquered the world.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!





A friend sent this to me through e-mail. Hope you like it too as much as it did some awakening to me. God bless everyone and Happy Heart's Day!!!

Feb 4, 2008

How to Always Stay Happy


Throw out non-essential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. (That is why you pay them!)



Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)




Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. “An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.” And the devil’s name is Alzheimer’s!


Enjoy the simple things.




Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him or her.



The tears happen. Endure, grieve and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life is ourself. LIVE while you are alive.




Surround yourself with what you love. Whether it’s family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.




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.



Don’t take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall or even to a foreign land, but NOT to where the guilt is.





Tell the people you love that you love them, in every opportunity.

24 Things to Never Apologize For

1. Never apologize for pursuing what makes you happy. Even if you need to quit your job, transfer schools, or move across country, always do what you really want.
2. Never apologize for using proper English. Keeping it real doesn't mean you have to speak Ebonics.
3. Never apologize for giving your best in a relationship that just didn't work out.
4. Never apologize for being successful. Only haters want to keep you at their level.
5. Never apologize for crying. Wear waterproof mascara and express yourself.
6. Never apologize for ten pounds you need to lose. People who truly care about you will accept you as you are.
7. Never apologize for being frugal. Just because you save your money instead of blowing it on the latest fashion emergency doesn't mean you're cheap.
8. Don't apologize for being a single Mom. Babies are a blessing.
9. Never apologize for treating yourself to something special. Sometimes you have to show yourself some appreciation.
10. Never apologize for leaving an abusive relationship. Your safety should always be a priority.
11. Never apologize for keeping the ring even if you did not get married.
12. Never apologize for setting high standards in a relationship. You know what you can tolerate and what simply gets on your nerves.
13. Never apologize for saying NO.
14. Never apologize for wearing a weave or braids. You bought it so it's yours.
15. Never apologize to your new friends about old friends. There's a reason she's been your girl from day one.
16. Never apologize for ordering dessert or more than one dessert.
17. Never apologize for dating outside your race. Just because you found Mr. Right across the color line doesn't mean you don't love your brothers.
18. Never apologize for demanding respect. You are to always be treated as a queen.
19. Never apologize for not knowing how to cook. Even if you can't burn like Grandma you know how to order good take out. (Right Girl!)
20. Never apologize for your taste in clothes. It's your style.
21. Never apologize for changing your mind, it is your prerogative.
22. Never apologize for making a decision from your heart, even if others don't agree. You have to live with the consequences not them.
23. Never apologize for making more money than your man, you work hard and you deserve to get paid.
24. Never apologize for being you!

Feb 3, 2008

Quote for the Day (from Coelho's site)


"We need to forget what we think we are, so that we can really become what we are."




This is my blessing this week! Just saw it today in Paulo Coelho's site. I have always wanted to follow my star... reach my dreams no matter how far it seems. Maybe, the things that I fear are not really what is unknown but I am afraid I cannot make it. This is what I see I am. Afraid. But I guess, I really just have to forget what I really feel that makes what I am so I can be who I really am.



Am I making any sense here?



Geeezzzz! I should be... or else...