Work On You

Start working on you to get what you want, instead of working on getting what you want to become you.

The Arrogant & The Prideful

How do you see an arrogant and prideful man?

Ignorant and exuberant for their naiveté. They do not see the whole picture. But He said not to be indignant nor crush their eagerness but we should find ways to empower them and channel their energy into something useful and good. For we are His vessels, His soldiers.

Soulfood for my struggling spirit.

Thanks to the Good News Reflection for today…The Treasure Within.

What's Your Problem?

I’ve just realized that when you put your heart into something, you become more effective. Hence, you get to accomplish things that will help you get closer to that something.

Stop looking for loopholes and just concentrate on what needs to be done. The solution lies in the problem. Instead of blaming others, own the problem and you will find the solution within yourself. Period.

More Than Meets The Eye

We live in the same world living our own lives. To identify things, sometimes it is easier for us to brand things. This is also extended to people. To know our identity we join a group to better express who we are. Then we are classified, branded, stereotyped. Sometimes other people outside that faction see us as a representation of a certain class. Just like in highschool. There are the geeks, the jocks, the pop kids, the cheerleaders, the artists, the gothic, the writers, the bookworm, the conservatives, the indifferent, the nature lover and many more character types. Sometimes we are overpowered by the group’s character and the downside is we lose our individuality to the group.

I don’t want to be typecast to any particular group because I’m one and each of them in some ways or another.

Frustrated.

Frustrations are dreadful…for making you feel powerless. To avoid external conflict, we mum and we end up annoyed at ourselves. We concede to the status quo and sometimes to the sub-standard decisions as cover-up. Doomed…from the beginning ‘til the end.

No Other You

I did not give you my sweet ‘yes’ because you gave me the ‘moon and the stars’ where every step I took you trailed and that everything I said you made happen like a blind follower. And I never knew that you are what I wanted all along until you revealed to me who you really are as a person...no masks, no pretenses...simply you. I have grown fond of you and everytime the fire just keeps on burning. I opened my heart to you because I saw you underneath your skin…underneath it all. And I know that there is no other you...never will be. You are God-given...my God-sent.

Lifetime Memories & Feelings of the Inevitable Change

I know we don’t have forever…we don’t have all day…we don’t even have a minute. Every second counts. And I will hold on to that moment…remembering…always. Our memories will last a lifetime while feelings won’t…that is for certain. So thank me or forgive me for holding you tightly…for being overly protective…for loving you the way I do. Crashing cars, burning houses, breaking windows, aching hearts…anything can happen. Nothing is constant but change itself…inevitable. Now is our chance. Today is an opportunity. One step will make a difference. Live today…live this moment. Take one move…or forever hold your peace.

Oven Toaster

Mel Ongsue said something like this...

...men are like toasters. they easily heat up then easily cool down. while women are like the oven. it takes time to heat up and takes long to cool down...

Transalation?

Women, beware of toasters...make sure they stay heated up in the relationship in the long run.

Enough said

The Downpour Becomes a Blissful Drive

I love the sudden downpour

as I cruise watchfully along the highway.

Huge drops of acid rain

hitting violently

against my car’s windshield.

Blurry vision of the road

temporarily cleared by the incessant wiper

washing off the dirt on my car.

Then it stops…silence…

As you look up

you see clear skies

and the sun peeking

behind the few clouds

with colors that had formed.

Then it hits me…

the sun’s warmth rays.

I smile

put on my shades

turn up the radio

and step on the gas.

Blissful drive once again.

Love Paradox

I will keep quiet when you raise your voice.

I will be still when you react violently.

I will crack a joke when you’re irritated.

I will be your rock when you falter or cry

I will hold you in my arms when you reject me.

I will love you during your darkest hours.

For men are boys posing to be men.

For a woman is their weakness whom he draws strength and inspiration.

This is the great paradox of love.

Men, do not be afraid to unmask your weaknesses

Because she has the instinctive care of a mother

...a woman who will show you unconditional love.

Call it martyrdom…

I say it’s selfless love.

Old Habits Die Hard

Old habits die hard. It’s true. But we just have to try to make a change and start change within ourselves. Cliché? Yes. But it’s the truth. It’s a principle. If we want change we have to look at the inward-outward approach.

I’ve learned a lot through the years especially now that I’m working. I’ve attended a lot of trainings and workshops lately and even talks and sharings – things that contribute to my personal and spiritual beliefs…my paradigms basically that affects my social and professional relationships. It’s tough, but I don’t need to tell you that. You know for yourself. You’re in a tough one, too. But it’s amazing how I try to apply everything that molded me.

I have my shortcomings and I’m glad that I’m aware of some of them and that other people give me feedback. I appreciate that especially when delivered constructively. It humbles me. That means I know what I should work on. By knowing my strengths and weakness I get to know me, who I am and what I can be…or who I want to be.

I’m in this transition period from being way dependent on my parents, elders, teachers & the like to having this little-independence-of-a-ball growing bigger and bigger everyday! It’s good how I’m independent at the same time dependent on others too. You can’t be too much of any of them. We have to be inter-dependent. A balancing act is the best way to strive for. And the best way to demonstrate this is in every aspect of our lives – our personal, spiritual, physical and social life (or anyway you may want call it). That means more responsibilities as well because we have to manage all those, and it’s really tough fitting them in a one-day’s schedule.

And so I pause to check where I am right now and where I’m headed. I take it easy and slowly. Because if I join the rat-race, it may be good that I’m flourishing, say with my career and finances…but what about other relationships? Money is important but our life is not about money. Money does not constitute success, rather a tool for success.

One of the many things I learned with my workshop on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is the thing about time management. Time management, as I learned, is not about managing your time...it’s about managing your relationships. We have to know the things that matter most to us then we prioritize that, then everything else follows.

For me, two things: my God and my family. Basically it all boils down to them. Career, money, earthly possessions…I want those too…but that will not be my priority…not at the expense of what’s important for me. But I didn’t say I’m a saint. It’s a work-in-progress. I still do struggle…everyday…for old habits die hard.

I want to leave this passage for you to reflect on. It sure enlightened me. And so I share…

When God wants to make a man He puts him into

some storm. The history of manhood is always

rough and rugged. No man is made until he has

been out into the surge of the storm and found

the sublime fulfillment of the prayer: "O God,

take me, break me, make me.

The beauties of nature come after the storm. The

rugged beauty of the mountain is born in a storm,

and the heroes of life are the storm-swept and

the battle-scarred.

You have been in the storms and swept by the

blasts. Have they left you broken, weary, beaten

in the valley, or have they lifted you to the

sunlit summits of a richer, deeper, more abiding

manhood and womanhood?

(Selected from Streams in the Desert Devotionals)

Orange - the Novel: Pre-Read

"Love your own."

I got a message from my Friendster...

Date: Wednesday, 6 June, 2007 6:34 AM
Subject: sharing stories
Message: Hi anne!

I see you like love stories. I'd like to share one with you. It's called ORANGE. I wrote it, and I'm promoting it. Check my profile, and if you like it, it'll be great if you help spread word about it as well! Thanks, and just message me; I'll be happy to reply.

- Joey (the author)

I have yet to read the story...but the title - "Orange" - already caught my attention. And as I read the description I knew I was going to like it.

Background/Description:

Orange is a modern day romance novel and social political commentary narrated by the story's two main characters - Archie and Anna.

When derisive and cynical rich kid Archie Tiangson goes to Ilocos for vacation, he meets Anna Raymundo - a feisty and cunning university heartthrob. Sparks fly and tempers flare as both strong and unyielding personalities clash in a contest of wills, challenging each other's deepest principles through a series of social and political critiques. When they break through each other's facades, they discover more about themselves, about each other, and find meaning in a world that once seemed mad, despoiled, and cruel.

Orange is more than a coming-of-age love story. Through intimate accounts by its main characters, the novel mirrors a young nation - flawed and broken in its search for identity - yet ultimately finding hope at a time when many have ceased to dream.

So if you're interested, give this novel a read and support our own. It is accessible online, then hopefully it can be published as a real book. Let's help Joey Silayan promote his story.

Checkout:
Orange's Official website
Orange's Friendster account

Living by Faith and Reason

The earth is said to be around 4.5 billion years old. Imagine that! So much had happened and yet there is still so much to be seen…so much to be heard…so much to be read…so much to be said...so much to be learned...so much to be understood...so much to live by...et cetera, et cetera.

Thinking about it now, given a day…how can we fit everything in just 24hours? Check that. The right question should be...”how do we want to experience life in just 24hours?” What are those things we value the most that is worth our time?

It’s a difficult question because most of us take a lifetime to realize what we really want...to realize what is worth our time...what is of value to us...while others don’t get their chance at all.

Once we’re in that moment, there’s no more time for planning how to live...you just do. You live spontaneously based on who you are, what you know about yourself and your surroundings. And every second is a decision of faith and reason. Decide...then as if everything will conspire for or against that decision because this is how the balance of nature works.

And so I live by faith...walk by faith. I still decide my own fate...it is my choice. Then it happens. Some things do and some things don’t. The world takes its natural course...and equilibrium takes place so everything is in its place. And this happens over time.

But this is not to be taken as ‘the end’...for we can still do something about it...to improve and make better. For in this world, all of us will get to ‘the end’ at some point. So what is the point? Simply, the end does not justify the means. The value here is our experience and how we enrich our soulful spirits...for the afterlife! We don’t look at it as “what is the point of living by choice if God has already planned our lives for us?” and the like. The world is the end for our earthly lives...the end of our bodies but not our souls.

Awareness & Responsibility

Recently I learned that we should make ourselves aware and responsible and not allow ourselves to be victimized by our ignorance and negligence. Be open to feedback coz this is how others see us that we don’t...our blind spots - that we cannot see and unaware of. By knowing our blind spots we get to discover more of who we are...our potentials. We work on it and make it grow. So take charge. We already know most of the answers to our questions. It is up to us to discover them. We just have to be aware then take responsibility.

I know this because I took responsibility in knowing and making myself aware of my options and what I can do. The decision is ours.

Love and Relationships

There is no perfect love because there is no perfect you and me. But we are fortunate because despite of our flaws and differences we can make the relationship work. Love is not just a good feeling. It is not dictated by our emotions...it should not because it can cloud our minds and overshadow us. But if you are consumed by love don’t let your emotions get the best of you.

Love is like a tree that you plant. You take care of it; give it light and water so it’ll grow mighty strong and beautiful and soon you will see the fruits of your labor of love.

Love is felt and relationships are built. So you can love but not be in a relationship. But if you are in a relationship, stay because you love your partner. Being in a relationship is a conscious decision and effort from both parties to make it work and it is a choice to make.

And though there is no perfect you and me, together we might just be the perfect match and we’ll strive for that ideal perfect relationship for our love.

What Is It?

What is it that keeps us going? What is it that keeps the world go round? What is it that keeps man curious, wanting to explore and discover the mysteries of life? What is it that makes his heart beat? What is it that gives him hope and believe? What is it that sparks his mind with ideas? What is it that makes him do the unbelievable? What is it that hurts him? What is it that makes him love? What is it that makes people love him? What is it that makes people hate him? What is it? What is it? What is it? What is it that makes me think of these questions? Hmmm…

Good Morning Sunshine!

Good morning sunshine! Hello world! Beautiful mornings make me bright and shiny. Makes my cup of coffee taste a little more sweet and my realm surround with its aroma. Makes my day productive and stimulating. How I wish for sun-shiny mornings all year-round.

How nice it is to wear my shades whenever you’re around. Driving the horizon where I find you ahead of me, beaming and touching my soft-tanned-face, your warmth kissing my nose and cheeks, glaring at my sunglasses.

Though I can’t stare at you, powerful sun up, you give me light, warmth and hope. As I’ve said, you’re the 1^st miracle of the day. But I can gaze at you serene sundown as you bid your rays goodbye, reflection on the waters making a painting-like panorama.

How sweet, how beautiful, how romantic…oh what light and hope you bring to my life. Wishing you forever…good morning sunshine!

Collection of Words

Collection of words, grouped together in paragraphs (below) with each of their subject. Makes sense to me.

Show me the way and I will follow. Teach me your ways and I will listen. With open heart and open mind I will abide faithfully. I want to be your likened. Let me be. I will be. I am.

Coffee for you the hard worker, the thinker, the gossiper, the sleepy head, the addict.

Framed pictures. Still life. Captured movement of a moment. Open interpretation to every eye that sees. Enhanced by the light, the colors and the lens. Unedited. Raw.

***image1 laura.moncur.org; image2 www.cancerhelp.org.uk; image3 www.kenscoffee.com; image4 www.boggled.us

Just Bored

Stand up, walk a little, talk a little, make yourself a cup of coffee, stretch a bit, and breathe. Ok good. I’m ready for another boring day at work with no projects, no issues. It’s just me and my laptop staring at one another as I abuse the Internet with surfing and chatting with friends through YM. And oh, can’t I wait ‘til it’s break time to joke around with my officemates as we eat, and until I’m ready to pack up and getaway from here to somewhere more exciting. The outside world! The real world! My kind of place! So thank you Yahoo!, Google, Multiply, Friendster, Blogspot, and you. Yes you! All of you I’ve been recently visiting. And sometimes to the company of Grey’s Anatomy and Smallville! I’m addicted to you! Thank you for keeping me company during my mundane afternoons. So tomorrow, see you again! ;D

Enough is enough.

When do you know if it’s enough? How do you know if it’s enough?

How can you lose a lover and a friend in one person?

People come and go but you choose the people you want to remain in your life. You can’t choose your family but you can choose whom to love.

So you lost a lover (no strings attached it seems) but chose to remain friends. But where do you draw the line? A lot of people were confused and so were you. Though we cannot define or categorize your relationship, it seemed you loved by faith and by chance. By faith because you are good friends and that faithful bond kept you together. But you thought things could still work out because of that bond and you kept going about in circles but ended up in the same spot...the reason for your breakup. By chance because you weren’t sure where to go from that spot. You were afraid. Oh yes you were. There were a lot of uncertainties and you wouldn’t dare risk what life would bring after your story with him. And so you delayed your story’s ending never closing that chapter.

You love him but dream of a perfect him which is not him. You love her but let her slip. It’s bound to end anywhere and anyway you look at it. But you cling on to hope. Hoping that perhaps, this time…over and over, things will be different. There were so many signs. You kept asking for one and He kept on giving them to you. But you refuse to see, to listen, to realize, to accept and to act. It is over. This time, it really is over. Because this time you lost a friend. Have you lost each other’s respect? I hope not. Have you just grown tired? Yes. But maybe this is what you need. Life apart. So you can grow freely.

It’s been a while since you’ve been wandering in the shades of gray. It’s about time you actually did something about it. You’ve always...always known it. And you kept on saying “I know what I want” and “I know what to do”. But I’m not going to count the years that have passed, nor the times you have circled the same path. Because now, I’m at least glad you have found the fields of freedom...away from the shady woods.

And to the other you, this is for you as well.

What happened happened and they happen for a reason. Wish things could have turned out differently...wish things would turn out ok. Nevertheless, wish happiness for you both. You’ll know when it’s enough. You know it. You’ve tried and have fought well but it’s time to let go. Enough.