Blessing: Being part of the 18 Candles

It’s already 11:30pm and way past my promised bed time. I actually needed a lot of rest tonight for it will be a long day tomorrow. How long you might ask? Well there’s work in the morning, and my friend Tin-tin’s 18^th birthday after that. I am surprised to be part of the program and since I wanted to come prepared tomorrow night for I tend to stutter and get sidetracked from what I’m supposed to say, I thought and asked God for the right message to give to this special person.

And God’s word for me to be said to her was: “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth…” Ecclesiastes 12:1

(Time to press rewind and let’s have a flashback a little bit…)

Let me take you to a week of never-ending complaints about everything. I really thought it’s just the time of the month that I’m hormonal, getting irritated even by the slightest error, I was pissed a lot by even the most trivial things at work. My patience seems to get attenuated each day, for there are such things left to be criticized. I was practically asking for advise to people who mentored me if I should start thinking of transferring, preferably away from people who makes me irate.

I always complain and my sister, friends can attest to that. I asked God for answers, signs, wisdom on what my next move; what would be my next plan. Apparently, I feel like there’s no answer because a week had passed that it’s all basically the same. The same drama, same complaint, same dialogues, it’s exhausting.

But now, flash-forwarding to where I am now, typing this unplanned post, I was reminded by God to remember Him in every season I’m in. My! Was I rebuked? Of course! No doubt about it.

God wanted me to enjoy my youth, that any pressure I’m feeling now, every worry and troubled spirit must be put to silence and to trust in Him who knows everything on the present and what will come ahead in the future. He reminded me that in every challenge, in every situation, in every emotion, in every season of my life, winning and losing; high or low; in tears and in laughter; I must remember Him.

I love this verse “Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see. But know that for all this things God will bring you judgment.” God wanted us to fulfill the season we are in. To be happy in this life that was given to us, but to do it with prudency. God doesn’t encourage us to live a life not in accordance to His will and purpose, so that’s why He reminded us that on a given day, no one can really know though, He’ll be the judge.

This is too good to be kept inside that’s why I blog. God’s word is just so powerful and when we ask Him for clarity, He gives it on a perfect time, never too early or too late. Just perfect moment.

So notwithstanding all my restless attempt for career change, and seeking answers if I should do this or do that, God helped me figure out what I must do, what I must prioritize and put to heart on doing…

“Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the WHOLE DUTY of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

It can't be any clearer. J

photo credit: Tintin Franco

What Coach Carter taught me..

I can’t possibly remember how many times I’ve watched this movie. That is how often I used to put this movie on the DVD player whenever I wanted to relax. Some people call it very time-consuming, amusing and unproductive. Nevertheless, this is my best version of stress reliever, watching my favorite movies over and over again.

SYNOPSIS: (from IMDB.com)

In 1999, Ken Carter, a successful sporting goods store owner, accepts the job of basketball coach for his old high school in a poor area of Richmond, CA, where he was a champion athlete. As much dismayed by the poor attitudes of his players as well as their dismal play performance, Carter sets about to change both. He immediately imposes a strict regime typified in written contracts that include stipulations for respectful behavior, a dress code and good grades as requisites to being allowed to participate. The initial resistance from the boys is soon dispelled as the team under Carter's tutelage becomes a undefeated competitor in the games. However, when the overconfident team's behavior begins to stray and Carter learns that too many players are doing poorly in class, he takes immediate action. To the outrage of the team, the school and the community, Carter cancels all team activities and locks the court until the team shows acceptable academic improvement. In the ensuing debate, Carter fights to keep his methods, determined to show the boys that they need to rely on more than sports for their futures and eventually finds he has affected them more profoundly than he ever expected. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)

What I love about this film is aside from the fact that it’s based on true to life story. It never fails to inspire me. Just by seeing the character the casts portrayed for the first time, it reflects hopelessness. But this is what makes the movie outstanding… one person never gave up. Little by little he made change. I was reminded, if he can, why can’t we?

The lessons I learned in this movie are so many that I have to share them according to how I enlisted them on my sticky notes. Hehe! Here they go.

RESPECT IS EARNED. I heard from one pastor that respect can’t be demanded, thus, earned. The moment Coach Carter met the kids, he already gave the impression not to fear him, but to show them that he deserves respect. This actually brings me to another thought, if respect can be earned, it can also be lost.

DISCIPLINE. My dreaded word. Hahaha. It’s really hard. In this movie, Coach Carter remained firm on his purpose, his rules, his methods. His patience just overwhelms me. When he saw the kids for the first time, he already knew Discipline is what they needed. Not just to be able to win games, but to win every hardship in life.

CHANGE DOESN’T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. True enough, it won’t. It’s alike to losing weight, getting good grades, excelling at work. It can be a little frustrating and more often than not, you actually GET frustrated. One thing we have to remember, is that gradual changes are still changes. Changes are what we wanted right? Even if it takes baby steps, one day we’ll all reach to that point, where everything IS changed.

VICTORY IS SWEET WHEN IT’S HARD-EARNED. Whether it’s a game that you’ve practiced so much for, or this new gadget that you’ve been saving up for by means of countless overnights at the office, whether it would be the new figure that you are flaunting now courtesy of smart dieting and exercising, the moment we achieve such things is tremendous and priceless when we put our best efforts in it.

SINCE WHEN WINNING IS NOT ENOUGH? This is where the molding of character comes in. Coach Carter quoted this when his players taunt their opponent on the court. "Since when winning is not enough" that they have to mock other players just to show that they’re the best. It’s not greatness that shines, but arrogance. I was reminded to ask God for humility in every situation.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VISION. Visualize who you wanted to be, where you wanted to be and how you’ll get there. Do it in boundaries of longevity. The picture must be a painting of a life that is ahead from what you are now. However, be careful what you paint on it. Having plans are important. It’s not only logical but biblical as well. We have to have a vision for our lives. The better it would be if we form it in accordance to how God wants to direct our steps.

THERE’S NO “I” IN TEAM. “But there’s a ‘ME’ though if you jumble it up.” Hahaha! I remember Dr. Gregory House saying that. But kidding aside, it’s true. You play a part for the team, and the other part will be played by your teammates, you collaborate together to achieve your common goal. When one person segues from that goal, for sure, he’ll carry the whole team with him. That person can be you or anyone within the team, just think in caution, where you wanted to lead the team? victory or defeat?

That's all for now. For those who haven’t watched the movie, Please do so. I assure you that it’s a great one. And would make you watch it over and over again. I hope this would come as a blessing to you just as it did to me. God bless.

Worth the wait. :)

Hahaha... I can't help it but to share this exciting feeling of simply eating ribs. You can see how happy I am right?? Well, the baby back ribs is just a bonus of God's overflowing blessings, tangible and intangible. I really thank God for giving me an opportunity to write about His amazing love. I hope that He will continue to touch everyone just like what He's doing to me. Knowing that there are few people who reads and are blessed, and moved with my posts, I don't claim anything for that, for all of Him (yes all!) deserves all this glory. Can't wait to write for more. 'Till my next post. :)

Taken by the sweetest, smartest sister anyone could have; at Burgoo using my trusted phone. :)

All I can say is thank You..

For what transpired 365 days ago...

...I’d like to say thank You.

Clueless? Hehe.. As much as I want to give you an idea, I still care about the person involved, so divulging everything would be a strict no-no. But if you wanted to know how I was exactly 365 days ago, you might want to click here.

To describe it in two words... Messed up.

But this post is all about giving thanks. Yes. Thank You. I can’t imagine myself saying these words, nor will I say them as genuine and as heartfelt like now.

I now came to this point where I remember my sister saying these words to me, a few months ago. “Ate, pag dumating ka na sa point na you’ve moved on... Ang sarap ng feeling.”

So this is the kind of “feeling” she’s talking about. Now I get it. If I hadn’t, then this post would just be simple trash. So there. Hooray! Ilabas ang confetti! Hahaha! J

This is no make-believe. I’m just very grateful how God orchestrated everything. I know this is His plan. When I was out there compromising, taking matters in my own hands, He intervened. For me to be stripped away from something I thought I needed but eventually realized I don’t; something I wanted but later on, found out otherwise. He apparently saved me. Just like what He always does. Maybe others think it’s a coincidence, well I think NOT. He saved me, and helped me understand, and helped me go through.

This is why I can say He is REAL in my life. I know that it is not by my might, or willingness that got me where I am now. He provided a way out of my misery. Even if some changes happened in me from that certain experience, I'm still thankful. I have never been this happier and excited for true love.

This is the main reason that I can’t seem to contain any anger, or even beg for the unrequited love. I know for what happened, for things that I had difficulty accepting, I am very and sincerely grateful.

God reminded me this verse. This verse is so familiar that it sometimes loses its pith. But God is faithful to reveal His word in different situations.

Psalms 37:4 “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

First is to delight in His will, then comes the desires. Non-interchangeable.

So what I do now is wait. It’s not an easy thing to do. But God provides the strength. The thought that He wants the best for me and how His love for me is exaggerated, by dying on the cross for me, makes me cry. I know in His time, that man will come. All I have to do is to wait, trust, hope and more importantly, delight in Him.

P.S. I’m looking forward for a celebratory day tomorrow. Can anyone suggest where can I find delicious and affordable baby back ribs? Hihihi! J God bless everyone.

(c) google.com

Random thoughts on losing weight

Warning:

I am not a nutritionist or a food dietician and doesn’t recommend you to try any of these as long as your health requires special attention other than the tips and procedures to be mentioned. These are tips and realizations which I consider helpful and effective in me. Neither I have a super-model figure like the latest Transformers 3 leading lady, but still, I will not withhold this knowledge that I gained as I go along the process of losing weight.

+++

I have a lot of friends and co-workers who noticed the sudden change of my weight and since I have been asked how I did it, I decided to compile some of the things I learned/realized on this course.

For starters, I have to say that for the past years, ever since I graduated from college, my life has been ultimately sedentary and I am a consummate eater. My family and friends can attest how much I love food. That’s the reason why I gained 14 pounds over those years. I was weighing 53kg and before I knew it, I was already weighing 60kg. Though my body has always been in the slim category because even toddler days, I was never a chubby kid; yet, as I have noticed, as I age, I’ve been accumulating pounds that made me almost reach the overweight class. Intermittently, I have noticed clothes starting to shrink, I can see side bulges and enlarged tummy that I didn’t have before. I easily pant when long stairs and minor physical training challenge me.

Sometimes I resolve to do temporary preventive measures to avoid gaining more. I join aero-dance, badminton, swimming BUT inconsistently. I would eat right for a while and then I’ll go back to my usual routine. I would make up excuses for me not to change. Even if the scare of diabetes and other ailments acquired due to obesity are known to me, I am unmoved nonetheless. My lifestyle remained the same.

Until one day I got sick. I was suffering from LBM that I had to eat only Skyflakes and stirred Coca-Cola for one day. Oh boy spell torture! hahaha! I got fever and I was really weak that time. I vomit and moved bowels more frequent than usual. When I got better, I decided to weigh myself and found out I LOST 2 POUNDS JUST FROM BEING SICK. My officemate even noticed it that in just one day of absence from work, my body was a bit smaller and my office uniform became a little loose.

That’s the start, I said to myself. Even though it’s just 2 pounds, I would do everything not to regain them anymore. However, I wouldn’t recommend that for you to initially lose weight, you must drastically get sick nor gave you an impression that you have to be sick in order to start changing your lifestyle. Being sick is not a funny and a happy experience. The thought of going back to Skyflakes and Coca-cola again is just downright scary hahaha. It’s painful and frustrating to see everyone enjoying delicious food while you’re stuck with biscuits and whisked soda. It’s just that for me, an opportunity came during my "sick days" and from there I made a commitment that I would definitely get my act together and figure out how I would lose some more.

This brings me now to things that might help; thus, I wanted to share...

DECIDE. Everything comes to a decision. Decision, that is not tainted by emotions but the absolute desire that the routine has to stop. Once you've made a decision, it would only be natural for you to commit to it. This is also the time that you have to set goals. Decide how much weight you want to lose. Set goals. Specific, measurable, attainable, real, and time bound goals.

STAY WITH THE OBJECTIVE. Define the purpose of the action and you'll be surprised how it will affect your journey on losing weight. Eliminate the mindset that you have to be thin so you can be beautiful. I've always been a believer that a person is beautiful any weight she/he is. That's non-questionable. The person is not ugly, he/she is just unhealthy and it's imperative for us to realize it. For some this maybe for self-esteem issues, to feel good which isn't totally wrong, but if we objectify with wrong motives, we might end up getting frustrated, hence making our actions/methods futile.

KNOW THE BASICS. This blog will not endorse any pill, tea, clinic that will help you reach your goal. Personally, I appreciated the natural way of losing weight for I know the effects and results will be long-term. It might sound cliche but it's true that eating right, exercising, loading up water and getting enough sleep are the basic ways in losing weight effectively and safely. To be honest, I find the first two really really hard to do. As in CHORE!!! hahaha!

EDUCATE YOURSELF. As soon as I started to get serious on shedding off pounds, I decided to study and learn different ways on effective weight loss. Being a netizen for more than 8 hours a day really helped on educating myself. Just like what David Bonifacio said, internet can be a powerful tool in stocking up knowledge on diet and different exercises. Maximize it. Also, read fitness magazines and books. Invest in them. Talk to people who have the same passion and who could empower and will not confuse your goals. All the more you would be dedicated and inspired.

PUT EVERYTHING IN BALANCE. True enough, losing weight is difficult. It sometimes gets boring and annoying that is why commitment really has to make a big part. The technique I can give you is to put everything into balance. Remember the saying "No work and no play is no fun?" something like that hehehe.. Well, it's true. Whenever I have a week-long diet, I decided to make Sunday my "cheat day." A day when I can eat my favorite blueberry cheesecake, have an iced tea, no exercise and simply bum around. hehehe. As long as you're still doing it on moderation, cheat day isn't wrong. This is the time you let yourself enjoy the platter, but don't eat everything in the buffet table. Don't refrain yourself from enjoying great food. The worst thing on depriving yourself is that you will tend to eat more than you've actually wanted.

So there guys, I do hope that I have helped you somehow with these tips I shared. Again, all from a non-expert viewpoint; this is just me... (All glory to God) now eleven pounds lighter, trying to impart information.

God bless. :)

Have Your Way...

I got this song from Yeng Constantino's site. I'm moved by the lyrics.



Have Your Way by Britt Nicole

Why can’t you just intervene,
Do you see the tears are falling?
And I’m falling apart at the seams,
But you never said the road would be easy,
But you said that you would never leave.
And you never promised that
this life wasn’t hard,

But you promised you’d take care of me,

So I’ll stop searching for the answers,
I’ll stop praying for an escape,
I’ll trust you God with where I am,
And believe you will have your way,
Just have your way,
Just have your way,

My friends and my family have left me
I feel so ashamed and so cold,
Remind you take broken
things and turn them into beautiful

So I’ll stop searching for the answers,
I’ll stop praying for an escape,
I’ll trust you God with where I am,
And believe you will have your way,
Just have your way,
Just have your way,
Even if my dreams have died,
Even if I don’t survive,
I’ll still worship you with all my life,
My life

And I’ll stop searching for the answers,
I’ll stop praying for an escape,
And I’ll trust you God with where I am,
And believe you will have your way,
Just have your way,
Just have your way, yeah

I know you will,
don’t forget,
You love me,
Have your way, Yeah

Thank You God for letting me encounter this song. You are amazing indeed.

Oh yes I'm rich.

Okay, please don’t get me wrong with the title. This post is not to broadcast or brag my status in life, or my bank account savings. This blog entry would be something I aspire telling to people and I do hope by this blog, every idea that first popped on your head about my blog title will be cleared.

So let me take you back, maybe 8 hours before I got the urge to write this. I was about to write a blog nowhere near this topic, but it turned out that this post is quite necessary. I suppose my “drafts” can wait due to the pre-emption of this blog.

This is initially derived from one conversations I had with my friend over YM.

Friend: Di ka pa ba napapagod magtrabaho?

Me: Napapagod na ren. Hehehe. Pero di pwedeng di ako pumasok. Lagot. :)

Friend: Hehe, buti ikaw hindi mo naman kelangan magwork. Mayaman ka na eh.

Me: (smiling and laughing after I sent a lot of laughing emoticons) Yes I’m rich.

Friend: Wow...

Ang yabang lang ng dating no? Hahaha! But just to assure you, our conversation ended amicably. I just want to specifically indicate what triggered the urge to that response.

Lately, I’ve been dubbed by officemates, some close friends, as “anak-mayaman”, "sushala" (urban lingo for sosyal or sophisticated) “silent-millionaire” and the like. There were banters that I took as purely joke and harmless like, “Kumakain ka pa ba sa foodcourt?”, or “kumakain pa ba kayo sa mga ganitong lugar?”; places pertaining to karinderya, fishball stands, street food, etc. Honestly, I really don't know what made them think that, maybe because I'm starting to take a bath everyday, use a comb, and brush my teeth. Hehe. :P

Yet apparently, I gave people a wrong notion that I do not have to work for money and that I’m lying in bed full of blue-shaded peso-currency containing 3 national heroes on its face value. I feel that I’m giving impressions that my status in life is class this or class that. that I easily get what I want without even breaking a sweat. Whenever I hear something like that, I just smile and chuckle. I really didn’t mind. But as it frequents, I thought maybe it’s time to straighten up things and answer them in blatant truth.

So once and for all, Yes. I am rich. I am anak-mayaman and I was a silent-millionaire.

Hep hep hep... That's not the kind of "rich kid" I'm talking about.

I am rich not because of my savings in my bank account, or because of the kind of house that I reside in, but because God gave the strength for my parents to provide an average shelter, a sufficient clothing and food that sustains us three times a day. I am rich because God blessed me with parents who are not just loving parents, but God-fearing people who simply put their trust in the Lord when it comes to their finances. I am rich because God blessed me with mentors that I came to know through books, blogs, podcasts and smart conversations; who taught me how to manage my salary better. I am rich because through God, me and my family are physically healthy. I am rich because I know a lot of people cared and loved me for ME. I am rich because I have a few yet real friends in my life. And last but not the least, I am rich because I have a Father in heaven whom I know will supply all my needs according to His riches and glory; a sovereign God who can provide not just on money matters but in every aspect of my life where I lack; it’s because my Father in Heaven, my source, is unlimited, and knows no bounds when it comes to my needs.

I don’t know how others would define the word “rich”, but as for me, this is how I know my treasure. I hope with this short post, I am able to uplift any downtrodden spirit and negative mindset that they are born poor, hence they will die poor. That money is hard to come by, or that they’re only destined to work and work and work for money lest everything earned won't be enough. I wanted to break mindsets that are consumed with wrong perceptions about getting “rich.”

So my friend's last message at YM really had me overjoyed. She said, "You made me smile, sana lahat ng nakakausap ko araw-araw ganyan." I never knew that the sudden change of response would actually help inspire others about what God is doing in our lives. It is not restricted to financial provision only, but because of His love and grace, we feel overflowing. God is really good.

With all that being said, I’m a silent-millionaire no more. :)

2 Corinthians 6:18 "and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

P.S. If you want to learn more about biblical finance, kindly visit Pastor Chinkee Tan's site and Podcast of Pastor Dennis Sy about Overflow-Provider. God bless.