Fruit of the Spirit: Patience

I'm the kind of person who's very aggressive. I hate waiting and I want things to be done right away. But one thing I learned is that being still can help me do things better. They say that patience is a virtue and since it's a virtue, it's something easier said than done. Being still can help you focus on what you should do and do it in an orderly manner. Else, you will be like a headless chicken always on the run.

This afternoon, I was on my way to meet someone. I thought I won't make it on time because I left something in the office that I have to go back and get it. Although, I was just a few meters away, but still, time is running fast. If I got pissed off at myself for forgetting it, then waiting for the bus under the sun won't be fun. However, I said to myself that maybe there was a purpose why I left my stuff. And, true enough, that short delay became perfect timing. It was amazing because I was able to catch the bus right on time (seated on the window side too!), reached my destination earlier than my scheduled appointment and was able to have a quick and very cheap lunch. Then, the meeting went on smoothly and got a positive call. When I was about to go home, the person's colleague offered me a ride and dropped me off near my house. God is so amazing! I know that His hands are moving today. So, again, I would claim that "this is the day that the Lord has made!"

It's hard to be still especially if you have a time frame or a deadline. But when you claim that God will rule this day, He will put all the puzzle pieces together in a perfect timing. You may seem not to understand it at first, but at the end of the day, you will realize that delays happen for a reason. And if I got impatient during the day, I might not be able talk to the person properly and might end up giving him a bad impression.

Closed Door, Open Windows

Opportunities are everywhere. It's just a matter of how sensitive you are to them. There are some good and bad ones but you will never know what it is until you took the risk to grab it. That's why you need to have the discernment whether you will grab it or not.

Most of the time, I aspire to have a better life and career. When a door is closed, windows would suddenly open. I had a lot of offers from different people and I have to filter everything to grab the best one that would also be beneficial to me. There are also times when I have to force a door to be closed because it's becoming toxic and suffocating. Sometimes, a window may look good but it would turn out that it's not right for me so, I have to close it too. For example, I had suppliers who would offer me very good products but since I don't need them, I'll have to turn them down. But there are times when they offer me products, I would grab it...not because I need it now but it would help me in the future.

One realization I had about opportunities is that if you can not hold everything in your hands, better give it away. And those you gave away will be compensated with something better and something you need. I remember a quote that says: "Your garbage is someone else's treasure." The Bible also says, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." (Luke 6:38). As a human being, I'm naturally selfish but as a Christian, "my cup will overflow" if I give. Besides, how can I receive more blessings if my hands are full? Imagine our world if we all give...life would be far better!  

Graduation: Beginning of a New Chapter

It's graduation season again! Yesterday lunch, I was eating at Shakey's and it was fun to see the students so happy and relieved after another school year. I can't help but reminisce the time when I was a kid and can't wait for the graduation. I thought that "at last! it's finally over!" But, when I started working, I realized I was wrong. Graduations are beginnings of a new chapter in life. It is a preparation for all of us to face the real world. From an elementary graduate's point of view, high school is a time of independence. From the high school's college is the reality. Then from the college's working is the "real" reality.

In life, graduations are never ending because everyday, we learn something and we move on to the next level. Unless, he or she stops from learning and becomes a "dead wood". A successful person always keeps his/her feet on the ground and has a mind that's ready to absorb information. If someone will prevent you from learning then, he or she doesn't want you to graduate or become successful. I pity those who are like that because they would put down people so that no one can surpass them. But looking at the bright side, I thank God for them because they challenge me to do better and give off my best. Since I want to continue to learn, I won't allow others to put me down...I'll just have to go on and move on with my life.

As for the Graduates of 2010, it's just the beginning. Congratulations and don't stop learning!

Final Exam

Imagine yourself in a court room walking down the aisle towards the judge. He then asked you, "How did you live your life?" At this time, you're confused of the question because you know you had a good life and you did everything you can to live life to the fullest but at the back of your mind, it seems you have not lived it well. After a few seconds, you confidently answered, "Sir, I'm pretty sure that my life was lived to the fullest! And if I have to live my life again, I would live it the same way too!" The Judge then asked you, "Are you sure? Have you lived your life according to my will? Since you have committed to follow me, have you REALLY lived your life to the fullest for my sake?" I'm sure, cold sweat would start to fall all over your body.

In the future, this scenario will happen in our life. We will all go down His judgement seat and be interrogated. It's like an oral exam where in we will be given a chance to ansewer everyhing correctly to get our final grade. It will also be the time whether you'd be able to get a reward or not, based on our answers. I honestly hate oral exams especially if I'm not sure of the answer or if I didn't study well. It would be very shameful if I didn't answer correctly then I won't deserve a very good grade. Since I want to have good grades in my final report card, I need to prepare for it. This is exactly what we should do prior to the judgement seat of Christ. We need to prepare for it to deserve the statement "you're a good and faithful servant" and be crowned as a symbol of the reward. I honestly have not been preparing well and I am not yet ready to face Jesus in His judgement seat. But I have re-committed and will re-live my life from this day on so that I could pass my final exam. How about you, are you ready?

A Girl's Dream

Every girl has her own ideal wedding. Her wedding will always be the most memorable event in her lifetime. And it is the time when all eyes will be on her. This afternoon, I attended a Wedding Expo to support a friend who has a photography booth there. Almost 60% of the exhibitors were photographers...it just means that 1. we Pinoys love to have "Kodak" moments and 2. the perfect wedding has to have documented memories.

It's just amazing to see that the focus of most pictures were of the bride's. She's at her best from pre-nup to the wedding preparation to the ceremony and the reception. While looking at those pictures, I can't help but think when will my wedding day be? If I would be given a chance to practice my own wedding, just for the sake of experiencing it, I would grab that opportunity! I already have a motif, ideal wedding gown, venue etc. except for the groom. Although I don't know whether I'd be able to get married or not but I can't help smiling everytime I imagine myself walking down the "sandy" aisle listening to "Love Moves in Mysterious Ways".

Anyway, I'm sure that every bride will have her perfect wedding and this is just a once in a lifetime experience. However, when she becomes a wife, she will then experience imperfect marriages which will last a lifetime. Weddings may be the end of the single life but it is a start of a life with a partner. It's just sad that there are a lot of couples today who forgot about their wedding vows..."for better of worse, for richer or poorer, til death do us part..." that they end up having an annulment or divorce all because of a simple problem. What happened to their vows? My prayer, that each couple refresh their love for each other by looking at the wedding photos once in a while. Maybe, just maybe, this could help lessen the break-ups. Besides, they paid for the documentation of memories. And to all my friends and families who will get married this year, cheers to you!

There's No Place Like BORACAY!

"Don't you just love BORACAY?!" This was the statement of Tito Mito when we met him last year during our trip there. Although it was a business trip but I'd consider that trip as one of my best Boracay trip ever! This was the trip when I was able to make lots of friends, celebrated my birthday and at the same time, learn new things...such as trying out skim boarding. Now that I have my Boracay friends, there's more reason for me to go back. If going there would be as cheap as going to Makati then, I'll be going there every weekend!

Boracay has always been my first love when it comes to beaches. The clear blue sea, the white soft sand, the breath taking sunset and the beautiful people...it's my perfect place to rest. And I'd say, my perfect home. I've been there three times but there's always an urge to go back.

Remembering the first time I went there, I was with a friend, just the two of us and we had all the time on the world! We didn't even bother to look at our watches back then. We didn't even realize that we already skipped lunch or dinner! Perfect vacation! (Too bad can't find those pictures anymore...)

The second time I went there was with my family. The best word that described it was "chaotic fun adventure". We were ten and a lot of mishaps happened but it was fun because we were together as a family and just enjoyed the company of each other. This was also the trip when I get to really go to other islands --- especially the well known Crystal Cove --- and also, ride the banana boat. FUN FUN FUN! Then, the third time was the business trip.

This year, I was given a privilege to go back to Boracay all because I filled out a form in Summer Expo last week. I got a free accommodation for 3 Days and 2 Nights. Well, I don't know what will happen during my fourth trip but I am looking forward to a simple and relaxing vacation. Also, a time for me to catch up with my Boracay friends. After all is said and done, bottom line is...There's really NO PLACE LIKE BORACAY!!!

Have a Break...

Getting sick could be the worst or the best time of my life. I honestly hate it when I get sick because I need to do a lot of stuff and I can't function well. But thinking about it, getting sick turned out to be a blessing for me. I was able to rest. I slept almost the whole morning and never thought of any time table or agenda. Although I had to do some report but I practically had the whole afternoon to slowly do it and really think about the right words to say. It's not that I hate being in the office but there are really times that my mind could be functional when I don't feel any pressure around the four walls of the office.

My friends know me as being always on the go but taking a time to rest gives me the opportunity to see things clearly and from another perspective. It's also the time when I could stop and stare at the trees outside my window without anyone telling me "what are you staring at?!" or "get up on your feet and get going!" Rest is very important especially in a fast paced society. One realization I made today was there's nothing wrong if I take some time off because to function well means to get enough rest. Don't let sickness be a reason for you to rest but it's important to find time to relax and unwind. Vacation is just around the corner, so plan ahead and enjoy a couple of days off!