Acceptance and Self Determination

          Everyday we heard of stories of love fading away for some reasons. And usually at the losing end is someone whose heart is bleeding with tremendous pain that at times, it results to the person losing her identity and the will to hang on to life. And this is true to life's various forms of relationship such as wife-husband, family (parent to kids), friends and so on. 

          Days become so difficult to cope with. Other forms of relationships are deeply affected by the sudden loss of enthusiasm to life. No amount of comfort can ease the pain of letting go and love again. And to think that real love is so painful once it is destroyed and gone.

image credit

          However, the other side of the coin will tell us that when somebody has the will and determination to hang on to life then everything seems to become gradually easy and cool again. Aided by acceptance and self determination, the pain of losing love will turn into a new beginning. 

          Acceptance comes into the picture when such person realises that life has to go on regardless of any day's turn of events. Everything comes with a reason and sometimes, these reasons are incomprehensible. Acceptance means letting go of the pain and embraces life's new beginning. 

           The idea to self determination helps the person to stand up after each incident of falling down. Our life is oftentimes moulded by determination- we are determined to hold on to life even though we are pained by circumstances beyond our control.

imagecredit:

Our determination to become the person we ought to be will help us  shape our future positively. As they say, stand and deliver....... accept life's reality and hold on to your will to self determination.

                                           

Honoring Santo Nino de Cebu

          This coming 3rd Sunday of the month, one of the most popular fiesta celebrations in the Philippines will be commemorated. Sinulog festival will be held in honour of the Holy Child. Not just being celebrated by the local Cebuano people, but this festival is so popular that it annually attracts many visitors every time that it is held. Sharing with you here a short history of the Holy Image.

"           The Santo Nino de Cebu (Cebuano: Balaang Bata sa Sugbu, Filipino: Batang Bana ng Cebu, Spanish: Santo Nino de Cebu) is a Roman Catholic title of a statue of the Child Jesus in Cebu City of Philippines. The image is venerated as miraculous by many Filipino Catholics. It is one of the oldest Christian relics in the Philippines, originally given in 1521 as a gift by explorer Ferdinand Magellan to Rajah Humabon and his wife when he landed on the island. 

imagecredit: 

          The statue measures approximately twelve inches tall, is made of a dark wood in baroque style and depicts the Child Jesus as a king dressed like Spanish royalty. The statue is clothed in rich fabrics, wears jewelry such as gilded neck chain and bears imperial regala including a gold crown, globus cruciger, and various sceptres mostly donated by devotees. (Source: Wikipedia- the Free Encyclopedia)

          It is said that this image of the Holy Child is a miraculous one thus many devotees come and visit it at the Basilica Menor del Sto. Nino. These devotees believe that whatever prayers, needs, thanksgiving etc. that they extend to the Holy Child will be heard and answered. Nowadays, this festival is becoming so popular that it is now celebrated outside of Cebu like in Melbourne, Australia and other places. 

                               

The Importance of Being Happy

Guest Post:

Have you ever thought that happiness is an integral part of our life? For many people happiness is tightly connected with material things and well-being. However, there real meaning of this concept consist of spirituality.

Very seldom we pay attention to the fact that happiness is around us. You can find it in the smile of the stranger, in the rainbow, in the beauty of the nature. To be happy, you need to find inspiration in the things you do. For example,try to do something new every day. Today, you may start painting (even if you can't), tomorrow you can learn how to cook some dishes, etc. The wind of changes will inspire you and you will feel yourself confident and happy. 

Pay attention to the things that surround you and pay attention to the details. There are so many amazing events and moments! Open your heart to the world and you will see that life is an incredible thing, and you should be happy every day.

Be grateful for the things you have, and you will learn how to value every minute. Life is short, that is why it is important to be happy every minute. Do not forget to smile, because our smiles are the steps on our way to happiness and success. 

Laugh, enjoy your life and remember that our life is full of adventures and fun, and each of us has all the chances to be happy in this world. Happiness is inside you.

About the author:

Melissa Marzett is a professional writer, who is able to write on any topic. Her talent is magnificent, and she knows everything about the beauty of the word and she can show it to you. Simply visit, as Melissa works for this service: royalediting.com and check for her articles. 

                                             

T.G.I.F......What's in a Friday?

          It's Friday once again. It may not sound true to you but it is just a personal observation that when it is Friday, the atmosphere around and everywhere is that of excitement and thrill. I know that it is probably a matter of mindset but for many people, Fridays means time for break from work, time to spend with loved ones, opportunity to relax after spending much time in offices, shops, workplaces etc.

          From a woman's point of view (my wife), it sounds though much similar to mine like Fridays and weekends are days to spend for bonding, relaxing, having time together for activities that could build further the relationship as husband and wife, as friends, as ordinary people.

          In my workplace, when Friday comes, people are so excited in coming to work and in ending their respective responsibilities also. This is contrasting to what Monday brings to people. Mondays are the opposite meaning some people seems to be still floating in the air having the after effect of the weekend's activities. Others are feeling sluggish coming into work. 

          Anyway, whatever our motivations for Fridays, may it always be for the betterment of our being and that of our relationships with others. To spend quality time with people dear to us is highly priceless. So come..... let us spend this day and the coming weekend in a way that both we and our loved ones will share alongside each other moments of togetherness and oneness. After all, life is meaningful when it is shared with others. 

                                          

The meaning of Christmas

          How do you define the meaning of Christmas? What is the importance of this season in your life and that of your family? Who do you spend your time with on Christmas time? At times, when you are obssessed with new things such as clothes and gadgets, what you look forward as a younger boy or girl at this season is the luxurious gift that you will receive from others.

          These are but just some of the questions that come to your mind when you think about Christmas. You may think perhaps of the times when you were still young and the idea then of Christmas was mainly focused on the following:

imagecredit:

a. receiving gifts and giveaways from loved ones especially from parents;

b. playing time with friends 

c. opportunity to go around and mill with friends to make carolling to various houses and even to strangers thus allowing the spirit of Christmas to be shared with everyone

          On the other hand, when you grow up and become more exposed to the world, your understanding and perception of what Christmas is changed as well. Driven by your interactions with others, you begin to learn Christmas on a much deeper level. Nowadays, as this world is challenged by both natural and man made calamities, as your day to day living is colored by both of your positive and negative experiences, you then realize that Christmas is sweeter and more meaningful when it is shared with others most notably with your loved ones  and with those people who are deprived of the resources to enjoy the season.

          In your life, you have so much to share and be grateful for everything that you have cherished for this year. Yes it is true that there is joy brought along by those big and small gifts that you give and receive during this season however, the most significant among these expressions is the sharing of genuine love for everyone. Learn to love and be loved genuinely.

                                           
                                                   Free Stock Photos

Let Us Have A Meaningful Christmas

          It's Christmas morning! And many people in this side of the world are still sleeping at 8:09 am. I woke up with the priest's words during the Christmas eve mass still ringing in my ears. His main message centered on the theme: "Can we see Jesus who was born in lowliness and in poverty?" 

          In our culture, the long Christmas celebration which starts in October until January, focuses on the material aspects -- food, parties, new clothes and gadgets. If not for Yolanda, people would still have those annual big and pompous celebration. I believe that calamities do happen before Christmas to give us a message -- TO SIMPLIFY. 

          I remember last year, when I introduced a gift-less Christmas to my family in respect to the Pablo victims and survivors. It was done but was not well received. Nakasanayan na kasi eh (It has been a tradition.) . And worse, I heard "Si Tito Nel kasi eh...(It's because of Tito Nel....) "Ano ba talaga ang tunay na diwa ng Pasko (What's the true essence of Christmas)? Yun ba yung magagandang damit at gadgets, inuman hanggang malasing at katakot-takot na tawanan (Does it translate to the latest gadgets nowadays or the drink up to the last drop sessions)? Are we just using this holy celebration as an excuse to shop til we drop? 

          I was talking to a Ob-Gyne specialist last weekend and he said he is so sad that his financial capacity this time of the year is so bad that he can't even give his clinic staff cash gifts. Looking at him, he is not just sad, he is depressed. Here is an example of a person feeling sad because he cannot cope with the wrong demands of the season.Yes, Christmas is sharing. In our own little way, we give. Even children and teenagers are encouraged to give -- LOVE. I am not saying that we spend all our hard-earned money and  endlessly swipe our credit cards. 

          What I am saying here is to truly recognize that Jesus is the reason for the season. A God-king who in his humility came down to be among us. Let us also try to come down from our high and mighty lifestyle to be among the suffering, the lonely and the poor today. It comes but once a year! Let us make it special. Let us do it for the birthday of the King... :)MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL 

Guest writer: Dr. Nelson De Castro Magnaye

                    Writer, Dentist, Recollection

                      and Team Building Facilitator

                Manila, Philippines

                                                 

Where Do We Go From Here?

          One could not hold back tears and emotions while watching the current news on the recent catastrophe that struck the Philippines. Amidst the chaos brought along by Typhoon Haiyan, one could simply ask himself/herself, " Where will I go from here?". Perhaps this may even end up as a very vague question for much uncertainty is what lies ahead as an aftermath of Haiyan.

          However, you could also find the resiliency and firmness in the hearts of the Filipino people that in the midst of this disaster which claimed thousands of lives and left a large score of homeless people, many still chose to continue with their journey in spite of this seemingly dark chapter of their life.

imagecredit: By tungphoto, published on 08 February 2011

          The Philippine government through its president, Pres. Benigno Aquino Jr. is trying its very best to restore order and hope on the situation. On the other hand, local governments are extending various ways to provide assistance. One among the many local governments that responded to the situation is Taguig City which initiated the movement " Bayanihan Ro-ro Mission" that aims in bringing immediate relief supplies. As reported on Philippine Inquirer News, the Taguig local government hired ro-ro vessels to deliver goods to the much affected areas in Leyte such as Guian, Mercedes, Quinapondan and others.

          On the other hand, you could also laud the huge amount of efforts put up by the international community to rush aid to the victims. Countries like US, UK, Australia, China, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and many more have contributed huge amounts of money, food, shelter kits, medicine to augment the worsening conditions of the victims. 

          With a disaster of such an unprecedented scale hitting badly most especially the cities of Tacloban and Ormoc, you could see the distress call for help everywhere. Dead bodies are still left unattended in some areas while scores of children, women and old people are seen moving around aimlessly. You could just feel the sense of helplessness around  the hardest hit areas. 

          What has been giving a consolation to all the victims is the kindness and love extended and shared by people coming from all walks of life, races, denominations, status, lifestyle etc. and it just manifests that in one's heart, there is that innate kindness as well as love that resides deep within.

                                       

                                   

Are Men Turned Off By Women with Strong Personalities?

          While having a conversation with a friend, the idea that "men are turned off by women with strong personalities" came up to my mind and then I started to share and asked her opinion about such notion. Thus, I came up with this post just to contribute thoughts about this familiar belief.

          My friend, being a girl with a strong personality herself, affirmed this notion. Experience wise, she observed that men around her felt uneasy and uncomfortable dealing with her. Consequently, she felt inside herself being unwelcomed and unsupported.  Being an outspoken and witty girl, she declared that those men just felt overruled by her and took them out of their safety zones.

          Can you relate to such scenery? Is it a cultural thing, or why is this so? Being involve in this complicated world, you can think of many reasons and you can even add your own experience to agree or the other way around. Our present world is one that has plenty of prejudices, misjudgements and labels. Men are categorized as strong, dominant, leader, opinionated, etc while women are seen as submissive, weak, gentle, etc. However, is equality between these two sexes (male and female) true or not? Is mutual co-existence just a myth or a reality? 

          Shared below is a borrowed food for thought. You can attest it to yourself if you are practicing this in your life or not. 

                              

imagecredit: (Image found via Google Images)

          Either one is a man or a woman, you will feel it deep inside if you are at home with your own self. Learning to speak out is not morally wrong or socially unacceptable as long as you are doing it not at the expense of somebody else. To add, you should also have a room for listening to other people's opinion. Being open to criticism is productive since it allows for self growth. It could only become counter productive if you are visibly hurt and negatively affected by criticisms. 

          Guys should never be intimidated by girls who possess strong personality and beauty. What should be ideal is that guys should live and work comfortably with these kind of girls. There has to be a mutual understanding for both sexes. As I mentioned in my previous post, one reason, I believe, why men and women are created unique from each other is for them to offer compelement  for what is lacking in the other. Competition among people (guys vs guys, girls vs girls, or guys vs girls) is beneficial if at the end, no one is look down or being judged as a person with less dignity. 

imagecredit: By Tina Phillips, published on 27 April 2009

          Moreover, at times in workplaces, men are threatened by women in top positions or handling equal footing. You can affirm this statement or deny it BUT reality would tell us that it is true. One of the reasons being identified on such event is the insecurity of this fellow in accepting that this lady functions a much greater position and responsibility than him. 

          Or it is due to the gender bias that has been passed on from one generation to the next that men are of superior race to women. Somehow presently, there has been development on this perception. All mankind are ought to be equal- no one is superior. Though there could be differences in terms of status, standard, lifestyle, skills etc yet at the outset, men and women are equal thus they both deserve respect, dignity, wellbeing, fair treatment, care etc. in the society. 

          Having said that, you will most probably react positively or negatively to what I presented nevertheless as the shared food for thought tells us- we are called to be true to ourselves- to speak up and be heard. And if others can do and show equality to both sexes, then you can possibly do it too.