The Human Touch In a Relationship

           According to an English definition the human touch refers to a friendly and pleasant way of treating other people that makes them feel relaxed. Apart from this, there are other meanings that could be attributed to this but anyhow, the most important thing to retain in mind and heart is its being a primary ingredient in any form of relationship- be it in a form of friendship, marriage, father-son, mother-daughter, etc. 

          However, taking into consideration the kind of world that we live in nowadays, it is sad to note that many relationships have been wasted  and damaged due to the failure of sustaining the fire burning on it. The world that we live now is so advanced yet its drawback is that oftentimes, the human element of our various relationships is unattended and totally ignored. All these innovations that we enjoy nowadays have great impact to our lives but we also need to discipline ourselves so that our treasured relationships would not be sacrificed.

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         Accordingly, learn how to be creative as well as how to stay human in all forms of relationships most especially inside the family. Don't allow any other structures of social activity to get more priority than your interactions with your children or wife/husband. Even in your relationship with your partner, be sure to add flavour to it everyday just like the extension of this human touch. Never presume the basic needs of the children like love, attention, comfort, sympathy, care, etc.  rather see to it that your being able to shower them with material abundance doesn't appear as if you already become an effective dad or mom but rather learn how to mingle with them any moment in a day. Don't make your social commitments and business functions as excuses so as not to render them their basic human needs. 

          Finally, constantly be mindful of the fact to give your loved ones that sense of importance so that they will feel so special in your eyes.  Hug them when they are down, uplift their spirits when they are discouraged, congratulate them when they earn success, and engage more in activities which will allow you both to realise how precious you are to each other.  

                                                           

Pursuing One's Aspiration

             Human as you are, there are various matters that allow you to pursue your aspirations in life. Indeed they are essential in your life for you then could find strength by embracing to this aspiration no matter what your situation will be.

          On the other hand, at times you could not avoid but falter in this quest for greatness. "Unwillingness easily finds an excuse"- indeed there are many out there who fail to pursue their dreams since they don't possess such traits as perseverance and determination on pursuing them. 

          Meanwhile examples of life's aspirations could take in a form of money, love, knowledge, popularity etc. Reaching them varies from one person to the other. One important factor then is to identify and acknowledge whatever aspiration you have in your life.  You should never stop from exerting effort in pursuing your goals in life. Times may change and everyday weather will turn from cold into hot but your eyes should constantly be focused on your dreams. 

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Here then are some ways that can help you to attain your aspirations in life.

1. Learn to identify the goal/aspiration/dream that you want to pursue in life;

2. Strive hard to slowly attain this aspiration;  

3. While on the process of attainment, learn to stand up every time you fall down;

4. When feeling tired and exhausted, be humble to go back from the very beginning that you  established your dream/aspiration;

5. Appreciate the presence of others in your life, they are present in your life so as to give you support and a shoulder to lean on;

6. Finally, express your gratitude to whoever it is that give you strength to persevere in life in spite of all its odds.

          Behold all those who dream dreams, no matter how big or small they are. Success will be yours soon or later.



                                         

Life is Such a Great Gift

          It's Sunday and another week will soon start. If I look back on my previous week, indeed I could say that life is so good to a great degree due to everyday blessings we receive. The grace of our life is the greatest one and somehow it also entails from us a challenge to sustain, maintain, and improve it to the best of our capacity.

          Aside from that, we also receive the gift of friendship with other people whom we daily encounter in our home, workplace, surroundings, community etc.. These people allow us to appreciate more life's wonderment. Somehow, there are others whom could never become our close buddies or friends maybe caused by differences in life's views, cultures, beliefs and many more. At times, others might endow us troubles or stresses but we should learn to humble ourselves before them then focus our energy on what is good and positive instead of complaining about it.

imagecredit: Jozh Tuballa

          Everyday we also receive the gift of good health that allows us to proceed with our day to day endeavours and responsibilities towards our families, communities, workplaces etc. At the same time, we are also asked to take care of it by maintaining positive lifestyle and daily exercises then keeping away from vices especially drugs, alcohol and other negative activities that may result to destruction of life.

          Thus, let us also keep our life is a straight path and hopefully it will lead us someday to its fulfilment no matter where and how that could be attained.

                              

Why Do We Connect With People?

          As human as we are, it is but natural for us to seek connections. Indeed, it is such a very basic need that for anybody, no matter who you are and what you are, it is but a very basic need to be connected with others. In this regard, allow me to share with you this video from Youtube on this discussion and we will all together find out some of the interesting reasons why we need though connections.

                            
                                       videocredit: https://www.youtube.com/user/shellterrell

          From our early years, we are already starting to build up connections. From the very significant people in our life like our parents and siblings, we then start to develop our ability to cope with the demands of our environment. Then later on, we start to connect with people outside of our comfort zone like neighbours, friends, relatives etc. Afterwards, we continue to build up our connection with people we meet in school, in our neighbourhood and in other places.

 Meanwhile our featured video here will show us some reasons for us to have connections. To enumerate some of them, here they are:

1. to learn (anytime, anywhere)- that's true. Interacting with people enable us to learn new things. And the beauty of this one is that it then becomes a two-way process. We will learn from others and they will also learn from us.

2. to knock down wall---learning from the classroom will allow us to be ready to face squarely the world out there....this world which is so full of surprises.....so full of anonymity.....of being so unpredictable thus it is but fitting for us to get ready to face all these surprises.

3. connect to share resources and ideas- the splendour of life is on its gift of being able to be shared with others thus let us all be reminded that we are also called to be generous donor to each other and this calls for us to extend to others whatever gift that we have. Sharing is connecting lives.

4. to help us all achieve our goals- another wonderful element of being alive---when we are able to help others to reach their potentialities.

5. to get inspired and to create

6. to get in touch  with friends and families

          These are but some of those reasons why we choose to connect with others. Can you identify your intuition the first time you meet a new friend? What exactly connect you with that person? Hence let us all open our arms and embrace anybody who comes our way. Let no race, colour, talent, skill etc hinder us to connect with others. 

 
                                         

Dream Dreams.....

While on board on somewhat a floating cottage made of bamboo.....floating at the middle of the ocean....alone.....I was lying peacefully on the floor....with just a handful of food selection with me such as bread. salad made of vegetables which I am not really fond of, bottle of water, baked noodles placed on a plastic container, a bag of rice......on a small table beside me lies a diary, and a pendant .....as I stare aimlessly on the blue sky above me, I say to 

                                   

                                              imagecredit: Michael Lane for openphoto.net

myself, " How wonderful this world could be......so immense...limitless" .....after a while, I soon realise that I am left alone and at the middle of an ocean....yet deep inside, there is that feeling of serenity, of completeness (though I would never be a complete or should I say a perfect human being...nobody is).....I try to jot down on my diary what I observe on the surroundings....finally, I take a long and steady glance on my pendant with pictures of my two other precious gifts in life: that of my wife Yanyan and my little boy Kurt Kristoff.......as the day starts to come to an end..soon darkness will arrive......

Till then, I woke up and realised, "I've got a dream..."

         Whew..what indeed a splendid dream that I recently have. Well, all I can say in that dream is that it involves significant things and persons in my awakened life. Of course, it will take  me a long time to share with you the significance and impact of those dream elements. 

          In summing up, I would say that our dreams allow us to befriend further our inner "self" hence we need to listen and be attentive to them. In a single day, it is said that every one experiences not just once, twice, or thrice but multiple dreams yet due to our pre-occupations and priorities, we neglect to spend time to look at them and their impact on our waking life. However, if we start to mind them, we will gradually discover little by little their individual relevance to our life. 

                                     imagecredit:Sarah Klockars-Clauser for openphoto.net

          Just to cite one example with that dream above, the pendant with those pictures of my special possessions means to me as a reminder and a symbolism of their concrete presence in my life. That day by day, they make me more positive and determined in life. And no matter how things become so complicated in certain occasions, nonetheless with their inspirations, I will always be ready and willing to move one step at a time. 

           Accordingly, treasure every dream that comes to you for it reveals an essential part of you- continue therefore to dream dreams.

                                          

Goal in Working: Is It Earning or Satisfaction?

          People go to work not only because they want to earn income but somehow, they also seek  job satisfaction. Working the whole day is such a boring thing yet it could be the contrary when somebody treats the workplace as a second home. Henceforth, certain factors must be considered in order to stay long and sustain any whole day at work. A couple of these are the harmonious relationship between workers and employers as well as sufficient salary depending on one's contributions.

        Relationship is a fundamental factor that a workplace must have. Otherwise regardless of how high a salary can an employee is receiving but without the understanding and cooperation of everything, the job then is unfulfilling. There's no one who can be successful on his/her job without the cooperation of everybody. 

imagecredit: Jozh Tuballa

          Being an essential contributor in a company, an employee is entitled to receive enough salary. It is one thing that motivates him/her to work harder and to look forward from the company. In effect, everyone is happy and satisfied since he/she can provide for his/her needs.

co-writer: Myra Jugan



                                                  

How To Free Oneself from Insecurities

“Insecurities have the ability to shape and mold our minds to live with everything that’s bad; like crying on the inside, while smiling on the outside…thus creating pain…but, alas, I have the answer; forget about what you thought and enjoy (embrace) what you feel” 
― Jeremy Aldana

          One of the famous quotes that I greatly like since it hits me at times in the inside.  What then is insecurity? Others would put it as if it is an evil that continues to hound us wherever we go. There are moments in our life that we feel helpless against it. Some manifestations of our insecurity come into this way. Have you noticed that at times, we feel envious to other people's skills, talents, gifts etc disregarding in the process to appreciate our own giftedness. 

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Country Path

ID: 246410© Dainis Derics | Dreamstime Stock Photos 

         And it doesn't end there. Somehow, knowingly or unknowingly, our basic relationships are at times affected. Our dealings with people begins to be tainted with black colours with such flavours that left us hanging in the air. The more insecure we tend to become, the more distractions that come into our life. Consequently, we become suspicious of people and we feel ill at ease when mates group together then chat among themselves. It is as if we become the subject of their conversation. That's how insecure we seem to become.

          Our minds become so restless that we easily get agitated and irritated by our peers' limitations. There could have been times wherein we feel so bad at the end of the day and it seems that we have wasted one whole day. 

          How then could we resolve this stumbling block to growth called insecurity? The process would always be lifetime yet we could always start from the very deep within us. Allow every moment to be a time of grace rather than just limiting our focus on what is not perfect. Furthermore, let us learn to appreciate our own uniqueness and be humble enough to acknowledge other people's positive qualities. In my previous post before, I mentioned it there that one of the reasons why we then are created unique from each other is for us to learn to value the presence of others. 

Thus, to grow in a positive way is to allow ourselves be freed from all our insecurities. Continue to have that good vibes with people and with things around us. After all, life is a constant journey and in spite of our having various directions in this journey, the end is the same for us all---that is to be happy and contented in this life. 

                                           

Down But Not Out

         In life, many events either make or break us. And I heard and listened to so many stories of friends, relatives and more about their struggles, trials, crosses, difficulties whatever you may term them. However, what is so enlightening among these experiences is the seemingly positive spirit that many of them were showing in the midst of those encounters.

          A friend of mine shared with me that he felt terribly wrong and lost in life....felt so betrayed and despised. Losing his partner whom he has loved and given all was for him the most painful experience he ever had. All his savings were gone....his everything even his meaning of life. What was most painful ..an excruciating one...was the realization that the trust that he invested for those years was not returned back.

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http://www.freeimageslive.com/galleries/nature/views/pics/rainbow.jpg

          Then he told me that he now finds it difficult to trust anymore any girl. What was done to him made him a bitter person. All throughout those years, I have known this friend and I have emphatized with him during that challenging time of his life. All I said to him was "learn to forgive the person and forget the past".....however knowingly, I know that if I am on his shoes, doing that is not an easy thing to fulfill. Since as we wake up everyday, there would always be times, situations, persons and others that will remind us of the pain.

          Hearing and recalling back this story, you can pick up various areas for growth like not giving up, learning to forgive and forget, moving on and many more. However, allow me to just focus on this element of acknowledging first the pain within us so that we will be able to move on from a painful experience.

          That's exactly the words that I shared with my friend. I told him learn to own your pain and don't ever put then bury it on the deepest part of your self since in so doing, it will stay there for a while maybe for months and years however, somehow a time will come that it will re- occur in a form of a negative behavior like you being terribly irritable or impatient with others and with oneself. Thus it is as if you unconsciously building a volcano inside of you then without your knowledge again, allowing it to erupt causing much havoc to others and to yourself. 

          Hence, first stage of self- healing will be the owning of the experience and of the pain. Allowing yourself to own that this experience has become a part of you furthermore realizing that this is not yet the end of everything for you. Moreover, what you all need is to hang on to life and move on. 

          P.S. Lately, I heard again from that friend and he expressed his gratitude to me for all those positive words I shared with him. At the moment, he is now happy moving on with his life with another girl. Congrats bro.....keep up the spirit...

                              

Cherishing Wonderful Memories

       Memories allow us to re- live and look back all those past events in our life. Some tend just to occupy a skin- deep level of our consciousness that we easily forget and leave them behind. While others seem to linger the more in our minds and allow us to positively harbor every minute of the experience. 

          Every moment then becomes an important  chapter in our individual book of life. As I rekindle each chance of communicating with our little boy miles away from us, I can't help myself but recall to mind as well my childhood memories. Though I could hardly remember some events that I had exactly when I was in my boy's present stage, however, the feeling of being loved and given importance by my own parents continued to stay in my awakened state.

imagecredit: http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/nature/underwater/slides/mushroom_corals_2684.htm

          On the other hand, when we transfered to another house recently, it allowed me to temporarily end that particular chapter of my book of life in that previous place then commence a new and fresh chapter in this new neighborhood. I say temporarily end since I know that on any event, I just can proceed that recently concluded chapter of my journey. Thus I am grateful to all those people who have accompanied me, my wife Yanyan and our most treasured gift, Kurt Kristoff, in that place. To name names, thanks a lot Charlie, Linda, Titing, Pepay, Dundee, Michelle, Jojo, their two lovely daughters, Dina, John, Gabriel, Santos and some other unmentioned names yet they similarly are merited with the same gratefulness.

          This book of life called life journey is such a wonderful one and it is made to evolve into a more meaningful event when we meet and cross paths with remarkable people as mentioned beforehand. Thank you guys and see you one of these days.

 



                
               
                                          

Dreams Big

          The ongoing XXII Winter Olympics showcased to the whole world how heroes are made. Staging various events fo such a world caliber standards is such an amazing feat and for all those who have successfully topped their events, the glory are cherished not just by them but by their wellwishers as well.

          We all know how demanding the training of these athletes of such quality. Being away from their respective homes and families, the sacrifice they offer are so great that just by being able to represent their countries in the prestigious event is so overwhelming.

imagecredit:http://www.freeimageslive.com/galleries/sports/sportsgames/pics/kitesuring.jpg

          As the events continue to unfold day by day, the glory of all those who triumphed in their events were so infectious and great. On the other hand, the agony of defeat was also felt by those who failed to land a decent performance. However in the eyes of everyone, being able to compete and emerge as a real sport in its truest sense is all that matters now. 

          A true champion signifies not just the weight and color of each medal receive but by the virtue also of his/her performance. At the end of the day, a winner will always be a winner yet a loser will still emerge as a winner in the hearts and eyes of  others consequently upon displaying a positive attitude in performance and the right approach to acceptance in defeat.

                                 

What A Wonderful Blogging Year!

           By February 9 of this year, I will recall the first entry that I had on this blog. After such initial entry, I came up with several posts on various human interests topics. As the days and months passed by, I didn't notice that I will soon, in fact, two days from now, be celebrating one year of blogging.

          As this meaningful event for me arrives, I will express my extreme joy and sincere gratefulness to the following:

- to you readers, for sharing your time in reading my posts. It is my pleasure to impart with you my posts enabling me to share with you my thoughts, inspirations, journey, fears, aspirations, learnings as I continue with my treasured life;

- to my family, my wife Yanyan and my son Kurt Kristoff, for they are the very source of my strength and patience to come up with all those posts and for my coming ones;

imagecredit: 
http://www.freeimageslive.com/galleries/nature/views/pics/nature00025p.jpg

-to my fellow bloggers who have helped me in my endeavor as a blogger, for sharing me insights and innovations so as to be more effective in relaying those stories in this blog;

- and finally, to God for enlightening my mind and heart to come up with my posts. Recognizing you, my ever dearest friend, as the sole source of this borrowed life, I returned back to you all this goodness by means of all my posts here. Through them, I believe that I am able to share with others this gift of life that You have entrusted to me.

                                      

How Much Time Do You Spend on the Internet?

          With the growing popularity of the online world nowadays, it then becomes a reality that many people are exposing themselves to the lure of the internet to the extent that they sacrifice their personal affairs for online activities. Moreover, occasions spent on the internet could result either positively or negatively depending on their intensity.

           On the other hand, constantly consider that you certainly own various pertinent relationships and as such, you also owe the responsibility to nurture each one of  them. And by nurturing them, you allow each person involved in the relationship to grow in a positive manner. 

imagecredit:http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/nature/environment/slides/clean_beach6085.htm

            Yet in the midst of all these net developments that  you treasure nowadays, are you aware then of their brought risks to your life? It is said that 

"LIKE' FACEBOOK TOO MUCH?

The average user spends 75 minutes per day on Facebook

The average user logs on to Facebook 6.1 times per day

70% log in every time they start their computer or web reader

26% feel ill at ease if they do not get to log in regularly

Women spend on average 81 minutes per day on Facebook

Men spend on average 64 minutes per day on Facebook

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2175230/Too-time-online-lead-stress-sleeping-disorders-depression.html#ixzz2qgVZCTra Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | Daiu consider lyMail on Facebook "

            With all these facts, do you consider yourself one of those who have more time to spend on the internet rather than socializing and connecting with their loved ones? The sense of belongingness is very crucial in their stages of growth advancement. You need to spend more conventional time with them rather than just allowing yourself to stay and be a slave of the web. 

          Thus, it is you, yourself, who initially knows if your time spent on the net is still a positive one so much so that it allows you to grow as a person either as a husband/wife, or as a father/mother, or as a friend  and be a positive influence for others. Or are you the the type of person who excessively spend your time on the the web therefore losing precious and quality moments with your loved ones.

                                          

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:

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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

                                                 

Is It Ideal For a Family If Both Parents Are Working?

          Previously, it was typical for any family that a father goes to work and provides the needs of the family. On the other hand, the mother stays at home to take charge of the children. Nowadays, it is but prevalent that both parents prefer to work so as to provide the financial benefits of the children. These two contrasting realities both have their positive and negative effects.

          You may perhaps think that children with both working parents naturally receive the material benefits. As such, the parents can afford to buy anything luxurious like toys, modern gadgets, and can even send the children to exclusive schools. Moreover, proponents of this view argues that due to the family's extra wealth, it will enable them to go overseas for a holiday.

          On the other hand, one of the possible negative results when both parents are working is the deprivation of guidance and moral support to the growing children. On certain situations like fulfilling school assignments, extra curricular activities and exams, the children direly need the after school support of the parents. Consequently, the children would not excellently perform at school and what is worst is when they get involve with friends of bad influence. This type of friends endow no good result except trouble especially when they get involved with drugs, excessive drinking and the like.

                                      
                              © Photographer Jinyoung Lee | Agency: Dreamstime.com

          I remember one friend of mine in high school whose parents were working. It was true that they indeed provided her needs. She grew up in such a situation that she badly missed her parents' support on times of assignment making, accomplishing school projects and many more. Being on this reality, she felt envious with her classmates who rather performed well in class more than her due to their parents' help. Apparently most of them emerged as top of the class while she wasn't. Consequently, she lost her self confidence, became inferior in the class and aimless in life.

          Thus, if this day's trend that both parents are active in their careers continue to persist, one thing that should be given importance as well as never be disregarded is their major role and responsibility towards the process of growth of their children. The parents' positive role modeling plays a significant part in the children's life. 

Guest blogger: Myra Flor Jugan



                                                      
                                 
 
                                         

Salt for the Ultimate Chef

What would be food without salt? Salt, what an amazing ingredient. Can you imagine your favorite adobo without any salt? Salt is even added to caramel to give it a rounded rich flavour, don't believe me? Get a salted caramel ice cream or tart they're the craze nowadays, I've had an amazing, can't get enough of it popcorn that was sweet and salty. It was sold in this huge, plastic pillow case size bags and people where queueing up to buy not just one bag but two! 

Salt, what an amazing ingredient indeed. 

Ever wondered what it meant to be salt? In (Mt 5: 13) Jesus told us "You are salt of the earth but if salt loses its salty taste it cannot be made salty again. It is good for nothing. It must be thrown out for people to walk on."  

One of the functions of salt is that it helps preserve food. I know, I'm thinking of tuyo (salted pilchard or anchovies), dried squid man this writing is making me hungry!  

What salt does is it prevents the growth of food spoiling bacteria or nasties that can harm us. You see those nasties need moisture to grow and what salt does is it absorbs the moisture in the nasties.  No moisture, dead nasties. 

So salt does not only have what it takes to preserve the good stuff,  it also has what it needs to go on the offensive against the nasties. 

It's like spiritual warfare, we need not only have the right stuff for defending but also the weapons to go on the offensive against spiritual nasties. 

In Ephesians 6: 10-18, St Paul wrote: 

"Finally, draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil. For our struggle is not with the flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the power, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens. Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and have done everything, to hold your ground. So stand fast with your loins girded in truth, clothed with righteousness as a breastplate, and your feet shod in readiness for the gospel of peace. In all circumstances, hold faith as a shield, to quench all flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. With all prayer and supplication, pray at every opportunity in the Spirit. To that end be watchful with all perseverance and supplication for all the holy ones." 

We need those spiritual defences and weapons, to be the salt of the earth and only God can provide these. 

With these we can stand firm, preserving what is good, eliminating what nasties we have and helping others to do the same. 

The other function of salt is for seasoning, salt enhances the flavour of food. It is worthy to note that when salt is added to a dish, it disolves and is transformed and at the same time enhancing the flavours, enhancing what is good. 

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Exclusive image: ID 17261018 © Harun | Dreamstime.com

It is transformed in a way that you no longer see it but only know and taste it. In a way it has given itself up for the greater good. 

We are also called to do the same, in whatever dish of life we are called to serve and be a part of. We are called to die from ones self for the greater good, transforming enhancing the dish of life around us. 

Ever noticed how someone describes a good dish? "It has a hint of nuttiness and red wine, caramelized onion, the vegetables cooked to perfection not raw but still crispy, compliments to the chef.....ya di da di da.....hey, what happened to salty?

Salt is rarely the centre piece of any dish, yet it can make or break a dish. Not enough and the dish is bland, too much and it is ruined.

Same with us and our service if we are lukewarm, we are ineffective and bland, too much or to full of ourselves and we leave a bad taste in someone's mouth. Our service should always seek to glorify the one and only Master (Chef), not us.

A well seasoned dish is when the ingredients are in harmony with one another, allowing the chef's intended expression to come through. 

So it should be with our life and service, we should allow the ultimate Master (Chef) to express Himself through us. Humble, obedient and ever sensitive to the Master's leading, less our will be done and not His. 

Salt, who would have thought; Jesus of course. 

May you always keep your saltiness, ever ready to serve the Ultimate Master (Chef). 

Guest Writer: Ed Canilao
CFC Melbourne

                                      Thanks a lot Ed for the inspiration



                                                        


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How Could We Consistently Believe That Life Is a Never Ending Education?

          Life is a never ending journey. And as we progress with our life journey, we undertake to reflect on previous events of our life then realize that we are actually reading our own book of life. With such realization, we become so glad to be active participants to this journey. Everytime we wake up each single day, new and fresh learnings embrace us and they support us in our personal development.

           On the other hand, we all know that life learnings are beyond any limit or bondary. It only takes one's responsibility to participate unceasingly in this journey that will make a corresponding difference in his/her life. One positive point in life is when we exchange our various giftedness with each other. As you and me go on with our everyday learnings, we grow the more when we exchange life's wonderful stories.

           Every individual chapter in our life entails huge amount of lessons that when utilized properly, they will lead us to a further colorful and fruitful journey. In life, there is no greater love than to offer oneself for the sake of others. Altruism as such is indeed a great virtue that when diligently practiced in a person's life results to a positive way on every neighbor's life. Yet, as human as we are, there are self- serving tendencies that we need to own in ourselves. A couple of times, we have the tendency to merely concentrate just on our own nourishment (nevertheless I am not saying that it is completely wrong) that at the end, we become indifferent to other people's growth. And if left unmonitored, this will resort to self destruction.

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           Meanwhile, have a look on this insight from Isaac Asimov when he said that, "Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is." Personally, I nod positively with him since as we enter each new day, we also commence to learn new things that multiply colors to this journey. Numerous individuals have shared the road with us on this life, first and foremost our considered significant people in our life like our families, relatives, friends and many more. Hence, we should be thankful to them as well as to God for these gifts.

          Finally,as we continue with our varying journeys called life, let us also persevere in internalizing Isaac's words above and may we remind ourselves that life's education enables us to be the best persons that we can be. By this, we can become agents of joy and change for others. After all, life will always be a meaningful gift for you and me.

                                 

THE WILL TO HANG ON

          Life is such a wonderful gift and a great treasure yet once in a while it also becomes complicated. As we go along with it and develop different relationships, challenging situations also comes in. 

"As we advance in life it becomes more and more difficult, but in fighting the difficulties the inmost strength of the heart is developed." - Vincent Van Gogh ( http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/difficulties.html#irDlDGSkG8m7b6sI.99" 

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          As expressed by the famous Dutch impressionist painter Vincent Van Gogh above, the more that we spend time on this world, the more that our journey then also becomes complex. Everyday we encounter various experiences that will help or unhelp the development of our wholebeing. Even if at times, there could be instances that it is hard for us to cope with the situation. We may differ in terms of our reactions to difficult situations. 

          While some may be strong enough to face them, others may wilt and softened after encountering a problem. May we always remember that problems are part and parcel of life. What counts most for us is the will to survive. 

          The will to hang on plays a significant role in this arena of life. As human as we are, it could be possible that we will be upset with any big problem. On the other hand, if and foremost we know what really the problem is, then we might as well know soon or later how to deal with it.

          One of life's treasures is the presence of other significant people thus in the midst all trivialities and tough situations, we will humble ourselves and acknowledge their presence, ask for comfort as well as assistance.

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Pride makes it hard for us to do such gesture however, we need to lower our ego and recognize the special presence of others in our life. 

          May we never fail to constantly recognize that life is such a wonderful gift and let us then savor its every moment.

MY PERSONALITY TYPE: THE ENNEAGRAM

          Have you heard about the ENNEAGRAM? I find it so interesting since it deals about one's personality. With one's knowledge about his/her personality type, it therefore becomes a tool for him/ her to have a deeper understanding of oneself. On the other hand, this will serve as a method for understanding and welcoming the similarities as well as differences from one person to the other.

imagecourtesy:Lalaine Obrino Songalia

                                 
          ENNEGRAM is defined as "a geometric figure that delineates the nine basic personality of human nature and their complex interrelationships. That is exactly what I meant in my statement above that when this is familiarized, strengthening human relationships will become a reality. 

          To quote one blogger's reflection on ENNEAGRAM, " What I like most about it, it can show you your stress point and growth point. With ENNEAGRAM you will know the areas that you must improve on so you can be a fully integrated person. "- NOVA CRUZ (www.thefamilywoman.com)

          In my own enneagram type, I am a type ONE which is typically a reformer with a wing on TWO -The Helper. As a ONE, I am inclined to observe and practice an orderly sense in life. Moreover what is advantageous to me presently is that I am not imposing this sense of order with others even though at times, I am affected when things become disorder however I always put into consideration the characteristics and traits of others. 

          My second type (wing) is number TWO which is defined as the HELPER. However as a precaution, when left unhealthy, TWOs tend to practice self-denial thus allowing a person to merely deny his own needs and just recognizing other people's needs. Further, it is telling others the sense that "I don't need you; it is you  who needs me in your life". 

imagecourtesy:Lalaine Obrino Songalia

          In my case, I firmly believe that I can both be of help to others and that I also need them in my life. I would never survive just by myself alone. Through the Enneagram, being able to befriend oneself on a deeper level results to a more healthy dealings with others.