What is your Perception of the World?

 In life so frequently it is our own perspective that causes us pain or pleasure. As we go through life “feeling” the world with our fingers, if our finger is broken, naturally we will experience pain everywhere.

We make the mistake of blaming the external world for our ailments: “My job is over-taxing, my husband is too demanding, my wife nags, my children are disobedient, my in-laws don’t understand me, and so on.” Fr. Bel R. San Luis, SVD

          As I read this article by Fr. San Luis, I tried to recall back those times wherein I became like that of what he mentioned in his example. There were exactly times wherein I unceasingly complained about what was happening around me that I was blinded to see my own contributions to what has happened. Consequently, I joined others who have failed to remedy the situation. Think of the times that you focus your ire, dissatisfaction and upset  on outside factors except yourself.

imagecredit: Alex Vidal

          What is invited from me and you is a so-called paradigm shift- a change and a turn around from the way we perceive both things and  ourselves. That instead of complaining much on external forces and factors, we better check initially within us if what are those things that need to be changed for the better. Shifting gears especially an internal one entails a long process and it requires consistency as well as discipline so as to fully reap positive fruits. 

          One common denominator among us is our perception of the world being a complicated one yet at the end of the day, if we ever change this perspective then most probably, when we wake up the next day, we feel better and further dignified to get ready and to continue one's life journey. 

          Thus, let us allow ourselves to undergo self-transformation for the betterment of our future and for us to have a solid grasp yet joyful relationship with everything around us. Peace within will also eventually lead us into a tranquil world so worthy to live in.

                                              

Life as a Gift

Think about it....2013 is over now. And as you welcome the new year, think about how you lived in the past. Think if you still has a purpose in life. Try to think how many eyes have tears because of you? How many hearts were broken because of you? Learn to say sorry if you made mistakes. Don't live a life that is full of hatred.

Learn to love and accept failures because no one in this world is perfect. Learn to forgive and forget as the Heavenly Father forgives us sinners. Don't be arrogant. Be thankful of what you have. All you have is a blessing. You may be lucky today but perhaps not tomorrow so learn to value what you have.

imagecredit: www.freedigitalphotos.com

Be kind to people because you also need their kindness sometimes. Always remember that you are like anybody else who commit mistakes and fail. Learn to accept your weaknesses. For what you will grow and will learn by your mistakes. Don't compare yourself with others because no one is exactly alike with others. Each one is a unique individual. 

Each one on this world has his own battle so don't judge others unless you live the same life as he has. You probably could read his actions but never his inner thoughts and feelings. Life is too short in this world. Be good and learn to think of others. Don't focus too much on yourself and just on your own good. Learn to share with others and touch other people's lives.

Moreover think that your beauty and nice skin will fade soon or later especially when you grow old but the good things that you do for others will never fade. Be kind, helpful, thoughtful and learn to love genuinely for others. Learn to appreciate the little things in this world and learn to love GOD and live your life in His grace.

Guest writer: Emily C. Devilbiss

                      USA

What Type of A Player Are You?

         When you're being a sports enthusiast, you would know that on each one of us, there stays a kind of player when you are into a game. No matter what your recreational activity is, from ball sports to cards and even to online games, one question that you ought to ask yourself is "Are you aware of your own dynamics when you are playing?" 

Just to point out certain types of player that you can be, you can either be one or more of the following:

1. passionate player

2. impulsive player

3. vindictive player

4. easy go lucky player

5. team player

1. Passionate player- you are into into the game...you put your heart in every game you play. You are willing to go one step farther from what others are doing....as they say, exerting extra mile. Moreover, you know the in and out of the game. You try and search for ways to improve your skills. You don't just stop while the practice is over, instead you go for extra effort to harness your skills. In spite of all the difficulties and challenges, you are always willing to proceed with your game. 

2. Impulsive player-there are two types of impulsive compulsive player as discussed by one study. These two are proactive and reactive- "Proactive cognitive control involves keeping information active in short-term memory for use in later judgments, a kind of task preparation. Reactive control is more of a just-in-time type of decision resolution." Dr. Craig Anderson- director of Center for the Study of Violence. Just try to check with yourself if you can identify yourself on any of these two dynamics. Impulsive player means that you play by your impulses disregarding on the process the consequences of such action. 

3. Vindictive player- are you the kind of player who goes for retaliation everytime you are hit whether it is physically or psychologically? If yes then you are this kind of player. Retaliation is the name of your game. As such, you will easily lose your focus on the game. For others, every sport comprises both the elements of winning and losing yet for this type of player, what is essential is to get even with somebody who causes him pain, intentionally or unintentionally. 

imagecredit:ID 35355557 © Lee Serenethos

4. Easy- go- lucky player- if you are this kind of player, then you are that kind of participant who seems to not really care if he wins or loses the game. What solely counts for him is that he enjoys the game. Fortunately for him, he is not after any reward or return after the match. 

5. Team player- with this last type, you stand by the team. It goes well that everything that you do is for the team. Consequently you disregard any personal desire and put the team's goal as forefront. Everytime that your team engages in a match against an opposing team, you always give your best. Notwithstanding the odds at hand, you always seek for what is the best for the team. For you, team first before your personal satisfaction. 

          In such a way that if you can identify yourself in any of these types (for sure there are other unmentioned ones there), that can be a positive point for you but if not, it would be best if you will discover what's your type. By knowing your type, you will learn to understand your own impulses and aggressions thus having enough control over them. 

                                     
                                                    

Be Responsible of One's Action

          "Shall I go to work today or not?", "Will I marry this girl/boy or not?", " To whom will I entrust my career?", "What will I do with my life?"......

          These are but just some of the questions that we may encounter in life. As we continue with our life journey, we also proceed making choices and decisions for its betterment. As one famous philosopher said, " Man is condemned to be free; because once he thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does. It is up to you to give LIFE a meaning."-  Jean-Paul Sartre

          What Sartre shares here is something which I deeply treasured in life. Every now and then, we take responsibility on decisions that we make either good or bad. Yet while we are free, we nevertheless are constantly guided by the basic reality that everything aims for goodness. Consequently, for every bad decision that we make, we take full responsibility of that. We are endowed with the will, wisdom and the intellect to weigh actions whether good or bad.  

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By graur codrin, published on 13 October 2010

          Experience will tell us that sometimes in life, we come up with decisions that are against our norms and values, or standards and beliefs. Instances wherein we really are not at ease and glad to be involved to. Somehow, in all those occasions, what counts most for us is that we are able to stand on our own and that we own total responsibility of such decisions and situations. 

          Regardless of its outcome, we are never in the position to put the blame on others. As Sartre said, we are the ones who will give meaning to this life so that then it will become worth living. We are created unique from one another and this allows us to appreciate each other's uniqueness. Further, being different enables us to realize that we need each other ---that we don't really have to exploit and downgrade each other to reign supreme in our life. 

          On the other hand, we are constantly invited to utilize our resources to progress peace and harmony among us. Sad to say that in this world's present reality, this is far from what's going on in some places around us. However, I still firmly believe that inside our hearts, there is still lies our innate goodness. With this, a world that is colored by love and meaning is still reachable. 

          Thus, what will help us reaching that world is by being responsible to every action that we will take with the consistent consideration to a life that is aimed for goodness.    

          Anyway, are we responsible enough in life?