These Little Wonders

Another workweek has ended. We must have been seeing TGIF posts (or in Tagalog, "buti na lang Sabado bukas" ) all day. But I have something better (I think) to share: Don't just thank God for Fridays. Thank Him for Mondays (and for every workday), too! :) Because the more days you work, the closer you get to being successful. As Conrad Hilton realized (and I agree), "Success seems to be connected with action. Successful men keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don't quit." I know Mother Teresa said that God did not call us to be successful but to be faithful . But for me, to be faithful is to succeed in overcoming temptations and obstacles. To be faithful is to keep going, keep moving for and with the Lord. And so, if we want to be faithful, we need to be successful in being faithful. :) And what makes one successful? Here's a beautiful infographic posted on LifeHack.org , created by SuccessStory.com . What's your score? :) Re...

One of the popular songs in the early 90's goes like this:  The will of the wind You feel and then It will pass you blowing steady It comes and it goes And God only knows You must keep your sails on ready So when it begins Get all that you can You must befriend the will of the wind Having meditated on the reading for the 12th day of the 33 Days to Morning Glory Retreat , I realized that the term "wind" in the song actually refers to the Holy Spirit, God Himself.  We will never understand the will of the Father, but we can know and choose to befriend whatever that may be.  During a vocation seminar with the Carmelite sisters, the vocation directress, Sister D, illustrated this "befriending the will of the Father" through the simple clapping of hands. God's will is our one hand, and our will is the other hand. Unless the two hands join together, no sound will ever be produced. Our lives won't have meaning, our pursuits wo...

Last week we went to Southern Leyte for a special mission: to conduct Knights Tale and Princess Diaries Weekend Retreat. But since there's no direct flight from Manila to Maasin (venue of the retreat), we took the Manila-Tacloban route.  As we all know, Leyte was greatly hit by Yolanda last year. And we were witnesses to how the province is still struggling to get back on their feet a year later. From Tacloban, we traveled four hours to Maasin, passing through Palo and other municipalities that were badly affected. While there are already several structures that were restored, there are still a lot that needs to be rehabilitated.  I am grateful for the overwhelming help that the global community, and the local NGOs and foundations has extended to our brethren in Leyte. I am well aware that not everything will be back to their original state. The lives that were lost will only remain a memory, the terror of that fateful day will continue to haunt them, but with our st...

Sunday is a sacred day indeed. Today, God allowed me to spend some time de-cluttering. I was led to browse through my journals from way back 2011. Here's one gem I found:  Lord, help me please... -to be able to say the right words -to be able to think clearly -to be more patient and loving -to be understanding and forgiving -to know when it's time to let go -to never give up -to know Your will -to be determined to know Your will -to have the courage to stand up for You -to proclaim to greatness -to introduce You to people -to focus on what is truly essential -to become the best that I can be -to be sensitive to Your leadings -to be always aware of Your presence -to see You in every person I meet -to reflect You in my life -to remain in You -to be faithful at all times, at all cost -to surrender my worries -to deepen my relationship with You -to establish and guarrd my sacred time with You -to deliver my tasks and accomplish my...

"Every song you love, every memory you cherish, every moment that has moved you to holy tears has been given to you from the One who has been pursuing you from your first breath in order to win your heart." -Captivating, John Eldredge I don't know if I just have a hangover from the Princess Diaries Retreat or it's just Friday (♪  I'm in love! ♪ ), but I'd rather think that it's simply God serenading me and reminding me how sweet it is to be loved by Him and how wonderful it is to love. :) This song has been playing on my mind since I heard it yesterday morning. It's a love song for no one else but my Greatest Lover , my Constant Partner , and my Faithful Warrior . ♥ I guess you've heard, I guess you know In time I might have told you, but I guess I'm too slow. That's overly romantic but I know that it's real I hope you don't you mind if I say what I feel. It's like I'm in somebody else's dream, Th...

Today should have been your 91st birthday. Still a happy birthday to you, Lolo!  I love you and I miss you so much!  Have you seen Lola already? She was called home on the day of my birthday. I didn't want to let her go just yet but because I knew she would be spending eternity with you and with God, I finally surrendered and allowed the Lord to do what is best for her. I bet she brought you your favorite food. Enjoy your feast there in heaven. :) Thank you for your lives, I am alive. Thank you for your inspiration, I am inspired. Thank you for your legacy, I am motivated to live life to the fullest. I will never forget you both. You are forever in my heart. ♥ Eternally grateful, Your most beautiful apo :D   Lolo and Lola so happy together. :) This will always be my most favorite photo of us. :)

Last month, I had a thrilling ride on an emotional roller coaster. But I would say it was all worth it because of the many realizations and lessons I have learned.  Today, I was welcomed by A LOT of work. But thanks to the equally many inspiration that the Lord has provided me with. :)  Here's a list of resolutions I found in one of the emails that I received. And beginning today, I resolve to do them with the help of God's grace. :)  Give up complaining . . . focus on gratitude. Give up harsh judgments . . . think kind thoughts. Give up worry . . . trust divine providence. Give up discouragement . . . be full of hope. Give up bitterness . . . turn to forgiveness. Give up hatred . . . return good for evil. Give up anger . . . practice patience. Give up pettiness . . . put on maturity. Give up gloom. . . enjoy the beauty that is around me. Give up gossiping . . . control my tongue. And if I may add, give up giving up......

Dear God, thank you for the example of the Saints. I desire to join in their company, worshiping you forever in Heaven. Please help me follow their footsteps, and yours, Jesus Christ.  Please help me to conform myself to Your image, seeking Your will in all things, as the Saints did.  Please help me to devote myself, and all that I do, to Your glory, and to the service of my neighbors.  Amen.