These Little Wonders

I struggled on my fourth book this year. As you know, the world has changed all of a sudden. There's the Covid-19 pandemic, and we've been forced to stay at home for more than a month now. At first I thought it's not going to be a big deal (thank God I have some privileges, like wifi and work from home). But as the hours and days pass by, I find myself anxious about a lot of things, especially when you hear bad news after bad news. I couldn't concentrate (except at work - I have to focus on getting things done because that's the least I could do to show how grateful I am for being part of an organization that truly cares. Just a side note, I'm happy and proud at how our company is dealing with this crisis. I really applaud the foresight and the leadership of the management, local and global). I found myself starting several books but not finishing one, enrolling in online courses but not pushing through. I guess my mind too was cluttered. I wanted to do a lot al...

For my third book for this year, I read Sha Nacino's Mission Happiness: The Millennial's Guide to a Happy, Inspired, and Meaningful Life .   Like most (if not all) of Sha's books, Mission Happiness is an easy read. In fact, I think one can finish it in one sitting. In my case, it took me a week because I did not just read the book but went through the action steps as well (though I think I need to do more introspection).    So the book has 9 chapters, and an epilogue. As usual, I'm sharing my key takeaways from the book. It's been said that the best way to retain a learning is to share it. So here goes my list: 1. Be purposeful. Dr. Didoy Lubaton also mentioned about this in his book Whole Again . If we only do things just for the sake of doing them, then life would not have much meaning. Eventually, we'll get tired and burned out without really having a sense of fulfillment. As humans, we search for meaning, we aim for significance, and we are ...

I just finished my second book for 2020 and it's amazing how it affirms everything I learned from the first book ( Whole Again ). Also, I finished it while waiting for my turn at the doctor's clinic. 😁 Book #2 for 2020. 😊 Here are 10 of my biggest takeaways: 1. You cannot "compartmentalize" physical fitness in one category of your being and spiritual fitness in another - every facet of your life has an impact on the person you are today and the person you will become tomorrow. 2. When you face concerns of any sort - including health-related challenges - God is with you. And His healing touch, like His love, endures forever. 3. Faith Above Feelings: "Emotions we have not poured out in the safe hands of God can turn into feelings of hopelessness and depression. God is safe." 4. If your willpower has failed you on numerous occasions, then it's time to turn your weaknesses over to God. If you've been having trou...

I am writing (typing) this with so much joy and gratitude because earlier this week, I went to see my doctor who announced the good news that I don't have the big C. 😍 Actually, one of my proudest moments in January was when this same doctor explained to me the results of my ultrasound and the possibility of me having cancer. My old worrier self would have already cried a river upon hearing it. But by the amazing grace of God, I calmly listened and agreed to have the biopsy done. 💪 The last thing my doctor told me before I left his clinic was, "let's pray it's not malignant." 🙏 Honestly, even before he said it, I was already at the point of total surrender. And because I have entrusted the results to the Lord, I was confident that He would hear our prayer. God knows all the hell I've been through during my last surgery, and I know He knows too well that the last thing I want is to undergo another surgery. God is a God of mercy, and it pains Him too w...

The following text was attributed to Pope Francis but other sources say it's actually the English translation of Portuguese Poet Fernando Pessoa's Palco de Vida  (Stage of Life). Whoever the rightful source may be, thank heavens this text made its way to us. :) Read and be inspired. ♥  You can have flaws, be anxious, and even be angry, but do not forget that your life is the greatest enterprise in the world. Only you can stop it from going bust. Many appreciate you, admire you and love you. Remember that to be happy is not to have a sky without a storm, a road without accidents, work without fatigue, relationships without disappointments. To be happy is to find strength in forgiveness, hope in battles, security in the stage of fear, love in discord. It is not only to enjoy the smile, but also to reflect on the sadness. It is not only to celebrate the successes, but to learn lessons from the failures. It is not only to feel happy with the applause, but to be happy in...

Today, the 2nd day of the 2nd month, Pao and I are celebrating our 2nd month as a married couple, and I am writing my 2nd post for the year. 😍 I initially wanted to share my January highlights and/or something about our wedding, but since we're still sorting the official photos (and waiting for the others), I'll save that post for later 😁. For now, let me share a more timely content. Actually, this post has been on my Draft folder since 2016. But I guess it wasn't meant to be posted until now. 😊 Soooo, here it goes! Happy February! 💕 Secrets To A Happy, Lasting Marriage ♥ During a mass with the cadets, PMA Chaplain Fr. Leonides Cruel, shared 8 secrets to a happy and lasting marriage based on the letters of the word itself:  M utual Understanding . We acknowledge the reality that the husband and the wife are two completely different, unique individuals. They have different beliefs and opinions but what would keep them together is mutual agreement and unde...

A new month has come!  Welcome to the Second Quarter! ♥ This afternoon, I got an unexpected call from a delivery man telling me he's waiting for me at the lobby. I wasn't expecting anything from anyone (not within this week) so I was a bit hesitant to go. But because I'm within the office premises, I know I'm safe so I decided to go out and check the package. Much to my surprise, the package was from takbo.ph !  Yeheee! I finally got my entitlements from last month's Women's Stride ! And I'm just soooo delighted to receive them!  This year, I resolved to be really serious about getting fit. Last January , I shared that I already attended the bootcamp to gain access to our Fitness Center. Aside from circuit training, I also became more enthusiastic about running. In February, Paolo and I joined the AmCham Scholarun and were able to complete the 5k course in less than an hour.  Last month, I signed up for takbo.ph's Vir...

Sooooooo... This has been on my "draft" list since 2017. I have not been able to publish it because... I don't know. Haha. Today, after reading some of my previous posts in this tiny but amazing blog, I'm encouraged and inspired to keep on writing and sharing. :) Kaya naman, kahit "panis" na ang kwentong ito, I'll still share. The main message is timeless, anyway. ♥ ----------------------------------- *written sometime in 2017* True Story (back in April of this year): While Ate Imee was taking my measurements for the dress I'm going to wear on Rona's wedding... Me (upon seeing what she wrote on her notebook): Hay. 26 na lang waistline ko. :( Ate Imee: Okay lang yan, Ma'am. Nung bata-bata ako, 24 lang ang waistline ko. Mas maliit pa ako sayo. Kaya nga ako pinakasalan ng asawa ko kasi ang payat ko e. Pero nung nagkaanak na, ayun tumaba na ako. Alaga kasi ako sa pagkain ng biyenan ko. Kaya pag nag-aaway kami ngayon ng m...

One of the things I wish I had learned sooner is the art of investing. I call it art because it takes passion and discipline. I started working back in 2009 but it was only in 2011 when I started saving up (thru AXA ) for the future. Back then, I was still living quite comfortably with my parents. I was earning for myself. But that quickly changed when the crises came one after the other. Until we found ourselves almost drowning in debt. It came to a point when I was the only one earning (and since I was still working fulltime for GMC then, I was not really earning a lot) and had to provide for everything. We were such in a terrible financial mess and I had no idea how to get out of it.  What carried us through is faith and solidarity. We never ceased praying, and we never ceased being a family. And we're blessed to be surrounded by generous people as well to whom we owe a lot.  We're making significant progress. And soon enough, we'll also be able to enjoy f...

After waiting at the airport for almost seven hours, I was finally able to board the plane back to Manila and reported back to work yesterday.  I still have that "new year, new me" vibe and I'm so eager to make this year my best year yet. So I signed up for goal-setting classes and took advantage of anything helpful online.  One of the first articles I read this year was Sha Nacino 's free guide on how to set goals for 2018.  She gave three simple tips: Gratitude, Gold, Goals. First is GRATITUDE . Think about all the blessings God has generously given you in 2017. Don't just think of them, but write them down . Doing so will remind you how blessed and loved you are. The more grateful you are, the more blessed you will become. I truly believe that an attitude of gratitude attracts more blessings. If you appreciate the little things that God is giving you, then He won't hesitate about giving you greater gifts. Di ba mas gaganahan ka magbigay sa...

So it's 2018! Happy New Year everyone!!! 🎆 I'm writing this while waiting for the flight back to Manila. As usual, Cebu Pacific apologizes for the delayed flight, which served as the inspiration for this post.  DELAYS ARE NOT DENIALS.  How many times have we heard/read this line? Well, for the nth time, I'm sharing this because as I wait here for the delayed flight, I can't help but remember the delays in my life, the moments of waiting, which either led me to beautiful encounters or meaningful experiences; delays which turned out to be blessings in disguise.  Let's not go farther.  I was able to spend the New Year with my family because of a delayed flight back in October. Our original flight was cancelled due to the incident that happened on the same night that I arrived here in Iloilo. Thank God there were no casualties. And thank God I wasn't on that flight.  Our flight back to Manila was rerouted to Roxas, Capiz. And it was still ...

Happy last Friday of 2017!!! So how prepared are you for 2018??? :D I recently met with a financial adviser who shared with me the basics of financial planning.  I won't discuss everything in detail, because I'm not really in the position to do so, but I'll share what I can. :) First, there's what we call FINANCIAL TRIANGLE:  Then the three major risks in life namely:  1. Dying too soon 2. Living too long 3. Sickness/Disablement  Now the big question is, how prepared are you for these risks?  During the BDJ Launch Weekend, I got to listen to Cheska Sarausad and she shared the following worries that most adults have:  1. Can I take care of my aging parents? 2. Can I send my children to college? 3. When I am unable to work, who will take care of my family's needs? 4. When will I afford to get a house for my family? 5. If I get critically ill, will I be able to pay the bills? 6. Will I be able to afford to trave...