Archive for the ‘Self-Help’ Category:
I woke up today and decided to do thirty minutes of hoola-hoop (as part of my daily exercise) and while doing so, I decided to turn on the TV and watch HBO. The featured film was Mona Lisa Smile starring one of my favorite actresses, Julia Roberts. She plays a free-thinking art professor whoe teaches conservative 50′s Wellesley girls to question their traditional societal roles. She encourages her students strive for a more enlightened future and not be stuck with the stereo-type stay-at-home housewives. Not that I have anything against being a SAHM, cause I am a SAHM myself. But during those days, it was okay for female college students to get married while in school as if their only role is to get a husband to take care of.
I am so glad not to be part of that era. It will be very hard for a free-spirited, fun-loving person like me to conform with the norms during those days.
But the movie inspired me some more to look beyond just like the book that I just finished. It’s by Bo Sanchez, it’s called 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich which I find very moving… encourages me to achieve more.
“Don’t limit yourself. You’re bigger than you think you are. I believe that love is limitless. It has no boundaries. I do what I do because I want to love people…. Wake up each morning and ask, “How can I bless the world more?”– Bo Sanchez, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich
The thing is ever since I became a stay-at-home mom, I have limited myself to what I can do, depending on my husband so much. Good thing the Lord has blessed me with a very supportive husband. (Thank you Lord!)
Your life is your choice, whatever you want to become, you can achieve and you should not be afraid to fail. Most people blame others — their parents, their poverty, their lack of college education for their failure to be successful. Wrong! Bill Gates was a college drop out, and most of the Chinese tycoons here in the Philippines were not born with a silver spoon, they had to work hard for the empire they own right now.
All I am saying is if your stuck with your eight to five job, Pediatrician Jobs, clerical jobs, you can succeed if you want to.
As for me, this year is a milestone in my entrepreneurial life — I am going to start anew. And as long as I put my best foot forward and the Lord is there to guide me, I know I will succeed.
It’s sad to hear that nowadays it’s a common thing for husband and wives to be separated. In a country like the Philippines, where there is no divorce and with a very traditional and conservative outlook on marriage, being separated is a hard process, most especially if there are children involved.
Recently, we attended a talk regarding parenting at my son’s school. I was happy that hubby blocked his calendar to attend this very important activity for his son. The talk was conducted by Arun Gogna, who is a sought-after national and international lay preacher. I have attended one of his talks during my younger days and I have been impressed.
During the talk, Arun injected a lot of humor which made it more interesting for parents like us. A lot of what he talked about, are things that we all knew but needs to be reiterated. Although one important thing that really stuck me is his last statement about parenting..
“Parenting is how you treat your spouse.”
He reminded us that our children will mirror the way we treat our partner. If we show love and affection, they will feel loved and be confident about themselves. On the other hand, if we show hatred and disrespect to each other, our children will tend to reflect on these negative behavior.
I am glad and grateful, that despite our humble beginnings as husband and wife, we have learned to love and respect each other and have constantly shown this to our children. Even though I sometimes look at diamond wedding rings and wish that I have one of those, my present relationship with my husband is priceless and I cannot ask for anything more but to give us the much needed strength to endure whatever life has to offer.
For both us, having kids have strengthened the bonds of our marriage. I am truly blessed and I thank the Lord for that.
Photo by Emery Co on Flickr. Some Rights Reserved.
Watching the news these days is really disappointing. While the Christmas girl is me is still checking if everyone on my checklist has a gift, others are so busy fighting and exchanging harsh words.
The other week, after being slapped with an electoral sabotage case, Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo while awaiting trial, following a Pasay City court’s approval yesterday of her petition for hospital arrest, refuses to ride an air ambulance service provided by the government but instead prefers to be transported via a bulletproof bus. This incident resulted in the exchange of harsh words between the two camps.
This week, members of the Congress fastracked the passing of the impeachment case against Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona, which reportedly was pushed by no less than the President himself.
I can only shake my head in disgust! It is no secret that my brother in law is a Senator, but we are not a political family. I just can’t get it. Probably, the reason for my disgust is because of the timing. This is Christmas, people should be thinking of the reason why we are celebrating…
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16
Yes, not too long ago, my husband’s family especially my BIL, was a victim of political harassment. But I could not wish it to happen to any family.
I just hope that we can all move forward and know by heart the reason for this season.
I came home one day from my yoga practice and saw my eldest crying and whining. My first instinct was of course, to ask what happened. Then she blurted out the events of the day that led her to cry. One thing good though, she didn’t cry in school.
My daughter even when she was a kid, was such a “cry baby” just like her mom but I have learned through time that crying does not solve anything. And so while she was growing up, we have taught her how to be strong and not be hypersensitive about things. Thanks to her dad, she has slowly outgrown the cry-baby stage … until now.
I tried not to show pity but I really feel for her. She’s the captain of her batch cheering squad and it’s a very big responsibility. When things don’t go her way, it can sometimes make her fall to the ground. My advise is simple. “If things don’t go your way, your tears will not help solve any of your problems. You can cry to release those emotions, but only for awhile. Let go and pick yourself up and try to be objective about things, it will let you focus more on the problem at hand.” It took while for her to stop sobbing but after all the pep talk, I know that she’ll be alright.
Sometimes the reason, why we cry and drown ourselves with sadness is because we keep looking back at the mistakes or the misfortunes that took place. LET IT GO! I am reminded of the quote I saw in Facebook…
When life’s strong winds come blowing, bend with them and let go. By bending, you become stronger in new places. By letting go, you will be making room for the new and the better.
Nowadays, you need to be more flexible. Get out of your comfort zones and try out new things. I used to see myself as an office type of person, where I have a fixed workstation. But lo and behold! I am now an entrepreneur. If I need to work, I do not need a workstation. I can work anywhere just like those hospital computer carts, my mobility does not affect my efficiency.
It took me awhile to find my niche and now I tell myself, “I should have done this a long time ago.” Oh well, it’s never too late …
It’s been a hectic 2 weeks for me and I guess it took its toll on my health. I was bed-ridden the last weekend and it was the first time I have felt the kind of pain in which my muscles ached so badly, I literally cannot move.
Hubby said I was stressed! Yeah, but it was a different kind of stress. I am comparing the stress I had when I was in the corporate world. This “stress” gave me fulfillment .. which make me feel the need to still get up and do more. I believe it is when you love what you are doing that you overcome stress. Not to say that I did not find satisfaction when I was working as an employee, I did! In fact, I loved how I was able to deal with different people but at some point, when you can no longer enjoy the time and you’re all tied up at work… it will get you thinking. Is it all worth it?
Now, I added a little zest into my life, taking some risks and after all the setbacks, I am back on my feet. Life would be so boring if you don’t take chances once in awhile. Your body will always look for that adrenaline rush, and so just like some people who add flavor on their swisher cigars, I had to venture into something new.
My physical body has always been weak, but when your spirits are high nothing can put you down. I enjoy what I am doing now, I have my own time which enables me to spend more time with my kids.
And so, I move on! Even when I still have a funny voice (due to colds) and coughs every once in a while, I still got up Monday and did the work that had to be done. I couldn’t say that stress is no longer there…. but I can easily overcome it. It’s all about managing it!
Ever since I got married, my ultimate dream was to have my our own house… a house and or a town house perhaps. Being married to an architect, every one probably thinks that would be an easy job but I guess, everything isn’t really easy for me and my hubs.
Hubby and I both grew up from a location that is quite far from the school we go to. At a young age, high school that is, I have to endure the rigors of commuting from Laguna to Manila, where my school is. My routine, obviously was house and school and vice versa. No time to do much lakwatsa, much to the content of my mom 
With that in mind, we promised not to give that kind of experience to our kids. So even if we can buy those affordable houses in the south or far north of Manila, we are maintaining a rented house here in the Metro so the kids can enjoy more time with their school activities rather than deal with the stress of going through traffic each and everyday of their lives. I guess when you are a parent, you have to really look after what’s good for your children rather than satisfy your own personal dream.
However….
As the years go by, I thing it’s about time to revisit that grand dream of mine and think of being more practical. Nothing bad with that. With the property boom, there are a lot of condominiums around our vicinity and even if I am not really a “condo girl”, I have to adjust a bit. It’s just a matter of mindset, dontchathink 
Hubby keeps telling me that I am the only who refuses to take a look a condominiums. Okay fine, I shall open my mind and prepare myself. That wouldn’t be hard. It’s not like their stealing my dreams away…. It’s more of tweaking it a bit.
This would probably end my emotional roller coaster ride. The stress of trying to find the perfect house, that fits our budget has really given me a lot anxiety like casters attached to my computer chair, I feel like I can swivel, go forward, sideward but in the end I go back to where I started. House hunting can be draining at times.
So if my family is happy with a condo, then condo it shall be Good luck to us!
It’s been a month since I started my yoga practice and I have been practicing three to five times a week. This is the start of my journey to a fitter and a healthier me!
One month into the practice and I feel that I am already reaping some of its benefits. For one, I feel the happy hormones are always present, I am more energized every day, the grumpiness has lessened, much to the content of my kids and of course, my hubby
Fitter by the day! As I deepen myself into the practice, I am discovering that my body can do a lot of stuff that I have not tried before. It’s liberating to undergo such thrilling poses that I never thought I can do, especially with my age now. I have felt the change when I go up and down the stairs and even just walking a mile… I am pleased that I don’t grasp for breathe or even if I do at times, it will take a lot of time to do so.
Weight management was my ultimate goal when I enrolled and I have been quite successful in doing so. Thus, it is in the maintenance that will pose quite a challenge but with discipline, I know I’ll be able to do so.
No more diet. My metabolism is faster now and I can eat whatever I want as long as it is in moderation. The exercise makes me eat less and I can even live with only yogurt for dinner… Can you imagine that?
More “Me Time”. Yoga practice is about creating your own space and every time I go to shavasana (corpse pose), I find time to relax and free my ever worrying mind. If there’s one thing I find it difficult to do is just to let go. Yoga has introduced calmness in my mind. Just by practicing Yoga is enough “me time” for me. I don’t even look for a great massage at the end of each session Even though I feel some sore in my muscles every now and then, I don’t really dwell on it.
I look forward to practicing yoga every day and even if I still cannot perfect the pose, I don’t get intimidated. Besides, I have only been practicing for a month. Yoga has taken all my anxieties away, given me a clearer mind to think of what is NOW and let go of what the future has in store.
The old me would probably still be anxious about my ultimate dream (of having our own house) but now I just let go… Now, I would look at the elegant tubs at bathsofdistinction or the furniture and fixtures in the mall with much content for I know that I am blessed. And as long as hubs and I are working hard and giving it our best, we will soon reap the fruits of our labor
I was overwhelmed when my home got home and excitedly handed me a pink handmade card. Awwwww! With all the technology available nowadays, I appreciate it more when my kids present with something they made on their own. It reminds me of my growing up years, when there were no computers and colored printers, my brother and I would make cards, be it birthday, valentine or Christmas, out of bond paper. We’ll try all sorts of stuff that we learned from art class. Cut papers, melting colors, etc. It was so much fun
My kids would often tell me that they don’t give me gifts because they do not have money but the thing is, I do not need expensive gifts. I tell them that you do not need money to make me happy. This year perhaps the most valuable gift I received is the handmade birthday card from my son. The though that he spent the time (in school –take note!) to make one birthday card for me is very much appreciated.
The advancement of technology can sometimes bring a lot of disadvantages when our children are not properly guided. I love that mobile phones can make communication faster, that social networking can bridge the distance between people who are million miles away, that there is now a lot of gadgets like tablets, golf gps finder that make our lives easier. However, we need to guide our children in the proper use of technology, with all the news of crimes resulting from its use.
Likewise, we need to reiterate that we still need to have the “personal touch” when it comes to nurturing relationships with our family especially with our children and of course, our parents, who are mostly not adept with technology. Somehow having the “real presence” and “personal touch” still spells a lot of difference.
One of my mentors in photography once shared this interesting story in facebook:
“A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said ‘I love your pictures – they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.’ He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.’”
— Sam Haskins
It’s quite fascinating how people tend to regard the advancement of their skill by the gadgets that they have. Like in photography, most people who are starting with the hobby, especially those who can afford, would likely to buy the most expensive lenses and other accessories believing that it will improve their craft. However, most professional photographers would tell you that you need to improve your skill first before you engage yourself in investing on those costly accessories. You can begin with basic DSLR camera or any point and shoot camera for that matter such as Sony Cybershot, Lumix or fuji digital cameras and once you have mastered the skill, then you start to upgrade slowly.
The pros explain, that when you start upgrading your accessories without perfecting your skill, the tendency is to shove them off the shelves once you get frustrated. Remember we are talking of beginners, so you are just starting to feel the passion. It goes true for everything new that you want to start with such as golf, biking, cooking/culinary arts, you need to get the “feel” first. Are you really passionate about it? Give your self a year or two before indulging on any gadget upgrade, make sure that the fire has not “dwindled”.
Remember it’s not about the gadget, it’s all about your talent.
In one of my conversations with my daughter she asked me who my best friend is. I quickly replied, “your Papa!” I added that although we didn’t start that way, it just came to be. Of all the people in the world, I can talk to my husband about anything even about vanity. When I feel like I am so fat, he tells me I am not. When I freak out, he calms me. When I am down, he cheers me up.
Marriage is a work in progress. It’s up to both parties to make it successful. As for our marriage, we have had our share of ups and downs, it’s a roller coaster ride but we never let go of each other’s arms no matter what.
I guess we have come to a point that we have accepted our equality as husband and wife through our love and respect for each other. The road to attaining this kind of relationship is not an easy one. We need to submit ourselves to our partner and again, it’s a work in progress.
Even as we count the years of our marriage, it is important that we never ever let Love diminish, no matter how busy we are. Neglect is oftentimes the start of a broken relationship, that’s why we need to make an effort to make our partner feel special.
So no matter what happens, I will keep my promise to God … that I will love and cherish the man I married.
Oh goodness, this is so mushy already. Good thing hubs don’t read my blogs.
~~~
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