Words Of Love

October 13, 2011
Reading: Luke 11:47-54

47 The Lord said: “Woe to you! You build the memorials of the prophets whom your fathers killed.
48 Consequently, you bear witness and give consent to the deeds of your ancestors, for they killed them and you do the building.
49 Therefore, the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and Apostles; some of them they will kill and persecute’
50 in order that this generation might be charged with the blood of all the prophets shed since the foundation of the world,
51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah who died between the altar and the temple building. Yes, I tell you, this generation will be charged with their blood!
52 Woe to you, scholars of the law! You have taken away the key of knowledge. You yourselves did not enter and you stopped those trying to enter.”
53 When Jesus left, the scribes and Pharisees began to act with hostility toward him and to interrogate him about many things,
54 for they were plotting to catch him at something he might say.



My Reflection
"If you record what you say the entire day, how much of it brings life to the people you love and serve, and how much verbal pollution do you contribute to the environment?"

I am guilty of verbal pollution especially against my parents. Though with all honesty, I can say that whenever I raise my voice or answer rudely or talk with sarcasm with my parents, I immediately feel the remorse of having to hurt their feelings. I know that they just don't tell me that I have hurt them, but I know I did.

You may ask, why do I do it to them?
Because at times, they tend to be over attending to all of my needs. --->; They are parents, that's what they do. They care for their children and make sure that their children are doing good.
Because at times, they are importunate with their requests and questions. --->; I guess, they are getting old and that they have memory gaps already.
Because at times, they go beyond my privacy. --->Again, they are just concerned of you.

I know that there are no justifications for doing so even if at times, I may be on the right side; they are still my parents and I have to respect them. They have gone thru a lot especially my mom whose hard work was able to send me to one of the best schools in the metro. And that if it were not for them, I would not be where I am, or be the person that I am now. A major part of me is because of them.



My Prayer

Lord, forgive me for having to forget one of your commandments and that is to Love Thy Mother and Father. Forgive me for those times that I have answered back, or raised my voice at my parents. I pray that you may grant me the strength to amends my ways. That when I speak to them, my words will bring message of love to them. Grant me also the patience and the understanding that I may be able to treat them the way that you want me to with love and respect.

Back on the Running Track

*Pant* *Pant* *Pant*

Today is the 2nd day after I went back to the running track. It has been months since the last time I jogged. And I hope that I can commit to it.

I have less than two months before my birthday, and I somewhat want to lose some weight during my day.

I am also doing this for our Singapore trip on March. I have been wanting to wear sleeveless shirts during my trips but have not been able to do that because I don't look good in one right now.

Beauty From Within

October 12, 2011
Reading: Luke 11:42-46

42 The Lord said: “Woe to you Pharisees! You pay tithes of mint and of rue and of every garden herb, but you pay no attention to judgment and to love for God. These you should have done, without overlooking the others.
43 Woe to you Pharisees! You love the seat of honor in synagogues and greetings in marketplaces.
44 Woe to you! You are like unseen graves over which people unknowingly walk.”
45 Then one of the scholars of the law said to him in reply, “Teacher, by saying this you are insulting us too.”
46 And he said, “Woe also to you scholars of the law! You impose on people burdens hard to carry, but you yourselves do not lift one finger to touch them.”


My Reflection

I am a very competitive person, and whenever I am in a contest, race or anything that will bring fame, I always put my 100% into it; just to win it. And sometimes, I have the tendency to bring this competitiveness in me in my life, in my relationships with my family and friends. Most of the times, I don't want others to be over me; that I need to be always ahead of them. I've got to have the coolest and latest gadget if my friends have them already. Or, if not, I need to have the more upgraded version just to stay ahead of them.

I guess it is just but human to feel envious of others, of what they have, of what they have been receiving or what they can do. But at times, if we make these things our inspiration to live, then that's where everything starts to fall apart. If we do things for the wrong reasons, then I am pretty much sure that we will not be able to see through it.

It is that child in me that tend to have these attitude towards materials things. I should not blame it on my past having not to have the luxuries of life. Ever since I got to have a good pay, I always justify the things that I buy. I always tell myself that this is to reward myself for the work that I am doing, and for sacrificing a lot while I was still sending my brother to college. That it is about time that I enjoy the pay that I am working for. But I know this is wrong. I should learn how to control especially if there are things that after using it for a handful of times, I would stop using them because I already have the more latest version.

I remember Atchi telling me before... Your way of life or lifestyle improves as your pay increases as well. When she told me that, I told her, "Nah, that will not happen to me... I am different. I am a simple person and I do not need much..." But look at me now, I have lots of things that I just keep in my cabinet and don't use them anymore. I've got to learn to control myself in buying more.

Simplicity is beauty as they say... I believe in that. Because if you have too much on your face or body, noone can no longer see the natural beauty in you; but rather, only see the shallow things that enhances your physical aspect. And besides, like what I said yesterday, the beauty inside is enough, once that is good, it will radiate beautifully outside.



My Prayer

Lord, Thank You for reminding me that I should not based my beauty or my importance as a person in material things. These are shallow things, and that I need to invest more in making myself better inside.
Please do teach me to learn not to compete with others but most especially not to be too envious of them. Also, give me the strength to live a simpler life; that I can appreciate even the littlest things that come my way. Thank you...

My Own Credit Card

Yehey! And, I finally got my own credit card, not a supplementary at that. I applied for it initially but they disapproved it informing me that I had to setup a savings account first; which I will not be able to touch for a year. The credit limit will be based on 80% of the savings account that I will open with them. I was really disappointed having to get that letter because they wanted to be sure that I will be able to pay for the credits that I will be making.

And then few weeks after getting that reject letter, I got a text from my bank branch and they are offering me a pre-approved credit card with a pretty good credit limit plus it is a SkyMiles credit card. With it, the points that I will be earning can be converted to miles for Delta Air.

There is really something good in everything that happens in our lives may it be good or bad. If my initial application was approved, I would not have gotten the opportunity to have the SkyMiles credit card. Everything really happens for a reason...

Cleanse Inside-Out

October 11, 2011
Reading: Luke 11:37-41

"37 After Jesus had spoken, a Pharisee invited him to dine at his home. He entered and reclined at table to eat.
38 The Pharisee was amazed to see that he did not observe the prescribed washing before the meal.
39 The Lord said to him, “Oh you Pharisees! Although you cleanse the outside of the cup and the dish, inside you are filled with plunder and evil.
40 You fools! Did not the maker of the outside also make the inside?
41 But as to what is within, give alms, and behold, everything will be clean for you.”"



My Reflection

These past few days I have been busy of thinking as to how I can improve my looks. I have been noticing that my hair is dry and that I need a hot oil soon. I also decided to start using a conditioner so that after getting that hot oil, I can maintain the silkyness of my hair. I also realized that taking a bath using soap is sometimes not enough, that I need to use a body wash and a sponge. Plus the fact that I have been using whitening soap and just recently bought this whitening cream. And just a few months back, I was on a no-rice diet so that I can lose some weight. But had to stop it, because I had to regain my strength after getting the flu for a couple of days. Needless to say, I have been busy achieving how to look good outside, forgetting that I also need to take care of what I have inside.

Actually, during mass last Sunday, it just dawned on me that instead of wasting my time doing facebook, or downloading and watching TV series, and playing games while on my shift, I can start praying again. I work at home most of the times, and since I am at the comforts of my home, I can basically do anything I want. One of the difficulties I had before with my prayertime was my busy schedule. Now that I have more time for almost everything, I decided to try to go back again.

This was a very good timing, because the day that I started praying again, the Dear Lord will give me the reading; reminding me that it is not enough to keep myself look good in the outside but in the inside as well. Last Sunday, I did not receive communion because I felt that I was unworthy to having the resentments in my heart. (This will be another story). And that I know that I have been neglecting the Lord for the past years. I will just turn in prayer if I need something from him. And I miss talking to Him just like I used to do before. Starting today, I will do a conscious effort to look good from inside-out. Besides, looking good in the inside will shine through in the outside.



My Prayer

Papa God, it has been a while since we last talked and I am sorry for putting it hold so many times. A lot had happened already, and I know that You are aware of them all. Starting today, I will not promise, but I will try to keep in touch with you again. And I pray, that you give me the strength to commit myself to you again, that I may never stop doing what will really make me look and feel good and that is having You in my heart always...