Beijing Olympics 2008

The Beijing Olympics is such a grandiose event in the Olympics history so far. The opening and closing ceremony is one of a kind. China, the sleeping giant, has now awaken from her sleep and now ready to tell the world that they are one of a kind.

The Philippines were able to send 15 athletes to compete with the Olympics. Sadly, the Philippine team were not able to bring any gold medal to the country. This just shows that the Philippines is not that prepared enough to compete with the world. The Philippines has a Sports Commission that should be doing some evaluation on the performance of our athletes; or devising a training program for them to be more fit to compete; or should be creating a program that would get the best of the best of athletes from provinces, and train them to their fullest potential. The Philippines once so rich and excel in different areas is now look-down by foreigners. Sad, isn't it? Or maybe you are not affected because you don't care what is going on?

I read one Olympic story, about a Somalian sprinter Samia Yusuf Omar, she is literally poor but rich in her dreams and her spirit. I wonder what is our dream for our country. I wonder if the old ones could still change, and the young ones could stand up to love the country. I wonder when will the country rise from ignorance and will stand against selfishness. Such a religious country but govern by people who do not live out their religiosity. I just do not speak of the government officials but what I mean by "govern by people" is the Filipino people as a whole.

We are living in the age of materialism wherein parents push their children to get a course in Nursing just for dollars sake; or I hear stories like what happen to my brother in the spa house wherein food is served to customers, since my brother does not look like a rich person, the workers there did not even care to serve him his deserved food. And a lot more stories to tell here...

We could do something in our own little ways, by strictly abiding the segregation of our garbages, by not throwing candy wrappers or any little garbage on the streets, by changing our perspective of the present age, by not being succumb to materialism, and by opening our mind that we just not take care of our own survival but for the good of the country.

I cry for my country daily just like I cry daily for the healing of my brother. It seems that this is like cancer, so hopeless to see what is happening to us. But I still have a flickering hope to see in my lifetime that the Philippines will once again rise. Hope you will join me in this dream.

Peace of Mind

(I got this article from an email and this is worth sharing here. Hope you guys find this helpful.)


TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR PEACE OF MIND

1. Do Not Interfere In Others' Business Unless Asked

Most of us create our own problems by interfering too often in others' affairs. We do so because somehow we have convinced ourselves that our way is the best way, our logic is the perfect logic and those who do not conform to our thinking must be criticized and steered to the right direction - our direction. This thinking denies the existence of individuality and consequently the existence of God. God has created each one of us in a unique way. No two human beings can think or act in exactly the same way. All men or women act the way they do because God within them prompts them that way. There is God to look after everything. Why are you bothered? Mind your own business and you will keep your peace.


2. Forgive and Forget

This is the most powerful aid to peace of mind. We often develop ill feelings inside our heart for the person who insults us or harms us. We nurture grievances. These in turn result in loss of sleep, development of stomach ulcers, and high blood pressure. This insult or injury was done once, but nourishing of grievance goes on forever by constantly remembering it. Get over this bad habit. Believe in the justice of God. Let Him judge the act of the one who insulted you. Life is too short to waste in such trifles. Forgive, Forget, and march on. Love flourishes in giving and forgiving.

3. Do Not Crave Recognition

This world is full of selfish people. They seldom praise anybody without selfish motives. They may praise you today because you are in power, but no sooner than you are powerless, they will forget your achievement and will start finding faults in you. Why do you wish to kill yourself in striving for their recognition? Their recognition is not worth the aggravation. Do your duties ethically and sincerely and leave the rest to God.


4. Do Not Be Jealous

We all have experienced how jealousy can disturb our peace of mind. You know that you work harder than your colleagues in the office, but sometimes they get promotions; you do not. You started a business several years ago, but you are not as successful as your neighbor whose business is only one year old. There are several examples like these in everyday life. Should you be jealous? If you are destined to be rich, nothing in the world can stop you. If you are not so destined, no one can help you either. Nothing will be gained by blaming others for your misfortune. Jealousy will not get you anywhere; it will only take away your peace of mind.

5. Change Yourself According to the Environment

If you try to change the environment single-handedly, the chances are you will fail. Instead, change yourself to suit your environment. As you do this, even the environment, which has been unfriendly to you, will mysteriously change and seem congenial and harmonious.

6. Endure What Cannot Be Cured

This is the best way to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Everyday we face numerous inconveniences, ailments, irritations, and accidents that are beyond our control. If we cannot control them or change them, we must learn to put up with these things. We must learn to endure them cheerfully thinking, "God wills it so, so be it." God's plan is beyond our comprehension. Believe in it and you will gain in terms of patience, inner strength and will power.


7. Do Not Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

This maxim needs to be remembered constantly. We often tend to take more responsibilities than we are capable of carrying out. This is done to satisfy our ego. Know your limitations. Why take on additional loads that may create more worries? You cannot gain peace of mind by expanding your external activities. Reduce your material engagements and spend time in prayer, introspection and meditation. This will reduce those thoughts in your mind that make you restless. Uncluttered mind will produce greater peace of mind.


8. Meditate Regularly

Meditation calms the mind and gets rid of disturbing thoughts. This is the highest state of peace of mind. Try and experience it yourself. If you meditate earnestly for half an hour everyday in the presence of the Lord, your mind will tend to become peaceful during the remaining 23-1/2 hours. Your mind will not be easily disturbed as it was before.
You would benefit by gradually increasing the period of daily mediation. You may think that this will interfere with your daily work. On the contrary, this will increase your efficiency and you will be able to produce better results in less time.


9. Never Leave the Mind Vacant

An empty mind is the devil's workshop. All evil actions start in the vacant mind. Keep your mind occupied in something positive, something worthwhile. Actively follow a hobby. Do something that holds your interest. You must decide what you value more: money or peace of mind. Your hobby, like social work or church work, may not always earn you more money, but you will have a sense of fulfillment and achievement. Even when you are resting physically, occupy yourself in healthy reading or mental praising of God's name.


10. Do Not Procrastinate and Never Regret

Do not waste time in protracted wondering "Should I or shouldn't I?" Days, weeks, months, and years may be wasted in that futile mental debating. You can never plan enough because you can never anticipate all future happenings. Always remember, God has His own plan, too, for you. Value your time and do the things that need to be done. It does not matter if you fail the first time. You can learn from your mistakes and succeed the next time. Sitting back and worrying will lead to nothing. Learn from your mistakes, but do not brood over the past. DO NOT REGRET. Whatever happened was destined to happen only that way. Take it as the Will of God. You do not have the power to alter the course of God's Will. Why cry over spilt milk?

May God help you remain at peace with yourself and the world around you!

Smiling through a collapsing world

(If you have a better suggestion on the title of this article, post me a comment.
This is my first storytelling article. Hope you will like this too.)

May I start with a question, if you are in the shoes of this person, what would you do?

My friend is striving hard since childhood just like some people from the financially-challenged families do. She said she has a family name that is rarely heard in school, society, or in any organization. She continued to say that this is due to "unschooled clan" she belongs. She works hard - in her studies when she was still in school, in work when she was privileged to have some, and in every opportunity of service where she can draw extra income for her family. She managed to get her post graduate studies, and eager to learn more to advance her knowledge.

She is the only person in her family who succeed in financial terms. However, she has a weakness, and that is, she does not hold back any centavo to her family. She cannot say no to family expenses nor she keeps a portion for her own rainy seasons. She always think of others - her family. She thinks that it is her obligation to help them, since she is blessed with much. She said she cannot live in prosperity while seeing her family eating bread crumbs. She is the breadwinner. She said, whenever she met underprivileged people on the streets, or in the fast food chains, her heart broke because she knew how hard it is to live in that status of the society. The only reason why she was able to survive was the dream of her mother for them to finish school. Her mom worked odd jobs night and day just to earn lots of 20peso bills for her tuition fee. However, her mom can only afford to finance her for just a year then. Her determination to finish school and her desire to rise up led her to apply for a scholarship. She said she was just an average student. Thus, she did not expect to maintain her scholarship. She said it was all about faith that keeps her sane in facing the battles at school, home and maintaining her scholarship.

When she graduated and started working, she never misses a month of not helping her family financially, emotionally, physically etc. Well, I guess this is what family is all about. One thing admiring her though is her peaceful smile. She smiles a lot. In spite of that smiling face she projects, a river of tears is hidden inside. She rarely shares her problems and conceals a lot. She prefers listening to other people's feelings, problems, etc. rather than talking about her own world of challenges. In short, she is a listener type of person.

Her happy face is still there today in spite of events that is so hurting to one's life. A member in her family was diagnosed of an illness that has something to do with the heart, with few years to live and with an Rx of all the must not in the world -- must not lift heavy loads, must not have a little stress, must not worry, and must not eat foods that is in the “NO-NO” list. Months later after that hospital event, another member in her family was diagnosed with cancer (just like my brother too...) so, I could never imagine the expenses she handles; she shouldered a large part of the financial burden. She solely carry it all. Her mom has advanced in age and is fighting to be strong physically, hiding mom's own illnesses too, she said. With all this, she said she is so privileged and grateful to experience life. She adds, "I just lived one day at a time." Amidst these challenges, she is still grateful in all things (which makes me think that the secret of a happy life is a grateful heart.)

My friend always had this deep sigh just to give herself a sense of relief on all the challenges she is facing. She is financially broke, and yet she never let the people know – to the point that she had only enough for her fare, not knowing where to get her next meal. She said she always survived the day with the blessings of attending meetings with free meals, in either snacks or lunch. However, in those times that she has to face her problems alone, she stand firm on her oath to herself not to borrow money. She despises credit cards, and is not in favor of loan and installments. She is a person who favors the “cash-basis” thing. She usually defers her wants even her needs whenever it is not on budget. She is thrifty. She could have saved a lot if it is not for her helping heart. She choose to follow her heart than to be practical; for she says, her family is far more valuable to her than herself.

She recounted those times of helping -- physically, emotionally, and financially -- the one who was diagnosed with cancer. She had to attend to her sick loved one until the wee hours in the morning and sleep little just to be in the office in the morning. It was stressful but she said she needs to do it. She forced herself to be OK all the time so as not to let her family worry about her. She said, during her lone times, she was asking God for an eternal rest because she was really tired. One day, she decided to make herself heard. She spoke and asked her family members a favor to help her carry the family's burden. Conflicts arise, here and there. Her family world was so chaotic.

Along with the chaos in the family, is her career. She said her new boss hates her. She jokingly said, she, referring to her boss, does not like to have an open-minded staff. If I could only write how her boss treated her, you will I guess advise her to resign from that office, but she remained steadfast to what she believed in. She faced this life everyday. She is hated for no reason. Her career life is shaky because of politics in the office.

Not only her family and career world is tested, her love life meets its end too. Her boyfriend broke up with her because of some family and relationship issues.

Finally, her health is deteriorating. She is diagnosed to have a breast cancer, and she is fighting against the pain of having this disease.

With all these things happening to her at once, she keeps on smiling and keeps on thanking God for this experience. She welcomed all these challenges in her hands. She never let anyone know that she is suffering inside. She said, this is where her character is tested and slowly formed, just like a gold that needs to undergo fire. She said, she must be strong for others are also strong in facing their own problems. She said, this is her part of challenge and she has to perform well.

Lastly, she said the only thing that would make her happy is to receive a commendation from her Creator, seeing His face smiling down at her saying, “well done thou good and faithful servant.”

I do not know how you react on this, but this is what I can say, life is full of choices. Our future depends on the kind of choices we are making today. She choose to face the storms that tore her different worlds. I am sure she is hurting but she choose to rise above her hurting and gave her faith and herself a more sensible stand on her principles. Our choices could be based on something that is of important to us, or on the faith that we have. She based her choices from the grounds of her faith rather than in any other foundation of choice.

Hope my friend that you will soon receive blessings that overflow your barns.

I would like to end this in a question also. How do we face our different world of challenge? Can we smile and be grateful like her?

Disclaimer: This article is for inspirational purposes only. The person involved wishes not to be known.

Politics Everywhere

Writing about this subject is too hard, but, I guess worth trying...

My country's political leaders are too hasty on money. They swear an oath of office and they say they love to serve my country, yet they do not carry out their jobs and oaths. Instead, they work hard on money deals. It seems saying sorry is just an ordinary word; mean it or not doesn't matter anyway. I am just curious if their conscience are not bothered. I am so curious too if they sleep soundly at night even when they directly or indirectly kill the country's reputation to her neighboring cities.

I am not good in politics because for me, this is the dirtiest endeavor on earth. However, I realize that politics is everywhere; may it be in the family, office or in any organization. I guess as long as man exist, there is politics. So, I have to deal with it.

In the home, politics is not so evidently noticed on small size family but noticeably clear on big ones. In the office, politics is also practiced like bosses show favoritism over their subordinates, people tend to use friendship to gain a post, or justify themselves just to get credit. People are egocentric, hungry of praise, and loves to exalt themselves just to win either a post, a favor in the eyes of the boss, or a "productivity reward." Ooops, hope you do not get me wrong on this. I'm just saying that promoting oneself in the expense of others is a no good practice. Why can't we try to be "other-centric"?

Well, I guess this is human. A fallen being? Bound to love oneself too much instead of loving and standing on the truth? I don't agree with that! I do not want to give in to such thought because great men and women from the first world countries proved that true success is attained from one's life legacy left for mankind. They do suffer for a greater cause (like loving their country). They know where to stand. They have principles. In the end, we all have a choice.

I am an observer. I love to observe people a lot, and wonder what kind of family we have formed in the Philippines. I am afraid of losing my country's bliss since I am seeing a Filipino race of selfish, uncaring, and happy go lucky people. I am sure she is crying all night for her people to change. Unfortunately, her cries are not being heard because the entertainment is so loud to distract her people from hearing her. I wish not to see more of her suffering.

Commune with nature

Nature is one of the best gifts of God to mankind. I am blessed to see His goodness through the mountains and sea experiences.

I spent my holy week vacation in the mountains of Batangas. The trek was terrific and the breeze on top of the mountain soothes my lungs. You know, living in the city is a big challenge for me. Air, water, noise and all kinds of pollution deteriorates my health. Thus, a mountain experience is a relief for me to at least have a different set of air and environment to live.

It's so good to once again commune with nature. I know my body will soon give up fighting the city life and have no physique to withstand strenuous physical activities (like mountain hike) just to be with nature, so I seize every opportunity of good health to be with nature, and see the world.

After that mountain top experience, my brother and I went to Puerto Galera (beach resort). I enjoyed the sea water, which helps cleanse and detoxify impurities in my skin. The sand and the sea breeze made me so grateful that God created the earth beautifully.

Then, last week, I had a chance to be with nature again. We have this team building activity in one of the good places in Rizal. The place was nice, and the activities were again strenuous! Well, after all, life should be a balance of physical and mental activities, not to mention the spiritual aspect (which should be the first priority).

CITY LIFE

by: janie (01-Nov-05)

When I was young
I love to play
And have fun all day
But now I'm old
Work is the game to be told

Life in the city
Demanding and stressful
Should be dealt seriously
For the toll

Idleness is the word
Mostly avoided
For some go hungry
And some smug bluntly

Empty hands comes famine
As the proverbs would say
For those who strives hard comes plenty
At the end of the day

Seeing the city life
I questioned the proverbs with plight
For I have seen it not right
To strive hard for life

I've been working myself
So hard that I can't push the shelf
Yet I got few
Less to all I know

Maybe the proverb is right
It doesn't just come outright
In God's time when we are out of sight
Plenty comes with might

Many Thanks

by: janie (22-Oct-05)

Every start has an end
An end has a beginning
But the Love of God
Is never ending

We may face
The whirls of life
But God's promise
Is rife

Fulfilling it to the end
Whether you had
Just started
Or approaching an end

God who knows all things
Many thanks to You
You are indeed our Jehovah Jireh
Provider of everything

Life's choices...

(from my friendster blog 07-17-2005)

The country's situation is so challenging for most Filipinos nowadays. Some lose hope, some have given up, some escape to other places, and some opt to find greener pastures in other country. It seems that life is so hard to be spent in our country because of the "system designed for us to fail".

Looking at the situation of the OFW's abroad, a big chunk of the pie have given up their profession in exchange of domestic jobs. Don't get me wrong here, what I am just saying is the kind of options that we are making. Yes, even if I have the opportunity to be in other places, I will do the same thing just to breathe from poverty and to experience the quality of life.

Ah.. @^!? I am just wondering when will the Philippines be able to send recognized doctors, teachers, and at least decrement the supply of domestic helpers ~~ maybe it takes 4 or 5 generations from now if these generations will go extra mile in their studies.

Well, in the end, I still believe that everything has a purpose. What we are going through is just the lesson that we ought to learn. It is up to us if we want change because change doesn't come from our leaders, it comes from each one of us. Now, it is our choice.

Kind of music...

(from my friendster blog)

Do you know that music affects your mood? Undoubtedly you will say yes. How about this, do you know that classical music contributes to the brain development of a person? It may sound awkward to those who do not have the taste of it.

I have this opportunity to listen to classical music 101 talk, I found out that CM stimulates the brain to perform better. At first, I didn't like it but eventually I learn to chew some.

Actually, I do not have that much knowledge about the genres of music not until I involved myself in producing documentary films. Docu film making, requires one's creativity, proper sequencing and the right blend of music. As I was looking for the right kind of music for the film, I fell in love with jazz more than CM. It uplifts me whenever I hear it, and drives me crazy when I deprived of hearing one. For now, jazz is my kind of music.

A Great Life!

by: Janie Seronio (Aug082005)

What a great life it is!
Full of mystery and unexplainable things
Sometimes on top, sometimes down
Below the darkest part of the world

What a great life it is!
Full of toiling and hardwork
Compensating daily existence
For the body needs nourishment

What a great life it is!
Full of battles to win
Battle against lies, flattering lips and boastful tongues
For wickedness is everywhere

O God, life is a wonderful gift
So challenging and tough
A gift worth cherished
And lived at last

Silent Cries

by: janie (1998)

Deep waters run through
As a silent person goes through
Just what like I do
In every pain I let go

Pain is always we undergo
But a silent person can let it go
Keeping it in themselves
So that they will truly know their self

For me pain makes me stronger
Eventhough I bear it no longer
It helps when I only have to keep it
Until I fall into it

I cried to myself
Coz I don't trust other self
Keeping pain within myself
Coz I only trust on God's self