8th Wonder of the world.

I have been given a lot of names, the latest of which being the 8th wonder of the world! Haha.  I guess this namesake was given me because no one could ever believe that I'd leave my promising career of 25 years and venture into the world of the unknown.  Where I set my foot at 45 is considered the road less travelled by many.

But I have no regrets.

Where I am right now promises growth in all areas of my life.  It is here where I have grown my mindset, beliefs and attitude.  It is here where I practice my faith in action.  It is here where I learned to practice positivity and gratefulness regardless of the circumstances that life may bring.    

Where I am right now promises freedom.  Right now, I am enjoying time freedom.  I don't have to ask permission from someone or to file for a leave of absence if and when I want to go somewhere.  While doing that, I am also blessed to be earning some passive income.   

Where I am right now is where I fully exercise my power over myself.  Everyday I have to make a decision to win over small things.  Everyday I must exercise that discipline to do things that I don't feel like doing but is important for my growth.  

Where I am right now is called entrepreneurship.   It is not easy, but it is all worth it! It is not easy, but I am slowly succeeding anyway.  And that's what makes me the 8th wonder of the world!

Life is good.

Life is good.  This contradicts the first line of the M. Scott Peck's book The Road Less Traveled.  I don't want to repeat that line here because I don't like the mindset that it gives. My business mentors and my life mentors would often tell me that everything is just matter of mindset. As Juliet van Ruyven, the renowned author of the bestselling book The Tale of Juliet, puts it, we should "protect our mindset" and "install in our mind simple but transformational beliefs" for us to succeed.  Thank you very much, my dear mentors and friends!

Life is good.  Today I went to visit my new friend, and I was able to make a sale.  My intention of going there was just to ask for some referrals to my business--- she might know of some people who might want to be give priority to their health and my products can help them.  But she ended up choosing the products that she needs. Thanks SRV!

Life is good.  I had a very good late night dinner with our friend for 20 years.  He called me up earlier and invited us to dinner to celebrate HRY's birthday.  We had hearty pizza at Chef Arnold's, a hole in the wall pizza resto in Mandaluyong City. Thank you, AVM!

Life is good.  Yesterday was the birthday of my best friend, my number 1 fan, my critique, my consoler, my stabilizer, my shock absorber, my counselor, and my lifetime partner.  We enjoyed each other's company during the day --- he accompanied me to a graduation ceremony in which I was a special guest and had a very simple dinner in the evening with a friend. It was always a delight because he has simple wants and likes.  Thank you very much, HRY! Life indeed is good with you around.

I hope everything is good with you, too.  No matter where you are or what you're going through, always remember that Life is good.  It's just a matter of mindset.  Count your blessings and surely you will also say LIFE IS GOOD! 

Never too late.

I was browsing my Facebook account just a while ago.  And this is what I found:  

This graphic resonates so much to me.  You see I reinvented myself at mid-40s.  I saw a lot of raised eyebrows when I made the decision to leave my job of 25 years!  Many got panicked for me.  They were thinking of my retirement.  Little did these people know that my retirement fund was one of the reasons why I left employment.

You see I have big dreams for me and my family.  Seemingly my 25 years of being employed had not given me the big dreams that I really want to get.  Mind you I was not just an ordinary employee when I left; I was, in fact, at the middle-management level position.  I had 73 faculty members under my wing back then.  I have nothing against employment --- it actually has shaped me and molded me to be the person that I am today. But I needed to leave, and pursue the dreams that God has planted in my heart.  

Ever since I was young, I have been a dreamer.  I would always imagine the life that I want to have, the house where I want to live, the car that I want to drive, and the savings and investment that I want to have.  Yes, I was receiving a good salary from my employer, but I was just living the life that I can afford, not the life that I want.  

Right now, I am in my journey towards the fulfillment of all my dreams.  I made the decision and took inspired action over a year ago to change my life direction.  I know that in due time, all of my big dreams will unfold before my very eyes.  

At 46 I know that it's not yet too late.  It's not too late to enjoy everything that life has to offer.  It's not yet too late to make my big dreams come true.  How about you? :-)

The Tale of Juliet.

The year was 2005.  I was in a religious bookstore when my attention was caught by the cover of the book, especially the barefooted child at the center of the front cover.  Judging by its cover, I thought it was a corny, lousy book.  But then I flipped through the pages (as I always do when in bookstore).  Lo and behold!  I got hooked.  I didn't put the book down; instead I paid it and brought the book home with me.  That day I learned to apply the old adage:  "Don't judge the book by its cover."

The Tale of Juliet: You have the Power to Change your Life.  I got hooked with this super amazing biographical story of the equally super amazing woman Ms. Juliet van Ruyven, who is fondly called Jhet. I am so blessed to have met her last November 2013 in one of the biggest Catholic learning event, the Kerygma Conference, where she was one of the invited speakers. Our meeting was the law of attraction at work.  You see I didn't attend her talk because, being a fledgling entrepreneur, I enrolled in business streams.  But I was hoping that I could meet her or see her, at least. And the universe conspired with my idea so much so that we met at the hallway in SMX!  From then on, Jhet and I have become friends!  OMG!  My inspiration has become my friend!

Well, I have known Jhet since 2005.  How?  From The Tale of Juliet!  You wouldn't believe this, but I have read the book four times before meeting her in person!  Yes, four times!  The first time that I read TOJ I got so excited at every chapter.  And so I went over it again and again.  I was able to relate so much to the story of Jhet! I felt that in every page and every chapter, my own life story was being unfolded.  

Then I read about Yemen and its culture in one of its chapters.   When I was reading this chapter of TOJ about the Yemeni culture, I would always imagine how these things would look like.  Little did I know that after four years, I would be on the same ground as Jhet was! (This is another blog entry :-)).  Whoa!  The law of attraction was at work!  

After meeting Jhet at the SMX last November 2013, I read the book again.  It was already my fifth time!  Plus, I go over each chapter of it every time I need an inspiration.  

I have been reading a lot of inspirational book because I want some changes to happen.  I have longing to change my life for the better.  "If you want change to happen, you have to change," I was told.  Right now, I am a work in progress.  Little by little, positive changes have been taking place. And these changes have been greatly influenced by The Tale of Juliet.  Deep in my heart I know that I have the power to change my life.  For the better!  

Kage bunshin (no jutsu).

According to Urban Dictionary, Kage bunshin no jutsu is a shadow replication technique from the anime series Naruto. "Shadow" has little to do with shadows themselves, but rather refer to a type of jutsus known as shadow jutsus, or kage jutsus if you will. Whereas a normal replication technique would create a near perfect copy of the one performing the technique, the shadow replication is far superior in that it can create a vast number of replications.

And there's a note after that definition, which says:  kage bunshin no jutsu is Naruto's worst -and- best fighting move. He always hated the replication techniques at school because he was so bad at them, but then again kage bunshin no jutsu is so powerful that it enables him to easily create a horde of replications rather easily.

When I heard this word the first time, I found it weird.  Well, what can you expect from a forty-six-year-old-academic-person?  But when the simple meaning of the word was mentioned to me, I got the whole idea right away.  For a forty-six-year-old-academic-person, kage bunshin simply means duplication.  You simply have to create your clone!  That's it!  

I did my research today to get the whole picture of the representation of this word.  And this is what I found:

Kage bunshin!

And it makes me smile to know that I am not doing the perfect clone of kage bunshin action. For one, when Naruto does "kage bunshin", the index fingers do not form an X; they form a cross (+).  

So when does Naruto use this kagen bunshin technique?  Ideally, it is used in spying the enemies' field, so that a clone can easily disperse itself and send the information back to the user.  But more importantly, he uses this clone for training purposes, since the total amount of experience the user gains is multiplied by the number of clones being used to train.  For example, if a user creates one clone and trains together with this clone for one hour, the user gains two hours of training by adding the hours of clone and the user together. Therefore, when done with several hundreds, like Naruto does, training that could take weeks or months can be completed in a few hours. 

Aha!  Kage bunshin makes more sense to me now.  As my mentors told me, p(h)erfect duplication happens in training!  It saves time and effort in training people in my team to produce the results that I want.  And that is a tested and proven practice in the field where I am now.  My mentors' words are always full of wisdom eh.  

Well then Kage bunshin is not weird after all.  If applied properly, it can make billionaires!  Don't you think so?  :-D

Forty-six.

Today, I am.

My birthday cake.  MaMaison. July 4, 2012.

I was born 46 years ago, and there are 46 major milestones, events and people in my life that I am so grateful about:

1.  My God and my faith.  I cannot imagine my life without God.  My mother taught me how to pray as early and I was always the prayer leader in our small community.

2.  My parents.  I saw how they labored just to feed, clothe and send us to school. Thank you, Nanay, for all the hardwork you did for us.  I know it was very difficult for you to work night and day just to feed us. It was very lucky for us when you come home with rice for us to last for a day.  Thank you, Nanay, for teaching us to be practical, for letting us realize that life is not easy, for making us experience life as early.  Today, people may call it child labor, but it wasn't for me.  We needed it so that we could eat lest all of us in the family would get hungry.  Thank you, Tatay, for your unconditional love for me.  Nanay's siblings would call you indolent but they didn't realize how much you helped them.  Tatay, I truly admire till this day your talents and skills.  I could not forget the days when you would bring me to the city to buy me a pair of shoes. You might not be able to finish school, but you are the most intelligent person I know.  Your PR is incomparable to those who finished college.  I miss the days when you would teach me how to dance the ballroom after dinner. I know, Tatay, you are now happy in your place there in heaven where there's no more pain of your ailment.

3.  My siblings.  I am so loved by my three brothers, Wilson, Sam, and Nick.  Thank you, bros, for your love and care for me. Well my only sister used to love me, too, and I guess she's still loving me though she is in heaven.

4.  My elementary school.  This is where I first developed my esteem and self-confidence.  I was always regarded as the best student, and the best student that this school has ever had.  Thank you my dear teachers, Mr. Cagayao, Ms. Silbor, Ms. Calcaben, Ms. Cadiz, Mr. Erebaren and Ms. Calampinay.

5.  My high school.  A place where I learned that the rich are always given privileges, and the poor ones, like us, don't have a place in the honor rolls and in the activities.  Thank you for this challenge; I am what I am today because of that realization.  Thank you, Ms. Cachuela, for embarrassing me in class that day when I was in first year because you didn't like the fact that my father went to school to complain about my grades in Math.  Who wouldn't?  My classmate who was poorer in Math than I am and who copied my answers in the test got higher grade than I did.  You favored her because she belonged to the elite members of society.  Well that embarrassment, Ms. Cachuela, made me strive hard that I graduated Cum Laude in college.

6.  Mr. Carlos Cajilig.  Thank you very much for granting me that high school scholarship.  Fresh from elementary, I knew I was an outstanding student. So I mustered my courage and took the scholarship exam; luckily, I passed and was able to study in this school ran by OP nuns.  Unfortunately, I didn't shine in high school because I was just a poor lass from the mountains.

7.  My cousins (father side).  Thank you for treating me like an "animal" when I was studying in high school..  That made me more determined  and gave me more perseverance to attain my goals.

8.  My Auntie Nana.  Thank you very much for letting me study in college in the evening way back 1983 to 1987.  Thank you for fetching me from school everytime there was heavy downpour, for the watch you gave me when I started going to college so that I could monitor the time and be home on time, for the cloth you gave me which was turned into a beautiful dress (the only one I had during that time), for teaching me how to lead a simple, disciplined life.  I know you are happy watching in heaven of how I have myself today.

9.  My scousins (mother side).  Thank you very much for making me feel that I was just your lowly servant from 1982 to 1987.  I remember everytime I was at the kitchen washing the plates for you I would always tell myself that one day I would be in a better place than you.  And that is happening now. Thank you for all the oppression and the "pang-aapi".  I truly appreciate them now.

10.  Arellano University.  Thank you for offering an evening school for self-supporting students like me.

11.  Dina Abariso.  Thank you for being a friend.  You were my best friend in college.  And for all you know, you were my only friend then.  Thank you for introducing me to your other friends and for encouraging me to join our college organization.  That had a tremendous impact on my self-confidence.

12.  Paco Catholic School.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work there as a teacher.  The work discipline and ethics you taught me I carry up to now.

13.  Ms. Ping Cinco.  Thank you for mentoring me the hard way when I was a new teacher.  You embarrassed me once in class when you did classroom observation, but that was ok.  I learned so much from it.

14.  Ms. Dory Pabalate.  Thank you for being my mentor and my tormentor, too.  I have learned so much from you especially on test construction and lesson planning.  May you rest in peace, Tita Dors!

15.  Ms. Olive Demingoy.  Thank you for your dislike in me.  Your disliking me forced me to leave PCS,  and I have never been this happier.  Your parting words when I left PCS still linger in my mind.  That was full of wisdom, and I appreciate it.

16.  Anne Agustin.  Thank you for teaching me about patience and understanding and unconditional love.

17.  My boardmates at 187 Modesta Mateo.  Thank you for teaching me what it is to become independent. Thank you also for teaching me how to smoke; I found out that smoking is not really for me.

18.  The MIC Sisters.  Thank you very much for giving a wonderful experience when I decided to become a nun.  At least I found out that becoming a nun was not for me.

19.  Sis. Azun, MIC.  Thank you for helping me know who I really am.  Our ICs helped me a lot in discovering more of myself and God's calling for me.  Thank you for helping me overcome the sudden death of my sister.  I could not forget that session!

20.  My co-postulants at the MIC.  Thank you for being my companion in my journey.  Thank you for all the laughter, the tears and everything we had at the convent.

21.  EACIT.  Thank you for giving me the chance to work with you.  In you I discovered my self-worth again.

22.  Ms. Leonida Africa.  Thank you for your motherly love and care and for your trust in me.

23.  Ms. Cecille Ratilla.  Thank you for being a Mama Ces to me, for all your understanding and care.

24.  Belle Cheng.  Thank you for the friendship, ganda!

25.  Lydia Montallana & Noli Calamaza.  Thank you for the kind of friendship that we have.  Thank you for treating me like your sister.  Thank you for all the things that you have given me, for the love and support. You're unlike others who went to the States and have forgotten; you both have remained humble and thoughtful. Thank you my friends!

26.  FEU-EAC.  Thank you for the confidence in me.  I have been one of your directors since 2005 and I am so grateful for all the benefits and privileges that you have provided. Thank you for making one of my dreams come true, that is, to become one of your administrators.

27. HSC Family.  Thank you very much for inspiring me to be the best leader that I can be.  Thank you for all your support, love and understanding.

28.  Jazt Calim.  Thank you for being an efficient assistant.  I cannot imagine my life without you at the department.

29.  May Rose Imperial.  Thank you for your inspiration.  I have learned a lot from you --- your leadership at work and personal leadership.  You are one person that I cannot forget.  I cannot be the kind of leader that I am now if not for your mentoring and personal example.

30.  Elsa Gerardo. Thank you for teaching me how to be thoughtful.  Your thoughtfulness is contagious indeed!

31.  DLSU.  Thank you for offering me the scholarship I needed for my master's degree.  I only had the courage when I applied to study for my master's degree for I know that you are generous and that you have a scholarship for students like me.  Thank you for granting that master's degree in 100% scholarship.  Now I am finishing my doctorate also through your scholarship.

32.  VAVP.  Thank you for your belief in my capabilities.  The break you gave me to  become an international consultant of your company has changed my perspective about myself and my life.  You have given me hope that I am capable of making things happen.  Thank you for the exposure and the belief.

33.  Foreign trips.  So far I have been to seven countries.    I went abroad either to present papers in international conferences, conventions or meet clients for my consultancy works.  Thank you so much, Lord, for these travels.  It's good to learn about new places, new cultures.  These travels have changed my perspective.  

34.  Richard, Jomel, Rhain, Genelyn.  You guys rock!  You have rocked my world! :-)  Thank you for teaching me how to become a "mother".  I don't have a child of my own, and I thank God that you come into my life. 

35. Oriel. Thank you for teaching me how to love even more. 

36. SDSP Friends.  Thank you very much for our friendship of almost two decades now.  Thank you for loving me and for understanding me.  Teena, Apol, Ara, Ger, Aimee, Lita, Tess, Sheila, Lai, Gary:  you are the most non-judgmental people I know.

37.  Don Bosco - Manda.  Thank you for giving me the chance to prove my worth as Lector and Commentator.  Your accepting me as your trainee in the MLOC way back in the early 90s paved the way for me to regain my self-confidence and my self-esteem.

38.  SDSP.  Thank you for the chance you gave me to prove my leadership.  Thank you also for the friendship that I have formed through you.  

39.  World Youth Day 95.  Thank you for the affirmation that dreams do come true as long as you prayed about it.  You know that when I volunteered to be one of the core groups to facilitate the WYD at SDSP I declared that I would do it because I wanted to see the Pope up close and personal.  And it happened at the most unexpected place!  I remember I went to the restroom at the back of Quirino Grandstand.  After getting the comfort I needed, the guards wouldn't let us go because the helicopter carrying the Pope was already landing.  And I was in awe upon seeing Lolek walking towards our direction.  It was so close!  

40.  PHD Classes.  In my entire student life, it was only when I was taking my PHD that I could say it was difficult!  During that time that I was serious with you, I got two operations:  total hysterectomy and carpal tunnel syndrome. I think PHD wasn't for me?  :-D  Nevertheless, thank you.  I gained new friends because of you.

41.  Edu Bolanos.  We call each other "frend."  We went into PHD classes together.  The only difference is that you nerd, and I am not. If our professors would tell us to write a paper of 25 pages, you'd write 50.  If we were required to read a chapter, you'd read the whole book.  After classes, we'd go somewhere together to unwind.  It's with him that experienced lying on the cemented porch at the Ateneo - just to unwind!  Thank you so much, frend!  I am so grateful that you invited me to become a member of your team. I am so grateful that we dreamed together, and together make our dreams a reality.  We're just starting with our life's journey, and together let us make it to the finish line.  

42.  HRY.  Because of you I learned what unconditional love means.  Thank you very much for being my friend, my buddy, my companion, and my number one critic.   I always dream of travelling to Europe with you, and I know one day this will come true!  

43.  Eduard & Shanne Miguel.  Thank you very much, my mentors!  

44.  My U Business. You are slowly making my dreams come true!  You are such a generous company.  Your passion for quality is incomparable.  Thank you for the excellent compensation.  Thank you, Dr. Myron Wentz!  

45.  The Feast. I cannot miss this event.  The Feast is the happiest place on earth!  It's the place where miracles happen.  Thank you, Bo Sanchez, for creating The Feast especially for the un-churched.

46.  Caring group. I am so grateful for this small group where each one cares for each other.  In this group I can be myself without fear of being judged.  I this group a number of my prayers have been answered.  Thank you.

There are still a lot of milestones and people that are not included here. The people, events and places mentioned here are the ones that I remember while writing.  I am going to continue this gratitude list in the next blog entries.  

Meantime, let's celebrate my 46th!   

My mentors.

The words of the person I admire, Bo Sanchez, linger in my mind.  "If you want to succeed in your businesses, you should get a mentor," he retorted one Sunday at The Feast.  

Upon reflection, I have been into small business, but nothing had succeeded.    And then I heard these words when I started attend The Feast at the PICC.  There, we were encouraged to join Caring Groups, and I did! In our weekly caring group meetings, I asked my group mates to pray for me to find a business mentor.  Lo and behold! After a couple of months I was introduced to this couple, who eventually become my business mentors.  

EM & SM, my mentors.

What I love about my mentors is their sense of humility.  They are the humblest persons I know.  They are so generous of their time and talent, and treasure as well :-).  They guide us and coach us of what and how to do our business.  No wonder I am continuously improving and succeeding.  Yes!  

I also love their spirituality.  Their faith is so strong.  There was never any meeting that we do not include God, who is the center of our business.  They encourage us to pray incessantly until we reach our goals - and that is very inspiring.  

I can never imagine doing well in my business without them.  I love my mentors!  They are God's gift to me and my team.  They are my answered prayers.  

Essentials.

I so love this product. This has been proven effective to cure vitamin and mineral deficiencies. No wonder the Philippine BFAD has approved the removal of the "No Approved Therapeutic Claims" on its label. Oh yes! This is the only nutritional supplement in the country that deserves this accolade.

Well, what the Philippine BFAD did is actually second only to the rating given by Nutrisearch Comparative Guide authored by Lyle McWilliam. In this third party research, this product has been given 5 Gold Stars rating and has been chosen as the Editor's Choice Award Winner. What gave this product this highest rating? Here:

• MOST COMPREHENSIVE, BIOAVAILABLE, PRECISELY-BALANCED SUPPLEMENT
• UNMATCHED NUMBER OF ANTIOXIDANTS
• POTENCY GUARANTEED
• PHARMACEUTICAL QUALITY MANUFACTURING
• CERTIFIED FOR ATHLETES & SPORTS

Yes, this product has 14 vitamins, 13 minerals and 18 antioxidants that our body needs. The antioxidants then is described as UNMATCHED. These 18 antioxidants are responsible in repairing damaged cells. This broad range of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and phyto-nutrients are essential for cellular health. Together, these nutrients provide an unmatched number of oxidation defense mechanisms. What is equally amazing is that this product is a result of more than two decades of research and experience. Hence, it has become the best-selling product and widely trusted by people all over the world.

If you want to maintain your good health, I'd like you to try this product: The USANA Essentials. This has been tested and proven effective to cure damage in our cells caused by free radicals. 

Hence, upon taking this amazing product you could immediately have good, quality sleep. Your bowel movement would be regulated; your energy would be boosted.  Each of the tablet has nutrients for the heart, bones, eyes, liver, nerves, and cardiovascular health.  Most of all it is very rich in Vitamin E with gamma tocopherol, which is known as anti-cancer most especially colon and prostate cancer.

 I have been taking this product for 10 months now, and I have never gotten sick.  

If the our cells are healthy, we do not get sick. And if we are healthy, we will always be wealthy. If you want to know more about this product, you may follow this link.

Stay fit, healthy and happy, my cyber friends! Till next time.

h

My change declaration.

I attended the training on Winning the Inner Game of Wealth conducted by Mr. Robert Rances some few months ago.  I liked how he put business, money, and God in one package of an astounding training.  In that training, I learned how to develop positive mental attitude by applying what he taught.  Specifically, he taught us that everytime a negative thought creeps in just shrug it off your head and say "thank you for sharing."  And it works!

After attending the training, I also got hold a copy of the book Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker.  Wow!  My learning from the training was enhanced by the teaching of T. Harv Eker! 

It was also in that seminar that I got this declaration.  Oh I love declarations like this! 

God has given me the power to create wealth.

I create the exact amount of my financial success.

I play the money game to win.

I am the head and not the tail.

I am at the top, never at the bottom.

I am the lender, not the borrower.

Wealth and riches are in my house.

I spend my days in prosperity.

I progressively grow in wisdom everyday.

I get rich doing what I love.

I deserve to be rich because I add value to people.

I am a generous giver and an excellent receiver.

I am truly grateful to God for all the blessings I have now.

More lucrative opportunities come my way.

My capacity to earn, save and grow money expands day by day.

I receive God’s gift of abundant prosperity.

I have a living hope and a great future!

Now I am still a work in progress in the many areas of my life.  But much of my attention now is on how to get rich and wealthy and healthy.  Why?  Well, I was born poor, yes, but I don't want to die poor!  Lucrative opportunities are abound.  I only need to be open to these opportunities so that blessings will come in, most especially health and financial blessings. 

With the declaration I have here, I deeply believe that another big change is happening. Miracles are coming my way!  Miracles for financial and time freedom! Yebah!

Five big blessings for the week.

It's CG meeting again tonight. And I cannot wait to share the blessings I have for this week. My heart is overflowing with joy and happiness for the many blessings, big and small, that have been outpouring in me.

1. My nephew Richard is graduating tomorrow, March 30. Finally, I have another scholar graduating! Not only that. Right after getting his BSIT degree tomorrow, he will start working by April 15. Why? The Japanese company where he spent his on-the-job training takes him in as probationary employee. I am so proud and happy!

2. My mini-bus in Iloilo is earning well. Yes, earning well and good! It has been my dream to buy a jeepney for my brother, but God has been so gracious! Without me knowing it, the one that I purchased was classified as mini-bus, not a jeepney. :-D

3. My mother's staying with me for almost three months has been a big blessing. You see I left home when I was just 13, so I really didn't have the chance to get to know my mother's attitude and behavior that well. All I know is that she is my mother. But now I get to know her better - this time when I'm in my 40's and she in her 70's. With her around, I am called to be more patient and more understanding.

4. My new bed is done according to my taste and style. It's simple but comfortable. Thank you to Kuya Teddy's excellent craftsmanship. (Kuya Teddy is an experienced carpenter who makes bed, cabinets and other home furniture according to your taste and style).

5. My blog is starting to have its own audience. I am touched by the generous comments I'm getting through the comment page of this blogsite, SMS, and facebook. Regarding this, I have a secret to tell: I never thought that there are people who would love my brand of writing. As far as I am concerned, I don't know how to write. I don't know how to write creatively. I have difficulty playing with words. That's why it took me some time to broadcast that I am blogging. So thanks to you - my readers - who inspire me. Most especially, thanks to Aileen Siroy, whose passion is contagious :-D

Again, thank you. My heart is indeed full.

4 reasons of happiness today.

Happiness is a choice, and being happy is a blessing. Every single day, I have to make a conscious effort to look at things in different perspective and be happy even for the simple and mundane happenings of my daily life. I have to consciously discipline myself and my thoughts to look at things positively no matter how ugly they appear to be. Doing this makes me feel hopeful for uncertain and the unknown and grateful for the present and known realities of life.

So today, I'd like to write down my major reasons of happiness and blessings.

1. My dissertation abstract that I composed in less than 30 minutes! All the requirements for my CHED dissertation grant application are now complete. One more signature and off I go to CHED to file it. Dear universe, I hope that you are going to give me that grant of 60k at least.

2. LMM approached me this afternoon and told me all her realizations. I am happy for you, LMM. I hope and pray that you continue to be like that. You are on your way to maturity and to living a full and meaningful life.

3. FTL accepted my recommendation for him to be the next Physical Education Coordinator. Way to go, FTL! Thank you to your predecessor, GGG, whose positive attitude is contagious. I am hopeful for a revitalized PE curriculum in the coming school years.

4. A number of people are happy today: MSS, ACC, LSC, JMM, CCS, LRS, HLR, MFM and JNC. I gave them all the permission to visit the wake of the grandmother of our colleague. With this, I'd like to challenge myself to make at least one person happy everyday.

So there goes my four reasons of happiness and blessings today. More lists to come!

Blessings for the week.

It's CG meeting tonight, and these are my big blessings for the week.

Good health. Last week I was not feeling well. I had dizziness for five, and on the 5th day I went to the ER of Manila Doctors. The doc had me done several tests: ECG - normal; blood sugar - normal; spine xray - normal; head xray - there! It's where my dizziness came from. Final result - Rhinosinusitis!

I am ok now. No more dizziness, but I still have antibioitc though.

Dr. Aloysius Timtiman. I went to see him on Thursday when I still had dizziness. I did this according to the advise of the ER doc at Madocs - that if my dizziness persist I had to have follow-up check with my health provider doctor. So I went to see Dr. Timtiman - a very good EENT doctor. He is very gentle and knows what to do as soon as you tell him what you feel. I always get cured with him. I always like what he does to me so that I get to be healed fast. If you wish to see Dr. Timtiman, here's his schedule and location:

De Ocampo Memorial Medical Center

2921 Nagtahah, Sta. Mesa, Manila

Tel. No. 715-1891

Monday-Friday, 9am-12 noon; Saturday, 7:30am - 1:00pm

Cashflow game. As part of our pursuit for financial management education, last Saturday my friends and I went to play the game in Makati. You see, I am almost done with my doctorate degree, but in terms of financial management I am not that educated. So there. I joined the game and I liked it. Somehow the game reflected the reality of me now in terms of finances. But what I really loved is the idea that as soon as I left the rat race (I was the 4th one to go out of the rat race actually) I was able to achieve my greatest dream. I would like to believe this, and I have to act soon. And what's more exciting is that I am the winner in our group of five players!

Doing charity work. After the cashflow game, I had an opportunity to do a little act of charity, an act of love. At 4pm on Saturday too, I brought four orphaned kids at Star City. And it was a new experience to them! Actually these kids are not new to me, for they are all the children of my first cousin. The eldest is 11 years old, and the youngest is three. What is so sad about theses kids is that their mother died like two years ago, and their father died, too, less than a year after. So they are left in the care of their grandma (my aunt). Because my aunt is not working and she only relies on her dead husband's 5K pension per month and she has mouths to feed, I take the opportunity to at least give these kids a little of "good time" together.

So far, these are my big blessings for the week. More to come for next week's CG :-D

----------

I am excited for tonight's CG meeeting. Why? It will be done in my place for the first time! Yey!

Think rich, Badeth.

10-20-70. That's the thinking of a person that has the mindset of the rich. In the past I heard people say to practice 30-70. But that was too vague for me. I could not pratice it.

But this 10-20-70 reached me crystal clear. That if I want to get rich, I have to practice 10-20-70 - that is 10% to God, 20% for emergency fund and investment, meaning 10-10, and 70% for expenses.

I am just starting to practice all these now. I want to give it a try. As mentioned in my previous blog, I am still struggling with 10%. As for the 20%, I may have some investment, but I don't have the emergency fund. So, just like the 10%, I have to practice doing the emergency fund as well. In the past, I don't want to do this; it's as if I am anticipating illness in me or any of my family member. But I did get sick; my family members got sick. Good for me because I have health insurance, but I had still to struggle for the fund for my medicine. And when a family member got sick, I would go anywhere and to anyone to loan. But wait! This was my habit before.

Today, I am trying to grow and mature. I am trying to grow in my finances. As the Bo Sanchez emphasized, for me to grow rich, I have to think rich. I have to have the mindset of the rich, and to practice the habit of the rich - that is the 10-20-70 way!

Ah, last Sunday when I heard this, I was amazed. I was amazed that getting rich is as simple as this. I was amazed that budgeting is as simple as this. (More of this at this site).

So, think rich, Badeth. Think rich!

Thankful.

Today, my blessings overflow. I am especially thankful for

This Bath and Body Works Pleasures shower gel from Canada. Thank you, LRS.

This pair of pearl earrings from Palawan. Thank you, LRS.

These green mangoes on my table this morning. Thank you, GPP.

The meal my mother prepared for me this morning. Thank you, Nanay.

The financial blessing. Thank you, TVP, RCI, PMU.

The day that went well. Thank you, Universe. Thank you, God!

Blessings for the week.

Every Tuesday night, I join a Caring Group meeting.  If you might ask, Caring Group is composed of people of different ages and waistline sizes, in our group at least, who meet at definite day and time every week.  Every meeting, we begin our session by talking our blessings for the week.  And since I am into blogging again, I promise myself to make it a point to write my blessings for the week before I go to meet my Caring Group.  


So for this week, here are my blessings which I wish to share during the meeting tonight:


A move to a bigger and place.  Yes, I moved in to a new place last Thursday night.  As I said in my previous blog, the place I used to live was a shoebox so when the offer came to me for a new place, I readily accepted it.  My move to this new place was easy for I had people who volunteered to help me, but of course I did not accept their services for free.  I know, just like me, they have mouths to feed, too.


New BIG DREAMS. In that new place, I am dreaming new BIG DREAMS.  And this, for me, is a BIG BLESSING.  Poor is the person who lives without pursuing any dreams.


Indefatigable spirit.  Moving in to a new place, they say, is stressful.  Yes, I agree.  After setting foot on the new door, I started unpacking and cleaning, unpacking and cleaning.  Do I get tired?  No.  Thank you for the spirit that do not get tired.


Post-dated check.  I waited for it for like four months, but it's worth the wait. Hahaha.


Family Sunday Mass and The Feast.  What made it more special is the presence of the three persons who have been growing up with me.  (A blog about these three would come soon).


Opportunity to help others.  I thank God that He has tremendously blessed me.  I am able to help others, directly or indirectly, in cash or in kind :-D


Daily Sandwich supply from SVO.  Thank you very much for this daily supply.  I know she does it out of love.


Positive response of the HSC to the financial education orientation.  A number of them are going to start investing for their retirement tomorrow.


New doors for abundance and financial increase. May the Lord guide me to the right path, to the right "money machine".


These are my tremendous blessings for the week.  But of course I am grateful that today:

• I woke up to the sound of my favorite worship song
• People around are so good to me
• I arrived in my workplace safely
• I got a "pusit" pasalubong from Cebu
• I never run out of money
• I am on the road to financial freedom and independence
• My financial dreams are becoming fulfilled
• I am breathing well and good as I write this blog

I always believe that whatever I am thankful for are the same things that I attract into my life.  So be it!

On tithing.

Put me to the test and you will see that I will open the windows of heaven and pour out on you in abundance all kinds of good things. ~ Malachi 3:10

This is my mantra for today.

You see I have been struggling on tithing.  Call me an unbeliever, a person with little faith, materialistic, etc. But that's true; I am just being honest.  It hurts me to give that amount - that 10% that is really meant for my God (now I know :-D).  I used to give to God only what I think and feel was just right during the offertory part of the Mass.  I know I am a giver; I know I am helping a lot of people, and I thought that was it.  I thought that was all and be all of my being a Catholic Christian. I thought that would be enough for my God. 

However, yesterday at The Feast, the gospel and the priest's homily hit me bullseye.  And the Bo Sanchez "singled me out"  during his talk.  And this morning when I opened my email, he again talked to me!  And this article, though I heard him delivered it live a couple of Sundays ago, has a different impact on me today. 

And that impact gave me a stronger resolve to regularly practice tithing. 

On Sunday, I will test God.  LOL.  On Sunday, I will start being so honest with my tithes.  I know it hurts me, but what the heck!  I will try doing it.  

It's like God is speaking to me now telling me "C'mon, Badeth, test me.  And you will see..."

I declare.

I’ll have a super blessed year in 2011!

I claim a year of amazing abundance for my life.

This year, I shall receive more love & give more love.

I shall experience

• more joy
• greater generosity
• dreams fulfilled
• financial increase
• open doors
• new opportunities
• divine connections
• supernatural appointments
• great miracles
• answered prayers, and
• exponential growth.  Amen!

~ adapted from Bo Sanchez, 2011