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! 

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!  

My best friend is here.

Lydia, the one in red shirt (with her family is the US)

Yes, she is home. She arrived last Saturday from Florida. And I was so surprised!

Lydia and I have been friends for almost two decades now. We've been together for the many ups and downs in our lives. Before she went to the States, we were almost always together. I had the habit of sleeping over at her place and we would talk and giggle for almost anything and everything that was happening in our lives. She loves me unconditionally, and she accepts me for what I am. And I love her, too. That's why I was so ecstatic when she texted me that she's home.

Unlike a couple of people I know who tend to forget once they get to the US, Lydia has never forgotten. She never forgets to get in touch.

Lydia is a sister to me. And I strongly believe that God has designed it that way. We met each other and eventually became friends soon after the untimely death of my only sister. Since I believe that everything happens for a reason, my conviction is that she is the sister that God has given me.

Now, I am more than happy to see her after 10 years. I am happy to see her now married to the man who loves her. And I am excited for another sleepover that I would do at her place just before she leaves for the US next week.

I am excited! I am giddy! I am ecstatic!

Nolie.

We've been friends for more than a decade now.  We met when we were still students in the graduate school of the DLSU where we took up Master of Arts in English Language Education.  Since there were only a handful of us in our batch then, we developed such a strong bond.  During those days, we were no longer so young, but we're so carefree.  I remember when we were about to take our comprehensive exams - I was seriously studying while she was busy playing mahjong!  LOL

After our stressful MA class, she would invite me and him to the then Westin Philippine Plaza poolside to watch the sunset, moreso to enjoy the ambiance.  We would sit down there for a couple of hours and talk, laugh, talk, laugh.  

Well that was more than ten years ago.  Fast forward to the present.

Today, she is in town to spend her summer holidays with her son (she has been living in the US for nine years).  And this afternoon we met at the Robinson's "to reminisce old times", she said.  When I saw her, my gosh, she is so fit and fab!  I know, I know that she now is such a devoted wife and mother, but goodness, she is gorgeous!

Well, our lunch today was over-powered by talk and laughter, talk and laughter. Just like before. 

For me, Nolie is such a loyal friend.  I am so touched that despite of what she has achieved in life, she has never forgotten the friendship we have had despite the distance.

With Noli at lunch today.  Robinson's Manila.  July 16, 2011

On my way home after our meeting, I kept on telling myself that I was so happy to have met Nolie again.  I realized how much I've missed her and her company.  She's one friend who tells me straight what's wrong and what's right.  I can tell her everything without being judged. I am just so happy  and felt so blessed that I've got a friend in her. I am very grateful! 

And, oh, I got this precious present from her - a Liz Claiborne shades.  I've been dreaming to own one, and it seems that Nolie has read my mind.  Thank you, dear universe, for conspiring with Nolie.  Thank you, Noh, for your thoughtfulness.  You rock! LOL

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This is what I love with real and true friendships - you can always pick up from where you left.  Time and distance do not really matter.

On your birthday.

Today is your birthday. The way I look at it, you have gone a long, long way since you have changed the path of your life. Your perspectives have changed a lot. Your attitude towards life, most especially towards God, have changed a lot. And those changes that I see are positive.

We've been friends for seventeen years now. Somehow, we have the developed the bond that no one can replace. And I am thankful for that. Indeed, nothing happens by chance.

On your birthday, I would like to tell you that I am here to support you no matter what. So be courageous to take the road where you wish to take your life's direction. Be brave to take the road less traveled. Be optimistic that tomorrow will be a better day. You, just like anyone of us, are a work in progress, and that is okay. Remember that you are loved, no matter what.

Today, I wish that all your dreams come true. I wish that God and His generous universe will listen and grant all your wishes, too.

Cheers! May you be tremendously blessed as you celebrate the 51st page of your life :-D

Three wishes for Lydia.

Lydia and I have been friends for almost two decades now. We met in one search-in activity when we were still searching for our place under the sun, for the meaning of our existence. Eventually we both decided to answer the call of the cloistered life, and we both decided to leave when we found out that the meaning of life for us is not in the cloistered convent of the missionary sisters. Lydia went ahead of me for like one year, both in coming in and going out of the cloistered life.

After that chapter of our life, we found each other and we both mended our woundedness. She helped me picked up my broken pieces, and I did the same to her. Sometimes I slept over in the two houses they have, wherever Lydia was, and we talked our hearts out till the wee hours.

Practically, Lydia and I have seen each others highs and lows, sacrifices and joys in life. I was there when she first fell in love. I was glad I was the first one to know. Maybe because she knows that I would defend her; I would fight against anyone who would hurt her. And fight indeed I did for that unworthy person who broke her heart.

When I first fell in love, she was also the first one to know. And she exactly did what I did to protect her, too.

Now Lydia is in the States. She has been there for almost a decade now, but she has never forgotten me. Everytime a sister of her comes home, I can never be without chocolates and other stuff. The last time she sent me my first Anne Klein watch. She has convinced me for several times to go to the US to the extent of offering to spend for all the expenses, but I never had the courage. She is more courageous than I am indeed.

Lydia got married on March 5. I was surprised one day when I opened my inbox to see her message asking me of my current address. I asked her why and she joyfully told me that she's going to send me her church wedding invitation. I was touched by her gesture, and I am so happy for her. Finally she has found someone with whom she can spend the rest of her life.

Soon, Lydia will be celebrating her birthday. And for that occasion, I have three wishes for her:

1. A blissful married life. I know that with the man that she chose to marry, she will always be happy. Her husband loves her so dearly, and the last time that I spoke with her she sounded so ecstatic and so satisfied with her life now.

2. Good health for her and her hubby. I am wishing that they both live long and celebrate many anniversaries together.

3. Long-lasting friendship with her. She is one friend that anyone wants to keep for life. She's very encouraging and very inspiring. She is very gentle and tough at the same time; I know she has that inner strength that makes her a winner in all areas of her life.

I love you, Lyds! I am blessed to have a friend like you. May all your dreams come true.