Building Memories

A happy life is a life of great relationships; and that great relationships are built on meaningful memories.

Have a happy life, build those good memories.

The time to be happy is now. The place to be happy is here. The way to be happy is to make others so. Robert G. Ingersoll

The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to cheer somebody else up. Mark Twain

Happiness Goes Hand-in-Hand with Friendship

Oh wow, after about 3 decades, we're here together again. Such a delight!

So much joy to see good friends. Way back then, when we were young, we get to have friends just for the sake of being friends, because you get along well. There were no other reasons why you stick together, not much masks, motives and pretensions, heheh, just fun.

Thanks for fun friends!

Warm in Winter

Nothing beats the warmth from a son's hug, even in winter.

It was the start of the winter season when I got to visit my son. I never experienced winter (just autumn). It was so cold, my lips and cheeks were stiff.

But what could be more cool than having your son showing you around a wonderful place amidst colorful city lights. Topping my delight? A huge super duper warm hug!

I thank the heavens above for I felt being cuddled by thousand of angels. Definitely from a happy mother's view, heheh.

Photo taken by my cam on a 10-second self-timer, hahah.

Peace to You

Peace . . .

The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace. Mother Teresa

So at peace while with my family at the cemetery as the nation observes All Saints Day on November 1 (and All Souls' Day on November 2).

All Souls' Day is when the Church commemorates and prays for the holy souls in Purgatory.

Merciful Father,
hear our prayer and console us.
As we renew our faith in Your Son,
whom You raised from the dead,
strengthen our hope
that all our departed brothers and sisters
will share in His resurrection,
who lives and reigns
with You and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Eternal Rest grant unto them O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace.

Reasons

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile. Anonymous

Secrets of the Rich, Sikreto ng mga Mayayaman

I am currently reading a book entitled "10 Sikreto ng Mga Mayayaman" (10 Secrets of the Rich). I got it yesterday as the title is really catchy and in Tagalog. Who doesn't want to be rich, huh?

I have been reading a lot about happiness, how to be successful and how to be a winner. "Baka kulang lang ako sa pansin (I may just be craving for attention, heheh).

Anyway, no easy step-by-step instructions in the book on how to get rich. Discussions were on building the proper mindset. I guess, that is the foundation.

The author, Al Sembrano shared the following secrets in his book:

1. the new me who believes in me
2. be content without ever being content
3. know the unknown
4. failure is your best friend; not your worst enemy
5. control your emotions; don't let your emotions control you
6. sacrifice temporarily to succeed permanently
7. be a great leader especially if you think you are not
8. cherish what you take for granted
9. the impossible is possible
10. create, carry & carry-out a tactical plan of action

The book I have is just one of a series of 10 books. The author would be teaching more detailed secrets in the 9 books.

I came across a Truly Rich Coaching Progam scheduled next month, launched by motivational speaker, Bo Sanchez. I have attended this two years ago. The participants are introduced to his seasoned mentors from whom you can get valuable advise based on their own experiences.

Honestly, right now I feel rich and happy. There is joy in my heart because of Him. Joy differs from happiness since joy remains, even in the midst of life's challenges (which are ever-present).

I learned from my other readings that what make us happy is maintaining fantastic relationships. That is where I want to invest in right now. My focus is on my relationship with our Lord, with family, with friends, with sports buddies, with co-Community members, with people in the Parish and ultimately making an effort to live in peace with people around me.

Be happy.

Focus

What do you focus on?

Whatever you focus on, think about, read about, and talk about intensely, you’re going to attract more of into your life.
Jack Canfield

Feed your dreams.

I read that we should not feed our fears unless you want them to grow and overwhelm you and paralyze you.

Fill your minds with truth, fill your hearts with love, fill your lives with service.
President Thomas S. Monson

In conclusion, my friends, fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise: things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable.
Philippians 4:8

Blow The Cake, Happily

One, two, three . . . blow!

Happy birthday to you . . .

How old are you?

Happiness is as simple as blowing your birthday cake, in the pink of health, at whatever age.

Yoohoo! Blessings to those celebrating their birthdays.

Thanks be to God.

Movie Quote

No matter how bad things get, something good is out there, just over the horizon…

Got the quote from the movie "Green Lantern". There is hope.

I took this photo when my family went to revisit "Kamay ni Hesus" at Quezon. It was a stress-relieving day for me (something good in the midst of life's concerns).

Flying "I Love You's"

These are birds I watch every late afternoon before the sun sets. Sometimes I also see them early in the morning, a little bit after sunrise.



I believe God speaks to me through this flock of birds. He is saying "I love you" to me and "I will take care of you".

A Whole New World, A Happy One

Happiness is having your child experience a whole new world in another country.

Korean? Most likely an Egyptian dance.

Memorable moments at the Gyeongbok Palace . . .

Having fun with brightly-colored, traditional, Korean clothing . . .

How about being buddies with the palace guard?

Finding Happiness in Life's Game

Well, happiness for me is being able to accept life's puzzles and being able to play it with joy, despite the difficulties.

Step? No.

Simple Happiness - Part III

Gosh! Had a great 24 hours!

A long weekend has passed. No classes for the students from Saturday until Tuesday. My niece suddenly decided to come over for a quick vacation at our home. She came Monday and left the next day.

I was the one who had fun. My niece, who has grown to a pretty lady, is the daughter I don't have, hehe.

The day we arrive home, we immediately took a dip in the pool, even if the weather was cloudy with some rain. It was cold, brrrr.

Fast forward . . . I am truly grateful and happy.

Dreams, Restructured

What is it in August that makes me review my life plans? Hahah. Possibly it's because it's a month before my birthday, heheh.

Anyway, about three and a half years ago, I started writing down my dreams, my 10 gigantic dreams.

Today, I reviewed them. I crossed-out those I have achieved, some with sweet success, a few with bitter memories but still dreams I pursued and which accounted to my personal growth.

Me in Europe, me walking where Jesus walked. . . me playing the guitar, me doing zip line in a high mountain over vast water and bungee jumping up, up there . . .

I restructured my set of 10 dear dreams.

Now, all I have to do is read them daily and pray that God bless them as I pursue them.

I pray that you who are reading this pursue your happiness. May life treat you well and may our Lord bless you.

Be Happy in Life

Lately, I am being happy more often, and being happy on little things.

I am happy to have read a good book.

It was handed to me by my mother about three months ago and finally I was given the grace to make time and effort to read it. And "Aha", it was a good read. I will recommend it to my son.

I am happy to have bought colorful pens.

These "not expensive" pens motivate. Having these colorful pens just give me an extra boost to write whatever inspiring things come my way.

I am happy the sun has come out and we can take a walk.

Since the rain has stopped, I can walk the dogs. A bonus was that my sons went with us for an early walking exercise. We were able to catch the morning sun. It is a miracle to have my sons wake up early. Because of this, they were able to eat breakfast not in a hurry.

Be happy in our lives. Just try and make an effort.

Add The Right Friends for a Happy Life

Yup, friends and more friends! Got my happy community here.

Seems to me that if you start opening up your life, with the secret ingredient (Him up there), everything good gets attracted. The right friends are magnetized and enters my life as I need them.

What you need just comes and if you know how to acknowledge and nourish your blessings, they increase a hundred-fold.

Try it for a happier life.

Happiness

Happiness is a taste of my favorite flaming dessert . . .
Mango Jubilee . . .

Ever so thankful for every blessing in my life . . .

No to Discouragement

On the other side of crisis lies OPPORTUNITY . . .

Go-Dream Quotes

If you can dream it, you can do it.
All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.

We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.

The more you like yourself, the less you are like anyone else, which makes you unique.

Mickey Mouse popped out of my mind onto a drawing pad 20 years ago on a train ride from Manhattan to Hollywood at a time when business fortunes of my brother Roy and myself were at lowest ebb and disaster seemed right around the corner.

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

Walt Disney

Source: Brainy Quotes

Things to Ponder

o All things in life are temporary. If going well, enjoy it, they will not last forever. If going wrong, don't worry, they can't last long either.

o Worrying does not take away tomorrows' trouble, it takes away today's peace.

o Often when we lose hope and think this is the end, God smiles from above and says, "Relax, sweetheart, it's just a bend, not the end.

o When God solves your problems, you have faith in His abilities; when God doesn't solve your problems He has faith in your abilities.

o Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you pull out when in trouble, but it is a "steering wheel" that directs the right path throughout.

Just got these from a friend's FB post.

Related Post: Worry-Wart? Me?

What Makes You Happy

. . . it is more than okay to live your joy. Whatever makes your heart sing is what God wants for you! Of course it's okay to be happy! Of course it's okay to fulfill your heart's deepest desires! What your soul most dearly and deeply desires is the very thing God wants for you.

When I came across this message, I asked myself " Well, what makes me happy??? What is it really that causes my heart to take a leap?" How come nothing solid comes to my mind?

But with all my life's concerns, I find myself just smiling and happy. I thank God for providing inner peace.

Being Happy

"Being happy doesn’t have anything to do with the size of your problems. Being happy has everything to do with the size of your hope. And that’s what you receive from God..."

- Bo Sanchez

Simple Happiness - Part II

The hairy critters at play . . .

Such a joy to look at them . . . but a big responsibility to take in these doggies, whom I treat as my additional children.

Was not too hot to have them at first, but am hooked to having them as my pets (addition to the family) NOW.

1 Corinthians 13:4

St. Paul shares his insights on "what is" and "what is not" love . . .

Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud. Love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up;and its faith. hope, and patience never fail.

It struck me that I do the "Love is not" part. Not only that, I do it to those close to me, to family, to friends and to people at the workplace. Whew! Work-in-progress on how to have love.

A Faithful God

So so happy today.

God has once more showed how faithful He is to His promises, we just have to claim His words.

Thank you Lord!

Thanks to a faithful God.

God's Love Gives Joy

Joy may be derived from mere appreciation of nature. Creation speaks of God's love.

Pets of Joy

Come here . . . sit . . . fetch . . . down . . . go . . .








Dogs, cats, birds . . . pets are source of joy to a lot of people.







Feeling a little sad? Chase those blues away. Be happy with your pet.

Quotes for Happy Families

The enemy of happiness is fear. Our lives are so fueled by it. We run our lives by fear. Thus, very few people are happy. Conclusion: If you want to be happy, we need to overcome our fears. How? The only antidote to fear is love. When you fill your life with love, your fears naturally disappears . . .
. . . love for God, love for others, love for yourself, and love for life itself. The Bible says, Perfect love casts out all fear, and I totally believe it. Bo Sanchez

The happiest moments of my life have been the few which I have passed at home in the bosom of my family. Thomas Jefferson

He who does not get fun and enjoyment out of every day...needs to reorganize his life. George Matthew Adams

Families are like fudge - mostly sweet with a few nuts. Anonymous

Family: A social unit where the father is concerned with parking space, the children with outer space, and the mother with closet space. Evan Esar

No man in the world has more courage than the man who can stop after eating one peanut. Channing Pollock

As a child, my family's menu consisted of two choices: take it or leave it. Buddy Hackett

Red meat is not bad for you. Now, blue-green meat, that’s bad for you. Tommy Smothers

You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them. Desmond Tutu

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's dessert, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it, in the same instance, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that binds us all together. Erma Bombeck

Having a sister is like having a best friend you can't get rid of. You know whatever you do, they'll still be there. Amy Li

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost. Marion C. Garretty

What? Everything Is Useless? Why?

I may be able to speak the languages of men and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith to move mountains - but if I have no love, I am nothing. I may give everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned - but if I have no love, this does me no good.
1 Corinthians 13

Wow, this was the reading last night at our assembly. Though we have heard and read this not just once, I remain amazed with St. Paul's wisdom.

You cannot say you are perfect. Check if you have done it in love. It is astonishing to be reminded that: worthless is the ability to speak in tongues, to be the most inspiring preacher, being an Einstein, even living as a saint with so much faith and sacrifice . . . everything boils down to "nada", zero, if you deduct love in the equation.

All is made perfect in love.

The next thing to ask is "what then is love"? How does one love? You can't give what you don't have? How then do you acquire love?

Set Your Heart On . . .

It is love then that you should strive for. Set your hearts on spiritual gifts, especially of proclaiming God's message. The one who speaks in strange tongues does not speak to others but to God, because no one understands him, He is speaking secret truths by the power of the Holy Spirit. But the one who proclaims God's message speaks to people and gives them help, encouragement, and comfort. The one who speaks in strange tongues helps only himself, but the one who proclaims God's message helps the whole church.
St. Paul

Tired? Not Today

Yup, there are times things are just too heavy for me. Nakakapagod na! (So tiring!)

When everything seems to be going down the drain, I simply stop a while and try to rest at night (though most of the time sleep doesn't come). I then say to myself, "Things will come to pass and help shall come from the One whom I trust, the One who loves me in the dimension of the cross."

A winner is just a dreamer who never gave up. Why then must I give up my dreams? I shall keep on dreaming, then wake up and act to pursue the dreams.

Trust in the Lord.

Our Deeds Count

This Lenten season, let's not forget to feed the souls as well. Why not add more meaningful acts of mercy, I said to myself . . .

The Corporal Works of Mercy

(1) Feed the hungry
(2) Give drink to the thirsty
(3) Clothe the naked
(4) Shelter the homeless
(5) Comfort the imprisoned
(6) Visit the sick
(7) Bury the dead

The Spiritual Works of Mercy

1. Admonish sinners
2. Instruct the uninformed
3. Counsel the doubtful
4. Comfort the sorrowful
5. Be patient with those in error
6. Forgive offenses
7. Pray for the living and the dead

"Do not tire of doing good . . .", " . . . and run with determination the race that lies before us", says St. Paul.