~ on a piece of paper ~

" Get one piece of clean and white paper", my trainer said to me one late afternoon. I was wondering what I should have write on it, was it my dream board again? Asking for a pen, he draw a small dot and asked each participants what do you see? One of my colleague said " a small dot of course!",. The Trainer responded YES you are correct! He then asked me how about you Jen?, i answered a narrow space of a white paper! Yeah you are right! he exclaimed with excitement.  It's neither "Yes" or "No" that defines your success, it's how you see things in the right perspective at the positive horizon.  

Everyday, life offers different circumstances in various situations and for a reason.  The way people look at things defines the altitude of getting the desired destinations of this life's unending journey.  The view from the top showing how amazing the creation was may or may not be appreciated by anyone depending on how he sees and define beauty . Some might not noticed the flowers that blooms nearby cause the focus might be on the narrow and deep pit along it.  Will you miss to pick the fresh flowers? just because you are afraid of the slippery ground? Come to think of this.  "It's not important where you are now, its what you do today to make you the best that you can be tomorrow."...  Life is beautiful ! live it! enjoy life!.. live free.!.

~ an empty bench in the sunlit woods ~

When things went wrong and seemed everyone turns their back from you, I used to think of having a solitude in the rain forest where I could only hear the crickets chirping, the robin's singing, the leaves of the trees dancing as the wind blows its tender breeze on my skin.

I find it refreshing where I could lay my head in the midst of the sunlit woods with the green grass as my pillow. Watching the sky as clear as the deep blue sea. Singing lullaby to my lonesome spirit. Praising Him for the beauty of the nature He created. Silence. Peace. Wind. Sounds of the animals in the rain forest.

Those where just some of the familiar stuff i used to do when I was a just a little lass. Hanging around the rice fields. Playing with the scare crow as the "mayas" were coming to the crops.. It was an awesome experience I ever had. Papa used to trained me to plant rice in the muddy rice field. It was great. When you've seen yourself drowning in the mud. lol! I missed being a child. The vast acres of the farm reminds me of something I did not have right now. That is, silence in the midst of my noisy world.

Taking a closer look at the bench in the middle of the sunlit woods is what I am trying to remind myself despite of the many things that I currently undergoing. An empty bench stands for my lonesome spirit in battling over every circumstances, in standing firm amidst the heavy rain, and in climbing above the highest peak of the mountain. And the sunlit woods stands for a new hope. Though an empty bench was surrounded by the woods yet there is always a sunlight that gives brightness and a new rays of hope. A blessed hope that comes from a horizon up above.

Along the shoreline

I was thinking of having a solitude in the beach where I could see the vast expanse of God's masterpiece.

Lately, I am in the valley of decision making on some aspects of my life.

First, I did made a draft for my resignation from my multi-tasking job.

Second, my ardent goal to do my business with strong belief that I could make it happen to do top.

Third, balancing my spiritual walk and consistently doing things for God's glory.

Fourth, using my mind over my heart, that is, setting aside the heart matter, the emotion of being loved and to love. All of these created a space that fills my heart with heaviness and a bit of wonders & ponders.

I felt I need to have a rest where i could find tranquility in the midst of my noisy world.

It's been a while. I thought it's enough. I cannot change the whole system. I cannot change people's mind nor I cannot change the way they are.!.

As I was just pondering and seeing how beautiful the shoreline would be, I kept recalling of the small things that was thrown back and forth from the great waves & tides.

All of it; a piece of candy wrapper, an empty plastic bottle, a debris of woods, a small stone, an old boat maybe, were just some of the many small things that came to and fro from the beautiful shoreline.

I've dreamed of a wonderland where fantasy and merriment was there. I kept trying to change a certain scenario where the only thing I could help was to change the way I think about it.

I long to have the right man where he might be just waiting for my smile to start the history.!. I am trying to evade from a noisy crowd and plan to take a flight to a distant solitude yet things happen in a way I have no control of.

The shoreline where I would be going would be beautiful but deep within it was a tormented spirit. A gloomy face that might not suited to stay in the beautiful shoreline.

Along the shoreline of troubles, difficulties and doubts, there would always be a huge waves that flush out every unused things and unnecessary stuff.

When my shoreline was not beautiful as I imagined, I could just found out one foot step walking & creating a message in the sand that says " Leave it to me, my child". .

The Essence of Being Gathered Together

Yesterday, April 22, 2009, As I was on my way home coming from my business transaction ,I felt sleepy & tired since there was a heavy traffic. I felt dizzy and thought of resting at my house early. It was just around 6:30pm then when I remembered Sis Mary Ann & Bro. Rey & Sis. Ging Caminade invited me last prayer meeting(Tuesday) to join with them at Eden's Ihaw-Ihaw not to dine physically but to dine spiritually.

They were having a bible study & fellowship together with Pastor Don Caminade & Sis Joy's employees. Having a very tiring day in the office, I thought of not dropping by in the place since I already attended prayer meeting last Tuesday but then I was quickened to be more cautious with the way I used my time wisely! As the jeep was getting nearer with the location, I asked the driver and said " Manong, could you stopped the jeep beside Eden ?" and there I was.

I've found myself singing songs with them, I learned a new song. I love to see the people that have in their hearts the zeal to sing, dance & shout for joy to the Lord though the place is widely open and there were lots of passersby along the corner, there were tricycle drivers that were talking alongside but God is indeed very great.

As it was time to gave testimonies for God's greatness. I was just amazed the way some people act on it. They never waited to be called. And I was just hit on my head since I seldom testifies in front though I had a lot of reasons to do it. What struck me the more was when a certain Pastor named Joseph from " Badjao tribe of Isla Berde" stood in front and said " My brothers & sisters, I did not finished my grade 1 in school, but my wisdom comes from God Almighty, my anointing comes from Jesus, but Look " I am sharing with my tribe about Jesus, I can read bible with our own version " , he added this " how much more of you here, i think there were of you here that are professionals, I am sure God can used you as long as you are willing ".

Seeing upon him the honesty that comes from a heart that says the truth, I was reminded ! reminded with my zeal for God in letting others know who Jesus is. It's almost a month now since I had stopped my bible study in the office with my production operators ! And wow ! This night is not a coincidence ! I was reminded to be more conscious of the ability God has given me to pursue and to persevere sharing Jesus to others. And there I was founding myself in front sharing my testimony to them too . I started with this word " Good morning !" Good morning though it was evening ! I stress out why ? It's because the mercies of God are new every morning.!.

I've found out the essence of not giving up being gathered together ! There were times in our lives that we do not feel good of going into a certain fellowship because sometimes we are overshadowed with a bulk of problems & disappointments! but here I have found out the real joy and the essence of Christians fellowship. In Hebrews 10:25 says " Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching". Why? Simply because, it is in gathering that we are encouraged, it is where we start to grow spiritually, it is where we could be a source of joy to someone, it is where we should not give up with !

~ HOPE ~

So I tell you to believe that you have received the things you ask for in prayer, and God will give them to you. (mark 11:24)

You’re never defeated,
never beaten down as long as you have hope.
Keep this thought in mind always as difficulties, sorrow, sickness and trouble come upon you.
Have you heard that old saying that where there is life, there is hope?
I suggest you turn it around: Where there is hope, there is life.
Form a picture in your mind, not of lack or denial or frustration or illness, but of prosperity, abundance, attainment, health.
You will receive as a result of prayer exactly what you think, not what you say.
Therefore, practice believing even as you pray that you will receive God’s boundless blessings—that they are already on their way to you.
When you live with hope in your heart, in your mind and in your spirit, you have discovered one of life’s most powerful secrets.


( condensed from Norman Vincent Peale ) Courage:Find Your Strength In Troubled Times www.ourprayer.org

~ Ordinary Juan Dela Cruz ~

The strive for survival ! The agony of insufficiency ! Lack.. Shortage, Somebody would die if not... ! These would be some of the driving force why an ordinary Juan dela Cruz stayed in a very discouraging working environment. Considering the family that he feeds everyday, his wife that clamors not for a meager budget, his children that says " Papa, can I go to school next month?"...

How could a dignified and responsible, hardworking head of the family can afford to lose his job in favor of those people he loves? Obviously none except for foolish & irresponsible man!

As I was watching last Saturday, April 11, 2009 the episode of Jessica Soho, Kapuso Mo 's " Munting Pangarap", I cannot help my tears from falling seeing those young children working just to survived! Have you ever come into a point of putting up your shoes in them?

There were 2.7 million child labor rate in the Philippines as of 2009. How can a child earn just to live? Young children cries out in the street of poverty. Longing for a brighter tomorrow. Who are accountable to them? How can they reach their dreams? When their parents are just a mere laborer in the society they are living in? Poverty alleviation, I've been hearing this how many times from a promising lips of a politician!

Ordinary Juan dela Cruz, having six children, occupation: laborer. Have you ever think how this man survived? Try to consider his income and in contrast applying it to his needs daily. How many Filipinos today cried for a better employment opportunities? How many teachers in State Universities have gone abroad just to have a high paying job? Have you ever considered doctors who shift nursing courses? And could you named someone today who stayed in his/her degrading work because he or she has no choice???

It's sad to note seeing few who enjoys luxury but not looking on to the deepest essence of being here on earth! They can afford to buy a four fold million worth of car yet hard enough to buy one electric fan for his workers ! This is happening.!. Some can afford to have a very luxurious vacation trip yet very hard enough to give an increase to his key people in their company ! What more should I elaborate ? I believe everyone is aware but not taking a serious glimpse of it! Why? because Ordinary Juan dela Cruz is simply living to survived !

Juan dela Cruz is simply a representation of an ordinary Filipino people who strive hard everyday for him to be able to continue living in the chaotic planet he is in. There were increasing numbers of Juan dela Cruz today. Simply living for his survival.

~ When you said " I do " ~

There was this friend of mine who have been telling me to look for "foreign man" to be my future husband ,according to her that's the easiest way to went abroad and live a life of abundance and good fortune. Somebody that obviously not a Filipino like me! It sounds funny yet it is happening to most Asian women today. To look for a British, Irish, Canadian, Half Black & white American men to mention only a few among this line. I have been wondering why??? She said " be practical "... Well, I cannot blame her I said to myself. She's been through a lot with her Filipino husband a long time ago!

While single women today seemed eager enough to enter into the so-called lifetime commitment the thing called" marriage" , there were some married men and women who seemed eager to get out from the same thing "marriage"... If I would describe the scenario, it looks like a pig in the pigpen. One is eager to get out while he's inside the pen whereas the other one is eager to get inside while he's outside the pen! Oh how confusing! What must be in the inside and outside? Is there a big difference???? Have you ever wonder why married men seemed to fall in love with another women?

Saying " I DO . , FOR RICHER OR FOR POORER, FOR BETTER OR FOR WORST, IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH TILL DEATH DO US PART !".. This was the ever memorable remarks to a couple who has entered into a matrimony! The vow they have uttered in the presence of their love ones, in the presence of the many witnesses. A vow that was made and bind by LOVE. A vow not only to themselves but to the one who created them .. A vow to God !

I was in the middle of my imagination when something had caught up my attention! How come a married men said he does not love his wife??? how can a married women said she does not love her husband??? Does their love has an expiration date??? that in the span of 5 years,10 years something bad was the taste???

I am in my early 30's where people around me tries to question me why? why I am still single?.. Oh common ! Life seemed great when you are single and life seemed greatest when you are married. Having a husband, kids and a well-being. But sad to note that most families today have been bombarded with marital issues, with marital problems between the husband and the wife !

I was just careful enough to make a step and decide for a lifetime commitment since I cannot turn back the time, I cannot have regrets in the beginning.. For me, love is always the best thing that binds every marriages. Why does some people failed in their married life? why did their husband committed sin with another women? Is it because her wife does not look even better the way he used to knew her a long time ago? or is it because from the start of the relationship, LOVE & FRIENDSHIP does not well developed?or is it because they have forgotten their vows? or is it possible that God was out of their pen when they said : " I do' ?.... come to think of it..u