About A Perfect Gift and Of Prayers: When You Pray Hard God Really Listens

"When you pray hard God really listens! "

I almost failed to be with my wife and son on the eve of Christmas last night due to work reason.  

Yesterday, I was surprised when my manager tasked me to do a physical count of all the stocks we have in our warehouse.  When I hear it I was really pissed off. I know that it will take me from morning until almost midnight. I mean there’s a whole lot of inventory stuff that we need to reconcile. 

About Jesus and His Birth: Christmas Is For Him And Him Alone

In between break from work, I just felt the need to write. The sight of my office station strongly sends a message of de-clogging. I know how pressure plays a significant role in distracting me to enjoy the celebration of remembering Jesus Christ's birth. Plus the fact that the location added some factors to really dodge me from feeling the vibe. BUT, I won't allow it to happen. The forces of the dark side that poses a constant and everyday distraction in me won't succeed. And so this post is all about HIM. 

HIM, who is "The King", "The Good Shepherd", "The Alpha and Omega", "The True Vine", "The Messiah", The Mighty King of Zion", The Beginning and The End", "The Rock". Lots of exaltation names can be given to Jesus and He is accorded of all of these exalting names.

About Spot-On Feeling, and Of Celebrating Christmas Far From Your Loved Ones: Is Distance Hampering My Mood For Christmas?

I never realized that it’s six days before Christmas. I’ve been drowned with work deadlines and important stuff that my personal countdown has been shy-out by it. 

I haven’t even bought any Christmas presents yet. Not even thinking of what to cook comes Christmas Eve.

Sigh!

I’d like to set my mood to be jolly and so homesickness won’t force an entry in my system. But suddenly, I realized that I’m like not feeling the vibe of Christmas.

Is it because of my location? Is it because I can’t see any signs and symbols that would make me remember that it’s Christmas season already? Even I can’t find a plausible explanation about it.

Tongue-tied that I just find myself de-energize prepping-up for the season.

One thing I hate in December is about the bulk of work loading up in my office station. It is year-end which means the word “busy” is keeping an eye on me.

Why am I feeling a bit blue when in fact I should be in a state of euphoria or ecstasy now? Is it the distance that hampers me to truly feel the season?

Whatever it is I am feeling now, I don’t even know. It’s like I’m floating in the air with nothing in my mind..

About Christmas Wishes, Of Gifts, and Of People: All I Want For Christmas

I’ve been tagged and so I’ll comply because these bloggers are not only important to me but are now close online friends as well..

It was Fielkun of Fielkun's Thoughts and Mecoy of Bunch of Nothing by Mecoy Cute who tagged me up about this blogger's viral tagging game about “ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS”

Normally, I'm not the type of a "wait-til Santa comes to town and wish" guy who wishes to receive something every Christmas. It's not in my system. Perhaps because I cannot recall any vivid instance that I'm jumping and shouting out loud (like a Tarzan's voice) because I receive something during Christmas.  Di ko nakaugalian na mag-wish tuwing Christmas. I'd rather would say "New Year's Resolution" meron pa upon which half of it ends up not realized --haha.. Paulit ulit lang every year but so far no concrete resolutions have had a clear output.

Basically, as an early 30's guy, who is happily married with one cute son named Damien Caleb, what I want is to give out or share something simple this Christmas. This idea of giving came up to me a long time ago na when I was exposed to social work and volunteerism. Yes, I have a big heart for social work and volunteerism and of helping less fortunate/ less privileged kids. The desire blossomed from my heart because I was raised in a modest way of life as well. I know how it feels to have less in life. I know how it feels to work hard to earn a living. (ang drama ko na -hahaha..direk gusto ko ng action...ayoko drama...kasi maiiyak ako eh hahaha). 

About Wishes, of Sharing, of Giving, and of Christmas Spirit: A Highlighted Way of Generosity

It’s almost Christmas season. When the month of November finally bids good bye, the onset of the season of merriment and joy clearly is on its way. And it’s the spirit that it brings that counts a lot right?. 

For us Christians who celebrate Christmas, it’s the feelings we put into celebrating the reminder of our Savior’s birth. We kind of brace ourselves into the season's wind of euphoria, of joy, of giving, of sharing, of reconciliation, of rekindling relationship and of strengthening our faith to Him who is the giver of all that there is in this world.

About Simbang Gabi, Puto Bumbong, & Christmas Carols: 10 Things I Love About "Krismas in da Pilipins"

We’ve past Halloween season. We’ve paid our due respect to our departed loved ones.

Now, the focus of the people is on the yuletide season. The hustle and bustle of the metro is on. The big rush on the streets, the busy shopping centers and malls, the overcrowding in Divisoria. Christmas songs being heard from every corner, from every houses. Indeed, there is no stopping the onset of the grandest season of the year. 

This time, I'll make a countdown of the different things I love about celebrating Christmas in Pinas. For us working abroad, nothing can beat the longing we feel every year that we miss celebrating Christmas back in Pinas with our family, relatives, and friends. It's hard. No! It's really hard. So I'll just contain myself enumerating things that will somehow ease that feeling of isolation from the rest of the family during Christmas. 

As a Filipino, we have intrinsic qualities that separate us in celebrating Christmas. Most often, we brand our celebration "Christmas Pinoy Style". I would proudly say that we're the only nation which celebrates this festivity in a month long period.

Wake Up To Happiness

Wow, the title is so challenging!

Challenging nga ba?

Para sa akin, ang happiness is a state of mind. A state where no one can provide you. Only you can decide upon it. Don't fool me with statements like: "Oh! you made me happy. Your presence is a happiness to me. When you came into my life I became happier. Such a crap! (sorry, sinubukan ko lang gumamit ng curse na ganyan--it's not me..hahaha).

You can't derive, get, or achieve happiness by borrowing it from other people. Your happiness should come from WITHIN YOU- it comes from your inner core and you just let it transcends out.

Like what I've said, happiness is a state of one's mind. The things, people, and events that trigger you to pour out the already happy state in you are just all additions that heighten that state in you.

When I woke up today morning, I opened my laptop and randomly browse a video that touches my heart even more to my soul. It feels good to see this kind of gesture by COCA COLA Philippines to come-up with this idea. It's grand yet it's inspirational. The families involve was put spot-on and startled in awe of the unexpected Christmas gift to them. Check this video and feel good.

Our mind is an amazing instrument. When we truly learn to make use of our mind's potential, it's like having a big power tool that is much faster, easier, and more efficient - THAT IS -we can set our mind to whatever we want to. I am convinced that happiness or unhappiness depends on the way we meet the events of life than on the nature of those events.

So stay happy lang mga peeps, don't make a room for DAMN things but LOVE.

And so I say: "Wake up to happiness! Shake up the happiness! :))


Are you naturally a happy person?

Road to Christmas: Days Left -111

     As promised, here I am once again updating you with today's encounter. And it's 111 days to go before Christmas.

     Hmmm..so what's special about this "triple first number". Well, as to me it got lots of significance. Anyone can associate this number to anything they wanted to think of. Someone has to be as imaginative as the scriptwriter or director to form coherent thoughts.


     111 can be a triple success for your today's endeavor. 111 can be the number of opportunities that might knock on your door today. 111 can be the times you had your firsts in adventures you're neophyte to.

     One hundred and eleven days. It's like so close yet so far. Far as it may seem, but thinking 'bout it open my eyes to the idea of a grand celebration. A time of the year where big and sweet smile flashes to your love ones, to some people whom you had misunderstanding with, to a stranger in the street, to the sales attendant in a department store while buying your desired gift, to a crew in a fast food chain where you're ready to claim your "take out purchase" as a present to your favorite niece and to the street cleaner for a job well done helping maintain the aesthetics of your village.


     I can't help but linger on day-dream or shall I coin it as a "wide awake dream". There is a special place in my heart that delight to the very season of our Jesus Christ's coming to earth. A chance to renew my vow as a Christian, an opportunity to give back and share blessings. It's also a great chance to boldly express our love to our dear family members and close friends and relatives as well.

     I always love the idea of togetherness, of being one with the whole family. I say so because seldom do it happens to us nowadays. A thing which sometimes put me in a state of melancholy. It's hard not to see them on a daily basis, more so of not being able to ask how they are doing in their everyday strugggles. But life is like that, we sometime have to learn to endure the sacrifices for the common good and goal to our families.

     

     Right now, I'll direct you to the last encounter I had today. An unexpected dinner and visit to two of my co-SFCs in the community. Bro. Don Phero San Lorenzo Marcaida and Bro. Jun Santo Tomas Jr. The place--KFC- Rakkah branch. The funny thing was KFC always serves as our melting pot when SFCs would think of ordinary dining out together. Yet, we don't even had this feeling of "nakakasawa na". Why is that so? Well, it's because we (or I) intentionally overlook how sumptuous the food can be but more so of the sensible and funny exchanges of conversation we can certainly enjoy.

     I'm sleepy now, so I'll end this entry to a cliche: "Smile, it irritates those who wants to destroy you."


     Godbless everyone. Sleep tight, until my next entry.

Road to Christmas - My Own Countdown - 112 Days

     Whoaah! I computed the number of days left for 2011 until Christmas time comes and bingo it's 112 days to go from today.


     112 days to go, 112 days to do more good if not great things, 112 days to make people around me smile or even laugh, 112 days to start something worth remembering before the clock hits the remembrance of Jesus' birth. It's really a euphoric scenario as I can imagine.

     As I was browsing some FB profile, I encountered one of my friends' portfolio. She was so excited that she'll be celebrating Christmas in the Philippines. Five years of wait, five years of longing and five years of not being able to hear jingle bells and the merry sounds of Christmas carols in myriad of places like malls, residential areas, parks and the likes. As I continuously read her shout-out I can feel the same emotion as I am happy to the idea of celebration.

     Many a times when our country has been regarded as the only country which celebrates the Christmas and New Year merriment for almost a month. For us Filipinos, the atmosphere during Christmas season is very light. There is this certain feeling of security and of peace. When you see people running or walking the street, it's like a smile is a freebie that you need to give away as it delights one's heart.

     It's always a joy to be around in the Philippines during the Christmas season. But to many of the Filipinos like me whose works literally separates us from our homeland, we only content ourselves by doing discreet celebrations especially since we are inbound a country where celebrations as such isn't recognized due to religious differences.

     Back to 112 days. I don't know but when people hear or realize that the calendar months reaches the ending syllable in "ber" it's like they also have to change their attitude somehow. Maybe because of the anticipation of the forthcoming yuletide season. Right now, I don't have concrete things nor plan in mind how will I spend or celebrate Christmas. I just don't want to fall again into the trap of "broken promises" as I hate promises. Through times, I've been seeing myself weak at delivering such. Many a times I broke promises and this time I don't want people to expect from me. I don't want to disappoint and more so to disappoint myself for not living up to it.  So, I guess it is just wise to enjoy each day and live on the present moment. Not thinking too much of the next day to come.


     As some says, we are the masters of our own attitudes. It is up to us what kind of attitude are we gonna display once a certain circumstance arises. But mind you, always be on the other end of the tunnel where light can be seen. In simple terms, wear the attitude of positivism as it always brings good results.

     So guys, if you're going to count down the number of days left before Christmas, what will be your plans? Well, I leave it up to you, I can't decide it for you as I don't live your life. 


     Just remember to always incorporate God's providence in all your plans as He is the master designer of it all. He can fail you for a reason or let you succeed for a reason too.


     Stay blessed everyone. -:)))