Change -- Shall It Be Feared?

Change?  Change! Change?!

Basically when we hear the word change, most often than not, we’re a bit uneasy and somehow bothered.  It is very definable, yet sometimes the thought of it brings us chills and shivers. Even though, we knew that it is the single most constant abstract thing that occurs everyday we are still left in a quandary about it.

I, for one, am one of those people who despite many changes that had gone through in my life it’s like I’m still a neophyte just starting to embrace it. It is as if it’s my first time to encounter it. There is this certain feeling of queasiness in me.

God Is Our Assurance

It's been months that I'm experiencing difficult situation at work, Things have changed. The bottom line is "I AM NOT HAPPY ANYMORE." It's down times for me. Sadness is attempting to crash my spirit. I am a bit bothered. But despite of it all. I still want to re assure my wife that things will be fine. That it's still part of God's process of refinement in me. And so I wrote her a love letter assuring her of my love. 

Dear Mine,

Good morning to the woman who have loved me as I am and still loving me despite my imperfections.

I honor you as a woman, a wife, and a daughter to your wonderful parents.

I have been blessed to have you in my life. There are times, I feel sorry because of shortcomings I've committed in our relationship.

There are times where I've bent your patience to the fullest extent but you never failed to amaze me with your grace and love.

I thank God everyday that she gave you to me because He knows no other woman will understand me better than you do. No other woman will love me the way you did.

You are such an amazing person, very family oriented, and your generosity to others is exceptional. I honor you for the closeness you have with your family. A bond worthy of emulating.

We both know we're undergoing some trials in life right now. Suffice to say, we are used to it. There were number of turbulence confronted us in our being together. Some are outside factors, others are trivial misunderstandings between us.

Yet, the very foundation we put into our relationship always fix petty misunderstandings because our relationship is rooted with love and our faith to God.

There will be trials and tribulations that will come our way. Some much bigger than we expect, some will put us in awe but I know holding hands together while facing whatever challenges cross our path, we will victoriously surpass them all. We can always rest our cases to our Father above. 

The love of God that binds us together and the commitment we both promised will stay true in us until eternity. Let us be a lover of life and God. Together, let us raise a family with children who not only fear the Lord but loves Him too.

An expectant first time father in me can't wait until our angel Damien Caleb see the world and be with us.

I love you and I'll remain true to you. 

Your husband,

Jay

If It's God's Will, Don't Complain But Fully Obey

Good day guys!

It's been quite a while since my last post. I have been trapped with some highly important matters that's why I wasn't able to post updates. In addition, I feel sorry for my blogger friends that visiting their blog has taken a halt. I will cope-up guys!

I am not sure if all my blog followers/readers know that for the past weeks I was busy administering (together with the rest of the poge admins) FINDING MANG ROLDAN PINEDA JIMENEZ. Aside from that, I too,have been engulfed into lots of personal stuffs. In short, I just attended to important events in my life.

Last night, I was able to read a private message coming from one of the followers of the page and I want to share it with you. Pardon me guys since I can only provide little details to protect the sender. I post it here so that those who don't frequently visit the page can have access here.

And here it goes;

"It’s past 1am here now. Sleep doesn’t visit me yet. For some reason, it’s been few weeks that I hardly hit the sack before midnight. It has always been my problem that whenever I’m still up after midnight it’s difficult for me to reconcile with sleep.

Uggh! It’s killin’ me and I’m a bit in irate. But instead of waiting for my eyes to finally commune with darkness I’ll just grab t

his opportunity to write random thoughts that can inspire you all.

Just few minutes ago, I’ve read a very long private message from someone sent through this page. I won’t mention the name though for privacy. I felt honored that I was able to read it before Joemil. It was really intended for Joemz but since we are five people administering the page, all the messages filtering through can be read by anyone of us. Perhaps, she was thinking that the only admin of the page is Joemil. 

Inspiring People: JOEMIL ZAPANTA REYES

I started this section “INSPIRING PEOPLE” in my blog way back 2011. And since I’m a person who wants to inspire and be inspired, I conceptualized this idea. Basically, it features various people who inspire me. It is not limited to people I know but it features ordinary people I meet along the way, in the streets, in the concert arena, in a sports’ stadium, people I chat with, read in the book. Also people I look up to but haven’t met yet – co-bloggers, Facebook friends, people in my community, people in the government, people in the aspect of faith and most of all, people stranger to me but have made a personal impact because of an extraordinary deed.

 In my life, I have this early fascination and passion for social work. I don’t know the exact reason but I just feel for others especially those who lived beyond my living standard.

This fascination was only made realized when I began joining volunteer works to several non-governmental organizations during my college days. Most of the times, I ended up presenting myself to volunteer for a public endeavor which needs people who can freely devote their spare time. And since I’m just a typical, average geek guy (geek?) hahaha! –who happens to be a home-school-cinema dweller, I was able to devote my free time doing social work.

Having this attitude, if I may say, was due to how we were molded growing up. I was raised in a simple family with few things in life. We eat three times a day but don’t have enough money for savings. In short, I was raised in a modest family. So, the thought of studying hard, giving your best shot in all your endeavors early implanted in my system. Aside from the fact that we’re triggered by the life principles inculcated by our parents to us like:

1.       Always be fair to others.

2.       Always extend help when opportunity comes in

3.       Defend yourself if you know you’re right,

4.       Do not bully others (though I was bullied in grade school),

5.       And practice humility at all times.

Perhaps, lots of qualities I developed all through-out my life can also be found in this man. I would assume so since we easily connected with each other. I guess the major common ground where we stand is our desire to be of person to others. There is this beaming passion residing in our hearts to help-out highly deserving less privilege people. We know we don’t have much in life too. We could only give so much but helping is not all about money, it can also be a character or attitude influence.

A lot of you may wonder and ask question “Who is this man?”. This confronting question perhaps frequent the mind of those who weren’t aware of a simple, beautiful, and heartwarming story attached to this man. But I’m pretty sure that hundreds of thousands people already know him by now.

That smile that changes the outlook in life of many

 There is only one root where you hold on when asks about his name – JOEMIL  ZAPANTA REYES. Many would say like this: “Ah yes! I know him, He’s the guy who helped Mang Roldan”, or others would quip by saying: “Oh yeah!, He’s the “Better Samaritan” or maybe some would simply say” Oh dude! He’s just simply awesome!.

Like many of you, I just happened to know this ordinary guy with extraordinary heart through the story he shared in Facebook. Obviously, we didn’t meet yet. The only thing that connects us is through phone calls, or Facebook chat or messages, and texts. I was just amazed of how he willingly seized the moment and selflessly act to help a stranger not even consanguineously related to him.

Standing beside the man who inspired him

Honestly, I'm running out of adjectives to describe him. Perhaps due to the many accolades I've read in our Facebook page about him. Of those people who thanked him for his effort. There were those who composed poems showing their appreciation. There were those whose messages really touched the core -- that you'll just sob in gratitude and thanks. He has long way to go, many challenges to encounter, situations that would test again his strength and even his faith. Yet, knowing how he faces life he surely can ace those challenges. And with the help of friends like me, we can run the race and finish it strong.

I am so proud that I gain a good friend in you. Like what I was saying to you. Just tap me up when you need collaboration in any endeavors you will enter. Like the catchy statement in my blog -- I'm Jesus Christ mission-ready servant.

A Worthy Pursuit

"There is more to life than sitting in our comfort zone. We were made for something more than merely avoiding failure. There is something inside us that wants to walk on the water -- to leave the comfort of routine existence and abandon ourselves to the high adventure of following God's lead for a greater and worthy pursuit."-- JayRadaRafol

When God presents us with a platform to help and change lives of others we cannot choose our circumstances where, when, and how it will happen. Unexpectedly, it just happens in a least likely place. In the same way that it chooses no race, color, gender, status, and most of all it ignores appearances. Our heart just obeys to the leadings of the Divine. Out of nowhere, we’ll just realize that we’ve touched someone’s life and impacted to our community. On a greater scale, a domino effect spreads-out to the society where we thrive.

What We See Sometimes Isn't Always What It Is

I spent almost two hours searching for this video in my FB wall since I got it posted last year. I got exhausted and I felt like almost giving up but my inner voice (spirit) told me to go on and do few more try. Ending, I still didn't find it. Frustration started to fill me so I buzzed two of my community friends to help me how to quickly search for it. They gave me inputs and tips but those tips were the same thing I just did awhile ago. 

But my search didn't end to that, I then shift to YouTube in the hope that I might find it there by using key words. I tried few key words but I failed. I tried again and again to the point of almost losing my patience. Still FAILED! But at the back of my mind, I keep on convincing myself  by saying " Don't give up, sayang ang effort". So, with all the positive thoughts and energies backing me up, I did continue to search. 

Occasionally, the thought of letting it go keeps bugging me, forcing an entry into my head. But, I hold on. I persisted. I persevered. And luckily I found it. Wow, as in wow. I'm on the brink of giving up...really. It was like I was hangin' by a thread and ready to let go anytime. But, thanks God I did it. And you know what were the key phrase I put in? It's this "Invite someone to church" and bingo! below video popped-up in the list of choices and this is what I exactly look for.

Of Books, The Smell Of It, And The Love For It

When I was in my pre-school age I knew I wanted to write. I can remember the time when I used crayons as my writing pen when there was no pencil to be found. I used to write on the sand, on banana leaves and even the body part of it, in our window grills made of bamboo, on top of our table. Several occasions where I was reprimanded by doing vandalism..hahaha..bata pa lang vandal na hahaha. I just have the love for it. I even found myself using the edge of my pointing finger and scratching on top of our table as if I'm writing something while having our lunch or dinner. My tatay would normally get pissed off as he doesn't want to play while in front of the grace of God. He's right but I can't help it...matigas lang ang ulo..hahaha!

But reading? Hell no....I don't love it then. It was the last thing in my mind. I can vividly remember during my first Grade in school where in I was called by my teacher to read in front of the class as part of our reading drill. Wow man!--I am literally shaking and my palms were cold and wet. I knew I can't read fluently that's why I was so afraid to be called in front. Adding to the pressure was the bullying of my classmates. But I'm good in school. I finished the first grade ranking fifth overall. The only thing that bothered me then was reading. It's not that I can't read at all but I just don't love the idea. It annoys me.

Some of my books' collection

When It Rains It Doesn't Only Pours But It Floods

Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day. 

We use to say these above phrases during our childhood days. Times when heavy rains incessantly drenching our surroundings. Times when we desperately want to go outside to play but we can't because of massive rains. And time when what we received were more than what we asked. 

We will say like "Tama na Ulan, tumigil ka na! As if we have the power like that of Superman or Batman or any cinematic heroes that we can command a thing or manipulate a situation to put halt to it. 

The news I saw on TV about the continuous monsoon rains makes me sad. Being in the rim of countries frequently stricken by calamities, we always feel helpless when calamity strikes us. All we do is to just prepare. But even then, our preparation isn't enough to combat these kinds of disaster. While watching the news, my mind was busy thinking of how can we extend our help in the fastest time it could allow. It has been our tradition in the community where I belong to extend help through donations (either in cash or in kind) to those mostly affected by any natural calamity. 

Inspiring People: "The Better Samaritan And A Good Soul Unfolded In Rugged Clothes"

It always fuels me to write stories of inspiration and hope. It always motivate me to continue to touch people's lives as I encounter one along my journey.

More so, it is equally delightful to hear and read stories of such sort. Of those stories that are heart-warming. Of those stories that triggers a weary soul that despite how difficult a situation still manages to smile and ready to fight and move ahead for life. Of those stories that melts our heart because it touches our emotional core in a positive way. Of those random act of kindness. Of impromptu situations that positively changes a person's view of life afterwards. 

Today, let me share with you a great story of a good-hearted young man strangely meeting a man that inspired him in myriad of ways who despite his horrible situation finds no reason to resign from life.

The Petite Boxer - The "David" Of Our Times

Mark Anthony Barriga - you may have lost your fight for a quarterfinal slot in boxing but you've done you incredible best to fight toe to toe with a former Olympic silver medalist Khazakh. What you have shown in the ring was pure gallantry. Fighting for your country and knowing that you're the only hope for a medal contention was quite an enormous challenge.

The weight of expectations in your shoulder wasn't easy to bear yet you've focused and showed the whole world that a Filipino fighter never back down. That a Filipino fighter is always mission-ready to accept whatever challenge he may in. The slimmest margin of 1 point (17-16) was enough of a testament and proved that you were up on the world stage. That a story of David fighting a Goliath wasn't a myth but a true legend. And you've gracefully displayed it on the ring and helped us remember the story.