Life Change

As I am writing this, my heart pounding for my new found best friend, one friend who never left me  from the day that my beloved father passed away to this moment on...

 Looking back, reflecting of my old life asking where would I be if I did not find the true God,

where would I be if the true love never found me.

Life-changing moment caught me by surprise, 

pushing and pulling me to the place where I never want to be stuck. 

Life-changing moment helps us to realized  the vanity of quantity than the quality. 

Life-changing moment opens our eyes to seek help, to reach out, and hold fast the warmth of a helping hand.

Life-changing moment sprout one true friend, so real with a love that can see you through, persistent to comfort you.

Someone who will knock on your door, ring your phone,

When you are helpless, senseless, hopeless, depress, or breathless. 

Life-changing moment can be a break-through

For us not to beg for love, don’t  force to be loved.

Life changing moment will lead us to people who see the goodness in our heart when we think we are about to have self-condemned. 

Life changing moment will reset out mind, not to worry with who we are or what we are. 

There is no good in apologising how we are made, how we are mold based on what we learned or by upbringing.

The tea just remains tea and it never apologise for not being a coffee.

What lies ahead is life and death and just yourself.

Bakit Importante Ang Appreciation Sa Relasyon?

Mga mabuti at masamang epekto ng pagiging loner!

UNPACKING MY CANDIES FROM CANDY SHOP HABANG DOWN NA NAMAN AKO

WHAT ARE THOSE LITTLE THINGS IN LIFE THAT CAN FILL YOUR ENTIRE HEART?

5 Traits To A Long And Lasting Friend

 On my own.

Seems ages since I wrote my last blog.

My mind shuffling for any possible new entry.

Then I think about friends. Friendship.

People from different walks of life juggling, fighting, searching, longing for even just one friend to stay. 

What makes one a true and lasting friend?

1. Honesty. Because honesty is the best policy.

In this world of skin-deep and pretension, being honest is a must for a friend that last. Never pretend to be who you haven't been. A true friend will tell you things even those things that are hard for you to hear.

2. Vulnerable. We are created with the needs of caring and the heart that love to share. It’s not being dependent on someone, it’s not about having a friend who will always fight for us. It is the joy of sharing. Be it your ideas, your innermost feeling, your food, or any blast in your day.

3. Appreciative. In real good flow of friendship, plenty of appreciation. It is an unhealthy friendship if we always think that we are always the best, if we think that we must always be appreciated. Give your friends some space to move, to grow, and be happy that sometimes you are just in the background.

4. An Ear To Listen. Just listen and non judgmental. It means you can spare your most precious time with your friend, listening and engaging. We must be cautious, that after we listened, we fight the tendency to spread what there is that entrusted to us. 

5. Respect. In every relationship, respect serves as a soothing balm. Respect to our friend, give us limit up to where we are allowed to go. We respect their decisions, their choices. Self-centered people oftentimes loss friends. Most of the times, they try to buy their so called “friends.”

Those Little Things In Life

Those little things I life…

Those little things in life that make us happy.

Those little things in life that subtle, wonderful.

Those little things in life, delicate, seems uncomprehensable.

Those little things in life, that take most the space in my heart.

…bubbles

…a tear

…earings

…cute button

salt grain, sugar, rice, cereal.

Petal in the wind, a leaf floating in a clear water.

Twinkiling star, half moon, full moon, the silence of the night.

A smile from a stranger, a bowl of homecooked meal from a neighbor,

Finding an envelope at the doorstep that is not a bill.

A hug from my kid when I feel tired, an adoring wink from my husband.

I am forever grateful for these little things in life.

Tips For A 2018 Healthy Lifestyle

I don't have a New Year's resolution. I am happy to face another year of my life with my loved ones. The chance to change for betterment is a day to day chance, as well as a day to day challenge. To change and to become a better person for the sake of a tradition is for me shallow. The effect can be only short term, and perhaps not intended to touch lives. I have my lists on how we can make ourselves a better person, not just for ourselves but also for others.

1. Turn off your phone... A bit more. Why? So you have time to look the people you love in the eye.

2. Be more polite. Let us check our manners. Good manners can take you to the place where you have never been. Whether it is a simple please and thank you, you can brighten someone's day. Don't also forget to be polite to the text messages that must be acknowledged.

3. Be more organized. Be it cleaning your shoes, unclogging your bag, or being on time.

4. Minimize your shopping/material goods.

5. Take time to walk, because walking prolongs life.

6. Frown less. Smile more.

7. Have more self control. Have the courage to say no.

8. Do something nice to others. It is worth remembering there is a whole world too.

9. Get more quality sleep. With glowing lights and beeping alerts with these all sorts of gadgets, we should be gunning for at least eight hours of sleep at night.

10. Stop procrastinating.

Do... (a short poetry)

Do what makes you happy

Do more what makes life meaningful

Do what is just, what is fair, what is loving

Do honest things,

Knowing that it is the best way of life

Do generosity, without expecting in return

Do what your heart says

But don't forget to take your brain with it

Do what is less, because less is more

Do what scare you,

Don't just hang in your comfort zone.

Do things looking ahead

And don't dwell on regret

Remember days, but never forget the moments

Keep on living, keep on loving, but love first starts from ourselves.

By: Maggy Baas-San Jose

Are you a blessing?

If you see blessings are only the material things in life, you do not know what is really is a blessing.

A blessed life. It says that if you see blessings are only the material things in life, you do not know what is really is a blessing. I see on social media how people brag their new phone, their new bag, or even their new haircut then with a hashtag #blessing. Yes, we all feel delighted when we acquire something new for ourselves, but the word blessing, is for me more than a material things. Blessing for me, are things intangible, things that cannot be touch of our hands, but can be felt profoundly by our hearts. Like the love by our family, the genuine friendship, and our relationship with God. When these things were so real with us, we experience how these intangible things give us life direction, and give us a meaningful life. When we feel we are blessed in life, we have the heart to extend that grace. Even in a small way we can, we like to become a blessing too to others. Because blessing has no resentment. Blessing is from above. Blessing is refreshing. Blessing is constant.

A Monday Thoughts Of A Beautiful Sunday

Sunday was beautiful. 

The windy day gets warm

with the bright summer colors.

I took my time to walk,

my usual Sunday walk with my son.

I was wearing the beautiful and colorful

African dress that matched well with my red pump shoes.

The African dress was a gift from my beloved husband, 

from his recent working trip in Nigeria. 

What makes my Sunday always beautiful is 

that the morning is well spent on spiritual nourishment, 

afternoon is a quality time with my family. 

It is either watching a good movie with my husband 

or having a good and a long afternoon sleep in bed. 

As I am writing these lines, 

my husband is in his working trip to Finland, 

I am pondering with my thoughts 

and delights, 

and thinking how my life changed, 

but thankful for having a place where I called home... 

I am loved. 

Bliss.

A fulfilling life...

A fulfilling life needs

patience

simplicity

gratefulness

creativity

smiles

laughs

acceptance

perseverance

humility

loyalty

grace...

And a prayerful heart.

Warmth of a friend...

Everybody needs somebody.

The warmth of a friend

Love at first sight

Friendship at first sight

Both are possible

The warmth of a friend

Can ascend you to a high altitude

You can hold its warmth

Its warmth can lighten your day

Gives life an interesting meaning

And the sparks glinting off it.

Friendship is free

Friendship is true

Friendship is not for power

A friend will not resent you

A friend will not leave you

When you are in misery

A friend is not a mystery

The warmth of a friend

Is always with you

In presence

Especially in absence.

Warm heart in a cold world

Warm heart in a cold world

A world that's full of illusion

A world of cold hearts

A world of make believe

And you begin to wonder

Which is real and which is not?

A world of indifference

A world of moral collapse

Chastity becomes an old-fashion

Do not become afraid to stand alone

Even you are alone

Do not let the cold world

Freeze your heart

Stiff your neck

Blur your hope

And break your faith.

Tiny Miracles

I notice countless tiny miracles.

Faith can move mountains

Faith opens your eyes to life's miracles

Life's tiny miracles are abundant

Some are formed as a blessing in disguise

The miracle to wake up and get up each morning

The caterpillar that transformed into a butterfly

A woman giving birth

The soothing feelings of unexpected kindness

Take time to notice the small miracles in life

Take time to appreciate the beautiful life cycle

Be thankful for those blessings in disguise

And you will see that tiny miracles are just within your reach.

Sincerity

Sincerity is not a hypocrisy. Sincerity is an excellent quality.

Sincerity of intention

Lays on the content of the heart

We can fool people

Only you cannot hide yourself

The truth that rests within your soul

Words can be misleading

But your eyes can reveal

Sincere people nowadays seem hard to find

Sincerity for others seems is a hypocrite

A sincere gesture can soften a tough heart

Sincerity is not a formality

Sincerity is a rare quality

I hate wearing a mask

I do not like to be in a masquérade

I never had a pretentious heart

Sincerity is with each of the beat of my heart.

What Makes Me Happy

It is those simple things that make life truly happy.

A happy me

Those little things that make me happy

Simplicity, sincerity, hearty

The sunset, the sunrise, the rain, the stars

The flowers, the trees, the evergreen grass

The river, the bridge, the horizon beneath

The see, the sand, the waves, the surf

A freshly baked cake, the bread in the toaster

The old clothes in the cabinet, the nostalgia they bring

The faded photographs in the shoe box, the rhythm of the old clock

The soily fingers after gardening, the smeared apron after cooking

The sight of a dear friend, the caring thoughts of a stranger

My family, my solitary times, the free will to decide

My openness in praying, and most of all my answered prayers.

A Time (poetry)

A time in your life

A time to holding on

A time to be your own

A time to be strong

A time to let go of your expectation

A time to choose to live

Not a time to lay in despair 

A time to color life happy

A time to sprinkle happiness like confetti.

A time to remember

A time to make memories

A time to let go

A time to a fresh beginning

A time to forgive

Also a time to forget

A time to let light penetrates your heart

A time to move on even alone

And to see that it is not the end after all.

The Power Of Your Smile

The smile that always makes me smile. 

The smile is like a ray of sunshine

A cold day turns warm

With the power of a sincere smile.

When everything seems not right,

Just smile.

A smile of a newborn infant

Is heavenly

The smile of the one you love

Is a light in your soul.

An unexpected smile from a stranger

Gives us some hope

Not all people get their heart cold.

Smile to relieve someone's pain.

Smile to build a lifelong friendship.

Smile to feel good inside.

Smile to feel whatever it is,

You can carry on.

When in doubt...

There is no fear, there is no doubt, for those who anchor theirselves to the beauty of life. -Maggy

When in doubt... Doubt means uncertainty, doubt, reservation. Have you ever felt that you are in doubt? To something, such as your existence, the meaning of your life, or with your feelings. That is why, there is a phrase that says: "love without reservation." To love with all our hearts. Sky is the limit! Hahaha! I have written a few weeks ago about sadness. That even the happiest people in the world feel sad too. Now, my heart whispers to write something about doubt, about uncertainty. I know mostly can relate. What are some few simple things we can do to help us clear our minds, put off those uncertainties, and come back again to our senses? I took note some and I hope it can help you too.

1. When in doubt, zoom out to the big picture. Sometimes, it is the doubt that makes us feel so little, so small. Sometimes, it is the doubt that lets us to people makes us inferior. Zoom out, try to see life in a larger picture. Don't let doubt paralyzed you to move, explore, and grow.

2. When in doubt, tell yourself that it is okay to be an imperfect. In this imperfect world where imperfect people expect perfection, it invariably comes from ourselves the anchor to make a stable and decisive decision. Decide and just be aware of the results and even for the consequence.

3. Focus on the good in your life, reflect your past accomplishments, talk about it with your spouse or with someone whom you trusted. Sometimes, all the good things happened in our life in the past get vanish once doubt starting to shape in our minds. It can deteriorate our way of thinking and how we view the future. A good talk with someone can help.

4. It says that you are not guaranteed a "good" outcome, but there is a treasure even in a "bad" outcome if you know how to look. Yes, any bad outcome can be a life's learning experience. We can walk through them, and even how hard the hit was of that bad outcome, life continues and we should deal with it wisely this time.

5. The Bible and prayer. If you would ask me, I would say that, for countless times, I have proven it that a single Bible verse can lighten up my thoughts, and a prayerful attitude can turn the doubt into a secured feeling. When I am in doubt, I found what the Philippians 4:6, 7 very comforting, so reassuring. As I am writing this blog, I have the sense of contentment in my heart.