Dear God...

Dear God,

Today, I learned something worries me. With this I  pray that you help my friend to put aside the things that are breaking his heart.

Likewise, I entrust to you all who are dear to me who is with him, to Your never failing care and love. Please give them strength in their struggles and wisdom to understand their pains.

Amen

Wish...

I do not have a choice but to really get used to it. Can't ask, can't even request. I just have to hang on, be patient and understanding... it won't take long.

But somehow I wish you would be fair and sensitive. Why treat me so differently from the others? I wish you know that your actions gives me pain.

Bubble Thoughts

So many big and small bubble thoughts.

I am hurting by the fact that I am being set aside. Is it intentionally? I wish I know the answer.

For real?

The best feeling in the world is knowing you actually mean something to your friend... not just a passing feeling but a genuine one.

Why am I bothered by this? Because I am smart and I know the answer.

Birthday Blues

I cannot help. It has always been like this. I guess getting another year older makes me a little sensitive.

Sigh... sometimes it is nice knowing someone really cares about you. I wish that I am not just a somebody.  I want genuine love and concern.  ㅜ_ㅜ

My birthday was 9 days past still have this thought that I wish I celebrated it with someone who would make it more special. But then again, I the day just came and go as nothing.

This me. . .

Random thoughts.

I lead a rather private life. I dont feel the need to talk since I would rather show how I feel. I become easily attached to those I love. I have the ability to tell when people try to fool or manipulate me. I get jealous more often I like to admit it. Lastly, if you want my attention you must connect with me emotionally.

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

I got this very nice reading material from a friend.   I believe that this piece of reading will certainly give us a lot of positivity by imbibing some of the suggestions given below. 

***

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

Source

Here is a list of 15 things which, if you give up on them, will make your life a lot easier and much, much happier. We hold on to so many things that cause us a great deal of pain, stress and suffering – and instead of letting them all go, instead of allowing ourselves to be stress free and happy – we cling on to them. Not anymore. Starting today we will give up on all those things that no longer serve us, and we will embrace change.

 Ready? Here we go


1. Give up your need to always be right. There are so many of us who can’t stand the idea of being wrong – wanting to always be right – even at the risk of ending great relationships or causing a great deal of stress and pain, for us and for others. It’s just not worth it. Whenever you feel the ‘urgent’ need to jump into a fight over who is right and who is wrong, ask yourself this question: “Would I rather be right, or would I rather be kind?” Wayne Dyer. What difference will that make? Is your ego really that big?

 

2. Give up your need for control. Be willing to give up your need to always control everything that happens to you and around you – situations, events, people, etc. Whether they are loved ones, coworkers, or just strangers you meet on the street – just allow them to be. Allow everything and everyone to be just as they are and you will see how much better will that make you feel.

 

“By letting it go it all gets done. The world is won by those who let it go. But when you try and try. The world is beyond winning.” Lao Tzu

 

3. Give up on blame. Give up on your need to blame others for what you have or don’t have, for what you feel or don’t feel. Stop giving your powers away and start taking responsibility for your life.

 

4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk. Oh my. How many people are hurting themselves because of their negative, polluted and repetitive self-defeating mindset? Don’t believe everything that your mind is telling you – especially if it’s negative and self-defeating. You are better than that.

 

“The mind is a superb instrument if used rightly. Used wrongly, however, it becomes very destructive.” Eckhart Tolle

 

5. Give up your limiting beliefs about what you can or cannot do, about what is possible or impossible. From now on, you are no longer going to allow your limiting beliefs to keep you stuck in the wrong place. Spread your wings and fly!

 

“A belief is not an idea held by the mind, it is an idea that holds the mind” Elly Roselle

 

6. Give up complaining. Give up your constant need to complain about those many, many, maaany things – people, situations, events that make you unhappy, sad and depressed. Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation can make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to. It’s not the situation that triggers those feelings in you, but how you choose to look at it. Never underestimate the power of positive thinking.

 

7. Give up the luxury of criticism. Give up your need to criticize things, events or people that are different than you. We are all different, yet we are all the same. We all want to be happy, we all want to love and be loved and we all want to be understood. We all want something, and something is wished by us all.

 

8. Give up your need to impress others. Stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not just to make others like you. It doesn’t work this way. The moment you stop trying so hard to be something that you’re not, the moment you take of all your masks, the moment you accept and embrace the real you, you will find people will be drawn to you, effortlessly.

 

9. Give up your resistance to change. Change is good. Change will help you move from A to B. Change will help you make improvements in your life and also the lives of those around you. Follow your bliss, embrace change – don’t resist it.

 

“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors for you where there were only walls” Joseph Campbell

 

10. Give up labels. Stop labeling those things, people or events that you don’t understand as being weird or different and try opening your mind, little by little. Minds only work when open.

 

 “The highest form of ignorance is when you reject something you don’t know anything about.” Wayne Dyer

 

11. Give up on your fears. Fear is just an illusion, it doesn’t exist – you created it. It’s all in your mind. Correct the inside and the outside will fall into place.

 

“The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.” Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

12. Give up your excuses. Send them packing and tell them they’re fired. You no longer need them. A lot of times we limit ourselves because of the many excuses we use. Instead of growing and working on improving ourselves and our lives, we get stuck, lying to ourselves, using all kind of excuses – excuses that 99.9% of the time are not even real.

 

13. Give up the past. I know, I know. It’s hard. Especially when the past looks so much better than the present and the future looks so frightening, but you have to take into consideration the fact that the present moment is all you have and all you will ever have. The past you are now longing for – the past that you are now dreaming about – was ignored by you when it was present. Stop deluding yourself. Be present in everything you do and enjoy life. After all life is a journey not a destination. Have a clear vision for the future, prepare yourself, but always be present in the now.

 

14. Give up attachment. This is a concept that, for most of us is so hard to grasp and I have to tell you that it was for me too, (it still is) but it’s not something impossible. You get better and better at with time and practice. The moment you detach yourself from all things, (and that doesn’t mean you give up your love for them – because love and attachment have nothing to do with one another,  attachment comes from a place of fear, while love… well, real love is pure, kind, and self less, where there is love there can’t be fear, and because of that, attachment and love cannot coexist) you become so peaceful, so tolerant, so kind, and so serene. You will get to a place where you will be able to understand all things without even trying. A state beyond words.

 

15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations. Way too many people are living a life that is not theirs to live. They live their lives according to what others think is best for them, they live their lives according to what their parents think is best for them, to what their friends, their enemies and their teachers, their government and the media think is best for them. They ignore their inner voice, that inner calling. They are so busy with pleasing everybody, with living up to other people’s expectations, that they lose control over their lives. They forget what makes them happy, what they want, what they need….and eventually they forget about themselves.  You have one life – this one right now – you must live it, own it, and especially don’t let other people’s opinions distract you from your path.

***

Are you ready to commit to some of all these things?  

Count Your Blessings

Something to ponder...

You cry that you don't have an iPhone or new laptop This man cries because he finally got a bread to give to his children... Like/Share If You Feel Sorry For Him ♥ Where I share beautiful things in life ♥ By: Kylo Cho on Twitter 

The Blind Boy

A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: "I am blind, please help." There were only a few coins in the hat.



A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.

Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy.



That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were.
The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, "Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?"
The man said, "I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way."
I wrote: "Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it."
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind.
The second sign told people that they were so lucky that they were not blind.
Should we be surprised that the second sign was more effective?



Moral of the Story:
Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative.
Think differently and positively.
When life gives you a 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile.

Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence.
Prepare for the future without fear.

Keep the faith and drop the fear.

Attitude

Something worth reading.

As much as possible I always try to be positive as I don't want to think anymore. I want everything to be easy. I wish to have this positive attitude.

***

Attitude

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'I think I'll braid my hair today.'
So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror
and saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

'H-M-M,' she said, 'I think I'll part my hair down the middle today.'
So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed
that she had only one hair on her head.

'Well,' she said, 'today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail.'
So she did, and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and
noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.
'YAY!' she exclaimed. 'I don't have to fix my hair today!'

Attitude is everything.
Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
Live simply,
Love generously,
Care deeply,
Speak kindly,
and pray continually.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass...
It's about learning to dance in the rain.

It's not what you gather, but what you scatter that tells what kind of life you have lived.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.
Love the people who treat you right and pray for the ones who don't.

Do you hate someone?

A very nice story with a good moral.


A kindergarten teacher has decided to let her class play a game.

The teacher told each child in the class to bring along a plastic bag containing a few potatoes.

Each potato will be given a name of a person that the child hates,

So the number of potatoes that a child will put in his/her plastic bag will depend on the number of people he/she hates.

So when the day came, every child brought some potatoes with the name of the people he/she hated. Some had 2 potatoes; some 3 while some up to 5 potatoes. The teacher then told the children to carry with them the potatoes in the plastic bag wherever they go (even to the toilet) for 1 week.

Days after days passed by, and the children started to complain due to the unpleasant smell let out by the rotten potatoes. Besides, those having 5 potatoes also had to carry heavier bags. After 1 week, the children were relieved because the game had finally ended....

The teacher asked: "How did you feel while carrying the potatoes with you for 1 week?". The children let out their frustrations and started complaining of the trouble that they had to go through having to carry the heavy and smelly potatoes wherever they go.

Then the teacher told them the hidden meaning behind the game. The teacher said: "This is exactly the situation when you carry your hatred for somebody inside your heart. The stench of hatred will contaminate your heart and you will carry it with you wherever you go. If you cannot tolerate the smell of rotten potatoes for just 1 week, can you imagine what is it like to have the stench of hatred in your heart for your lifetime???"

Moral of the story: Throw away any hatred for anyone from your heart so that you will not carry sins for a lifetime. Forgiving others is the best attitude to take!

True love is not loving a perfect person but loving an imperfect person perfectly!!

one lazy saturday...

i'm bored. and since i've nothing to do, i got my camera and took photos of whatever i fancy in my room ;)

there's a shadow...i should have adjusted a bit ^^

Red @ Makati Shangrila & Aubergine @ The Fort

i went to makati shangrila last wednesday to check their Red Restaurant. I love the place! It's so chic ^^ Didn't dine but hopefully if our HK office will choose this place to be the venue for our dinner on Sept 18...wow! A set of meal averages from P2,500 to P3,500.

this is their private room. i love this!

i went to The Fort too to check Aubergine. nice place too and it's cheaper than Red. A set meal averages between P1,500 to P2,000.

it's bound to happen

Since the price of gasoline is increasing weekly and my salary remains to be same, I tried to take the public transportation since last week. I plan to commute 2 times a week depending on the weather. Hee, if it rains, I certainly would not take the risk of commuting. Where I’m at, it is sooooo difficult to take the public transportation when it pours be it by cab or by train.

I made a calculation of how much my saving will be if this will be the trend for God knows until when. My gasoline allowance for a month is P5000 [$111]. If I commute for a month I will only be spending P1400 [$31]. Geez, that’s translated to 72% saving from my gasoline allowance!!!

Before I realized the impact of the price increase, gasoline used to be only P36/liter [$.80]. Today, the price per liter is P60.57 [$1.35]. That’s 40% increase! And the increase is not stopping despite the price of oil in the world market decreased from $140/barrel to $128/barrel!

There is a road that i always take whenever i go home from work. For the past weeks now, whenever i pass here, i can now practically see the asphalt. This road normally has a bumper to bumper traffic situation. Now, the traffic situation is like this even if it's raining...

Now, is it still practical to bring a car at work? Honestly, there are pluses and minuses but I don’t want to tackle on this anymore since it’ll only give me a headache.

For the meantime, since the increase in the price of oil is bound to happen again, let’s just drink…

Happy Tips.....

got this from inbox today. ^^ a former colleague sent it. i like it very much ^^

***

1. Throw out non-essential numbers.
This includes age, weight, and height.

Let the doctors worry about them.. That is why you pay them.

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down.
(Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)


3. Keep learning:
Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever.
Never let the brain get idle.

'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with him or her!

6. The tears happen:
Endure, grieve, and move on.

The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourself.
LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love:
Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever.

Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health:

If it is good, preserve it.
If it is unstable, improve it.
If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.


9. Don't take guilt trips.
Take a trip to the mall, even to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
In fact why not tell them everyday?

But most of all, always look up daily & SMILE and remember that GOD Loves and cares for you more than anybody else do.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him, shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16

Inspiring Thoughts

Anger is a condition in which
the tongue works faster than the mind.

You can't change the past,
but you can ruin the present
by worrying over the future.

Love...and you shall be loved.

God always gives His best to those
who leave the choice with Him.

All people smile in the same language.

A hug is a great gift... one size fits all.
It can be given for any occasion
and it's easy to exchange.

Everyone needs to be loved...
especially when they do not deserve it.

The real measure of a man's wealth
is what he has invested in eternity.

Laughter is God's sunshine.

Everyone has beauty
but not everyone sees it.

It's important for parents to live
the same things they teach.

Thank God for what you have,
TRUST GOD for what you need.

If you fill your heart with regrets of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow,
you have no today to be thankful for.

Man looks at outward appearance
but the Lord looks within.

The choice you make today
will usually affect tomorrow.

Take time to laugh, for it is
the music of the soul.

If anyone speaks badly of you,
live so none will believe it.

Patience is the ability to idle your motor
when you feel like stripping your gears.

Love is strengthened by working
through conflicts together.

The best thing parents can do
for their children is to love each other.

Harsh words break no bones
but they do break hearts.

To get out of a difficulty,
one usually must go through it.

We take for granted the things
that we should be giving thanks for.

Love is the only thing that can be
divided without being diminished.

Happiness is enhanced by others
but does not depend upon others.

For every minute you are angry with someone,
you lose 60 seconds of happiness
that you can never get back.

Do what you can, for who you can,
with what you have, and where you are.

14 Hectares of Paradise ~ Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu

I had an opportunity to go to Shangri-La Mactan, Cebu for 2 nights and 3 days. I don't think I can afford the luxury of Shangri-La Mactan if not for the Company where I work. Hee, really thanks! Though it was an official trip [which others will not like], I still had a great time because I was in the company of good people. Likewise, we were able to enjoy some of the resorts facilities.

The Infinity Pool

Shangri-La Mactan as many would know is just one the many chain of Shangri-La Resorts and Spa. It is one of Philippine's premier five-star resort. Shangri-La Mactan Resort & Spa is a lush garden retreat ideal for vacationers and families, with kid's play areas, a wide range of restaurants, and CHI, one of the largest and most luxurious spas in the region. [and expensive ^^]

Situated on tropical Mactan Island in the Philippines, the resort is a short distance from the airport and ideally located for both leisure and business travelers.

The 14 hectares of lush tropical greenery resort is equipped with private beach cove, 2 swimming pools one of which is called Infinity Pool and the other one is a multi-level pool, health clubs, gyms, sauna, steam bath and massage room.

Photo courtesy of www.shangri-la.com

Recreational activities include para sailing, sailboats, kayaking, windsurfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, speedboat fun rides, water and jet skiing, golf, tennis and many more.
There are facilities for toddlers, kids, teens and adults too.

There are many restaurants and Lounges to choose from. There's Tides a buffet of international dishes. Tea of Spring which offer Chinese cuisine. Cowrie Cove where one can experience a different level of wining and dining by the sea. Acqua [yes, that's the spelling] that offers Italian cuisine in the plush modern interiors that also offers a panoramic view of the Ocean Wing pool and the clear blue ocean. There is also the Buko Bar and Grill where one can quench that thirst with fresh coconut juice served straight from its shell, sip exotic cocktails and watch cultural shows at night. And there is also the Lobby Lounge which is overlooking the lush tropical garden, the resort's multi-level pool and the horizon beyond. It also offers live entertainment nightly. There are so many things that can be done while staying in Shangri-la Mactan. You can also go to the major shopping areas and shop for souvenirs by taking the free shuttle bus. During our stay, I had the comfort of staying in Superior Bay View with my lady boss who also happens to be my photographer on the last day of our trip. The room overlooks lush gardens with a view of Mactan Bay. The décor comprises an inviting blend of traditional and contemporary Philippine styles. The room offers a private balcony with a coffee table and seating for two.

View from room 8092

On the last day of our stay, I went to Chi Spa just to look and take photos. Honestly even if I can afford the rates which is 3 to 4 times more compared to 1^st class spas in Manila, I don't think I can have a massage in Chi Spa ^^ I think it really caters to foreign guests. Btw, out of curiosity I asked if all the treatment rooms are occupied, and to my surprised all were occupied. I was told that reservations must be made in advance for them to accommodate me. ^^ Anyway, you may check here to know the rate at Chi Spa.

The resort was fully booked last week and I think about 80% of the guests were foreigners [there were Caucasians which I don't know the nationality, lots of Koreans, many Japanese [on vacation because of Ubon], Chinese and Singaporeans as well].

Shangri-La Mactan is paradise. I love the serene world that it offered me. I love the prevalent mood in which feelings were sheathed in thoughts.

What makes also the stay worthwhile is the service quality of the staff of Shangri-La Mactan. It is one of the best. They have superior service and the staff show genuine warm hospitality. For the short time that we stayed in the resort, with all the demands and changes from our group the staff were all very accommodating. I received many positive feedbacks about the overall experience our group had during our 3-day stay in Mactan. It's really amazing how they've managed to create a culture of service across the organization. It is highly commendable.

During our stay we were able to squeeze in a half day tour but unfortunately we weren't able to see all that was included in our itinerary.

First stop is Liberty Shrine which is located in Punta Engano, Mactan Island, a good walking distance from the Resort, this monument stands to honour the spot where on April 27, 1519 the first Filipino hero, Lapu-Lapu, and his warriors killed Magellan in battle and drove his troops back to the sea.



Then to LapuLapu Monument where the battle between Mactan Island Chieftain Lapulapu and the foreign aggressor Ferdinand Magellan occured in April 27, 1521 . It depicts the hero holding a bolo (large sword) in one hand and a pestle on the other. Said weapons were believed to have been used during his combat with Magellan. This monument stands as a reminder of Filipino bravery.

We then proceeded to Alegre Guitars factory. Mactan, Cebu is known for making the finest guitars in the Philippines. Cebu has a guitar-making industry. Most (if not all) guitars are hand-crafted and sell well below the price of more well known guitars. This is taken at the Alegre Guitar factory in Abuno on Mactan Island.

We were told that the more complicated the brace
of the guitar is the better sounding it is

From Mactan we went to the Cebu City which is about 45 minutes to an hour trip and went straight to Majestic Restaurant to have our lunch. The restaurant offers Chinese buffet with over 50 viands for a price of P350net!

After our sumptuous lunch we went to the higher part of the city where the astonishing architecture of the Taoist Temple can be found.








This work of art is located in the wealthy residential community of Beverly Hills about 6 km north of downtown Cebu. This temple is said to be preserving the teachings of Lao-Tse, the 600 B.C. Chinese philosopher. A soaring, multi-tiered, multi-hued attraction accessible by three separate winding routes. Attractions here consist of a huge colorful dragon, a replica of the Great Wall of China, spacious balconies offering scenic views, souvenir shops, mini library with instructional materials, and dozens of escalating steps.

Our last stop before heading back is Magellan's Cross. Planted in April 21, 1521 by Ferdinand Magellan; spot where the first Christian Filipinos, Rajah Humabon and Queen Juana and about 400 followers, were baptized by Fr. Pedro Valderema. In 1525 to 1740, the Agustinian priests built an open shrine for the cross but the natives began to take chips from the cross believing it had miraculous power so a kiosk-like structure was built to protect the cross from total destruction. To protect it further, a hallow cross of tinadalo wood was made to encase the original cross which still stands today.

Devotees line up to light a candle and make a petition outside
of the Basilica de Sto Nino in Cebu City.

After Basilica de Sto Nino, we then went back to Shangri-La. The tour was too short, there could have been more places to go to but we really do not have much time. When we got back, i immediately changed into my swimwear and headed to the beach and pool ^^

Ahhhh, life is so good!