What Matters Most in Life

It’s summer once again and the whole country is experiencing the heat of the season with high temperature and humid weather. People are now always looking for summer getaway that will give them momentary respite from the crowded city and hot weather. Our family took to the mountain sites and stayed for two days at an aqua farm beside the mountain river surrounded by beautiful stones. There at the mountains the weather is so nice and the air is fresh and clean. Being at the top of the mountain makes you realize the beautiful creations of God. Our vacation felt like a dream. 

Coming back to our home I’ve been thinking of the place we’ve been and how it relaxed us. We plan to go there again whenever we have time so we can recharge physically, mentally and spiritually, that way we can also have a work life balance. We should not only work and work as if our life depends only on that.  We should have a real life outside our corporate world. We should also think of our health. I'm planning to focus on my health and shed some pounds to be able to regain a slimmer body again. I’ve read some articles online about  weight loss and I was inspired again to start anew. 

Early this year I focused on my health wellness and started my knee therapy but after nine sessions I got busy with work and stopped suddenly because we have weekly seminars and training in the office. Gladly, with the help of browsing some sites I had few tips and ideas on healthy diets that I started focusing again on being healthy and fit. Health is wealth and I want to be wealthy :-). 

Now when we’re at home and couldn’t find the time to go on a vacation we keep ourselves happy with planning a picnic at home, grilling some meat and feeling as if we’re in the rural areas. Sometimes we go to sports center and play bowling, basketball, badminton or visit arcades to play some nice games. We enjoy everything as a family and we compete with each other on those games just like when we indulge in online games, just like when I play Tap Supermarket which I enjoy very much because it’s like I’m just playing my dream. I plan to have a mini grocery store when I retire and the game simulates my dream. The game lets you manage a store where you need to restock your products, attend to customer’s needs and expanding your profits by selling more varieties.

Games are for everyone, young and old alike, it’s a form of relaxation and you just have to handle it wisely especially if you have little kids who seem to want to play unstoppable. At the end of a hard day at school and in work, I believe that one or two games whether it’s real or just online can help someone to be free of stress and anxieties. At culinaryschools.org they offer variety of kids’ games that can be played not just by kids but for adults as well. One can live a well-balanced happy life as long as you aware what can make you happy. What matters most is being happy, healthy and at peace with God as the center of your life.

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Three Steps to a Better You This Spring

There is nothing like the spring season to inspire people to better themselves, whether it is by cleaning their homes or by improving their lifestyles. The warmer weather and longer days also make it easier than ever to commit to a healthy way of living each day. If you have been inspired recently to improve yourself, let the spring encourage you to keep going. Here are a few steps that you can take in the coming months to help you be the very best you that you can be.

First of all, think about the people that you are surrounding yourself with and ask yourself if they are helping you to be as good of a person as you can be. If not, now is the time to find friends who can really support you as you improve yourself. Think about joining a christian women empowerment group or another group of friends who are working to make their lives better. Sometimes it is easier to change ourselves if the people around us have good habits and lifestyles, so why not welcome people like that into your life this spring?

Next, look at your daily routine and habits and ask yourself how you can make small changes that will add up to big results? For example, if you find yourself wasting money on an expensive and fattening drink every morning, you could make a big impact on both your weight and your wallet by choosing a replacement. Can you find an awesome online recipe that will allow you to make the fancy coffee drinks that you love at home for a fraction of the cost and calories? That one step can set you up for a whole day of success.

Finally, be sure that you are kind to yourself this spring. Set aside time each day to see how you are feeling and give yourself the kind of love that you deserve. Positive thinking and speaking will pay off in the long run with practice!

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Three Simple Strategies That Will Improve Your Quality Of Life

Many if not most people want to lead high quality lives marked by perpetual progress and sustained joy. However, this type of life will not materialize magically. Rather, people have to consistently work towards the cultivation of a lifestyle marked by ongoing improvements to remain on the road to perpetual progress. Luckily, there are a wide range of fairly simple strategies you can use to start improving your quality of life right now. Here are three of them:

1. Start Shopping Online.

One great way to improve the quality of your life is by shopping online. This strategy is advantageous because it empowers you to avoid the hassles associated with driving to a physical store, grappling with difficult salespeople, and standing in mile-long checkout lines. Also note that retailers will often provide clients with discounts when they make their purchase online. In the event that you're in need of new boat equipment, note that you can obtain the items you need from online retailers such as Magna Marina Inc (MMI).

2. Implement An Exercise Routine.

In addition to shopping online, be sure to consider the value of implementing an exercise routine. This step is valuable because it will help you look and feel your very best. There are multiple types of fitness routines you could get involved in, but remember that the ideal program will always incorporate three kinds of physical activity: cardio, weight-lifting, and stretching. Some of the activities you can select from when putting your program together include:

• cycling • yoga • pilates • kickboxing • step aerobics • spinning

If you're unfamiliar with the world of exercise, note that you can hire a personal trainer to put together a program on your behalf.

3. Develop A Meditation Practice.

One final strategy you can implement to improve the quality of your life is the implementation of a meditation practice. This strategy works because it empowers you to develop a sense of calm and focus. People who meditate consistently are known to maintain a higher level of mental and physical well-being. Also note that meditation has proven effective in fighting stress. There are numerous types of meditation out there, so finding at least one form that you like shouldn't be too difficult. One format you may want to try involves slowly inhaling and exhaling while carefully listening to the sound of your breath. This format will empower you to optimize the functioning of your respiratory system.

Start Optimizing Your Quality Of Life Immediately!

At some point, most people will become dissatisfied with their current level of living. To ensure that you can remain on the path to perpetual growth, it's a good idea to have a strategic plan under your hat at all times. Use the information located in this quick reference guide to ensure that you remain on the road to continual progress in your personal and professional life!

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Facing Life’s Problems

With the present economic crisis in the country especially in the areas devastated by earthquake and typhoon you will not be surprised if you see a person trying to escape from the reality of life. People differ in facing challenges and problems in life. Some may have successfully overcome but others cannot. It depends on the state of their mind, emotional stability, psychological status and how strong their faith in God. 

I’ve known some who seek the help of their doctors to treat the early signs of depression and were prescribed to take medicines like cymbalta duloxetine. But for some who don’t have the money for a treatment or have a mind disorder due to anxiety they resort to addiction. They find it so easy to succumb to drugs than face their problems. They should turn to God for strength and guidance.

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Deal With Your Problems

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In life we encounter challenges and problems that give us anxiety and sometimes depression.  It’s a normal situation because the reality of life borders not just on the positive things but on the negative as well.  We appreciate the good things in life because we experience bad days.  You will never learn to value the wonderful things that God has done or blessed you when you didn’t experience living without it.  Hence you will not achieve happiness by merely losing your problems so stop pointing to it as the culprit of being unhappy.  

You’ll be happy with your life if you learn to deal with the problems that make you sad.  You can also eliminate stress in your daily living if you take things slowly and try to realize that sometimes it’s only our high standards that’s giving us stress, that is if we can’t live up to it.  So if you want to achieve happiness live simply, don’t expect much and don’t run on your problem rather deal with it.  It also applies to me and I’m trying very hard.

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Start Making Better Choices

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Sometimes when our life is in low peak and we’re in deep misery we blame others for making our life such a failure.  We always point the accusing finger to others and never take a moment to sit down and think hard where we’ve gone wrong.  Our life depends on our choices in life and we should be able to avoid choosing the things that will make our life worthless and miserable.  

If we’re in deep trouble we must turn to our family and to God for guidance and not to others who will give us bad advice.  Wrong choice of friends will also contribute in making the wrong choices in life so we should be careful in dealing with people who will give us bad influence.  It’s not too late to change ourselves.  And when we believe that we still have a chance for better living we should try to start making better choices in life.

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Think, Pray and Act

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Most of the times we keep on wondering why our life is sometimes a mess.  We didn't want look back on our past actions and decisions to see how our life turned from being good to bad.  It's just natural for some people to point their fingers to others for the things that ruined their life because they don't want to blame themselves.

Well if you really want to make your life better start thinking or planning ahead before you do something.  If your plans will involve your family and close friends you can also seek their advice on it.  Don't act without thinking because that kind of behavior can bring you to wrong decisions in life and you may regret it the rest of your life.

It's just the same as thinking without acting because planning is really a must and careful thinking should be done but it also needs action on your part. Thinking alone won't bring you to successful turn events in your life.  One must think and act in order to resolve disputes and problems and to prevent further complications in life.  Then when you come to a decision you must pray for His guidance.

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Enjoy Life..Enjoy Coffee

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If there's one thing that I must have in the morning even if I'm busy is a creamy coffee.  When I started having healthy meal diet I gave up sweets, fats and some other meats but I can't apply it on my coffee.  I'm thinking that If I'll take away my morning coffee it's as if I'm not enjoying my life.  Anyway if it's only coffee that I didn't gave up maybe it's forgivable as I drink decaffeinated and I only add less than a teaspoon of sugar.  I want to enjoy my life and I will not be able to do this without my favorite cup of steaming aromatic creamy coffee every morning.  Also I'm a breakfast person and my breakfast will not be complete without it :)

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Time for all the Things I Want

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Just having real serious thoughts about my life, my work and all the things I want to do.  Maybe when you come to your 40s you really think about doing what you love most.  When I retired (that's what I thought) in 2009 to look after my kids and Mom I also concentrate on being a full-time blogger.  Since writing and blogging are two of the things I love doing it's so perfect to do it while taking care of my family. I did for two years before I was offered to come back to corporate work and my life changed again.

Returning to work after tasting the life of work at home Mom wasn't easy at all.  I must admit I miss the office world because I've worked for 19 years before I retired.  I missed rushing to office, talking to clients, answering emails, administering office tasks, doing human resource job, making proposals and the likes.  I was used to multi-tasking and experienced being in personnel, accounting, billing and technical departments. I also miss being with my colleagues and easily made friends again. 

But now realities are setting in again.  I could see my Mom getting older and finding the need of a companion in the house.  I'm not the same person who love office work too much that I can stay not just over time but over night as well.  I've changed and my thoughts easily wanders from office back to home  and what I should be doing than working in the office.

Suddenly I feel the urge to read more books, to have more time with my Mom when the kids are in school and she's alone in the house, to cook more, to be professional in baking and most of all to write more of my thoughts.  I pray to God that He'll give me signs and providence so I can leave the corporate world again for the second time....and hopefully for the last time. I know He will...I have faith He will.

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Staying in the Moment & Milking the Present for Memories

With today's busy schedules, people are under a lot more pressure and stress. Often times, it's impossible to stay in the moment when your mind is occupied with work, deadlines, the children, your spouse, etc. By understanding different techniques for staying in the moment, you can enjoy the time you have rather than always worrying about something. 

 Set Aside Time to Worry 

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One of the ways in which you can stay present during fun times is to bargain with yourself. Promise yourself an hour or two after the event to worry about things that still need to be taken care of. That hour is when you'll write notes for yourself, call anyone you need to call, or take care of issues that you need to take care of. Doing this will mean that you're not allowed to worry when you're supposed to be enjoying yourself. 

Notice the Items Around You 

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Another trick for staying in the present is to pay close attention to the items around you. Consciously think about their shape, color, sound or their effect on you. If you're supposed to be enjoying a play, take the time to look at the props in the background. Notice what the characters are wearing, think about the lines they're saying and notice how they interact with each other. Purposely noticing things will help keep you grounded and keep your mind from wandering.

Breathing Exercises 

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By focusing on your breathing, you can return to the present moment and really enjoy your surroundings. Take a deep, slow breath while counting to ten. Then, pause for five seconds and exhale slowly, counting again to ten. Repeat this for a few moments and you'll be more centered and better able to stay in the moment. Repeat this exercise whenever you notice your mind wandering and your thoughts taking over.

Ask Questions 

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Maybe you're supposed to be enjoying dinner with family but you're finding it hard to focus. Sit up and ask questions of your family. Interacting with them will bring you back to the present moment. Really focus on the answers they give you. By keeping up a conversation, you'll be able to stay in the present better, whether you're at home or out with friends. 

Relying on a Friend

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Talk to a friend about your problems staying focused and enjoying yourself. Make sure the friend you trust is one that's always present and someone who is able to truly enjoy themselves. The friend can help you remain in the present when it seems as if you're miles away. They can do this by asking questions, touching you lightly on the arm, and just reminding you to enjoy the present. 

Next time you're out with friends or family, whether you have Santana tickets or you're just enjoying a nice dinner, try these techniques. When you consciously attempt to stay in the present, you'll be more able to enjoy yourself rather than spending your time miles away from where you really are.

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Strength Is....

I believe people get stronger when he experience trials in life. It’s how we get strength. I remember having a problem and my Pastor told me that if I conquer my trials and be a survivor I will gain strength from it. Why? Because I’ll know how to conquer my fears and face the trials in life. We release our pain and ask guidance through our prayers. We gather strength from God.

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Missing to Experience the Beauty of Life

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to pass this along. It really made me stop to think about my own priorities and to consider the opportunities we are probably missing to experience beauty along the way as we live our hectic lives.

Let's stop to listen to the angels a little more often.

Look and listen for the beauty out there.

Have a great day.
..something to think about...

This is a true story.

Washington, DC Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. The man with a violin played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time approx. 2 thousand people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

After 3 minutes a middle aged man noticed there was a musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried to meet his schedule.

4 minutes later:the violinist received his first dollar: a woman threw the money in the hat and, without stopping, continued to walk.

6 minutes:A young man leaned against the wall to listen to him, then looked at his watch and started to walk again.

10 minutes: A 3-year old boy stopped but his mother tugged him along hurriedly. The kid stopped to look at the violinist again, but the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk, turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forced their children to move on quickly.

45 minutes:The musician played continuously. Only 6 people stopped and listened for a short while. About 20 gave money but continued to walk at their normal pace. The man collected a total of $32.1 hour:He finished playing and silence took over. No one noticed. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this, but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the greatest musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written, with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days before Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the seats averaged $100 each. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities.

The questions raised:

In a common place environment at an inappropriate hour, do we

1. Perceive beauty?
2. Stop to appreciate it?
3. Recognize talent in an unexpected context?
4. Stop to receive the gift?

One possible conclusion reached from this experiment could be this:

If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments ever made.... How many other things are we missing?

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Learn From Your Failures

Don't be afraid to fail. Don't waste energy trying to cover up failure. Learn from your failures and go on to the next challenge. It's OK. If you're not failing, you're not growing.

                                                                                                                                              -H. Stanley Judd

Failure and success are two things that go side by side with each other. In order to be successful in life you must also learn how to fail. It’s in failing that we strive hard to succeed. It’s like a game that no matter what you do you only have two choices and that is to win or lose. I always tell my daughter Gen that in every game that she joins it’s either she wins or loses so she should accept it when she fails or lose the game.

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A Bicycle Test

Your Road is Paved With Wisdom

You've probably traveled on a long, hard road already in your life, and you've learned some important lessons.
You know to let the small things slide. Things usually turn out better than you fear.

You've learned to sit back and enjoy the ride. You don't push too hard. You pace yourself.
 You offer good advice to others, and you are an ideal friend. You find it easy to share your wisdom.

Well when I think about working my career for 19 years, being married for almost 14 years and being a Mom for 13 years I really learned important lessons in life.  Now working at home I realized I have more things to learn, the things that I didn't do when I was still working in corporate office.  I also missed some of life's small pleasures in the past years that I devoted my time in my work.  Glad I resigned and retired early in life.  Now I'm enjoying my new life and learned how to cope with my new pressures and problems.

I'm more matured now and can still give advices to my friends.... I can even extend it on my sites...

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A Wonderful Morning!

"The beauty of the morning is not the sunrise
but the thought of God giving us
another day to touch other lives"

Upon waking up early dawn I received this text message from our Pastor in the church and this simple message made my simple morning a very special one acknowledging the true essence of being that God is always giving us time to do something good for others. We all have unique purpose in life. Realization should come to us that another day was given to us as another chance to correct our wrongdoings and an opportunity was thrown to us to fully understand our role in life. Our role is to touch other lives so they can also share it with others. So start this beautiful morning in touching other lives. Be blessed always!

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