Loving Kindness

The teacher asked the pupils to tell the meaning of Loving Kindness. A little boy jumped up and said, "Well, if I was hungry and someone gave me a piece of bread, that would be Kindness. But if they put a jelly on it, that would be a Loving Kindness."

Having Problems?

Don't worry if you have problems!
Which isn't easy to say until you are in the midst of a really big one. But the only people I am aware of who don't have troubles are gathered in little neighborhoods. Most communities have atleast one. We call them cemeteries.

If you're breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of our problems may actually be good for you.
Let me explain.

Maybe you've seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guide regularly take visitors to view the reef. On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question. "I noticed that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful," a traveler observed. "Why is this?"

The guide gave an interesting answer. "The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, storms - surges of power. It has to fight for survival everyday of it's life. As it is challenged and tested, it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces." Then he added this telling note: " That's why it is with every living organism."

That's how it is with people. Challenged and tested, we come alive.
Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.

So, you have problems - No Problem!
Just tell yourself, "There I grow again!"

A Little Boys Temper

There was once a little boy who had a bad temper. His Father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lose his temper, he must hammer a nail into the fence.

The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence. Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his Father about it and the Father suggested that he may now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his Father that all the nails were gone. The Father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son. But look at the holes in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one."

You can put a knife in a man and draw it out. It wont matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there.

Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted to say something you will regret later.

- Author Unknown -

Our words and actions are very powerful. They can either build someone up or break them down. A word of encouragement can mean the world to a person that is feeling down or discouraged, but the opposite of this is also true. A person that is already feeling terrible will only feel worse if criticized or made fun of, so I encourage you to be sensitive to those around you and be quick to praise your friend or family member when they are feeling discouraged.

Remembering September 21, 1972

- Philippine Daily Inquirer
9/21/05



1081 Proclamation 1081 is signed by President Ferdinand Marcos on Sept. 21, 1972, placing the entire country under martial law.

1935 Constitution provision stating the President can impose martial rule in the country or any part of it when public safety requires it is invoked by Marcos.
The trigger is the reported ambush of Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile by communists who riddled his car with bullets.
(On the first day of the People Power revolt on Feb. 22, 1986, Enrile admitted the ambush was staged to justify the imposition of martial law.)

49 persons from the Greater Manila Area are immediately arrested on Sept. 22, 1972 by the AFP. Among the more prominent are Senators Benigno Aquino Jr., Jose Diokno, Ramon Mitra, Sergio Osmeña III, businessman Eugenio Lopez Jr., activist teacher Loretta Ann “Etta” Rosales, human rights lawyer Haydee Yorac and journalist Amando Doronila.

The AFP closes all media offices and arrests persons suspected of being involved in alleged rebellious activities.

On Sept. 23, 1972, Press Secretary Francisco Tatad announces the imposition of martial law and reads the Marcos proclamation in a nationwide televised broadcast.

12-4 a.m. curfew is now in place. Marcos abolishes Congress, moves to consolidate control over the media, Manila Electric Co., Philippine Airlines, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and other major communication and utility firms. Marcos also bans rallies.

22,287 individuals arrested from February 1974 to February 1986, according to Task Force Detainees of the Philippines.

706 persons disappear during the same period, according to TFDP figures.

880 massacred

154 tortured

2,491 summarily executed

Unexpected Package

A young man was getting ready to graduate from college. For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car. Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study. His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.

He handed his son a beautiful wrapped gift box. Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold. Angrily, he raised his voice to his father and said, "With all your money you give me a Bible? and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business. He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him. He had not seen him since that graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son. He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.

When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.

He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago. With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages.

His father had carefully underlined a verse, Matt 7:11, "And if ye, being evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your Heavenly father which is in heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible. It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired. On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words...PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's blessings because they are not packaged as we expected?
Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for...

IF YOUR GIFT IS NOT PACKED THE WAY YOU WANT IT, IT'S BECAUSE IT IS BETTER PACKED THAT WAY! ALWAYS APPRECIATE LITTLE THINGS...

This is crucial to us...

"The most difficult thing in the world is to be who you are not. Pretending and trying to be someone else is the official pastime of the human race...

... and the easiest thing in the world is to be yourself...

Be happy! There must be a reason why God made you tall or short or fat or thin or bumby all over. Love who you are.

Being happy, it's not that difficult. Think about it... it's true. How man is so blinded by so many things.

Stop sighing and start LIVING!"

A Religious Joke on Campaigning

While walking down the street one day, a female senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies. Her soul arrives in heaven and was met by St. Peter at the entrance.

"Welcome to Heaven," says St. Peter. "Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts you see, so we're not sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," says the lady.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we'll do is have you spend one day in Hell and one in Heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.

"Really, I've made up my mind. I want to be in Heaven," says the senator.

"I'm sorry but we have our rules." And with that, St. Peter escorts her to the elevator and she goes down to Hell. The doors open, and she finds herself in the middle of a green golf course.

In the distance is a club and standing in front of it are all her friends and other politicians who had worked with her. Everyone is very happy. They run to greet her, hug her, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster and caviar. Also present is the Devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before she realizes it, it is time to go. Everyone gives her a big hug and waves while the elevator rises.

The elevator goes up, up, up, and the door reopens on Heaven where St. Peter is waiting for her.

"Now it's time to visit Heaven." So 24 hours pass with the head of state joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time, and before she realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St. Peter returns.

"Well then, you've spent a day in Hell and another in Heaven. Now, choose the place where you want to spend eternity." She reflects for a minute and then answers: "Well, I would never have said it, I mean Heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in Hell."

So Saint Peter escorted her to the elevator, and she goes down, down, down to Hell. Now, the doors of the elevator open, and she is in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage. She sees all her friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags.

The Devil comes over to her and lays his arm on her neck.

"I don't understand," stammers the senator. "Yesterday I was here, and there was a golf course and club, and we ate lobster and caviar and we danced and had a great time. Now there is a wasteland full of garbage, and my friends look miserable."

The Devil looks at her, smiles and says,
"Yesterday we were campaigning. Today, you voted for us!"

Professor and The Oarsman

One day, a professor was conducting a study at sea. He went out to sea in a 'sampan' with an oarsman. The oarsman's job is to row the 'sampan'. He was an old and quiet man.

This was fine with the professor as he did not want any disturbance while he did his work.

For many hours, the professor examined water specimens from the sea and wrote down notes in his book. The oarsman looked up to the sky and thought to himself, "Hmm? It looks like it's going to rain."

Finally, when the professor had completed his work, he said, "Okay, let's get back to the shore." Only during the journey back did the professor speak to the oarsman.

"How long have you been rowing boats?" asked the professor.

"Almost all my life", replied the oarsman.

"Your whole life? So you don't know anything else besides rowing boats?" asked the professor.

The oarsman just shook his head from side to side.

"Do you know geography?" asked the professor. The oarsman shook his head quietly.

"In that case, you have lost 25 percent of your life," said the professor.

"Do you know biology?" The oarsman shook his head. "You poor soul. You have lost 50 percent of your life. Do you know physics?" Again, the oarsman simply shook his head.

"How pitiful, you have lost 75 percent of your life then. You are so unfortunate, you don't know anything. You have wasted your whole life just rowing boats," said the professor arrogantly. The oarsman just kept quiet.

A few minutes later, it started to rain. Suddenly a huge wave swept the 'sampan' and overturned it.

The professor and the oarsman were thrown into the sea.

Now, the oarsman asked the professor, "By the way, do you know how to swim?"
The professor shook his head.

"In that case, you have lost 100 percent of your life!" cried the oarsman as he swam to the shore.



The moral of the story is:
It is no use having a high I.Q. or intelligence, if you do not know the more important things in life. Someone may seem stupid in something that has nothing to do with his career of life. But he is a master in his line of work. So, do not look down on others just because they seem ignorant or stupid, because they may in fact be more successful than us.

If Tears Could Talk

If my tears could talk,
What would they display?
Thousands of words,
Not difficult to say

They'd whisper, "I'm Sorry!"
When I am wrong and you are right.
They'd scream, "I'm Scared!"
When I'm all alone in the middle of the night

They do talk,
But they reveal too much
They're not hidden
Just wiped away by your gentle touch.

They'd exclaim, "I'm Happy!"
Whenever you're around
They'd sigh, "I'm sad!"
When I'm feeling down.

They do talk
Won't you listen?
You just might find
What you've been missin'!

They'd reply, "I'm lonely"
When I'm thinking about you.
Is it too late for you to see
That my tears cry out, "I love You!"

They do talk
But you can't hear
A single word they'd say.
If only you could read a tear
Instead of wiping it away.


- Robert Jack Baily

Are you worth a lot?

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman, he was pursuing, the question "What kind of man are you looking for?"

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him in the eye and asking "Do you really want to know?" Reluctantly, he said "Yes."

She began to expound... " As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household with out the help of any man...or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask "What can you bring to the table?"

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that she was referring to money. She quickly corrected his thought and stated "I am not referring to money. I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life."

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, and asked her to explain.

She said, "I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple minded man. I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection spiritually because I don't need to be unequally yoked... believers mixed with unbelievers is a recipe for disaster.

I need a man who is striving for perfection financially because I don't need a financial burden. I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman but strong enough to keep me grounded.

I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive... he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, "You are asking a lot."

She replied "I'm worth a lot."

YOU

When you worry about what you don't have, it is a waste of what you do have.

You already have everything you need to be the person you are. Everything you've accomplished, all that you've experienced, all that you are right now, has come from what you already have.

Life is rich indeed, and it is already yours.
Focus on what you can do with it.

Seek out ways in which you can make a real, substantial difference. Rather than worrying about what you don't have, make the highest and best us of what you do have.

It has been enough to bring you this far.
And the more you value what you have, the more useful it will be.
The only thing stopping you from making the most of your life, is You.

You already have what it takes.

There is fortune inside of you, waiting to be mined.

Put it to use today.
You can wake up rich tomorrow, and grow wealthier every day in every way.

Parting Time

One of my fave song during my high school years. The one I haven't gotten sick of listening yet. Sung by my most loved band during the early 90's, Rockstar. Not to mention the handsome man behind the song, Paul Sapiera.

I remember the days when you're here with me
Those laughters and tears we shared for years
Mem'ries that we had, for so long it's me and you
But now you've gone away, you left me all alone..

Go on, do what you want
But please don't leave me, you'll break my heart
Hey what should I do, babe I'm missing you
Please don't disappear, these are the words that you should hear

Time and time again I wish that you are here

I don't wanna lose you, I need you back to me
I don't wanna lose you, Baby can't you see
Oh i need you, you've been a part of me

I wish someday you'll be back home
'Cause I really miss you darling
Please come home...

Balance (and the Role of the Filipino in Human History)

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Heaven, God was missing for six days. Eventually, Michael the Archangel found him, resting on the seventh day.

He inquired of God, "Where have you been?"

God sighed a deep sigh of satisfaction and proudly pointed downwards through the clouds, "Look, Michael. Look what I've made."

Michael the Archangel looked puzzled and said, What is it?"

"It's a planet," replied God, "and I've put Life on it. I'm going to call it Earth and it's going to be a great place of balance."

"Balance?" inquired Michael, still confused.

God explained, pointing to different parts of Earth. "For example, northern Europe will be a place of great opportunity and wealth, but cold and harsh. While southern Europe is going to be poor but sunny and pleasant."

"I have made some lands abundant in water and other lands parched deserts."

"This one will be extremely hot, while this one will be very cold and covered in ice."

The Archangel, impressed by God's work, then pointed to a group of islands and said, "What are those?"

"Ah," said God. "That's the Philippines, the most glorious place on Earth. There are beautiful beaches, rivers, mountains and forests. The people from the Philippines are going to be handsome, modest, intelligent and humorous and they are going to be found traveling the world. They will be extremely sociable, hardworking and high achieving, and they will be known throughout the world as carriers of peace and love."

Michael gasped in wonder and admiration but then proclaimed, "What about balance, Lord? You said there would be balance."

God replied wisely, "Wait until you see the idiots I put in the government."

The Final Chapter

Several years ago, I read an article about a 22 year old, successful young lady who died a premature death in a plane crash. The more I read this article, the heavier my heart became because she died in the midst of her formative years. Equally tear-jerking was the fact that she died before completing a book that she was writing - before completing her final chapter.

Right now, your book is being written -- and you are the author.
Every moment that passes, every day that appears and vanishes, your pages are being written.
Every word you speak, every action you take -- shapes pages after page in your book of life.
How you live and how you treat others also shape the pages of your book -- from cover to cover.

In retrospect, perhaps the beginning of your book may not have been written well, because of mistakes, or unwise decisions -- but you can finish a bestseller. You can finish a bestseller, because you are the starring character and you, by your present and future actions, control how the final chapters of your book will read. You can finish as the winner by doing the things that you love and not taking your life, or others for granted.

Start a new chapter today -- a chapter that would give you and others a delight to read. Enjoy who you are and what you do. Keep writing and live life to the fullest.

How does your book read thus far -- and -- what will your Final Chapter say?

Fall in Love with your Job all over again

A priest once said to a class of convent school girls, "If you spend your life searching for the Perfect Man, you're going to die an old maid. The trick is to find a Decent Man - and then fall in love with him."

The same can be said about the Perfect Job. It simply doesn't exist. So if you spend your life searching for it, you're bound to end up jobless and penniless. The trick is to find a Decent Job - and then fall in love with it.

But how do you fall in love your job when you feel overworked and underpaid? When you've got the tiniest cubicle and the most Jurassic computer in the entire company? When it's been ages since your last raise and ages yet till your next promotion? When you've got a back-stabber for an officemate and a credit-grabber for a boss?

Or, to paraphrase a famours love song, "How do you keep the music playing?"

LOVE is the answer. Try gleaning the age-old wisdom found in love songs and quotations and see where it takes you. If it works for Love, then who's to say it won't work for Work?

Icechase's Soup for the Soul_01

"Today is a gift, that's why it is called the Present."

Icechase's Soup for the Soul

"There is tremendous happiness in making others happy, despite our own situations. Shared grief is half the sorrow, but happiness when shared, is doubled. If you want to feel rich, just count all of the things you have that money can't buy."

The meaning of Work

A long time ago, there was an Emperor who told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.

Sure enough, the Horseman quickly jumped onto his horse and rode as fast as possible to cover as much land area as he could. He kept on riding, whipping the horse to go as fast as possible. When he was hungry or tired, he did not stop because he wanted to cover as much area as possible.

Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, "Why did I push myself so hard to cover as much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself."


The above story is similar with the journey of our Life. We push very hard everyday to make more money, to gain power and recognition. We neglect our health, time with our family and to appreciate the surrounding beauty and the hobbies we love.

One day when we look back, we will realize that we don't really need that much, but then we cannot turn back time for what we have missed.

Life is not about making money, acquiring power or recognition. Life is definitely not about Work.

Work is only necessary to keep us living so as to enjoy the beauty and pleasures of Life. Life is a balance of Work and Play, Family and Personal time. You have to decide how you want to balance your Life. Define your priorities, realize what you are able to compromise but always let some of your decisions be based on your instincts. Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of Life, the whole aim of human existence. So, take it easy, do what you want to do and appreciate nature. Life is fragile, Life is short. Do not take Life for granted. Live a balanced lifestyle and enjoy Life!

Change for the Better and Best

Even when it is not possible to change anything else for the better, you can always change yourself for the better. Even in the most desperate situations, when no other option is available, you always can decide upon your own attitude. Just as it is entirely possible to be miserable in even the most pleasant surroundings, so too it is possible to be positive and effective in the most difficult circumstances. Always bear in mind that your attitude is whatever you decide it is going to be. So why would you ever want to go through so much as a single moment with a negative, defeated attitude? There is simply nothing of value that it can accomplish.

On the other hand, when you choose a positive focus, even the setbacks and disappointments can end up working in your favor. For you will be open to the positive possibilities that do surely exist in those seemingly hopeless situations. The hope is there, the way forward is there, when you make up your mind to see it and live it. When life is stubbornly negative, keep your attitude positive. When nothing else will change for the better, change your own thoughts for the better. And you'll see everything else following positively along.


- Ralph Marston