THE NEXT ACT

Vzpomínky na jedno dobrodružství by Robert Fulghum My rating: 4 of 5 stars I love reading Mr Fulghum's writing. It's light. It's fun. And full of insights. This one never miss a thing to entertain and to inspire. Thanks to this book, I got a new perspective on the benefit I got from dancing. Now I am more excited to dance frequently. View all my reviews

If I have to find out if a law to be passed is making sense, the only way that I can resort  is to complement it with the divine law. The Holy Book gives ten fundamentals as written in tablets. If it falls at least to one of them, most likely it is good to go. I am only putting it simply but in a complicated world, complicated politicians and with complicated peoples' habits and ways of life, most likely it shuns away the true north as the deciding factor and clings on to more selfish reasons.  A law can be a tool for enforcers to abuse powers and its abolishing sounds a good idea. I am not a law maker and I have no degree to support what I am talking about. And I have no ambition to hold political office. All I am saying is that fundamentals are what it holds it together.  They will not run out and become obsolete. Complication may bury them. But it does not mean they 're gone. Until your system makes no sense, you are still stepping on the solid platform which is wha...

Do you have a formula for happiness? This was one of the questions of NRC to be answered by newbies as a form of getting to be introduced in the council the answer of which would be published in the council’s internal website. When I was newbie I had my own answer with this without a blink of an eye to be honest. However I was curious knowing what the other newbies have answered. And so I explored and got to peek some of the newbies’ answers. Some answers to the Formula of for happiness: • Freshly poured honey from my bee hives – on toast, in my tea. • Go out fishing on a calm, misty winter morning in a small boat- great feeling as the fog starts to disperse, the sun breaks through and warms you through (as long as there is no fish to break the tranquillity). • Yip: Guitar Hero and vodka • Just smile at everything • Tolerance & Respect for others but with lots of laughter • Try not to sweat the small stuff! • Chocolate • Love, laughter, sunshine and generally a ...

When we were single, my best friend Raul and I used to handle action groups of Christian men. During one of those gatherings, Raul gave an interesting workshop. He brought a box of pencils and a bundle of paper and distributed them among us. He asked us to draw the best pictures that we can draw. He encourages each of us to make it as good as a masterpiece that each of us can be proud of. We were given a few minutes to do it. Some of us know how to draw and some us don’t but we exerted effort to give it a shot to make our masterpieces. After we finished Raul showcased the pictures one by one and noted the strong points of each of the pictures while we applauded. Raul asked us, “Can I keep it? Could you give all these to me as a gift?” And all of us agreed that we will give all the pictures to Raul. And then Raul RIPPED them in to small pieces. He threw them on the floor and stepped on them…………………We were silent and shocked. “How do you feel now?” he asked the group. Some say they are ma...

BEING UNDERESTIMATED The advantage of being underestimated is that there is an assurance that I will have my last laugh when the truth says I am more than what they envisaged or most the time I am more than what is mischievously circulated. There was one time when I have finished a job; someone commented that the end result was too good to be true. Excuse me? SHOW OFF I don’t need to prove anything and yet sometimes I pity those people who do not know how to give the benefit of the doubt. Morrie said in his book: “Mitch, if you're trying to show off for people at the top, forget it. They will look down at you anyhow. And if you're trying to show off for people at the bottom, forget it. They will only envy you. Status will get you nowhere. Only an open heart will allow you to float equally between everyone.” FABRICATED TRUTH Someone says something not true to another. A fabricated truth is still not true. Whenever there is a chance that the truth will emerge, you fabricate a...

Babies get to consume milk for their sustenance. And then a stage comes when those baby foods which are a wee bit solid are introduced. And then the meat. There are stages in human life where the sustenance gets to be developed according to the ability to digest. Some people even though they are not babies anymore still drink milk. I drink milk. I love milk. I consume almost everyday. New Zealand has heaps of cows which produce milk. I learned from reading that humans are the only mammals who still drink milk in their adult life. Pets are exceptions because people feed them but if they have their choice, they naturally don’t. Once milk weaned, mammals stop drinking milk. Once Mummy (that’s how kiwis spell it) does not produce milk anymore, we got Formula. And then sometimes it becomes a habit forming for some children. Bottled milk becomes a comfort zone to some children. And then some children are a little bit picky with what they eat and parents got to be skilful and creative on how ...

I am happy. I wanna put smile on my face to show the whole universe that I am happy. It is believed that a smile can infect others. Hmmmm. I am not convinced with this. I may flash that big smile that says “Hey! I am doing great!” but there are people who are just so pathetically uncomfortable with it. They think, “Why is he happy and I am not. I wish that he is miserable like me. I got to do something to make him depressed then.” Who’s the loser here? I believe the one who stay happy wins. Coz it’s our choice really. No matter how people create scheme in making our life difficult, it’s still our choice if we want to get affected with it. You want to be miserable? It’s your call. You want to drag others in to your miserable chamber? Does it make you better? (Chuckle) Gees. What a wasted effort if the end result is just accumulating miseries. Go ahead! Line up and sit on a bench all yoh old folks who wanna stay glum for the rest of your breath. It’s your choice. ...

If we discover a desire within us that nothing in this world can satisfy, also we should begin to wonder if perhaps we were created for another world. C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity C. S. Lewis is one of my favourite authors of all time. The best selling book Mere Christianity has been an eye opener to me in terms of what Christians should be like. He wrote Chronicles of Narnia as a Children’s book but catered for adults considering the allegory behind the story: Aslan the Lion is a symbol of Jesus Christ being humiliated, died and rose in glory, the children (Human beings) who were being lured by the white witch (Satan). If you find the Disney Movie version boring or for kids’ stuff, try watching it again having in mind the allegory, you might appreciate it. The quotation is one of favourite lines in the book. It made me realized something. “So that’s why I have no satisfaction in this world.?” Do you ever wonder no one is contented in this world.? We always long for something. We alw...

An ungrateful man is like a hog under a tree eating acorns, but never looking up to see where they come from . Timothy Dexter Sometimes it’s hard to take it when you have been giving much effort and time to help out someone and still he/she is being ungrateful for the trouble. Yes, there is a good virtue in having the attitude of never expecting something in return on the good deeds you’ve done. Yet, I felt sorry for someone who seldom looks back on the one who’s done him/her a favour because he/she is too preoccupied on how he/she indulges his/her selfish motives. This reminds me a scene in a Rocky V, when retired Rocky disappointedly stared at his protégé who has been caught by too much ego which made him wanting to beat Rocky in a match. You never know what comes up with the human minds and intentions. You were exactly sure in a moment that he deserves your attention. Yet the next moment the wind blows and his attitude is tarnished. Nothing is really certain except God’s love. And t...

I want to practice the Quadrant 2 principle that Covey has thought me. Better do it now before it’s too late. Better do it now when there are no red flags. There should be balance in everything. Quadrant 2 would help me balance everything.

The priest in Christchurch Catholic Cathedral gave a good sermon this Easter Sunday. He said that without the Resurrection, our faith is in vain. If Jesus Christ did not rise from the dead, Christianity does not exist. Jesus promised in three days after its destruction he would raise this temple again. He was pertaining to his death and resurrection. Christianity is alive because of the removal of the stone cover, the empty tomb, the broken seal, the Emmaus Walk, Thomas seeing Jesus’ wounds, over 500 hundred witnesses and the lives of the disciples after the resurrection who continually spread the good news despite being bitten, stoned to death, thrown to the lions, tortured and crucified. Jesus Christ conquered death. Jesus Christ has risen and lives among us.

Procrastination is snatching your thought from what is more important.

I don’t need to dwell so much on the ill deeds that people has done to me in the past. I don’t need to bring them out always and continue to live with a grudge. Life is happening and if I drag the load of anguish all the time, I am slowing down the pace and I might end out losing the race and not getting the greatness that I deserve. Forgiveness is wonderful healing power. This will just bury the hatchet and continue evolving with what life has to offer. To some people, time is an important factor to heal. Time will heal. Give it some time. But for goodness sake, get out of your bed of bitterness and see the sun rising! Learning from the past is a proactive way to deal with the ordeal. It is a mistake when you let others hurt you. It is stupid when you let others hurt you again. I am moving forward. I want to live a peaceful life. I don’t need that pain. Learning from the past should give me more knowledge to segregate the wheat from the weeds. I have more idea what ki...

Charity begins at home. I got to look after the welfare of my beloved before I take notice of the needs of others. Looking after anyone’s needs requires being equipped with it. Am I strong enough to carry others’ load? Am I knowledgeable enough to answer others’ questions. Am I mature enough to handle certain issues? My son is still small. He has a long way to go. I have to be equipped for a long time. Taking care of my family is taking care of myself physically, emotionally and spiritually. Once the joy has been established at home and its richness surpasses the essentials , the family should be one to dwell on paying forward beyond home.

I have been hibernating and have been doing well with it. I have not been blogging. I have not involved myself with any activity with whatever Filipino Org we have here in Christchurch. I am successful in detaching myself from any association in my pursuit to dedicate myself with my wife, son and career. Mel from Auckland, an old friend way back when we were still in the Ligaya Community tried to catch up with me through email. He asked me if I already have a support group here. I told him none formally. But I have my family and close family friends who get in touch regularly. I told him I am happy with this setup and I told him I don’t intend to complicate myself in getting tied with certain group and be branded as one of those enemies of the other. When I was a kid, I used to play Kampu-kampo with other kids. Kampu-kampo was a game where two groups owning territorial bases compete with each other by capturing enemies and bringing them in their respective bases. It was phys...

We had a not-so-eventful weekend due to a bad weather. Boring? No. I always think that no matter where I am, no matter how limited my resources are, no matter how I end up being in an inescapable situation, it is always my call. Taking charge in the moment would make the moment worthwhile. No I would not admit that I got a boring weekend. I always have my right brain to play around with my random thoughts. Playful mind's eye even when I am sitting on my favourite couch would fill my weekend with excitement. Yes I found my way to have a blast last weekend. Yes I miss a lot of things not being outdoors. However, I thank God that I found what I’ve missed when I was indoors.

Numb. The house is full hatred. Maybe that is the reason why I can’t think anything positive. I know I should have to be more open. I know I should be more fluid. I know I have to be more obedient to the flow. O whatever. I just want to type and type and type until I get a crack on my head for some juicy staff to come out. But no matter how I pound my head and no matter how the crack gets bigger and bigger, my brain seems to be frozen solid: nothing really flows. Got to heat up. Ice Cubes stuck in a tray for so long has to be washed over by flowing water from the faucet. Maybe I just have to take a shower. Nah, that won’t do. I need something stronger than water. I am thinking of hard drinks but it’s too early. Coffee will do. Sip. Sip. Sip.

I am not a frequent reader of the Bible but I have an idea of what words come from the Bible and what do not. I may not be very well versed but I know what's white from black. I may have questions in the Bible and the Lord has an option to enlighten me or not because we are here to obey the word and not basically to question. It is a matter of putting faith in the word.

Days are numbered. This is a little scary since a big change in my life will happen soon. Thinking of all the preparations needed would overwhelm me. I just have to think of them one at the time. There are also some unnecessary worries here and there. What-ifs creep in just like that and decay my thought of scary scenarios. I am praying that everything will be alright. I am not thinking of myself now. I have my own family to look after. I am on the track of really going all the way. No turning back. The comfort zone leaves me bit by bit as I proceed. I wish that the comfort zone won’t leave at least my baby. I hope that he stays happy forever. I am doing this for him. I got to go on. I prayed hard for this. I believe God blesses me and He is 100% on my side with this decision. I wouldn’t have done this without consulting Him.

December 30, 2006. While walking on my way to the parking area after I dropped by Ever Commonwealth to buy some stuff that I needed I chanced upon not so old man lying helpless on the floor. A guy with radio, obviously the security of the mall, was beside him calling more assistance. The place was beginning to be crowded. “ Anong nangyari?”, I asked. “Bigla na lang nahimatay. Siguro high blood” More and more people came over to take a look. A lady began to check his pulse. “Wala po ba kayong Medical dito sa Mall?”, she asked the security. “Wala po.” Another lady tried to talk to the man. “Wala ho ba kayong kasama?” “Wala”, he murmured. “Sino pwede nating kontakin?” The man reached his cellphone inside his pocket. The lady checked the directory. “ Sino ho dito?” “Joseph.” “Joseph. Eto ho ba?” “Wala akong load.” “Naku wala daw load.” “Ako na kokontak!”, I volunteered. I got a planned sim. “ Anong number? The lady dictated the number. “Hello! Si Joseph po ba eto?” “Ako nga.” “...