Some Points To Ponder

           As we end this month of November, allow me to share with you some insights into these thoughts to ponder which I believe have significant impact on our lives. Everyday we learn from our experiences and interactions with people and things. One good thing in life though that these are free and available everywhere but sad to note that many among us fail to fulfil this task due to our other concerns.

imagecredit: http://isorepublic.com

Anyone, here are points to ponder and my reflections on them:

" There's no sense aiming for a goal with no arrow in your bow."

          Goals are pertinent in our life yet we also need to equip ourselves with the necessary tools and resources so as to reach them. As mentioned beforehand, our everyday learnings allow us to grow better as a person and through this, our readiness to face the future squarely is attainable. Hindrances will come along the way but if we are determined enough to attain our goals, then we are also ready to face both yin and yang of life.

"The surest way to gain respect is to earn it by conduct."

          Much agreeable to me and I believe it is related to what they say that love begets love thus if we sow beautiful things to others then we can also expect to receive similar things on the process. If we treat others with dignity and honour then surely others will also endow us those two. 

"It's not the load that breaks you down, it's the way you carry it."

         What is  essential to this point is that we must know how to handle and carry ourselves in all times, both in good and bad times, in smooth or rough sailing moments, in bad or god condition. At the outset, we should be the first ones who know exactly ourselves including our dynamics, volitions, weaknesses, likes and dislikes, etc.. and with this self- knowledge, we therefore are knowledgeable enough to handle those varying life chapters.

          More points to ponder next time around guys. Good luck to all our journeys in life and remember always that the best way to approach each journey is with openness and excitement.

Source of points to ponder: 14,000 Quips and Quotes
                                             By: E.C. McKenzie


                                       

Treasure Your Life By Spending It Wisely

          Whenever I have the opportunity to look back on my life, I could not help but be amused and delighted upon knowing that everyday that I spend on earth adds to the colourful chapter of my life. Then slowly, I also reflect on how others make waste out of their own lives by not taking care of it. We should always realise that each day that comes into our life, another window of opportunity is opened and it is for us whether to accept it or reject it. 

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

          We need to know the greatness of this life- that our everyday learnings are beyond any limit. And we need to provide commitments as we participate consistently on this race. One way of spending our life wisely is by nurturing our various giftedness- we should not stop learning for any opportunity to interact with others, with something and with any situation, it also extends to us possibilities of growth. 

          And every growth that happens to us needs to be shared with others. Generosity begets generosity. If we share with each other and with others positive things, then as its consequence, we will also reap positive energies from them. Thus, let us constantly remember to express gratefulness to life's author and to share with others this very own giftedness- this thing called LIFE.

                                                  

To Live Life to the Fullest

           How do older people spend their time nowadays? It has been observed that more and more older people would like to spend their time alone rather than having so many people around them. If we try to look at the reality of life, it seems that those who can be considered as loner people especially the older ones are much inclined to live by themselves than staying with others. However, the risk of this kind of set up is when he tends to succumb to life's pressures while being alone thus allowing oneself to be drawn to the world and reality of depression. 

          Apparently this kind of scenery could have been avoided if they stay with someone who can regularly check their disposition and health conditions. It could have been to their advantage if they seek comfort in the presence of other people. On the other hand, what could be an advantage here is when introverted and older people though think critically and creatively when left on their lonesome.  Somehow, they feel uncomfortable and intimidated with the presence of others thus they rather stay just by themselves than being with others.

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   And in many cases, they emerge as productive members of the society through their contributions since even though they are living alone but their works using their minds such as analysis to life situations, skilful interpretations to various life and other phases could matter most, not just to them but to the whole of society.

          Thus, every person, either young or old, has his own preference of living on this world whether with others or just by himself and what counts most is his positive contributions to the society and to himself. 

Contributing writer: Myra Flor Jugan


                                        

Today's Modern Age: Is it a Help in Self- Growth or Not?

          As I witness everyday's unfolding, the more that I come to think about life as becoming more complicated nowadays. And aside from that, this also tends to become more damaging to human relationships as others would think of. 

          However as I reflect on my own environment, I could sense that it's either positive or negative and it relies much on each person on how then he/she welcomes all these latest developments. Like for example, the various forms of social media networks that come out nowadays first and foremost the worldwide popular facebook. Consequently, the world tends to become a global village. The problem before of loved ones being far from one another is now answered by these social plaforms. 

imagecredit:
http://www.toasto.com/free-photos/nature-and-scenic/sky-and-clouds/sunset-storm-clouds-over-the-bay/

          On the other hand, the risk of being over exposed to these modern social media platforms is also very alarming. If one will not be careful in dealing with them, the risk of losing human touch connections with the other loved ones nearby would be sacrificed. I would say that people need to mutually help one another so as to grow in self fulfilment and learn to avoid the negative complications  that could possibly come out in the use of these modern age networks. 

                                       

MY DAILY INSPIRATION

          Our household community recently held its regular get together. And the last time we met, it allowed me to renew my self and gain further strength to go on with life. My fellow brothers and sisters were so enthusiastic to share their own moments with their loved ones. Hearing all of these, I came into a realization how marvelous life is. Being with loved ones and with friends are favorable circumstances that enable me to go deeper of myself and look back if where am I leading to in my own journey.

          Having said that, I know beforehand that my time is spent positively unlike when I will merely spend it to just stay it in idleness thus allowing me to just dumb myself with nonsense things. I admire the sincerity of my brothers and sisters in our sharing for this openness allowed me to have a deep understanding of themselves and of myself.

imagecredit:By Danilo Rizzuti, published on 19 April 2010

          Treasured moments like this are nevertheless imprinted in my heart and when I go back to my own self, this will serve as one experience that I can recall and extract strength. "I gain my strength from my husband and he does the same. Yet at one time, I realized that it is actually from God whom I am getting this real strength to face this life's struggles and trials"- Thus came one of the realizations of our sister in the group. While listening to this, I continued closing my eyes and inaudibly murmured to myself, "she is not alone in that predicament for that is exactly what I'm doing in my own trial stages". 

          Yes, everything lies in my God. He is my  main source of strength aside from my family (wife and little boy). Knowingly or unknowingly, He consistently guides me into the right path. To boot, He draws everything in me. Without His guidance, I am nothing.  "In Jesus, and through the relationship He offers me, I find my hope…He is my strength — my peace, my purpose and my power.:-Sylene Mack- president-Transformed by Grace community.  Thus, I offer to Him everything in my life-my joys, my treasures, pains, aspirations etc. Going back to our community, I am so grateful to have encountered the bond of friendship with these people. And as we proceed with our respective journeys in life, may the guiding hand of our Divine Creator continue to inspire and mold us into persons whom He wanted us to be.

                                                         

LIFE IS A CONTINUING EDUCATION

          As I proceed with my life journey, I tried to reflect on past events of my life then realized that it is as if I am reading a book- in fact, my own book of life. With such reflection, I am so glad to be a participant of this life journey. Each day as I wake up, new learnings embrace me and they assist me to go on with my own personal development.

          Furthermore, I know that there is no limit and boundary over learnings. It only takes one's commitment to participate consistently in this journey that will make a consequent difference in his/her life. One noteworthy in life is when we share our various giftedness with each other. As you and me go on with our everyday learnings, we grow the more when we exchange life's wonderful stories.

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          Allow me to share with you this wonderful quotation, " Self-education is, I firmly believe, the only kind of education there is."- Isaac Asimov. I totally agree with Isaac in this sentiment of his. As I enter each day, I start to learn new things that contribute colors to this journey. Many people have joined me in this journey, first and foremost my wife Yanyan and our little boy, Kurt and I am so grateful to them as well as to my Divine Creator for shower of gifts.

          Thus, as we proceed with our varying trips called life, may we reflect on Isaac's words above and let us consistently remind ourselves that life's education allows us to be the best persons that we can be. As such, you and me can become agents of joy for others especially those who are deprived as a consequence of conflicts, crisis, wars, calamities etc. 

                                       

                                                                         

EVERYDAY JOURNEY

          Each day brings both significant and non-significant  experiences to everyone. From the moment that one wakes up in the morning up to the time that he/she goes to sleep, different events unfold in one's life. Summing up everything that happens in a day, one could always say that life indeed is a constant journey.

          Today as a weekend, I wake up with much vigor reflecting that just like any other day, this day becomes a complete manifestation of God's unconditional love for me- another new day, another new gift, another new positive manifestation of His great love for me. In fact, I could claim that I have various reasons to be grateful to HIM since I am blessed with a family of wonderful and loving people- my wife Yanyan and my son Kurt. Everyday becomes a wonderful and a fresh beginning for me because of their presence to my life. 

mommy yanyan and kurt

           Each day, as I wake up, these two significant people become my source of motivations as I encounter and embrace life's challenges and trials. Like any ordinary human being, I come face to face as well with life's trivialities- at times, my conviction to life is tested, at times my goal in life which is to be a constant God fearing individual is put into test by plenty difficult situation YET with my own faith and the LOVE I receive from these two significant persons in my life, everything seems to be so light.

          Armed by this realization, I am ever thankful to God for extending to me these gifts in life- my family. How about you, can you identify those important people in your life and have come to realize that they are your source of joy in this life's journey?

THE GIFT OF A CHILD

          Each day brings to us numerous experiences. My week, though not yet over, has been full of wonderful experiences and surprises. With all those lovely things happening with me and those around me, I could say that life at times depends on one's perception of every opportunity that knocks on his/her door.

          Everyday as I walk going to my workplace, I usually pass a certain park along the way. Melbourne is such a wonderful city that anybody can hang around with some of its famous parks such as The Shed Skatepark, Luna Park Melbourne, Gasworks Arts park, The Royal Botanic Melbourne and many more.

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          Just this week, when I passed by the park, there were few children who were enjoying the park's facilities such as slides, thrills and spills, shaded areas, seats,  and others. As I observed them, there was that presence of the sense of innocence on them.

          They really have their own world notwithstanding what is going on with this beautiful and sometimes complicated world that we adults have. Playing with peers is such a very important element in a child's development. They should be accorded with any chance to mingle and enjoy other children as well.

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          On the other hand, every adult especially those parents need to play their role positively and effectively. They should learn to express in a very concrete way their love and care for those children around them. An adult's great love is not expressed on any material possession or gift but rather this is relayed in an intimate way such as giving one's presence and affection to a dear child.

  

SHARING THE GIFT OF LIFE

          Today as my loved one celebrates her birthday, I am with her as she embraces her creator's goodness in bringing another chapter to her life. Indeed, life is the most precious gift that we all received from God. 

               Everyday we are endowed with situations in which we can share this gift of life with others. It is not just on birthdays that we must realize life's value....we need to inculcate in our minds that everyday is always a reminder for us to treasure and get hold of this gift.

from:www.pixabay.com

Moreover, I salute those who are seemed to be deprived in life in terms of capabilities, those who are differently abled, those who are denied of certain senses like that of seeing and hearing, yet in the midst of their predicaments they are still projecting how precious life is. Even if many are feeling hurt and helpless in those situations yet there are many also who emerge triumphant of such deprivation and they are the ones who serve as models for all to strive the more.

          On the other hand, we are surrounded by people, events, situations and others that will aid us in holding on to what is ideal in life. We have different goals and directions, we own separate ways, we carry different burdens yet we are on the same journey that is towards the fulfillment of our life. We all aim for happiness and contentment. Yet many instances in our life can tell us that it is not all joy that we experience everyday. As life goes on, we continue to struggle and fall down yet what counts the most is that we continue to get up and survive each day believing that  we can get over the situation and emerge as better persons.

from: www.pixabay.com

          To reiterate, I celebrate the joy of my beloved on her memorable moment this day and I am with her in extending gratitude to our Divine Creator for all goodness shared day by day most notably the gift of LIFE. 

  

A GUEST POST: LIFE

Life

                Life is the most precious gift one human being can have. What we always wish is to spend it in a peaceful and safe community. Around the world we often see life as a threatening thing to be. We can never tell what will happen next. It could be natural disasters , wars, civil disturbance and sometimes sickness. Few people are just being killed without any provocation or reason. Other killings are done out of mental disturbance.

from:www.pixabay.com

                 We meet people by chance for they meant to cross our path. Experience wise, I have witnessed life as a gift that needs to be taken good care of. Sometimes, life seems so unfair especially when we lose someone whom we have offered love and trust.

                  Facing the challenges now is but a game to be won, but accepting the fact that a loved one is about to lose a life because of a certain sickness is more tragic. You feel being betrayed and helpless for your dreams are shattered. 

                  On the other hand, you want to spend your life with a person whom you have loved tremendously. And then suddenly, someone will tell you he`s about to leave you soon. How can someone take such sad news of a loved one who will be giving up life so soon? Seems so traumatic to accept it in an instant. Giving all the sacrifices  to fulfill a dream and then you suddenly realize that it will never be yours forever.

from:www.pixabay.com

                  One can definitely believe that having and giving life is such a pleasure... GOD has all the reasons to  what is happening around us and He is always there to protect us. Don't ever lose faith and always ask for His guidance in everything that you will do to your LIFE.

by: CARRISA GALLANO

A SHARED PRAYER.......

          This is a powerful prayer that I am sharing with you now. Hope you will also find consolation on this one. I am giving credit to www.everydayprayer.us for this prayer. 

Welcome to my Blog

       I am Roldan and here  is my new blog that would allow me to share with you my spiritual and life journey. Everyday we come up with different life experiences so rich that we always find relevance in them in our lives. We travel and trek different ways yet we are all companions on this life journey.

     However this blog will also share even your own journey and what you have to do is just share with me and the readers here your own story. I know there is such a wide world out there when it comes to our own spiritual and life journey.