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


                                        

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.

                                                         

EACH DAY IS RELATIVE

          Have you observed each day as something too quick or the other way around? Hence it is said that each day in our life is relative meaning that it could either be too long or too short. How each day will appear to us is greatly dependent on certain factors such as our disposition and state of mind.

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          First on the area of disposition, have you noticed that  when we are intensely joyful or having a great time with loved ones, then time becomes so quick when in fact we still wish it to last longer than it used to be. And time just flies so swiftly when we are still in the midst of happiness when we are surrounded by loved ones and when we are experiencing positive things in life.

          On the other hand, have you experienced such moments as when we were journeying a time pressured activity or situation, the day or time seems so long. Like when we are in a crisis situation ( have you ever been on such situation?), it seems that time and day is so long. As such, we tend to watch without blinking and count every second or minute or hour that passes by without realizing at all that this is just prolonging the agony of waiting.

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         Consequently, in the midst of these two contrasting relative conditions, everything relies on the beholder. I would relate it then to my belief that it with the person to make or break any time or day in life. No one should never become a slave to time however each one should learn to be flexible in any given situation. Focus in life is so essential to emerge triumphant in one's journey. Our state of mind plays a major role in whatever situation we are in each day.

  

FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE

" Count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience"- JAMES 1:2-3

from: www.kozzi.com

           In life, this is very true that obstacles in various forms come into play one way or the other. No matter what our status in life, whether one is rich or poor,  white or black, big or small, yet trials still come along the way. Wealth is never an assurance that one will be fully blessed in life. At times, even those who seemed so deprived prove to be more contented in life compared to those who are more privileged. 

          In short, life would always be coupled with trials and it depends on one's ability to handle them that will measure how far or near they can go with those trials. From the moment that one wakes up up to the point that he goes to bed, so many experiences exist along the way. One could not just evade situations that bring challenges and hardships. Neither that he can just turns away from them. The best possible way to handle them is to welcome and consider them as possible resources of growing up and developing more one's patience in life.

from:www.kozzi.com

          On the other hand, being patient will enable each one to deal with various situations and people. However when one is faced with a difficult situation, it is then that this patience is put into test.  Various ways to deal with a difficult situations come in expectedly and unexpectedly. Some of the ways to deal with such situations are:

1. Don't let any trial to rule over one's life.

2. Step back and look at the whole picture objectively.

3. Recognize all points both positive vs negative.

4. Enumerate components at hand that can be of immediate assistance.

5. Enumerate other components outside of oneself and check if they can be made available at hand.

6. Pray for God's guidance before implementing concrete steps to deal with the difficult situation.

7. Accept responsibility for all outcome.

          How do you deal with your own trial in life? Feel free to share them here and let us all learn from each other.

A GRACE-FILLED WEEK

          This week has been a week full of blessings for me. Indeed God has been so generous to me and to my loved ones. With all such goodness, the more that I was able to affirm my faith in Him that He is such a loving and a very patient God. As human as I am, there were several shortcomings this week yet I was also conscious and tried to make ammends for them.  I could not count with my fingers  how many people whom I interacted with within the week however one thing for sure is  that I am able to see God's goodness through them. 

          In other words, they became God's living instruments to concretize my relationship with Him. Personally , other people can raise questions such as the following:  

Where was God in the midst of these world's events like the crisis and war in certain places?

Where was God when there were bushfires, earthquake and other calamities?

Where was God when no new plaque swept away the human race?

Where was God when millions of babies born in the whole world?

http://www.dreamstime.com/antennas-stock-photos-imagefree8958853

          Truly we can have countless questions in our minds and hearts yet what is very  clear with me is that I have experienced God in concrete moments throughout the week. Consequently I had no single doubt of His presence. Nevertheless I can pinpoint instances this week that I have witnessed His goodness and patience. And I know that He sent His messages through this week's life's events so as to constantly invite me to self repentance. However in  my realization that I am an underserving sinner, what came out as a consolation is the reality that God's great embrace is present and patiently waiting for me to come back to His fold. 

          Finally, the presence and love coming from my most treasured possessions - my wife and my little boy Kurt- reinforced this faith and love of God in my life. 

"LETTERS FOR MY OBSTACLES AND CHALLENGES"

DEAR OBSTACLES & CHALLENGES;



I am sick, tired, torn and sad… I can’t help but cry… 


I knew there could be gloomy days in my life…


But I’m not giving up!... I’m still hoping for 
the sunshine to lighten me up and pass 
through the raindrops to see the 

rainbow that awaits me… I gotta be strong!.. 
I’ve got a great God behind me and this is just 
a piece of cake for Him!… 


So obstacles & challenges, back off! I’m not afraid of yah... If you still haunt me, it will be my pleasure to face yah since 

you're feeding me to be wise... And FYI, There’s no problem too big for God's power and too small for God’s concern… 


Got it? ヅ


YOURS FOREVER,


SWEETUMZ's FAITH



by: SWEETUMZ16----

A DAY OF PRAYER

            A day is just like any other day. Basically we wake up then do our daily tasks, communicate with others, write our diaries, letters, read emails and news and many more. However excellent is any day when it is coupled with prayers. Saying our daily prayer does not require much time. We can even perform our daily mantra like saying " LORD JESUS CHRIST HAVE MERCY ON ME A SINNER" and this will be our prayer of repetition. Our GOD, no matter what name we attribute to HIM, would always be a symbol of GOOD NEWS and SALVATION.

GOD IS GREAT...

          HIS goodness is so overwhelming that He even sacrificed His own son JESUS CHRIST to save us from total damnation because of sin. In my introduction, It was mentioned that indeed we start our day with so many activities in mind yet if we try to check on them, most of them are focused on our own satisfaction and happiness. All of them satisfy our basic needs yet we need to offer time and prayer to our GOD as we are always blessed by HIM. In a week, there are seven days and it is just on a Sunday that we are required to offer a time for HIM on the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and that is even just for an hour. Yet even with my own experience, there were several SUNDAYS before that I failed to fulfill this obligation mainly due to self- centered reasons. I am sorry for all those misgivings. 

          Hence it is always appropriate and positive to unceasingly offer  a day of our week (SUNDAY) to hear HIS words and consolation. Because GOD doesn't want us to be weakened by evil thoughts and human distractions, thus we need to say our personal prayers even just a very simple one. 

THANK YOU MY LORD FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL WEEK

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         Life as it is is such an excellent gift from HIM above. Everyday I wake up, I always see to it that the first thing that I will do is to thank GOD for each day's blessings. Just the very fact that I am able to wake up together with my wife brings so much color to my day.

            And this week, I have received so many great endowments from HIM above. Almost every day, me and my wife have the chance to videochat with our angel Kurt back home. Much to our great joy, the opportunity to witness the activities of our boy ranging from his effort to utter words though he is still incapable to do it, his effort to walk little by little and sometimes he attempts to run as if he can do it....his playing time with his cousins and other loved ones who are as well feeling blessed by his presence...all of these and his other activities transmit to us a very positive energy.

"LIFE IS SUCH A JOURNEY"

          The gift of life and love as well coming from my better half is another reason that makes my week such a wonderful one. She is so loving, caring, and attentive to my needs as a husband, a friend, and as a companion. Such a young woman, she carries with her a very positive energy that is also so contagious thus bestowing on me such positive energy in performing my daily tasks. There is no greater love a person can give to his/her partner than sacrificing his/her own happiness for the sake of the other. And she is willing to do that for me as her husband. And I thank you my LORD for such a blessing.

          Another blessing that comes to me this week is the gift of friendship from people who become part of my life and journey. My friends from the community, those who are my mates in my work, and even my e-friends----these people are essential to me since they give me strength and positive energy to move on with all my daily endeavors. Furthermore, they lighten up  my load when things go wrong and turn as personal challenges. 

          With all these gifts above, I could say that there is always a reason for me to be happy everyday in my life. With the desire to share these to others, it is my constant prayer that we will appreciate everything that GOD has showered on us.  

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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. 

THE TRIUMPH OF THE CROSS

          How would you perceive the image of the cross? Is it a sign of a victory or a defeat? Is it a sign of hope or a sign of failure? These are but some of the questions we can raise in our mind in relation to today's celebration of the Good Friday in the Catholic Church. 

          Personally, I would claim that we should always be grateful to our Lord Jesus Christ for His preparedness to sacrifice even His own life to merit our salvation. With this in mind and in heart, I unceasingly put my prayer that may our minds be enlightened by the power of the Holy Spirit, the source of truth, so that any decision that we will make about other people may be all honest and sincere. if we can live by the principles of truth the we will contribute to the peace and harmony in our society no matter where we are in. 

          Consequently the image of the cross for me is a paradox of what it meant to be for others. The cross where Jesus died today is a complete manifestation of His triumph over our sins. When humanity suffers insults and rejection because of the desire to follow Christ, there comes the influence of Mary in our life being the spiritual mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, who while witnessing the humiliation of her son, pleaded to God the Father for the forgiveness of His executioners and also for our conversion as sinners. 

          Thus, the cross at this time becomes s symbol of good being triumphant over evil. May we then continue to imitate all these examples in our life in spite of all the odds out there, witnessing and believing in the concrete sacrificial act done by our Lord Jesus Christ this day.  Active Search Results (ASR) is an independent Internet Search Engine using a proprietary page ranking technology with Millions of popular Web sites indexed.