Some Growing Up To Do

Times have changed.

In 1900, fathers prayed their children would learn English. Today, fathers pray their children will speak English.

In 1900, if a father put a roof over his family’s head, he was a success. Today, it takes a roof, deck, pool, and 4-car garage. And that’s just the vacation home.

In 1900, a father waited for the doctor to tell him when the baby arrived. Today, a father must wear a smock, know how to breathe, and make sure film is in the video camera.

In 1900, fathers passed on clothing to their sons. Today, kids wouldn’t touch Dad’s clothes a mile away.

In 1900, fathers could count on children to join the family business. Today, fathers pray their kids will soon come home from college long enough to teach them how to work the computer and set the DVD player.

In 1900, fathers shook their children gently and whispered, “Wake up, it’s time for school.” Today, kids shake their fathers violently at 4 a.m., shouting: “Wake up, it’s time for soccer practice.”

In 1900, a father came home from work to find his wife and children at the supper table. Today, a father comes home to a note: “Jimmy’s at baseball, Cindy’s at gymnastics, I’m at gym, Pizza in fridge.”

In 1900, fathers and sons would have heart-to-heart conversations while fishing in a stream. Today, fathers pluck the headphones off their sons’ ears and shout, “WHEN YOU HAVE A MINUTE..”

In 1900, a father gave a pencil box for Christmas, and the kid was all smiles. Today, a father spends Five thousand Pesos at a toy Store, and the kid screams: “I wanted PlayStation 3!”

Things have changed. So what do we do? Give the kids everything they want? You know the answer. No Way! This is a better idea. Teach them the value of growth and learning. And how do we do that? By growing a little everyday ourselves.

Our children watch us and then they imitate us. If they see us reading books, then this gives them better incentives to do the same. But if the kids see us spacing out in front of the boob tube, do you still wonder why they’re glued to their computer screens too?

We need to grow a little new wood each year. So how do we grow? You start first with getting out of your comfort zone. Learn something new. Develop a new skill, learn a second language, brush up on your computer literacy or get into a new sport. Embrace the challenge. Be ready to fail because that is the entry point to success.

Constantly have this thought fixed in your mind: “When you’re green you’re growing but when you’re ripe you’re rotting.”

(a repost from Francis Kong.com Inspiring Excellence)

Choosing Your Battles

Dear Hubs,

Your love completes me. When you are gone, I am not whole. You are the wind beneath my wings. Ok, so you know the other day when I took your money from your wallet, I know you understand it . And being the awesome husband you are, you told me what’s yours is mine too, right dear?

Well, I just wanted to say thank you and I love you.

Thank you and I love you.

Um, but there's something else.

I also took your one thousand pesos tucked so neatly inside the hidden pocket of your wallet (why the hiding, dear?). We’ll its not really stealing but you see, the kids are so choosy these days. They want lunch money aside from the cookies, biscuits, sandwhich we give them. And I also need a new pair of shoes.

Ok, so I took the money and then I bought new shoes with it.

But before you get mad that your own wife, your soul mate, the love of your life, stole what could very be the last money you had, please remember how willingly I shared my life with you. Or at least the two kids I delivered with C-cuts to make you happy. Ok, that's all.

I love you, and I'm sorry I stole from you. I'd like to say that I won't do it again, but...I'm trying to turn over a new "honesty is the best policy" leaf, so....

Yeah.

Love,

Your doting, awesome wife

It's Not Fair

Why is it that you take a week off and everything goes right to hell?

I don't mean a week off from work. I wish

I didn’t take a week off from my kids. I wouldn’t want that.

I had to take a week off from working out. No zumba, no kickbox, no latin dance.

Why? Lots of reasons.

Tuesday class was temporarily cancelled because the instructor is going away.

Apparently, she’s tying the knot this month.

Thursday is the next class but my Thursdays are not available because of work.

Then last Saturday, I woke up with my youngest daughter already playing. I just can’t leave the little girl alone in the house, can I? I actually forgot to remind my yaya to come early. At first I thought why wouldn’t I bring her to the aerobic class? Then again for how long would I keep the interest of a 3-year old girl? Would jiggly arms, jiggly bellies, jiggly thighs amuse her long enough?

And Sunday, I can’t take the class either. I can if the kids and I are not attending early church service. Two hours I need to wash them, feed them, prep them and make them look decent.

But I need to something to keep me moving.

I need something to keep me progressing.

I worked out since mid-February and saw pretty good results.

Slowly but surely, the weight was coming off. Snoopy Dance every time I think of it.

But more importantly, of course, I had dropped blood pressure significantly, stabilized my blood sugar and was no longer considered pre-diabetic. I also felt stronger physically.

You know how Sharon Cuneta lost a bunch of weight after The Biggest Loser and told everyone she was slimmer but she was really more like she was before and bigger? I totally get that.

So today, Monday, I surely miss going back again to the class.

I miss doing the oowie this and hurty that and seeing my self sweaty, red and panting.

And now with my weight coming back after a week long absence, it’s a pity.

Haven't I been mostly faithfully working out 3 times a week?

One week off and my knees now jiggle?

Not fair.

A Father’s Story

A son asked his father, “ Dad, will you take part in a marathon with me?”. The father who despite having a heart condition said ”Yes,”.

Nothing is unusual except that the son has Cerebral Palsy. It is a condition involving permanent tightening of the muscles caused by lack of oxygen during the time of birth.

Therefore he cannot swim, he cannot cycle and he cannot run.

And so the father swims while the son is lying in a small boat being pulled by his dad.

When the father cycles, the son is sitting in the seat-pod from his wheelchair, attached to the front of the bike.

When the father runs, he pushes him in a special wheelchair.

All in all, they finished three endurance events of a 2.4 miles ocean swim followed by a 112 miles bike ride and ending with a 26.2 miles marathon. The father was already 66 years old. And was never been happier completing the race together with his son.

This story really shows the unconditional love the father has for him. He is driven to give him same experience other people have, no matter how much he has to endure. When asked why he would do such a thing he just said: “ I just love my family and want to be the best father I can be”.

This is the story of Dick and Rick Hoyt:

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE FATHERS IN THE WORLD!

Happy Independence Day!

So are you in the spirit of freedom my friends?

Is Independence Day all about not coming to work or school because it's legal holiday?

It must be more than that.

Independence could be anything from having freedom from stresses, debts, taxes, to liberty from laziness, idleness or plain apathy.

Here’s a reminder from Henry Van Dyke.

ARE YOU WILLING –

• to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children;

• to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old;

• to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself whether you love them enough;

• to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts;

• to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke;

• to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open?

• Are you willing to do these things for a day?

• Then you are ready to free yourself!

Text messages are swell but nothing beats a genuine desire to contribute not only for your own self-improvement but more importantly for nation building.

Touched by An Angel

(This picture was part of a social documentary. Although taken 3 years ago by a missionary photographer Mio Cade, this is quite common in my country until present day. You can see them roaming the streets, the back pew of churches, foot of the bridge, stairs of underpass/ overpass.)

Photographer's Note:

I feel for this pair of siblings.

This young boy was protecting his little brother (or sister) as one can’t tell by shielding him using his body. And the little brother was so comfortably sleeping on his thighs.

The boy was so tired. And he dozed off. But If you move near him he would be so alert and straight away shielding his brother with his shirt and cover his own face with his hand.

He has such a shame in him and perhaps he did not want his little brother to be exposed to the same guilt and shame. I fee so sad for him. He is my hero who sacrificed for his brother.

Anyway I walked towards him and gave him a pat on the shoulder and stroke his dirty hair. It was a gesture of telling him I care and I appreciated his care for his brother.

====

Please spare a thought for them. Nobody wants to live this way. And these children were forced to beg at a young age. They could not defend themselves. They do not have a say of what they want to be. Neither do they have the rights to choose what shirt to wear or what food to eat as very often they have none.You can help by showing a compassionate heart. Talk to them, say a prayer for them and buy them food if you could.

Yes, It’s That Time Again

If you are a pessimist, birthdays are no good. It means growing old and nearing your death day. Although it’s the time that you finally get your head together, but this is the also the point where your body parts are falling apart, where narrow waist and broad mind change place.

Really where did the time go?

In my 20’s I learned all the hard lessons. In my 30’s, these lessons have been fun and exciting, but most times painful and bitter. I have done so many things in the past 37 years that I never would've imagined and I'm proud of myself for that. I don't know exactly what the last two years of this decade holds for me, but I am thankful enough. I know that Jesus died for me and He loves me more than His own life. That I am precious to Him no matter how wrinkled, sour or aged I become.

King David, a man from God’s own heart, wrote this with great optimism on growing old:

May the message of Psalm 71 continue to inspire us to embrace our growing years and be happy about it. Not despising the lost years but finding hope in the many years to come. Like Jesus, let us continue to grow more in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man (Luke 2:52).

I'm not going to bother making goals because I like seeing how things have unfolded so far. I'm more confident in my ability to see "red flags" while still remaining open to new experiences and challenges.

Remember growing old is one thing, but growing up is another.

My greetings to those who are celebrating their birthdays too. May you also enjoy the growing old in Christ!