PRAYER FOR FINANCIAL BLESSINGS
“ The Lord will surely grant abundance; our land will yield its increase. Prosperity will march before the Lord, and good fortune will follow behind. Psalm 35:13-14
God is my source of supply. He meets all my needs in perfect timing at all times; and there is always a divine surplus. His financial blessings now flow into my life freely, tirelessly and endlessly. Everyday, God’s blessings come my way. God’s unlimited good now comes to me in a flood of abundance.
Freely I receive. And freely and joyously I give. For whatever good I give, that will I also receive from life. Whatever I withhold from others, I withhold to myself. Whatever I wish for others, I wish for myself. Whatever good I sow, that will I also reap. So I sow only thoughts of prosperity, love, joy and generosity. I do not envy anyone for God has enough blessings for everyone. I wish financial blessings for others and financial blessings will also come to me.
I know that I shall never want, for God is my true source of supply and He is the only power. Nothing can challenge the will and love of God that desire to prosper me. God’s blessings now come and nothing can delay their physical manifestation. Nothing can stop God’s prosperous outpouring from circulating in my life. In his goodness I do trust. All my debts are now paid. All my needs are now met.
I now open my mind and myself to brilliant ideas that can lead me to financial freedom and security. God is opening opportunities for me to gain my share of His riches. God is reaching out for people who can help and prosper me. I take him/ her as my partner and with God, I cannot fail. Yes, with God it is impossible for me to fail for one with God is majority. I now put my trust and confidence in the goodness, love, wisdom of God. God’s ways are sure. His methods are ingenious. God can…. God will make a way… even if there is no way.
I am a child of the Riches Father in the Universe. Yes, I am blessed for I am a child of a rich God, and I claim my share of His divine supply now. Yes, I ask, believe, and claim that it is so. And it is now done in perfect order in Jesus Christ’s name. I praise and thank the Lord for the immediate manifestation of God’s financial blessings in my life now.
Thank you, Father. AMEN.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
37 WEEKS
Merry & Marvelous May 19 2011
12 noon
The past days have been very tough on me. Keeping cool in this summer heat while I am a human incubator with happiness inside me is quite a challenge.
3 showers each day does the trick in lessening the lethargy that sets in with the extreme heat.
I passed up my BFF’s offer to buy her AC for worry that the bill I will get each month might shoot up my blood pressure in place of lowering body and room temperature in my home.
The reflections of Sarah for these past few days has to do with clearing the clutter in one’s home.
I was set to tackle supervision of the clearing of the vacant room upstairs last Tuesday with Aling Lorna and Ate Eleanor as my allies...but the surprise visit of a good friend put everything on hold.
Thus, next Tuesday will be maybe the last attempt before my date with the stork, to put order, dust off, sweep and scrub the floors of the spare room and our sleeping room in the 2nd floor.
I am almost 37 weeks and my OB will determine if my 38th week is really ok for the CSECTION to be performed.
I am enlisting all the help of my friends and family to help me pray for a safe delivery of my normal and healthy new born.
Next week, will have to see me prepare my hospital bags.
SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY is Sarah’s battle cry in trying to rid her junk drawers in her home.
That will be mine too as I prepare stuff for the homecoming.
ORDER ORDER ORDER as well as I tailor fit additional expenses to the bare minimum.
Hubby is quite bit anxious that the actual costs may exceed what’s on hand.
I claim that everything will fall into place.
Blessed John Paul II, intercede for me.
Lady of La Leche, pray for me.
12 noon
The past days have been very tough on me. Keeping cool in this summer heat while I am a human incubator with happiness inside me is quite a challenge.
3 showers each day does the trick in lessening the lethargy that sets in with the extreme heat.
I passed up my BFF’s offer to buy her AC for worry that the bill I will get each month might shoot up my blood pressure in place of lowering body and room temperature in my home.
The reflections of Sarah for these past few days has to do with clearing the clutter in one’s home.
I was set to tackle supervision of the clearing of the vacant room upstairs last Tuesday with Aling Lorna and Ate Eleanor as my allies...but the surprise visit of a good friend put everything on hold.
Thus, next Tuesday will be maybe the last attempt before my date with the stork, to put order, dust off, sweep and scrub the floors of the spare room and our sleeping room in the 2nd floor.
I am almost 37 weeks and my OB will determine if my 38th week is really ok for the CSECTION to be performed.
I am enlisting all the help of my friends and family to help me pray for a safe delivery of my normal and healthy new born.
Next week, will have to see me prepare my hospital bags.
SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY SIMPLIFY is Sarah’s battle cry in trying to rid her junk drawers in her home.
That will be mine too as I prepare stuff for the homecoming.
ORDER ORDER ORDER as well as I tailor fit additional expenses to the bare minimum.
Hubby is quite bit anxious that the actual costs may exceed what’s on hand.
I claim that everything will fall into place.
Blessed John Paul II, intercede for me.
Lady of La Leche, pray for me.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION
Merry and Marvelous May 15,2011
8:34 a.m.
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION
This is the title of today’s reflection by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
She aptly quotes this saying from Anne Wilson Schaef:
“ Perfectionism is self abuse of the highest order.”
Hmmmmmm...
Such a liberating thought.
These past few days, I have been quite disturbed by the Good Morning America news by Lara Spencer. She interviewed a 34 year old mom who injects botox on her 8 year old daughter to remove fine wrinkles from her oh so young face and improve her chances of winning in beauty pageants.
An overwhelming response from FACEBOOK AND TWITTER followers rejected this as child abuse and an offense or a crime.
I could not believe it myself.
The photos revealing the mom injecting on different spots on her daughter’s face was really quite revolting since you could see it was such a painful procedure.
I am thankful, I am not so caught up with the pressure to be perfect nor do I pressure my daughter to be perfect either in things of cosmetic nature.
My only emphasis in the attempt to perfection is to be as faithful to God’s teachings and goodness in one’s ways.
But then again, I have to check myself on this ...since we need a saviour ourselves to do this. That is why Jesus, will help us if we just ask him and let him.
This Sunday’s readings and gospel is about Jesus, the good shepherd.
I thank God for the grace of seeking His voice in the busy worldly pursuits we usually get caught up in most of the time.
I thank God for the grace to be able to discern, if God is calling me to do the opposite of what I want to do in accordance to His will in my life.
I pray for this mom who is so caught up in the pursuit of perfection for her daughter, that she cannot accept fine wrinkles in her daughter’s face.
May she be enlightened to accept that life is never perfect.
Beauty is never perfect.
Man is never perfect.
We can only achieve it if we have the almighty’s grace and providence.
We cannot do it on our own.
That is why He came and died for us that we might be saved from all our imperfections.
Let me end by reflection by quoting some lines from the book Simple Abundance:
“Time out. Serenity 102: Progress, Not Perfection. First of all, I explained, the glamorous lifestyle gurus in the books, magazines, and television have full time professionals working for them, including stylists- stylists who wave magic paintbrushes dipped in burnt sienna over mud smears on terra-cotta potagers, before the flash pops or the tape rolls. “ It’s image, illusion, make believe. It’s a million dollar industry. What we’re seeing isn’t always the real McCoy. Now, this” I pointed out with satisfaction, “ is real, mud and all. It’s Real and it’s wonderful.
Perfect women do not manifest on this plane of existence. Celebrities who sell perfection are more to be pitied than censured, envied or emulated. Why? Because, despite their fame and bank accounts, they rarely know a moment’s peace, the whole world is watching, waiting for a misstep.
Thank you, no. I’ll pass. Won’t you? Perfection leaves so little room for improvement. So little space for acceptance – or joy. On the path we have chosen, progress is the simple pleasure to be savoured. Daily. Of course, perfect moments are sure to be ours, such as spending a sunny afternoon in May gardening with a daughter. Life and potagers don’t have to be perfect to be pleasing.
Very well said Sarah.
8:34 a.m.
PROGRESS, NOT PERFECTION
This is the title of today’s reflection by Sarah Ban Breathnach.
She aptly quotes this saying from Anne Wilson Schaef:
“ Perfectionism is self abuse of the highest order.”
Hmmmmmm...
Such a liberating thought.
These past few days, I have been quite disturbed by the Good Morning America news by Lara Spencer. She interviewed a 34 year old mom who injects botox on her 8 year old daughter to remove fine wrinkles from her oh so young face and improve her chances of winning in beauty pageants.
An overwhelming response from FACEBOOK AND TWITTER followers rejected this as child abuse and an offense or a crime.
I could not believe it myself.
The photos revealing the mom injecting on different spots on her daughter’s face was really quite revolting since you could see it was such a painful procedure.
I am thankful, I am not so caught up with the pressure to be perfect nor do I pressure my daughter to be perfect either in things of cosmetic nature.
My only emphasis in the attempt to perfection is to be as faithful to God’s teachings and goodness in one’s ways.
But then again, I have to check myself on this ...since we need a saviour ourselves to do this. That is why Jesus, will help us if we just ask him and let him.
This Sunday’s readings and gospel is about Jesus, the good shepherd.
I thank God for the grace of seeking His voice in the busy worldly pursuits we usually get caught up in most of the time.
I thank God for the grace to be able to discern, if God is calling me to do the opposite of what I want to do in accordance to His will in my life.
I pray for this mom who is so caught up in the pursuit of perfection for her daughter, that she cannot accept fine wrinkles in her daughter’s face.
May she be enlightened to accept that life is never perfect.
Beauty is never perfect.
Man is never perfect.
We can only achieve it if we have the almighty’s grace and providence.
We cannot do it on our own.
That is why He came and died for us that we might be saved from all our imperfections.
Let me end by reflection by quoting some lines from the book Simple Abundance:
“Time out. Serenity 102: Progress, Not Perfection. First of all, I explained, the glamorous lifestyle gurus in the books, magazines, and television have full time professionals working for them, including stylists- stylists who wave magic paintbrushes dipped in burnt sienna over mud smears on terra-cotta potagers, before the flash pops or the tape rolls. “ It’s image, illusion, make believe. It’s a million dollar industry. What we’re seeing isn’t always the real McCoy. Now, this” I pointed out with satisfaction, “ is real, mud and all. It’s Real and it’s wonderful.
Perfect women do not manifest on this plane of existence. Celebrities who sell perfection are more to be pitied than censured, envied or emulated. Why? Because, despite their fame and bank accounts, they rarely know a moment’s peace, the whole world is watching, waiting for a misstep.
Thank you, no. I’ll pass. Won’t you? Perfection leaves so little room for improvement. So little space for acceptance – or joy. On the path we have chosen, progress is the simple pleasure to be savoured. Daily. Of course, perfect moments are sure to be ours, such as spending a sunny afternoon in May gardening with a daughter. Life and potagers don’t have to be perfect to be pleasing.
Very well said Sarah.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
The Personality of My Home
Merry and Marvelous May 4,2011
9:31 a.m.
It has been several days that I have not written any blogs of reflection whatsoever.
The weather has been so hot and humid that my neck is full of rashes. My cornstarch powder is not working at all.
Bathing 3x a day in really cool tap water has given me soothing relief though that staying in the shower with the water running continuously is such a welcome idea or thought.
Last Sunday, I thought I was gonna have a detour straight to the hospital as we were on our way to the shrine of the Divine Mercy for it’s feast day mass. I sneezed and it caused a severe pain in my pelvic area near the start of the thigh bones. I could not stretch very well since Marina and I were cramped in the very small quarters of a tricycle side car.
I thought I was gonna faint. To top it all the climate was really warm.
Anyway, the sharp, stabbing pain soon went away and I sighed a relief, since my hospital bag and documents are still not yet ready. That is how I am sometimes, I put off and put off for tomorrow things. Hmmmm.
The titles of the reflections of Sarah are really very interesting.
April 30. When Did You Feel Most Beautiful.
May 1. Everyday Epiphanies.
May 2. Living in the House of Spirit.
May 3. A Welcome Retreat: Home as a Haven in a Hectic Word.
May 5. The Personality of Your Home.
As I slowly read the reflections for the start of the month, I was strucked by a very nice thought: “ ...but no story is as riveting as real life.”
Sarah was referring to the lives of glorious women writers and storytellers like Isak Dinesen and Beryl Markham.
They were very successful in weaving the mundane stuffs of everyday living into a magical and fruitful life pursuing great things at the same time like: hunting tigers, bewitching men, throwing elegant dinner parties, winning literary fame.
Hmmmm..quite a tall order.
My May 2 ( Monday ) begged me to stop everything and rest. I had to. My visit to the OB was the only significant thing I achieved.
My May 3 ( Tuesday) saw me bringing Marina to the ENT to check out her Tonsils. My check up of her red and swollen throat scared me out of my wits. And it is good, the Doctor assured me all was fine.
It was so nice to bump into my sister Jennie and my nieces Cheska and Nina in the Doctor’s clinic. We ended up having lunch, Marina’s pre- birthday treat at KFC. It was nice to catch up on this and that with my sister while the kids went shopping for Marina’s birthday gift request.
Marina kept on raving that she is soon turning 8. And I could not help but laugh inside at how little girls are so in a hurry to grow up...and women of a certain age like me...are wishing that the hands of time, slow down a bit more. Hahahaha.
As we came home, my BFF was waiting for me with her cute daughter Muni...everything fell into place. My home was really cluttered, but, it was quite a relief not to be so anxious with what my friend would say....that is what friends are for...they can see you in your worst state and accept and love you as you are. Although she volunteered to tidy up for me...I said, no need, let us bask in clutter and let go of our anxious need to put everything in order... for now, let us not be OC. And so we took photos of ourselves despite the background and enjoyed each other. Then by some grace, when they left, I found the extra energy to tidy up just a bit, and it was all it needed. Just a small amount of time and attention and the house was presentable.
Today’s reflection is on The Personality of Your Home.
Allow me to copy it verbatim.
“ A House is who you are, not who you ought to be.” ( Jill Robinson)
Like it or not, the personalities of our homes are accurate barometers that reflect, through our surroundings, where we have been, what’s going on in our lives, and who we are – today, this moment- though not necessarily where we are heading.
Admittedly, this is not the most reassuring thought for a meditation, especially if you could see the state of my home as I write. Nevertheless, it’s true. “ You will express yourself in your house whether you want to or not.” Said the mother of modern style, Elsie De Wolfe, who transformed the way America decorated for half a century with her book, The House in Good Taste, written in 1913.
Your response is probably: If I had the money to redecorate, you’d see the real me.” No doubt. I don’t entirely disagree. But we can’t afford to put our lives and creativity on hold until there is more cash, because we end up shortchanging ourselves and those we love. Today we can use the simple abundance steps- acceptance, blessings our circumstances, and discovering our personal preferences – to jumps start the expression of our authenticity through the way we care for and decorate our homes. When we do, the principles of gratitude, simplicity and order will begin to transform the places where we live into hallowed havens of comfort and contentment- with or without the new slipcovers.
After my first book was published, a sleek, glossy magazine known for the lush pictorials ( which I adore) wanted to pay me a visit for an intimate glimpse of the “ woman behind the book.” So successfully it seemed, had I evoked the Victorian era in my writing that the magazine assumed I lived in a perfectly restored nineteenth-century home. How could I not?
Alas, I don’t. And I panicked.
“ Calm down,” a longtime friend who works in Hollywood consoled me. “ Pull focus and take another look.” In the movie business, “ pulling focus” occurs when the cinematographer slowly adjusts the camera lens for sharpest clarity of image. “ Your home is warm, charming, cozy, interesting, inviting. There are fabulous shots all around you. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” But as a journalist, I knew what the magazine expected, and I didn’t live in it. If my home was going to be on public display, I wanted it to be a perfect; I desperately wanted to live up to the expectation of others instead of realizing that living up to my own was difficult enough. Instead my publicist arranged for the interview to take place over afternoon tea is a hotel.
While the money certainly helps us express ourselves through our surroundings, creating a warm, inviting home that reflects our own personality doesn’t have to begin by hiring a decorator or pulling out our credit cards or check book.
Today, no matter where or how you live, look upon your home through the eyes of Love. Walk around the rooms and offer thanks for the walls and roof that safely enclose you and yours. Pause for a moment to consider all the women who have lost their homes through death, divorce, debt, or disaster. Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that, at this moment, all you have is all you truly need.
What a truly liberating thought.
As I write, my newly found laundry woman Lucing is hanging clothes to dry in the small pocket garden in front of my apartment. Her friend, Lorna is cleaning my walls and doors.
I have been enjoying their services for the past month and my home is slowly and surely getting more collected and clean.
Less dust going around. The laundry basket is empty.
And hopefully by God’s grace, I will welcome my new born in a truly charming and welcoming home when the perfect time comes.
Truly God is great. He is so good.
9:31 a.m.
It has been several days that I have not written any blogs of reflection whatsoever.
The weather has been so hot and humid that my neck is full of rashes. My cornstarch powder is not working at all.
Bathing 3x a day in really cool tap water has given me soothing relief though that staying in the shower with the water running continuously is such a welcome idea or thought.
Last Sunday, I thought I was gonna have a detour straight to the hospital as we were on our way to the shrine of the Divine Mercy for it’s feast day mass. I sneezed and it caused a severe pain in my pelvic area near the start of the thigh bones. I could not stretch very well since Marina and I were cramped in the very small quarters of a tricycle side car.
I thought I was gonna faint. To top it all the climate was really warm.
Anyway, the sharp, stabbing pain soon went away and I sighed a relief, since my hospital bag and documents are still not yet ready. That is how I am sometimes, I put off and put off for tomorrow things. Hmmmm.
The titles of the reflections of Sarah are really very interesting.
April 30. When Did You Feel Most Beautiful.
May 1. Everyday Epiphanies.
May 2. Living in the House of Spirit.
May 3. A Welcome Retreat: Home as a Haven in a Hectic Word.
May 5. The Personality of Your Home.
As I slowly read the reflections for the start of the month, I was strucked by a very nice thought: “ ...but no story is as riveting as real life.”
Sarah was referring to the lives of glorious women writers and storytellers like Isak Dinesen and Beryl Markham.
They were very successful in weaving the mundane stuffs of everyday living into a magical and fruitful life pursuing great things at the same time like: hunting tigers, bewitching men, throwing elegant dinner parties, winning literary fame.
Hmmmm..quite a tall order.
My May 2 ( Monday ) begged me to stop everything and rest. I had to. My visit to the OB was the only significant thing I achieved.
My May 3 ( Tuesday) saw me bringing Marina to the ENT to check out her Tonsils. My check up of her red and swollen throat scared me out of my wits. And it is good, the Doctor assured me all was fine.
It was so nice to bump into my sister Jennie and my nieces Cheska and Nina in the Doctor’s clinic. We ended up having lunch, Marina’s pre- birthday treat at KFC. It was nice to catch up on this and that with my sister while the kids went shopping for Marina’s birthday gift request.
Marina kept on raving that she is soon turning 8. And I could not help but laugh inside at how little girls are so in a hurry to grow up...and women of a certain age like me...are wishing that the hands of time, slow down a bit more. Hahahaha.
As we came home, my BFF was waiting for me with her cute daughter Muni...everything fell into place. My home was really cluttered, but, it was quite a relief not to be so anxious with what my friend would say....that is what friends are for...they can see you in your worst state and accept and love you as you are. Although she volunteered to tidy up for me...I said, no need, let us bask in clutter and let go of our anxious need to put everything in order... for now, let us not be OC. And so we took photos of ourselves despite the background and enjoyed each other. Then by some grace, when they left, I found the extra energy to tidy up just a bit, and it was all it needed. Just a small amount of time and attention and the house was presentable.
Today’s reflection is on The Personality of Your Home.
Allow me to copy it verbatim.
“ A House is who you are, not who you ought to be.” ( Jill Robinson)
Like it or not, the personalities of our homes are accurate barometers that reflect, through our surroundings, where we have been, what’s going on in our lives, and who we are – today, this moment- though not necessarily where we are heading.
Admittedly, this is not the most reassuring thought for a meditation, especially if you could see the state of my home as I write. Nevertheless, it’s true. “ You will express yourself in your house whether you want to or not.” Said the mother of modern style, Elsie De Wolfe, who transformed the way America decorated for half a century with her book, The House in Good Taste, written in 1913.
Your response is probably: If I had the money to redecorate, you’d see the real me.” No doubt. I don’t entirely disagree. But we can’t afford to put our lives and creativity on hold until there is more cash, because we end up shortchanging ourselves and those we love. Today we can use the simple abundance steps- acceptance, blessings our circumstances, and discovering our personal preferences – to jumps start the expression of our authenticity through the way we care for and decorate our homes. When we do, the principles of gratitude, simplicity and order will begin to transform the places where we live into hallowed havens of comfort and contentment- with or without the new slipcovers.
After my first book was published, a sleek, glossy magazine known for the lush pictorials ( which I adore) wanted to pay me a visit for an intimate glimpse of the “ woman behind the book.” So successfully it seemed, had I evoked the Victorian era in my writing that the magazine assumed I lived in a perfectly restored nineteenth-century home. How could I not?
Alas, I don’t. And I panicked.
“ Calm down,” a longtime friend who works in Hollywood consoled me. “ Pull focus and take another look.” In the movie business, “ pulling focus” occurs when the cinematographer slowly adjusts the camera lens for sharpest clarity of image. “ Your home is warm, charming, cozy, interesting, inviting. There are fabulous shots all around you. Don’t be so hard on yourself.” But as a journalist, I knew what the magazine expected, and I didn’t live in it. If my home was going to be on public display, I wanted it to be a perfect; I desperately wanted to live up to the expectation of others instead of realizing that living up to my own was difficult enough. Instead my publicist arranged for the interview to take place over afternoon tea is a hotel.
While the money certainly helps us express ourselves through our surroundings, creating a warm, inviting home that reflects our own personality doesn’t have to begin by hiring a decorator or pulling out our credit cards or check book.
Today, no matter where or how you live, look upon your home through the eyes of Love. Walk around the rooms and offer thanks for the walls and roof that safely enclose you and yours. Pause for a moment to consider all the women who have lost their homes through death, divorce, debt, or disaster. Be grateful for the home you have, knowing that, at this moment, all you have is all you truly need.
What a truly liberating thought.
As I write, my newly found laundry woman Lucing is hanging clothes to dry in the small pocket garden in front of my apartment. Her friend, Lorna is cleaning my walls and doors.
I have been enjoying their services for the past month and my home is slowly and surely getting more collected and clean.
Less dust going around. The laundry basket is empty.
And hopefully by God’s grace, I will welcome my new born in a truly charming and welcoming home when the perfect time comes.
Truly God is great. He is so good.
Friday, April 29, 2011
ALLURE
Amazing and Awesome April 29,2011
9:45 a.m.
Yesterday’s reflection was devoted on intuition. I was not inclined to talk about it. I can actually write a handful on this special gift I possess. But, my blog would be like an suspense thriller novel. Maybe perhaps some other time.
April 29 reflection has to do with Allure: The Feminine Mystique.
I want to copy each and every word of Sarah on this. It is simply beautiful how she plays her thoughts with the proper weaving of words...in every heartbeat at a time. Here she goes:
Ingrid Bergman had it in Casablanca. Fifty years later, Michele Pfeiffer epitomized it as Edith Wharton’s heroine, Countess Ellen Olenska, in the film version of The Age of Innocence. It is allure, the mesmerizing power to entice or attract through personal charm and mystery.
We’re not much into the mystery these days, which is a pity. These are times of tell-all-talk shows, tattletale books, and tabloid truths. Ntozake Shange believe that “ Where there is a woman, there should be mystery. What intrigues me most is the mystery- allure- of how some women seem to pull it all together so effortlessly. This is the aspect of the feminine mystique that compels and invites investigation. Who are these women and how did they evolve into these higher beings?
You see them in business meetings- confident, assured, and in command- or smiling serenely in the hallway at school while waiting patiently to pick up the afternoon car pool, a baby over one shoulder, a toddler in tow. These women don’t look frazzled, fatigued, or fed up; they look fabulous. They do simply juggle; they fly through the air with the greatest of ease. You wonder: what is their secret? Are they on Prozac? Is it plenty of money, being well organized, positive thinking, or the favourable alignment of celestial bodies? Perhaps it is something more profound: a deep spiritual connection.
(Oh how I love these part. It is something I have yet to evolve into. Soon, I hope.)
Does the computer ever break down when these women are on a deadline, do the kids ever whine, does the car ever need to be towed, have they ever taken a dog who just wrestled with a porcupine to the vet?
(Hark! Hark! This picture in my mind is so hilarious.)
You and I have, which is why occasionally Rio de Janeiro sounds appealing.
(or perhaps this animation film called RIO, we have yet to watch it.)
Then without missing a beat you wipe a snotty nose, change a dirty diaper, defrost the hamburger in the microwave, start the spaghetti sauce, sew a button on a coat, help someone with her homework. You pause for a moment, wondering what they would do if you weren’t here and realize in the same breath that you’re awfully glad you are. Much to your astonishment, it occurs to you that you must also possess some aspect of allure because everybody in the house gravitates to you. In the middle of the night they call you name.
And there’s certainly enough mystery to ponder-such as the mystery of what will happen next. But instead of worrying or obsessing, you decide to just let go and see what occurs. You choose to take joy in your real life as it unfolds day by day,, hour by hour, a heartbeat at a time. Emily Dickinson confessed that “ To live is so startling, it leaves little time for anything else.” Your face may never end up on the silver screen. Nor will mine. But we can arrive at an inner awareness that just living and loving it all is alluring enough.
Just as well, my inner resolve to make this blogging efforts of mine be a mystifying and de-mystifying aspect of my being.
The more I share or reveal, the more it will lock in the factor of allure and maybe I can soon realize one of the items in my bucket list...to be part of a great movie production...with maybe my name as title? Hilarious perhaps...so we shall see.
9:45 a.m.
Yesterday’s reflection was devoted on intuition. I was not inclined to talk about it. I can actually write a handful on this special gift I possess. But, my blog would be like an suspense thriller novel. Maybe perhaps some other time.
April 29 reflection has to do with Allure: The Feminine Mystique.
I want to copy each and every word of Sarah on this. It is simply beautiful how she plays her thoughts with the proper weaving of words...in every heartbeat at a time. Here she goes:
Ingrid Bergman had it in Casablanca. Fifty years later, Michele Pfeiffer epitomized it as Edith Wharton’s heroine, Countess Ellen Olenska, in the film version of The Age of Innocence. It is allure, the mesmerizing power to entice or attract through personal charm and mystery.
We’re not much into the mystery these days, which is a pity. These are times of tell-all-talk shows, tattletale books, and tabloid truths. Ntozake Shange believe that “ Where there is a woman, there should be mystery. What intrigues me most is the mystery- allure- of how some women seem to pull it all together so effortlessly. This is the aspect of the feminine mystique that compels and invites investigation. Who are these women and how did they evolve into these higher beings?
You see them in business meetings- confident, assured, and in command- or smiling serenely in the hallway at school while waiting patiently to pick up the afternoon car pool, a baby over one shoulder, a toddler in tow. These women don’t look frazzled, fatigued, or fed up; they look fabulous. They do simply juggle; they fly through the air with the greatest of ease. You wonder: what is their secret? Are they on Prozac? Is it plenty of money, being well organized, positive thinking, or the favourable alignment of celestial bodies? Perhaps it is something more profound: a deep spiritual connection.
(Oh how I love these part. It is something I have yet to evolve into. Soon, I hope.)
Does the computer ever break down when these women are on a deadline, do the kids ever whine, does the car ever need to be towed, have they ever taken a dog who just wrestled with a porcupine to the vet?
(Hark! Hark! This picture in my mind is so hilarious.)
You and I have, which is why occasionally Rio de Janeiro sounds appealing.
(or perhaps this animation film called RIO, we have yet to watch it.)
Then without missing a beat you wipe a snotty nose, change a dirty diaper, defrost the hamburger in the microwave, start the spaghetti sauce, sew a button on a coat, help someone with her homework. You pause for a moment, wondering what they would do if you weren’t here and realize in the same breath that you’re awfully glad you are. Much to your astonishment, it occurs to you that you must also possess some aspect of allure because everybody in the house gravitates to you. In the middle of the night they call you name.
And there’s certainly enough mystery to ponder-such as the mystery of what will happen next. But instead of worrying or obsessing, you decide to just let go and see what occurs. You choose to take joy in your real life as it unfolds day by day,, hour by hour, a heartbeat at a time. Emily Dickinson confessed that “ To live is so startling, it leaves little time for anything else.” Your face may never end up on the silver screen. Nor will mine. But we can arrive at an inner awareness that just living and loving it all is alluring enough.
Just as well, my inner resolve to make this blogging efforts of mine be a mystifying and de-mystifying aspect of my being.
The more I share or reveal, the more it will lock in the factor of allure and maybe I can soon realize one of the items in my bucket list...to be part of a great movie production...with maybe my name as title? Hilarious perhaps...so we shall see.
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Touch
Amazing and Awesome April 28,2011
12 noon
April 27 reflection of Sarah focuses on the topic entitled: Reach Out and Touch Someone.
She begins with sharing an experience of her friend in healing massage therapy that has tremendously benefited this friend so much. Her friend is a single mother with 2 boys to raise and a career to pursue. Sarah claims that her friend regularly has her massage sessions and has now lessened her sick days.
When Sarah herself experienced her first full body massage, she felt so refreshed and rejuvenated that it was like a tingling and bubbling feeling likened to having champagne for breakfast. It made her very light and in tip top condition afterwards.
Experiments has also pointed out that new born babies have to be cuddled and held a lot. A study made somewhere in Russia revealed that babies in the nursery that received minimal or no touch at all, had low weight gain and soon died of natural causes, while babies in the same nursery, that were given regular touch and cuddling sessions had rapid weight gain and did not get sick easily.
Being away from my husband for long stretches as we are onto our 2nd year being distant due to employment pursuits, has truly put a strain and a challenge to my need to be held now and then by him.
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus challenges us to “...touch me and see....” (Luke 24: 35-48) in the disciples shock and disbelief to see him alive and breaking bread with them after He was crucified to death, it was utterly difficult for them to absorb his actual presence among them.
Many times, Jesus, has saved me from my need to be intimate with my husband. He has blessed us with creative ways to be truly together and as one, not necessarily in body, but in spirit and words.
God’s grace is indeed truly sufficient.
Another longing I have lately is to be able to hold my new born in my arms. I am impatient and excited to have the same experience again with my first born. Holding Marina for the first time in my arms was so exhilarating. I did not like to let go of her...our nursing session dragged to hours without me noticing the time. Ruel had to go back to my room and doze off cause, I was taking so long..and so when I was done, my escort and wheelchair was no longer waiting for me...and yet, I was able to walk back to my room, slowly, and yet...so refreshed and so renewed with the feeling of being so very blessed with that bundle that has been a source of a lot of joy and learning experiences.
“ O world invicible, we view thee,
O world intangible, we touch thee,
O world unknowable, we know thee.” - Francis Thompson
And finally: “ Let us become women who embrace our portion of earthly years with a passion by delighting in our sense of touch.” ( Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance, April 27 reflection)
12 noon
April 27 reflection of Sarah focuses on the topic entitled: Reach Out and Touch Someone.
She begins with sharing an experience of her friend in healing massage therapy that has tremendously benefited this friend so much. Her friend is a single mother with 2 boys to raise and a career to pursue. Sarah claims that her friend regularly has her massage sessions and has now lessened her sick days.
When Sarah herself experienced her first full body massage, she felt so refreshed and rejuvenated that it was like a tingling and bubbling feeling likened to having champagne for breakfast. It made her very light and in tip top condition afterwards.
Experiments has also pointed out that new born babies have to be cuddled and held a lot. A study made somewhere in Russia revealed that babies in the nursery that received minimal or no touch at all, had low weight gain and soon died of natural causes, while babies in the same nursery, that were given regular touch and cuddling sessions had rapid weight gain and did not get sick easily.
Being away from my husband for long stretches as we are onto our 2nd year being distant due to employment pursuits, has truly put a strain and a challenge to my need to be held now and then by him.
In today’s gospel reading, Jesus challenges us to “...touch me and see....” (Luke 24: 35-48) in the disciples shock and disbelief to see him alive and breaking bread with them after He was crucified to death, it was utterly difficult for them to absorb his actual presence among them.
Many times, Jesus, has saved me from my need to be intimate with my husband. He has blessed us with creative ways to be truly together and as one, not necessarily in body, but in spirit and words.
God’s grace is indeed truly sufficient.
Another longing I have lately is to be able to hold my new born in my arms. I am impatient and excited to have the same experience again with my first born. Holding Marina for the first time in my arms was so exhilarating. I did not like to let go of her...our nursing session dragged to hours without me noticing the time. Ruel had to go back to my room and doze off cause, I was taking so long..and so when I was done, my escort and wheelchair was no longer waiting for me...and yet, I was able to walk back to my room, slowly, and yet...so refreshed and so renewed with the feeling of being so very blessed with that bundle that has been a source of a lot of joy and learning experiences.
“ O world invicible, we view thee,
O world intangible, we touch thee,
O world unknowable, we know thee.” - Francis Thompson
And finally: “ Let us become women who embrace our portion of earthly years with a passion by delighting in our sense of touch.” ( Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance, April 27 reflection)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
The Concerto of Real Life
Amazing and Awesome April 26,2011
12:25 p.m.
I have missed doing my Daily Dialogue, Affirmations, Forgiveness and Thanksgiving list for several days now.
The Holy Week activities did really challenge me physically.
By God’s grace, I was able to do our Bisita Iglesia and Seven Last words reflection.
Easter Mass morning then Egg Hunting for Mari in the chapel grounds in Grandpa’s neighbourhood.
Yes, indeed, man proposes and God disposes.
Or is it the other way around?
For one moment there, I am not sure.
Let us see...
We make plans and yet, sometimes, God has a different plan.
Example, we were set to do the Bisita Iglesia at 6pm but as we got to San Roque church, the mass was just starting. I thought it would be much earlier. So, Eleanor said, let’s go to mass first. I planned to just start it, then leave half way, so we wont finish so late in the Bisita Iglesia, but...then, a Greeter and Collector lady, asked me to join the offertory group. I hesitated. My walk has somehow transformed into a waddle...and somehow, walking the long aisle like a big bellied penguin was something not so welcome for me.
Eleanor said yes for me.
And so, it was God’s plan maybe...cause, it was such a blessed and blissful experience. I felt so high being handed the big chalice containing the host of Christ to be offered in behalf of the community.
It was indescribable.
God wanted me to do it, despite my other plans...and so I obliged and yes, He equipped me...my waddle was somehow not so pronounced.... I was not swaying left to right as I walk back to my seat...I was somehow, floating and sashaying gracefully.
Hahahah...and indeed everything fell into place.
God is good.
For today’s reflection...Sarah focuses on the Major and Minor Chords of Pleasure. In life, she says, it is when one thing is taken away from us, that we only realize their importance. Example, if say our sense of hearing is all of a sudden taken away from us....it is such a traumatic experience.
Imagine, you not being able to hear, the tap water flowing...or a river rushing with full force...or your husband’s deep snoring beside you, reminding you, with each rise and fall of his sounds, that he loves you...or the steps of your daughter eagerly and excited to kiss you goodbye as she runs off to her Taekwondo class...or her telling you ...Mama you are beautiful...out of the blue.
Hmmm....
Or.....” ....exquisite sound of silence cascading over me when I momentarily let go and allow the Universe to proceed without my assistance or supervision; and music to soothe, inspire, and move me in unexpected waves of sublime pleasure. The concerto of Real Life is playing, delight with thanksgiving in the major and minor chords of it’s beautiful refrain.” (April 26 reflection, Simple Abundance , Sarah Ban Breathnach)
12:25 p.m.
I have missed doing my Daily Dialogue, Affirmations, Forgiveness and Thanksgiving list for several days now.
The Holy Week activities did really challenge me physically.
By God’s grace, I was able to do our Bisita Iglesia and Seven Last words reflection.
Easter Mass morning then Egg Hunting for Mari in the chapel grounds in Grandpa’s neighbourhood.
Yes, indeed, man proposes and God disposes.
Or is it the other way around?
For one moment there, I am not sure.
Let us see...
We make plans and yet, sometimes, God has a different plan.
Example, we were set to do the Bisita Iglesia at 6pm but as we got to San Roque church, the mass was just starting. I thought it would be much earlier. So, Eleanor said, let’s go to mass first. I planned to just start it, then leave half way, so we wont finish so late in the Bisita Iglesia, but...then, a Greeter and Collector lady, asked me to join the offertory group. I hesitated. My walk has somehow transformed into a waddle...and somehow, walking the long aisle like a big bellied penguin was something not so welcome for me.
Eleanor said yes for me.
And so, it was God’s plan maybe...cause, it was such a blessed and blissful experience. I felt so high being handed the big chalice containing the host of Christ to be offered in behalf of the community.
It was indescribable.
God wanted me to do it, despite my other plans...and so I obliged and yes, He equipped me...my waddle was somehow not so pronounced.... I was not swaying left to right as I walk back to my seat...I was somehow, floating and sashaying gracefully.
Hahahah...and indeed everything fell into place.
God is good.
For today’s reflection...Sarah focuses on the Major and Minor Chords of Pleasure. In life, she says, it is when one thing is taken away from us, that we only realize their importance. Example, if say our sense of hearing is all of a sudden taken away from us....it is such a traumatic experience.
Imagine, you not being able to hear, the tap water flowing...or a river rushing with full force...or your husband’s deep snoring beside you, reminding you, with each rise and fall of his sounds, that he loves you...or the steps of your daughter eagerly and excited to kiss you goodbye as she runs off to her Taekwondo class...or her telling you ...Mama you are beautiful...out of the blue.
Hmmm....
Or.....” ....exquisite sound of silence cascading over me when I momentarily let go and allow the Universe to proceed without my assistance or supervision; and music to soothe, inspire, and move me in unexpected waves of sublime pleasure. The concerto of Real Life is playing, delight with thanksgiving in the major and minor chords of it’s beautiful refrain.” (April 26 reflection, Simple Abundance , Sarah Ban Breathnach)
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