Monday, January 28, 2008

40 Tips for an ESP Life

ESP (Exceptional, Superb & Powerful)
These are really very powerful. Implement whatever you can.

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.
2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.
3. Buy a VCD/DVD of your favorite late night shows and get more sleep.
4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to ___________ today."
5. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.
6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2006.
7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.
8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.
9. Dream more while you are awake.
10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.
11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon, broccoli, almonds & walnuts.
12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.
13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk and let new and flowing energy into your life.
14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.
17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.
18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie (not you guys). Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"
27. Forgive everyone for everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business.
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time TIME.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
34. The best is yet to come.
35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
36. Do the right thing!
37. Call your family often.
38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________."
39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.
40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

May your troubles be less. May your blessings be more. And may nothing but happiness come through your door!

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Saturday, January 26, 2008

1... 2... 3... *Click*


I should be going out more often... tsk tsk.

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Daily Digest #9

Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid. —Matthew 14:27

I've been feeling so down lately, I'm not so sure what's going on here. But the passage today has made me realize, yet again, one thing.... that He is in control. Sometimes, the more I convince myself that everything will be just fine, the more I tend to sulk into depression, which shows how doubtful I can be sometimes.... and I'm ashamed for having felt or thought this way. But on second thought, repressing myself from feeling so would just make me deny something that is evidently true at the moment.... that I am sad and tired.... I guess it is really important that we learn to admit our weaknesses.... So weak, to the point that all we could do is look up and cling to Him... He assures us love, and faith, and hope.... That's 100% guaranteed.

May we all pray for each other, especially those who are feeling weak at the moment.... That we may have the heart to face the day with gratitude and praise. May we learn and continue to count our blessings. Remember, this too shall pass.

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Daily Digest #8

My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. —Philippians 4:19

Many of us are lost in this world, searching for completeness... and seeking it in the wrong places... If we could only remind ourselves everyday of His words, we would be able to let Him guide our every thought, word and deed... Thus, we would know what to do with our lives, as He continuously pours out His many blessings (material things included) to us.... May we always pray to Him as we continue our journey in this so-called life.

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Daily Digest #7

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love. —Colossians 1:13

As wisdom takes its stand, may we learn to put it in action by first welcoming the Holy Spirit to work freely in us, and through us... May we be able to show, even in our small ways, how God works in our lives, so others too may believe... May we bring a little bit of heaven in someone's life today.

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Daily Digest #6

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb is a reward. —Psalm 127:3

I have been blessed with a job that involves child-rearing. I am a school teacher (something I never imagined doing), and I have stayed in the field for 5 years now. I have dealt with kids from ages 3 until 18, and the experience has been tough and enlightening at the same time. I know it's way below the standards of actual parenting but I am proud to say that I have been a parent somehow… Teachers ARE "second parents" anyway.

May we not forget about the other "parents" walking in faith that set good examples for us. They are not to be envied, but to be imitated. The same with those involved in difficult circumstances, who are not to be judged, but to learn lessons from.... May we continue praying for our parents, and our children. We may deny it, but each of us is part of a family that we must value, as God intended us to do so.

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Daily Digest #5

Be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. —Psalm 31:2

The greatest gift for me is peace of mind.... Being confident that God is in control, that no matter how bad the situation gets, He will get us through it... Sometimes we feel we are given wisdom, or strength, or courage to do things, yet we doubt because our own desires get in the way, often confusing them with His.... I only ask myself 1 question on every important decision i had made or have to make..."did i follow my heart or my head?" .. I believe the heart speaks to us, like God is speaking to us... the mind tells us only what WE want, or what WE think is right. And with this, we build confidence in the Lord, trusting Him in everything that comes our way....

Let us pray that we may always be away from harm and temptation, but should this be His will (not because He's punishing us, but because He wants us to learn an important lesson that would come handy in the following years), may we ask for wisdom, courage and strength to face the challenge.

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Sunday, January 20, 2008

Movie Review: Little Miss Sunshine

I haven't done movie reviews for quite a while now. Usually, I only do when a movie strikes me deep that I couldn't NOT write about it somehow.

Little Miss Sunshine is about a dysfunctional and bankrupted family whose members suffer insanely bizarre issues of their own. Their lives intertwine in various unexpected ways, regardless of denying each other's existence, and finally doing things as a team. Well, they might seem just like any other family... But not quite.

It all starts when a family takes a road trip together to send a little girl to a beauty pageant. The family consists of 6: a mother/wife who tries so hard to bring the family together, practically leading a life of fast food deliveries and chain-smoking; a father/husband who dreams of gaining fame and fortune by bringing his theories on self-help and self-improvement technique to the public using 9 steps to reach success; a suicidal gay brother who is an expert on Proust; a heroin-addict grandfather who always speaks his mind, no matter how unwholesome he may seem; a goth of a teenage son who has voluntarily deprived himself of speech; and a 7-year old daughter who dreams of winning the Little Miss Sunshine title.

What struck me the most was that on winners and losers. The father insists that losing is simply not winning, not getting the top prize, so one needs to do everything he/she can to get it. The grandfather later negates this idea by stating that losing only happens when one doesn't try at all. The 7-year old child somehow gets this and walks proudly into the pageant, not thinking about winning or losing anymore, but simply doing her best and enjoying herself as she witnesses the support of her whole family (i loooooooooved the talent portion! i was laughing the whole time!).

This movie reminds us of the importance of family. That no matter how weird each member is, we are bound to accept, support and love one another in the end. That home is where we first discover and develop our own individualities, and at the same time, where we experience our first actual relationship with another human being that covers all aspects of life.

Go see the movie. You won't regret it ;-)

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Friday, January 18, 2008

Daily Digest #4

Distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. — Romans 12:13

One thing I learned about being hospitable is that it's not just welcoming other people, most particularly strangers, doing extra-special deeds we are accustomed to, to make them feel comfortable.... It is about making another person feel at ease simply with your presence, and not necessarily exerting any laborious work.... Honestly, we only view things as "laborious" when we don't really feel like doing it, mostly just out of obligation, or knowing that it's the "right" thing to do.... Be kind to your neighbors, so we say... It takes so much more than just touring someone around, serving food and drinks, or making his/her bed for him/her... Doing things as if doing it for Him makes all the difference... And I believe a smile opens a roomful of opportunities to extend and return the grace He has showered us.... I learned that a simple smile does it.... A smile that comes from within, reflecting how one truly feels inside....

May we find time everyday to reflect on our lives, and ponder on the lessons we gain from trials, cherish the wonderful memories life continuously offers, and count our many blessings as we complete ourselves in Him, with Him and through Him... Then we can truly greet each day with a smile.

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Daily Digest #3

We have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function. — Romans 12:4

We encounter different types of people everyday... we deal with various personalities that sometimes we wonder why such people exist... We start feeling self-righteous about it, thinking what this person's doing is clearly out of the question. But when we begin looking at things at a different angle, there are times when we stop these thoughts and revert to giving it the benefit of the doubt... As the saying goes, things aren't always as they seem... All of us need to co-exist for a greater purpose... I guess that makes it easier for us to be kinder to one another... and we also learn to assess ourselves if we are judging entirely out of our own opinions, or if we are truly guided by the Scriptures... I remember a friend saying before, quoting from the Bible, "You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." ...that surely slapped me right in the face, but I was grateful to have been awakened, despite of the brutality heheh... i guess all that is left for us to do is to make the most out of our lives serving God, with the purest intension in our hearts... and He will definitely show us the way.

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Daily Digest #2

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. —1 Corinthians 10:31

Many times, we do or not do things just to please ourselves, thinking "this is what i need now" or "this is what is right for me".... Actions are often manifested by our thoughts.. So, what on earth are we thinking? We often forget that we are here for a purpose, His purpose.... to do kindness to others, to love one another... We are selfish in nature, but once wisdom has dawned on us, we are given the choice to do what's right, not in the eyes of men, but in the eyes of God.... Pride takes away all the moments of peace-giving and loving in spite of the wrongs other people have done to us.... Easier said than done, but when we remind ourselves everyday that we are living, breathing, eating and working for His glory, we end up having a different, and much better, perspective of the things around us...

May we establish and continue our talks and walks with the Lord in our lives... May we remember to pray, to share the most intimate details of our lives to Him so that all our actions and decisions will be blessed and be according to His will.... May we never forget to count the many blessings we receive each day, to praise and thank Him for them. May we be living testimonies of His grace and mercy in our lives.

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Daily Digest #1

Folly is joy to him who is destitute of discernment, but a man of understanding walks uprightly. —Proverbs 15:21


The past year made me face a lot of challenges in my life and career... I believe God has opened many doors for me, and it was truly hard to decide which paths to take... but with prayer and guidance, my choices have taken me where I am now. I can't say I have succeeded in my career, as human standards usually put it, or in my life, for I am still too young and inexperienced to say so. But God has surely given me peace of mind.... I guess, that's how He has helped me discern things... once I realized I had inner peace, I knew I made the right choice/s... Honestly, there were/are times when I still forget why and how I have become and ask Him over and over, but He has His ways to remind me.. that He's always been there... and for this, I am truly grateful.... Sometimes, some of us have to go through a long and rough period of discernment, but wisdom will certainly come, in His time.

May we always pray to Him... that we may glorify His name in whatever we do... that we would not go astray, and be His faithful servants.... May we have constant communication with God so we can face each day with wisdom, courage, strength and peace of mind.

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Friday, January 04, 2008

What Will You Write?

You do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. —James 4:14

In January 2006, a mine explosion in rural West Virginia threatened the lives of 13 coal miners. Having grown up in that state, I was among the millions riveted to the news for the next few days. Tragically, all but one of the miners were found dead. To compound the pain of that loss, the first reports given to the families said that all but one had been found alive. When the grim news of the deaths came, the grief was compounded with anger—and a desire to blame someone for the whole gut-wrenching event.

At one of the funerals, however, Rev. Wease Day asked the hurting to look in a different direction—within. During their last hours, some of the miners had written notes to their families, in some cases offering comfort and hope. In light of that, Pastor Day urged his congregation not to seek to fix blame. He instead challenged them to imagine what they would write in a farewell note if they had only hours to live.

In some ways we are like those miners. We are trapped in a dark world and are facing physical death. How we live our lives as followers of Christ becomes our “note” to the world. James wrote that life is “a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away” (4:14). By God’s grace, what will you write with your life today? Bill Crowder

Lord and Savior, Christ divine,
Reign within this heart of mine;
May my witness ever be
Always, only, Lord for Thee. —Brandt

A Christlike life is a message of hope to a searching world.

Taken from Our Daily Bread dated 4 January 2008.

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