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Heaven and Hell

2012-03-11T04:58:00.002-07:00

We may have different definitions about heaven and hell, but here on earth, heaven is where there is presence of God and hell is His absence.

Original photo without the text was taken from deino-erd.deviantart.com.

How To Effectively Develop The Habit of Saving

2012-03-02T04:42:00.007-08:00

How many times you tried to set aside a portion of your income for savings? How many times you failed? How many times it started so well but didn't last long?

Everytime we think of saving most of us think about how much are we going to save, how much is it going to be at a certain time and what are we going to do with it. Similarly, evertime we start to save, it's painfully difficult because usually the amount we decided to save is too much for a beginner. We do this because we always think of the amount we be able to save at a certain time, also because we want to use that certain amount of money for something and because of this, we fail.

Saving is a habit. Habits are routines of behavior that are repeated regularly and tend to occur subconsciously. Until you develop the habit of saving, you can never be successful with saving.

Here are 3 simple ways of developing the habit of saving:

Don't set goals. Don't think of how much money you will have at a any given time in the future. Remember that you want to develop the habit, and it's not how much money you are going to have.

Start with ridiculously small amount. The most common reason told by most people why they don't have savings is that their income is not even enough for their daily needs. Now, think of a ridiculously small amount that you can set aside everyday for 3 months that won't affect your spending habits. You have to save the same amount everyday. Don't be tempted to save a lumpsum that would cover your supposed to be saved in a week or in a month. Remember that you are developing a habit here and not how much money you are going to have. A coin bank can help you here to store that ridiculously small amount you are saving. You can open a bank account when it reaches the minimun amount required to open a savings account.

Do a little sacrifice. After three months of doing that routine activity you would probably be ready to do a little sacrifice. Review your spending habits. Think of something that you can do away so that you can have some money to add to that ridiculously small amount you save everyday. Don't do big sacrifices, just little sacrifice that is not painful, something you won't mind. Here are a few examples:

If you smoke, can you do away with one cigarette so that the amount you set aside for that one cigarette can be added to your ridiculously small amount for savings?

If you buy food everyday (lunch or snacks), can you set aside another ridiculously small amount out of your daily food budget to be added to your ridiculously small amount for savings?

Think of other ways you can do a little sacrifice by revisiting your daily spending habits. What are the things you buy everyday? Do this little sacrifice for another 3 months.

Once you have successfully completed the 3 simple steps, you will be surprised at how you developed the habit of saving. You are now ready for the next challenge.

Why is it important to know what you want in life?

2012-02-27T17:19:00.005-08:00

Not knowing what you want in life will confuse you of which path to take at the crossroads and skills to learn and develop in order to succeed. You are like a person walking without knowing where to go.

I had this habit of going out without really knowing where to go. Most of the time i end up getting tired accomplishing nothing. It is like browsing the internet without really knowing what to find, googling everything that comes to mind. At the end of the day i feel like i have wasted time that would have been a golden opportunity to do something worthwhile.

Knowing what you want in life is also not easy. The many possibilities a person could be and the many things a person could do would make it more complicated. Are these the things in life that we think would make us happy? Are these the things that would make our life worthy of living? Or the things that would make us happy and make our life worthy of living?

Organizations call this their 'Mission', the reason for being. The reason why the organization was created. This can be applied at a personal level, the reason for living.

What is your reason for living?

Making Ends Meet With A Minimum Wage

2012-02-25T21:11:00.004-08:00

The regular minimum wage here in Davao Region as of January 2012 is only 260 pesos. If a person works at an average of 26 days in a month, he would get a gross monthly salary of 6,760 pesos. Normally, a worker is paid every 15th and 30th of the month. The minimum wage earner would get an average of gross income of 3,380 pesos.

Computing For The Average Net Income
To compute for the average net income, government dues must be deducted from the gross income. The minimum wage earner will have the following deductions: (233.30-Social Security System (SSS), Withholding Tax Exempted, 75.00-PhilHealth Contribution; Total Monthly Deduction of 308.30 pesos)

The net monthly income of a minimum wage earner after deductions would be 6,451.70 Pesos. Net pay every payday would be 3,225.85 pesos. This amount should support the daily needs of the minimum wage earner until next payday which is 15 days apart. The daily budget of the minimum wage earner should not exceed 215 pesos.

Computing For The Average Expenses of A Single Person (The Basic Expenses)
If the average wage earner does not live far from work, he has to pay an average fare of 20 pesos going to work and back every working day. Computed at 13 working days, the minimum wage earner would spend 260 pesos.

If the person on a budget spends 40 pesos per meal and going through the day with 1 snack of 10 pesos, the average wage earner will spend 130 per day, a total of 1,950 pesos in 15 days.

If the person is renting bed space, the average wage earner will spend 800 pesos a month, an average of 400 every payday.

Personal Care and Other Expenses (Laundry Soap, Bath Soap, Shampoo, etc), 150 pesos every payday.

The total basic expenses of a single person would be 2,760 pesos.

Computing For The Expanded Expenses of A Single Person
The remaining amount of the net pay after deducting the basic expenses of an average wage earner is 465.85 pesos. This will be budgeted for the following:
1. Clothing (shirt, pants, shoes, underwears, etc.)
2. Cigarettes and Drinks (if, ever)
3. Cellphone load (everybody has cellphones, including the average wage earner)
4. Social activities (movies, parks, dating, bonding with friends, etc.)

This is just how i think the minimum wage earner lives with his income, the minimum wage earner might spend his money differently.

It's Now 2012 | Happy New Year!

2011-12-31T08:59:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year to all!

This was me when the clock struck a second past midnight.

Would this mean that i will be sleeping the whole year in 2012?

Would You Even Care?

2011-10-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Life Simply Said

2011-09-13T02:54:00.000-07:00

On the first day, God created the dog and said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. For this, I will give you a life span of twenty years."

The dog said, "That's a long time to be barking.. How about only ten years and I'll give you back the other ten?"

So God agreed......

On the second day, God created the monkey and said, "Entertain people, do tricks, and make them laugh. For this, I'll give you a twenty-year life span."

The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? That's a pretty long time to perform. How about I give you back ten like the dog did?"

And God agreed......

On the third day, God created the cow and said, "You must go into the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves and give milk to support the farmer's family. For this, I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. How about twenty and I'll give back the other forty?"

And God agreed again......

On the fourth day, God created humans and said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. For this, I'll give you twenty years."

But the human said, "Only twenty years? Could you possibly give me my twenty, the forty the cow gave back, the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back; that makes eighty, okay?"

"Okay," said God. "You asked for it."

So that is why for our first twenty years, we eat, sleep, play and enjoy ourselves.
For the next forty years, we slave in the sun to support our family.
For the next ten years, we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren.
And for the last ten years, we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Source: [forwarded email from yahoo]

I Received an Advise from Google Adsense Ads

2011-08-08T03:17:00.001-07:00

I ended my post yesterday with plead for help when i found out that i am such a boring person after reading my responses to 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend.

After i clicked "Publish", i viewed how it looked like especially that I placed an image with my post. When i scrolled through the bottom of the page, i saw this.

I was advised do drink Gatorade everyday, rehydrate my body, refuel my passion for sports.. yikes!

When i was back to my senses, i realized that i really need to rehydrate my body. I don't drink enough fluid everyday than i should. Eight glasses a day is not an easy task. Very seldom i drink water alone. I only drink after i eat. Very unhealthy.

The second advise about refueling my passion for sports, well i don't know. How I could refuel something i don't have? I am only a spectator when it comes to sports. Can i count it as passion for sports?

Thank you adsense ads.

My Response to 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend

2011-08-07T03:45:00.001-07:00

It's Sunday and i had a few time in my hand to browse and read a few from the internet. I came across Wisebread's article about 47 Cheap, Fun Things to Do This Weekend. I got interested so i read through the article hoping to find something fun to do on weekends only to find that i, with my current situation, each of them is difficult to do.

1. Go to the Park - if it has to be cheap, then this would mean our public park, not really fun. Also, it is not really exciting to go there alone. Tagging along friends with me is even more difficult.

2. Watch the Sunset - I don't know where the sun sets from where i live. I would have to find a beach where the sun sets or climb a mountain. Still difficult.

3. Pack a Picnic Lunch - this is something that i miss doing. If it has to be cheap, then i would have to go to the park again. This would have been easier back in the province where i came from.

4. Play Board Games - I know a few, but i don't own one. Besides, who will play with me?

5. Play Card Games - same with board games, i know a few but i don't own one. Again, who will play with me?

6. Do a Road Rally With Friends - huh?
"Get some friends together and go on a mobile scavenger hunt. The first one back with all things on the list wins! Losers have to buy dessert." - duh!

7. Go on a Digital Scavenger Hunt - huh? 2x
"Make it a digital scavenger hunt. Think of some creative, hilarious pictures you could take with people in the community, or check out this list for scavenger hunt ideas." - duh! 2x

8. Throw a B.Y.O.E. Party
"This stands of Bring Your Own Everything. Guests are encouraged to bring food and drinks to share. Or, check this post out for more frugal party ideas." - the truth is, when you get older, your friends do too, and they're getting married. Gathering them together is not anymore fun.

9. Have a Bonfire or Campfire in Your Backyard - I don't have a backyard suitable for a bonfire much more a campfire.

10. Get Ice Cream - okey... lol! This is not anymore fun when i can do it almost everyday of the week. There's an ice cream shop just near where i work.

11. Make a Romantic Dinner - duh! the author's probably not single.

12. Grill Something New - like what?

13. Go to the Museum or Zoo - not anymore cheap where i live.

14. Scan Your Old Photographs - i also wanted to do this, but i don't have a scanner.

15. Pretend You're a Tourist in Your Community - not anymore cheap.

16. Organize a Neighborhood Cleanup - I don't know my neighbors.

17. Go to the Farmers Market - Farmers market is far and rare in the Philippines, i guess. Going to the Public Market is fun looking at farm produce and buying some.

18. Pick Strawberries or Other Fruit - not in the city.

19. Bake a Pie - I can bake, but i don't have an oven.

20. Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen or Homeless Shelter - did this before with a friend, but i don't know if there are people running a soup kitchen or a homeless shelter.

21. Invite Your Neighbors Over - again, i don't know them

22. Go Fishing - not in the city

23. Go to the Beach - not cheap here in the city.

24. Go to the Library - i still have some books waiting to be read.

25. Host a Classic Movie Marathon - hmmm... why not?

26. Rearrange the Furniture in Your House - got no furniture to rearrange.

27. Write Out Your Bucket List and Pick One to Do - this would take time and where's the fun?

28. Put Together a Jigsaw Puzzle - i don't have one.

29. Volunteer to Babysit for Someone Who "Needs a Break" - not fun-ny!

30. Clean Out Your Closet and Donate to a Thrift Store - did it already.

31. Watch for Shooting Stars - in the middle of the day?

32. Go on a Bike Ride - i don't have a bike.

33. Take a Free Online Class - boooooring.

34. Write Out Your Life Plan - would take a while and i got tired of planning.

35. Set Three New Goals for Yourself - i only have one now, to finish my house that i am building, it's exciting, but not fun.

36. Find a Community Play to Attend - can't think of any.

37. Help Someone in Need - not cheap.

38. Buy Food for the Homeless and Listen to Their Stories - this would be fun, but i don't know any.

39. Go Bowling - fun, but who will go with me? - not fun alone.

40. Visit Garage Sales and Look for Deals - garage sales in the Philippines are not fun, not at all!

41. Tour the Local Fire or Police Station and Thank Them for Their Service - haha!! ok, this is funny!

42. Visit a Local Nursing Home and Engage With the Residents - don't know any.

43. Plant a Garden - i do this everyday.

44. Go Dancing - duh! i'd rather skydive than dance.

45. Walk Through the Craft Store and Start an Art Project - not cheap.

46. Host a "Minute to Win It" Party - silly!

47. Write a Letter to a Family Member You Haven't Talked to in a While - with facebook, email and sms - who's left?

Okey, this is supposed to be fun but i made it boring. Reading back my answers made me realized that i am a boring person. I need help.

Will God Understand?

2011-07-30T17:27:00.002-07:00

Will God understand? This is the most common question we ask ourselves every time we make a choices we know shouldn't.

Most of the time we chose want we want and hoped God will understand. We look at God as the loving and understanding God.

But, did God really understand?

Seeking Comfort In Life Is A Diversion From Living A Life

2011-07-09T19:34:00.002-07:00

One is born with almost nothing...

Growing up lacking almost everything...

One would almost always think that life will only begin by having those he doesn't have - comfort in life.

Seeking comfort becomes a passion...

Until one finds out that passion was never about comfort...

Passion is always about life...

Life cannot be found in comfort...

Life cannot be found in wealth...

Lord, I Love You

2011-03-16T00:49:00.000-07:00

I want to say it one day with substance - not empty words and with empty heart.

It seems so easy to say it in a song - I can just pretend I am singing.

I am so quick to say it in front of other people - to let them know i am in the loop.

But when i am alone, me - myself - and I, in all honesty, my deeds say otherwise.

He who began a good work in you

2011-03-13T03:25:00.001-07:00

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:6

Click on the image to view the wallpaper size (1024x768) image.

The Missing Pages in the Bible

2011-01-13T01:28:00.000-08:00

I went with an officemate to an office supplies shop to buy training materials when I noticed that they are also selling Bibles.

I do not have a Bible of my own, not anymore. The last Bible I had was given to a close friend. He liked it and it does not suit me anymore because of the size of the text. Yes, I have to admit, I cannot see clearly without the help of a reading eye glasses.

Also, I admit that not only this blog went on hibernation but my spiritual journey as well.

I scanned the Bibles for sale at the shop and found one that I liked. It costs a little over a thousand. Almost the same price with the last Bible I had.

I bought the Bible.

When I arrived back at the office I scanned the Bible and went through my favorite verses. It really felt good reading them again.

Then I noticed something, a blank page. At first I ignored it thinking that it might be a divider page because the Bible also has other added sections.

I continued scanning through my favorite verses and found that blank page again.

It’s not a divider. It really is a blank page – 2 adjacent pages. Almost three chapters missing – Acts 20-22.

My office mate was a bit amazed at how I found the blank page. I just told her that it’s God’s will. He doesn’t want me to have a Bible with missing pages.

I went back to the shop to have it replaced. The sales clerks were also amused at how I found the blank pages in such a very short time – in less than an hour I was back at their shop for replacement.

While I was inside the taxi going back to the office reflecting what just happened, I realized how expensive it is to buy something defective. The store would only have the goods replaced but will not reimburse the incidental expenses like taxi fare and the time spent going back to the store.

For some reasons, I have accepted why it should be me to encounter the problem. I work near the area. What if the person who bought the Bible lived far – or even worse, not living in the City?

Revisiting My Wish List In 2009

2010-12-26T13:35:00.001-08:00

The last time I posted my wish list was in 2009. I wasn’t able to revisit it last year because I went on hibernation. I haven’t updated this blog for about 15 months already. Also, I haven’t remembered I made a wish list. Now that I am back, hopefully for a longer time, I would like to start off revisiting the wish list I made in 2009.

I would like to name them in the same order it was listed back then.

Digital Camera – I still don’t have one. Before, I just wanted a simple point and shot digital camera, now I want a digital SLR. I could have bought one had I wanted it badly but there were basic priorities that came along.

Cellular Phone – Well, I bought four cellular phones in that last two years. They were not the expensive types though. Now I only have one with dual SIM. I got tired of bringing two phones all the time.

New Laptop Backpack – I was able to buy two in the last two years. The first one I bought went to my friend after a year of using it. The last one still looks good and I am not planning of buying a new one. I like the fit and the style.

MP3 Player – I bought a SAMSUNG MP3 player when I was in Zamboanga City. I got bored in the hotel one weekend so I got out and went to a store nearby. It was unplanned but I have no regrets, I am still using it now.

New Mobile Hard Drive – I haven’t bought this one. Now I realized why would I want it? Why did I want it? After I cleaned all my files, now I have my 40G mobile hard drive empty. Aside from my old 40G mobile hard drive, I have two USB memory stick – 2G and 16G.

New pair of Levis Jeans – I bought 5 jeans in 2009 but no Levis, but in 2010 I was able to buy 3 Levis jeans from the US. What I had in mind back then when I listed my wishes in 2009 was Levis jeans sold locally. So, I guess I still have to buy one locally.

New Cologne – yes, but not the one in the picture seen in my wish list post and didn't get lucky - lol!

I got five of the seven things I wanted in 2009. Not bad. Now regarding the things that I wanted to do, I guess I didn’t do well.

Start my own business – NOPE

Get acquainted with my relatives – I guess I had a good start. When one of my uncles died this year, I was able to meet cousins I haven’t seen for a long time and seen many for the first time. I also meet many in Facebook. I hope to meet them in person sometime.

De-clutter – Books, CDs, DVDs, Books, Closet and everything else - I did, but I have to do it again this time. This is a never ending task.

Go back to the gym – Yikes!

Manage my finances wisely – I guess I squandered more in the last two years compared with the years before 2009. Whew!

Now, I am thinking of making another list for 2011.

It's Been A While

2010-12-23T02:28:00.000-08:00

It's been a while, fifteen months of hibernation. I'll be coming back. I miss this blog. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

Peanut Story

2009-09-11T17:28:00.000-07:00

They say that eating peanuts will make you intelligent; I just forgot to ask how many sacks of peanuts I would have to eat to become one. Nevertheless, I like eating peanuts.

Looking back as far as I can remember, I was planting peanuts in our small farm and not eating them. My father is a tailor but we have a small farm he cultivated whenever he is tired of sewing. A poor man’s break from work is another work.

Another thing I could remember about peanuts is that I used to steal them on my way to school. When I was young living in the province, I had to walk my way to school. Along the way I had to pass by different farms including peanuts.

I had to bow down as if I am picking stones but my other hand is picking peanuts in the ground. When I straightened up, I would throw the stones I picked up so as to convince the watcher, if there is, that I was really picking up stones and not the peanuts.

I guess eating peanuts really paid off.

Mug Shots

2009-08-28T18:00:00.000-07:00

What is coffee without a cup, or a mug? I had coffee before in a glass, but it looked like a cola than a coffee.

I am not a mug collector but I have a number of mugs at home. Some were given to me, some were personally bought. I like mugs.

In the past 12 years, I have been drinking coffee using the same mug. It was given to me by a friend I could not remember who. I receive a number of mugs from friends but I can’t identify who’s given me which?

Although there are few mugs that I can still remember the giver, I hope I am not being ungrateful to those I can’t remember.

I can’t forget those who have given, I just can’t remember which of the mugs I have right now they have given me.
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Coffee

2009-08-18T17:47:00.000-07:00

Life is difficult without it. My day isn’t complete without it. Am I addicted to it?

I can’t remember when I started to like coffee. As kids, our mother usually served us with “coffee” in the morning but it was not made from coffee beans. It was from burnt rice grains or cooked rice leftovers. Taste like coffee but not coffee.

But, I never actually like coffee or anything hot especially in the morning. I would usually puke every time I drink hot liquid in the morning.

Now, it becomes indispensable. It is something I am worried about when I am not at home. Where will I get my coffee is a question I have to answer, an issue I have to resolve before the day ends. Otherwise, I won’t be able to sleep well.

I like my coffee instant. I don’t crave for other coffee recipes, with names I find difficult to read, more so, understand.

I can’t drink coffee sans creamer. It’s better to have no sugar in my coffee than creamer.

I don’t like 3in1, 4in1, 5in1, 6in1, 7in1 and 8in1 instant coffees. How many more ingredients can they add to the coffee? I just want coffee.

First mug of coffee is a relief; the second one is a pleasure. I wouldn’t crave for a third; I would be more scared than satisfied.

I know when to stop, at least for a coffee.
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The Imperfect 100

2009-08-15T18:48:00.001-07:00

Who wouldn’t want a grade of 100? It means perfect when I was in grade school. Although there were other grading systems like “O” for outstanding, “VS” for Very Satisfactory, “S” for Satisfactory and “NI” for Needs Improvement, I always liked the numerical one because it would clearly define the difference with what I’ve got from the rest of the class.

But that was many years back. Two weeks ago, I was offered a grade of 100. I am not ecstatic this time. I begged for a lower one, but I was told that it is not perfect for me. One hundred is the lowest I could have.

Now, I am wearing a grade of 100. It is perfect for my imperfection.

And The Word Became Flesh

2009-08-13T15:51:00.001-07:00

Before Yahoo Messenger, there was Mirc. It is where I learned ASL, LOL and BRB among others.

Every time I didn’t feel like introducing myself and got ASL’ed by a chatmate, this was my usual reply:

I am a 65 years old retired public school teacher in Tawi-tawi.

There was not one truth to it. I didn’t even have an idea about Tawi-tawi. I just knew that it is a place somewhere below Mindanao.

Many years had passed and forgot about it until last year, I was told that I would be given an assignment in Bongao, Tawi-tawi. All I could say was:

OMG! I am not a teacher. I am not 65 years old, no, not yet. And, I am not going to retire there.

Next time, I’d be careful.

The first time I got there, I was surprise to have found hotels, resorts, 4 story buildings, cable TV and internet connection. The town is well connected to the world.

Since July of last year, I visited the island every month. Nothing really exciting happened and nothing scary, it is a relatively peaceful island.

If you buy a television set in Bongao, you have to have a cable connection; otherwise, nothing’s going to come out in your TV screen.

One more thing, 25, 10 and 5 centavos are not accepted in Bongao, Tawitawi so clean out your coin purse before visiting the island.
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No More Fear

2009-08-12T01:46:00.002-07:00

Good bye Jolo for now.

Fear preceded me the first time I set foot in Jolo in September of 2008. I never dreamed of going to Jolo, not even for adventure. But work pushed me there.

In the last 12 months, I had to visit the island every month to do the task given to me. Those visits were coated with haunted nights and one explosive night while I was sleeping.

I thought colorful events only happened at night. I was wrong.

A bomb exploded last month that killed 2 and wounded 40 others. It happened along the street that I regularly pass by every morning. It exploded at 7:30 in the morning. I usually pass by that street at 8:30.

I heard the blast because I stayed nearby. I was preparing myself to work.

Early this month was my final trip. Upon my arrival, I was told that another explosion was heard last night.

No more fear…, I am not afraid anymore.
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Change: The Wild Horse

2009-05-22T18:41:00.000-07:00

It is said that change is inevitable, that the only constant in this world is change. It is happening within us and to all the things that surrounds us. Everything is constantly changing.

Change seems to have a life of its own sweeping through all of us. We cannot prevent change. Even if we don’t do anything to change, it will move on to its course.

Change is not all good, not all desirable and not everything we wanted.

Change is like a wild horse. It is powerful but dangerous. It will harm us if we don’t take control of it.

Take hold of it, control it and direct its course. It will take you to where you want to go.
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The Most Squandered Thing On Earth

2009-05-02T08:05:00.000-07:00

I hate being late. It’s one of the things that I try to avoid. I am not saying that I was never late. I am still perfectly human, imperfect in all things. But, very seldom I am late. I cannot even remember the last time I was late for social and official appointments.

However, by not being late doesn’t necessarily mean I value time. I was not really thinking about the value of time when I tried not to be late. I was thinking about keeping my record of being on time and respecting other people’s time by not making them wait for me. Simply, the principle of reciprocity:

The ethic of reciprocity (also known as the Golden Rule) is an ethical code that states one has a right to just treatment, and a responsibility to ensure justice for others. Reciprocity is arguably the most essential basis for the modern concept of human rights, though it has its critics.
Source: [Wikipedia]

Do not do to others what would anger you if done to you by others.
Isocrates

I wish I am on time also for the reason that I want to manage my time well because I know its value.

Many would agree that time is the most valuable thing on earth. You could have delicious foods, designer clothing, fabulous homes and cars and even have all you want, but if you do not have time – you have nothing.

Time could also be our greatest lost. When we waste our time, we also let go of the opportunities that could give us the things we want in life. When we lost our time, it’s gone forever. You can never take it back.

And sadly, the most squandered thing on earth is time.

Below is an article I found in the internet.

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with P86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every centavos, of course!

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow".

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a pre-mature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE DAY, ask a daily wage laborer with kids to feed.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLI-SECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time. And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it's called the present!

The Right Type Of Friends

2009-04-25T03:50:00.000-07:00

Everyone wants friends. We make chances to spend time enjoying our friends. We often make choices so that we won’t lose our friends. They are pretty important to us and the Bible recognizes that too.

All types of relationships involve different levels of friendships. In fact, God spends a great deal of time instructing us on the importance and methods of choosing the right kinds of friends because there is the continual danger of damaging a good name by wrong friendships.

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character."
I Corinthians 15:33 New International Version

Not only do our friends cause others to make judgments about our character, but they also influence us to make judgments about basic decisions in life.

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.
Proverbs 13:20 New International Version

How can we find true friends? Friends often share likes and dislikes, interests, pursuits, and passion but we also have friends who are exactly the opposites. What is important is that we are familiar our friends’ personalities and recognize them.

“Birds of the same feather, flock together”, is this true? We have circles of friends. Each circle represents one of the personalities we have. We act differently in each circle. Which circle is the biggest?

Important Factors In Friendship

Relationship – the attributes that linked us with our friends. This could be similar or complimentary behaviors and shared memories.

Trust - we need someone we can share our lives, thoughts, feelings, and frustrations without worrying that those will end up somewhere the following day.

Accountability - real friends encourage one another and watch over each other.

The Scripture tells us that a friend sticks closer than a brother:

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 18:24 New International Version

In order for one to be a friend, one must show themselves friendly. The question is: what type of friend do you desire to be?
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Originally Posted On 3/28/08 3:50 AM