Honest Reviews ETC.

What Goes Around Comes Around

2012-07-09T07:12:00.000-07:00

This heartwarming story has circulated around the globe for hundreds of times, but because of its very pleasant effect to the heart, we will republish it here in this site.

Here's your heart and mind boosting story, courtesy of henna96.blogspot.com:

He was tired and aching and on his way home from a long day at work, so he almost didn't see the old lady stranded on the side of the road, but even in the dim light of day he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His old Pontiac was still sputtering as he approached her.

Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe; he looked poor and hungry.

He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was a chill which only fear can put in you.

He said, "I'm here to help you, ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan Anderson."

Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire.

As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid.

Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. The lady asked how much she owed him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped.

Bryan never thought twice about being paid. This was not a job to him. This was helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty, who had given him a hand in the past. He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way.

He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance they needed, and Bryan added, "Pass it on."

He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.

A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her.

The waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wet hair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan ..

After the lady finished her meal, she paid with a hundred dollar bill. The waitress quickly went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, but the old lady had slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. The waitress wondered where the lady could be. Then she noticed something written on the napkin.

There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote:

"This isn't a tip, it's a gift. You don't owe me anything. Somebody once helped me out and if you feel you want to pay me back, don't let this chain of love end with you, pass it on."

Under the napkin were four more $100 bills.

Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it to closing time.

That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard....

She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a gentle kiss and whispered soft and low, "Everything's going to be all right. I love you, Bryan Anderson."

There is an old saying "What goes around comes around."

--- Author Unknown ---

Passion in Action

2012-07-09T07:05:00.000-07:00

Passion is a thing that anyone wants to do, not for the money or any other thing but the mere pleasure and gratification for doing it. Passion is a driving force, a source of dedication and innate energy that propels a person to do the things he loves.

Great men who excel in science, business, arts, Technology, and sports like Einstein, Bill Gates, Michael Jackson, Steven Jobs, Michael Jordan and our very own Manny Pacquiao, among others, made their way to excellence not because of mere talent alone. An even greater inner hunger drove them to push themselves to the limits just because they love and enjoy what they do. And it's not strange to see them doing it even when the rest have long gone to sleep.

That's passion; passion that begets excellence, passion that makes one learn from experience, from others, and from his own mistakes. Passion is the thing that gives one the power to formulate strategies then visualizes himself applying those in specific situations. Through consistent practice, he masters them with or without the help of others and applies them naturally in real life.

That's how passion makes one a star in his chosen field or career.

As a child, I had this passion to play basketball to the dismay of my father who wanted to see bury my face in the pages of my textbooks or help him in the farm on weekends.

We were living in an uptown agricultural village and I seldom see kids playing basketball because poverty drove each one of them to the farms to help their parents. But it did not discourage me.

I begged my mother to buy me a basketball so that I can play even when I'm alone. When my father took me to the farm, my next destination as we got home after 4:00 pm was the public basketball court, where I played to my heart's desire after the big boys were through, which always happened after sunset. But I played nevertheless, until I can no longer see the ball.

There was a time when my father got so pissed off that he chopped my ball into two with a bolo.

But it didn't stop me. I really loved basketball to the point that I was skipping lunch on weekends just to continue with my passion; I knew I would not be allowed to go back to the playing court once I got home.

I was about 16 or 17 when I began to reap the fruits of my efforts. I became a village star for my "university" playing style. During this time, I was already studying in the city and I just imitated and mastered the playing styles of my favorite university players.

I was just one of the few boys from our poor village to get the chance to get a college education. I am thankful that my passion didn't, although it almost, ruined my father's plan for me.

I did excel in basketball, the greatest passion I ever had. I had a vertical leap of about two feet, I can take off from the free throw line and lay the ball in through and under the arms of taller defenders; and I can float for a few seconds, the way Michael Jordan did a few years later.

All my feats during those days are now part of a memory that I treasure. They also made me realize that to pursue a dream, one must move and act. I could have gone farther were it not for my stature that deterred coaches from taking me in. I was only 5'0" then with a body that weighed only 110 pounds. I am now 5'3" weighing 135 pounds. :)

But I had a second passion which I did when the weather did not permit me to play; and it is writing. It's the passion that has opened a lot of doors for me after retirement - even if I don't possess a degree in journalism.

The Fury of the Past

2011-07-20T20:26:00.000-07:00

As a child, I always looked up to my parents as my only source of inspiration and love. I can still remember how I loved to personify my father's strength of character and wisdom in dealing with the elderly in our small community; for they looked up to him as the epitome of stoic will, determination and innate intelligence.

He came from a destitute family who believed that life is all about eating, drinking and dying, but my father’s indifference to the ignorant beliefs of his elders made him struggle to find education beyond his parents' disapproval. In order to be able to attend elementary school, he volunteering to work as a duck-tender for a "landed" relative at a tender age of eight.

He drove the fowls to the river each morning and he swum his way to the flock each afternoon in order to bring them back home. He was not treated and fed well, and he walked miles each day on bare feet and ragged clothes just to be able to attend school. Yet his early cognizance of the hardships of poverty drove him to stay to achieve what he wanted: a simple elementary education which he completed when he was fifteen.

With the accomplishment of that simple ambition, he made another quest - to finish high-school, and with that ardent desire, he proceeded to our province's capital city to work as a dishwasher and all-around-worker for another relative who happened to own a small eatery. These he did just to earn a place to stay, little food to keep him up and some loose change for his needs in school, as public elementary and high schools in the Philippines are free.

He eventually finished high-school at second place and years later, he joined the U.S. Armed Forces in the Philippines to fight for democracy against the Japanese. This feat had made him "the big fish in a small pond" in our little place.

My mother was my father's "little dummy" whose dedication and love for her husband easily transformed her from a landowner's daughter to a doting wife whose only direction in life is to love and to follow her husband's way. They could have easily complimented each other had it not been for my father's bitterness of his sad past.

My father was a good provider. He was a man of strict principles and he had a vision.

Although quite successful and respected, my father's past drove him angry and full of hate; we had become the innocent receivers of his past frustrations in life. He was easily irritated and his moods were unpredictable. Beyond idolizing his principles, we were very tense in his mere presence.

I adored my father, but his character had setup the distance between us. I can never recall a day that my father had hugged me (or anyone of us six siblings) much less tell me that he loved me. It could have been the greatest reassurance that I as a child, can get from a parent, no matter how angry he might have been with something or someone else.

Growing up as a teenager, I cannot avoid the feeling of envy upon seeing my peers being casually talked to by their parents, who sometimes give them tips how to woo their first love, or advise them not to give in too strong, because they know the pain it would give when things go wrong.

As a kid, I was afraid of even fighting for myself because I never felt that my father will stand up for me when I'm in trouble. I was more afraid of the punishment that may come than to stand up to confront my aggressor. I am a very obedient son. My father told me to always stay out of trouble. He never told me that when we are right, sometimes we have to stand up to fight and be a "man" without getting punished.

My father was a well-read fellow even in that remote countryside. The folks looked up to him because of his knowledge and sound opinions. He is the village adviser on almost every aspect and he could have easily been the best in my young eyes had he overcame the ghost of his past. And he could have been at peace with himself and everyone else, and he could have told me that living the present moment each and everyday is the best way to savor the only life that God has given us. The past needs to be forgiven for what it was.

I still admire my father. His teachings have rooted deeply inside my heart. But I have taken steps to modify a few things that need to be changed, and that is to demonstrate and express my unconditional love to my wife and children, to stand by them beyond a wholesome discipline, and to forgive the past that had shrouded me, for living in the past only hurts me more rather than give me the vindication I wanted to see.

Despite his weaknesses, my father's strengths had helped to instill the best of values that he wanted me to exude in my life. These are honesty, self-reliance, respect, godliness, truthfulness, perseverance and determination, among many.

His stern character has taught me that it is not fear, but love which is the strongest bond that ties the family together.

His calloused nature made me realize that it is the parents' assurance of support which is the spring that nourishes their children's confidence.

But the best thing I learned was to forgive the past for what it was and strive to make it a trophy for what I would be today or tomorrow.

Thinking Aloud II...

2009-07-23T06:37:00.000-07:00

If I am I because I am I
and you are you because you are you
then I am and you are

But...

If I am I because you are you
and you are you because I am I
Then I am not and you are not...

* * *

Wisdom knows because
it can see
beyond what we can perceive;
it can hear
beyond what we can listen to;
it can feel
beyond what we can sense;
it can search
beyond what we can find;
it can understand
beyond what we can fathom.

Wisdom knows because
Wisdom is the reflection
of the Perfection of God...

* * *
Seek your self
Read the signs

Look for them on the ground
Search for them in the skies

If you can't see them while awake
Find them in your dreams

If you can't read them in people's minds
The signs are almost always found
In people's hearts

For it is not in palaces
Not in mansions
and not in high towers
That our souls can rest

For it is in the heart
That we can find our real home...

* * *

What Matters Most...

2009-07-18T21:10:00.000-07:00

If I have the gift of prophesy
and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge,
and if I have a faith that can move mountains
but have not love, I am nothing.

If I give all I possess to the poor
and surrender my body to the flames
but have not love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast;
Love is not proud, Love is not rude, it is not self-seeking;
Love is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs;
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth;
Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres;

Love never fails, because Love is the spirit of God...

taken from the Holy Bible - 1Cor. 13: 2-8

Live Walking

2008-04-03T02:01:00.000-07:00

I
I cry at birth with clinched hands to announce my invasion into the human world.

We are born to struggle, or struggle to be born. Whatever it is that made us struggle, it is the value of life that we desperately want to hold onto in the palm of our hands that gave us the strength right at the very start.

Life and the love of it are two of the greatest God-given gifts that every creature is endowed with.

Day upon greater day I shall be thankful to God for the daily present that He brings to me - and that’s my life today.

II
I cherish the life that I have and I live to learn from it everyday.

Life is a tale of trials and errors and only the lives of the very elect are marked with pre-destiny.

Living the life everyday is savoring the sweetest that it can offer. Living long lives dwelt mostly in the past or in the future is not living it to the fullest at all, for the essence of living is in experiencing every moment that comes along, and not in lingering too long in the past that cannot be undone, or in the future that is uncertain.

Day upon greater day I shall honor the Giver of the life I cherish, for no one else can breathe life unto another except God our maker.

III
I strive to look up to the good people around me in my quest for ideals.

The good and the evil had been at odds since the beginning of heaven and earth and it will be the same until The Day of the Lord comes.

At some point in time, our eyes will open to the knowledge of the good and evil. Siding with the good will glorify the Maker, for all men are made in God’s image and likeness, for God is the foundation of everything that is good.

Day upon greater day I will glorify my maker by dwelling in His goodness and mercy, where I shall be fully blessed.

IV
In my quest to achieve, I dream dreams that I want to make real.

Life is meant to be lived with a purpose as a candle is meant to be lighted to overcome the darkness, and for whatever purpose, when the candle is lighted, it will surely melt its life away.

Living with a good purpose and direction is spending a fruitful life that glorifies the maker, for his gifts were not spent in vain.

V
Giving back the love of those who love us is the greatest payback that a man could ever give or take.

Love begets love, and love only deserves love to be given back in return.

Day upon greater day will I acknowledge the love of God for me, I will give back the love of those who love me, and I will strive to love those who put me down, and He will be truly pleased.

VI
Bitterness is the result of poor judgment. It is an option for those who want to get back at things they have no control over.

We have to let go of things we cannot hold, for the more we try to keep them, the more they tend to tear us apart. Dwelling on the pain is not the cure for a heartache. There are things that we just need to let go in order to lighten us. These are the unnecessary burdens that pull us down on our way up.

Day upon greater day, I will lay up my unnecessary burdens to God and He will give me rest.

VII
To err is human, to forgive is divine.

Faults are but human and inevitable, and human perfection is but a state of mind.

Forgiveness is a virtue that emanates from God.

Day upon greater day, I will strive to forgive those who offended me, with or without their consent, and God will also forgive me for my offenses.

VIII
To forgive ones self is to claim freedom from self-destruction.

As children of God, we ought to be forgiving even unto ourselves. Carrying the guilt within us ruins our sense of self-worth.

God loves us and He died that we may live.

Day upon greater day, I will live to praise God for the great things He has done for me, and I will look at myself as God loves me for who I am.

IX
We should love the now and savor it’s every moment, for it is the only guarantee that we are present.

The present is a gift from God. That is why we call it “the present”.

Day upon greater day, I will honor the Lord by enjoying every bit of the moments he has given me, as He endured every pain…that I may heal.

X
I reconcile with my spirit for I am accountable to God for my soul.

Everyday, I examine myself, where I stand before God, and every time I stand before Him, I present my soul, and I shall see to it that my spirit is as clean as I can make it before God, even if I know that no matter what I do, my righteousness is as a filthy rug in His justice.

Day upon greater day, I will ask God to cleanse my soul for God’s great homecoming, and He will hear me if I do not regard inequity in my heart.

XI
I have the faith that with God, nothing can go wrong with my Life.

God carries the whole universe and steers its movement with his hand since time began, and until now, everything is working precisely right as God commanded.

I shall humble and surrender my life to God for Him to take control over. I know that I am not a soul too heavy for God’s infinite power to carry, and I shall live fully fulfilled.

XII
God’s spirit is the one sure guarantee of His presence, I seek it.

The spirit of God does not dwell in temples made by human hands. The spirit of God lives in the hearts of men. The spirit of God will live in our hearts if only we welcome Him.

I Seek God’s Spirit to come into my heart, and I will feel God’s presence within me…that’s a guarantee that cannot fail.

Day upon greater day I open my heart to welcome the Spirit of God, for it is only the presence of God in my heart that I can have an assurance that my life will never go wrong.

XIII
If God lives in me, I shall be the showroom of His presence.

God lives in the hearts of the humble, the faithful, the ones filled with love, hope and forgiveness.

I must exude these virtues, and people will know that God lives in my heart.

Day upon greater day, I ask God to humble me and to fill my heart with faith and to make me a light that will shine in the darkness of this material world, to show to the world that the presence of God is greater than all the treasures that this world can hold.

XIV
Every step along the way of my life I want to walk with God.

For the cares of this world, the way with God is a difficult mission.

But the way of God is the safest path I have ever known, because in God’s way, I am with the most High, the Deliverer…and I know and am sure where I am going to.

Day upon greater day I pray for God’s leading. I need Him to take me to the way of Truth, the way to Life…and the way to His graces.

XV
Every day, I thank God for minding me and taking care of my life.

Waking up alive is the greatest thing that could happen to me each and every morning. This is the manifestation that He still wants me to enjoy His present because He loves me and He cares for me. I must remember, He gave up His own life that I may live…forever with Him.

Day upon greater day, I thank God for His faithful miracles that happen every day in my life, things that seem trivial like the sun, the moon, the rain, the air, the water and all the things that were made to sustain life. These are all made for us, and only a living, all powerful God can make it happen…day upon greater day. Amen.

Thinking Aloud

2008-02-21T21:11:00.000-08:00

Lord, faults are inevitable, yet human
Please grant that if I may commit a hundred of them
Make me a hundred times
Wiser than before.

Desire is the mainspring of action
It is the flame
That keeps the fire of hope
Burning in our hearts.

But eagerness is the heat
That melts the candle of patience
Within us.

You will realize the true value of someone
When he is gone from you.

Do not despair
When things go wrong,
For each day that passes
A new day is always coming
And with each new day
Is a new hope, a new strength
And a new way.

To my beloved bird,
I wish I could carry you in my wings
So you never have to fly
I wish we could love forever this way
So you never have to go away…

I’d rather have a rose
That I could smell and feel today
Than have a garden of flowers
In my mind, that I couldn’t even see.

Dreams are beautiful
But only reality can make us happy…

I learned that I can talk
And I spoke my mind,
I learned that I can walk
And I was going places
I learned that I can sing
And I was singing songs
I learned that I can hear
And I started to listen
I learned that I can see
And I started to praise.

But when I learned to love,
How I wanted to give it away…

Work is the poor man’s ticket
To his dining table
Vice is the fool’s passport
To his self destruction…

If only I could gaze at a bud
And watch till it opens
To become a blossom,

If only I can catch a star
And fly with it thru time and space,

If only I could see the hearts of men
And hear their cries within,

I would be the greatest poet
That I could ever be…

Brave is the man who can face his fears
Strong is the man who can carry his weaknesses
Wise is the man who can admit his faults…

Experience-
The lives of Great men-
The mistakes that men have committed-
And
The evil that men do-
These are the greatest teachers
That this world has ever had…

xxx

Life

2008-02-21T21:06:00.001-08:00

Life is like the ocean
So placid yet so fierce
So quiet yet so bustling
So generous yet so destructive
So clear and yet so dark
So easy yet so unyielding
So plain yet so unpredictable
So gentle yet so unkind.

Life is real
So exposed and yet so full of mysteries
So entangled…and yet so free.

Money

2008-02-21T20:50:00.000-08:00

This world is financially centered
That almost everything cannot move
Without money.

People do not posses things anymore
For material things have possessed man totally,
Even the rich find ways to steal from the poor.

This world has forgotten to appreciate,
Much less notice the daily miracles that happen:

The sun that doesn’t fail to rise each morning
To illuminate the world,
The air that steadfastly whispers thru our hair,
The flowers that bloom with splendid colors,
The gushing rivers that always find their
Way into the sea.

And when a child is born
What a miracle, yet free.. and filled with life.

Now these have become “nothing”
For money has conquered everything.

What an ungrateful world…

Problem Solving: My Way

2007-11-09T00:04:00.000-08:00

Life is a complex thing that is always associated with the sense of fulfillment. All our endeavors are geared towards a direction that we have set for ourselves. These are our goals that fuel us up with desire, the mainspring of action that will bring us to the very crest of our objectives.

Getting the most of what we want in life is not an easy task as our efforts are almost always beset with problems that need to be eliminated before we can hit the target. Problems are obstacles that pull us back from getting specific objectives. We need to overcome these hindrances in order to keep us on track and at the right pace. We need to solve each and every problem that comes along and between us and our specific purpose. Facing and solving problems is life’s most common battle. This is the very reason why many problem-solving techniques had been developed.

The way I look at it, problems are but challenges that measure our steadfastness and determination to get specific goals, for beneath every problem is a rewarding fulfillment. If avoidance is not possible, problems need to be resolved rather than neglected, for it is in solving the problems that causes are won. Here are some of the approaches I do to solve my problem/s:

Establish the goal.
A specific goal needs to be established. No problem exists in the absence of an objective. We need to know exactly what and where we want to arrive at in order for us to properly determine our track and direction. For complex problems, it is sometimes necessary to for us to draw the steps leading to the point that we intend to arrive at, as in a work flow chart or an algorithm. This way, we can already identify potential problems, thus enabling us to find ways to avoid some before these can even occur. Knowing our direction is an important aspect in problem solving, as what Diana Ross said, Do you know where you’re going to?.

Identify and define the problem.
know or define the problem. Asking ourselves what
is the problem and to seek to understand more why we think there
is a problem is recognizing what caused it in order for us to get an objective approach to solve the problem at its root. Make a list of the problems that have been defined and categorize them according their nature, e.g. ordinary, legal, technical, medical, etc. Seeking the advice of experts could greatly help in the formulation of very effective solutions to the problems at hand and their opinions are more often free if their expert work is no longer necessary during the next and succeeding steps. “Hitting the nail on the head” is the best way to get it through. A page for every problem is recommended in order to facilitate entry and monitoring of suggested solutions.

Set your priorities.
Identify which are “wants” and which are “musts” in relation to the established objective. Sometimes, our way towards a goal becomes complicated because we tend to prioritize what we want rather than what must be, in order to close the loop. Musts are the needed factors that make a process most effective; wants, on the other hand, are personal preferences of the people involved in a certain process, creating a possibility for a deviation which compromises the outcome of process results.

Brainstorm for solutions.
Ask for the opinions of others. Brainstorm for solutions to the problem. Somebody may have gone through the same situations in the past. Problems are not unique, the same problem could occur to different people at different times, and effective solutions may already have been discovered. Asking for free advice from peers and friends is a good effortless way to solve a problem unless it’s too personal or too private to share.

Plan your course of action.
In the identified problems list, write all the proposed approaches, putting on top the ones deemed to be most effective. Plan your course of action with regards to the resources needed to implement the solution, (e.g. people, budget, equipment, etc.). If you are a manager or a supervisor, communicate the plan to those who will be involved in implementing it. Have the plan implemented and monitor its progress against a pre-determined time-table. If the solution works, scribble the words “SOLVED” in the same problem list, specifying the current date and placing the list in a specific folder together with the rest of the problem’spertinent records for future references. If the approach failed, the next alternative should be implemented. This cycle should be repeated until a suitable solution is reached.

Thank the people who helped you.
Acknowledging the efforts of those who contributed in finding and implementing the solutions to our problems is the best reward we can give to the people who in one way or another had extended a hand to bail us out of tight situations. These are the people who helped us attain our goal, they also helped us learn.

Note: This same article was submitted by the same author as a test-essay to academiaresearch.com.

Bloggeries.com's Blog Forum-The Way To Show Off Your Blogs

2007-11-08T00:17:00.000-08:00

Hey Folks, I’ve got some special news for you.

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Bloggeries.com’s blog forum is offering such an opportunity, from the basics of blogging to the more complex blogging tips. Blog forum is also the place where you can show off your blogs, have these reviewed by fellow bloggers, increase your blog’s traffic and win friends in the blogosphere.

Be a member of Bloggeries.com and join blog forum now, its free.

Bloggerwave.com - The Smart Way to Advertise

2007-11-05T19:36:00.001-08:00

In any business, information campaign is a must, as this is about the only way that will keep your targeted audience aware of what you are going to offer.

Today, the internet is the best forum where you could market your products directly to millions of prospects right at their homes or workplaces without you being there at the same time. In the internet, you can do advertising and marketing with your prospect actually doing the job for you.

Millions of dollars had been generated by marketing through the internet, and for this reason, the internet is here to stay for good.

Advertising is one of the best tools for marketing your products and services. While advertising on air through radio and television is very effective, these are also expensive and limited.

The internet offers a better, cheaper and more personal way to market your products, and the smartest way to do it is to advertise and make money through Bloggerwave.com.

Bloggerwave.com is the place where your products are advertised by real people who had either used or reviewed your products themselves.Bloggerwave.com is the place where first-hand-experiences by the users of your products are shared for the world to know. These are live testimonial blogs of your products’ integrity that can do wonders to your company’s revenues.

Try Bloggerwave.com and see the difference yourself.

Live, Die...then Live Again

2007-10-14T22:02:00.000-07:00

Life is a journey, a struggle
And a quest for meaning and purpose
Ever flowing like a river
Always moving forward
Like time
That keeps the journal
Of the ticks and moments
Of my happiness and pains

While life moves on
Death makes a countdown of his own
He awaits
Like a sea of barren sand
Waiting patiently
Like an irresistible destiny

Then death he comes
He steals my body
And sets my spirit free...

My body is now a fritter
Who wants to find its place
Not in a gallow, not in a grave
But in a garden
Where it can take its rest.

Burning the body could not bring
The spirit to ashes
For in time, the spirit will come
To find a brand new psyche
And he will thrive again.

When I die
I'd like to be cremated
With my ashes poured
On top of a mountain
Overlooking the sea.

I'd like to live again as a wildflower
Staring at the ocean
Bathing the sunlight
Feeling the frozen moonbeams
And dancing with the silent music
Of the mountain breeze
Day after day, night after night
Till all my days have gone.

And I will bring forth seeds
That I will grow to keep me company.

Together we will produce
A carpet of flowers
To make this part of the mountain
A natural eternal garden
Bringing beauty, life and color
To the world that was
The Inspiration of my soul

And I shall live forever.

Humor - Memory

2007-10-10T22:13:00.000-07:00

It was a fine Sunday morning. As usual a church service was held by our congregation headed by our middle-aged minister.

The subject of the day’s evangelical homily was love.

The members listened in complete admiration as the minister so eloquently delivered his speech about God’s love for us and the world, quoting verses from the bible every now and then, sometimes mentioning extra-ordinary side stories of human love and what love can do to make this world a better place to live in.

Everyone listened in silence and awe to the minister’s very impressive piece, but not until he delivered his conclusive line: “and now abideth faith, hope and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love”. “This is taken from the book of Corinthians chapter…err, I forgot” (rolling his eyes upward trying to recall desperately to no avail).

After about 15 seconds of eyeball-rolling, the minister finally spoke: “Dear brothers and sisters, I must be getting old; I’m losing my remembrance”. (He really lost it because the right term was supposed to be “memory”, but he lost it).

The sermon suddenly transformed from pensive to festive mood. Everyone was happy, including our minister who was so amused with himself.

MANNY PACQUIAO VS MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA II - A Review

2007-10-07T04:05:00.000-07:00

October 7, 2007 (Pacific Standard Time)
The much-awaited rematch between world featherweight icons Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Marco Antonio “the baby-faced assassin” Barrera in Mandala Bay, Las Vegas, USA has just been concluded, and as has been anticipated, the Pacman emerged to win after 12 rounds of action.

During the early pre-fight surveys, the Pacman was the undisputed favorite because of his youth, power, speed and courage to take on anyone in the boxing ring. The Pacman had literally wiped out his last 3 opponents before this fight, namely Larius Marquez and Solis, all Mexicans.

Barrera on the other hand, trained harder in order to redeem his 11th round TKO loss to the Pacman some months back. This and the loss of the other Mexicans in the hands of the Pacman is the fuel that fires him up to aspire vengeance against the Filipino boxing icon.

Many boxing analysts predicted a Pacquiao victory. A majority even predicted that the match would end within the distance of 6 rounds.

But Barrera could not be taken lightly as this fight will be his gateway to the fold of retirement. He must leave some kind of signature as this will be his last fight.

Come fight night, both boxers looked prepared and in good condition. The Pacman looked at par with Barrera in size unlike the previous fight where Barrera was a bit bigger than him.

Both fighters danced in the ring round after round with a few hits here and there as Pacquiao closed in on Barrera in attempt to corner the latter. But Barrera, being the intelligent veteran fighter that he is, is not easy to give Pacquiao what he wanted, he knew that Pacquiao could take him out of the ring in just one punch. Giving Pacquiao the “catch me if you can”fighting style in order not to get entangled with the thundering blows of the Pacman Barrera kept on back-pedaling all throughout the fight, leaving a few unimpressive counterpunches every now and then which didn’t even bother the Pacman. Despite being the defending champion , Pacquiao was the aggressor in the entirety of the fight.

Barrera almost went down in the 11th round when Pacquiao caught him with a vicious left hook.

Barrera is a good boxer and counter puncher with tremendous hand speed. He executes his jabs and hooks perfectly. But these are not enough to counter the power that Pacquiao is gifted with. Barrera is also lacking in lateral footwork that could have disrupted Pacquiao’s strategy. Pacquiao literally dominated 10 of the 12 rounds they had in the ring. Only rounds 2 and 3 belonged to Barrera.

The fight was good in the sense that no fighter was hurt in the course of the duel, but looking at the audience, they were not as fulfilled, not as thrilled and not as excited as the first encounter because the bout looked more of a dance showdown than a boxing competition. But in fairness, we can’t blame the fighters for being cautious, after all, it’s their lives which are put at stake.

Pacquiao undoubtedly won the fight by a sweep. Congratulations to all Filipinos. They are all relatives of the Pacman now …

Click for More at Philboxing.com

THE MOON

2007-10-03T08:55:00.000-07:00

Majestic and seemingly delicate
Drifting in the heavens’ realm
She shows
Serene above the clouds
Staring coldly at the world

Suspended in time and space
Timid, passive and quiet
She smiles
In melancholic silence
And the night awoke!

Looking at her
In mesmerizing glory
The chilling beauty
Of a face so lovely
She floats
In the heavens’ grandeur
Her frosted radiance
Conquering my soul

Ah! Pretty moonlight
Desolate yet so inspiring
So bright and yet so cold
So near and yet so far
From me
You are a world apart
Inspire my lonely heart …

THE RAIN

2007-10-03T08:44:00.000-07:00

Rain gently falls like teardrops from heaven wanting to cleanse the earth with her comforting touch mixing with the breeze, her rhythm whispering to the trees, asking for a dance.

Rain is a cool treat on lazy afternoons in the meadows. The downpour decrees silence as every creature scampers for shelter with the coming rainfall. Then after a while, everyone welcomes the refreshing shower as the sun comes up to meet the powdery drizzle that forms a bridge of many colors across the sky. And the birds sing in baffling choruses.

I love the rain. It reminds me of a wishful childhood, a beautiful carefree world where nature was as close as the air I breathed.

The rain brings me back pleasant memories of peace and innocence, and memories of youth and true love which are sure to unfold every time I look at the rain from the window. The screen in my mind always makes me happy and nostalgic about the past that I wish to re-live. I miss the birds, the trees, the grasses, the flowers and the smell of the breeze that were once part of my rainy sight.

I loved to see the peace in every creature sheltering by the trees as the rain was falling. I loved the rhythm of the diminishing rain falling above the leaves for it gave me a poetic melancholic feeling I can not understand. I loved the touch of the dewdrops on the leaves falling upon me as I passed by walking in amazement to the joy and beauty of the world around me.

I love the rain. It sets my spirit free.

Haunting Voices

2007-09-27T01:27:00.000-07:00

As a citizen of the world, I have committed myself to join in and to add my own humble voice to the cry of humanity against all ABUSEs.

For many have fallen prey to the vicious deeds of hungry men who are slowly destroying the world and humankind with their products, political ambitions, religious beliefs, and lust for power, fame and wealth.

I intensely criticize parents who subject their children to physical, mental, sexual and emotional abuses; parents ought to be their children’s source of love, inspiration and strength.

I personally abhor the pharmaceutical companies who promote fear to the people in order to sell their products; these by the way are also surrounded by effects harmful to man.

I detest the illegal drug manufacturers and dealers who corrupt the youth with their addictive mind –altering merchandise; they are destroying humanity.

I disparage the illegal loggers, the poachers and many manufacturing companies who continuously destroy the environment and the ecosystem; they are slowly killing the world.

I denounce the politicians who abuse the power and authority vested on them by the state and the people; they have actually become virtual enemies of their own countrymen.

I abominate the human rights abuses committed by government forces against their own people in every nation of the world; many deaths have happened due to political delusions.

I personally censure human traffickers for stealing the bodies, souls and honor of women and children; they have become slaves for sex and money.

I dislike extremism and religious fanaticism; they only trigger havoc and division among the people within a nation.

I vehemently condemn war and terrorism; these are the ultimate bringers of cruelty and brutality in this world that we want to live in peace and harmony.

May this voice be heard.

THE MEANING OF LIFE

2007-09-15T09:37:00.000-07:00

Life is all that matters in this world.

Life, in all of its existence, is the subject of man’s quest for answers since the beginning of human life itself, but no definite answer has yet been found.

Life is full of meanings which vary from person to person depending on each man’s convictions. But the universal fact about life is this: everyone and everything loves life and everything that has it wouldn’t want to lose it by any means.

Life is the most precious thing this world has ever had.

Life is a journey, a struggle and a quest.

Life as a journey is each man’s trek from the first beating of his heart inside his mother’s womb up to the last breath he takes in his effort to hold on to it. Many people live long lives, but some have failed to live it everyday, partly losing its meaning.

Life as a struggle is our daily combat against uncertainty. The future is unknown and no one knows the time this life would end.

Many people take this life as a ground work for another life in another dimension, others spend their lifetimes in the service of other lives, and more noble ones are willing to sacrifice or perhaps offer their lives to express their love, conviction or faith, but whatever they choose, the lives they make are the lives they live.

Life as a quest is our pursuit of happiness, our hopes to live our dreams and our desire to see the sunrise each and every morning.

Many are spending their lives in a living hell, yet still they want to live more because life in itself is indeed too good to lose despite the pains.

Life is real, life is earnest and the grave is not its goal.

Life therefore is meant to be lived for each and everyday, as each passing moment is paid by a tick of a lifetime, for always…

ADVANTAGEOUS AUTO INSURANCE QUOTATIONS ONLINE

2007-09-13T05:31:00.000-07:00

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My Little Book of Moments - thanks to tlcoriginals

2007-09-10T20:38:00.000-07:00

January 1
As a child I remember running barefoot in the rain.

Much of the time as we get older, we allow life's worries to imprison our spirits. That carefree spirit that God gave us seems to disappear. We stop living and exist only in the chaos and misery that many times we ourselves create. Staying in the moment and experiencing all of life's good and bad will keep us free from the dark places of our mind.

Moment by moment, I will recapture my innocence and I will run freely, as a child, barefoot in the rain.

January 2
To be filled with the spirit of life, we must release the darkness within.

When I become preoccupied and obsessed with negative energy, I shut myself off from God and life. When I am all wrapped up in my own tiny world of me, me, and me, life is passing me by, one moment at a time.

Moment by moment, I will free my spirit of darkness by allowing God's light to take its place.

January 3
Heads or tails on a glass table is optional.

There is always another way to look at any situation we find ourselves a part of. Evil has battled with good since the beginning of time. We may choose to be negative or positive. They both are two sides of the same emotion. They both stimulate energy.

Moment by moment, I will try to see the positive and dwell on the good. I will not leave my spirit to chance.

January 4
When we choose to ignore our inner most longings, we lie to the spirit within.

We all have dreams that we must pursue, and we should not deny ourselves healthy goals. Each experience in life, whether painful or pleasant, is an opportunity for spiritual growth. We can never know joy if we have not known pain. We must face who we are, what we are, and where we are.

Moment by moment, I will accept whatever God puts in my path. I will not go over it, under it, or around it. I will experience it, live through it, and come out on the other side.

January 5
When trouble comes along, get out of the way and let it pass!

It has been said that we create our own chaos so that we can go through the turmoil of proving to others and ourselves that we can get out of it or fix it. True acceptance of whatever comes along will bring the peace, which passes all understanding.

Moment by moment, I will learn to be patient, and not cause my own self-destruction. I will keep out of trouble's way.

January 6
The realization of the totalities of life is to contemplate that we are one with all.

It is hard to remember that as individuals we make up a very small part of the big picture. When we surrender all to God, we become empowered with His strength and the strength of others. Spirits that are separated are not necessarily apart.

Moment by moment, I will become one with the Almighty God. My spirit will be complete.

January 7
Somewhere over the rainbow, I will dance across the moon and stars.

We must live before we die, and die before we live. The now is where we are and where we should do our living. Eternity is our spirit's destiny, and it will arrive when it is supposed to. In the meantime, our spirit can travel anywhere it decides it can.

Moment by moment, I will learn to allow my spirit the freedom to find its own place, in this life and the next.

January 8
Shadows of the mind will darken the spirit within.

Too many hours we waste on recreating the dark memories of our past, or fantasizing in a supposed and usually unrealistic future. To truly live we must be caught in between the two dimensions of past and future: the eternal now.

Moment by moment, I will be a magical miracle in the making.

January 9
Rejoice at death, cry at birth.

Death is when your spirit gets its wings and returns to its creator. One must be born to die, and one must die to inherit life eternal. We who are left behind must continue on our journey until God calls us home. Life is a gift to those that die as a child of God.

Moment by moment, I will let go of the spirits which God has called home, and continue on the path that He has set my feet upon.

January 10
A wish is a prayer without wings.

Often we feel that God is neglecting our needs, when in reality it is our own selfish wants that He disregards. We do not know what is best for us. If we pray according to His will, our wishes grow wings and fly forever beyond the dimensions of time.

Moment by moment, I will pray for God's will.

January 11
I believe in angels now. They are part of the Eternal Spirit.

I believe that each child of God has at least one angel whose responsibility is to save us from ourselves. If we keep testing God's love and refuse to take the path that leads somewhere, the yellow brick road just might end and our angel might fly home without us.

Moment by moment, I will keep the spirit of God close; my angel will protect me if I am willing, in life unto death, into life eternal.

January 12
Today's sorrow can be tomorrow's joy.

The pain of giving birth, the joy of a baby's smiles, the loss of a loved one, the love of a friend; these are aspects of life as it is. Our trials today, prepare us for our conquests of tomorrow.

Moment by moment, I will accept that God knows best; I will be where I am today, acknowledging that it was my yesterdays that got me here, and trust God with all my tomorrows.

January 13
Anger is our desire to control, fix, or change something or someone other than our self.

Human beings cannot fix, control, or change each other. Likewise, they cannot set the sun or make it rise. Accepting all just as it is will bring serenity into your life.

Moment by moment, I will stop trying to play God. I am one of many in His kingdom. Peace will replace anger through my acceptance.

January 14
Doing the best that you can is as close to human perfection as anyone can get.

We all possess special characteristics and special talents. None of us can be the best in everything, but each of us with Gods help, can do our best at whatever we try.

Moment by moment, I will do my best as a child of God and I will leave the results to Him.

January 15
All of our yesterdays have prepared us for today.

Whether we realize it or not, and whether we accept it or not, is up to us. The fact still remains that we can draw on our past experiences and find the strength to endure anything that God allows, just for today.

Moment by moment, I will make a firm foundation on which to build my future tomorrows.

January 16
If you could capture a moment in time, which would it be?

Many of us throw our lives away chasing after dreams that are not real, or recapturing moments already lived. While we are running back and forth from yesterday to tomorrow, we are missing out on what is in between: a miracle is in progress!

Moment by moment, I will capture the now. It is the only thing I am guaranteed.

January 17
The sun will set today and rise tomorrow, with or without me or will it?

The only thing that we can be absolutely certain of is if we have ever lived, than we shall surely die. There is a space referred to as existence. If we are not living life each moment to its fullest, then we are hibernating in the space. Our lives are but journeys through our designated space in time. To live is to travel, and to adventure. Life as we know it could be gone in the blink of an eye.

Moment by moment, I will journey through the rising and the setting of each sun that God gives me. I will live and travel through adventure, in the space that is now.

January 18
Nothing, absolutely nothing happens in God's world by mistake.

Before we are able to learn, we must become teachable. The realization that everyone and everything has a purpose allows us to open our minds to the possibility of change. If we accept the fact that everything is as it is supposed to be at this very moment, we will free our minds and spirits to learn life's lessons of the now.

Moment by moment, I will accept the reality of my burned pot: it may prevent my house from burning down tomorrow.

January 19
When I complain about you or me, I am complaining about God's creation.

We are all children of God, and we all have a right to be here. It is not our job to judge, but to serve others. We cannot build up what we are tearing down.

Moment by moment, I will be sensitive to others feelings and seek out where I can be helpful.

January 20
We make amends for our past every day we chose to walk with God.

We all have skeletons and dark closets in our mind. If we have turned our will and life over to God, then we are trying to live responsibly. There is no place and no room in God's world for negative obsessions.

Moment by moment, I will not allow memories of the past to ruin my future. I will use the mistakes I made to help others. In so doing, I can hopefully mend the heartaches of yesterday, one moment at a time.

January 21
We should walk in the spirit with God.

I have heard it said that pink clouds fade, or you fall off. We must not have an unrealistic view of our life, but we must never doubt Gods great gifts of peace and stability, and His ability to change our lives. We may have our pink clouds always, if we are willing to work for them and if God is willing to give them.

Moment by moment, I will remain grounded in reality, ready for service, my spirits soaring high.

January 22
We can find a piece of heaven right here on earth. We can enter into a dimension of existence that we had never even imagined.

Doing God's will, which includes service to others, will bring us spiritual gifts that go beyond our wildest dreams. We are promised happiness, joyfulness, and freedom, but we receive so much more.

Moment by moment, I will reach out and help another. In doing so, I will receive God's gifts in abundance.

January 23
If you are doing the will of God, then you will not have to look any further for Utopia.

Our problems seem to fade when we concern ourselves with others. I am not suggesting that we not take care of ourselves; I am suggesting that we do what God's word tells us to do. We should not spend precious time worrying about things we have no control over.

Moment by moment, I will allow my spirit to soar beyond the heavens. I will lose myself in service to others.

January 24
Trust God, trust me, and do the dishes!

Many times in our daily living, we question our decisions. We sometimes waste precious time worrying about something that has already happened, or something that has not happened, and may not ever. Once we learn to trust God on a daily basis, then we must trust that He will guide our lives in all areas. >From that point on, we need to focus on what is in front of us to do, and leave the rest to Him.

Moment by moment, I will free my mind of doubt, and I will take care of my business, and leave God to His.

January 25
Where do you run when you have run out of places to run?

There comes a time in everyone's life when reality must be faced. Sometimes it is faced drastically in death - our own, or someone else's. No one can escape ones self forever, and you can not run from reality with out it eventually catching up to you.

Moment by moment, I will deal with life on its own terms. I will look in the mirror and begin to change. I will accept responsibility for myself, and walk through reality with God.

January 26
Confess your faults to one another; repent and make amends to the best of your ability.

Continual guilt for mistakes made is not a qualification, nor a necessity of life.

When we allow ourselves to be overcome with quilt from the past, we are wading in the problem, and we soon will drown. We are inviting misery to control our minds and hearts. This is not the will of God. We cannot find Gods peace if we are constantly creating turmoil.

Moment by moment, I will allow myself to be human, and after I have truly repented, and have made amends as best I can, then I will forgive myself.

January 27
Things are as simple or as complicated as we make them.

Why humans continually complicate simple matters is one of life's little mysteries. We prove over and over again to ourselves and others that we do not have the power to control, fix, or change anything but our own behavior and even that power comes from God. God has given us the simplicity of His love. This is all we need to solve any and every problem that arises. Humility is usually the last place we look to find peace; if it were the first, we could avoid a multitude of confusion.

Moment by moment, I will humble myself before the Almighty God, and I will take my place with the simple.

January 28
Angered action is a learned response; so is understanding.

The biggest problem in the world today is that everyone wants his or her own way, and no one is willing to compromise. I realize that it sounds to easy, but think about it. Reasons for war, reasons for gang fights, political confrontations, work-related strikes, divorces, sibling rivalries, and domestic violence. I could go on and on, all the way down to a newborn that just wants to be picked up. We are self-centered time bombs waiting to be ticked off so we can explode. It is only through Gods love that we are able to change, one moment at a time.

Moment by moment, I will practice putting others needs before my own. I will practice being understanding. With every effort, my anger will subside.

January 29
Decision time should begin our day. Conscious contact is when we pray.

Every day that we are blessed with the gift of life, we should fall on our knees and thank God. We were created to serve Him, and through service to Him, we find true happiness and peace. We, being born with our own free will, must choose each day when we wake, who we shall serve. The decision to turn our will and our lives over to God's care brings us treasures unimaginable. The choice is ours.

Moment by moment, I will serve my creator and walk with my Lord, and be blessed beyond human comprehension.

January 30
The effect of turning your will and life over to the care of God is just like that of a nerve pillonly better!

We as children of God have an easy way out of anger, frustration, and unhappiness.
The difficulty lies in using it. Why we fight to hold on to problems that we have no control of is a mystery of human nature. It is so much easier if we turn these times of turmoil and trouble over to our Heavenly Father, and trust Him with the results.

Moment by moment, I will not trouble myself with the things I cannot change. I will let God do His job, and I will find peace within.

January 31
Just about the only thing that human's waste that cannot be recycled, is time.

Time is a gift, one which we take for granted more often than any other because it is ever constant. We cannot change what has gone on before; they are but lost moments that we can never have again. The remedy to the problem of time is within your control. All you need to do is live each moment to its fullest. Do not waste precious minutes on things that do not really matter. Enjoy the various others in your life, for tomorrow they will be someone else's or gone. Remember, time is a gift from God; treat it as precious as it is.

Moment by moment, I will listen to the bluebird outside my window; I will smell the flowers, and feel the gentle breeze; I will watch the sun rise and set; and I will spend every waking moment I can with those I cherish.

Alzheimer's Disease

2007-09-10T18:54:00.000-07:00

Alzheimer's disease is one dilemma that both the senior and would-be senior citizens are facing with concern today.

Everybody wants to live a long life and a life worth living. It is common knowledge that we humans become more withdrawn, indifferent, insecure and apathetic as we age, yet to strive to live is still our primary option however miserable our lives may be. Life is too precious to lose and death too fearsome to face.

But what would life be with Alzheimer's Disease?

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a form of brain disorder characterized by a person's inability to carry out daily activities due to the gradual degeneration of the brain's memory tissues. It usually affects older people, the people at their retirement age and onwards, although there have been cases where early onset of the disease were observed in people who were still at the fourth or fifth decade of their lives.

There is no established cause for Alzheimer's disease but there are lots of probable causes and risk factors contributory to the onset of this ailment.
Some suspected causes of AD are genetic relationship or family line, mind impairing sicknesses like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, cholesterol and diet, and the environment.

I belong to a family with a few amnesic members up my line. Stories of disorientation and misplacing things are not uncommon with them. I can remember a time during my teenage years when my mother told me a story how she lost her way to the farm where my father was tending coconuts. It was a big wonder then how she could lose the way that she kept on tramping along almost everyday during that time. She told us that she was really lost and everything seemed upside down. Superstition simply led her to believe that the unusual phenomenon was the work of the spirits who wanted to play around with her. She concluded her story by saying that everything returned to normal when she paused to pray.

My mother has a habit of forgetting or misplacing things.

My mother's father had also experienced losing his way home from town. They lived in the countryside. He narrated that while on his way home in broad daylight, everything just suddenly became different from what they used to be including the grasses and the trees that grew along the way. Good that he was on a horse that remembered the way very well. He was brought home anchored on the belief that it was all a show brought upon him by the spirits. It happened in the 1930's.

The word "Alzheimer" was known to me only in the late 80's when I happened to bump about the subject in an American publication. It was then that I began to doubt my mother's and her father's story.

My mother is now 83 years old. I can sometimes observe her being restless and so forgetful, accusing everyone of stealing the things that she herself misplaced.
AD specialists are very uncommon in my country. Even in the absence of an expert opinion, all of us 6 siblings agree that our mother has some kind of AD. Our youngest brother is a doctor of medicine and he thinks so too.

Our close family bonding, unconditional love for our mother and some basic knowledge about AD had helped us understand our mother's situation. She just needs love and care in the last few years of her life and it shall not be denied her at all cost. We treat her like a matriarch.

Not one of us 6 siblings have symptoms of early onset AD. Our eldest is almost 60 years old and our youngest already past 40. I don't know what will happen if one of us goes over the 60 years age bracket.

I am 49 years old but the thought of AD doesn't bother me at all. As far as I know, I don't have AD's common early signs like memory loss, difficulty in performing familiar tasks, problems with language, disorientation to time and place, poor judgment, or misplacing things. But should these things happen to me, I wouldn't have any other choice but to accept the glaring reality and find ways to alleviate or to retard the already slow progression of the malady like getting the help of a professional, taking brain-nourishing vitamins, watching my diet and nurturing my spiritual life, this would at least keep me at peace with the world. No cure has yet been discovered to overcome Alzheimer's disease, but a good preparation for its coming will help in making things easier for both the patient and the people around him. Like the life of the king cicada, AD takes time to develop but ends shortly.

Almost all cases of death in the elderly are not caused by this disease.

We should therefore put our worries about Alzheimer's disease behind. In today's fast-paced life, there's a big chance that it won't be able to catch up with us. We don't have much time to get it anymore.

Seventy good lifelong years for a lifetime is good enough, too good in fact.

Let us instead take focus on the care of our physical health, for in a sound body, there lies a sound mind where AD has no place to stay.

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WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING

2007-09-08T18:59:00.000-07:00

The world heavyweight boxing is now in a crisis for talents. Since the retirement of undisputed heavyweight king Lennox Lewis in 2003, the heavyweight division has not yet produced quality boxers worthy of the game’s prize pot.

Before the year 2000, world heavyweight boxing was a very exciting phenomenon . Heavyweight boxing sport especially became very interesting with the emergence of boxing greats like Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Larry Holmes, Joe Frazier and Evander Hollyfield.

Today, heavyweight boxing is in a virtual drought for talented and equally exciting quality prize fighters.

Aside from the current IBF champion in the person of Wladimir klitshko, the other champions from WBA, WBC and WBO are virtually unknown fighters.

Based on the present roster of heavyweight fighters, it may take a while before the heavyweight boxing arena becomes alive once again. boxing promoters and enthusiasts alike have shifted their attention from the heavyweight class to the smaller fighters. The big purse of this great sport has been transfered, and it will not be restored, not until a great exciting heavyweight comes along to revive the excitement, the thrill and the drama of watching giants trading thundering blows across the ring.

CHARISMA

2007-09-08T18:52:00.000-07:00

Charm and charisma are two things that matter in every man’s trip to the land of fulfillment for his dreams.

He may labor so much for his ambitions, goals and visions but this is not enough to take him there.

Hard work, persistence, patience, determination and all the rest of the rigid qualities that make a man stand for his objectives are all praiseworthy, but aren’t these the hard way of doing it? Or does he lack 1 or two more qualities as his ticket towards a simpler, easier way to success?

Today I'd like to tell about a simple step one can take to make a huge positive change in both his business and personal relationships... and how much faster success will then start to come.

It’s about developing a simple but highly important trait: charm and charisma.

A majority of successful people are charismatic individuals - and their charisma is one more reason that they are very rich.

Charisma is the ability to make other people feel good about themselves. It makes them like you and want to work with you and do things for you. Having that kind of support from the people around you is a huge help. Maya Angelou has this to say: “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel”.

Charisma is a learned skill. Even the shyest people can transform themselves into charismatic individuals…by simply showing interest in other people.

People thirst for acknowledgment, friendship and sympathy. A person showing these to others will make him likeable and pleasing.

No man is an island and no man stands alone in any endeavor of life. While it is true that the “hard qualities” are big factors in determining success, these are by no means greater than having charisma along with the package.

Charisma is one of the keys to make things easier because every dream, every ambition, every endeavor and every effort in any man’s pursuit of success and happiness involves the help of other men, and charisma is the thing that secretly opens their hearts to offer help, support and perhaps sympathy.

HOME-MADE CACAO CHOCOLATES

2007-09-08T18:48:00.000-07:00

Everyone knows that pure chocolates are made from cacao seeds. Cacao is a tree whose red contoured fruit is filled with nothing but rows of thumb-sized seeds.

Looking at these seeds as they appear, one would never know that these could become the best chocolates there is.

Here’s how: (let’s start from the very beginning to be very detailed about the subject)

1. Cacao fruits turn yellow when these are ripe and ready for harvest, pick only the yellow fruits.
2. Break the fruit open and remove the seeds.
3. Wash the seeds in a pail of water to remove the juice sticking onto the seeds.
4. Lay the seed on a mat placing them side by side, if possible not one on top of the other.
5. Expose the seeds to the sun for 1 or 2 days until the seeds are dry.
6. At moderate heat, roast the seeds in a pan or roaster until the color of the beans become dark brown. Avoid overcooking the beans (seeds) for they taste bitter when overcooked. Whisk the cooking beans with a ladle to prevent the seeds at the bottom from burning.
7. In order to know if the seeds are cooked, get a sample from the pan, let it cool and break its coating open. If the coating breaks easily, it is already cooked.
8. Transfer the beans to a bigger, more open container to let them cool fast, once cool, its time to break the seed coating. Separate the coating from inner seed, the inner seed is the we need.
9. Bring the clean seeds to the supermarket or a grocery store that has a cereal-grinding mill and have the beans milled or ground.
10. The heat of the mill will melt the ground cocoa beans when it exits the mill’s outlet, giving off the sweet chocolatey aroma.
11. While still warm and soft, you may place the chocolate in little moldings in order to give them uniform shapes and sizes. The chocolate will harden when cold.
12. You now have a home-made original chocolate. You can make a chocolate drink by adding your chocolate nuggets to boiling water. Add sugar to sweeten as necessary.

Note: You can also buy dried cacao seeds at the grocery store. You don’t have to start planting the tree. It takes 3 to 5 years for the tree to bear the fruit.

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