tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14032927766406866362013-01-21T22:14:30.801+08:00THE REAL NATURE OF LIFE . . . AWARENESS IS THE KEYLuisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.comBlogger122125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-1526565802158284462013-01-21T22:13:00.001+08:002013-01-21T22:14:30.807+08:002013-01-21T22:14:30.807+08:00

Sunday morning, I asked the retreatants to be at the hall by 6:15 a.m. with their Rosary for our morning prayer. Oh, it was cold, still a bit dark. As I told them, they could come in their pajamas, even if they had not yet taken their bath, or they still have morning stars in their eyes. That would be okay, God will accept us as we come, as being the real us, who we are.And so, I explained

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-56444567432459300672012-12-28T23:03:00.000+08:002012-12-28T23:03:36.864+08:002012-12-28T23:03:36.864+08:00

My loving Aunt as I remembered her before I have an Aunt who was always kind and loving. She would always welcome us in their home and cook immediately for us to eat. She wouldn't allow us to leave their house without making sure our tummies were full. She was the wife of my Papa's brother and she became my Mama's best friend, too. She always had so many stories to tell with her loud

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-83385342392195000032012-12-28T22:46:00.001+08:002012-12-28T22:48:05.468+08:002012-12-28T22:48:05.468+08:00

Wednesday morning, after breakfast, I sat in the terrace of the third floor unit of a duplex house in Talisay, Batangas. My family rented a unit for an overnight stay. As I sat there, I just enjoyed the view of Taal Volcano, with a few birds flying, a boat passing and the cool wind gently touching me. Taal Volcano was beautiful against the lake and the blue sky surrounding it. In a

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-8177831928293127002012-11-17T20:27:00.001+08:002012-11-17T20:31:06.612+08:002012-11-17T20:31:06.612+08:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> Last night, I was in a gathering. At the end of it, the people there were asked to group themselves with their families. Then, while the song “I will be here” was being played on the background, the husbands and wives were asked to recall what they loved about their spouses and to tell it to them, also to remember what they loved about their

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-46589517048641026762012-09-29T20:41:00.000+08:002012-09-30T08:00:18.068+08:002012-09-30T08:00:18.068+08:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]-->When I was little, I came to know birthdays. My Mama would always cook something special to celebrate our birthdays. It would always be just for our

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-73839876221138450702012-09-29T13:59:00.001+08:002012-09-29T14:00:22.233+08:002012-09-29T14:00:22.233+08:00

Busyness is Satan’s strategy to take away your personal time with <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-17744192987010792132012-09-29T10:38:00.001+08:002012-09-29T10:42:01.321+08:002012-09-29T10:42:01.321+08:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]-->A young boy joins singing contests. Why? He says his father is working abroad. They used to play and spend time together. He treasures much those moments. In the young boy’s mind, he wants to help the family financially so his father will work here and they will be together again… Like the boy, how much do we want to give up just to be close to

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-41548881468526007342012-09-29T10:23:00.000+08:002012-09-29T10:42:24.868+08:002012-09-29T10:42:24.868+08:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]-->Have you ever thought why your own family or closest friends, at times, do not listen to you or do not believe in what you say while others believe you, even if you are right? Some possible reasons are, they know: Your weaknesses, they had formed an image of you in their mind based on this, they listen more to others than you They can

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-12778743708002117572012-09-29T10:06:00.001+08:002012-09-29T10:40:48.856+08:002012-09-29T10:40:48.856+08:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]-->Tik! Tak! Tik! Tak!  <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-888331938927499772012-08-28T11:58:00.001+08:002012-08-30T14:57:56.293+08:002012-08-30T14:57:56.293+08:00

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Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-86827319046074344712012-08-21T18:25:00.000+08:002012-08-22T13:41:06.073+08:002012-08-22T13:41:06.073+08:00

Dogs have body clock. When it’s eating time, one starts barking non-stop, others will follow and they sometimes don’t listen to their owners. They only stop when food is served.  This is the same problem in today’s world. It’s too noisy, most people never listen and they never stop until they get what they want even to the inconvenience of others.  Moral values, generosity, love,

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-33361861598117585102012-08-21T18:15:00.000+08:002012-08-21T20:23:56.995+08:002012-08-21T20:23:56.995+08:00

Inspiration:       Matthew 13:36-43 Have you ever wondered why is it sometimes we are good, sometimes bad? Aminin man natin or not, me di maganda sa atin (Whether we confess it or not, there is something bad in us), right?  That’s why we undergo purification process as Jesus transforms us.  Like in the parable of the weeds. God allows the good and bad to grow in us and when we are

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-60944854241155746282012-08-21T16:53:00.001+08:002012-08-21T20:24:19.448+08:002012-08-21T20:24:19.448+08:00

 Inspiration:       2 Corinthians 4:7-15 “I don’t know what your situation is right now, but no matter what it is, when you fall, you will not fall flat on the ground because God will catch you before you touch it and He will help you stand.” I always say this truth in my talks whenever an opportunity arises for me to say it.  God loves us so much. We may not understand the why’s

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-46131033420814652442012-08-21T16:44:00.000+08:002012-08-21T19:43:15.373+08:002012-08-21T19:43:15.373+08:00

Inspiration:   Psalm 23 One Sunday, the priest told a story in his homily. An excellent orator preached Psalm 23. He was so good that at the end, everyone was standing and clapping. After him, the old frail parish priest recited Psalm 23. When he finished, none was standing nor clapping, but everyone was in tears, so touched and awed. One of them said, “The orator knows ABOUT the Good

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-65159950556079165272012-08-21T16:34:00.000+08:002012-08-21T20:23:33.134+08:002012-08-21T20:23:33.134+08:00

Dearest Jesus, I am Your sheep and You are my Good Shepherd. You take care of me and You love me so. You know me and I know You. Dear Lord, When I get so absorbed with the beauty of the green pasture, Or when I so enjoy the water of the stream, Or when I wonder off and get lost, Let it be, that when I hear Your gentle loving voice When You call me, I turn my head to Your direction

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-60857439947912774382012-08-17T10:52:00.001+08:002012-08-21T20:24:43.374+08:002012-08-21T20:24:43.374+08:00

I look up to the blue sky. I saw clouds hugging each other. I asked You, Lord: “Are You up there?” Then the wind blew, gently touching my skin. Aaah, yes, You are up there, Lord, But You are also down here. You are the wind that lovingly caresses me. You are the flowers that put a smile on my lips. You are the sun that shines on me. You are the soft voice that comforts me. You

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-39292046976241365752012-08-17T10:49:00.000+08:002012-08-21T19:46:33.735+08:002012-08-21T19:46:33.735+08:00

Inspiration:       Matthew 19:3-12  In growing a plant, what makes it beautiful? It is the proper care given, the right amount or water and sunlight, the trimming, the gentle and loving touch, the time spent, the love and prayer given…Yeap, God is part of the growing…giving the plant the dignity of life, making it a happy and well-loved plant… Marriage is like this. What keeps it growing

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-78559418549829827772012-08-14T20:46:00.000+08:002012-08-21T19:48:01.872+08:002012-08-21T19:48:01.872+08:00

 Inspiration:       Matthew 13:18-23 There’s an excellent Chef who cooks each meal from the best ingredients with love and care. His restaurant is simple, yet beautiful. Some people ignore his food and prefer those in the food chains. Others eat there but are more engrossed in talking. Others enjoy his food, eats there for quite some time but go to new restaurants when they open.

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-73135814073928690632012-08-14T19:57:00.002+08:002012-08-21T19:49:26.497+08:002012-08-21T19:49:26.497+08:00

Last August 10 Readings (2 Corinthians 9:6-10; John 12:24-26) are about following Jesus and gladly giving all for Him. Whenever I do something, I pause from time to time. Why? To check my motives. Am I still doing it for the love of Jesus or am I already doing it:  to please others out of duty because I’m appreciated because I felt needed for my own enjoyment to escape from my

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-6169390480741777902012-08-14T16:54:00.001+08:002012-08-21T19:50:43.433+08:002012-08-21T19:50:43.433+08:00

Inspiration:       Matthew 18:1-5 I have a rocking chair. Oh, no, it’s not like those of Grandpas’ and Grandmas’. This one is modern. It’s like those upholstered couch, no feet, no arms, just simply touching the floor, with backrest up to my head. There was a time I needed to keep it and didn’t use it in a while. Honestly, I missed it. Recently, I put it excitedly by my window. Every

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-75353665305465274852012-08-07T14:11:00.000+08:002012-08-21T19:52:49.048+08:002012-08-21T19:52:49.048+08:00

Years ago, I was amazed with an Indian mango tree in Mindoro. It was toppled down by a strong wind, its big trunk lying on the ground. Through the years, its trunk grew further, not too high, but standing erect. It bore fruits and I could reach them from where I’m standing.  Last year, I observed a plant bent by a cat when it jumped over it. As days went by, it stood erect again.   

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-69704511686736458182012-08-06T16:01:00.000+08:002012-08-21T19:53:28.421+08:002012-08-21T19:53:28.421+08:00

Inspiration:       John 21:14-19 Before, I lived my life as I please, my world is full of me. But then, nagpapansin si Jesus, mas nakilala ko Siya (Jesus attracted my attention, I get to know Him more) and many things changed in me. Unti-unti (Gradually), He is filling my world, and He gradually introduced to me those He cared for. Isa na dito ang ating Inang Simbahan (One of them is

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-12516188699007523042012-07-30T16:07:00.002+08:002012-08-21T20:25:16.294+08:002012-08-21T20:25:16.294+08:00

July 15, in our formation, our monk spiritual director was asked, “What do you pray for yourself?” He answered, “Honestly, I don’t pray for myself anymore, I pray for the needs of others…”  That moment, I saw in him that he is contented with what he has. Wow, could that be possible? Can one not want anything for himself? In this modern world, that seems to be impossible. We are so

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-66870589019156658542012-07-23T22:02:00.001+08:002012-08-21T19:55:39.477+08:002012-08-21T19:55:39.477+08:00

Dear Readers of The Essence, A beautiful and blessed day to you! Today, I am posting my 100th post on this blog. I wanted it to be special and so I thought of addressing it to you, my dear readers. I probably know only a few of you, and I don't even know how many times you had visited my blog to browse and read my posts. You don't know me either, just maybe only about what you had read

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1403292776640686636.post-59212272673892307012012-07-03T17:09:00.000+08:002012-08-21T19:58:11.226+08:002012-08-21T19:58:11.226+08:00

Inspiration:       Matthew 8:18-22 One day, I saw a little boy walking on the sidewalk, crying, stomping his feet. He was following his father who was carrying his younger child. The little boy stopped from time to time, hoping his father would stop and give in to what he wanted, but to no avail. His father went on walking, taking glimpses to check if his son was still following him. 

Luisa De la Cruznoreply@blogger.com0