I welcome the day!

Today I know I can make a difference:
I begin the day with a big smile on my face,
and deliver a message that today is like
no other day! It is different than the rest.

With soothing praise, I share my compliments
to those who seem hopeless and in despair.
I bring the message of peace and assure
the guiding hands of God despite unrest.

Today is indeed different because the sun above
glows warmly with God's presence
undisclosed in nature's ways.

The silent language in a smile is easily understood
by all and without delay we set a world full of
joy; for a simple smile is contagious and
creates a world of difference.

I bless the day aright with a simple word of assurance
that a day can never be the same until we decide to
make a difference. Today is the best day ever!

I bless this day aloud with God's ever presence.

The Power of the Word

In the beginning was the Word
The Word was with God and
The Word was God (Jn 1:1).

We have become what have been foretold about what we would be.

If we are attentive today and we try to ponder what we have become at this moment,
We can never deny the fact that we have become who we are because of the Word deeply
expressed by someone who wants us to succeed in life.

The Word was a mantra. We say the Word and its power like a magnet can work wonders.

Looking back, I cannot imagine the numerous changes that have taken place in my life .
I am not talking about physical changes, but the whole scenario of living. It is like a dream
to see the many changes and here I am, the same person who has been a recipient of the magic and the power of the Word uttered by persons dear to me.

I was seven years old when I was hit by a car while crossing the street. I survived the accident but my left ankle was partly damaged that I had to walk with crutches for the next three months. I stopped going to school because I needed to recover from the said accident. I did not know what hope is all about. Much more, I did not even know if I had another chance to walk in a normal way again.

My mom was pounding heavens with her prayers. She believed in Miracles and believed that she could witness it. My mom was making compromises with God - Whatever it was, I would never know. It was between God and Her.

There were times I uttered words that could have dismayed my mom. I simply said that I thought I would not continue to go to School because I would be walking with crutches, like a cripple and many children would be laughing behind my back. My mom kept her Words within her heart.

This was the time an elderly lady said with emphatic words that I would be the luckiest child in the family. She was talking to my hopeful dad. She said that someday her words would be true. I listened with intent ears and I believed her.

Three months later, I learned to walk again. Learning to walk takes a miracle, one step at a time. The mantra of the Words, uttered and thought within the hearts of people who cared, took its effects in that first step. Finally, the journey of life mattered so much that day. It was the first step that was the hardest. The rest of the steps made all the difference.

What has become of me after that first step? I am shy to say. All that matters now is one big difference. I can walk again. Since then, I have walked in a normal way, like any other person with hopes and dreams. Many years had gone by and yet the experience remains fresh in my mind. Counting those years, I have walked millions of miles around the globe and I have seen so many historical events in my lifetime.

I do believed that God intended to put special people to utter those precious Words in a right time and on a right place. With God on our side, miracles can take place because He supplies the Word to say. I thank God and I thank everyone who have been instrumental to forecast the word. And that makes the Miracle.

There is power in the Word. Its mantra lingers forever.
[Franz]

Waking Up Early

An early bird catches the worm first.

Time and again, I often wonder why waking up early is inherent
to my nature.

At exactly 6 am, every morning, I am wide awake regardless
whether I sleep early or later. I wonder because even if I wish
to extend my sleep I cannot. The innate clock tells its toll.
I am set for the day and ready to face what lies ahead.
There is no leisure time for a lazy bone.

I remember with vivid memory: As a child, I was always forced
to wake up as early as 5:30 am to do some chores at home.
My father would never tolerate any of his children to stay longer
on bed before the sun rose. I always resented it.

There were times that I cried and complained. Nothing was heard
except that I had to wake up early and did the chores I was assigned
to do even if it was contrary to my intended schedule. The rest of
the siblings had their own responsibilities to fulfill and I believed
they, too, had the same sentiments as I had. However, with heavy
hearts, we were compelled to accomplish whatever responsibilities
assigned to us in order to make mom and dad happy. I never knew
if they were pleased at all.

As a family, we had accomplished so much in a whole day.
My mom would always attest that she would not have any problems
with washing and ironing clothes, nor with cooking and setting table
for lunch or dinner, nor with many other chores to be done at home
as many mothers would complain. All the siblings were the working
force of the house. Household help was not needed at all. Everything
was done by the children. We were always together doing endless
chores at home. Beyond any doubt, we were always proud of our
daily accomplishments. We had so much fun and laughter
despite the presence of some hardships and innuendos
of resentments or complaints. We had had a whole family,
working together. Having many children was a treasure
as my father would always brag to his friends.

We never realized its value until many years later.

Some people may call it, child-labor or others may mention,
abuse of parental authority, but I would say those years were
precious moments of bonding and formation.

Young siblings were trained to face the future, even if sometimes
the road ahead could be rough and tough.

Sometimes I often wonder how come I have a high capacity for
tolerance. I looked back and I realized that I had a good training
here. Right now, I feel very grateful and am very fortunate.
Otherwise, I would have been a different person.
I have the capacity to work hard and the vital energy to cope
with any situation. Where did I get them? I just wonder.

Reminiscing, I say today, thanks to those years of waking up
early and trying to find the food first as an early bird.

Now, here is a whole lifetime ahead. Beyond doubt, I say I am ready.
I can say this, time and again, I have been taught to look beyond
lifetime.

The day starts with waking up early and facing the sun ahead.

Did the early bird really capture the worm first?
I presume, the older mother bird retains the answer.

[Franz]

These Are My Wishes For You

May you find serenity and tranquility
in a world you may not always understand.

May the pain you have known
and the conflict you have experienced
give you the strength to walk through life
facing each new situation with courage and optimism.

Always know that there are those
whose love and understanding will always be there,
even when you feel most alone.

May a kind word,
a reassuring touch,
and a warm smile
be yours every day of your life,
and may you give these gifts
as well as receive them.

May the teachings of those you admire
become part of you,
so that you may call upon them.

Remember, those whose lives you have touched
and who have touched yours
are always a part of you,
even if the encounters were less than
you would have wished.
It is the content of the encounter
that is more important than its form.

May you not become too concerned with material matters,
but instead place immeasurable value
on the goodness in your heart.
Find time in each day to see beauty and love
in the world around you.

Realize that what you feel you lack in one regard
you may be more than compensated for in another.
What you feel you lack in the present
may become one of your strengths in the future.
May you see your future as one filled
with promise and possibility.
Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.

May you find enough inner strength
to determine your own worth by yourself,
and not be dependent
on another's judgment of your accomplishments.

May you always feel loved.

[Sandra Sturtz Hauss]

A Million Dollar Question:
Why do bad things happen to good people?

Many tragic stories raise a vexing question
which we rarely find answers: why does God
let misfortune wreck the lives of so many good
people? why does he let suffering bring tears to
the eyes of so many fine individuals? The reasons
indeed are mysterious and only fools can define
the reasons which the wise may not.

Jesus gives us a hint: Whoever loses his life for
my sake will find it. Whoever accepts suffering
and misfortune for His sake will find a whole new life,
a far richer and meaningful life. God can use tragedy
and misfortune to guide us into a newer and better lives.

Today, whatever situations we are in - financial difficulties,
family problems and personal tragedy - we pick up our
cross and follow Jesus. He can mend our broken dreams
and lead us into a renewed appreciation of life that we
never dream possible. We trust in His assurance: whoever
loses his life for my sake will find it. We may never
understand the mystery of misfortune in this life but
certainly we will in the later years of our lives.

An old Poem: "The Folded Page"

Up in the attic of an old house, as raindrops pattered
on the roof, I sat paging through my old schoolbook.

I came to a page that was folded down. Across it was
written in my childish hand: "The teacher says we
should leave this for now. It's hard to understand."

I unfolded the page and read it. Then I smiled and
nodded my head and said: "The teacher was right;
now I understand."

There are many pages in the book of life that are
hard to understand. All we can do is fold them down
and write: "The Master says to leave this for now.
It's hard to understand."

Then, someday, somehow, in heaven, we 'll unfold
the pages , reread them and say, "The Master was
right; now I understand." [Unknown]

Crosses can turn out to be blessings in disguise
if we then understand. It really takes awhile.

If we pick up the cross and follow in the footsteps
of Jesus, our cross can become a blessing and a
stepping stone to greater things. Our cross can
serve as an agent of life - fullness of life.

The consolation of Jesus can be summarized in this poem:

I asked for health, that I might do greater things;
I was given infirmity, that I might do better things.

I asked for riches, that I might be happy;
I was given poverty, that I might be wise.

I asked for power, that I might have the praise
of men; I was given weakness, that I might feel
the need of God.

I asked for all things, that I might enjoy life;
I was given life, that I might enjoy all things.

I got nothing I asked for, but everything I hoped
for. Almost despite myself, my unspoken prayers
were answered. I am among all men most richly
blessed. [Unknown]

F A M I L Y
Author Unknown

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said good-bye.
But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice
came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use, but the children you love,
you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small, And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up,"
I said. "Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em
because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em,
especially the blue." I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way
I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers,
especially the blue."

Courage
Wish Belkin

When evening comes the shadows grow, as the sun begins to set.
Take care that you don't come to know, a thing that's called regret.
Not what you try or what you do, throughout a carefree youth.
It's what you don't you'll come to rue, when time reveals it's truth.

There is wisdom to be had from mistaken words and acts.
You'll find that failure's not so bad, it strengthens you in fact.
Rejection's fear or the fear of failure, that paralizes you.
Is the stuff of tears and that which keeps you dreams from coming true.

It takes a certain kind of nerve to tell someone you care.
But then nature tends to serve the person who would dare.
Bravery isn't something you can cultivate from seed.
It must be conjured up anew each time that there's a need.

So take these words and hold them close,
it's certain you'll find that, one second of courage to speak
from the heart will result in you hearing them back.

Believe
Wish Belkin

Believe in rewards that await you,
believe in the harvest in store.
Believe that the spring will awaken,
believe you'll be sowing once more.
Believe that there's a tomorrow,
where no one cares if you can't dance.
Believe in the future's promise,
each new day brings a new chance.
Believe you can make you goals happen,
they're just dreams with a deadline attached.
Believe that you have the power,
believe that you're more than a match.
Believe in a shared existence,
you're not alone this is true.
Believe that right now there is someone,
who believes in the wonder that's you.

Believe in yourself

There may be days when you get up in the morning
and things aren't the way you had hoped they would be,....
that's when you have to tell yourself that things will get better.

There are times when people disappoint you
and let you down, but those are the times
when you must remind yourself to trust your own judgments
and opinions, to keep your life focused on believing in yourself
and all that you are capable of.

There will be challenges to face and changes to make
in your life,and it is up to you to accept them.
Constantly keep yourself headed in the right direction for you.
It may not be easy at times, but in those times of struggle
you will find a stronger sense of who you are,
So when the days come that are filled with frustration
and unexpected responsibilities,
remember to believe in yourself
and all you want your life to be,
because the challenges and changes
will only help you to find the goals
that you know are meant
to come true for you.
Keep believing in yourself.

Sculptor's Attitude
[Author Unknown]

"I woke up early today, excited over all I get
to do before the clock strikes midnight.
I have responsibilities to fulfill today.
I am important.
My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.
Today I can complain because the weather is rainy
or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.
Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money
or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan
my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
Today I can grumble about my health
or I can rejoice that I am alive.
Today I can lament over all that my parents
didn't give me when I was growing up
or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
Today I can cry because roses have thorns
or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.
Today I can mourn my lack of friend
or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
Today I can whine because I have to go to work
or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.
Today I can complain because I have to go to school
or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.
Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework
or I can feel honored because the Lord has provide
shelter for my mind, body and soul.
Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped.
And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.
What today will be like is up to me.
I get to choose what kind of day I will have!
Have a GREAT DAY……unless you have other plans."

If You Wish
Joseph Addison

If you wish success in life,
Make perseverance your bosom friend,
Experience your wise counselor,
Conscience your elder brother,
And hope your guardian genius.

Success Quote

"Success is to be measured
Not so much by the position that one has reached in life
As by the obstacles
Which he has overcome while trying to succeed."
[Booker T. Washington]

Achievement
Robert Louis Stevenson

That man is a success who has lived well,
Laughed often and loved much;
Who has gained the respect of intelligent men and the love of children;
Who has filled his nice and accomplished his task;
Who leaves the world better than he found it,
Whether by an improved poppy, a perfect poem or a rescued soul,
Who never lacked appreciation of earth's beauty or failed to express it;
Who looked for he best in others and gave the best he had.

Success Quote

"Would you like me to give you a formula for...success?
It's quite simple, really.
Double your rate of failure...
You're thinking of failure as the enemy of success.
But it isn't at all...
You can be discouraged by failure-or you can learn from it.
So go ahead and make mistakes.
Make all you can.
Because, remember that's where you'll find success.
On the far side."
[Thomas John Watson, Sr]

The Real Successes
Edgar A. Guest

You think that the failures are many,
You think the successes are few,
But you judge by the rule of the penny,
And not by the good that men do.
You judge men by standards of treasure
That merely obtain upon earth,
When the brother you're snubbing may measure
Full-length to God's standard of worth.
The failures are not in the ditches,
The failures are not in the ranks,
They have missed the acquirement of riches,
Their fortunes are not in the banks.
Their virtues are never paraded,
Their worth is not always in view,
But they're fighting their battles unaided,
And fighting them honestly, too.
There are failures to-day in high places
The failures aren't all in the low;
There are rich men with scorn in their faces
Whose homes are but castles of woe.
The homes that are happy are many,
And numberless fathers are true;
And this is the standard, if any,
By which we must judge what men do.
Wherever loved ones are awaiting
The toiler to kiss and caress,
Though in Bradstreet's he hasn't a rating,
He still is a splendid success.
If the dear ones who gather about him
And know what he's striving to do
Have never a reason to doubt him,
Is he less successful than you?
You think that the failures are many,
You judge by men's profits in gold;
You judge by the rule of the penny-
In this true success isn't told.
This falsely man's story is telling,
For wealth often brings on distress,
But wherever love brightens a dwelling,
There lives; rich or poor, a success.