Rejoice in your treasures. They are but temporary.
- I

How can I miss you if you don’t go away?
- from a song in a concert of the APO

Taking things for Granted

I was at Bonifacio High Street with my pamangkins Tracy, Nathalie and Julian. Julian grew up in San Francisco, was here for a visit and we were taking him around to see some of the beauty and reality of the Philippines.

At Bonifacio High Street, we took some photos of the giant Gummi Bear. I pointed out the “shadow” of the bear on the ground made with a darker shade of cement on the ground. I explained to Julian that the sculpture depicted what a real shadow would look like on a clear day.

Beneath the Shadows, Treasures

I continued to share to Julian a story about our guests from Intel China back in 2008. In Chengdu, China where our Intel counterparts were from, they had an overcast sky all year round. It was partly due to smog from the industrial plants in the area, and partly due to the natural climate of Chengdu.

When our Chinese counterparts flew in for a conference in Cavite on a February, we noticed how much they were enjoying the sunshine of the Philippines. They took pleasure in basking in the sun, and were delighted just seeing the clear blue sky with just a few clouds.

The clear blue sky – one of the wonderful treasures that many of us take for granted.

Julian and I also exchanged insights of travel. I shared that I want to live away from the Philippines for a few years. I want this for myself because I know that by living away from the Philippines, I will learn to appreciate the Philippines more, and I will learn more about what being a Filipino means to me.

I wonder, what have I taken for granted in my life?
What are the treasures I have now that I have not been appreciating or putting value on?
How can I become more aware of the treasures that lack my appreciation or acknowledgement?

After some reflection and recollection, I’ve found that ultimately, there is just one way to consciously become more aware of the treasures we take for granted. We become more aware of unacknowledged treasures by losing them.

Lose your Treasures!

This sometimes happens to us by circumstance.

For instance, forgetting to bring our cellphone or wallet with us when we leave home and spending the day without it. Or having no electricity to power some of the conveniences we have. This helps us appreciates the basics like reading a book, using a paypay (hand-fan), or just having a meaningful conversation instead of watching TV.

I personally lost my wallet while I was in Batanes on a tour. I realized then that I was okay losing a wallet. To me, my wallet was something that held my money and some plastic cards – ATMs, credit card, driver’s license. All of these things are replaceable, it just takes a matter of time and a little inconvenience to replace them.

What I did learn to cherish more were my photographs. I realized I would have been soooo sad if I had lost my photos. These photos capture snapshots of joy or bliss in my life. I want these photos to remind me of this joy, and to remind me to create joy in my life.

Losing something by accident or circumstance can help us become more aware of our unacknowledged treasures.

On the other hand, we can consciously lose our treasure, even if temporary, so that we gain an appreciation of what we have.

Here are some ways to lose our treasures to help us increase the joy of having our treasures.

1.) Pa-miss technique.

They say distance makes the heart grow fonder. I know this is true. I’ve experienced this in oh so many ways in my life. When a loved one is lost due to death or a break-up, these are times when we begin to value more deeply the value of this person in our lives.

We don’t want to wait for death or a break-up to discover how much we value our loved ones.

One way to discover our treasures is to get away from our “normal”. By being away from our normal, by being away from our “comfort zone”, we discover what it is we value.

Go on a personal retreat. Go on a solo journey. I’ve done these a couple of times in the past 15 years. And I have always always come out of it a better person, more aware of the people, goals, dreams or things that I value in life = my treasures.

2.) Fasting technique.

In January of this year, I went on a 7-day fast with a few friends from Victory Christian Church. I head heard about fasting from my brother, Eric in 2009. It was an easy decision for me this year to join the fast this year.

While fasting, I had the support of good friends Richard, Jill and Caloy who were fasting too. We had a guide to keep our fasting safe healthwise. The guide helped us make the experience more meaningful spiritually, mentally and emotionally.

During the fast, I experienced many moments of sheer longing. Longing for food. Longing for rest. Longing for sleep. It was funny how my senses were extremely heightened by the sight of food (or *pictures* of food), the scent of food, the mention of food, and even the *sound* of food (e.g. the sound of somebody munching on chicharon 5 – yes, 5! – cubicles away).

More than the physical hunger, I also began to acknowledge and appreciate my spiritual hunger. I wanted to express more deeply the spiritual side of my being. I felt a deeper connection to my God in my times of hunger.

Go on a fast. Be guided by family or friends or a community. Do it together with them. You will discover the many treasures within yourself, the many treasures around you, the many treasures that God has created for you.

3.) Lose your senses technique.

When was the last time you got an ankle sprain or a stiff neck? During these times, maybe you couldn’t walk fast enough to hail a cab or jeep. Maybe you couldn’t drive safely with a stiff neck not being able to look at your sideview mirrors. Maybe you couldn’t sleep well.

These are times when you begin to appreciate more your “normal” flexibility. I personally have some strained back muscles. And I’ve been missing shooting out of bed without the pain.

During our teenage years, my eldest brother, Elmer, took an afternoon off from having sight and made himself blind. He took an eye-shade (the one we use for sleeping to keep our eyes from seeing the light through our eyelids) and wore it for more than half a day. He wanted to know what it’s like to be blind. From this experience, he learned how to appreciate what he is able to do because he can see. He learned to appreciate the beauty of seeing, the beauty of things that we can see.

How can you disable yourself safely? Here are some ideas.

For one day, do not use your dominant hand. Imagine you have disabled your dominant hand and are forced to use your non-dominant hand. What are the things you’ll be less comfortable doing?

For one day, force yourself to stay seated for long periods. Stay stuck to your ergo chair.
When you can’t walk, what things can’t you do much? Will you make better use of your “trip” to the filing cabinet?

For one whole day, wear gloves. See what things you can’t do when you lose your sense of touch.

4.) No media technique.

I’ve personally stopped watching TV for almost 5 years now. I’ve had a TV before. But that has gone un-used. In the condo I live in now, I don’t have a TV. I don’t need one because I don’t watch TV. My father complains too that I should get a radio. When I *need* to listen to radio, I use my cellphone. I don’t turn on any radio as a *default*. I like hearing my thoughts.

If I want to listen to something, I choose classical music, piano music or other instrumentals. This allows me to continue reflecting as I do work or chores. I also like listening to audio books when I’m doing chores.

What media can you forego. Try taking a break from radio. From TV. From your cellphone. From the internet. From Facebook. You may discover that a face-to-face conversation is meaningful beyond a personal message. You may discover that the silence helps you reflect more, or appreciate the chirping of the birds more.

How to rejoice in our treasures

I have described how we can discover treasures that we take for granted.

Armed with this new awareness, how can we rejoice in our treasures so that we no longer take these treasures for granted?

• If we’ve taken our body for granted, rejoice in what our body allows us to do. Nurture our body with healthy food and meaningful exercise and rest.
• If we’ve taken our skills and talents for granted, rejoice by sharing them. Teach someone your skill. Share the blessing by using your skill as a gift to others.
• If we’ve taken our material assets for granted, rejoice by sharing them. There may be things at home that we no longer use. Give these things a chance to achieve their purpose. Give them away to someone who can make good use of it. The space that’s freed up allows us more growth.
• If we’ve taken our loved ones for granted, rejoice by expressing your honest appreciation for them.
• If we’ve taken our good God for granted, be more thankful for His blessings. Share the blessings to His loved ones, to your loved ones. As you give, so shall you receive.

Hug someone you love today

When was the last time you embraced your loved one?
When was the last time you said you love them?

To end, I’d like to share a message I got through my sister. “I wish you enough”

Today is the 20th anniversary of the big 7.7 earthquake that rocked Baguio and other provinces in Luzon on July 16, 1990.

If today we lose a loved one to a catastrophe or an accident, would you say you’ve rejoiced enough in them while they were with you?

Do something today to rejoice in your treasures and rejoice in your loved ones. Hug your loved ones today!

I wish you enough.

Rejoicefully yours,

Edwin

As we were doing an exercise, I found myself being described by my groupmates as “God-centered”. This isn’t among the top descriptions I would typically receive. But maybe through my words and through my actions, it just emanated. Where did it come from?

Gratitude Runeth Over

Gratitude Runneth Over - With Gratitude, blessings increase

Alam niyo, the past two months, I’ve been especially thankful to the Lord for the life I lead.

It started, perhaps, with being witness to the awesome magnificence of Batanes. All I could say when I was in Batanes was “Thank you Lord!” Such a wonderful world He created.

The gratitude continued as I came back to Manila to live a different life as an entrepreneur, freed from the logistic limitations I had from previous employment.

As I settled into this new lifestyle, I couldn’t help by revel in this new life I am leading.

One time I was in a cafe, sipping my tea at 10 in the morning, preparing for a business/technical meeting. I had imagined this scene many times in the past. Being able to hang-out at a cafe (or park, or resto, or home, or anywhere else I wanted) and do my work wherever I was. I couldn’t help by smile with myself and say “Thank you Lord!”

When I accepted the invitation to go to jail, I was extremely thankful to the Lord for the opportunities coming to me and grateful to be in a position to grabe these opportunities for growth and learning.

Gratitude

Gratitude is so liberating!

It increases the pleasure we have from what we are grateful for.

Gratitude increases our blessings! Gratitude opens the door for more blessings.

Showing my Gratitude

My brother asked me the other day: “What do you do to show your gratitude to God?”

Although there is a deeper pre-text to his question, let me answer the question in a few simple ways.

1. I pray to the Lord, I praise and thank Him for the blessings I have in this life.
2. I whisper to myself or sometimes scream out loud “Thank you Lord!”
3. I gaze up the the sky in reverence and say: “Ang galing mo talaga, Lord!” (AGMT!)
4. I’ve also learned to deposit into my “gratitude bank” by bending down like in a half-genuflect, form a fist and pull in my elbow along my side (just like tennis players do when they celebrate). It’s all about putting in all our gratefulness in our “gratitude bank” (thanks Jon for the tip!).
5. I share my blessings with people around, through my words, through my blog, through my being.
6. And, (yes kuya), I take care of my body, which is the temple of my soul. For this, I’ve been getting more sleep (making up for probably 5 or more years of sleep deprivation). I’ve also eliminated a few bad habits I picked up the past years. Yes, we’re getting better. I take care of myself as a way to praise our Lord.

Yes! Depositing my "Thank You's" in my Gratitude Bank!

Today is a gift. That’s why it’s called “present”.

So, am I God-centered? Perhaps.

I prefer to say that God has centered me and grounded me. I have accepted my God and I praise Him with the life I lead.

Who we are is God’s gift to us.

Who we become is our gift to God.

ka edong
Gift-Ed

Anyway, I received a message from Jodl via Facebook. He granted me permission to share his message on my blog.  So here goes …

From: Jodl Gayatin June 14 at 11:01pm

ENFP jodl in flight

Hi Eds,
I’ve been meaning to write you a short note.

In a lot of ways your note of that leap of faith comes in timely. I started working in another company (DKS) the same day that you had your freedom. I do wish that in … (due) time I could have that freedom that you are having now. Am doing my best to lay the groundwork.

And you to shadow makes it a bit easy hehehe.

I was not surprised that you’d be making this move. I saw it coming with your blog and all. I wish all the best. Galingan mo coz you’re living the dream for most of us and we’ll look at you as our inspiration.

By the way..by any chance… ENFP ka ba? It would seem like it.

Anyway the first time I got inspired by your passion was when you had the “Paper Barter” thing done in Narra. I do hope we could have more people like you… those following what their heart desires with such fervor.

I thank you for the bits and pieces that you’ve made a dent in me.

• The time when you sent that “Iguana” when I was in Dole.
• The time we had an impromptu inuman at Clint’s place when I just got back in Manila from my Mindanao sojourn.
• The time you sent me that link on Finding your Purpose..
• The time you gave a copy of your audio books ( have applied the Bucket Principle ever since)
• And now somehow your move is such an inspiration for me.

Good luck on your new endeavor. I definitely know you’ll do well.

I will keep you in my prayers.

Cheers !

Jodl

Here’s my reply to Jodl

From Edwin Ka Edong Soriano June 15 at 11:07am

ENFP (?) ka edong - alive and kicking!

Hi Jodl,

Thanks for your message, I truly appreciate it.

It is words like this from friends like you that help me appreciate even more the way I relate with other people.

Gratitude for Jodl and clarity for myself

I always remind myself that I am doing this change in career for myself and for my God.

Many times in the past, I did things to please other people.

Doing things to please other people — that is a formula for eventual sadness.
It is something that you can never truly be happy for.
It leads to false choices. False choice comes out when we allow ourselves to be influence by our fears, programs, other people’s (negative) thinking that we’ve learned to make our own (to our detriment), or our impressions of what other people might think.

In contrast, true choice is wholly our own happy choice. True choice is something that brings you joy without the need for explanation.  True choice is so much easier when we follow the joy of our heart and know (know in our heart and in our mind) that it is aligned with our purpose in life. Follow our gut, be guided what our heart already knows. We have our own internal compass that we can follow.

In the same breath, I acknowledge and thank Jodl for the kind words. Salamat. Salamat.

Jodl, may you also recognize the blessings that our good Lord showers upon you always!

See you along the way, buddy!

ka edong
http://www.edwinsoriano.com

Many people ask me, what’s the story behind my May 2 birthday? Here it is.

My pre-meditated “accidental” birthday

I joined the first batch of Gurong Pahinungod volunteer teachers in April, summer of 1998. Our group of 10 from UP Diliman, Baguio and Manila were taking courses at the college of Educ to prepare us for our year in the barrios.

On the first week of class, (in retrospect, probably on April 1) a sheet of paper was passed around to gather directory information. When I looked through the list, I noticed there wasn’t anybody celebrating his/her birthday that summer. Oh, that would have been a missed opportunity for bonding. I knew very well how birthday celebrations can bring together a team.

Fast forward to a month later (and it was reaaalllly fast). It was May 2 and we just wrapped up our morning class. My GP teammates were insistent that we go out for lunch together. I had other plans as I was giving a presentation after lunch. I wanted to have a quick lunch and prepare for my presentation. They tried, but they couldn’t get me to join them. Lunch came and went.

Now I was in our afternoon classroom and was getting ready for my presentation. Then trooped in my teammates, all looking disappointed and defeated. We went through the class unremarkably.

And THEN they brought in a cake! And started singing “Happy Birthday Edong”!

Boy, was I SURPRISED! Surprised like a guilty cat! I’m sure they were surprised that I was surprised! Then with a lot of teasing, they began recounting how “dense” I was at not getting it that they had something planned for my birthday celebration over lunch. The couldn’t understand why I didn’t join them for lunch on my birthday! Hahaha! I wasn’t dense, I was oblivious! Hindi lang nila alam!

I couldn’t break the news to them, they were having so much fun. Typically, I’d have fun too, but their birthday preparation was waaaay more than I could humbly accept.

When I couldn’t take my secret anymore, I brought my teammate, Rhea, to one side of the corridor and spilled the beans. May 2 wasn’t my real birthday! I listed it as such just to bring together the team. And this wasn’t going as planned, with the cake and icecream and all … oh, I forgot, there wasn’t any plan, at least from my side! It was all their plan.

I can’t remember how I broke the news to the rest of the team. What I remember is that I owed them big time!

To make amends with the team for the prank I pulled on them, I had to treat them for lunch around a week later.

From then on, we had an inside joke, referring to “May 2″ as “bola” or “drawing”. So if somebody’s pulling our leg, we’d say “May 2 ka naman, eh!”.

The tradition lives on

For many years thereafter, our batch of GPs together with the subsequent batches would gather on May 2 to have a little picnic or a lunch together. We’d share the story to the younger ones. And of course, I would take a bigger share of the bill.

It was all fun. I got what I had envisioned afterall. An experience that brought our team closer together. And a tradition that had been passed on through generations of GPs.

At least our team, the first batch of GPs, continues the tradition. We meet on May 2 to celebrate not just my birthday but our friendship which now spans 12 years. Last year, we had lunch at Dex and Grace’s home.

Tonight, I got a text from my teammates. While I am in Baguio, my team mates Rhea, Match, Grace and Dex were having dinner together at Chocolate Kiss in UP Diliman in celebration of my May 2 birthday. That was sweet!

The accidental tradition lives on!

More than just a fun day

May 2 for me has become more than just a prank or a tradition.

May 2 for me is a celebration of life and the blessings God bestows upon me.

May 2 means I don’t need to wait for an occasion to celebrate. I make an occasion and celebrate. Heck, I don’t even have to have an excuse to celebrate. I celebrate life with all its ups and downs, all its joys and its sorrows, all its blessings and challenges.

May 2 is a reminder that life is short and we might as well celebrate what we have today.

Celebrate! For this breath will not last forever. Our good God offers us every possible blessing that we deserve as a Child of God.

Celebrate!

ka edong
everyday is a birthday!

The work we do at the Angel Brigade ranges from sorting clothes, packing sets of clothes (men, ladies and kids tops and bottoms), packing sets of food (water, rice, milk, biscuits, noodles, sardines). These essentially are the end results, but there are so many tasks to do and it is … let’s just say it puts a smile on my face when I see how people help out in any way they can, big or small.

Sometimes it’s just the opening of plastic bags (so that the next person will have an easier time putting in goods). Sometimes it’s explaining to children how we’re helping other kids affected by the typhoon.

Angel Brigade is also a place of action, never mind the complaints. If you’ve come to the Angel Brigade, you’re here to help. Leave the complaints outside the door: complaints about politicians, about government, about the lack of (fill in the blanks) or about the irresponsibility of (fill in the blanks). Nevermind the complaints. The Angel Brigade is here to help in whatever way we can. Let’s just do it, and do it with a smile ;-) .

Join the Angel Brigade

The Angel Brigade accepts relief goods
and is open for volunteers to pack, sort, sing and dance daily from 1-9pm.

Relief Goods Drop-Off – Fort Bonifacio
Kuok Property Showroom -
4th Avenue corner Rizal Drive,
Fort Bonifacio Global Complex,
Taguig City, Philippines

Here’s a map to Angel Brigade at the Fort: http://tinyurl.com/2Angel

Search for Angel Brigade on Facebook, or follow them on Twitter: @AngelBrigade

Take a video tour of the Angel Brigade operations .

ka edong
angelito

“Anawim” is a Greek word for “God’s poor”. Anawim is a home for the elderly and abandoned up in the hills of Montalban established by the Light of Jesus Community led by Bo Sanchez.

Anawim celebrated its 13th anniversary today. That’s 13 years of caring for the poor and abandoned. We joined the anniversary celebration by spending time with the elderly residents of Anawim.

Anawim – Home of God’s Poor

(photo credits: La Salle Green Hills Grade School Department)

It was a rocky road going to Anawim passing through Payatas and the battered roads of Montalban. When we reached Anawim, we took a tour of the community.

They had a main house for administration, a clinic, many houses some of concrete, some of nipa and bamboo. There were a lot of trees and rock-paved paths connecting the different parts of the compound. There was an open chapel on the top of the hill which, on this rainy day, was warmed up by all the beautiful people gathered there to celebrate the anniversary.

I spent some time with a few of the Lolas.

Speed-dating with Lolas

Lola Viring was seated quietly on her bed watching from afar as we volunteers approached the other Lolas. Seeing that she was alone, I approached her. She greeted me with a beautiful smile! What a beautiful smile!, especially when her eyes get almost consumed through her bursting smiling eyes. She spoke more through her smile than anything else. We connected that way!

Lola C told me the story of her son, a priest, who was killed. She told me that she could not forgive the people behind her son’s death. I’m sure it is difficult for her to forget, but to forgive is something she could do for herself, first and foremost. I pray for Lola C that her heart be softened, forgive and believe in the beauty of God’s justice and God’s peace.

Lola Vicky is a petite curly-white-haired lady who just loved interacting with us. She shared with us her line: “Rock and Roll!” and explained that visitors loved it when she hollered: “Rock and Roll!”

And Lola Georgina. Lola Georgina told us that she was blind when she was brought to Anawim. She told us how she had to be led by the hand to get around Anawim. A few weeks ago, doctors from the American Eye Hospital treated her. Once she was blind, but now she can see! She had a renewed life! She was soooo excited.

She asked us to take a photo with her. And she reminded us to give her a copy. I teased her: “i-email ko nalang po sa inyo!” hahaha! She was all game, and I’m glad she got the joke! I’m making good on my word and have printed our photos, ready to be sent to Lola Georgina.

Lola Georgina at Lolo Edong

Two lessons

Given the limited “speed-dating” time we spent at Anawim, I take away two lessons.

First is a lesson in forgiveness. I am happy that I have learned a huge lesson in forgiveness early in my life. After attending my PSI seminar, I learned in a very concrete way how deeply liberating it is to truly forgive. I thank the good Lord for blessing me with a forgiving heart, and I pray that forgiveness (especially for myself!) continues to permeate my daily life.

Second is a lesson in simple joy. A smile, a warm hug, time spent together, a shared meal, stories, laughter, song – these are things that we often take for granted. How come at the ripe age of 60, 70 or 80, only then do some people realize the joy in these simple acts of kindness. This is a joy that we had relished as children and had un-learned as we grew up.

May we rediscover the joy we have inside of us, and share this joy no matter what situation, no matter what age, no matter what.

lolo edong
young at heart

I love hearing my father’s stories which he tells us with much gusto. He’s half smiling the whole-time he’s telling the story, half winking and looking for approval laughter from his family, his captive audience. I seriously think he has a set of index cards where he keeps his jokes and stories, ready to be shared at the right moment.

Embrace and Carry!

Embrace! - Tito Ed, Andrei and Cali -- Happy Hearts all!

This story is about Tito Jay and Tita Peach, our family friends who are both in their mid-60′s with three kids and a couple of grand children.

After attending a Holy week recollection, Tito Jay went back home, excited.
He immediately went to greet Tita Peach.
Tito Jay was unusually warm, as if he was a new man!
Tito Jay gave Tita Peach a warm embrace, to Tita’s delight :-) .
Tito Jay didn’t stop there.
Tito Jay wrapped his tired and wrinkled arms around Tita Peach’s waist
and lifted her high up in the air, with some effort of an old man!

Tita Peach was soooo touched, she was about to cry.

With tears of joy in her eyes, Tita Peach asked her husband “Why? What happened?”
Tito Jay replied: “I’m following a message from the priest in the recollection.”

Tita Peach, wondering what words had touched her husband: “What was the priest’s message?”
Tito Jay shared: “The priest’s message was : ‘Embrace and carry your cross!‘ “  :D :D :D

Go home and plant some hugs!

When you go home today, Embrace your loved ones! Carry them! Then tell them this story! Have a good laugh!

Have a happy heart this Easter! God is good!

Happily yours,

ka edong
free hugs

This reminds me of a story that happened a few years ago.

I read the Purpose Driven Life in 2006. My mom gave me the book as a gift.
The book had served me well for a time when I was soul searching.

Around a year later, I found the book among my things after moving to a new house.
I was cleaning up my house and de-cluttering to make space for new things.
I was making space both in my physical world and in my mind and heart.

Holding the Purpose Driven Life book in my hand, it that reminded me of a turbulent time in my life.
I remembered how the book had contributed to my healing.
It was time to pass on my book, for it to bless another soul the way it had blessed me.

I wrapped the book in a clear plastic bag. The recipient of the book would easily see the contents of the bag.

Driving with Purpose

I took the book with me one summer morning in April as I drove from Cavite to Manila.

When I reached the tollgate at the Coastal highway,
I rolled down my window and greeted the toll-gate lady attendant: “Hello!” and gave her my toll fee.
She reached for my payment and gave me a faint smile — a smile that was a notch more than her usual poker face, I would think.

She expertly punched her cash-register, prepared my change and receipt then adroitly handed them over to me through her tollgate window.

I reached for the change with my left hand and said: “Thank you!”
I quickly put out my right hand and presented her the book Purpose Driven Life and exclaimed: “Merry Christmas!”
It was summer. I don’t know if YOU find the greeting odd. But the toll-gate attendant and I knew it WAS Christmas :-) .

Her face glowed, her eyes burst into a delighted smile.
She obviously recognized the purple book. She was pleased like a little girl being given a barbie doll!
She reached for the purple book and sweetly beamed: “Ay, thank youuuuu!!!!!”

It was as if her long-time prayer had been answered that day!

Oh, you should have seen the happiness in her face!

Oh, you should see the happiness in MY face everytime I remember and retell that story.

Each encounter with another human being
contributes to our lives.

It’s up to us what kind of contribution we will make
and what kind of contribution we will take.

Merry Christmas!

ka edong
purpose-driven living

Our Deepest Fear
by Marianne Williamson
from A Return To Love: Reflections on the Principles of A Course in Miracles

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.

It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”

Keep shining!

edwin
splendido

Then I got an instant message from a girl.

She says: “Can we play?”

It was my 10 year-old pamangkin Calista in Australia :D .

She has a new gmail account and she happened to be online the same time I was.

She wanted to play a game of scrabble via Yahoo YM.

I was about to say: “I cannot play now. I am at work.”

But I remembered Randy Pausch story:

When you’re in Disneyland, you can ask any of their staff: “What time does the park close?”

They will reply: “The park is open until 8pm.”

Focus on the positive, focus on the possibilities. ;-)

Instead of telling Cali “I cannot play now,” I told her “I can play on Monday morning before I come to work.”

Thus, my first Online Date with Calista. But I got stood up! hahaha!

At least I had some personal time for myself ;-) .

Focus on the positive, focus on the possibilities.

Edwin
Online Dating