Happy memories with my Uncle Orlie

This blog had been the hardest blog to write. Comforting someone who lost a loved one had never been my ministry. I have to stop writing whenever it is too much for me. In a span of 5 years, I lost 3 great men in my life.
My grandfather, my father-in-law and recently my Uncle Orlie.
For my grandfather (age 80) and my father-in-law (age 71), who both lost the battle to cancer, death came as a release. I was prepared and I was able to say goodbye. Honestly, my acceptance was easier.

For my Uncle Orlie it was so sudden. Massive Heart Attack.  He was just 44. His kids are still so young and so was he.

This last week of May had not been easy for me. May 28, 2014, I received a message from my Aunt, that my mom telling her that my Uncle Orlie is gone. After that my sister called me too, minutes after I read the message, to inform me, she was crying and I was trying not to break down. I am on my 29th week and such dreadful news from Manila is not so good for my pregnancy. The news didn't sink in until I was praying alone.

I stayed calm while praying, praying repetitiously asking for a miracle and claiming God His promises, particulary His promise of long life. After praying for about an hour, the truth that I will never see my uncle physically hit me like a sharp knife and then I broke down. I was apologizing again and again to my baby, that I was crying so hard, it is because I love my Uncle Orlie. Kathrin comforted me by taking out pictures from Manila, I simply thanked her and embraced her tightly and continue to cry.

During the week, when the family and I were mourning, I purposely didn't call anyone from home except my brother, who was with my mom and my cousin, when they took my uncle to the hospital and my father just to check on my mom, I cannot find the courage to ask my mom, because I know we are not okay and will both burst into tears.

We all love him. He was simply a darling to everyone. He never fathered us, he was doing his job as an uncle at its best. He loves his family. He was a great father, an obedient son, a reliable brother, a loving husband, an awesome uncle, a trustworthy friend, an unbelievable colleague, a good man.

He gave the best advices. He was sweet, funny and ever helpful to everyone. He offered everyone his time, energy, his wonderful smile, he offered himself and made his lasting beautiful impression to anyone he met. 

Uncle Orlie with his wife Auntie Tina

With his siblings, Christmas 2013

With his family

                          

Always smiling

Always happy

With his mom, Mama Dioning and his brothers

When I was 9 years old, we went to Baguio, northern part of the Philippines, my uncle was already a working student by that time in a famous fast food chain in the Philippines, he showed us how to make some home-made fries and gravy. He involved us, even we were young. Noone was too young or too old for him. He always find and make time.

In the apartment in Baguio, where we stayed, my brother saw 3 white pigeons, he wanted it so badly, that my uncle got the three pigeons for him ( I'm sure he didn't buy it for my brother ), yet we went home with 3 white pigeons as house pet from that time on, he remained my brother's hero. He was our hero.

Taken in 1990, Baguio City

He would tell me stories, that my mom helped him, when he was younger, in school and he did excel too. He was intelligent and he was not bragging. While he was working at Jollibee-Alimall Branch, and when we would passby by the foodcourt, we would check if he is there working, and if he happens to be there, we would ask for hamburgers, which he gladly gives me and my sibling or a friend who was with me. I grew up happy because he was part of it, I grew knowing I am important. He made everybody important. He is ever interested in you not in himself. Like what I wrote, he made time for everyone. He made you important.

Here are some memories that I had with him:

• When I was in college, he would hand me some money, so I can buy my financial accounting books.
• He would tell me, when I am pissed off with my sister, to think of him, whenever I would have conflict with her and then I would just laugh, because we both know, I cannot be or never be angry at him.
• I conspired him and my other uncles to scare off a suitor, and my Uncle Orlie ended up breaking the ice, by giving him a bottle of beer.
• He would tip my friend's car plate number in his Lottery ticket and would whisper in my ears, ''do you think we have the chance to win the jackpot?''
• He took Michael (my husband) to  his in-laws family swimming party and promised me that we will take care of him. Michael has tonsilitis that time while I'm off to work.
• He gave me a fancy pendant on my 30th birthday in behalf of his family.
• He wrote me a comprehesive letter when I asked him about a Mother-Baby Cafe and I was so overwhelmed with his experience in the food and restaurant branch and so proud that I have such an uncle.

Ony brother's graduation.

Aunties' visit in 2006

On my birthday celebration, August 2010
   

2010 with my Calomot Uncles

 

When my Aunties would visit Manila

Confronted with his sudden death, my first question: Why him? Deep inside I knew how to answer this question, when I am not mourning, when this death was someelse's death. Yes, I am finding it hard to accept. While writing this blog I can't help but cry. So much memories, so much happiness, so much fun and learning, everytime when we are with him. 

I had been praying for acceptance right from the start. I told a good friend, when God would tell me why, I would shut up. If God would tell me, the reason why is...blah..blah...then I would stop and accept it.

God can feel my pain and He promised me the joy after mourning. My pain is nothing compared to my Auntie Tina, his wife, who lost him, as a partner, as a bestfriend, as a loving companion  and to my cousins, who lost their father, but still I am in pain and it is unbearable. 

Why him? The same question over and over again for the last 3 weeks, had been in my head. Somehow these situations have comforted me these past few days.

My mom wrote in her Timeline: 

''To my dearest Brother Orlie, words are enough to describe how painful it is to see you lying in that hospital bed , lifeless ....I know life will never be the same anymore.....the Why's will never be answered but by faith tells us to move on and continue trusting God of His Divine Will to our lives.....Rest in Peace Orlie...we will miss you ; we are grateful to the Lord for the 44 years you have spent with us..... Till we meet again!!''

My Auntie Estrella ( Sister of my Father) wrote me too: 

''Me...masakit tlaga.. ngaun kasama n syang ggabay syo...s lhat s kbilang buhay nkay LORD n sya. Tpos n ang mission nya d2 s mundo...

e-accept mo n pra gumaan ang feeling mo...mganda nman ang kanyang ppuntahan kay LORD...dahil alam nting npakabait nyang tao...'' 

(*Me, it really hurts, he belongs to the people who are with God, who will guide you, his mission on earth has been accomplished, accept it, so you'll feel better, the place that he went to with the Lord is beautiful, because he was a good man)

I can't say I am not resilient enough but I have to be honest that I am not yet there. I am still praying for acceptance, so I can finally let go and let God do His healing. 

I must admit that, my three consolations right now are:

1. That I was able to talked to him last year, when our houses in Manila were burned down and before we ended the call, I told him, I miss him and I love him.
2. That  because he is a good man he doesn't deserve to suffer and to get ill and 
3. that he accomplished his mission with flying colors, that God welcomed and embraced him saying, ''Well done my son, well done''

The promise of eternal life, seeing him again sooner or later, and that Heaven is a place beyond the word beautiful where no worries and suffering are present, have been lingering in my prayer time lately as the answer to my question as to why him. 

But for now I am still  brokenhearted and I am still refusing to give up those broken pieces and all I know that my connection between heaven and my Uncle are the memories we shared together. 

I love you Uncle Orlie. Sorry, but I find it hard to accept that you left us too soon. I will cherish the happy times. You will never be forgotten. I miss you so badly that it hurts.

Forming new habits.....Cooking ( Again, a super dooper late post)

*Just like the other blog, this was written last November 2013 on our way home from Fuerteventura

When it comes to cooking, well it is not my forte and when I decided to do the things I hate doing, I really made it a point that I would include cooking.

As a wife and a mother and a good housekeeper, it is quite expected that one should be good at cooking, but I lack skills on this part, or maybe it was just an excuse or again my previous way of thinking.

My father cooks well and my mom bakes, I can say I look to my mom than my papcy.He is simply good at it, I love his cooking too, and appreciate mouth watering meals. I am my papcy's assistant and I am in charge of the chopping. Well, I love being his assistant and I love to chop. Maybe that's the reason why I love sharp knives and the chopping part.

Since Michael loves to cook, I always have the excuse, not to be good at it-- I live by the saying too cooks spoil the broth. He is also afraid of sharp knives, so I took the liberty to play as the chopping assistant again, that's why I have my own sharp knives at home. Michael uses his sort of an all around knife ( which looks like a bread knife  to me), while I use mine.

This time I decided to cook more than usual, which is part of my resolutions for myself.
 I love salads so I started with it.  I would always experiment with fruits, cheese and the green ones. For a start, I combined salads and cooked a little, since my daughter loves meat and my husband cannot live on veggies alone, I looked for veggies that I like and started cooking it with various spices.

Suprisingly my husband started praising my cooking. Humbly saying thank you and saying since I have more time now, why not cook more, which I did. While we were on vacation, we cooked mostly fishes, not too much art on that and not much progress on my cooking but hopefully if my tempo gets better, I hope to impress not only my husband but my papcy and mother in law as well.


Update: ( 8. May 2014 ) We are back on the island again and not one but two praised my cooking. One is my super critical daughter and my loving husband. She told her papa to play with her because mommy can cook better than him. I simply smiled and thanked her for the compliment. The next day after cooking lunch, my husband me a kiss and told me...''Baby, you can cook better than me.'' This recognition from him was indeed well-earned. Hopefully, I can impress my mother-in-law sometime soon. hihihi!


What did I earned from all of these resolutions, trying to do things that I hate the most, whether it's jogging, washing the dishes and cooking, as long as you are willing to try new things, no one can stop you. Your motivation comes from within, of course there will be external factors, but still you are fully in charge with it.

Life is full of opportunities, grab these opportunities now or we might never be given the chance to do it. I learned a lot in forming new habits, I am happier and I feel accomplished. We are never too old to try new things, like I always write, life is a continuous learning, we should never feel old trying new adventures, meeting new friends, taking healthy risks,  learning a new skill/hobby and forming new habits. Afterall, life gives us back more than we expected. 

What are you waiting for??? Go start a new one!

Forming new habits....Washing Dishes ( A super dooper late post )

*This was written way back in November 2013 on a flight going home from Fuerteventura to Hannover. A lot of things happened from that month until now, that I ended up just posting it now.


Destiny has found a way to test my patience with the dishes. I simply hated it, just like jogging (or so I thought). Way back in Manila, when my siblings see me washing the dishes, they say jokingly, ''Wow, milagro, si Ate naghuhugas ng pinggan, papamisa ako bukas'' (Wow, it's a miracle, our eldest sister is washing the dishes, I will request a special thanksgiving mass tomorrow). That's how I hated it, even with a dishwasher now, I always cheat on my husband, so he ends up tidying it up.

While we were on Fuerteventura ( November 2013), the apartment we rented had no dishwasher. Half surprised I asked my husband, didn't you check? Anyways, no way back now and since we just arrived and we didn't want argue on such petty things,  but normally we usually look for apartments with a washing machine and a dishwasher because  these things for me are always a must.

Oh well then, we have to live with it. We told ourselves we will take turns and we stick to it. My husband having senstive hands bought a dishwashing liquid that has balsam whatever to protect his skin. Good thing I brought with me an extra washing brush. We took turns, so whoever cooks, s/he is responsible cleaning the pans and casseroles immediately after cooking.

My husband taught me this trick 6 years ago, the motto is strike while the iron is hot or should I rephrase it, wash them while the pans are hot, in that way, the grease is easily washed away and easier to clean when you clean it immediately.
Another trick is to wash with warm water with a little soap on it. Drying the dishes is the last part which I shared with my husband every now and then. What I learned from washing up the dishes is the value of avoiding PROCRASTINATION.

Since the chore itself is not so glamourous, we tend to procrastinate it, but if you do the simple little dirty things right at that moment, then the cleaning up afterwards is way much more easier. As clumsy as I am, whenever my husband and I are in the kitchen, I end up hitting or hurting him or myself, our experience on the island helped us to complement each other, even in this simple task. If you ask me, if I hate washing the dishes, my answer is a definite YES, yet I enjoyed it for the last 3 weeks since it proved me this time again that we can do the things that we hate, if we try. By the way, the running is still getting along.

I haven't been running everyday but I am proud to say that I am faster now.

Forming new habits

Dr. Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon turned psychologist wrote that it takes 21 days to form a new habit, on my personal opinion, apart from the 21 days, your attitude towards the habit-forming activities plays a crucial role in achieving a new habit.

6 weeks ago, I decided to make an effort, hmm... actually to try and do the things I hate. These were the following:

1. Jogging/Running
2. Tidying up the dishwasher
3. Cooking

Since I got plenty of time right now, I decided to challenge myself and set my mind to do things that I am not usually motivated to do.

Jogging/Running

I am quite a good swimmer, and when someone asks me, if I would like to run with her/him, I always make an excuse, because first and foremost, I hate it, second, my knees are weak ( always the safest excuse of all time--health issues ) and third it's too boring (for me at least).  I can't remember an instance in my adult life that I ran. Well, it was just a mindset, or should I say,  it WAS my mindset. I set my mind that I will not do it and I never did.

My first run was round about 30 minutes, I am guessing that was about 1.5km, mind you, it was so painful after 20 mins that my knees were shaking and my lungs were about to burst, then I just walked for the last 10 minutes. Well, the next day, I was struggling to walk properly, that I even told my good German friend, Susanne, that, it was like I lost my virginity (sorry for the expression). She replied by saying ''That painful?''
Oh well I guess first time!
The next day, I ran again just to shake the pain off. And then it got better and better and better. Two days ago I hit my first almost 8 kilometer run (7.94km) and I took me 1 hour and 9 mins. Oh I run like a turtle. Hihihi!

Of course there are advantages and disadvantages of Running, but let me concentrate on the positive side (at least for me, since I am new with the sport)

• It clears my mind and organize my day - Women always make a mental list of almost everything. From getting up to bringing kids to school, to washing the laundry etc.. While I am running, it clears my mind from the many lists of anxiety, worry, frustrations and fear of the unknown. It empties out all the mind clutter that I have. After clearing my mind, it is easier for me make a daily 'objective' list (women and lists) easier to organize and plan my day. I call it effective daily planning.
• It motivates me to wake me up earlier than usual - I think, when Sandman sprinkles his magical sand to send children to sleep, he left too much sand on my eyelids because I love to sleep ( I think most women do, (but of course there are exceptions) but since I am a morning runner, I make sure that I am finished running by 9:30. So I need to move my ass around to bring my daughter to Kindergarten, clean up a bit the kitchen and just go!
• It is sets my mind to finish a goal - Every run is different from another, either your best one or a lazy long run, it varies every time, especially right now, it is getting colder, then I need to wear handgloves and my fleece bonnet during my runs. Whether a good run or not, when you started it, you finish it. You just can't stop and say ''okay I'll walk back''. For me, the rule is simple - starting line and finish line. When you feel tired or your energy is getting low, you slow down but you don't stop. There are things in life that you need to slow down too right but stoping is not an option. Finishing what you started is indeed a fulfilment.
• Happy hormones kicks in - The cold November is sometimes depressing especially when there's no sunshine. Running keeps me warm and happy, since endorphins help a person feel good about her/himself. I love it when I am sweating, I feel like younger, all too sweaty from sports, I simply feel accomplished.
• It tones my lower body - Although I am not really a hardcore runner, I noticed my thighs and legs look better. Happy me!

 RUNNING and actually doing the thing that I used to ''hate'' made me realize something in life. 

When we program ourselves that we hate doing some things or we will never do that think or we never did that thing,  then we are stuck and we choose to be stuck. Stuck in doing all these routines. I took the responsibility never to be burned out of boring routines. As I age, I still want to grow, I still want to learn new things, to embrace life, and to welcome each and every day with gratefulness on what life is still offering me.

Form a new habit today, discover a new side of yourself, challenge yourself to reach new heights and lastly do it now while you can. Life is too short and unpredictable, for all we know, we will be 40, or 50, or 60 and then we regret the things that we didn't do while we were younger. So do it now!

Afterall life is a never ending learning process.

Tidying up the dishes and cooking will be on my next blog ( Promise, I will write regularly now )

Muriel Jonylyn C. Alimasa

Muriel Jonylyn C. Alimasa a.k.a Em, M, Emyat

Hobbies: Travelling, Discovering new things

Location: Grünwald, Munich, Germany

She is my sister currently here in Germany. Last August 14, 2013 she took a 10-hour train trip from the Munich to Sylt just to be with me and my family. She is working as an Aupair, which I think as an excuse since she is a ''Lakwatchera'' ( a term in Filipino which means one who travels and goes around A LOT ) and just wanted to travel around.  I capitalized the word A LOT, because this sister of mine had been Island-''Hopping-ing'' the Philippines. (Whew, 7, 107 islands --good luck elephant! ) See her albums in Facebook. Mind you I wouldn't count anymore. (*winks) Click the link Emyat's Travels

This lady loves to travel. I showed her a german book ( 101 Places to go in Germany ) and she was able to visit more places than I did, she even told me ''Mas madami pa akong napuntahan kaysa sayo'' ( I have been to some places more than you did) I jokingly told her: '' Hindi ka naman nagyayabang niyan ng lagay na yan? Partida, nasa Munich ka. (Bragging? You have that certain advantage since you are in Munich) And ended the conversation with: '' Were you able to go to Sylt 7 times already?'' And then we both laughed.

During these 10 lovely days, I was able to observe a new side of her:

1.  She is now more open, assertive in a way. Last year, I used to ask her before I get a response. Now, she knows what she wants. She shared me what direction she wanted to head to. She told me about someone who she cares a lot. Love! Love! I dont know that side too much, I don't usually ask about that. This time she told me about him. I think he is a good match for her. <3

2.  She handled Kathrin with flying colors. She was bold enough to restraint Kathrin from her tantrums yet gentle enough just like an Aunt. I was amazed that Kathrin love her despite Em would say no. Afterall, kids love that. She taught Kathrin Filipino words and actually had fun learning it. Kathrin speaks German, Em answers her in English and vice versa.

3. She initiates. Last year, I was telling my mom, that she is not doing anything.  This time I was relieve from some housework chores because of her. She ironed the clothes neatly--twice (mala Sundalong Plancha), cleaned their room and even nagged at me, for not picking up the strands of my hair in the bathroom. I wonder if I can make her my aupair for the next months! hahahaha!

4. I just realized that Muriel is a low-maintenance person. Not that she has no expectations, of course she has, but she is happy with the things we offered her-- food, time, entertainment. I love her for her simplicity.

5. She can take super pictures and is super patient editing them. Believe me, I am not bragging or boasting, but I am just horrible with cameras and pictures. She taught my husband patiently how we navigate our cameras correctly and took time to study it. Photography is indeed one of her strengths.


The 10 days passed, days we spent together well, they were indeed beautiful! Here are some of our adventure:

Westerland Beach, Sylt

Wenningstedt, Sylt

Uwe Dune, highes dune on Kampen, Sylt

Rote Kliff, Kampen, Sylt

Em with Kathrin swimming in 20° water

Em, Karsten (my brother-in-law), Kathrin & I

Morsum, Sylt

Morsumer Kliff

Along Morsumer Kliff

Still in Morsum

Rausch Chocolate Factory, Peine

Rausch Chocolate Factory, Peine

Ritz Appartment, Brunswick

Brunswick

Still in Brunswick

She left her heart daw to.... J

Schloss Arcade, Brunswick

Rathaus, BS

Eiermarkt, BS

Brunswick

Braunschweiger Dom

Hornum, Sylt 

Hornum, Sylt

Porsche Pavillion, Wolfsburg

Inside the Porche Pavillion

Waiting in vain

While waiting for the show

Kathrin & Tante Em em

<3

Still waiting....

Finally the show...I must admit that I was very happy that evening when we went to the show. Em & I were laughing out loud. I forgot the reasons why, but I am just grateful that she was with me to see & experience the water show!

I remembered what she told me after the show: ''Pinaghintay ka na, binasa ka pa!'' and then laughed.
(They let you wait for hours and then you get wet afterwards! or in German: 'Sie lassen uns lange warten, und dann wurdest du nassgemacht!)

Since I had Kathrin, I haven't seen any evening shows for the last five years. So it was good that Em was here and it was a day after my birthday, so I can  'demand' to finally see the water show.

6.  Lastly I realized that Muriel is all grown up, independent and confident and that I can finally let go.
Let go of my worries being an 'Ate', that she can handle things on her own and is accountable to her own decisions.  As the eldest sister, I was totally hesitant about the idea, she being an Aupair, I used to protect her, help her in any possible way that I can, guide her and all. I remembered she told me, when I asked her if she is sure about this. She assured me: '' Ate, I need this, I need to be on my own, I need to learn this.''

But seeing her now, a small voice is telling me, ''Hey, it is okay to let go, let go so she may learn to be on her own, let go so you may learn to trust her more, let go so you may trust her with her decisions and her instincts, let go so she may learn from her mistakes and make new ones and finally let go so she may see the world on her own.''

I will be forever be her sister, as she is to me, we will always be part of each other, and will always laugh on things no one knew except us,  but now is the time for you to write your own journey Muriel, so you will discover more of yourself, the way I discovered mine, when mommy let me go have my own journey.


Sabi nga naman ni Lao Tzu:

Do the difficult things while they are easy and do the great things while they are small. A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.

I love you Em,my roommate in the camp, thank you for the well spent time. Next stop Spain & Prague?

Why I like buying stuff at small boutiques?

I would not lie, that I do internet shopping from time to time. I order used books from Amazon or buy rare items from Ebay and handmade items from Dawanda. Yet I love to go shopping at this store in Wolfsburg called WKS. It is located at Porschestraße and had been in Wolfsburg since 1954. Some say, the prices are higher compared to their counterparts. I also love going to the Toy Store called Spielkiste and the Stationary store called Großkopf, both in Fallersleben.

My family and I love to buy items from a small boutique. Here are my reasons why:

1.       SIZE. AMBIENCE. The toy department’s size of WKS is perfect for little kids. My daughter won’t get lost and she confidently goes from one rack to another without apprehension.  The ambience is warm, familiar yet professional. You feel welcome and not lost. You are greeted and neglected. 

2.      QUALIFIED AND COMPETENT PERSONNEL. When I go there at these stores, I always have this feeling that they serve by ‘the customer is always right’ or the ‘customer is the king/queen’ principle.  The personnel are very friendly, warm, will stop and make time for you and not so intrusive. Believe me here in Germany, there are big, too commercial stores that will make you leave them right away after you ask some personnel. You will have the feeling of ‘’Oh thank you for answering me and for your time’’ well the fact that it is their job to make me feel comfortable even I ask the silliest question. The big difference between a ‘’big, too commercial’’ store from ‘’small, familiar boutique’’ is that personnel make time for you and ask you, how s/he may help you and not  the other way around that you looking/asking for someone to help you with your dilemma. Same thing with Pharmacies who have pharmacists and not salespeople. You get out well informed and not confused.

3.       IT CREATE JOBS. Internship or Apprenticeship paves way to competence, proper qualifications and of course experience. Of course the prices are relatively slightly higher, but simply because these stores have budgets for new employees. One can always have a new employee or even replace it, but a good and the competent ones are smart enough to know where they would dedicate their time and efforts, where recognition, appreciation and further training or seminars are given. These factors reflect the values practiced in that organization. One time when we ask the sales person from WKS, which board game should I buy for my daughter, he gave us some suggestions, games they actually played--which is part of their training. They know the toys they sell, because they play the games itself.  A lot, I mean a lot of toy stores just sell-period.

4.       IT GIVES EQUAL ECONOMIC CHANCE TO SMALL/MEDIUM SIZE PLAYERS IN THE MARKET. The big players in the market have their advantages, longer time, more options etc..These facts are already given. But helping each is one of the keys to survival. Of course, in Business that is debatable. We are started taking small steps when we are still kids, don't we? In the town where I live--Fallersleben, the small shops are still therre--the people in Fallersleben patronize their shops, even loyal to them. Despite the big stores downtown, customers like buying in Fallersleben.  

Web 2.0 revolutionized the way people buy. The culture of buying changed drastically and more and more consumers buy their products online.  You can buy anything in the internet from A-Z, there are in fact, countless of providers in the E-market.  Of course, the free shipping, priority delivery within the following day and free return cost are very convenient.

Yet buying things personally is still my thing. Or maybe I am just an old soul. I love the technology but I also love the intangible part of it. 

Happy Reading! Happy Start of the week!

God calls us to speak words that heal, not hurt.

When I was younger I have always been harsh with my words. I have hurt many people along the way, tarnished relationships, and probably shoo away people.  I don’t care if people get hurt with my words as long as they have a piece of my mind and I tell the truth.

I came to the point that I saw myself as an arrogant person. Of course, motherhood made me more humane, made me a more sensitive person. It taught me to resolve conflicts with my daughter with the thought that she will sooner or later learn to become a righteous person. 10 years ago I made a choice, that I will use my words to give hope, to encourage, to make people happy and even express love to that person.

When I train people, I have to radiate positiveness, promote motivate and instill light in their hearts. My heart smiles when I hear/read them/notes thanking me, that my talk came at the right moment, or my email/SMS was encouraging. I have been doing that for a decade now. Like I wrote, I made that choice and been practicing it since then. I have always tried to be positive in everything, because there will always be a silver lining in every storm. Bad situations won't last anyways. I trained myself that happiness comes from within and nobody can take it away from you, unless you let it. 

Of course, there were times that I feel down, I feel demotivated and  I feel helpless. I would surround myself with positive people and talk to my mentors, who protect and guard the candles of happiness in my heart. 

I would talk to my mom, siblings, my trusted friends, business and spiritual mentors, I even asked them to pray for me and what I am undergoing to. For me, prayer is one of the intangible gifts a person can give me aside from their time. I also read books whenever I feel sad. I feel my emotions but I get over it too. Don't dwell on the setbacks of life. Bad things build one's character. 

I encourage you to be that someone, a member in your family to cheers everybody up, a friend in your circle of friends that make them laugh and encourage them when their spirits are down, a colleague in your offices that creates a happy working atmosphere, a leader that leads his team to reach excellence and be that person that when they are with you, they have a better perspective in their lives. 

The world is full of hate, pride, envy and indifference. Let us make our world a better place to live on. I know it sounds  ''too Ms. Congeniality''. But the tweeter/ facebook/ instragram world is fool of haters, and it was not the main reason why they were made, it was made to connect with friends, rekindle relationships and not make conflicts. 

We all have in us our own way of making people happy. It starts with your own happiness. Share it. Spread it. It comes back to you thousandfold after all it pays sometimes to be kind and nice. So be that someone!

Have nice weekend everyone.

picture courtesy of Google