It has been a tradition of all Christians around the world to celebrate Christmas. It is the season where families and friends come together to participate on some religious practices in their respective churches. Besides, people around the world are busy during this holiday season. Sellers and buyers of items feel happy most of the time. People mostly feel happy during Christmas season. Most of them have Christmas bonuses, parties, food and gifts.
On the other hand, some people around the world feel exactly opposite of the majority. They sometimes feel blue like the sky for whatever reasons. Although, they have Christmas bonuses, parties, food, gifts, families and friends with them but still there is something lacking to make them happy indeed. Perhaps, they feel blue if they do not have anything; if someone is missing or away from them; if someone is sick; if no one remembers him/her; or if someone is permanently gone and never come back.
However, anybody might feel bluer than the sky if he/she never knows the reason why there is Christmas; if he/she never knows the real purpose of Christmas; if he/she never knows our Lord Jesus Christ. Thus, before you do anything this Christmas, just look at the sky first and offer a prayer to our Almighty God; to our Lord Jesus Christ and to God’s creation.
A mother who is looking and waiting for her loving mother.
What is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? Do you know that every part of a single mother worth more than a million? Let me explain its value.
Your Head
As a single mother, you used the top of your head to carry a bundle of newly harvested rice grains for meal; a bundle of firewood for cooking or a basin of Anchovy fish for selling. You also used your head to think wisely and find right solutions for the daily problems.
Your Eyes
As a single mother, you kept your eyes to your children for their safety. You used your eyes to discipline your children. Eyes that maybe big and wide; on-focus or understanding and kind-looking to your concern. Sleepless nights in times of sickness of your children just to ensure they were safe.
Your Nose
As a single mother, you used your nose if the newly laundry clothes were smelled pleasant and if the children were smelled stinky already and they need to take a bath.
Your Ears
As a single mother, you used your ears to listen to your children and grandchildren’s amazing stories. Through your ears, you heard the sound of the roosters in the early morning wherein you rise from bed instantly to fetch up water for daily consumption.
Your Mouth
As a single mother, you used your mouth to give pieces of advice to your children and grandchildren. You taught them the right things and told them to become nice and hardworking person with brighter dreams in life.
Your Shoulder
As a single mother, you used your shoulder to carry the “Buli” bag or “Pandan” bag with fruits and vegetables inside when going home after the whole-day work in the rice field.
Your Breast
As a single mother, you breastfed your young children regularly so that they will grow healthy someday and free from any kind of illnesses.
Your Heart
As a single mother, you provided unconditional love to your children and grandchildren. You have a big heart too to your parents, brother, sisters, nephews, nieces, husband and in-laws. You knew how to accept and how to forgive persons. You really loved them so much.
Your Arms
As a single mother, you used your arms to strongly uproot the rice seedlings, transplant them on rice fields and harvest the rice grains after a few months. You used your strong arms to pound and manually mill the greener rice grains up and down then filter them using “Bilao” to make it into whiter rice grains.
Your Hands
As a single mother, you used your hands to prepare “Buli” or “Pandan” fibers, weave and design them properly into a local mat for sale. You used your hands to catch fishes along the shallow river and pick up shells on the shoreline with your siblings and children. You used your hands to wash the clothes of your children and grandchildren then press these clothes after drying. You used your hand to put the wet face towel on his/her forehead when he/she has fever. You used your hands too in giving foods to the very young children and elderly people around you.
Your Waist
As a single mother, either be sunny day or rainy day, you bent your waist the whole day while planting rice seedlings on the rice fields for a little payment or non-monetized payment of your labor instead, work exchange.
Your Hips
As a single mother, you sit on your hips almost the whole night just to weave and finish intentionally the local mat so that you can sell it then later buy some foods for your children, grandchildren and sister.
Your Legs
As a single mother, you used your legs in walking distantly about two kilometers away from your home to your work place and do the same routine when going home from work place to your home. Your legs consumed all the energy reserved in walking after the whole-day work. You also walked in going to the church to attend Holy Mass with your sisters on Saturday evening regularly. You bent your knees whenever you pray.
Your Feet
As a single mother, you used your feet not only to separate the greener rice grains from its husk but also to clean up the house floor. You used your feet to stand up firmly against all tough moments that trying to bring you down but they fail. You courageously stood still and never give up.
Thus, for this special day wherein everybody celebrates the Mother’s Day and for this special occasion wherein every member of the family comes together, what is a Mother’s Day without your loving and caring mother? What is a Mother’s Day without her presence?
In times of sorrow, can you still remember the last few words of a dying person that you love most? I would like to share with you the last few words and cries of my loving mother that might break your heart and bring your eyes into tears.
10. While on her bed, my mother said with eyes closed, “Catawan, engangaro wan Mo cami. Pano na cami a pinalsa Mo?” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Diyos ko, Kaawaan Mo kami. Paano na kami na nilalang Mo?”
(English) “God, have mercy on us. How about us of your creation?”
At the age of 94, my mother still remember the Almighty God who created everything. In her entire life, she frequently prayed to God and attended the Holy Mass regularly.
9. On her bed, my mother said with her eyes closed, “Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co. Indo, Caca, taganan moyo co.” “Takpan! Takpan!”(Zambal)
My mother was a good helper. She was very kind to children and elders.
2. Still on her bed, my mother said softly with eyes closed, “Abuloyon moyo co.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Tulungan ninyo ako.”
(English) “Help me.”
My mother helped her family. She really loved them so much.
1. Still on her severe body condition, my mother uttered softly, “Ya.” (Zambal)
(Tagalog) “Oo.”
(English) “Yes.”
My mother had strong influential words that anybody should decide and follow. She disciplined, guided and mentored us appropriately.
My mother just nodded her head when I talked and asked her until her complete consciousness had gone.
Yes, my mother was gone but her legacy, advises, courage, greatness, kindness, faith, laughter, memories, dreams and so forth remain in our hearts as we live.
To whom should we give thanks? Why should we give thanks? Due to busy things, sometimes people forget others unintentionally. Most of them focus on their studies, works, businesses, monies, families, friends, travels, shopping, pleasure and leisure. Why do people keep doing these things? What is their purpose in life?
Perhaps, some people are not aware about to whom they should give thanks. Sometimes, people forget that there is God who gave them life and everything that can supports life. Sometimes, people forget that they have their parents who provide them the opportunity to live. They have their parents who nurtured, taught and cared them. They have their families who loved them. Sometimes, people forget that they are supported by other agencies on their basics needs such as the school, church, government, health, agricultural, market and private sectors and so forth. Sometimes, people forget that they need good people around them like their relatives, close friends, nice neighbors and fellow workers. Sometimes, people forget that other living and non-living things helped them in order to survive longer.
All of these deserve to be recognized, appreciated and thanked for. We should thank them wholeheartedly and sincerely not only on Thanksgiving Day but in the whole year round.
Do you believe that what you think might lead to your destination? Maybe some of you will agree while others would disagree. Whether you believe it or not, sometimes it happens to you unconsciously. Yet, you do not know the reasons after all. Here are some points to explain it further.
Your thoughts
People have different thoughts. These thoughts are created and formulated in their minds based on how they perceive and interpret certain things by observation alone. Most of the people always suggest us to think positively in order to have a positive result. Some people are always thinking negatively in advance prior to what real or what it really happens.
Your frequent thoughts might be shown up in your emotions
People with positive thoughts all the time are mostly cheerful, happy, feel satisfied, excited, confident and hopeful. On the other hand, people with negative thoughts always are mostly angry, hate certain things, feel envy, stressed, frustrated, disappointed, sad, weak, depressed and sick.
Your strong emotions might be shown up in your actions
People that show strong emotions are obviously visible through their actions. Happy people excitedly share their experiences and thoughts. Hopeful people are usually go to their churches to pray and praise God for all the blessings they had received. While angry people have common enemies. They get easily irritated and do violent actions against their enemies. They usually used curse words against them. Stressed people wanted to be alone. They blame others for their own mistakes. They have no initiative to move or they act and move slowly. They easily get sick and fell unwell most of the time. They reason out illogically and do abrupt things disorderly.
Your visible actions might be shown up in your behaviors
People with repeatedly done actions repeatedly develop into habitual behaviors unconsciously and unintentionally. People who are doing right actions according to the norms of the society and laws of the land show appropriate behaviors in any place at any time. On the other hand, people who are doing wrong actions most of the time show undesirable and unacceptable behaviors to the people living normally in the community with sets of standards norms, policies and laws.
Your shown behaviors might be developed into your characters
People with desirable or undesirable behaviors have distinct characters. People who follow laws and orders are distinctively obedient. People who are actively engaged in public service and ready to help others show kindness, friendliness, helpfulness, unselfishness, generosity, concern, love and care. On the other hand, people with undesirable behaviors are mostly disobedient, dishonest, disrespectful, stubborn, lazy, chaos, misbehaved, selfish, unfair, show jealous, envy, offensive, violent, illogical, fake, materialistic, dominant, fraud, abusive, aggressive and greed.
Your dominant characters might be shaped up into your personality
People with dominant, distinct characters develop into good or bad personality. People with good personality are definitely liked by everybody. They are liked to be their friends, companions, business partners and even life-time partners at home. They like these people because there is no conflict in between them or issues arise among them. They live happily together with peace and harmony. On the other hand, people with bad personality are strongly disliked by anybody. They often hate these people. They do not want to see them. They do not want stay with them or even work with them. According to them, living with these bad people can make their lives miserable. Thus, they just want to escape from them as soon as possible.
Your type of personality might influence your decision
Good people or bad people have certain decision in life. The decision of the good people after thorough critical analysis on certain things relies absolutely on the welfare or benefits of everybody. They decide fairly, wisely and righteously. They consider Church teachings, state laws and rules of conduct, norms, environment, causes and effects, human rights and privileges in their decision-making process before giving the final decision. On the other hand, the decision of bad people depends on their own vested interest alone. They never mind other’s decision. Bad people discriminate and dominate them.
Your firm decision might lead into your purpose
People’s decision has its own purpose. For the welfare of the entire humanity is the purpose of the good people. The love of God, fellowmen and environment is the priority or primary concern of the good people. On the other hand, greed and power is the purpose of the bad people. They want to control everything including humans.
Your own purpose in life might lead towards your destination
People’s goals and objectives in life are counted and considered by either righteousness of God or deceiving-character of Evil. Indeed, good people once they died, their soul will surely go to heaven and sits beside the Lord. They will have eternal happiness and serenity. On the other hand, bad people once they died, their souls will surely proceed to the hell with the Devil. They will have everlasting sufferings and restlessness.
Thoughts to Destination
Therefore, what do you think now? Do you think positively or negatively? Whatever you are thinking every now and then, this might be your own destination later on. Just remember: “What you think is what your destination.”
Life has several meanings to everyone. Its meanings vary from one person to another. The lives of the newly born baby and the old-age grandmother are quite different from the lives of active and functional people. Life is too short for persons who loved by their fellowmen. Life is too long for persons who were hated by their countrymen. Life is beautiful for people who are experiencing prosperity, good health, massive wealth, unlimited power and influence. But to people with sickness and who are experiencing poverty, discrimination, inequality and unfair practices, life is miserable.
Life does not exist without the essentials elements that can sustain it. The existence of life is the primary subject of human study of all time. Life creates a purpose. This purpose serves as the framework of any living organism. Life has a beginning and an end. The quality of life depends on its purpose. Success in life does not rely on its length but rather on the quality of time and means on how they spend it.
Life is significantly meaningful if the person knows how to value it. People should know how to understand what life is. They should also know its origin and whom they owe it. They can reflect its possible positive or negative consequences in the near future. Thus, whatever it is, what is really life to you?
Cheating has many faces. It may be cheating in examination, material things, business, politics or government services, justice system, work or job, relationship and oneself. Whether you are one among the offenders or victims of these several forms of cheating, the only truth is it happens everywhere.
Cheating in Examination
Cheating in examination has two types. One who is providing the answers to his seatmate and the other who copies the answers from his seat mate. Cheaters show several symptoms and behaviors. Habitual cheaters have several strategies and techniques on how to cheat. Observe them how they hold their examination papers. Observe them how they move their eyes and hands. Observe them how they hide their faces. They do it by all means just to cheat.
Cheating in Material Things
Cheating in material things is usually happened within the family members especially when you talk about assets such as real properties like houses and lots; personal properties like monies and pieces of jewelry. One is taking advantage over the others by having unequal sharing or unfair claims of real properties. In terms of personal properties, people who borrowed money and did not pay back or those who intentionally not paying services of others for their own benefits.
Cheating in Business
Cheating in business happens in any form and size of business. Some businessmen do not tell the exact capital of their business. They do not pay taxes or if they pay taxes, they pay less. Some people in the market do not tell the purchase price of the products that they are selling. Sometimes, they will tell you, “No more discount because I purchased it at higher price.” This is the usual statement of the sellers which you might believe in quickly. But the truth is they have more than half or triple profits already with those products they are selling.
Cheating in Politics or Government Services
Cheating in politics occurs mostly before, during and after the election especially when people vote just for money or for favor. Whoever sits in the government position, graft and corruption is a common practice through government projects, programs and services. It is a game plan between the politician or government employee and project contractor or program coordinator or service provider.
Cheating in Justice System
Cheating in justice system is usually happens between the rich people and poor people; influential people and powerless people; well-educated persons and illiterate ones. The rich, influential and education one is mostly acquitted from court case. Most of the victims of unfair court trials are the poor, powerless and illiterate ones leading them to plead guilty beyond unreasonable doubt. Remember that these people are deprived, discriminated, degraded and demoralized citizens from a dominant society.
Cheating in Work or Job
Cheating in work or job happens in private and public sectors. From the management positions to the rank and file positions, some people cheat in pertinent papers, time and work-related functions. Sometimes, they present fake documents. Some of them come late and leave early. Others perform works or jobs which do not fit on their qualifications and experiences. The wrong use of “pakikisama”, “palakasan” and “crab mentality” still prevails nowadays in any areas of work. There are also individuals who actively engaged themselves in graft and corrupt practices for their own vested interest and benefits using their own authority, power, people and influence. One has an ‘I’ disease rather than eye disease or ego-centric which is thinking about himself only. He never thinks others or sets aside the welfare, issues and concerns of others. Besides, he abuses the rights and privileges of the people; taking away the opportunities of others or just taking others for granted.
Cheating in Relationship
Cheating in relationship is mostly occurs to partners. Some couples do not stay longer relationship because of the third party. One of them or both of them engage in a multiple relationships which can break their promises leading to temporary or permanent separation. Other people stay together as pretenders just to avoid criticisms in the eyes of the people around them.
Cheating in Oneself
Cheating in oneself happens to anyone. It might be pro or against own personality, attitude, traits, skills, competencies, hobbies, works, interest, intentions, faith, beliefs, practices, philosophies, principles, advocacies, missions, visions, commitments, concerns, wisdom, authority, power, opportunities, greed or possessions. Such things might determine and describe if you are really a professional cheater.
“I am telling you. Be kind to others. Help others who need your help. God bless you.”
Hands-on 