PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE

"HOW TEMPTATION WORKS

It helps to know that Satan is entirely predictable. He has used the same strategy and old tricks since Creation. All temptations follow the same pattern. That's why Paul said, "We are very familiar with his evil schemes." From the Bible, we learn that temptation follows a 4-step process, which Satan used both on Adam & Eve and on Jesus.

STEP 1:

Satan identifies a desire inside of you. It may be a sinful desire, like the desire to get revenge or to control others, or it may be a legitimate, normal desire, like the desire to be loved and valued or to feel pleasure. Temptation starts when Satan suggests (with a thought) that you give in to to an evil desire, or that you fulfill a legitimate desire in a wrong way or at the wrong time. Always beware or shortcuts. They are often temptations! Satan whispers, "You deserve it! You should have it now! It will be exciting.... comforting.... or make you feel better."

We think temptation lies around us, but God says it begins within us. If you didn't have the internal desire, the temptation could not attract you. Temptation always starts in your mind, not in circumstances. Jesus said, "For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. All these vile things come from within. James tells us that there is a "whole army of evil desires within you."

STEP 2

is DOUBT. Satan tries to get you to doubt what God has said about the sin: Is it really wrong? did God really say not to do it? Didn't God mean this prohibition for someone else or some other time? Doesn't God want me to be happy? The Bible warns, "Watch out! Don't let evil thoughts or doubts make any of you turn from the living God."

STEP 3

is DECEPTION. Satan is incapable of telling the truth and is called "the Father of lies". Anything he tells you will be untrue or just half-true. Satan offers his lie to replace what God has already said in His word. Satan says, "You will not die. You'll be wiser like God. You can get away with it. No one will ever know. It will solve your problem. Besides, everyone else is doing it. It is only a little sin." But a little sin is like being a little pregnant: It will eventually show itself.

STEP 4

is DISOBEDIENCE. You finally act on the thought you've been toying with in your mind. What began as an idea gets birthed into behaviour. You give in to whatever got your attention. You believe Satan's lies and fall into the trap that James warns about: "We are tempted when we are drawn away and trapped by our own evil desires. Then our evil desires conceive and give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. Do not be deceived, my dear friends!"

- The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter 26, pp. 203-204

This is the best part in this book.

I knew this while I was studying way back during my primary years.

I admit that reading it again gives more impact to my heart

as the words ring out differently considering

the experiences I've had and have encountered.

Back then, it was just about gaining knowledge,

getting informed or mainly for guidance.

Now, all I could feel is it's worth sharing once again to be kept reminded

on my own and for all of you.

Related posts:

1. LET'S TALK ABOUT DYING - it is actually an inevitable event in all of our lives. There's no exemption so why is it still a taboo to so many people?

2. FOR OUR OWN GOOD - IGNORANCE is never an excuse

3. SOMETHING TO PONDER ON, EVEN ME - talks about the differences between Religious Maturity and Spiritual Maturity

What satisfies you?

I learned from my sociology teacher when I was in college that SATISFACTION is something that a human being may never possess. If you watch a juggler, and let's say, he juggles 3 oranges, you would always hear somebody from the crowd shout "Can you do 4"? If he does 4, you may find yourself expecting that he would juggle 5. After he does, and gets the 6th, somebody will always challenge him until the 7th, the 8th, the 9th and the 10th 'til he distracts your attention into something else. Otherwise, people's demands will never stop.

There are times, you unexpectedly give in to your envy and would buy the same shoes your friend got last Holiday season because so many are admiring it and you want the same attention. Some cultures allow men to have more than one wife because the first one is not sufficient enough to comply for what the husband needs. Plastic surgery, botox and anything alike are more in demand now because you just want to look prettier when actually, there's nothing wrong with your face. Those who go under the knife describes it as "enhancing" what they have. Philosophies like: "NO woman will say she had enough shopping.", or "NO woman could say she has enough shoes." had been accepted socially that it becomes a way of life to arising fashionistas. As a matter of fact, I don't even know why being one is a determining factor of which status you belong to nowadays. Obese men and women are pretty obvious with what they consume in excess yet they defend their bad habits like it's a civil right. Issues with money, fame and power fall in the same idea. Nobody can get enough of it.

But for people like Sam Berns, they aim for the simplest form of satisfaction. To be able to survive everyday not feeling indifferent but able. To hear what he has to share about happiness, watch this.

People like him wants for just life itself. NO MORE, NO LESS. He gets satisfied with how simple it could get. Or should I say, simple for us but more than extraordinary for him considering his condition. I have dreamt of being in one of them TEDtalks but I couldn't find anything "extraordinary" to talk about. I am not with a condition like this so that people would listen to me. I am still looking for that special message I would give justice speaking about to the whole world to be given at least 10 minutes in TED. Sam Burns, and so are the rest of the what we think are "abnormal" people because of how they look like, are even more capable if you would try to analyze it than the "normal" people like you and me. And there is just some dissatisfaction there on my account but let me transform that to something inspirational for myself. There is a challenge to each and everyone of us that nobody should set themselves to any limit most especially if we are going to talk about "full potential".

For my serene Sunday, pray that you may serve your purpose before your own life is taken away from you. Sam Burns died last night according to a post on TEDx's Facebook page. But he made it happen. He delivered the message he was meant to deliver. Live life happily and do not dwell in something that will make you feel dead and unable.

Related posts:
1. AUTISM - For your own awareness, let an expert talk about how to distinguish autism.
2. SIGNED, A 32 YEAR OLD - Here is something that you may want to watch, there might be a message for you.
3. FIND YOUR LIGHT - Filipinos sharing their talent and passion as performers in Hong Kong Disneyland

Be free!

I have encountered and met people who have walked many kinds of faith. There are those who'd kiss the ground, worship the nature and get philosophical expressing their own faith. There are those who believe in things (money, fame,power) too.

I, for one, believe in God. And as a human being, there were times, I questioned myself of the depth of what I truly believe in. There were times I have researched on others about what they believe in. I did a lot of comparisons, reasoning and analysis. I also learned the lesson that the more you encourage people to believe in God, the more they say "NO!". It didn't encourage me to stop though. But I just share my own experiences without any intention of addressing any invite. Most of the time, I just pray for them to be touched by God. And then I end up there. If they are willing to ask me about more, or are willing to share their own experiences, very well then.

I searched for people who have the same belief with mine. I joined groups which I found "almost" matching only to discover that I've learned enough and that I have to put it hands on. Theories are meant to be applied and lived. I started believing in that now.

From time to time, I still ask around because I am curious of who have the same faith. I was not astounded nor shaken up by any answer except for one. When I asked one friend, "Do you believe in God?". She answered, "I don't believe in anything, I am free." I just acknowledged her answer without her knowing that something had built up in me at that very moment. I am not sure if it's further curiosity, discovery of what I may be ignorant of and the scariest of 'em all, why I felt "envious", not being able to say the same thing.

"I am free." What does that mean?

Does it mean faith has the tendency to have you imprisoned? Does it mean it sets limits to your full potential? I am not in prison but I realized that some of my actions may have been decided on due to a set of instructions, commandments, "beliefs", that was instilled in me from the beginning. I have been accustomed to these so familiarly that anything against it is considered wrong.

And then I sat back and pondered on how free I am in believing in God. I asked myself what drives me to be me?

I grew up learning the 10 commandments by heart. Whenever I find myself giving in to something, or needing to decide on something,

I always check on the values my parents have endowed on me. And it matters so much if people around me will be pleased by the outcome or not. Being mindful of this in relating to my friend's answer to reassessing why I feel envious, it made me realize that I am clueless whether what I grew up believing, hinders me from being at my ultimate supremacy or not. It is almost a cliche when they say it is alright to make mistakes. But society seems to contradict this when you have to deal with the consequences of your mistakes in real life. It's not at all alright, is it? So much so, you may also get judged with what religion you practice or which cult you belong to.

I believe in God, this I know very well about myself.

I believe also that we were given free will.

I believe that we were made in the image and likeness of God and that we are bound to exist to experience the beauty of Thy creation in its abundance.

I have always known that there is something greater than me, that there are things or circumstances that may have happened, are happening or will happen that is beyond my control.

I also believe in the philosophy that experience is the best teacher and in line with my beliefs, I never would want to step on other people just to gain that much experience for my own self-achievement.

Countless rules are imposed by different religions. As a Roman Catholic, I am a witness to my own. Undeniably, some do make you feel bottled up and somehow, it makes believing in God so complicated but if you feel secure with what you believe in, you pretty much know how you can liberate yourself from it all.

It's quite too complex what exactly you should or should not do. Comparisons could go as far as: 

Catholic priests need to be celibate while other pastors or religious leaders need not; in masses, the Holy Eucharist is served to the people dipped in wine, while other religions forbid consumption of it, LOVE is the core of every teaching in every church yet gays aren't entitled to it nor aren't allowed to be united in LOVE.

In this case, I believe that being an open vessel and not being too proud (that you are the all knowing and/or that because you go to church more than anybody else, you are better,) could help you accept these arising changes. Things happen every time that challenges your faith. And sustaining your core values is very important.

Establish securely what you believe in. And then you will be free.

COME AND HELP OUT!

 

 "If you, then, though you are evil,

know how to give good gifts to your children,

how much more will your Father in heaven

give good gifts to those who ask him!"

 - Matthew 7:11

This past week, I've been seeing a lot of people being active in helping out Tacloban from being hit by the 3-times-stronger-than-Katrina, typhoon Haiyan. Some sincerely, some, just because of wanting to be talked to in the famous social networks online. Whichever is the real purpose behind it, let's not forget that we can help in our own little ways. And the most meaningful of all are the events where you helped willingly.

I work with 5 people of whose families have been victims of the tragedy. The little Filipino community here opted to help the ones first whom we know personally since that's the only way we would know that our help would go directly to the right hands.

I would like to extend the invitation to those who live here in Hong Kong to check out the 2nd bazaar for a cause that is going to be held in Pa Mei, Tung Chung Village. You are welcome to donate anything (though you could check out this article for the suggested list of "10 Worst Things to Donate after a Disaster").

Since, it is hard to ship goods and clothing directly to the families of our colleagues, the bazaar will sell the collected donations all for HK$5. Once you drop your donations, you might see something that you'd want to purchase. So, please feel free to look around. Also, this 2nd Donation Drive happening on Wednesday, (Nov. 20, 2013)  is strictly for adults only. Details go as follows:

Fund Raising for "THE CAUSE" Grown Up Edition

November 20, 2013, Wednesday
4PM to 12:05am
@ Hanedy and Butch's Rooftop near Pa Mei carpark

IMPORTANT:
Kids are DIScouraged to join

FOR SALE!!! All you see for ONLY $5 each.

This time, we would like to ask VODKA or RED WINE donations as well for this will be a night for the grown-ups.
$5 for each shot of VODKA
$5 each glass of RED WINE
100% of the proceeds will be given directly to Super Typhoon Yolanda Victims.

You guys can still bring donation for us to sell and please bring them to us
already SORTED for easy set-up.

Please Spread the word.
Thanks in advance for all your help."

The first bazaar earned roughly HK$2,500.00. That's just HK$500 each for the family of our own co-dancers here. But they are very appreciative of all the help that we extended. Four of them now are in the Philippines to evacuate their families to Manila and just stay there for the mean time. They have spent most of their lives in Tacloban and it surely is up to leap of faith how they will start anew. But taking it day by day is the only solution and this small amount would help them to start.

Another Haiyan drive that a Philippine professional photographer, (currently residing here in Hong Kong) Mark Bautista, had done, was a Photoshoot for a Cause. Collaborating with Sunshine Huang, Ela Lisondra and Elias Hendricks, they held a successful photoshoot last November 15 with HK$3500 fund raised.

There are still 2 batches to go. Batch 2 is scheduled on Nov. 22, 2013 (also in Pa Mei Village, Tung Chung, Hong Kong) and the 3rd one's details are yet to be announced still.

With these two donation drives, please feel free to leave your email addresses if you are interested to go to the first one or avail the 2nd one. We will send you personal messages regarding location, contact numbers and/or any details you need thru it. All of these are just easy steps into extending help to our fellow men.

All of us are given an opportunity to help people. It doesn't necessarily have to be too great to shout it out to the whole world. It could be in its simplest form such as, offering a seat in the bus, sharing your time to volunteer and helping an elder with the groceries. Before we go greatly into helping the world, start with those around us.

LET'S TALK ABOUT DYING.

My serene Sunday encourages you to reassess how you live your life 

because there's no exemption alright with what he says, 

everyone of us will vanish in this 21st century.

After commemorating lives of those who had passed,
this All Saint's Day and All Soul's day,


HOW DO YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?

Legacy is the only thing that will make you immortal in this world.
As human beings, we have that general purpose which is to thrive.
But, as we all know, even our own selves are culprits in attaining this.
So many people deprive others of food, energy, shelter, medicine.
So many terrorists are not mindful of the lives they kill.

It's either we are too selfish to give others a helping hand,
or we have been corrupted by life itself that we become so succomed
to the idea of owning it when it is not ours to keep.
Whether you believe in owing God your life or not,
we tend to hack more than what we need,
hope for what we cannot have forever and
and intend to have control of almost everything and play God
when the most inevitable,
the most important,
but the most avoided
was never given a tiny bit attention.

For Our Own Good

THRIVE, as defined by Google:

/THrīv/ Verb - (of a child, animal, or plant) Grow or develop well or vigorously: "the new baby thrived" flourish: "education groups thrive on organization"; "a thriving economy".

 Synonyms: prosper - flourish - succeed - blossom

For my serene Sunday today, allow me to impart to you something that had woke me up from that ignorance when it comes to the banking system. Like any other profession, business and banking are powerful agendas that make the world go round. Right? Wrong!

It is just but an UNDERSTATEMENT.

Personally, it is frustrating that us humans do not know that we are capable of making a move as a whole because of numerous differences. We have unlimited potential yet we deny this to ourselves because of the mentality and closed minded environment we were born with. But as I was about to finish this documentary, I was realizing that I may not be blessed with fortune, but I have enough to survive. I eat 3 times a day, I have clothes to wear, and I have a shelter with a loving husband to go home to. Needless to say, money, being a means to an end, affect our mood to thrive. Putting it in layman's terms, money makes it easy for us to thrive. But I believe that sharing this video serves a purpose. Money can't buy purpose nor your will. And I guess I will to share this awareness because knowledge, education and awareness are 3 things I can impart to help you erase that belief that money is the answer to everything. We need each other to live life harmoniously.

"DON'T WORK FOR THE MONEY,

MAKE MONEY WORK FOR YOU."

Something to Ponder On.... EVEN ME

The 3 Signs Of Spiritual Maturity

One day, someone asked me a very disturbing question. He asked, “Bo, the Philippines is a very religious country. We’re supposed to be the only Christian nation in Asia. Yet why are we so corrupt and so poor? How come?”

Yes, Filipinos are religious. No doubt about it. But here’s the Key: 

There’s a giant difference between religious maturity and spiritual maturity. 

Religious maturity means you do your religious duties very well : you pray daily, you attend church, you read your Bible, etc. 

Spiritual maturity is totally different: It means you love like Jesus.

Spiritual mature people know that faith without action is dead (James 2:17). And they know that without love, all religiosity is nothing but noise (1 Corinthians 13:1).

Do you want to know if you’re spiritually mature?

Look for these three signs: 

1. Service. I love this passage below. I’ll tell you why in awhile. Read through again how Mary said Yes to God:

“I am the Lord’s servant,” said Mary; “may it happen to me as you have said.” And the angel left her. Soon afterward Mary got ready and hurried off to a town in the hill country of Judea. She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth. Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home. (Luke 1:38-40, 56)

After Mary gave her YES to God, the Bible says she “hurried off” to the hill country of Judea.

Why the hurry?

Real spiritual people know that there’s this twilight zone between your decision and your action. Don’t stay in this area for too long. It’s dangerous. If you dillydally, if you loiter, if you meander in this twilight zone, before you know it, POOF! Your decision disappears forever.

Here’s my advice: Once you make a decision, act immediately. Run through this twilight zone between decision and action. Don’t sleep until you do something!

I’ve yet to meet a successful person who doesn’t have a bias for action. Once a successful person makes a decision towards a goal, a flurry of activities takes place. The successful person acts immediately. 

My Books Have Varied Results

Let me give you an example. Yesterday, I was in Cebu. A man came up to me and greeted me with so much joy.

“I read your books and I love them,” he said. People say that to me all the time. But what blew me away was what he said next. He said, “Bo, I read your book, 8 Secrets of the Truly Rich. Because of that book, I was inspired to build 3 businesses, all giving me passive income. I still have a job, but I now own 6 taxi cabs, a store, and a water station.”

Wow. I began to think of the other people who read the same book, who also made a decision to do something, but didn’t do a thing. Why? They didn’t hurry in the twilight zone between decision and action. Because they didn’t have a bias for action; instead, they had a bias for analysis 

Don’t get me wrong. Analysis is very good. But some people like analyzing something to death before they act.

Another man came up to me yesterday. He said, “Bo, I’m still far from becoming a success. I suddenly realized why nothing has happened in my life. Because I’m afraid of failure.” I asked him, “Have you had a major failure in your life?” And he said, “None. Because I don’t even try.” “Then your problem isn’t your lack of success,” I told him. “Your problem is your lack of failure. Here’s what you do: Increase your rate of failure so you can increase your rate of success.”

(Want to see who made it to the top but had the silliest mistakes, errors and had huge failures to get there? Check this link:  http://kytedalino.blogspot.hk/2013/06/its-in-your-hands.html)

Let me go back to my topic.

If successful people have a bias for action, spiritual people have a bias for service. Why is this important? Loving God is easy. He’s perfect!

But haven’t you noticed? Loving another human being will be more difficult. By the way, it doesn’t have to be a big service…

2. Simple. Serve simply!

Mary served simply. She didn’t conquer armies, vanquish nations, run organizations, or preach to millions. Instead, she went to her cousin Elizabeth to cook meals, mop floors, wash clothes, dry dishes, clean toilets…

When we reach Heaven, I bet we’ll be surprised at how God will reward different people. For example, my staff—the tech guys setting up the audio system every time I preach—may have a bigger mansion than the Preacher. Our wonderful Caregivers serving the abandoned elderly in Anawim every single day, bathing them, feeding them, cutting their fingernails and toenails, may have a bigger mansion than the Founder of Anawim. Our telephone counselors in our Light of Jesus counseling ministry, or the vendors who sell my books in the booktables, or the cooks who prepare the meals in our orphanages—all of them may have a bigger mansion than my mansion. Shoot, it may be possible that altar boys and church janitors may have a bigger mansion than the Pope. (Sounds heretical, I know. But it’s the truth.) Why do I believe in that?

Mother Mary is our model of simple service. She never served in a high-profile manner. She never had a title. She just served. And that’s what God would want you to do. 
At the Feast in PICC, we have 200+ people who volunteer to make it happen. From the Ushers to the Kids ministry to the Youth team to the Choir… I remember a woman came up to me and said, “Bo, I really want to join the Ushers Ministry. But it’s difficult for me to wake up early and come here 30 minutes before the Feast starts…” So I reminded her, “Service is Sacrifice.” Which is the third sign of a spiritual person. 

3. Sacrifice. I go to Israel every other year. And every time, without fail, I take that looooong trip that Mary took to visit Elizabeth—from Nazareth to the Judean hill country. But unlike Mary, I take a nice tourist bus. A very well appointed, comfortable, air-conditioned tourist bus.Mary had no bus. Goodness, Mary didn’t even have a bike.

For 4 hot days, while already pregnant, this 14-year old girl trekked the Judean desert, under the scorching heat of the sun. Those hills were crawling with wild beasts and thieves. (Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? And how thieves beat up the guy? It was pretty common among travelers.) She took that trip because she wanted to serve an elderly cousin.

That was sacrifice.

Spiritual people are sacrificial people.

Mary had all the excuses in the world not to go. She could have said, “Lord, I’m pregnant myself. I have morning sickness. I don’t like the smell of garlic. How can I serve my cousin Elizabeth?” But she didn’t think of her own discomfort. Or her own pains. Her own issues. Her own needs.She went out and served someone else. This is real Christianity. Christianity isn’t about going to Heaven. Christianity is about bringing Heaven down to earth, especially for those who are going through Hell today.

And sacrifice starts in our families.

Sacrifice In Your Family

Last month, I went on a 3-day trip with Francis, my 6-year old boy. We went to Cebu, just the two of us. It was a father-and-son trip. No wife. No sibling. Just him and me, talking, laughing, playing, swimming, and eating together. I promised myself to bring out each of my sons for a trip like this at least once or twice a year.

(Note: This isn’t part of the talk, but let me tell you about the second child syndrome. Francis is my second child. It’s easy for the second child—or middle children—to feel inferior, especially if the elder sibling is an achiever. You need to spend time with each of your kids. But pay close attention to your second child and all your middle children — because sometimes, they need it more.) Why did I take a trip with little Francis?

I’ve realized that life is about creating memories. When Francis is older, his conscious mind will forget the details of that trip. But his subconscious mind will remember everything. Your subconscious mind is a perfect recording machine. It remembers every detail. Most of all, Francis will remember how much I loved him because I spent enormous time with him. I’m a busy guy. I run 9 non-profit organizations and 12 businesses. So how can I “waste” 3 days with my son? Simple. It’s called Sacrifice. When you love someone, you make sacrifices.

I know my roles. Before being a preacher, or author, or leader, or businessman, I’m first of all a father. Real Spiritual people sacrifice. Serving others is a privilege. The reward of service is the fact that you have been given the chance to serve someone.

Are you a spiritual person?

May your dreams come true,
Bo Sanchez

This was just something to share on a Sunday because I myself had appreciated what it says most especially with the last part. I've been apart from my family for a long time and due to an advanced way of communicating to people (smartphones, social network, skype), we neglect the idea of being "physically" there for the most important people in our lives. I humbly admit, this is much of an AWAKENING.

Father's Day Tribute

"My father gave me the greatest gift anyone

could give another person....

....HE BELIEVED IN ME."

- Jim Valvano

I've known my dad as the protective kind. He would always remind us of errors that could be avoided from the beginning for us not to get hurt. He taught us how to be CAUTIOUS. I know this is the ultimate trait owned by every good parent. I thought I knew him just as that. But now that I'm about to become a parent too, I've come to realize that the saying, "our parents live in us" is true after all. And the best part is, he knew me more than I know him. He knew what I needed before I say it. He knew he had to allow me to gain full responsibility of my life. He was there to guide me; he encouraged me to fulfill my purpose, to seek it and make it happen, and most of all, he trusted and believed in what I can do.

He never contradicted my plans, he supports them more instead. He loved that my life is in balance. He was there in my volleyball games when I was in high school, watched some of my halftime shows for UAAP when I was still cheerleading, helped me to decide on Chemical Engineering in college then later on, encouraged me to become a nurse which I never regretted taking up. All in all, he respected my capacity to learn. He gave me enough leeway to come about the person I am right now.

There are so many similarities that I noticed I share with my father. My penmanship, my love for sports, my singing voice, my obsession to music and dance, my drive to learn, and my amazement towards nature's best. I learned how to cook, use the dictionary and encyclopedia by 8 years old, play chess by 11, socialize and become confident around people thru him. He taught me how to be compassionate, appreciative, humble and prayerful (both him and my mom were religious). My dad taught me how to give balance to life. He's funny, always the life of the party and he always gave us flowers when we were young during Valentine's Day and had made the difference between reward and punishment sound and clear.

I would never be able to accomplish my achievements if not for my dad's support. That being said, I wouldn't be the BEST me if not for him combined with my mom's BEST. Happy happy Father's Day and hope you'll enjoy your day today.

 And to all the fathers that I know, 

may God bless you of more days to spend with your families, 

more days to touch more lives and more days 

to become immortals as you pass on your legacy.

Related posts:

1. MOTHER'S DAY TRIBUTE 2014 - "A human body can only bear up to 45 del (unit) of pain. Yet at the time of birth, the mother feels up to 57 del (unit) of pain. That is similar to 20 bones getting fractured at a time."

2. HOGAN TOOMALATAI - my better half

3. HOGAN AND KYTE, AUGUST 26, 2013 - the beginning of our journey as a family

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!

Have you ever doubted the saying, "MIRACLES HAPPEN."? Well, I have when I shouldn't.

As defined by Google, a MIRACLE is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is considered to be divine. And knowing this was just out of any human being's context. I mean, if there's no way of understanding the trend on how miracles happen, then you wouldn't know how to react, therefore not knowing what to expect. Simply put, "HOW CAN YOU MAKE IT HAPPEN?"

Let me share to you a story of my own simple miracle.

When I was in my high school days, I've been pro-active, I lived healthily, ate right and slept well. But I've always had a dillemma when dealing with that special time of the month amongst ladies. It always gave me DYSMENORRHEA (painful menses) often accompanied with NAUSEA and OVERFATIGUE. There was one day that I've been in so much pain that I had to go home at the middle of a school day. My parents were so alarmed about all the screaming so, we consulted a gynecologist and had to do PAP SMEAR at an early age. I was diagnosed of inverted uterus then. According to medical studies, 20% of women have this condition. This isn't categorized as a predisposing factor for an ailment or a disease to occur. It's just like identifying people who are left handed from the right handed ones. Though due to anatomical position, the doctor warned me that it may be hard for me to conceive a child because the ligaments that hold my uterus to position (facilitating easy conception) are shorter than the average. Hence, the pain that my menstruation causes. The doctor said, it could be a reproductive challenge.

From then on, a lingering worry whether I may or may not have a child had been present in my subconscious ever since. Due to limited knowledge and experience, I'd sometimes mask my worries with daydreaming. I remember assigning 25 as the age of me settling down and at least at 27, I'll be having my first baby already. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

I was preoccupied with goals, job and traveling opportunities that my aspirations of having a family was quite put to a halt. Then it finally dawned to me that my sister's 2nd child is approaching his 7th year already; my friends have been getting married and having kids; all have been slowly and steadily settling down. I admit there was pressure there plus the fact that my mom was reminding me that I'm not getting any younger. However, my relationship was also at play. No matter how I plan things, the right person had to come. And he did. He actually agreed with me that it was time when I had realized, I'm already 30. We were both 30!Alright people, that time, we were talking about marriage 'til my younger sister told me about her plan to get married. Considering Philippine culture, we cannot marry in the same year (a.k.a. "sukob"). We were choosing a great timing when to do ours. Then.... the "MIRACLE" happened....

My period happens on irregular terms so, noticing I'm a week delayed wasn't a big deal. I was going to do the annual physical exam for Filipino overseas workers requested by our company here in Hong Kong as a protocol. It involves x-ray procedures. The physicians and nurses are very strict in checking if you're pregnant or not in undergoing these procedures so, I just did a home pregnancy test to be confident of my answer - which was a  "NO". And there you go, after the longest 3 minutes of my LIFE, the test revealed a very good news. I have conceived 3 weeks ago. And it was a Sunday, Mother's Day - my first!

 I told my Hogan that night and we instantly came up with names. Phoenix if it's going to be a girl and Raven if it's a boy. We agreed that we will choose birds' names so that wherever our child may be, he/she will soar high. Cheesy as it may seem, this is the first thing you would notice as you become a parent. You're just carrying a whole bundle of love that it transforms you from within. After letting our parents know and planning of what to do next, we are pleased to announce (after considering Chinese tradition that it should at least be almost 3 months before you let everybody know that you're carrying a child - to ensure its safety) that we are going to our 10th week of pregnancy and that the ultrasound had shown a very healthy baby owning a strong heartbeat and is nestled well in me. God knows how happy both Hogan and I are and we are so excited everyday checking on Babycenter (a very good application to download), how our baby develops everyday. Packed with videos and descriptive illustrations, this app gives us an idea of how our baby's progress goes as it grows its vital organs and how the mom could be helped out in adapting to changes of her own. I suggest that every mommy-to-be should download this on their smart phones.

I'm continuously dealing with a lot of physical changes. Except if I inhale strong perfume and Indian spices, I'm all good and ain't experiencing that much of morning sickness. I never had vomiting relating to my state. All in all, it's not giving me a hard time and I thank my husband for that. I'm one spoiled pregnant lady, I must say. We believe that if I'm in a stress free condition, the baby too would be feeling the same way. Our own theory goes that it won't give me a difficult time, if it's at ease. I am giving credits to my friend in sharing how "instincts" could play a great role.

I feel more than grateful of this gift, this bundle of joy and this angel inside me. I can't wait for my child to come by January 7. Also, I'm grateful for all of our families, friends and loved ones who took time to say congratulations, offering little bits and pieces of advices about being pregnant for the first time and most especially offering just about anything to make me feel at ease. Thank you for sharing this happiness with us that even if my child isn't out yet, all of you are showering him/her with abundant love. May the Lord be as kind to all of you as He was kind to Hogan and I.

Hogan with my little one's 1st photo with his celebratory cupcake!!!

Being part of the Team Mushu

One of my January posts talked about the inspirational message I wanted to share to you all combined with my favorite pics for 2013. Challenging yourself into doing something new was one of the biggest advices that I've made which I find difficult to accomplish as well myself. But NOT today.

Dragon Boat Festival is annually celebrated in Hong Kong. It is a huge event where a lot of teams assemble to compete against each other for grand titles, awards and recognition. For 3 years, I've been a part of the cheer leading squad of our team called Team Mushu, Hong Kong Disneyland's Dragon Boat Team. It was not 'til today that I officially became part of it as I paddled my first race after 3 months of training.

For my Lifestyle Weekend, I would like to encourage you to try do something that you've never done before to reassess how well you are doing with your health and how determined you can still be. I am not claiming that I am perfect in fulfilling these two but it did make me realize of what I needed to work on with myself. When you realize your weaknesses, strengths come. Hold it and sustain it once you get hold of it. I exercised this today literally (during the race) and figuratively (for having a mind set of being competitive from 9am to 4pm). All in all, it was exhausting but it was worth it.

Today, we won 1st runner up, taking home the Silver Cup for the corporate division and 4th placer, taking home the Gold Cup. Going for the gold cup means you belong to the highest category of dragon boat racers in this event that was held in Repulse Bay.

I am truly proud to be part of this team and for this year, we still have a long way to go. Team Mushu had signed up for 9 races I believe and we are down by 1 with something to bring home like 2 trophies. I'd say, not bad! So, thank you to the whole TEAM MUSHU for welcoming me warmly and for training me to be at my best and strongest. I will forever treasure racing with you all. 1-2-3, GO TEAM MUSHU!!!