Remain Humble

Don’t let your status, accomplishments, money, or influence get to your head. Life is neither a race nor a show, and it is much more than one’s list of great exploits and accolades. When God sends you to the top, don’t let your soul leave the ground. Don’t feed your ego by believing you’re a VIP. Don’t think you’re better than everyone else because you’re not. There will always be someone smarter, faster, or more powerful. Treat people with equal kindness, respect, and courtesy regardless of social status. In the throes of triumph, strive to remain humble knowing that every success story is from the Lord.

Don't Blink

Do you ever stare at your children and say, ‘where did the time go’? Because in just the blink of an eye, they’re a little taller, a little older, a little more different. So be present in the moment. Put your phone down. Play with them. Study their faces. Hold them and smell them. Listen to their gibberish. Watch them laugh and fight and cry. Applaud their every song and dance. Pay attention to what they say. Get dirty and sticky and sloppy with them. Snuggle and cuddle before you put them to sleep. Read them their favorite story and notice the sparkle in their eye. Remember, the best part of being a parent is in these little, fleeting moments. So be present, try not to blink, and take it all in.

The Grace to Forgive

Has a loved one wronged you? Caused you pain? Broken your trust? It must be very difficult to forgive, especially during moments when you remember the hurt. But you know what I realized? I cannot go back to my happy, peaceful state if I keep on scratching the wound and reliving my pain. I have to let go, accept the past, and move forward. The wound will leave a scar that could remind me of the pain, but it could also remind me of my strength and my love. Love that made me pursue healing rather than punishment, compassion rather than anger, forgiveness rather than hatred.

The Three Hats of Parenting

Yesterday, I came across a Facebook post that mentions the three hats of parenting. I got curious. The post is rather short and I knew there could be more I could read on, so I looked it up. Apparently, the concept was heard from a talk of Bo Sanchez, a preacher and bestselling author in the Philippines. Brother Bo said that parenting is a journey that requires parents to wear three kinds of hats.  It is a must for parents to change hats as the child grows. So what are these three?👒

The Power to Cope

How long has it been? Whether it has gone on for years, months, weeks, or days, have you noticed how it seems easier now than at the beginning? Not to say that the anxiety or pain is no longer there, but now it’s a little more bearable. This is the new normal, and whether we are ready or not, there is no other way but forward. We can’t stop the time, we can’t go back to the past, we only have the present, and cope we will in order to survive and thrive. Don’t rely on just time to help you heal. Be intentional. Pick yourself up and walk on.

The Gift of a Happy Marriage

If there could be one gift that you could give your children, let it be a happy marriage. Imagine them growing up in a home that’s filled with love and laughter, because their mom and dad adore each other? Imagine them facing the world full of confidence and optimism, knowing they will always go back to the arms of their parents, their place of loving refuge, at the end of the day? Imagine them growing up, trying to recreate the same loving relationship with their future spouse and in turn, building a family of their own that is just as happy? The world will be a very beautiful place. Sounds idealistic I know, but why limit our dreams? Why give your children something that is less than your best? Strive to create a marriage where love is so strong, it becomes visible and tangible for your little ones to see. Trust me, it’s a gift they would love to unwrap every single day of their lives. 

Rocco at 1.5 Years

Happy, happy one and a half years to my little fireball, Rocco Boy baby! 🎂

my little binata 💙