Happiness From Within

"Happiness will never come
to those who fail to appreciate what they already have."

A good friend of mine sent me this text message yesterday:

"I never search my happiness in others... it will make me feel alone when they are not around. I search it in myself... then I will be happy even if I am alone."

Indeed, true happiness comes from within. Easier said than done, right?

If only people would stop whining about what they do NOT have and start counting what they have...

If only people would see the goodness in every person instead of looking at his/her flaws...

If only people made good of what they have right now instead of pining for a better deal which might never come anyway...

If only...

After all, happiness is a state of mind... it's a matter of choice. But why is it easier to choose misery? Why is it an effort to break into a smile?

If you find yourself unhappy and miserable, remember this: look at the people around you and you will see that you have attracted the same negativity in your life. It's true that misery loves company.

So next time you catch yourself feeling so negative about everything, try asking yourself where your discontentment is coming from... Is it something you can't live without? Is it going to kill you? Is it even worth wasting your time on?

In The Deep Recesses Of My Heart... Five Years Later

Though I have been tossed and turned in life's storms
I will surely see a brighter dawn
I'm no longer held back by my fears
I'm finally... Moving On
~Moving On by Alan Murray~

Much as I have moved on, I can't help but look back at where I have been.

That was a life of abundance... yet I wasn't happy. Lots of people surrounded me... yet there was not one I could truly identify as a real friend. I had everything yet I was empty.

And then tragedy struck. The abundance turned to scarcity. The people who offered sympathies and their shoulders to cry on even when I thought I didn't need them suddenly made me realize what real friendship meant. I lost everything yet I found all the reasons to be grateful. It started with the little gestures of kindness shown to us.

Funny but the people you expected the most to be there for you because you thought they shared the same grief were the same people who waited for you to give up, stumble and make a fool of yourself.

Funny that they cared more about their social standing and what other people would say rather than on how badly we were hurting. Funny that after FIVE long years, these are the same people who say it's still too soon for me to move on. Funny that, on my journey to NOW, they never even had the temerity back then to call and ask how the kids and I were coping. Funny that they were ready to believe the worst of us back then and until now. Funny how they sneak into my (as well as my kids') private albums just to find evidence on how crazy and frivolous I have led (and continue to lead) my life. Funny that they can't hide their disappointment as my kids and I soar high on our own.

And the people you didn't expect to be there for you were the ones who were ready to offer their lives to prove the others wrong. These were the same people who offered me strength when I had none left and was so weak to fight back. These were the people who didn't back off from shouting to the whole world that I am their friend. These are the people who do not hesitate to say or leave messages of "I am so happy for you" after seeing me finally smile from the heart again.

On Monday (January 25, 2010), it will be five years since we lost James. Five long years. And I have come a long way. As the header of my blog says, I have found myself again and built a new life.

The journey continues. Not just mine but my kids' as well. It has been a bumpy road for all of us but it made us realize how wonderful life is. These kids have learned to accept that everything happens for a reason. Each person that comes to our lives has a lesson to teach us. We greet each day with eyes and minds wide open so as not to miss anything. We have embraced life itself.

So on Monday, we are going to remember James' passing with a mass and a simple dinner. We will offer prayers, perhaps reminisce and share some memories about the past. But we know that we're no longer going back to that dark period in our lives. We will keep the sun shining on us.

Let's All Feel Good

Here's sharing a little sunshine to everyone :) Let's all feel good and happy!

Wow... 44 years of marriage and still counting... Indeed, life is beautiful! Thank you for showing us the true meaning of LOVE.

I love you both!

a pocketful of sunshine to everyone!!!

Blessings to all,

Sunshine In My Heart

Despite the little setbacks and heartaches here and there, I wake up each day feeling refreshed and happy knowing that there are more people out there who love me than those who show callous indifference.

Each morning, I wake up to the sound of my kids' busy banters as they prepare for another day in school. I don't even have to bother waking them up. They need no prodding to do what they have to do.

I have my parents who, despite their frail health and other serious concerns, never fail to check on me and my kids. I guess in their eyes I never stopped being their little girl.

I should not forget my bro ('tol) and sis (li'l sis) who, despite the distance between us, have remained close to me. Waking up to their messages in my inbox or cellphone saying "Sis, what do the kids need?" or "Sis, musta na?" ("how are you doing?") always warm my heart.

I have a job that people dream of (if only for the glamor of it) - in a workplace where each one is treated like family .

I have friends (the BFFs) who have stayed with me through thick and thin, rain or shine, come hell or high water. Isn't it amazing that, instead of drifting apart, we (including husbands and kids now) were able to create a much stronger bond through all those 20 years of friendship?

And yes, after a big storm in my life, the sun found its way back and is finally here to stay. Little did I know back then that sunshine would warm my soul again.

Counting my blessings helps me get through the day. And each time I start to worry, I close my eyes and claim HIS promise:

"Therefore I tell you,

do not worry about your life,

what you will eat or drink;

or about your body,

what you will wear.

Is not life more important than clothes?

Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Are you not much more valuable than they?

Who of you by worrying

can add a single hour to his life?"

Matthew 6:25-27

The bumps in the road just make the ride more fun. Always remember that what won't kill you will only make you stronger.

A pocketful of sunshine to everyone!

Blessings to all,

Of Heart and Soul

This has been long overdue. I am so sorry for the delay in posting an award that meant a lot to me.

Sometime in March, I got a message from Flo of Soulful Scribbles that she gave me an award. When I checked it out, I was so touched to know that she created it specially for three (3) bloggers who have inspired her. In her own words, this is what she had to say about the Heart and Soul Award --

"A few weeks ago, Ally of In the Eyes of the Beholder bestowed the Lemonade Award on me. I, in turn, am supposed to give this award to ten blogs of my choice, but I am not yet ready. What I have found through my blog readings are blogs that have touched, moved, and inspired me in so many ways. I would like to give them a special award coming from me–the Heart and Soul Award, for extraordinary bloggers who have bared their hearts and souls to give inspiration to others."

Flo then proceeded to give the special rules in giving out this award:

"If you receive this award, please spread the love!

- Create a post about it, and make sure to include the logo.
- Nominate three blogs that have touched or inspired you, and made an impact in your life.
- Add a link to your nominees’ blogs in your post and inform them about the award.
- Go to http://heartandsoulaward.wordpress.com and leave the URLs of the 3 blogs you have nominated."

Now, as you can see from my blogroll, I have a long list of blogs that have truly inspired and moved me. It is quite difficult to choose only 3 of them. But rules are rules and this award means so much to me. Thus, I have decided to give it to 3 special bloggers who have truly touched my heart and inspired me not only with their blogs but with their beautiful friendship. They are:

KAT of

JANET of Dolly's Daily Diary

KARA of

Again, thank you FLO for this special award. I would also like to thank Kat, Janet and Kara for the beautiful friendship they have given me.






Blessings to all,

A Season's End

"There are times where you or that person has changed

to the extent that it's necessary to let go of the friendship,
so that each of you can fulfill your life path."

People in our lives come and go. There are good reasons why some friends, with whom we shared a substantial part of our being, are no longer in our lives now. We must learn to accept that much of living is all about moving on.

When you have formed an attachment to people, it is quite painful to realize that it is time to let go. This poem, which I first came across in an email, explains why there are those who get to stay in our lives and why some people don't.

Reason, Season or a Lifetime

When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person...

When someone is in your life for a REASON. . .
It is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty,
to provide you with guidance and support,
to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are!
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part,
or at an inconvenient time, this person will say
or do something to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die.
Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met,
our desire fulfilled, their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered.
And now it is time to move on.

Then people come into your life for a SEASON....
Because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace, or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons:
things you must build upon in order to have
a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all
other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but
friendship is clairvoyant.

How much of this poem, can you relate to?

On my part, a season has just ended. I am letting go and moving on. Thank you for everything.






Blessings to all,