Music Monday ~ George Benson and the New Order

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Have a great week to all of you!!!

Music Monday - Eternal Flame (The Bangles)

More like an eternal sunshine to me...

Life's Little Pleasures

Life's magic is everywhere...
You just have to open your eyes a little wider
And take a closer look at the world around you.
Don't worry about where you have been.
Watch your future unfold
Filled with dreams of where you are going.
-Deanna Beisser-

As we were about to sleep one evening, 13-year-0ld Jazzy said "thank you, Ma." I asked what she was thanking me for. She replied: "For all the lessons you have taught us."

She then proceeded to tell me: "It used to break our hearts to see you crying every night. In fact, every night I prayed to God to please make you happy again. After that, I would thank Him endlessly on those evenings that I didn't see you cry. Isn't it that you taught us to be grateful for little things? But when you finally stopped crying, that was the best gift He gave to us and we couldn't thank Him enough."

10-year-old Jamie agreed and said: "That's true Mommy. We also cried whenever we saw you crying. But now we are happy because you are happy."

Jazmine added: "See, you taught us to be positive all the time... even on those times when there was no reason at all to be happy about."

I remember that dark period so well. It was then when I thought my family would never see the colors around us again. Everything was pitch black. There was total darkness. In fact, my kids' tears would flow every night as I forced them to recall what they had to be thankful for at the end of the day. I felt their pain because, like them, it was also impossible for me to see or think beyond my grief.

As our gratitude list started getting longer, we began to smile again.

Now these kids say "thank you" for the littlest favor, gesture or gift. A movie that made them feel good, a dinner treat at McDonald's (they know I already hate going there), a walk in the mall, a surprise shopping treat and other little pleasant surprises -- I always get a big hug and a "thank you."

But to be thanked for the lessons in life that they have learned from me... that is the best compliment I have ever received!


Blessings to all ,

Happy Birthday Kat and Thanks to Jackie For These Beautiful Awards

A very good friend of mine is celebrating her birthday today. I am sure many of you know her. She is the brilliant mind behind Candles Crafts and Whatnot and Soy Wax Candles Blog. She is also the Editor-In-Chief and Creative Director of The Angels Weekly, an ezine where I am one of the contributors. [I wish I have more time to write for them. I must admit I have been a lousy team player these past few months.]

Kat, I know I have been out of touch lately but I want you to know that I didn't forget your birthday and I miss chatting with you. Thank you for your friendship and understanding.

Rest assured that all your angels are behind you all the way. Congratulations also for a job well done on The Angels Weekly.

Happy Birthday, Kat!!!

If you are a friend of Shinade aka Jackie of The Painted Veil, you know that this is one person who has kind words for everyone. A woman full of compassion, she leaves words of encouragement and inspiration to her friends- both old and new. Her blog, The Painted Veil, is a sight to behold with all those photos showcasing her talent in photography and the beautiful colors of nature.

I am a big fan of hers that is why it is such an honor to receive these two awards from her:

-and-

This is what Jackie said about the Friendship Blog Award:

The Friendship Blog Award above implies:

Green: to symbolize the new buddies
Yellow: to represent the guys who are always active
Blue: to symbolize with high performing PR bloggers
Red: to symbolize that our blood is red and therefore we are all brothers

The Friendship Blog Award comes with a few DO's and these are:

1. Create a post as above.
2. Include a link Giver Award.
3. For colleagues who have not followed this site or not exchanged links, please follow or exchange links with me.
4. Copy-paste the image to be replicated at your Blog Post.

The past year has been fruitful for me in terms of finding new friends. So it is my pleasure to pass these awards to Kat, Janet, Susan, Maitri, Marzie, Tripti, Kara, Sandee, Cathy, Bingkee, Thom, Mike, Dorothy L.

Although some of you may already have these awards, I hope you will still accept them. Thank you for your friendship, guys!



Blessings to all ,

Of Second Chances and Seizing The Moment

The moment I saw this wall sign, I knew I had to post it here. It caught my eye because it accurately describes what is going on in my life right now.

Not everyone gets a second chance. There are some who are lucky enough to get second chances in life but they either refuse to acknowledge it or fail to seize the special moment out of FEAR.

I chose to seize mine.

Like so many, I put my life on hold for so long out of fear of all the uncertainties. The "status quo" became my comfort zone and I refused to venture out of it. I avoided stirring up conflict that would "rock the boat", so to speak. I tried to please everyone to deserve my stay in what I considered a "smooth sailing" life.

But deep inside, I knew I was in the wrong place. My heart yearned for more. It craved for growth. It was hungry for change. It cried out to be finally attended to. So that's exactly what I did.

In July (that heart-wrenching difficult month), I declared that I am leaving my job of 13 years (effective September, that is). Together with that declaration, I severed my affiliation with anyone who could influence my personal decisions as far as "justice for James" is concerned. I declared that I would no longer be afraid of anything or anyone. When I finally met with the Senior Partner of our office last August, I told him that I've kept my silence for 4 years already and it's time for me to make my own decisions without worrying about the repercussion on people I work with. He understood what I meant. I then turned over my duties as Managing Partner and Office Manager, a position I held since 2003 in this 32-year-old prestigious office.

For people who are close to me, they know what other privileges I gave up and the ties I severed with that decision. Was it hard for me? Surprisingly, it came as a relief.

Careerwise, I am starting over again. Things happen for a reason and the new opportunity presented itself to me. I grabbed the chance. It just felt so right.

I can't believe it has been a year now since I started this blog. Also exactly a year ago, the SUN found its way into my life.

To my blog and to my Sun:

The Sun shone oh-so-brightly again in my life these past two weeks. I wish I can share that happiness with everyone. If only I can give a piece of my heart to each of you...

Blessings to all,