Five Rules in Life to Live By

As parents, it comes naturally for us to hope nothing but good things to come to the lives of our children.  We have been there in the so called journey of life and whatever we have experienced, positive or otherwise, we see them as a lesson learned of which we want to share to our children.  Most often than not, some of these lessons we learned from our parents and we see them as useful in our journey such that we want our children to see the value that these lessons had brought into our lives.  The others, we just learned from our past mistakes such that we share them to our children as well to shield them from the agony of its consequence and the pain of regret.

I have two young children ages 13 and 12 by whom I do not tire of giving valuable advices from the time their young minds can already comprehend as I continuously do so today.  Parents should never get tired of teaching their children.  There may actually be a time when children seem not to listen to us, but we shouldn’t see this as a reason to stop teaching or advising them altogether.  We just keep on advising them no matter what.  Somehow, it will register to their subconscious.  It is worth sharing how these simple advices can actually make a difference from their life and mine.

1.     Be honest, someone up there is watching.  Earlier on, this is the very basic thing that I advised to my two boys.  The saying that “honesty is the best policy” might be too overused nowadays already in this age of deceit and lie driven-world, but I tell you, it still is an amazing trait to be honest despite it being a rarity already.  Being honest saves us from a whole lot of trouble.  When we fail in raising honest kids, it somehow reflects it unto us such that all other values and virtues seem hardly achievable if our kids are in trouble with being dishonest.  Start instilling this to your children while still very young and it just comes naturally that they turn out to be honest kids that we hopefully continues until their lifetime.  It is something I have achieved from my own children, a virtue I have toiled to instill to them with all my might.

2.    Do not do unto others, what you do not want the others will do to you.  True to its guiding principle, this one is really the golden rule to reckon with.   It really needs a constant and continuous prodding from us parents for our children to see the value of this particular rule.  This being biblical in nature while particularly relevant in today’s world, makes it more a truly guiding light in our relationship among people we deal with as we journey through life. 

3.    Everything can be settled through peaceful talk.  This one is actually my personal mantra which turned to become my personal golden rule.  I only learned a little later how useful is this when I applied it to my own circumstances by which I truly believe this can guarantee one to be saved from  huge trouble.  In here, arrogance and pride has no place at all.  Do not attack pride with pride and arrogance with arrogance.  It takes only a simple humility and honesty to discuss matters between people.

4.    Take time to pray.  All of these in this world amount to nothing when you have no personal relationship with our Maker. I mean ALL, and there is no compromise on that.

5.    Be the best of what you can be. To have a purpose-driven life.  To believe that each one of us has a purpose and that we need only to cultivate and discern what our purpose in this journey is called life.  And whatever it is that our journey leads us to, we just try as hard as we can to be good at it given our God-given talents.

It is amazing how as parents, the shaping of our children’s values and virtues depends mightily upon us.  While they may have acquired their own set of values and virtues along the way, the ones that we instill to them especially during the early part of their lives are the ones that truly take roots on them.  We should be more particular in taking advantage of that fact.

Five Pieces of Best Advice that I Can Give to my Children about Life

Well, being the first teacher of our children, we, as parents tend to be very protective to them.   As much as possible, we always want almost a perfect life for them.  Right…?  But,   our children’s lives are beyond our control; and even our own life, most of the time it is hard to maneuver.  It seems so hurdling all the time; however,    what is important is, to live our life as the best as we could. And, the important principle is to make things light everyday to stay happy and healthy.    Most parents in this world desire for almost perfect life for their children.  But, let us face the reality… life is not perfect so as the   human beings.  So, committing mistakes is unavoidable.  In fact, everyone must all go through this process in order to learn the real value of life.

 In relevant with this,   I must say that, if I would be asked  what are the five best  pieces of advice that I normally give   to my children about life; (I rephrased the question since I do this   with them in real life).   First and foremost, I more often tell them to give a meaningful value to their lives.  Since, there are many youth today who seem do not care about the beautiful things around them.  They just ruin their lives with various vices, and they never give importance to whatever their future store for them.  Well, living in this world, has always a purpose for every person.  And, I think   children should know how to give value to everything that they have; especially to life.  We must be the one to take care of our body, free it from any harmful elements that could possibly ruin our entire character as an individual. Second, I typically advice my children to give value to higher education.  Because education will lead a person to do things in the right way.  As well as it motivates a person to   work hard for his future.   More importantly, education   freed any person from ignorance.   Aside from that, with formal education,    a person would get courage to go on with any obstacle in life.  Equally important, education brings a person closer to many job opportunities that would help him or her to elevate his or her economic status in life.  Third, I normally advise my children to be determined and courageous to achieve their dreams in life.   Having an ambition is a great motivation for a person to go on in life; regardless how many times he or she stumbles and falls.  What most important is for a person to learn how to bounce back and   hurdle with all those trials and difficulties with flying colors.  Fourth, I often tell them to save money for rainy days.  It is very essential for a person to know the basic thriftiness for his or her own advantage.   Especially nowadays, we experience a dramatic global economic predicament;   therefore, one should learn to maximize his or her financial resources in order to save a portion of how much money he or she has for future use.   Fifth, I always tell my children to believe in themselves, to their own abilities and capacities as a person.  I constantly encourage them to boost their self-confidence.  Having enough confidence about your self shows also your ability to do other things that other people seem to think that you can never do. Being smart is one way of telling people that you deserve some kind of respect from them; as much as you respect them.   

With all these in mind, well… principles in life are just basic guidance for all of us on how to live our life rightfully, happily and peacefully.   Generally, I also advise my children to learn to become independent.  Being independent is one way of proving yourself that you are a responsible and reliable person.  Above all, I also advise my children to have a strong faith in God at all times, without HIM, everything is impossible in this world.    A lot of people are seemingly taking His presence for granted, but God is always around in our lives.  He just let us do whatever we want to do, he just there, waiting for us to ask help and guidance.   Most of the time, we are overwhelmed with our daily tasks, without even  noticing that God is  just beside us,  just waiting for us to  thank HIM for the life he gave us; as well as the  blessings he always showers upon us.

Movie Review: If Philosophy Were A Movie, It'd Be The Tree of Life

I remember falling asleep when I watched Terrence Mallick's The Thin Red Line way back in college.  What I also remember though was how beautifully shot it was!  It was like I was walking in a dream.  The beauty of the scenery betrayed the goriness of war that was about to come!

Well, I expected The Tree of Life to be just as slow but I didn't expect it to be this ambitious!  It was like I was listening to a lecture on philosophy and then somebody converted the lecture into a movie!  The dialogue in this movie is very sparse - and there is no plot that moves it.  We were actually just watching the family of Brad Pitt's character and how his eldest son related to him.  There were three scenes in the movie which I can relate to because we also used to do it when we were kids.  First was the boxing scene.  Papa made us box when we were kids.  I still remember having to wear the red gloves for it!  Second was that scene where they played with the cans as telephones!  That was cool!  Finally, that scene where the kids run to their father when he comes from work or on a trip reminds me so much of Papa also!

Well, this movie is not for everyone.  If you are not patient and is not accustomed to watch nonlinear movies, steer clear of this movie.  Otherwise, bring a tall espresso so you won't miss a thing!

Mi Diario en Español: El 25 de Junio de 2011

No me salí estos dos dias pasados a causa de lluvia incesante asi que salí hoy para ver dos películas.  Ví 'Tree of Life' en Trinoma.  Era una pelicula rara porque no hubo mucho diálogo y hubo muchas escenas directamente de National Geographic.  Como para porque eran alli, Terrence Mallick conoce solamente!  Curiosamente, no me quedé dormido!  Habia varias escenas entre padre y hijo que puedo estar vinculado como la escena boxeo y la escena donde usaron unas latas como un telefono!

Después eso, fui a Galleria para ver la pelicula Empty Chair.  Era una pelicula terror de indonesia. Era sobre la silla que no esta ocupada porque su dueña se suicidó asi que su espiritu se aparecen los estudiantes.

Ferdie no podría venir esta noche asi que hice la compra!  Compré le CDs de David Archuleta, Gary Valenciano y The Greatest Hits of Radiohead porque costó 99 pesos! Compré tambien un quemador de grasa porque quiero realmente perder peso.   Compré tambien un libro español que tiene ejercicios para tiempos pasados.  Tuve tambien mis camisetas modificó.  Espero que hacen un buen trabajo!

Fui temprano porque quise ver Wimbledon a la tele.  Han mostrado los matches de Nadal y Federer.

Staying Young Inside and Out

Staying young inside and out is a feat that almost everyone wants to achieve in this world where most of us want to live a long life, but we do not want to grow old.  There are many activities that suggest to help one achieves this ranging from exercise, yoga, diet and many more.

Exercise keeps people young.  Obviously age and certain medical conditions can affect one’s ability to do particular kind of strenuous exercise.  But if you can walk, you can reap the benefits of regular activity, from blood pressure control to increased longevity.  People of all ages are advised to keep moving.    It helps to maintain a healthy weight, increase level of the good cholesterol, protects against diabetes, enhances muscle strength and balance, wards off depression and anxiety, helps to prevent osteoporosis and reduces the risk of certain cancers. Aerobic or endurance exercise leads to improved cardiovascular fitness such as walking, running, cycling, dancing, rope skipping, rowing, swimming etc. 

On the other hand, many people who are beauty conscious spent a lot of pesos in buying anti-aging pharmaceuticals preparations in their guest for staying youthful.  A recent discovery of a natural source of antioxidants points out to sweet potato, otherwise known as “camote”.   The antioxidants of this particular root crop are higher in their leaves than in the tops, but higher in the tops than in the roots and petioles.  Yet, all parts of the sweet potato especially the leaves and tops contain protein, lipids, carbohydrates, calcium, iron, phosphorous and Vit. A and C.  They are relatively low in calories and no fat.  They are rich in betacarotene, having five times the recommended allowance of Vit A in one sweet potato, as well as loaded with potassium that helps maintain fluid and electrolyte balance in the body cells, as well as normal heart function and blood pressure.

Getting enough sleep is also one reason to boost good health.  The brain sort of sputters when it is deprived of sleep.  Sleep is precious.  When we sleep, we rest and create more energy for a brand new day. 

We can actually keep on talking a number of strategies to keep young inside and out.  The tips below summarize the entire topic and hopefully can actually help one in his or her quest for youthful personal inside and out.

1.    Stay active

2.    Read a lot.  Aside from the fact that it actually broadens our horizons no matter how old are we in our current state, it also preempts Alzheimer’s disease and senility

3.    Balance your activities from, physical and sexual

4.    Never sit still; always stay busy as the saying goes “when you rest, you rust”

5.    Be child-like and laugh a lot.  Laughter relaxes facial muscles than can become very tense especially in long working hours.  Plenty of laughter produces “laugh lines” in a person’s face giving the individual a kindly look, as against wrinkles and creases brought about by stress, unhappiness and hardships, which contribute immensely in giving a person an aging appearance

6.    Work hard and eat lots of vegetables and fruits

7.    Adequate 8 hours sleep, moderate drinking of wine and have sex.  Sex actually improves the circulation of all organ system including our heart

8.    Live with joy and enthusiasm each day

9.    Avoid smoking

10. Avoid food carcinogens as those found in additives, preserved and smoked meat and barbecued foods

11. Avoid obesity, cut down on total fat intake and eat high fiber food including whole grains, fruits, vegetables particularly cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage and lower intake of salt.

Other insights too about staying young inside and out are found in the bible.  We always associate bible with religious morality but although it concerns getting people to heaven, it likewise is concerns with living here on earth.  Let us take a quick look at them:

·         Peace of mind makes body healthy, but jealousy is like cancer

·         Hot tempers cause arguments but patience brings peace

·         What a joy it is to find just the right word for the right occasion

·         Smiling faces make you happy, and good news make you feel better

·         Kind words are like honey—sweet to the taste and good for your health

·         Being cheerful keeps you healthy.  It is slow to death to be gloomy all the time

There is never one formula for keeping young both within and out.  It is actually a combination of all.