Ready. Set. GROW!

Growth is vital for us to be able to enjoy to the fullest the various areas of our lives and utilize the gifts and blessings that God has provided us with so we become blessed and become His instruments to bless others.

You have to want to grow!

Growth is and must be intentional. It does not just happen in a split second or by saying it.

In order for one to grow, one must have the drive and purpose to grow. Growth for humans is much like growth for plants and animals. If we want to grow we have to “cathect” or invest time for our growth so we could enjoy what life has to offer; otherwise, we would just grow old wild and in survival fashion or timid and restrained.

Cathect in yourself. Sit down and talk to yourself---know what you want, you love, and you can do about them. Appreciate yourself and know the power inside you. Once you start the ball rolling, you would just be surprised one day how far you have gone and how much the ball has accumulated and how big it has become.

Be determined to grow. Start, no matter how small or big the step is. Just start, and consistently work out your improvement. Day by day by day by day.

Imagine lying on your deathbed and recapping the days you have lived. Would you want to see days that are empty or not spent with your loved ones or doing the things you wish you have done? Or would you want to see days that are filled with meaningful and joyful memories with your loved ones doing the things you love, visiting places together, fighting for the causes you believe in, having the means to help your loved ones and the underprivileged, eating your favorite food, and achieving your goals?

Growing old with time without developing in maturity is like walking aimlessly in the jungle. You don’t know the time and where you are. It is enough to just get by each day and handle anything that comes along. No drive. No plan. No goal. No direction. Just fate at work.

Anything-goes life could seem appealing. But let us not be selfish just thinking about ourselves surviving each day and taking pride on it. Let us also think about our loved ones who would be glad seeing us well and enjoying the gift of life with them. Think about your parents, your spouse, your children, and especially God who gave us all we need—which we just need to tap in order to utilize them.

Think about the life you wish to have!

Choose the area where you want to grow. Just one thing at a time, to surely get things right. Focus on it. Visualize it. Act upon it. Constantly make short-term plans and achieve them, and work them out on a daily basis.

Assess yourself. Put your evaluation in writing so you can keep track of your passion and effort and so you know where to press on each time trials try to dishearten you.

If the area you want to improve on months ago no longer thrills you nor develop into something bigger that tickles your imagination, it means you’re not doing much. If you feel that there’s something wrong or that your boat is sinking , it only says that you’re not done yet.

Use others’ lives as challenges and inspiration; but never compare yourself with them. Your competition is only yourself. Beat yourself daily!

Take heart! Pray. Stay in the boat and row slowly, but don’t stop. God has given us everything we need so we can overcome and grow.

Always remind yourself of your purpose why you decided or wanted to grow on the first day of the process. Your purpose is what keeps things together when they tend to fall apart.

In times of struggle, bow in God’s majesty and let God do things for you. Let God use you. Just trust in Him completely, do your best, and he will surely do the rest so you may bring glory and honor to His name.

Share your vision and have a mentor. Share your goal with the people who care most about you. They will help and guide you. They will be frank with you when you need a feedback or be proud of you when you deserve an appreciation.

Stay away from hushers. They will blur your vision and lose your focus.

Have the humility to accept that things will be easier when done with a helping hand, and acknowledge the fact that there are people who are better than us. Go to them, listen to them and learn from them.

When you have a person or set of persons who support you, there will always be people who will catch your back and cheer you on. You will have prayer warriors and willing ears to listen to your journey. Sometimes this people are so much into your improvement that you just have no other choice but to move forward and upwards.

Growth is vital for us to be able to enjoy to the fullest the various areas of our lives and utilize the gifts and blessings that God has provided us with so we become blessed and become His instruments to bless others.

Growth brings good physical health, emotional maturity, mental soundness, stable financial capacity, and more importantly sound and healthy spiritual life.

Why live in worries and deprivation when you can live in joy and overflow?

Discover and enjoy your blessings! Decide to GROW!

Shine! Be the light that inspires others.

Daily Spoken Universal Language of Love II

Life is more beautiful when filled with love... genuine love. J

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Letting go of someone/something you love is like putting your favorite toy in a donation box. You will miss it but you know someone deserves it more... and peace of mind and joy will follow anytime soon. The universe will repay your good heart and your good deed/intention will attract goodness for sure :-)

38/366 of 2012 One hint to a relationship you can grow old with joyfully is when you can lay with each other and just talk about anything and everything and tap various emotions for hours.

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The magnanimous thing we can do to our loved one is to love in the "now" and not to be trapped in the past nor be fascinated by the anticipation of tomorrow. Loving with your best now rolls up priceless memories and prevents rues.

39/366 of 2012 Love more today than yesterday...

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A person's greatest asset is not a head full of knowledge nor hands ready to drudge all day long to dig out riches; rather, it's a heart full of love that's fueling passion and a corollary of conscience.

40/366 of 2012 Love is that inherent power to do what is right.

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Love is blind. Our mothers loved us first before they could even see us. Nonetheless, love is wise. It coexists with the mind.

41/366 of 2012 You know it's genuine love when it is given even before it's been asked for.

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Love is often unconsciously associated with obsession. Love makes relationships blissful and meaningful while obsession makes relationships painful and meaningless.

42/366 of 2012 Love inspires the zeal. Obsession expires zeal.

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Relationship lasts long if it is a love triangle. You, your partner, and God.

43/366 of 2012 Make your partner your second love—nothing more, nothing less—next to God.

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Loving is not a routine nor a goal. It is the very method of living--the way you look at life and the way you live every moment of it :-)

44/366 of 2012 Love without ceasing. Love without asking... Just love.

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Everyday is a LOVE day. Some just don’t notice they are being loved; while others don’t know they are expressing their love. No one lacks love for God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. Consciously love yourself enough, for you cannot give what you don’t have. God, our unconditional lover, will give us more of what we have if we know how to share them.

45/366 of 2012 Know your love language; so everyday you can express it best—quality time, affirmation, touch, gift, or service.

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In genuine loving... simple things make great memories, little time brings lasting joy, mere presence becomes entire world, imperfections effects perfection, difficulties spur inspiration, spaces inspires growth.

46/366 of 2012 Relationship is always best shared through a conversation over a meal.

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Kenosis: Self-emptying for New Year, New Way, and New Life

New Year has become the pop time to change consciousness and ways. We refresh our lives to start anew.

We are in a “kenosis” state or “self-emptying” to make space for new habits and new blessings. We make new resolutions that we want to live by for the new year in order to achieve our new goals (or renewed goals, so to speak).

Dreams. Wishes. Resolutions. Goals. Prayers.

Everybody has new set of things to be achieved in order to enjoy a better and happier life, or simply to put life into perspective. Some focus on the aspect of career, others on love, family, studies, finance, or health.

Whatever or wherever we want to improve any time of the year, we must call on Him through whom and for whom everything is made.

Start the day with prayer and go all out with your best, and surely He will do the rest for us. Prayer reinforces our desires; excellence is what success is chasing after.

For every day of the year… Wake up gratefully. Pray faithfully. Work passionately. Decide justly. Think uprightly. Speak honestly. Respond humbly. Share generously. Go to bed joyfully—ending the day with thanksgiving and hope in heart that surely tomorrow God has more surprises and outpouring in our lives.

New year celebration is good; it brings hope and opportunity for new life.

Nevertheless, let us not discredit the fact that every day brings new hope. The good news is, we can transform our lives any day of the year! All we need is persistent prayer for discernment and determination and courage to follow the path to new life.



PS: We can enjoy and appreciate life more when we share its fruits with others. We will receive more when we empty ourselves so God can fill our lives up with more blessings, healing, and miracles. We will never lack in anything if we remain in Him and let His words remain in us and guide us (John 15:7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.").

The Power of 'Pure'

Purity could mean a lot of things. But in Christian parlance, it simply means GIVING YOUR 100% TO GOD!

Yes. “Simply!” Just three steps.

God simplified things for us so we can all enjoy the best gifts He prepared for us.

Firstly, PRAY EVERY MOMENT (1 Thessalonians 5:17). God is a loving Father and zealous friend. He wants to be constantly in touch with us. What is it you want to happen? Tell Him! With a trusting and grateful heart, claim your prayer! Make it your mantra. Everything is possible for him who believes (Mark 9:23). Pray anytime, anywhere, whatever you’re doing. God doesn’t care. He is everywhere (Psalm 139:7).

Secondly, SUBMIT IN EVERY AREA. Zacchaeus the tax collector (Luke 19:1-10) and Peter the persecutor (Acts 9) received salvation even before they practically submitted their ways to God. All they did was simply sought Jesus and said ‘yes’ to Him. The rest was Jesus’ love working in their lives. God knows what is best for us. The easiest and most convenient way for us to receive and enjoy the His blessings is to submit ourselves to Him. Let us not cheat and deprive ourselves of God’s gift of amazing life.

Thirdly, LOVE IN EVERY ACT (1 Corinthians 16:14). We hold the ultimate key to an amazing life. The key to heaven and earth is within us—love is within us! God commands us to love Him above all and love our neighbors as ourselves, and we will live (Luke 10:27)! Love even the most unlovable persons. Love is the mother of all great feelings; it can transform any hard rock into a soft ball of cotton candy; it is the main concoction to successful relationships; it is the ultimate power that heals. If your love is not reciprocated, rejoice still! You will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous (Luke 14:14). Nothing is wasted in love. In the end, the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love (Galatians 5:6).

Purity of heart is best manifested in the action of someone who knows no one is looking—except God. Purity of heart breeds the positive feelings of peace, gratitude, and love—the force at work behind every miracle, blessing, and healing.

Single is More

‘Single’ isn’t just a faint no-brainer word uttered by everybody… ‘Single’ is a powerful ‘feeling’ (of contentment). It ain’t just a label thrown at us by friends… ‘Single’ is a dignified ‘title’ (of blessedness) earned through genuine wisdom and patience, and sometimes through the Holy Spirit.

It just takes a good pair of grateful eyes; optimistic mind; cheerful heart; and a tireless pair of generous hands to optimize singleness to the fullest.




Whenever…

…we hear the word ‘single (oh, with her beauty and brains she’s still single?)
…we see the word ‘single’ (line for singles and line for married…shall I reveal that I’m still single given my age?)
…we utter the word ‘single’ (yes, I’m still single and ready to mingle!)

…we hear different reactions. Different people hold different opinions and feel of the word.

In our solitude moments, thinking that we are single incites various thoughts and feelings. Some may be happy, others may get frustrated. Many may feel fortunate, and still others may feel empty.

An English professor may even hold a different opinion—that ‘single’ always means one. Yes ONE! Singular. Alone. With no one. By oneself.

I’ve been to some situations of being single (Yes, different phases—committed single with boyfriend around and with boyfriend away; and uncommitted single). I also witnessed various types of being single, and I discovered that ‘single’ is, not one, and it’s does not just denote many, but ‘more’.

I had a long-time relationship. It was colorful. It felt good to have an all-time partner in doing things and also a long-distance inspiration when I had to study away from home.

However, when we broke up many things changed. I went through my own phasing of DABDA—denial, anger, bargaining, and depression. Fortunately, because of God, things happened so quickly and I was able to see what happened as a blessing in disguise. With a grateful heart, I was able to turn the situation around and use my situation—single again—as a good opportunity and foundation on which I will willingly build on more good things.

With gratitude and hope for a better everyday, wonderful things surprisingly lined themselves up to me.

There are times that we must think of separation or the act of leaving (whoever seems to leave the other) as a very good opportunity for growth. Tell youself, “I’m glad he left me because it means I can spread my wings more and soar new heights of self-improvement with and for God.”

Being single once again means knowing myself more and enjoying myself in ways greater than I can imagine. While I’m single again, I can have more time for myself, my family, my community, and my friends. All this means more opportunities to serve God.

Being single means more time doing the things I want to do and exploring more things I’ve long been wanting to explore but never had the chance to… Maximizing all this fun learning curve before I get married, or simply before another year pass me by.

Single is fun… Single is ‘more’!

My mom is also a single mother. My father died when I was 10 years old, my younger brother was 6, and my youngest brother was only 3.

Being the strong independent woman that she is, my mother is able to happily raise her three musketeers well, or so I claim.

My other brother wins in international motocross competitions and my youngest brother wins in dance competitions, among the top students in his batch, an athlete, and an officer in their school. No to mention, the two boys are more obedient to mama than their ate.

I haven’t asked my mother yet how it is to raise up three children alone. But deep inside me, a little voice tells me, “It’s hard to be a single mother. Your mother is playing two roles, a mother and a father, at the same time. She gives more—time, effort, and resources—to provide your needs. Thus, you must also give her the sweetest love and the priceless gift of ‘the-best-person-that-you-can-be’ as her reward.”

Because she’s been a really great mother to us, come all four seasons, that other people start to appreciate and look up to my mom. My father’s side of the family loves mama more and more. Other people’s appreciation becomes her strong morale booster and her children’s love and appreciation her Olympic gold medal.

Being a single parent is empowering, fulfilling, and rewarding… Being a single parent means ‘more’!

My grandmother (my father’s auntie) opted to remain single despite some suitors. Perhaps she was blessed to be single.

She happily helped in raising up her nieces and nephews…and eventually, their kids. She hopped from one house of her sibling to the next and one town to another to take good care of her getting more and more ‘children’ and bigger and bigger ‘family’.

When my father was sick, she even traveled a rough 24-hour sail just to be with my father.

My lola Miling, who died just last year, found joy all her life in serving her relatives and making us feel special and loved. In return, she received more love from relatives and even from the relatives of her in-laws.

When she died, she not only gained love and respect, but left and engraved in our hearts the important lessons of her priceless gifts of humility, kindness, and love.

‘Single’ is a fountain of abundant blessings that cannot be bought by money and power… ‘Single’ is more!

No matter what we think of whenever the word ‘single’ pops into our minds… ‘single’ always has superimposed images of ‘more’ (time, opportunities, fun, love, and the list goes on) in our imaginations.

No matter what we feel when we realize that we are single… ‘Single’ always has a power to engrave a different feel of gratitude, joy, pride, and blessedness in our hearts.

‘Single’ isn’t just a faint no-brainer word uttered by everybody… ‘Single’ is a powerful ‘feeling’ (of contentment). It ain’t just a label thrown at us by friends… ‘Single’ is a dignified ‘title’ (of blessedness) earned through genuine wisdom and patience, and sometimes through the Holy Spirit.

It just takes a good pair of grateful eyes; optimistic mind; cheerful heart; and a tireless pair of generous hands to optimize singleness to the fullest.

Single is not one, lonely idea… ‘Single’ is ‘more’ than good things, blissful feelings, and opportunities combined.

So next time you chance upon your English professor telling you that single is singular, you may answer in repartee that ‘single’ is more time, more love, and more giving and receiving. ‘More’ is never one and alone and is greater than ‘many’. Therefore, single is never alone and is greater than ‘many’.

Me. I am enjoying my life with my loved ones and friends as I prepare myself for the coming of my one true love who will one day be proud of me—that her woman has done a lot of good things for other and for God.

More so, that he can enjoy his life with his life partner and bestfriend—from plumbing and carpentry to cooking and doing the laundry; from playing chess and scrabble to playing tennis and diving; from helping ourfamilies to serving other people and God.

Paradigm Shift: Socialites and ruralites are one and the same

Many great things on earth must not be waited to arrive… for they are in everywhere we go already, we just have to open our eyes to see, set our hearts to feel grateful, and free our minds to believe.


For a couple of weeks ago, I had been too busy with work and other stuff, or sometimes I was just busy thinking “What if I text Korsie and catch up? or “What if I send Ate Leony a chat message?” So there, I dropped a message to a friend who’s online.

“Hi Dane!” (cling cling) "Hey Pot!" she chatted back. Hi-hello. Few catching up questions... Poof! Suddenly, we just found ourselves on our way up north.

Everything happened spontaneously. She wanted to feel a different environment and I was longing to do something that would break the toxic urban life. Simply put, we both wanted to have a total relaxation. So after a few throws of messages, we packed up, and let the wheels take us to the paradise we’ve had never been to.

North pole and south pole slowly attracted each other and are now seated side-by-side. She was driving, I was facebook-ing. The soundwaves inside the car were relaxed—long flat line of silence, sporadic short talks, and long flat line again.

It was already a little over noon time when we left the busy streets. I haven’t had anything in my mouth yet since I woke up. Good thing this woman brought a well-prepared lunch box filled with cereals and a bun with garlic sourcream. (The opposite poles are attracting each other now).

The scenery along the express way validated that what was happening was real… I could hear the carabao in the vast rice field telling us “Yes, your unplanned out-of-town relaxation is real.” I could see the colorful nipa huts smile at us—“have fun!” quipped their walls. I could feel the crisp air hugs us, “warm welcome to the province!” I could smell the rain-soaked grass and the clean sea breeze spray out their best perfumes, “enjoy our humble setting.”

All these and more simple things opened up as the rolling grassy mountains of Zambales unfolded nature’s humble beauty and hospitality to us.

My adventurous, backpacking nature was complimented by the ever-ready, organized traits of the other woman. “Zoom in the lens,” her bitchy voice cracked the silence. Oh, there was the screen shot of the map going to the beach resort on her ipod screen.

“Okay, so we’re not fulfilling my dream of sleeping on the sand, grilling fish, getting wet in the rain, eating at carinderias?” I asked monotonously.

To cut it short, things worked for good that weekend… She got what she wanted, to have a beach resort to stay in. And me!!! Later you will find out.Ü

The resort was packed with guests and the only left accommodation was a nipa hut worth just within my budget (because I said the trip must be fun yet economical. I had to be clear with this party woman.)

“You socialite will be a ruralite this weekend, okay?” I emphasized, not waiting for her answer.

Everything I envisioned that we would do happened because this very woman fulfilled them unconsciously… Hooorrrrraaaay! (Because what she wanted was the exact opposite of my plan—decent room, prepared meal, no dancing in the rain only a clear sky for her photography.)

We proceeded from one moment to another doing our own stuff… yes, we walked together (one was ahead of the other). We sat on Love Love Love blanket together (one was taking pictures, the other was eating). We went to the shore together to drink (one was with a new friend, who by the way burned the coal for my grilled fish, and the other one was lying on the soft waves retrospecting in solitude).

How cool is that? Yes, we enjoyed our unwritten rule (of irony): let’s have fun together doing our own stuff independently.

We only talked with each other 20% of the entire time—only when we were eating meals. Most of our chats were even non-sense jokes and gloating of each other.

Our weekend getaway may seem a crap for some… But really, having someone by your side, equally happy as you are while doing her own stuff is far more fun and de-stressing than a tight and sheltered bonding. No bully, no feeling boss, no sensitive heart, no crybaby, no party pooper.

We met new warm and sincere friends who helped us cook my dream grilled fish at wee hours (FYI, they are the crew and the one who practically toiled burning the coal was the owner). We lived in simplicity of our humble nipa hut with no frills of fixing and plugging electrical appliances (we were living in ‘my’ dream palace with only two beds and a light as the furnishing). We were dressed in an unpretentious manner, walking from one place to another, sleeping by the shore and in the hammock while people passed by us. We were eating fresh sea foods and vegetables that were deliciously cooked yet so economical—that one might think we only paid for the labor harvesting and picking them rather than the normal trading price.

After less than 24 hours (excluding travel time) stay at the resort, the observations and realizations we got seemed like reaped from a decade experience.

Sometimes a great life just takes SILENCE (to retrospect and plan), RESPECT (to properly give way and accept), SIMPLICITY (for contentment and fulfillment), CHEERFULNESS (to bless other and be blessed by them), HUMILITY (to know and acknowledge that we are just among the great wonders He owns), and GRATITUDE (to appreciate the worth of small but great things and the abundance of God’s love).

I cannot describe how awesome and great God is for creating all that we see and experience here on earth—the mountains, the sea, the sand, the grass, the people, the carabao, the squid, and the eggplant (all these simple, complicated, big, and small things!)

Many great things on earth must not be waited to arrive… for they are in everywhere we go already, we just have to open our eyes to see, set our hearts to feel grateful, and free our minds to believe.

Now, it’s her time to sleep and my time to hit the wheel and conquer the road back to Manila. Both of us went home with smiles painted on our faces and beautiful things carved in our memories.

Whether in urban or in rural area, by the beach or in the praire or whether organized or anything-goes, prepared or carefree—life’s wonderfulness is the same, as the Maker is one and the same. The difference is just in our perspectives.

Everything will come to pass--so pass it on

By these acts of utilizing and optimizing God’s blessings, we affirm that we can be entrusted of His treasures because we share them and multiply them. Because of this, more will come to us… and we will have more to give and share.



We all know that we will all die one day, on an expected or unexpected day (heavy statement, eh?)

Plants wither. Foods get spoiled. Medicines expire. Houses deteriorate and collapse. And for sure, everything will have its end sooner or later—whether you believe in dying of the sun one day or in rapture.

The good news is… GOOD THINGS MULTIPLY WHEN WE GIVE AND SHARE THEM WITH SINCERITY AND JOY.

Seeing the stock of old clothes in my room this morning, I thought out loud, “When I become a mother, I will train my kids to have their own boxes for ‘relatives’ and for ‘brothers and sisters in Christ’ for their hand-me-down clothes and other white elephants.”

I was thinking to train them to do it yearly (I am ambitious. Yes, yearly and I’m dreaming big! And I claim to have it now—I will have a lot of resources to share. At the same time, I’m ambitious until I have the ‘creator’ of my kids.)

As I am writing this, I’m thinking hmmmh, I need to get rich to provide them (yes I will have a big family) clothes this much (layers upon layers of biiig plastic boxes in front of me).

Something in my head is struggling to stick out its mouth right through my ear to say, “All things have their own ends. But if you willingly and happily share them, they will multiply a thousandfold, move many lives, and will come back to you in ways that your joy will be full before they come to their ends.”

Hmh, that small voice has a point… a very good point at that.

If we share love with other people—the less fortunate, the special people, the afflicted, our friends, and loved ones—we make them happy and feel loved, in turn we become happy as well, and God will be glad about our sincere actions.

If we pass on our old clothes to others in need of this basic stuff just to have something to protect their bodies rather than to have a fashion attire to put on, then we are making even better use of our resources.

For many of us, some clothes find their way to the trash bin or to the rag shelf. While for others, clothes are almost like a house already that protect them from the sun, rain, wind, smoke, and dust in the streets.

When we eat at fast food joints or at restaurants, we sometimes order more than what we could eat to display abundance. When, by just looking through the window, a lot of street kids ransack restaurant garbage bags like vultures just to get some bones and excess rice to eat.

I admire those people who make sure their extra food is still clean, take it out to bring it home or give the food to some kids asking for alms. Don’t just leave the excess food you paid for and let it get spoiled or be thrown at the trash bag, where other kids dive to eat.

There are a lot of things we can make better use of and share with others. Let’s not just let them sit still, dry up, and decay in our hearts, cabinets, and plates.

No matter who you are—student, congressman, jeepney driver, celebrity, housewife, CEO, preacher, or a sidewalk vendor—you have the power to bless others and the privilege to receive blessings from God through other people, whatever their statuses in life are.

By willingly and joyfully giving and sharing what we have, no matter how big or small, we can be His instruments in blessing others—as we simply touch others’ lives by ‘passing on’ or by our ‘responsible tough love’ as we reach out to some the proper way [instead of their desired way, usually in terms of money or pity].

You give—resources don’t get wasted; they are being optimized, instead. The principle of recycle, reuse, and reduce don’t just help, but moreso, save lives.

You reach out—time, effort, and wisdom don’t just come to you then immediately tarnish and go without being utilized for good. Hours of your lives become more meaningful.

When you pass on what you have to other people, you help and touch many hearts; you feel better and happier; and you please God and make Him proud of his sons and daughters.

By these acts of utilizing and optimizing God’s blessings, we affirm that we can be entrusted of his treasures because we share them and multiply them. Because of this, more will come to us… and we will have more to give and share.

The cycle of abundance continues—you give (others receive), you receive (others give), you both feel better and learn more, God entrusts you more blessings.

The Feast: Six Steps to Optimal Health: 3. Heal Through Loving Relationships

*Genesis 2:18
-“Then the LORD God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”

*Ecclesiastes 4:9
-“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work”

*People get sick because they are poisoned by their bad/ill relationships or because they don’t have love

*Basic relationship on earth: how’s your relationship with your parents?

*Only LOVE heals

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- In 1956, Harvard made a study on healthy men, asking them how their relationships with their parents are. Their choices for their answers were: close to both, only close to mother, only close to father, close to none. After 10 years, the researcher checked their health. The results are below:

>Close to both parents:
-27% sick
-53% healthy
>Close to mother:
-82% sick
-18% healthy
>Close to father:
-91% sick
-9% healthy
>Close to none: 100% sick

- Sickness is separation (sickness is caused by stress, worry, fear, sadness, and other negative emotions)
- Perfect love casts out all fears
- Celebrate. Love. Connect.
-
Separation LOVE Connection

- When you forgive, trust, and love, you walk towards healing.
- We are not wired for separation/quarrel; we are made for love.


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-Some Italians from the province of Roseto migrated to Pennsylvania (that’s why there’s a place there not called Roseto also). Other doctors and scientists found a ‘medical anomaly’ in Roseto, Pennsylvania. All residents there are healthy and live longer compared with other Americans. It was later on discovered that the residents of Roseto, Pennsylvania brought their Italian culture of lovingness, cheerfulness, and close family ties and resisted the individualistic culture of Americans.


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- When you love sincerely, you feel healthy
- It’s God who heals… He has given us everything we need, including the power of love to heal our bodies.


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Heal Through Loving Relationships

I. Open up

1. Build a Roseto (close family) at your homes.
 build the capacity to give more love and to openly receive love
 spend more time with your family

2. Give more love
 S study was conducted among women with breast cancer. After the study, it was found out that those women with caring group (family and/or friends) lived twice as long; the other group without caring group, most of them died in less than 5 years, some a little over 5 years.
 With a caring group, joy and love are multiplied; and sorrows and sadness are divided.

II. Touch

1. Start showing your affection (go against the culture of individualism)
 Touch, hug, love
 It was proven that a pat on the back from loved ones lessen blockages in arteries by 60%
 Psychologist Sydney Gerard went around the world to observe people touching their partners in different restaurants. He found that:
- Puerto Rico: ave of 180 touches per hour
- Paris: ave of 110 touches per hour
- US: ave of 2 touches per hour
- London: 0

3. Create a culture that acknowledges one another (handshake, beso, hug)
4. Create a culture of “loving”


III. Volunteer

 Cornell University conducted study among 427 mothers with children. Researchers found out that longevity of mothers’ lives do not depend on number of kids, but whether they volunteer or not:
- who did not volunteer: 52% got sick after certain number of years
- who volunteered: 36% got sick after the same number of years

 The fastest and most effective way out of depression (thus, sickness) is OTHERS.
 Help others and you will help yourself.


IV. Accept more

1. Accept and give way.
 There are times that we are convinced that we are right; but we must also accept at times that the other person is also right (and we may be wrong).

2. Let the other person explain his side until he feels satisfied (for couples).
 Bro. Randy Boromeo and his wife never encountered a fight in their marriage life yet because they hear each other’s sides with patience, and whenever they feel that their emotions are mounting already they just hold each other’s hands.
 Make you own cues, be vigilant of each other’s cues, and understand each other.

3. If you want to be healed lose your need to defend your point of view.
 Surrender to God your excess pride
 Have a humble heart
 Don’t judge right away
 Remember that the quality of you life depends on the quality of your relationships.


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*Proverbs 22:24
- “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered”

*John 15:15
- “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.”

*Ephesians 4:32
- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”


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Challenge:

 Forgive! God wants to heal you.
 Live in LOVE
 Accept. Submit everything to God. Trust his love for you.
 Remove pride! Be GRATEFUL and HUMBLE.