After I went to church yesterday, I visited my close friend and my goddaughter. Beforehand, I bought fruits, bread, soft drinks etc., for them. But, it was late for me to realize that I lost some of my money. I went back to the fruit stand and to the bakery but I didn't find the money anymore. I suspected that it fell when I got some money to pay for what I bought.
I felt bad and I felt angry to myself for being so reckless. My boyfriend used to tell me not to fold my money into small and not to put them in my coin purse; but, I never listened to him. I always insisted that he didn't have to worry because I'm very watchful; that, I could notice whenever my money fall from my purse. After he knew what had happened, he told me, " See! I kept on reminding you before but you didn't listen. So, this is a lesson for you. I hope you'll be extra careful next time.".
Upon riding a jeepney, I kept thinking of the money I lost and I kept blaming & hating myself for the recklessness I did. Well, the money I lost was not that very big; but, it's not easy to find money nowadays. So, losing even a coin is already a BIG thing.
Thus, I'm torturing myself as a punishment. For three weeks, i'll not eat delicious and expensive food, i'll not eat fruits and i'll not buy an electronic load for my cell phone. I deserve to be punished so that i'll not be reckless anymore.
I have a 3-year old niece who is very curious and smart. Her name is Friendsys. She lives in my parents house in Bohol because her parents are both working here in Cebu. She sometimes visits us here together with my mother. I always lose my patience every time she's here because of her curiousity.
One time, she asked me to cook a noodle soup because she was hungry. While we waited for the soup, I prepared fork for her and chopsticks for myself ( Filipinos use fork and spoon in eating). After she saw I didn't give her chopsticks, she asked me why? I told her not to use chopsticks because she didn't know yet how to use them. But. she screamed and insisted that she knew and she would use chopsticks. I started to feel angry yet I tried controlling my patience. Again, I explained to her angrily why she had to use fork; but, she cried even louder. So, I gave her chopsticks yet she threw them away; because she wanted to use the chopsticks I was using. At that time, I lost my patience. I didn't notice that I threw the chopsticks in the floor. I got mad at her. Surprisingly, she stopped crying; then, she picked up the chopsticks and gave them to me. And she said, " Aunt, when I grow up can I use these too?". I replied calmly, " Of course, you can.".
My mom who was there told me, " You have to explain to her slowly so that she'll understand. It's not that you have to shout and throw the chopsticks just to let your niece stop asking for the chopsticks. It's not the right discipline for a 3 years old child.". With a feeling of guilt and shame on what I did, I slowly nodded and agreed with my mom.
I never expected that a 3-year old child could teach me many lessons. I should not solve things out in an harsh way. I should tone down my pride sometimes. I should have patience and be flexible; in a way that I can adjust myself to most people regardless of age. And, I should have eyes & ears, to see what should be seen and to listen what needs to be heard.
After what happened, my niece would always ask me about the chopsticks, specifically when we eat noodle soup.
After I cooked food for lunch today, a shell vendor shouted outside the fence. She was selling different kinds of shells. I had no plan to buy shells at first, but I felt pity looking at the vendor who seemed very hungry. I went outside the gate to entertain her. To my surprise, she had no breakfast yet, and it was already half past eleven. I was pretty sure she was very hungry.
From the clothes she was wearing down to the color and texture of her skin, I could say she's very poor. In addition to, her hands were very rough. Thus, i felt lots of needles piercing my heart. I really felt pity to her. For me to help her, I bought shells and gave her clothes. I told her to eat first before leaving but she didn't eat she only drank water.
I was deeply touched with the last thing she said to me before she left. She said in Cebuano, " Abi nimo day birthday nako karon. Ang pagpalit nimo sa kinhason ug ang mga sinena na imo gihatag sako maora jod ang gasa nga nadawat nako karon sa ako adlaw. Salamat kaayo. Wala lang ka kabalo unsa ang kalipay nga ako gibati karon nga nakasugat kog tao na sama nimo. Wala man gani ko pansina sa mga tao didto sa unahan bisan ang pagtan-aw na lang sa kinhason na akong gibaligya, ikaw ra jod tawn day ang nipansin nako ug sa ako baligya. Naa ang Ginoo nagtan-aw nato ug nakahibalo ko na gasahan raka niya tungod sa imong malumo nga kasingkasing. Sige lang day kay iapil ta ka sa akong mga pag-ampo." In English, " You know what, today is my birthday. The shells you buy and the clothes you give are the only gifts i receive in my birthday. Thank you very much! You just don't know how happy I am to meet a person like you. As I went here, the people snubbed at me and they didn't even dare to see the shells i am selling except you. God is there watching us, and I believe that he'll reward you for having a kind heart. Don't worry I'll include you in my prayers."
I could see the happiness in her eyes. She was very happy that I bought the shells she's selling and I gave her clothes. So, I was happy also because I never expected her to react like that. I thought it would mean nothing to her.
The things I did or gave to her were only little but were already a great happiness to her. I was able to ponder that it's not only the BIG things that would make a person HAPPY but the SMALL things too; moreover, could make a person SMILE, could touch some people's lives and could make a difference in the world. It doesn't matter how big or small you give as long as it fits to the necessity of the person and as long as the person is VERY happy to receive it.
So, start giving or sharing now because I tell you it's really nice to feel when you're able to bring SMILE to people.
KARMA - action that has consequences ; fate or destiny.
I wrote about this because of Aya's comment on my blog [ What goes around comes around...Aya]. This is her comment " Lota!
I read your blog.Thanks for writing about that.
I'm feeling it's like karma in some ways.".
Aya is right. The line, What goes around comes around, simply means karma.
I believe that there are only two kinds of karma - the bad karma and the good karma.
So, if you want bad karma, be BAD all the time; but, if you want good karma, be GOOD always.
On the other hand, listen to this song of Alicia Keys, karma. Then, decide later if it's bad or good karma that the singer wants to imply.
Arthritis [ inflammation of a joint ]is the hereditary disease of our family. My grandfather and other relatives passed away because of this type of illness.
At an early age, I already have an arthritis. I was diagnosed by the doctor to have this disease when I was 14 years old ( The time when I wasn't able to walk for a month.). My bones are very weak.In fact, I've been experiencing an extreme backache since I was young.I'm afraid I have an Osteoporosis (is a disease of bone that leads to an increased risk of fracture). But, I don't want to go to th doctor and have my back and knees examined again because I'm afraid to face the reality IF ever I have an osteoporosis. Well, it's not only because of heredity why I suffer arthritis and backache? It's also because I didn't use to drink milk when I was young. I just started drinking milk recently.
I drink Anlene. It's rich in calcium and other nutrients that our body needs. It's for strong bones & teeth and immune system. It's been a couple of weeks since i started drinking Anlene. I can say that it's effective.
Milk is a good source of calcium, vitamins, iodine, potassium, magnesium, thiamine, fatty acids etc. that help us to have strong bones & teeth and immune system, help lower our cholesterol level, improve our memory and help fight breast and skin cancer .
Moreover, milk is a DESIGNER FOOD. It helps us ,women, reach our goal of a firm, toned and sexy body.
So, what are you waiting for? Drink milk now!
Many people believe there is an unlimited supply of fresh water. But droughts in Southeast USA, Africa and Australia are showing there's a need to conserve water.
Thirsty communities
Global warming is playing a part but water resources are also at risk from urban development, an increasing human population and pollution.
Over 700 million around the world don’t have enough water scarcity and each more than one billion are forced to use dirty and harmful water. The United Nations is predicting the number will rise to more than 3 billion by 2025.
Even if you leave in an area with a relatively large, inexpensive supply of clean water, water conservation is important.
Water conservation tips:
1. Ensure that all taps and toilets are in good working order. Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints.
2. Install low-flow aerating fittings on showers and faucets which can significantly reduce water flow.
3. Teach children about the importance of water conservation and how they can save and protect water.
4. Check for water leaks by reading the house water metre before and after a period of time, say 2 hours, when no water is being used. If the metre has changed, there may be a water leak.
5. Install a low-flush toilet.
6. When shaving, fill the sink with a few inches of water instead of leaving the tap running.
7. Turn off the tap when brushing your teeth.
8. Only use your dishwasher and washing machine when you have a full load.
9. Take showers, which typically use less water than baths.
10. Shorten the length of showers.
11. Don’t flush the toilet unnecessarily.
12. Turn the shower off while you are shampooing your hair.
13. Check to see if your toilet is leaking by adding some food colouring to your toilet tank. A leaking toilet will have some food colouring in the bowl after approximately 30 minutes.
14. Do not use the toilet to flush facial tissues and other trash.
15. Keep drinking water in the fridge so that you don’t have to run the water waiting for cool water to drink.
16. When waiting for hot water to come through the pipes save the cooler water in a container and use it to water plants.
17. Insulate your water pipes so that you get hot water faster.
18. Don’t use running water to clean vegetables, clean them in a sink or pan of water.
19. When buying a new washing machine select one that uses less water (and energy.)
20. Use the garbage disposal sparingly. Compost vegetable food waste instead.
[ Bohol is one of the most visited places in Philippines. There are lots of beautiful sceneries and attractions that the island can offer. Just like the famous chocolate hills and the Tarsiers. ]
The Philippine Tarsier (Tarsius syrichta), known locally as the Mawmag in
Cebuano/
Visayan, is an
endangered tarsier species endemic to the
Philippines. It is found in the southeastern part of the archipelago, particularly in the provinces of
Bohol,
Samar,
Leyte, and
Mindanao,
Philippines. Its name is derived from its elongated "tarsus" or ankle bone.
Its geographic range also includes
Maripipi Island,
Siargao Island,
Basilan Island and
Dinagat Island. Tarsiers have also been reported in
Sarangani, although they may be different subspecies. Believed to be about 45 million years old, and perhaps one of the oldest land species to continuously live in the Philippines, it was only introduced to western biologists in the 18th century.
