Have you been offended?...hurt?

Offenses are a primary cause of domestic, marital and family problems as well as in our society. Usually we don't really mean to offend someone or somebody whom we have met along our way. Words don't have the power to hurt you, unless the person who said it means so much to you.Have you ever experienced being betrayed or hurt by someone you loved? Someone whom you have gave your life to that person? Everyone in life is gonna hurt you, You just have to figure out which people are worth the pain. Being hurt is something you can't stop from happening, but being miserable is always your choice. The worst thing about that kind of prejudice... is that while you feel hurt and angry and all the rest of it, it feeds you self-doubt. You start thinking, perhaps I am not good enough. All men and women have an equal need for love. When these needs are not fulfilled it is easy to have our feelings hurt, for which we blame our partner. 

Accept that all of us can be hurt, that all of us can and surely will at times fail. Other vulnerabilities, like being embarrassed or risking love, can be terrifying, too. I think we should follow a simple rule: if we can take the worst, take the risk. 
When people hurt you over and over, think of them like sand paper. They scratch and hurt you a bit, but in the end, you end up polished and realized how grateful you are because of that pain it changes a lot in you and makes you realized that there's a lot more important in life to go on. You have to hurt in order to know, fall in order to grow, lose in order to gain, Because most of life's lessons are learned in pain. You have to get hurt.. that's how you learn... the strongest people out there...the ones who laugh the hardest with a genuine smile...those are the people who have fought the toughest battles. Because they decided that they're not going to let anything hold them down...they're moving on. Don't try to understand everything, because sometimes it is not meant to be understood, but to be accepted. 

I know when I am offended, I must quickly forgive.  Forgiveness is the only answer!  It is the way of escape! The quicker I forgive, the quicker I come back into my right mind.  When I am offended my soul is in control.  When I forgive, my spirit rises up above my soul and takes back over. One of the main reasons we are so easily offended is pride. The most humbling thing you can do is apologize when you are wrong. We are all wrong at some point. When it is your turn, do something beneficial about it. Apologize. It will force you to humble yourself and will speak volumes to the other person. Learn to listen. Most of us don’t. We listen to people that we agree with because we already like what they are saying. but we rarely listen to anyone else. The only way to understand another person is to hear what they have to say. To listen with the goal of understanding, not arguing. Taking responsibility for our actions is much harder than finding someone or something to blame. 

 To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you. How does one know if she has forgiven? You tend to feel sorrow over the circumstance instead of rage, you tend to feel sorry for the person rather than angry with him. You tend to have nothing left to say about it all. There is no revenge so complete as forgiveness. Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. Forgive others not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace. Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect. It means that you've decided to look beyond imperfections. The amount of love you have for someone seems to always be greater than the amount of pain they give you. Because no matter how much they hurt you, we still choose to stay. We don't meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason. You will begin to heal yourself when you let go of the things that hurt you in the past, forgive those who have done wrong to you and learn to forgive yourself for the mistakes you have made.

Immature people always want to win an argument even at the cost of a relationship. Mature people understand that it's always better to lose an argument and win a relationship. You want to believe that there's one relationship in life that's beyond betrayal. A relationship that's beyond that kind of hurt. And there isn't.

We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion. 

Open your eyes, look within... Are you satisfied with the life you're living? As a mother, you have that impulse to wish that no child should ever be hurt, or abused, or go hungry, or not have opportunities in life. I used to hurt so badly that I'd ask God why, what have I done to deserve any of this? I feel now He was preparing me for this, for the future. That's the way I see it.

Everyone can relate to love, hurt, pain, learning how to forgive, needing to get over, needing the power of God in their life.  Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. The most important thing is to enjoy your life - to be happy - it's all that matters.

"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins" -Proverbs 10:12

Everything we do in life is a choice...

Everything in your life is a reflection of your choice you have made. If you want a different result, make a different choices. 
Everything we do in life is a choice, and I think most of us realize that. But what most people don’t seem to realize is that everything we don’t do in life is also a choice. Everyday we choose to do some things and to not do other things.
True that the choices we make are the ones that keep us going, if you choose to hate before you love then its up to you and again if you choose to question before you understand that's another problem....we all make choices whether good or bad.
 Reflections are your mirror into your life, where you recall images and slices of your life. It reflects the good times, the bad times, the sad times and the happy times, reflecting on the emotional highs and lows of your life and everything in between.  As you reflect back on all the choices you made in life. You must realize it is those choices and only those choices you have made which determines all aspects of your life as you know it today. I only hope all the choices you've made in the past and the ones you will make in the future will be the ones which will bring you a great deal of happiness and contentment.

                                                                There exists within us all, the power to do whatever we choose. We exhibit that power every moment of every day. Every thought we have, every action we take, every word we speak, is a choice. OUR choice. Whatever happens, you are in complete control of your response. You decide what value any event has in your life. Once you make an evaluation, you have the freedom to choose what comes next.
There are times that we have made the right decision that makes us happy and satisfied. But oftentimes, we failed to choose 'coz we made a wrong decision and we face the consequences of the result of that wrong decision we have made. No one else can make you happy, that’s up to you. No career or other person can bring you satisfaction if you are dissatisfied with yourself.

 It is like a two way path,a road or direction wherein we don't know what to choose. Then making a choice or a decision gets in. In everything you have done is something that you chose to do. Your life in its entirety is directly tied to the results of the choices you have made. When we reflect back up on our lives. We many times reevaluate those choices, and wonder what my life would be like if I had made other choices other than the ones I actually made?  Then why aren't you happy with everything you have done?

We are only held back from the things that we truly desire in life, by the choices we make on a daily basis. Most choose to make excuses and blame others for their poor results in life or in business or in a relationship and remain where they are right now, not realizing that if they would ask a few more questions about their previous choices, they might be able to push themselves to exactly the amount of success they desire. Notice that making the excuses and blaming others is also a choice. You don’t have to continue down this road to self-destruction. You could begin today to take charge of your life and begin to focus on every choice you make, big or small. Stop blaming others for your results and begin to take full responsibility for where you are currently in life. Take control of your life and get what is truly yours. If you’re not happy with what you have today, then make a choice right now to make a change in your life that will bring you more of the things that you do want.
Sometimes in life you just have to let things go, forgive, love and move on! Life is too short and you never know when your time is up.

Most people would like to change their life in one way or another. How about you? Are there areas of your life that you would like to change? Any time you want to, you can begin changing your life. You can change your physical, emotional, mental, or financial situation, and you can start today.

It all starts with a choice!

“Your life is the sum result of all the choices you make, both consciously and unconsciously.  If you can control the process of choosing, you can take control of all aspects of your life.  You can find the freedom that comes from being in charge of yourself.”     ~ Robert F. Bennett

 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Isaiah 30:21

Are you stressed out?

When circumstances are out of our control, we feel stress. When our basic needs are not being met, too much load at work, our boss keeps giving us stress, someone is stressing us out,  and our safety is threatened, we tend to get anxious. The stress that comes from this kind of interaction with others is the cause of many sleepless nights, lack of concentration on our tasks, and an inability to enjoy the things that bring us peace and happiness.  What you or others are really saying is that you are responding in stressful ways to these people or situations. The people aren't stressful, the job isn't stressful. Indeed there is no stress in the world – just lots of people having stressful thoughts.  And the irony is that by talking about how much stress you feel only tends to make you feel more stressed. In other words, you are just complicating yourself...your life!

You have probably heard how stress affects the human body. It is not unusual for people to suffer all kinds of psychological and physical problems because they are afraid of dealing with the factors responsible for their stress. In reality stress is not a medical condition, but a psychological one that triggers physiological responses in the body. Yet how many times you heard yourself or others say things like…" I had a stressful day", "You're stressing me out", "My job is so stressful"... and so on and so forth. 

Well the most common signs are, constantly gritting your teeth, nausea, having trouble breathing, panic attacks, pain of any kind, depression, sleep problems, obesity, and digestive problems...meaning you don't have the appetite to eat. You tend to be impatient, hot tempered and now worries attacks you and then people around you are affected as well especially those who are close to you and at home. 

In order to succeed in life, we need to continually be taking on challenges that push us outside our comfort zone. That often  means placing ourselves in situations that are potentially stressful. 

Now think of all the good things in your life that will happen and have happened. Now look at all the stressful things and come up with a good, and positive solution for each one. Try doing this once a week, or if you feel like you're under a lot of stress. Try being happy and positive and understanding of those around you.

Let today be a good day for you. Let your day be void of strife. Let your attitude be always pleasant as you walk in your confident and competent nature.

A stress-less and struggle-free life is very possible when you make the quality decision to let it be. You can rise early every morning feeling excited about your life and retire every night, knowing you’re closer to your destiny, in a confident and self-assured way. If you ask what is the single most important key to longevity, I would have to say it is avoiding worry, stress and tension.   

Stress boils down to one idea - lack of Trust in GOD. Do share the thinking that God is sovereign and in control of our lives. We believe he is the author and composer of our life of faith. We believe he has given us everything we need for life. So, most of the time when stress dominates our lives, somewhere along the way we have failed to Trust God.

Just trust God more and you'll never deal with stress again! Instead of worrying over our problems, further compounding our anxiety and stress, the Bible recommends taking everything to God in prayer.

 

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:6-7 
                       Get Rid of all Your Worries, Doubts, Fear and Stress….No More!
                                               YOU'RE NOW STRESS FREE!

VERANZA Mall...the newest pride of Generals

June 29,2013... the Opening.
Everyone was so excited when one of the newest mall in General Santos finally open its gate to the Generals. The VERANZA MALL! It is the first "GREEN" shopping mall in the South that will bring you to a new level in shopping, highlighting the General five elements of nature that will feature verdant landscapes, a roof garden and an elegant waterfall.

VERANZA Mall connects the existing KCC Mall of GenSan to the new structures via a skybridge. What Amazes me is the Waterfall that captured the attention of every shoppers and can't take the action of not taking pictures in front of it imagining that your in Niagara falls, just a thought, not bad at all.

What about the stores newest in town? Let me mention some of them ESPRIT, BAMBU (store for flip flops like iPanema, Grendha), VANS, 158.DESIGNER's BLVd (high end fashion boutique carrying world class brands like Burberry,Prada, Ralph Lauren, Banana Republic and others), CINDERELLA, AEROSOLES,CACHE CACHE (apparel brand based in France), PABDER (an Italian apparel for men and women), TERRA and AGUA, OFFICINE (shoes and bags specialty), SAMSONITE, KEVIN'S TOYS AND LIBRARY (playroom for kids mostly with branches in Metro Manila), ABENSON, DIY SHOP and there are so many to mention aside from this.

Now let's talk about the foods and restaurants. I know this is your favorite part, you will not end your shopping without eating your favorite food or trying a new and exciting restaurants newest in town. Let me mention some of them. The J. CO DONUTS, well at least they are finally found it here. The GERRY'S GRILL, one of Bitoy's fave hangout every night. THE COFFEE BEAN and TEA LEAF Born and brewed in Southern California since 1963, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf® delivers the taste and aroma of the world's best coffees and teas. 

The YAKIMIX, Manila-based eat-all-you-can buffet restaurant, with 699 all in buffet per person. My favorite Korean food is here in town as well, I'm so excited... the CHICKEN BONCHON, Korean-based restaurant they have the tastiest chicken ever! And of course I miss this as well during my college days the CHIKA-AN from Cebu serving the best Pinakbet with chicharon and Crispy Pata!

 

 

There also the CAFE LAGUNA, authentic Filipino Cuisine, one of my favorite as well is the GILIGAN's Restaurant how I loved their Sisig! Surprisingly, the owner of Mix and Magic wants to put up a cake store with different name... the SIS CAKE AVENUE. And I almost forgot one of my fave pizza, the YELLOW CAB PIZZA CO., A New Yorker's favorite pizza concept. They have also the MOOON CAFE this is really chicken mozarella and its the best!  Actually there are lots of them like Pancake House, Teriyaki Boy, BreadTalk and Arpochi Seafoods and Resto.

So what would a General could ask for? The moment I saw VERANZA, I feel that I am one in the malls in Manila. VERANZA MALL is indeed to change the General's Lifestyle. Magandang GenSan!!!

My Dream Vacation...JEJU ISLAND!

Annyeong Haseyo!!! I have wanted to go for a vacation for very long. The country for my dream vacation is South Korea specifically in  JEJU ISLAND, one of the nine provinces of South Korea. They call this as Volcanic Island full of allure. The island contains the natural World Heritage Site Jeju Volcanic Island and Lava Tubes. Jeju Island has a temperate climate and even in winter, the temperature rarely falls below freezing point. 

What made me longed for this place? Simple. The scenarios are all breathtaking because the place is all about nature, wherein it is a best escape from a city life. The mountains and beaches provide a great place to relax for a vacation. Commonly usual vacation are spent in a big city with different architectural designs to tour around. But with this beautiful JEJU Island you can say that your dream vacation would be a different one. 
What are the main attraction of this place? First is the Hallasan Mountain is perhaps Jeju’s most prominent geographical feature, rising out of the very center of the island. Second is Seongsan Ilchulbong Peak has been recognized for its sedimentological characteristics and is one of the best places in the world to study Surtseyan-type volcanic eruptions. And the third one is the Geomun lava cave Geomunoreum Lava Tube System, one of the most extensive series of lava tube caves in the world.

GEOMUN LAVA CAVE

 HYEOPJAE BEACH

Located on the west coast of Jejudo Island (hallim-eup), Hyeopjae Beach is a white stretch of sand running alongside blue waters. The shallow waters and gently-sloping shoreline makes it the ideal place for beginner swimmers and the beach is often crowded with families during the peak season. The beach is located right near Hallim Park and is surrounded by a variety of bars and restaurants. There’s even a wide swath of grass and a pine forest that is often used by campers. 

The FOOD? I have loved Korean Cuisine after college because one work experience I got during that time is giving tutorial to Korean students. My grandma's house in Diliman, Quezon City is adjacent to a Korean school at the same time there are some Korean students boarding at her house. It was during that time that I enjoy trying their food. I sometimes saw them cooking a simple Nissin Ramen noodle mixed with their well known KIMCHI, then they will topped it up with a well cooked sunny side up egg. Mostly all their foods are spicy and that is one reason why I have loved their food. 

At JEJU, As an island with a long history of fishing, Jejudo Island is known for dishes made with fresh and savory seafood. Various seafood dishes use mackerel, hairtail fish, abalone, and tilefish caught right from the waters surrounding Jejudo Island. The chewy taste of the famed black pork is also a known trademark of island. One of their specialty in the island is the Jeonbokjuk (Abalone Porridge), sliced abalone is lightly fried with sesame oil and combined with rice soaked in water to create delicious Jeonbokjuk. This porridge is known for its high nutritional value and is wildly popular among visitors to Jejudo Island. They have also Seonggeguk (Sea Urchin Soup) The yellow flesh of the urchin is boiled with seaweed in a soup. Known for its distinct taste, Seonggeguk can only be enjoyed on Jejudo Island. It is high in protein and iron, and is rich in vitamins. And their Haemul-ttukbaegi (Seafood Hot Pot), is a delicious seafood soup made using shrimp, clams, and other kinds of shellfish. Weird right? but it brings us curiosity how these foods taste and delicious they are once you'll get the chance to try them. Do they look simple and familiar, yet they taste differently? 

Having a dream vacation in any place or any part of the globe is not that bad, we never know...that dream might come true one day. Kamsahamnida! Saranghae!