4th of a series (Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘ low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.) As you begin…
(Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, it means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.) There is a dumbing down going on in…
(Select a handful of those things in your bucket list that have the highest chance of coming to fruition given your time frame. In tech speak, this means before your life’s energy goes into ‘low batt mode’ and life has run out of sockets to plug into.) You gaze at the photos on the walls,…
Introduction to the series (THE pandemic restrictions that held humanity hostage for the last year and a half are easing up in some parts of the world and inching towards normalcy. Yes, we are like horses chafing at the bit to run the race. Perhaps, it may be a good time to refresh our efforts…
EMMA looked down at the busy huddle in the operating room. She was floating, hovering above the doctors and nurses in their blood spattered scrub suits while working on someone. They were desperately trying to bring a patient back to life. Emma took a closer look. “Why that’s me,” she thought. The doctors were trying…
TWO geckos named, Juan and Pedro, were sunning themselves perched atop a rock. Juan sighed and whined. “Our lot is cursed. We exist but are good for nothing. We’re not important in the scheme of creation. The world ignores us and takes us for granted. He then said wistfully, “I wish I was born a…
BECAUSE times are tough, many are looking for ways to cope financially. Job growth in many U.S. industries has ground to a halt. Yet in good and bad times, there are many offers of opportunities to make money in multilevel marketing and direct sales organizations that depend on a network of people (bodies) to push…
STRIVE to live relatively debt-free. Sharply define what is a need and what is a want. For most things, frugal gurus tell us to buy only when we have the cash for it. Don’t mortgage your future for a mere whim, particularly that which strokes your ego. Debt can have you in a stranglehold. Many…
YEARS ago, I came across an email message from a legitimate contact telling me of a sad story and asking for emergency money in a far-off land. I searched some phrases and sure enough, it was a scam. Out it went with the spam trash. My take on this: my contact’s email was breached and…
(Continued from last week’s article…) Vigan has pedigree. And tons of character. It was founded 436 years ago in 1572, a half century after Magellan first stumbled onto our shores and made the fatal mistake of messing with the feisty Lapulapu. But I digress and proffer my apologies for sounding flippant about history. Vigan’s name…
WHEN, and not if, this blasted pandemic finally leaves without a trace, what are your plans? Here’s a thought. How about playing tourist in your own native land? Get out of the city and really look with fresh eyes at the countryside. Let it not be said that aliens and other strangers saw something worthwhile…
(Continued from last week’s issue…) Papa was proud of being a Naujeno even when he lived in the US after retirement. While living in Glendale, California in his eighties, he always looked forward to dressing to the nines in a tuxedo, and tripping the light fantastic whirling about on the dance floor with my mother…
EVERY place I have ever been to is made significant by the images and thoughts I have of people, places and experiences that still live on in my memory. For Mindoro, it’s memories of my father, this place called Naujan and sizzling hot summer days. Time can dull memories and I wasn’t ready to let…
THERE are no shortcuts in arriving at a decision to live a simple life. Sometimes, one has to go through a personal hell experiencing an inner fatigue and helplessness over the never-ending chase for the almighty dollar and quality of life in order to come to a conclusion that there has to be a better…
“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” — Ways of the Peaceful Warrior (Conclusion of 2 parts, continued from last week…) I plead the case for mindfulness for everyone at all times and in all places. Do you feel incomplete, naked, inept and insecure when you are not tethered electronically to your cellphone…
“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” — Ways of the Peaceful Warrior I nearly had a vehicular accident. Operative word: Nearly. I was minding my business at a traffic stop when the vehicle before me decided to back up because her car was caught in the crosswalk. I then noticed that her…
“The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy.” —Alfred North Whitehead (Continued from last week’s issue…) Daedalus took off flapping his wings faster and faster to get vertical lift-off and escape gravity. Icarus followed suit and took off shortly after. As they flew, the people on the ground in Crete watched…
“The deepest definition of youth is life as yet untouched by tragedy.” —Alfred North Whitehead (STORIES can teach, heal, entertain, remind and bring home a message with laser-like accuracy and oftentimes, with latent comment. They appeal to all ages. I like retelling the old classics and seeing how their lessons still apply to our lives…
“Vanity of vanities; ALL is vanity.” — From Ecclesiastes (Continued from last week’s issue …) Poor Echo! Her heart broke into a million little pieces. Beauty and light dissolved into darkness for her until nothing held any meaning. Refusing food and drink, Echo grew pale and consumptive and faded away, leaving only her far-off voice…
“Vanity of vanities; ALL is vanity.” — From Ecclesiastes WE now live in an age of extreme self-absorption. Many already believe they have become legends in their own minds. They believe the world revolves around them and that their personal happiness is paramount. Following the lead of celebrities in the sports and entertainment world, we…
“Your diamonds are not in far distant mountains or in yonder seas; they are in your own backyard, if you but dig for them.” – Russell H. Conwell, Acres of Diamonds A FARMER in Africa heard glowing stories of other farmers who have become rich by discovering diamond mines in the continent. Filled with excitement…
“Don’t look for the needle in the haystack. Just buy the haystack.” —John C. Bogle Founder, Vanguard YEARS ago, I was searching for something to place a small amount of money that can yield a little growth if left alone for some time. A bank certificate of deposit, perhaps, I thought. But the yield was…
“Kind people are the best kind of people.” -Anonymous WHAT does it cost to be kind to others? We often think that being kind costs us something — whether it is time, money, connections or any of what we consider to be our personal resources becoming depleted. But have we ever thought at all about…
“You are free to post whatever you like. You are not free of its consequences however.” (Continued from last week’s issue…) Your postings at all social networking sites define who you are and delineate your character to the world. Your thoughts, your ideas and comments, your images, even your choice of words give an insight…
“Social media should improve your life, NOT become your life!” – Patrick Driessen FOR good or ill, advances in communication technology have reshaped our lives drastically far more than we can imagine a decade or so ago. We email, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter and Instagram and think nothing of it. We write comments and post photos…
“Be present. It is the only thing that matters.” – Ways of the Peaceful Warrior THESE are the best of times. These are the worst of times. Charles Dickens could have said these words just as fittingly to apply to this tech crazy world we live in today. There are far too many distractions emanating…
“As he told the story of that wondrous night to Luke, Joshua carefully removed himself from the narrative. It was to be between him and God alone.” JOSHUA was excited with his new job at the inn. It sure beats having to herd sheep this time of the year when the cold nights chilled his…
“… He opened his swollen eyes slightly seemingly regaining consciousness. The man moaned asking where he was. Then he drifted out once more…” JOSHUA hurried outside the inn to the courtyard. A stranger summoned him for help. He had a mule tethered to a post. A badly beaten, wounded man who looked half-dead was splayed…
NDE: Near Death Experience “ Unless a grain of wheat shall fall upon the ground and die, It remains but a single grain with no life.” — From a hymn composed by Bernadette Farrell EMMA looked down at the busy huddle in the operating room. She was floating, hovering above the doctors and nurses in…
“ … You have changed my mourning into dancing, O Lord, and have girded me with joy, alleluia…” —Psalm 30 (Excerpted from the conclusion of a 3-part article) … There is news of suicide that hits you harder because you personally know the person who took his own life. By all accounts, he has led…
