Faith Where Is Your Arrow Pointing: Giving Credit Where It's Due 6:30 PM True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less. -C. S. Lewis Where Is Your Arrow Pointing When people compliment us for achieving something laudable, it is tempting to take all the credit. When people look up to us, it is easy to feel superior and forget where we came from.That's why I like John the Baptist. People follow him, and some even regard him as the Messiah. It would have been easy to take the credit, grab the opportunity, and play god. But he remained humble. When people looked up to him, he always pointed toward Jesus.Even when Jesus came to him to be baptized, he was hesitant because he knew where his place was.Some people choose to play small and use humility as an excuse. That is selfishness and laziness disguised as humility. When you play big, you bless more people. Ultimately, it boils down to your intentions. True humility is remembering where you came from and the people who helped you get where you are.True humility is knowing you are special and helping others discover their gifts and self-worth, not flaunting what you have or making others feel less.True humility is recognizing your greatness, knowing you were created by The Greatest of All, and giving back to Him all the glory He deserves. It's rejoicing over your achievements without being arrogant about them.When you achieve something big, when you are recognized for your talent, when people put you on a pedestal, do you revel in your fame and claim all the glory? Or do you magnify The Force behind you? Do you remember the people who have helped you along the way? When people look at you and see how blessed you are, do they see the Blesser working in your life? Where is your arrow pointing?
Life Lessons Never Settle For Second Best 6:33 PM I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. -John 10:10 Never Settle For Second Best We have always planned and wanted what's best for us. Nobody wakes up in the morning and seeks to make the worst decision and make his life as miserable as he could. We all have dreams. We all have aspirations. Remember when you were a kid full of dreams, and believed that you will live in that 3-story house you drew on a paper? Why most people cannot and will not turn their aspirations and goals into reality, I could enumerate a few reasons. But, the most common mistake we subconsciously make is that we settle. We settle for second best. We settle for what is comfortable. We settle for what is easy. We settle for what we think is best for us and what other people say we deserve. We choose not to pursue that dream we have always wanted; to be a renowned chef, to travel or perform, because we have settled to just dream. We have become too content. We have settled for what is good enough. Or maybe we have changed priorities along the way. Or we have lost hope after five rejections. Or we think we're too old or too late to pursue a certain dream. Or maybe the people close to us discouraged us and made us believe that we will not amount to it. And we believed them more than we believe ourselves. Or maybe, we have better reasons to sacrifice our own dreams to give way to the dreams of those we love. In that case, I'd like to salute you for your selflessness. You are an unsung hero. The wind beneath their wings. via GIPHY It is okay to be thankful for what is there. Contentment is key to achieving peace of mind. It is not okay however, to settle for what is there knowing that you can do more, give more and be more. If I could give my younger self a piece of advice when it comes to chasing dreams, it is this: You were made to do great things. Never settle for second best. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Life Lessons 3 Major Lessons to Bring In the New Year 6:18 PM There are precious lessons deep in the stench of failure and the filth of selfish choices. -Craig D. Lounsbrough My past year was fantastic. Epic. Historical. It could have been better, but I LOVE it. And I learned a lot from it. Here are 3 major lessons I will bring with me in the new year: Lesson #1 - Stop waiting for other people Don’t wait for others to apologize before you decide to move on. Some people are too proud to admit they have wronged you. If you wait for them to ask for forgiveness, you might spend your whole life remaining and holding on to a grudge. Don’t wait for other people to right the wrongs in your life. "Life is easier when you learn to accept an apology you never got." In the same way, don’t wait for other people to accept your apology before you move on. If you have asked for forgiveness and they still won’t accept it, make peace with yourself and get on with life. The important thing is knowing that you did your part. Don’t wait for other people to be available to accompany you. If you want to visit museums, see local places, visit cities or try something new and nobody’s free to come with you, do it yourself. It’s not their bucket list you’re ticking. It’s yours. Lesson #2 - Allow yourself to be really, REALLY happy. I did that this year. I allowed myself to enjoy life more. I let myself learn new things. I met with and listened to people who are more experienced than I am. I made peace with my past. I forgave the people who hurt me, and most of all, I excused myself for selling myself short. I chose to ignore, to let go of the could-have-been, and released the negative emotions and toxic thoughts I held on to for so long. I accepted the things I could not change and prayed to God for those we could not control. Though I worry sometimes, I have learned to let things be. I did more of what made me happy and gave up those that did not. I wrote more regularly. I read more books. Unlike before, I stopped reading books that bore me instead of painfully trying to finish the story. I go out more often to meet friends and nourish my relationships. I have learned to stop chasing people who do not try to meet me halfway. I shower my love and time instead to those who value me. Life is too short to spend with people who don’t appreciate you. I surround myself with encouragers, believers, and dreamers who act on their dreams and avoid those who drain me. It is not easy, primarily when you work where you meet all kinds of people. Still, if you are determined to protect your happiness and nourish your well-being, you learn the art of shaking off negativity fast. Allow yourself to be really, really happy. For all that you went through and all the hard work you put into what you do, that’s the least you deserve. Lesson #3 - Everything is a decision.Your life today is the result of the decisions you have made in the past. The life you dream of will come true if you decide to make it happen. I have made decisions in the past that I am glad I did. I also have made bad decisions that I sometimes regret. My only consolation now is that I have learned from them, and the consequences made me better. I would not have become the person I am without them, and I could not imagine myself otherwise. Everything in your life happens and results from your decisions every single time. Great relationships don’t just happen. You decide to make it happen. You choose to love even when you wake up and the people you love are not their usual lovable selves. You decide to forgive and compromise to save the relationship. You do not become an overnight success. You decide to study and master your craft. You choose to learn more about your field. You pick yourself up after you fail, even if you fall multiple times. Your addiction will not stop ruining your life unless you decide to put an end to it. You decide to be financially free. Your debts will not just go away. Your future will not secure itself. You decide today how your tomorrow will become. There may be goals you wish you had accomplished in the past year. It is never too late to pursue them again. Trials are inevitable, but you can avoid falling into the same mistakes and failures if you bring the lessons you have learned from the past. You can make this year better. I know I can. These 3 major lessons will help me make that happen.
Lux Thinking Aloud Liebster Award Recipient---Again! 1:04 AM I am a Liebster Award recipient---again! Woohoo! This is the second time that I have been awarded this year. I am so honored, so humbled, so amazed. I started this blog years ago but I only decided to get serious with it early this year and already, my effort has been fruitful. I have gained not only followers but friends as well in the blogosphere. That is for me more important than anything else a blog could bring; people I've made happy (somehow) and whom I'm able to connect with. This time, I would like to thank one lovely blog I follow, Raising Samuels Homeschool for giving me this award. To officially accept this award, I am following these 3 steps: 1. Link back and thank the person who nominated me. 2. Answer the 11 questions the person who nominated me asked. 3. Nominate 11 other bloggers for the award and ask them my own set of 11 questions. Google images Step 1: Thank the blogger who nominated and link back: Thank you Kelly of Raising Samuels not just for nominating me, but for posting relevant and inspirational stories as well. I'm glad I came across your blog. You've been very helpful. Keep on blogging! Step 2: 11 questions from Raising Samuels: 1. How long have you been blogging? 3 wonderful years. 2. Did blogging start out as a hobby for you and in what ways has it grown than what you expected? I started blogging as a space for my brain farts. :) Eventually, I ventured into online jobs and it has been a good portfolio for clients. Through time, I have been receiving great responses even from strangers, and I had no idea how they found my blog. After receiving a few emails from readers asking and encouraging me to write some more and even believe it or not, asking me for some life advices I've realized that this could be my calling, my mission. From then on I don't just write for my own entertainment, but for those whom I know I could reach out to and bless through my simple sharing. 3. What advice would you give to a new blogger? Keep on writing, keep on reading, keep on learning. Don't let one negative comment stop you from pursuing your passion. Focus on your core audience as advised by one of my favorite authors, Bo Sanchez. 4. How much time do you dedicate to writing or to your blog? When I started to become serious with blogging I saw to it that I update my blog every day if not every other day. Now I blog at least thrice a week and dedicate most of my time visiting other blogs as I learn a lot from them. 5. What is your blog about? Majority is about my faith and my life journey. Life has been pretty amazing when I surrendered my life to God and when I started to embrace my status and I want to share that to many. I also sometimes blog about my travels, reviews of books, movies, products, or places, re-posting quotes/songs that speak to me. I've also dabbed into writing short stories (6-25 words). Mostly brain farts really. 6. Where does the inspiration behind your writing come from? My hope to let people know that they are not alone in what they are going through through the stories I share. 7. What is your best post or the one you had the most fun writing? Everything about being single, the ups and downs, the pros and cons. 8. What is the hardest thing about blogging to you? Sometimes I have too many ideas I don't know where to start. Sometimes I want to write but I have not one single idea what to write about. 9. Where do you see your blog in 3 years? Hopefully I would be able to reach out to more readers, inspire more people and get to know more wonderful friends through it. 10. What is the best social media outlet for your blog? Google+ and Twitter. 11. What is one thing you would want your readers to know about you? That I may not be as great a writer as J.K. Rowling is or as poetic and profound as Maya Angelou, but always always always, I write from the heart. Step 3: The 11 excellent bloggers I nominate are: Jerboy Must Die! A Photographic Diary Chef Jay's Kitchen Tibs Tells Tales Letters From Launna Worldsplash Life by Chocolate Attraction2Fashion Kiss&Make-Up Beauty Blog The Knot Story ForRealGood 11 Questions the nominees must answer to accept the award: 1. What made you start blogging? 2. What is your blog goal for 2015? 3. If you are not blogging, what do you do most of the time? 4. What is your own definition of success? 5. Who do you look up to or want to emulate? 6. What was your dream when you were a kid and were you able to achieve it? 7. How do you deal with writer's block? 8. What book or movie changed your life or outlook on life? 9. What are you passionate about aside from writing? 10. Your favorite movie line. 11. What advice will you give your 13 year old self? I now officially accept my second Liebster Award for 2014. It has been a year full of surprises! Thank you 2014 for being so generous to me! Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Life Lessons 10 Lessons Learned From Being A Middle Child 5:00 PM Ah, the middle child. The often-overlooked gem nestled between the shining star eldest and the adorable baby of the family. Being in the middle can be challenging. That's why the Middle Child Syndrome exists. But it's an adventure. It's a crash course in adaptability, among many others. I should know. I'm a middle child, and here are ten lessons I've learned from being one. 1. FlexibilityLife is a constant dance of change, and you, my friend, are Fred Astaire with tap shoes for brains. You learned to adapt to your older sibling's metamorphosis from playful kid to moody teenager while becoming the coolest playmate your younger sibling could ask for. You're the bridge between worlds. The chameleon blends seamlessly into any situation. Tenor2. IndependenceLet's face it: the spotlight often shines on the first and last acts of the family play. But you, the middle act, learned a different kind of magic – self-reliance. You honed the art of fending for yourself, entertaining yourself, and figuring things out solo. You're the resourceful MacGyver of your life, which is a superpower.Giphy3. DiscernmentWhile the eldest basked in firsts and the youngest melted hearts with innocent eyes, you developed a keen eye for the real deal. You learned to differentiate between wants and needs, to appreciate what you have, and to make the most of every opportunity. You're the wise sage in the bustling family circus, the voice of reason amidst the whirlwind.Giphy 4. SimplicityHand-me-downs weren't just second-best. They were a crash course in minimalism. You learned to appreciate experiences over possessions, to find joy in the simple things, and to be content with enough. You're the minimalist master who knows that true happiness isn't measured in material possessions. Giphy5. GenerosityWith younger siblings vying for your toys and older siblings sometimes forgetting to share, you discovered the beautiful act of giving. You learned to share your candy, time, and heart, spreading generosity like confetti. You know that happiness multiplies when shared.Mangobaaz 6. Empathy Being the bridge between ages and personalities gave you a strong sense of empathy. You understand the joys and struggles of both the big kids and the little ones, the anxieties of the achiever, and the vulnerabilities of the baby. You're the therapist in sneakers who holds space for everyone's feelings.The Simple Catholic 7. You become your own hero. You learned to be your own champion in the hustle and bustle of family life. You discovered the joy of self-reliance, the confidence in finding your path, and the strength to celebrate your victories. You're the lone wolf with a pack on your back, the adventurer who knows that the most remarkable journey is the one within.Tumblr 8. Solitude SanctuaryNot everybody needs a constant audience; you are perfectly okay with that. You discovered the beauty of quiet afternoons lost in a book, the joy of introspection, and the power of simply being alone with your thoughts. You're the introspective explorer. And let's be honest, having a lot of siblings could be loud and noisy. So silence gives you a chance to breathe and just be.Giphy 9. SelflessnessStepping aside while others take the spotlight taught you the art of selflessness. You learned to celebrate the victories of others, to prioritize the needs of the family, and to find satisfaction in quiet acts of kindness. You're the unsung hero, the backbone of the family, who makes the world a better place without expecting anything in return. God, aren't you amazing? You deserve a standing ovation. Tenor 10. Patience Waiting for hand-me-downs, sharing toys, and navigating family dynamics all honed your patience like a diamond in the rough. You learned to wait for what you deserve, to appreciate the good things that come slowly, and to savor the journey as much as the destination. You're the master of calm amidst chaos, the one who knows that sometimes, the most extraordinary things in life are worth the wait.Giphy Lessons Learned from Being a Middle Child Being the middle child has its pros and cons. Everything a middle child has to go through worked well for me. I can relate well with the people I meet and feel I get the best of both worlds.I am on neutral ground. A place where an older or younger sibling has never seen the beauty of. Being a middle child sure could be challenging, but it's a journey unlike any other.Being born in the middle is a privilege I wouldn't trade for anything.7 Middle Child ProblemsA fun video about being a middle child from BuzzFeed As/Is:Are you the eldest, youngest, or the brilliant middle child in the family? What do you love about your birth order?This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you!
