Faith Zombies and Peter Pan 7:20 AM I had a very uneasy sleep last night. I was tossing and turning for hours and when sleep finally came, I had the silliest nightmare. I was being chased by monsters; vampires, zombies and Dracula himself. He didn't look like he does in movies but in my dream I knew it was him. He awoke right there in front of me while I was stuck in a very steep exit. It was chaotic. Suddenly I was in the middle of nowhere. Then a familiar place. Then in a forest. Funny thing is that in some scenes, I was surrounded by people I have known since time immemorial and they were not bothered that we were walking among these scary and angry monsters. They act as if it's normal. I was scared to death and one friend of mine told me to go and drink coffee (because my body has idiosyncratic reaction with caffeine) so I can sleep because I looked really exhausted. I realized, these monsters exist because I believed in them. I created them in my head. The weaker I get, the stronger they become. They feed on my negative emotions and thoughts. That night I remembered sleeping with a hateful heart. The negativity appeared to me in my nightmare--- as bloodsuckers and brain-eaters! When I realized that this horror movie was only happening in my head and only because I allowed it to, a childish idea came to me. Childish because I got this from Peter Pan. I went in the middle of the forest where my friends and those monsters were, surprisingly acting like nothing's wrong with the picture, and I screamed at the top of my lungs, "I don't believe in vampires, Dracula and zombies!" over and over again. And like magic, one by one they fell down to the ground, powerless. This sort of leader came running to me to stop me from what I was stupidly doing and tried to wake the other monsters again. With all the courage I had left I faced him and said, "No, you only exist because I created you. You're not real, I don't believe in you". Then I woke up sweating like a pig. Lesson from this nightmare? We create our own monsters. Mine was created out of anxiety, resentment and hate that I took with me before I slept. They manifested themselves as vampires and zombies which is just appropriate because they are eating me alive. But the enemy who planted them in my heart will never win this battle. Because I know that He who is in me is stronger and greater than he who is in this world. Google images. If you're the owner, please contact me so I can give you credit. Thank you! See also: Encounters With The Devil 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
Faith Hair Trouble And The Truth About True Beauty 3:21 AM That's human nature. You always want something more than what's been given to you. Hair Trouble And The Truth About True Beauty Everyone, especially women suffer from hair trouble. Years ago shampoo commercials featured girls with perfectly straight or "bagsak" hair and convinced the consumers that "bagsak" hair is the standard for beautiful hair. Thus, those with wavy or curly hair are somewhat considered outcasts when it comes to hair fashion. So off the gullible consumers march to their favorite salons to have their stylists relax and straighten their crowning glories and make it perfectly bagsak like models on TV. Hair Trouble I am one of those fortunate few who have naturally straight and bagsak hair. I say fortunate because I have friends who would pay thousands of bucks just to have their hair showered with chemicals unknown in order to achieve that sleek look. I was spared from extra spending. I don't know about them, but grateful as I am for my straight and black hair, I still want hair with more volume and not just bagsak. I think it looks more lively and princess-like compared to my dull looking straight hair. That's human nature. You always want something more than what's been given to you. So after that day another TV commercial was shown where another shampoo can add volume to your hair depicting bagsak hair as dull and lifeless, guess what? I found myself in the supermarket buying myself a bottle of that fine solution. Finally my dream of having a thicker and voluminous hair is about to come true. It turned out though that the chemical composition of my strands does not go along with the chemicals in that shampoo. It gave my hair a certain sweet scent which I love and people compliment, but it gave my hair frizzes making me look like it's always windy outside or as another famous commercial line goes, "mahangin ba sa labas?" In the end, I stopped using it and went back to the brand I have been using which maintains my annoyingly straight locks, but is hiyang for my hair. Trouble is, I get a lot of falling hair. Guess you can never have it all in one bottle. The Truth About True Beauty What's the fuss about hair and shampoo commercials? What's all about hair troubles and women's vanity? I don't know when I started to think about it, honestly. I just know I have to blog about it. Giphy Maybe because I want to write about the irony of life seen in this simple hair issue. That straight haired people pay to achieve curlier or wavier hair while those born with natural perm want it straighter. But as I let out what I think about women, hair trouble and insecurities and TV commercials, I realized this obvious truth: We don't need the media to tell us what being beautiful is all about. We should learn to celebrate our uniqueness and embrace our quirks. We should revel with what nature has given us. I am not against women who goes out of their way and seek the help of science to improve their looks. I'm just saying it's a matter of how we look at ourselves. If you think you need some enhancements or changes to make you feel better and you have the means to do so, go ahead. But really, no matter how beautiful you already are but don't see or believe it, science will be useless. You can pay millions for make overs but still feel miserable because of how you THINK you look. In the end, your belief will lead you to your decision--- to be happy with what you have, or to want more and desire for a better version of yourself. "Better" according to your definition. I had some insecurities before but I learned early on that I may not have what other people have but, I have some things others will never have. I have been masterfully crafted and uniquely engineered. I may not be perfect, but I am made in the image and likeness of the Master of Perfection. Beauty is subjective. As for me, it's more than just having stylish hair or using the right beauty products according to the beauty experts (those beauty experts are just as human as you and me could ever be). It's having the right attitude and being confident knowing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made, that you are here for a purpose and not by accident. It is living knowing that The Expert looks at you with love and adoration Just The Way You Are. 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
Quotes He Has Made Everything Beautiful 8:25 PM He has made everything beautiful in its time. -Ecclesiastes 3:11
Faith I Am To Die For 1:21 AM There is NO GREATER LOVE than this: that a person would lay down his life for the sake of his friends. -John 15:13 I'm not pretty. I don't have a drop dead gorgeous body, nor do I possess that X factor judges in the talent shows are referring to. I'm an ordinary-looking, perfectly normal human being. So what's so special about me? The world may say "nothing much" or "nothing at all". Two thousand years ago, though, Someone broke the rule and was crazy enough to think I'm something else---that I am to die for. I don't know what standard He follows or what exactly His criteria are. Many thought, and still thinks, He's a lunatic. No one in His right mind would do what He did. Who else will suffer for those who persecute him? Who would endure the heat of the sun, the lashes and the beatings, the humiliation, the emotional and physical pain, the ruthless persecution and false accusations of those whom he served, guided, healed, helped, fed, and saved? Giphy Who can withstand hunger, exhaustion from physical torment and lack of sleep, and the emotional and psychological torture of betrayal, fear, and abandonment? What kind of a normal person would silently accept the unjust punishment; spits, stones thrown at him, kicks, scourge, mocks, and jeers from the people he loved and served? Well, He's not normal, that's for sure. What He did and why He did it is beyond words. I still can't wrap my head around it. His love and mercy are simply unfathomable and mind-boggling. That Guy is craaaazy. But you know what? I'm glad He is. He's crazy about you and me. If I would assess my life, I don't think I'm worth a tear from a majestic God. For Him to sacrifice His majesty, live a lowly human life to suffer, and die for me is simply indescribable. Why me? And the answer is the cliché and overused word---love. Gfycat What can be crazier than that? This amazing love, I still could not understand. Trying to will just drive me crazy. I am not perfect. I am not as crazy as He is. I don't think I'm ready to lay down my life for anyone yet. I don't deserve that amount of adoration, love, and attention per society's standard, but Jesus thinks otherwise. He believes I am to die for, and I will be forever grateful. This Good Friday, may we learn to love Him more. He deserves nothing less.
Music Music: Today My Life Begins (Bruno Mars) 9:11 PM This song sort of summarizes what I've been feeling since the start of this year. And no rejection, no critic, no gossip, no delays, no storm, no recession can change that feeling. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. Thank you Bruno Mars for singing my life song so beautifully. Today My Life Begins Bruno Mars I've been working hard so long Seems like pain has been my only friend My fragile heart's been done so wrong I wondered if I'd ever heal again Oh, just like all the seasons never stay the same All around me I can feel a change I will break these chains that bind me, happiness will find me Leave the past behind me, today my life begins A whole new world is waiting it's mine for the taking I know I can make it today my life begins Yesterday has come and gone And I've learn how to leave it where it is And I see that I was wrong For ever doubting I could win Oh, just like all the seasons never stay the same All around me I can feel a change I will break these chains that bind me happiness will find me Leave that past behind me today my life begins A whole new world is waiting its mine for the taking I know I can make it today my life begins Life's too short to have regrets So I'm learning now to leave it in the past and try to forget Only have one life to live So you better make the best of it I will break these chains that bind me happiness will find me Leave the past behind me today my life begins A whole new world is waiting its mine for the taking I know I can make it today my life begins I will break these chains that bind me happiness will find me Leave the past behind me today my life begins A whole new world is waiting its mine for the taking I know I can make it today my life begins Today my life begins... 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
Faith Sharing: What's Best 12:32 PM God desires your best always. This is from Kerygma family's online reflections sent daily in my inbox. Because I love the preacher who wrote this and what he wrote is so timely for me, I'm sharing this to you: What's Best by: Arun Gogna “What is it you want?" – Matthew 20:21 “What do you want to be when you grow up?” my father asked me when I was five years old. I answered, “I want to be a cowboy!” It’s a good thing my dad didn’t take my answer seriously. If he did, he would have saved up for a horse for me to ride when I grew up. Imagine me walking in a mall wearing a cowboy suit and going around riding a horse. I thank God that my father knew what was best for me. In fact, he believed in me so much that when I was six, he asked me again what I would like to become when I grew up. I answered confidently, “Papa, I don't want to be a cowboy anymore. I want to be an astronaut!” When I changed my mind, he didn't force that cowboy decision on me. God is your Father. He knows you very well. It’s a good thing He doesn't answer all our prayers. If He did, our lives could be such a mess. God desires your best always. Trust Him. REFLECTION: What do you really want in life? Are you sure? I thank You, Lord, for not answering all my prayers. I put my trust in You.
Faith A Poem About Starting Over (Author Unknown) 6:44 PM A Poem About Starting Over It's never too late to be who you might have been. -George Eliot There are things we wish we accomplished last year...Goals we are getting tired of trying to reach, dreams we set aside because somehow we lost hope, got discouraged, or has simply outgrown them. Whatever the reason, this poem is a reminder that we need not quit and give it another try. We need to start over. For all you know, you'll find the answer this year. It's never too late. A Poem About Starting Over Author Unknown When you've trusted Jesus and walked His way, When you've felt His hand lead you day by day, But your steps now take you to another way, start over. When you've made your plans and they've gone awry, When you've tried your best and there's no more try, When you've failed yourself and you don't know why, start over. When you've told your friends what you've planned to do, When you've trusted them and they didn't come through, And now you're all alone and it's up to you, start over. When you've prayed to God so you'll know His will, When you've prayed and prayed and you don't know still, When you want to stop 'cause you've had your fill, start over. When the year has been long and successes few, When December comes and you're feeling blue, God gives January just for you, start over. Starting over means "victories won", Starting over means "race well run", Starting over means "The Lord's will be done" We need not just sit there, start over!
Stories Evanescence 11:17 AM Evanescence You left as quickly as you came. I remember you. You were the one who vanished into thin air a long time ago. I should not be surprised. This is not the first time. Maybe somewhere inside me, I was hoping you'd make it up this time. I believed in you so much I expected a change. I thought you became the person I was wishing you to be. I was wrong. Very wrong. Because you, you vanished into thin air again. 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
Stories Forgotten 10:29 PM Forgotten Have you forgotten your promise that you will never leave? Have you forgotten the magic that we have once believed? Have you forgotten the things you told me that day? Have you forgotten the songs you sang, and the things that they say? Have you forgotten you swore that you won't let me go? Have you forgotten our love long time ago? 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
Stories My Mornings When You Left 7:49 PM My Mornings When You Left I had a dream. A man lied beside me. He whispered, "Forget him, I'm here." But when I opened my eyes, I only saw your face. I broke down. I called out your name again and again begging you to come back. I woke up with a stabbing pain in my chest. I was running out of breath again. I got up, stared blankly out the window, and felt hot tears running down my cheeks. It was dawn. It was still and quiet. I felt the cool breeze on my skin and longed for your warm embrace all the more. The empty hole in my heart since you left seems to be growing wider and wider by the minute. I started wondering where you were at that moment. Were you still soundly sleeping? Or like me, were you also up early and felt the same loneliness? Another day started. Another ruthless, insensitive day. Everyone will soon start rushing about and getting on with their lives. And I will be here, trying to live and make sense of the world without you. Trying to put up a brave face for the world to see. Trying to fake a smile despite the pain. Trying to act as normally as I can in a world so familiar yet so strange without you in it. I feel so vulnerable without you beside me. Like a child lost in a huge crowd in a strange place. All I can do is keep myself occupied so I can stop thinking about you, and that horrible nightmare; do normal things like normal people do, but dreading sleep. Most of all, dreading another morning without you.
