Quotes St. Augustine's Quotes 5:01 AM I'm a true-blue Augustinian, having attended Augustinian schools from kindergarten to college. Since August is the feast month of St. Augustine, I thought of compiling some quotes from this saint I sort of grew up knowing. First, why is St. Augustine a saint? photo credit St. Augustine's Quotes The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page. ~ There is something in humility which strangely exalts the heart. ~ Patience is the companion of wisdom. ~ Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe. ~ What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like. ~ The punishment of every disordered mind is its own disorder. ~ The Bible was composed in such a way that as beginners mature, its meaning grows with them. ~ Life is a misery, death an uncertainty. ~ And men go abroad to admire the heights of mountains, the mighty waves of the sea, the broad tides of rivers, the compass of the ocean, and the circuits of the stars, yet pass over the mystery of themselves without a thought. ~ It was pride that changed angels into devils; it is humility that makes men as angels. ~ Do you wish to rise? Begin by descending. You plan a tower that will pierce the clouds? Lay first the foundation of humility. ~ Since you cannot do good to all, you are to pay special attention to those who, by the accidents of time, or place, or circumstances, are brought into closer connection with you. ~ He that is jealous is not in love. ~ If two friends ask you to judge a dispute, don't accept, because you will lose one friend; on the other hand, if two strangers come with the same request, accept because you will gain one friend. ~ God loves each of us as if there were only one of us. ~ If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself. ~ This is the very perfection of a man, to find out his own imperfections. ~ Beauty is indeed a good gift of God; but that the good may not think it a great good, God dispenses it even to the wicked. ~ The greatest evil is physical pain. ~ God is best known in not knowing Him. ~ Seek not to understand that you may believe, but believe that you may understand. ~ Love, and do what you like. ~ The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works. ~ He who created us without our help will not save us without our consent. ~ He that is kind is free, though he is a slave; he that is evil is a slave, though he be a king. ~ Repentant tears wash out the stain of guilt. ~ The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences. 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 Unsolicited Advice To The Struggling 20-Something 10:03 PM Shared on Thought Catalog: Unsolicited Advice To The Struggling 20-Something. My title makes me feel like a know-it-all pompous ass. Who am I to give advice anyway? It's not like I've got everything figured out by now. I may not be as wise as Master Oogway or Old Rafiki (See what I mean? Cartoon characters), but let's just say that I have survived the 20's life, and I've learned more than you have so far. So, listen up. Unsolicited Advice To The Struggling 20-Something: Fail fast, and fail often. Some Most lessons should be learned the hard way. Failure makes you hungry and desperate, so you strive for more. Failure makes you wiser, so you make better decisions in the future. Failure brings you to rock bottom and when you're down, there really is no other way but up. Be deliberate Be deliberate in choosing who you spend most of your time with. Don't discriminate. Everyone has goodness in them. But, choose who you hang out with more often. Like it or not, your friends' qualities rub off on you. Jim Rohn said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with". That includes their income and their personalities. Choosing who you spend time with is the same as choosing the person you want to become. Be kind and considerate But don't forget to stand your ground. Try to be patient and considerate. Problem is, most people are abusive. If you let them, they will take advantage of your kindness and cross the line because they assume you will be considerate with them anyway. Sad, but most people are like parasites who feed on your goodness. Have the balls to face the consequences of your actions. Own up to your mistakes. Don’t go around blaming others for the decisions you make. There’s nothing more impressive than someone who is mature enough to admit they’re wrong. There’s nothing more appalling than someone who keeps on making up excuses for their mistakes, and has the gall to put the blame on other people and circumstances for their mess. Read the complete list here. 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
Music Music: This I Believe (The Creed) 2:07 AM This I Believe (The Creed) Hillsong Worship I believe in God our Father I believe in Christ the Son I believe in the Holy Spirit Our God is three in one I believe in the resurrection That we will rise again For I believe in the Name of Jesus I believe in life eternal I believe in the virgin birth I believe in the saints' communion And in Your Holy Church I believe in the resurrection When Jesus comes again For I believe in the Name of Jesus. 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
Books Bo Sanchez's The Abundance Formula 5:15 AM You must get good at one of two things: Planting in the spring or begging in the fall. -Jim Rohn You'd think there's a magic formula behind abundance. Or a complex scheme. Turns out, it's really simple. I learned this from the book The Abundance Formula by Bo Sanchez. Just remember these 4 numbers: 100, 10, 20, 70. Earn 100% Give back 10% Invest 20% Spend 70% Understanding Your Spending HabitMoney is also about psychology and emotions. It’s hard to restrain from buying when you keep on justifying it, right? "It’s on sale.""I deserve this."You will never run out of excuses when you purchase something. And that's what usually stops you from living an abundant life.How Can I Be Abundant in Life? Financial abundance, as suggested in the book The Abundance Formula, is simple. 1. Earn 100%. Give your all in what you do because the universe will always pay you back for what you give. 2. Tithe 10%. Ask any successful businessmen - who are not religious, and they will tell you that giving back to the universe is a huge part of success. It’s the law of attraction, the law of reciprocity, the law of the harvest. When you give, you create a vacuum that the universe will fill up again. That’s just the way the universe works. Giphy 3. Invest 20%. There are many kinds of investments: paper assets, properties, and businesses. If you're no expert like me (math and I have a complicated relationship), do your research and see which investment suits your lifestyle best. Or join the Truly Rich Club. They give you financial - and spiritual advice. They tell you what companies to invest in, when to buy, or what to sell. (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!)VSGIF 4. Spend 70%. Spend what’s left after tithing and investing. Live only within or below your means, and you’ll never run out of cash again. Giphy What does it mean to live life abundantly? The meaning of abundant life is not confined to having more material things. Abundant life isn't about living in excess, it's about: Fulfilling your potential. Growing, learning, and using your gifts. Meaningful connections. Building deep, loving relationships. Gratitude and joy. Savoring the good, big and small. Purpose and contribution. Giving back, making a difference.The Secret to Living AbundantlyAbundance is a feeling, not a material possession. It's about richness of spirit, depth of connection, and the joy of living a life true to yourself. So, tune into your own symphony, play your unique notes, and create a life overflowing with abundance.What are the characteristics of abundant life?An abundant life isn't easily defined, as it has different meanings for different people. However, there are some common characteristics that tend to paint a picture of richness and fullness:Inner QualitiesPurpose and Meaning: A sense of direction and a guiding force that fuels passion and motivation. Joy and Gratitude: An appreciation for the good, big and small, leading to a deep sense of happiness and contentment. Resilience and Growth: The ability to bounce back from challenges and continuously learn and evolve. Peace and Calmness: An inner serenity allowing clear thinking and emotional stability. Love and Connection: Deep and meaningful relationships that provide support, belonging, and shared joy.External ManifestationsContribution and Impact: Making a positive difference in the world, however big or small. Health and Well-being: Physically and mentally thriving, feeling energized and able to pursue your passions. Creativity and Expression: Utilizing your talents and abilities to bring something unique to the world. Financial Security: Having enough resources to meet your needs and pursue your goals without undue stress. Adventure and Exploration: Stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing new experiences to broaden your horizons. What constitutes an abundant life will vary greatly from person to person, so focus on identifying what truly matters to you and cultivating those qualities and experiences that bring you meaning and joy.Remember, the characteristics of an abundant life are a guide, not a rulebook. Embrace the journey and create your own definition of a life lived to the fullest.Bo Sanchez's The Abundance Formula TakeawayAfter reading books on money management, attending seminars, and applying what I learned, I realized that the road to abundance may be long, meandering, and even lonely (not everyone is determined to get out of the rat race), but seeing your money grow is fulfilling.Because it's not about accumulating material things. It's being able to do what you like, give to those in need, and have a sense of freedom.Can you say you're living abundantly at the moment? What's your secret?
Faith Why People Turn Their Backs From Faith 1:59 AM Don't try to change people; Love them so that they will learn to love themselves---and desire to change. -Bo Sanchez I thought about why people turn their backs not only from religion but from faith altogether. I don’t have to look far. I too went hiatus from the church for a while. After going to Catholic schools from kindergarten to college, I started questioning my faith. Why pray the rosary? Why ask for the saints’ intercessions? Why adore Mary? Why confess my sins to a priest? A lot of things happened, and fast forward to today, I have recovered my faith. I can understand the doubters. Why People Turn Their Backs From Faith 1. They’ve tried and tried searching for answers but, they didn’t get any. 2. They’ve tried and tried searching for answers, and they met people who have already given up, making it easier for them to relate with. 3. They’ve tried and tried searching for answers but, the answers they found confused them all the more. 4. They are the “to see is to believe” kind of people. Often, they want scientific proof, solid evidence and facts. 5. They grew up in an environment where faith is not that important. 6. They admire people, who are incidentally non-believers. 7. They’ve been through enough pain and suffering that made it hard for them to believe the existence of a merciful God. 8. They only see suffering and chaos. They can’t see the blessing anymore. 9. They don’t know enough good people that will restore their faith in humanity. 10. The world has been cruel to them (like it’s not cruel to all of us). 11. They think it’s pointless to put your faith on something that’s not proven. 12. They hear stories, experience and meet religious folks who show them the exact opposite of what’s being taught/preached. 13. They’re too proud to admit that someone is bigger than them. 14. They know too much they rely on themselves alone. We can’t change them. We can only show them the light or confuse them even more by the way we live. As one priest often say after celebrating the mass, “You may be the only Gospel that someone will read today. Be Good News.” 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
Lux Thinking Aloud Cast The First Stone 11:52 PM You never really know a man until you stand in his shoes and walk around in them. -To Kill A Mockingbird Cast The First Stone Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone (John 8:7). I love that verse. The video of a priest reprimanding a single mom before baptizing her illegitimate child went viral. Of course, the ravenous critics feasted on it. “The church has no system.” “Religious leaders don’t act accordingly.” “Shame on them.” “What a hypocrite.” Insults. Hand-washing like Pontius Pilate. Stones thrown again. If I may say: You can’t judge the whole Catholic community or any community for that matter, just because one priest or leader failed to show compassion. It’s like saying Harvard or Stanford has a rotten system just because one student or teacher messed up. You can’t say a Forbes Fortune 500 company has a lousy service just because an employee got involved in a scandal. You certainly can’t say that a family is good for nothing just because of one black sheep. You can’t judge the whole nation just because their government officials are corrupt. What about the citizens who are doing their share in making the country a better place? You don’t want people to judge you just because at one point, you lose your temper and said and did irrational things Yes, the priest should have shown mercy, compassion, and understanding---things expected of someone who embodies Christ. I guess that’s human error. Even Jesus got angry when He was very human. For all we know, maybe the priest is also an illegitimate child, and grew up being bullied because of it. Or someone got his girlfriend pregnant. (Sorry, my mind's a little creative). Or he’s having a really rough week. I know it's no excuse for shaming someone who just wanted to receive the sacrament. I think what he did was uncalled for. Not condoning it at all. But nobody’s perfect. The woman who only loved too much. The priest who wanted to impose doing the right thing (who went overboard trying). The people who claim this is unacceptable. We all have our own stories. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion. The problem I see is that we accept our imperfections, but we rejoice when we see others fail. Like it makes us superior, or less sinful when others' sins are magnified. When we point out others’ faults, it doesn’t make us any better or lift us higher. It only reveals who we truly are. I’m not saying that the priest is right. I’m not saying that the critics are wrong. All I’m saying is that before you judge, take a good look at yourself in the mirror. If all you see is nothing but immaculate perfection, then by all means be the first to cast the first stone. What Susie says of Sally says more of Susie than of Sally. Remember that. -Anonymous Know the story behind the story. -Bo Sanchez via Google images 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 Don't Be Like The Dead Sea 10:45 PM If you don’t share your blessings, it will rot. Don’t be like the Dead Sea. No living creature is in it because it’s 8.6 times saltier than any ocean in the world. Why so? In Israel, the Sea of Galilee gives water to Jordan River. The Jordan River gives water to the Dead Sea…and the water gets stuck there. The only way the water escapes The Dead Sea is through evaporation. The Dead Sea is teaching us valuable life lessons: Greed kills. Selfishness will leave you lifeless. Everyone shuns the avaricious. When you don’t know how to give, you die. Sometimes I store food and forget about it. So, it gets spoiled. Naturally, I have to throw it away. What a waste. If you don’t share your blessings, it will rot. No one will benefit. It’s not just about the money. It’s about your gifts; your knowledge, your talent, your time. I used to love dancing. Then I stopped. Now, dancing makes me feel awkward. When I stopped writing for a while, it took me a long time to get started again. When you don’t share what you know, or keep your gifts to yourself, you will eventually lose it. When you share what you have, no matter how small you think it is, the world benefits. When I decided to share my experiences and lessons learned, I didn’t expect that it will impact my readers so much until I started receiving emails and comments from random people. People from across the globe thanking me, cheering me on, and asking for more stories. I realized playing small is not humility...it's selfishness. A lot of people need you, need what you have, need what you can offer. Play big by simply sharing what you have. Don’t be like the Dead Sea. Give...and stay alive. 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
Listicle 21 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger 9:08 AM Youth is wasted on the young. -George Bernard Shaw Originally written for and shared on The Praying Woman There are many things I wish knew when I was younger. I used to say that 21 was my favorite age. It was when I became a full-fledged professional, it was when I first moved out of our house, it was when I met someone I thought I'd end up with, and it was when I became an integral part of the real world. That was when I felt like a real adult; when I thought I had everything figured out. Boy, was I so wrong. No matter how much we try to live each day to the fullest, there's always something we wish we should have done differently or known earlier, right? 21 Things I Wish I Knew When I Was Younger You need to travel more Traveling makes you appreciate life more; the more you see new places and experience new things, the more you appreciate being alive. Traveling makes you see the beauty of nature up close, and appreciate the works of your Creator. You get to release stress, you worry less, you become a happier person eventually. You see things from a different perspective. Although in my defense, I had to put off traveling because I was helping in the house expenses and my siblings' education, I still could have allotted a budget for mini-vacations. Oh, well. I think the long wait made my traveling more exciting now that I get to do it. Start investing early. I've only learned about investing in the stock market when I was 27. And I didn't start investing then! Now, when I look at my portfolio and see how my investment has grown in only a few years, I think about the years I've wasted not investing. You live, you learn. Time is an illusion. When I was younger, it always felt like I had my whole life ahead of me. So, I kept on procrastinating; putting off reading that book I've always wanted to read, not dropping a message to a friend I haven't seen or talked to for a long time, not exercising daily, not saving and investing, not going out. Now, I look back and I realized I've wasted so much time planning and not acting. Friends come and go. You may feel a certain connection with some people and think you could be friends forever. Truth is, if you're not losing friends you're not growing up. When you feel like the friendship is not helping you grow anymore, you're not learning anything new, or it's holding you back, know that it's normal. Also, you'll find out some people also change, and feel like you don't belong in their world anymore. It's either you've outgrown them, or they've outgrown you. Either way, it's time to let go. It's okay to be the odd one out. When you're young, people your age call partying cool and not partying boring. In my head though, it's the other way around. Still, majority wins so you go out and hang out as you're expected. But, it's okay to be the odd one out. Don't be afraid to be different. Celebrate your uniqueness. Why fit in when you were born to stand out? -Dr. Seuss You'll get your heart broken. You'll be hurt and broken. Maybe once, maybe twice. It's all part of the package. Only a very few are lucky enough to end up with their first love. Most mortals will have to meet a few wrong people before they meet the right one for them. It's never too late to pursue a passion or change career path. If you're not happy with what you do anymore, it's never too late to shift. If you're itching to pursue something you've always wanted, don't delay it. There's a reason why that dream or passion has been planted in your heart. Use it to bless the world. You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. -Les Brown Take more risks. When you're young, you have more opportunities to fail. More opportunities to fail means more opportunities to learn. More opportunities to learn is more opportunities to succeed. Plus, you become wiser and stronger in the process. You can't change a person or save the whole world. It's God's job to change a person, not yours. Your job is to accept and love them for who they are. The change will follow. If they're sucking out your energy, learn to love them from a distance. You'll go crazy trying to save the world. It's frustrating! What you can do is try to save one person at a time. How? Be a friend. Listen. Empathize. Share your time. Let them feel they matter. Never underestimate the power of kindness. If it is peace you want, seek to change yourself, not other people. It is easier to protect your feet with slippers than to carpet the whole of the earth. -Anthony de Mello Dance, run, hike. Dare to try something new. Go out of your comfort zone while you still can. While you still have the stamina, the energy and the time, do something that you think you'll never be able to do. People you know and care about will eventually die. That's the hard truth. We can't live forever. Cherish the people around you, show them you care, and never miss an opportunity to affirm. Words are powerful, and it's impact can resonate forever. Haters gonna hate. It's not what you do, it's not what you say, it's how you affect them. And how you affect them is not your call. How you treat others is a direct extension of how you feel about yourself, and when you try to make someone else feel bad or embarrassed of who they are, it’s deplorable. A happy, secure person wants to share their light. -Maddison Jensen What do you wish you knew when you were younger? 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 Today, I Choose 6:37 AM Our life is the sum total of the choices we make. Today, I Choose Today, I choose to be happy, with what I have, wherever I am. Today, I choose to be productive. Today is not the day I set aside the things I need to do. Today, I choose to forgive the people who hurt me. But more than that, I choose to forgive myself for giving them the power to do so. Today, I choose to move on, to look forward to tomorrow, to remember the past but not be affected by it. Today, I choose to dream again, to build new dreams, and to believe that anything is possible. Today, I choose to look at the goodness in me, and see the good in others, too. Today, I choose to embrace my imperfections, and see beyond my faults. Today, I choose to believe in miracles. Today, I choose to open myself to endless possibilities, and shower of blessings from above. Today, I choose to dance in the rain. Today, I choose to be a victor, and refuse to be a victim. Today, I choose to love, even the most difficult person in my life. Today, I choose to look at things from a new perspective and believe that I will see something I've missed before. Today, I choose to face the unknown with boldness. What's there to be afraid of anyway? Today, I choose to be in control. Today, I choose to live. 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 A Story In 25 Words: The Wedding Guest 2:58 AM A Story In 25 Words The Wedding Guest "You're always late." She teased fondly as he approached. "I know. Congratulations." He said. He hurriedly left...before she could see the first tear fall. 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
