Family is a gift

Do you love your family? Do you tell them that you love them? By family, it doesn't only mean by blood. I have all kinds of family and I love them all.

My blood family live on the other side of the world. I chose my path to live here, and I left my home almost 10 years ago. I must confess that I have not been involved in their life as much as I should. I know it's excuses, but having huge time differences doesn't make things easier. The more time goes by, the more I miss them. Yes, emails, skype, so on and so on... it's so much easier to get in contact with them than before. But that' nothing like being there physically for them. Fortunately, they are very supportive about what I do. They love me no matter what. They always let me know how much they love me and want me to be happy. And I'm so grateful to have such an incredible people as my family. It's not easy living apart from them. My grandparents are almost 90 years old. They are wonderful and I love them both so much. My parents are amazing. I don't think I can ever be as great as them. I'm so grateful to be born as their daughter and I do tell them that. Thank you both. My sister is a strong woman and a great mother. We fought a lot when we were small, but now, I see her as one of my best friends. My family always want what's best for me, and what makes me happy. They'll always have my back. And that's the best thing you can ever ask for in family, and in anything and anyone. I love you so much.

And my spiritual family who live all over the world. Some I met long time ago, some just a while ago. We might have absolutely nothing in common, or we have so much things in common... the initial connections are all different. And  I love them all so much. Some people I talk more often than the others. Some I see more often than the others. but, whenever we see each other for the first time in years, it doesn't really matter. it's like we just saw each other last week. I've been so lucky to be able to meet so many great people. They've all taught me and shown me different things. Thank you so much and I love you.

What I want to say is, don't take anybody for granted. Every people you meet, they are blessing. They came in to your life for different reasons. The relationship between people is never one way. You have to respect them, treat them right and listen to them. It's something to be worked out. You can't just call them when we need something. Just pick up your phone and ask them how they are doing. We all have a moment, that out of nowhere a particular person pop up in your head, and you get an email from them, or a call from them?! That's a proof that you're connected in the spiritual level. When that happens next time, pick up a phone and call them. Tell them that you care about them. And remember, treasure all the encounter as it will not recur. When your friends/family make a decision to do something for themselves, be there for them.

Be grateful that you have people who you can count on.
Be grateful that you have can call them your friends/family.
Be grateful that they want what's best for you.
Be grateful that you are able to do something for them.
Be grateful that you can value your time with them.
Be grateful that they will be tough when it needs to be.
Be grateful that you're a part of their life.

Make an effort to be a good member of your family.
Let them know how much you love them and how much they mean to you.

Love,

Just because you can

Life is about what you can give. You do your part as a piece of puzzle in this Universe. It's not about what you can get, it'll always be about what you can give.

This week was one of the most memorable, and amazing week in my life. Two of my friends gave me the greatest early Christmas present. I'm so grateful for everything that happened, and people who came into my life. I cannot be more grateful for that. They've shown me how to be giving, in a whole new level!!! and still be modest. They don't brag about it, they made it seem like it's nothing. NO! It was a huge deal for me! I seriously do not know how in the world, I deserved any of it. All I could do was to keep thanking them. They told me to stop thanking them, instead, they told me to spread love and just pay it forward to the next person. Have I given anything that remotely close to this to anyone!? I mean, it's not about the matter of how big it is, or how expensive it is. It's about caring that person. It's about how much passionate you are, serious you are, how genuine you are. The most important thing is that we don't give anything with a expectation. When you're expecting something in return, that doesn't mean anything. Do it, because you can. Do it because it's a nice thing. Do it because you care about that person. Do it because that's what matters to you. Your gut will always know what the right thing is.

Being able to be kind to others for no reason might not be an easy thing. You see homeless people on the street, asking for some changes. If you have some spare change, give it to them. You might think that if you start doing that to everyone every time, there will be no end.... You're right. You might not be able to do that everyday, or every time. But try to do that every once in a while, that won't hurt. Instead of buying an expensive cup of coffee, you can do something else with that $5. You see a mother with kids at the mall, pushing a stroller, hold that door for her. It can be as simple as that. Smile for no reason. Sing for no reason. Be generous for no reason. Be kind for no reason. Just because you can. And that's all it takes.

"Just because you can".

Love,

it's time to grow

From the moment we were born, we are all destined to grow. It is a daily process and it is necessary. By your growth, you are to make difference in this world.

Again, the growth must be made DAILY and it is NECESSARY. 

First, we have to understand what we have, our current situation, what we've been given.

Second, you have to get what you can. Receive what you can. Everything is happening FOR YOU, not TO YOU. You get to do this. It's given for you for your growth. You're capable of overcoming what you're facing.

Third, DO WHAT YOU MUST. We must CHOOSE to grow. And that's our responsibility.  It starts from your initiative. Growth must be made by choice. The way we see the circumstances. The way we approach things/people. To fulfill your life, growth is essential. without it, we are not going anywhere.

let's decide. to be better. to be more responsible. to live better life.

Love

R.I.P. Mandela

"It always seems impossible until it's done."

----Nelson Mandela---

One of the most influential politician has passed. Many people talked about him, wrote books about him, made movies about him. A person's action speaks louder than his words. In that way, he was very loud, indeed. May his soul rest in peace.

The hurdle was already high. The circumstance given to him was already full of struggle. And yet, the one thing he believed in kept him going, FREEDOM. The goal kept him going. All the odds were against him. He created his own path. He forgave people who did him wrong. He preached LOVE and FAITH. He preached PEACE. He preached FREEDOM. And look how far he came. Life is what you make it. We have it so much easier than what he went through. At least I do. Even though the things that seems tough for me, might seem like a luxurious vacation for some people. My family is alive and well. I'm alive and well.I have people who care about me. I have a place to live and job to pay the bills. That's already more than enough blessing. The rest, those are the issues I'm making it as issues. The moment I shift my perspective, anything else shouldn't matter. I'm the only person who can put limit on myself. I'm the only person who can let things feel in certain way. I'm the only person who can say no to myself. I'm the only person who can say YES to the situation and keep going. I'm the only person who can say I'm good enough to do whatever I put my mind to it. It's easier said than done. It's true. But we all have that power to do it.

You see, don't let yourself blinded by things or circumstances. You already have so much blessing in your life. You have a power to shift the perspective. Whatever you're facing right now, it can be your strength or be your own worst enemy. The choice is yours. Things that seems impossible is impossible because you put a limit to yourself. Your love, your faith, and you are so much greater than you think. Things might not happen over night or the time you want it to happen. But we still have to keep showing up. Show up to your own life. You can do it.

Love

You got everything you need.

More often than enough, our tendency is to compare ourselves with other people. You look at them and see what we don't have and envy them, instead of looking at ourselves and be grateful for what's been given to us. And for most of us, it leads to discouragement, disapproval, feeling of inferior, failure.... the list goes on and on. The truth is that we shouldn't be comparing ourselves to anyone. We're all created differently, equipped differently, and raised differently. And we're all created for absolutely different purposes as a piece in this big Universe.  So, other than the fact that we're both human beings in anatomical sense we have nothing in common. It's us, that putting ourselves in to frustration.

We all have our image of how life should be, and expect things to be that way. We also want to get accepted by the others, acknowledged by others, and approved by others. So, when we see something or someone that's popular or idolized we put this thought in our head, "I NEED TO HAVE THAT to get to where my life should be". "I NEED TO LOOK LIKE THAT to get to where I want to be." "I NEED TO DO THAT to get noticed by other people.... WRONG!!!!! We look for any materials, characters, quality outside of ourselves when we actually need to look what's already inside us. We have to encourage and embrace who we are as a person, and what we can do, what we can offer first in order for us to be whole. We can't expect anything or anyone to fill the missing part in our lives. We have to dig deeper and look into ourselves to get in touch with who we are meant to be. We have to accept, embrace and enjoy ourselves as who we are to be successful in anything. You have to be the best you for you to be successful in what you're doing, what you want to do, and what you are passionate about. No one can be better than you to be you. You have to be our best you, commit to it, and excel it. You don't have to look like that model to fulfill your path. If I was meant to be tall, I would have been tall. But I wasn't meant to be tall. I'm short for a reason. I'm who I am for a reason. You are who you are for reasons. And nobody can take your place. If you want what other people have, think again. Why do you want it?! Do you need it?!

You're already born with everything you need. Think about it. If the earth was not created in the PRECISELY same place, there might not have been any lives at all. So, we are the same way. We're created with purpose. We're who we are for reason. If the Universe's plan was for you to fulfill your sister's plan, you should have been born as your sister. There's something for you to do. As a matter of fact, there's something only YOU can do. Stop looking outside. Start looking inside of you. Dig a little deeper. You got it all. You are meant to do something incredible. You are already amazing for just being you.So, thank you so much.

Embrace who you are. You are amazing. Nothing and No one can ever take your place. Be the best you. You  are already pretty good at being yourself. Don't judge. Don't compare. You are unique. You are already born with everything you need. Find it, use it, and Maximize it!


Love

gratitude

Gratitude is another great way to improve your life. "Don't let your gratitude be seasonal". It sounds almost silly, but let's think about it. During the holiday season, people are more giving, caring and happy. Why? We think about our loved ones, family and friends. We buy gifts for them. We write holiday card for them. We give them a call to see how they are doing. We become more considerate to even strangers. We smile more often. We laugh more often. We spend more time with people in general. Why can't we do that everyday!? Why does it have to be seasonal? Why can't your everyday life be about gratitude and love? The answer is simple, of course we can!

When life is simple, we enjoy things more. When we were little, we played with sand, water, paper and pens, or imaginary items, twigs... The imagination and the creativity of children are so amazing and they don't need fancy things. They are professional make-believer. When they decide that it's true, it IS true. They genuinely believe what they are doing. When they're playing house, they ARE playing house. When they are playing doctors, they ARE doctors and patients. When they are playing fire fighter, they ARE fire fighters.... As we grow older and start having more things, we start losing that ability. Rather say, we start to forget how to use the ability. We start using phones, computer, tablets..... and we become addicted. We let them take over our lives. Think about when we lose electricity.  We can still turn on the candles and talk to each other instead of watching TV forever without talking to each other. We can start telling each other stories like we used to do when we were kids. And it's such a great time! When we have less, we become creative, appreciative. Things become more meaningful. Seriously, we didn't have smartphones and tablets 15 years ago. We had to come up with something to entertain us!!!!

The moment you start appreciating what you have, you start seeing things differently. When you complain, all you see is what we don't like and what we don't have. When we are grateful, you start realizing more things to appreciate. And that's exactly how you attract positive outcomes. There'll always be people who'd die to have the life that you're complaining right now. They'd love to have that job that you hate because they don't have a job. They'd love to have the apartment you can't bare because they don't have a roof over their head. They'd love to have the clothes you're wearing that you said it's too boring and out-of-date because they've been wearing the same thing for a while.  They'd love to have the vision that you're taking for granted. They'd love to have those legs that you said too thick. They'd love to have this day you said it's the worst day because they died yesterday. As long as we can breathe, we'll ALWAYS have something to be grateful for. The gratitude is a mental approach. There's nothing we should be taking it granted for. Everything is amazing. Everything is a gift. Think about something that you can be grateful for today. And one more thing tomorrow. If you keep doing that for a week, that's already 7 things to be grateful for!!! Isn't that amazing!? Even the things you don't like, or people that annoy you, those can give you something to be grateful for. Be grateful that you learned not to be like them and for the things that we just learned.

Thank you,

Love.....

Take a leap

"If you're not scared stepping into something then you're not doing the right thing."

-Sandra Bullock-

They say that the first step is the most difficult one. You are stepping into unknown. It is scary when you get out of your comfort zone. But it is a necessary step we must take. It was easier when we were little, because there's more thing that we didn't know. As we grow older we "KNOW" so much more. It's easy when you know what to do, how to do, or when to do. And it gives you confident to the certain level. And once you gain the confidence, that's the time for you to think the next level. You've earned it till that point. Start thinking more, instead of settling down. There's always something new. You have to change your vision to the big ocean, not the familiar pond you're in. 

When we're comfortable, we start making excuses. Because we have that time to think about it. "What if I fail?"  "What if I look stupid?" "What would other people think of me?"  When we're in a place of unknown, we don't have time to think! We're too busy doing what we are facing. So, when things are familiar to us, we stop exploring the options. And we could be soooo good at making those excuses. Sounds familiar?! We can come up with things that seems to make sense, or that justifies the situation, or that tries to convince ourselves. Eventually, other people start to agree with those excuses and we become more and more comfortable with where we are. We lose interest for better. We lose passion and eagerness to improve. Our egos grow, which will start to tell us so many "RIGHT" things. 

STOP!!!!!

Here's a question. 

How can you see the light if you're not in the dark?! 

You can't. We have to be in the dark to see the light. If you're in the bright day light, or in the blindingly bright artificial lighting, how can we notice the little candle light that's miles away!? It'll be so difficult. Seeing the light will guide you. Even in the absolute darkness, eventually our eyes do get use to that darkness. Just like when we go to bed. We turn off light, and it seems pitch black, but soon enough we get use to it. So, even in the darkness, we will find our way. It's different from just doing things blindly, just for the sake of doing it. We do need a mindset or a goal. It takes courage to do so. But the greater the risk is, the greater the reward is. If it doesn't go well? Well, we just learned a way NOT to do and we make less mistakes from now on. Take a chance. If you don't do it, we'll never find out. 

Love,