On this day, God wants you to know… that decision is only wishful thinking until you take that first irreversible step. You can tell yourself that you have already decided, that nothing now can stop you, but if that step backwards is so much safer than step forwards, what will hold you true to your path when the going gets tough? Sometimes, the right thing to do is to take that first irreversible step, the one after which you cannot go back. And now, for you, is one of those times.

On this day, God wants you to know… that when you come to a wall, you can either climb it, or you can simply walk around until you find a door. Don’t make life so hard, - look for the doors!

On this day, God wants you to know… that you are a human being, not a human doing. Take time to just be, to breathe slowly, to feel your body that is the temple of your soul. No activities, no worries, no buzzing.

On this day, God wants you to know… that you are blessed. You may think you have challenges, but you have so many blessings. Sometimes it takes only a moment of conscious effort to recognize those blessings. Once you focus on the gifts instead of the problems, your whole perspective will change and you will see blessings everywhere.

On this day, God wants you to know… that all is well. All is going according to plan. Trust that there is a bigger picture. Trust that life is unfolding as it should.

It was raining really hard one evening. I was on my way home from work, but it was raining so hard my umbrella was threatening to fly away because of the strength of the wind and rain. So I decided to wait it out for a while. I sought refuge in a nearby mall. When I saw the many food shops at the mall, I realized I was hungry. There were around 6 food shops in front of me, but I was looking for one particular shop. One that I always go to whenever I need a little comforting. And boy did I need comforting that time. I was soaking wet and dripping from head to toe when I entered the quaint, bright shop of Goldilocks. I immediately relaxed in the ambiance, and I ordered my favorite combo. Siomai and polvoron.

Munching on the polvoron, I felt nostalgic. This sweet little pastry held a lot of meaning.

Back when I was volunteering in a home for the aged, I met Lolo Ivan. He was the most difficult patient in the shelter. He refused to go out for his daily walk, he was always irritable, and basically made all the nurses crazy. I was told he was left by his only granddaughter in the facility and never came back. So when I started working there, I expected to have a hard time with Lolo Ivan. But to my surprise, he didn’t react to me the way he did with others. To make a long story short, Lolo Ivan and I became friends. I would bring him his meal, and since it’s my favorite pastry, I would always put just one assorted Goldilocks polvoron for his dessert. He must really like it, because every time I bussed out his tray, I’d find that the food was barely touched, but the polvoron would be gone.

Lolo Ivan had leukemia. It was really sad, because he was so miserable, and I felt sorry for him. See, I wasn’t close with my grandfather. I barely had time to visit him in their house. I was a busy busy girl. With Lolo Ivan, we clicked. We got really close.

There was really a marked improvement in him. Slowly, he started going out for exercise, and he was becoming more pleasant to the nurses and people in the facility. I was so proud of him. One time, he called me to his room. When I entered, he had just finished his meal and I saw the polvoron wrapper on his bedside table, already empty. I smiled and I remembered how I could finish one pack in one seating. Lolo Ivan asked me to sit. He wanted to talk to me.

I still tear up whenever I remember the things he said that day. He said, “You might wonder why I wasn’t “masungit” with you. It’s because you remind me so much of my granddaughter. She was my only family left. Even though she left me here and never came back to get me, I still love her. A lolo’s love never disappears. When she gave up on me, I became bitter. But I was never mad at her. I was angry at myself because I wasn’t the grandfather that she could be proud of. I thought I will be like this ’till the day I die. A useless and bitter man. But when you came, you reminded me so much of her. When you started giving me the Goldilocks polvoron, I would remember those times when I would also buy for her. It was also her favorite.” He smiled, and continued, “I just want to thank you for coming here and changing me.”

I was so touched. I gave him a smile, touched his hand, and said, “You’re welcome Lolo Ivan. It’s my pleasure.” And I hugged him. I went home after that a changed lady. Something in me was stirred. I remembered my own lolo, and how I wasn’t even there to take care of him. I was so moved, that it was a surprise I held back my tears all the way to my house. When I entered my own room, I cried.

A few days later, my volunteer days were over because I needed to get back to school. I said goodbye to Lolo Ivan. A few weeks later, he died. I couldn’t stop my tears when I found out about the news. I vowed to myself I will make changes. I will spend time with my own lolo more. I realized, life is too short and we need to spend quality time with the people we love.

Now sitting in the present, in this Goldilocks shop that I love, my clothes almost dry because of the air conditioning, I can’t help but smile. It’s amazing how one simple pastry can connect people and even change them.

Thank you Goldilocks.

I am attending a friend’s wedding in two weeks. But I still don’t have a dress to wear! I told myself I should do more exercise to be fit in time for that day, maybe lose an inch or two in my waistline. I’m not overweight, mind you, but I could do with a couple of inches less in the tummy area. They say spot reduction is a myth. I’ve always wanted to know how to get rid of belly fat that have accumulated for years. And I’m sure a lot of girls have the same problem. If it can be done easily, then a lot more women would be happier with slimmer waistlines, right? But alas, it needs hard work. I may not lose that inch or two in time for the wedding, but that’s okay. It’s not something that I should pressure myself in achieving. If it happens, good. If not, I won’t get all worked up about it. I’m just really excited for the wedding!

So the next time you feel sleepy… maybe it’s God reminding you that you need to SLEEP! So hear Him out!

So don’t lose hope!

It’s time you remembered who you really are. You are not your wallet, your job, your kids, your house. You are not your activities or your worries or the labels other people give you. Like an actor you play these roles, and like a good actor you sometimes forget who you really are. Time to wake up now, and remember that you are a being of immense power and breathtaking beauty created in the image of God.

I’ve always wanted to go on a road trip. There’s something really exciting about it, going out of town, into a new place, leaving all your problems behind for a while, meet new people, have time for yourself for even just the weekend. Sounds good, right? I’ve always wanted to try that, but I haven’t yet. Well, for one thing, I don’t have a car. You can’t enjoy a road trip without a car. Another thing is I don’t have much money to really enjoy the trip. And last, but certainly not the least, is I’m kinda scared. I know I said it’s fun, but sometimes my head makes me think one thing, and the next minute, there’s a voice that also makes me second-guess myself.

“What if I get lost with no roadside assistance?” Or “What if something bad happens?” Those kinds of questions keep popping into my head. But I realize that if I think like this all the time, I won’t be able to get anywhere! If I let my fear dictate where I’m going, then I won’t be able to truly appreciate the joys that life has to offer! Ever thought of the same thing? Who of you have also wanted to travel, but have always been held back by fear? I am starting to address this fear of mine, because I really want to travel! So I hope you start to address yours too. We can do it!