"INVESTING IN LOVE?"

https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/investing-love-gm165743185-13028120

I had a brief conversation with young people one afternoon this week.  My attention was focused with "Angel" (not her real name...our student leader... I like it so much talking with her).  She mentioned about investing in a relationship with a person.  I suddenly said "when you invest, you expect a return...an income".  

When you "invest" in a relationship with a person, the relationship will become a business transaction.  The questions would unconsciously be "How much will I be getting from this?  What possible return will my relating with this person bring me?  or When will I get a total "return" from my "capital investment".

What followed in the conversation was the fear of pain from where I responded "Pain is part of the package of living.  A lot of young people do not like it that is why some go as far as hurting themselves to stop living".

So, let's go straight to the point and illustrate.  When you invest, you get to expect that the person may return the same to  you.  You may even expect to get more from what you give.  

It is not what love is.  It is simply giving and not expecting any return. It does not yield to justification or explanation why you love.  "You just give, even if it hurts or it becomes very painful, and you give a little more"... It makes you "bleed" to the bones (hahahah gross right).  

It purifies you until you become the best version of yourself (oh divah pang beauty queen ang dating).   Until such time when loving another person becomes natural for you to do  ..until you become the expression of Love yourself.    

Just try it...you will witness it happening...in you...

Knowledge Or Wisdom - Which of the Two Do You Have?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GcD33yma-8

Knowledge Or Wisdom - which of the two do you have?  I just listened from a talk (youtube video) delivered by Bishop Fulton Sheen on How to Improve Your Mind.  And the amazing thing that he mentioned at the end of the video says : "Never ask help from someone who does not live a good life...since Wisdom is a product of being good or living the good life".  

Looking at it in that perspective, Bishop Fulton Sheen pointed out... that wisdom is a product of living a life aligned with God's will and purpose for man. He gives us the message to simply do the right things for others by living the life of love for God and others.

We may have known of many learned and knowledgeable individuals in the field of professional practice (teachers, doctors, lawyers, businessmen etc.) and  the church (priests, pastors, etc).  However, the impact of sharing their knowledge does not sink deep or reach the heart.  We do not feel the depth of words that come out from their mouth.  

How do we acquire wisdom?  I happen to talk with a colleague and friend named Jerwin over lunch today and he mentioned how his mother may not have gotten that highest degree of education but is so full of wisdom in her words. Thus, she must have lived her life well remaining true to her calling as wife and mother.

More than anything, living life well is a product of a highly established union with God.  This calls for a regular time spent in prayer and worship.  There is a need to connect and reconnect everyday.  There is a need to be refueled and be refreshed since we all get tired in the journey. 

We need God in our life.  Not connecting with God, and embracing a life centered on the self will make the self as the only reference to making decisions, excessive self love and self centered perspectives.  The "I" becomes the center.  Dr. Wayne Dyer shares of the "EGO" which stands for "Edging God Out".

This time, we are being challenged to consider and look straight into the eyes of this respectable man of the Catholic Church who was known for his WISDOM in his teachings during his time.  We can truly learn so much from him. 

At this point, we can assess ourselves as to whether we are at the knowledge level or we have transcended to having wisdom in our state of life.

To quote :  

"Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979) is arguably this century's most widely acclaimed and best-loved Roman Catholic prelate. A master of the media, spiritual leader, and witty, literate, urbane teacher, Sheen had a far-ranging impact on American culture. There remains in his spoken and written words a keen insight into the universal human condition, and the universal quest for the Divine in the ordinary".

Reference :

Sheen, F.  From the Angel's Blackboard: The Best of Fulton J. Sheen.  Retrieved from the web : 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/731524.From_the_Angel_s_Blackboard

The Rescue for Cats and Kittens

the Mother Cat "Zola"  adopted by Ms. Lovely Adanza delivered 5 beautiful kittens

I thought of myself not being able to hold back my attachment for cats.  I questioned myself many times over.  How I wish i could just simply vanish the feeling. But when I see them neglected and not being taken cared of, the pain is unbearable. Yes, I cry seeing them hurt.  

When I was a kid, I and my sister Gay brought cats and kittens to bed.  They sleep with us.  We always heard mama with her high pitched voice trying to stop us from doing that.  Sometimes I brought home stray cats to mama's dismay.  But how can I stop a "child" within from feeling such compassion for cats or dogs?

Last year, before transferring to a new residence, I fed stray cats in the neighborhood.  They just come morning and night to be fed (more than 12 of them).  I and another kind neighbor shared in the responsibility of feeding all of them (including a stray dog that come with us to Church when we heard mass during Sundays).  

Where I currently work, I still do the same.  I feed them with cat food and some milk.  And, it reached at rescuing them and finding "adoptive parents" for them (crazy ha).  In this blog, I would like to honor some generous individuals who have such huge hearts who came to take care of them.  

1. Cutie (Ms. Nora Gerasmeo) is a teacher and sooo soo loves cats.  She came to the office with the two kittens below.  Sadly one did not make it.  She calls the other one "Mao" which luckily had her adoptive mother cat at Cutie's home.  Actually, "Mao" sleeps with them (on the bed...wwooow) together with all their cats in the house. What a grand, grand time!!!:-) 

Ms. Nora "Cutie" Gerasmeo ..adopted two kittens

2. Vin Theodore Gerebise is the son of my friend Ms. Lyleen Fabria.  They came to office full pack (as a family) to pick up "Orange" (the name of the kitten).  They had "Orange" checked up immediately at the nearby Veterinary clinic after picking her up which gladdened my heart at how concerned they are as a family to the kitten.

Vin Theodore Gerebise's "Orange"

3.  Leah Carcueva is a Senior High School teacher who volunteered to take home one of the kittens too.  And oh don't be shocked...the kitten below likes to sleep anywhere in the house ( that is why the photo below)  She is simply having the grandest time sleeping and so well fed:-) 

4. Truly, I was anxious of mother cat.  She got pregnant immediately. Everyday that she visits me at the office, I felt the tension within with her bulging tummy ready to deliver her kittens. I was just so glad that my Professional Education student Ms. Lovely Adanza volunteered to take her home.  And voila!!! after two days she delivered her 5 lovely kittens.  Lovely's kids love them so much that they did not want them given away.  

Ms. Lovely Adanza as in super dooper adopted the mother cat 

'The Mother Cat named now "Zola" 

And, just this afternoon (June 7, 2019), I was informed that there are three (3) kittens running around without their mother cat anymore (mother cat is "missing").  And so, my heart for kittens popped up.  The kittens below really, really need a home.  Anyone can message me if you are interested.  

the three new kittens with already "missing" mom

I will not stop finding them a home.  I have slowly embraced my role.  It is my heart that I cannot stop.  It is without question.  I am just simply submitting to it.  

I do believe there a lot of individuals out there who so love cats.  And, I am soo grateful that through Facebook, I was able to find them -  To Ms. Cutie, Vin Theodore and Ms. Lyleen, Ms. Leah and Ms. Lovely...  Thank you very much.  God will continually bless you with your generosity.  My love and prayers for all of you.