Eyes of Faith
Abraham Lincoln is a powerful mental health hero for me. Every time I read some article about him, I come away with new insights. I’m always intrigued by Lincoln’s faith – and how he read the Book of Job when he needed redirection.
Life’s ABCs…
The original version was written by Mr. Harvey Mackay who is a columnist and author of the New York Times #1 bestseller “Swim With the Sharks without Being Eaten Alive.” I have journeyed a long way to be where I am today only to find out what is life’s ABCs, so here’s my version:
Connected, dis-con, no range, no load or low batt?
During the past two decades, modern technology has evolved into more than most ever imagined it could. Technology has become so important in our daily lives that most people would find it difficult to go through the day without using some form or another. Majority of people are always looking for the newest piece of technology that will help make their lives easier. Computers and cell phones have made such an impact in our daily lives that most would find themselves lost without them.
Carrot, Egg or Coffee
A story was told about a young woman who went to her mother and told her about her life and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to survive and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved, a new one arose.
We’re All Alone…
’I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.’ – Eartha Kitt. Think about this: “Who is blind? One who sees only himself. Who is poor? One who is troubled with so many desires. Who is rich? One who is contented with what he has. Who is happy? One who knows God and who knows that he is loved.”
A Blessing or a Curse?
I have been wanting to write about this topic for a long time as it is something that affects each and every one of us. And, it is something that becomes more obvious the older I get.
Humility is the ONLY Way…
“If I only had a little humility, I’d be perfect.” – Ted Turner. A battle rages within every one of us every day. It’s the clash between our sense of stubborn self-sufficiency, pride versus humility.
Lying…
With all the lying going around, please remind our children that it is still a sin to tell a lie! Please tell and retell to your children the message that lying is bad, and that to prevent others to tell the truth is also very bad! These are the exact words of Jose Rizal (Philippines National Hero) in regard to this tendency of religious observers (from Rizal’s “The State of Religiosity in the Philippines”).
“I will not Die but Live”…
It is Easter again. This is the most important days for us Christians. In fact, it is more important than Christmas because if Christ did not suffer, die and rise again, then there would have been no salvation. For us Christians, death is not the graduation but a commencement. Just the thought that death is not a closure but an opening is a tremendous source of hope.
They that Lend a Hand…
Aside from death, the other certainty in life is the various twists and turns of fate we all are subject to before taking that final breath. The twists in my life were not an exception. Like many of us, lately life has been very challenging for me and during this time you will certainly know who your true friend is. The people that you’ve help or lent money to, you’re so called friends – they’ve all disappeared. Eric Clapton was right in one of his song “Nobody knows you when you’re down and out”. But in the midst of it, I had a visit from my friend Ian Manly last week who made this profound comment to me; “Ed, if we are going to fight for $5,000.00 I will give you the $5,000.00 just to save our friendship”…. I was blown away and was really touched by that statement.
Astonished and Amazed…
Was walking around Brisbane with a friend one day and saw this shop called “Broken Hearted Cafe”. Astonished and amazed and thinking about James Taylor’s old song. I jokingly made a comment saying; maybe I should open one next door called ‘I Fix Broken Hearts Cafe’ specializing in comforting, repairing and restoring of people’s hearts that has been broken.
Once in Your Life…
“Life tells you nothing, it shows you everything.” – Richard Bach. Only once in your life (some may think differently), I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around.
Needing Others…
“The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” – Leo F. Buscaglia
Right & Wrong
“There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so” – Shakespeare in Hamlet. What makes something right as opposed to something wrong? What makes one action the right or good thing to do while another action is the wrong or bad thing to do? Is there an over-all standard set of ethical guide lines that all human beings naturally carry? Or does it depend on the culture, society, and family that you are born into. Where do people’s ethics and morals come from? Why is it that so many people can and do, act outside of those ethics on such a common basis?
Persistent Determination
“Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan ‘press on’ has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”