I MISS GOING TO THE GYM

It has been a very hectic three weeks and I can feel the stress in my system.

I MISS GOING TO THE GYM.

Somehow, I think I've gained some pounds and have come back to square one. During the start of January 2008, I started going to the gym courtesy of my parent's Christmas gift of a LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP at SLIMMER'S WORLD. It was a welcomed gift.

In two weeks, I lost 8 to 10 pounds with proper diet and exercise.

I feel great just working out. But now, with the demands of work, I have been missing in action in the gym.

I just hope to get back. My system is looking for it.

Please do pray fo me, folks. Lots of things are happening in my life. Some changes. Some adjustments. But God is still in control.

God bless you!!!

A TOUGH WEEK

I've had a tough week. I've been juggling work and personal time with Rafa. As you may have read, Rafa had quite a week because of his Quarterly exams in school. Of course, I'm the one keen on tutoring and preparing him for his exams. I've been his private teacher ever since he went to school. I make sure that he understands his lessons and making the "complex" lessons understandable. It's a lot of pressure, you know. You might think it's just Kinder Prep. But for Rafa, it's business. He's got goals set this year which I hope he achieves.

So when Friday came (holiday in the Philippines), I felt my body was like it was beaten up by 300 Roman soldiers. I felt a release from the pressures of this past week. My body was able to feel the after effects of the pressure when the exams were done.

While I may be spending time with Rafa, I am still working. I work even if I'm not in the office. I telecommute or I do work online via the internet. Thank God for the internet. I can send emails, check articles for the website, communicate with the new.media department in the office and even download the printables such as the WWCF's Sunday Word.

Besides, I've got a very dependable team at the office. I've designed and trained Iya and Ysrael to continue with the work even if I'm not around. They can make sound decisions for their work and I'm giving them the opportunity to do so. Only when there are MAJOR DECISIONS that I get into it.

I have to give my co-workers th chance to make decisions because they are capable of making sound decisions. I have full confidence in my team. Our output speaks for itself. We deliver.

I'll post more later.

Until then, God bless.

Entry #7: "I'LL DO ANYTHING FOR MY SON."

Have you ever attended a children's birthday party before? Ever played the game "BRING ME"?

If you don't know the game, here's how it goes: The host asks for an item and the children need to BRING that item to him. The first one who does wins. And the one who wins gets a prize.

Rafa, my son, wanted a prize. He's the type who tries his best to have fun in a party. The host asks for the items: coins, red ribbons, family pictures. It's not that I didn't have these items. It's just that there were others who were faster than Rafa or had more items in their purse.

Although he was having a good time, I could see the frustration starting to crawl in my son's face. The list of BRING ME's were getting shorter and he hasn't gotten any prize yet. I felt in my heart what he was feeling. I would do anything just to get him a prize.

Then, the host told the audience his BRING ME item: A handsome dad.

OK. I may not be a Tom Cruise or Brad Pitt (although my wife says in kinda like both in a special way). But I think I'm handsome enough. I could go with Rafa to the host and win the prize. But for a millisecond, I thought these things.

• What if the people think I'm so full of myself?
• What will other people say about me?
• Will they think that I'm desperate to get a prize?

And the list goes on and on. But by the next millisecond, I thought "So what? I'll do anything for my son."

Back to the present time, Rafa and I held hands and dashed towards the party host. Other 'handsome fathers' were just hesitant to go even if their children were literally dragging them forward. Boldly we ran and declared for all the world to know that I am a handsome dad. Of course, I know people would think that I wasn't and that I had the guts to even declare such a thing. But you know, it doesn't matter. What matters is that my son got his prize and we went home happy.

It reminds us of how God loves us so much that He gave Jesus, His only son. The devil could have told God not to send Jesus for the sake of these ungrateful and sinful people. It's not worth it. But God didn't listen and went on because He loves us that much.

"I'd do anythings for my kids."

Entry #6: "HONOR THE LIVING"

I've been updated by some of my high school batch mates on the latest things about them and my high school alma mater through e-mails. Lately, I read that one of my teachers passes away. While my batch mates and I sent our condolences to the family of our former teacher, I realized that those who mentored us as we grow are slowly fading away. Have we given the right honor to them? Unfortunately, we usually give them tributes when they're dead.

What a sad but true reality? When they are alive, we take them to granted. When they die, that's when we tell people who important they are to us. But will they appreciate that? They can't because they're already dead. We will not be able to hear "THANK YOU" from their appreciative lips. We will not be able to see that smile of their face or even a tear or two that will fall at the sides of their cheeks. That would have been a sight to remember.

Starting today, HONOR THE LIVING. Tell them how important and precious they are. Let their ears hear and their hearts feel your love. Have you said "I LOVE YOU" to someone lately? They won't hear that when they're in the coffin. It need not be a parade. Just a simple thank you will make a big difference.

HONOR THE LIVING.

Entry #5: "PUT YOUR HEART INTO IT"

Today, I was spending time with my family in a local amusement park. While my wife and son were falling in line, I was at the sidelines waiting for their turn in the bump car ride. Then I noticed this girl at the front of the line. Her face was as if she didn't want to be there. Indeed, she wasn't. I overheard her saying, "I don't want to ride this." But since she was with her friends, she had no choice. She had to ride the bumper cars. But her heart was not into it.

Soon enough, it was her turn. As her other friends raced towards their bumper cars, she was casually walking towards one car at the side of the rink. She hopped inside still with that smirk on her face. Then the music played signaling the start of the ride. She stepped on the pedal and the car began to move.

Unfortunately, since she was near the sides, her car got stuck. She tried in vain to turn the wheel clockwise and counter-clockwise. While her friends were having a wonderful time slamming each others cars, still she couldn't get the car to move. Her face still had that smirk. Still, her heart was not into it.

After a few more attempts, she finally got unstuck and began to move. Her car started to move and it gained some speed. I looked at her face. It started changing. It is as if she is starting to enjoy the ride. Slowly, she's putting her heart into this simple childish bumper ride.

Then, the bell rang. RRRIIIINNNGGG!!! IT'S OVER. Just when she started to put her heart into it, it was too late. There was no more time. I could see on her face that she wanted the ride to continue but it was over. So she stood up and left.

We're like this sometimes. We go into things without our whole heart in it. Then, when we start to enjoy it or it slowly grows on you, the ride is over. We wasted precious time and energy. We could have given our best in the beginning. But we chose not to and just smirk all the way.

Should you do something today, put your whole heart into it. Give it your best. Enjoy the ride because it won't last long. And by the time's end, you can say that put your whole heart into it.