Opinions from the Heart - A Positive Perspective on Achieving your Goals in Life
Achieving mygoals does not necessarily mean I have not experienced failure. Achievement is something that has become an outcome of my hard work and dedication to not just reach but surpass my goal. My wheel of fortune had turned hastily, alongside the feeling of happiness or frustration. I have attained whatever brief instance that fate may have decided for me. The most in life or the unattainable should not hinder me from becoming the stronger person I am today.
I experienced struggling to survive for existence but I can truly say God has granted me equanimity to accept the things I can never change no matter what efforts I give out. I have also been given the courage and wisdom to act on things despite of adversity and I can attest to any circumstance in my life wherein I stumbled down, failed to succeed, but never ever stopped to stand up and get back to running my wheel of fortune again. Achieving your goals is like reaching for the stars in the sky. I am a versatile person, with a determination weathered by challenges as the years went by. I have experienced diverse opportunities for work, under the government, also with private local and foreign companies providing better income.
Despite all that, I felt there is something lacking in my professional growth, I wanted to explore better things, for the fortitude of my self esteem. I wanted to utilize whatever God given talent I have and I realized that achieving your goals in life would be less difficult if you put everything in God’s hands. God truly gifted me with talents and I know He wanted me to share them to everyone relying and believing in my skills. I wanted to show that their trust and confidence on my potentials would never be put to waste but rather gain more recognition for the group’s credibility and capability to exceed expectations.
My condition of being jobless for months lead me to the fullest of improving my career, discovering better opportunities for advancement while at the state of devastation from my past frustrations. I learned through life’s complexities the hard way and that molded me to become a stronger person, in fact, too strong that sometimes I cannot convince my true friends how I am experiencing pain once in a while. I truly know how to hide my inner hurts and manage to smile despite of the pain. I want people to envisage me as the jolly person I always was. As some westerners usually say, “Shit happens and every single day is another day”. I am always trying not to dwell in the past and move on to welcome another chapter in my life for we’ll never know what tomorrow would bring specially when achieving your goals.
Nevertheless, I continue to grow and focus on my responsibilities as an only child of two aged parents and a single mother of four growing teens. The mere fact that the heavy load I carry is just less equivalent to the love I give out. Achieving something out of love - such as love for family, friends and a special person in your life who would serve as your inspiration, love for your detractors and love for yourself would all serve its purpose to attain whatever ambitions you have in achieving your goals, all because of your inspiration to recognize the value of a positive life.
ODE TO A PUPPY THAT CHANGED OUR LIVES
Written by Mary Ann Villanueva Oppus December 2009
I felt writing this to release my hurting. My parents are too old to take care of a puppy but somehow I still convinced them to have one. I grew up in a house with lots of dogs and all of our family members already got used to loving dogs and treating them like part of the family.
Scrappy Doo, as what my eldest son fondly called him, was a cute fat puppy given by our neighbor as my daughter’s birthday present. He is so mischievous and so intelligent. My parents lack something to cheer them up so I gave them the puppy.For a moment my mom was skeptical to accept but later on, I convinced her, knowing that they too, love dogs. He became a constant companion of my dad when he used to wake up most of the time during the night when he needed to go to the washroom. Scrappy would fondly follow him and let him be cuddled or watch over my dad even he knows he can hardly walk due to his arthritis. Since we only visit my parents on weekends, it is somehow strange that the atmosphere in that house changed. Finally, I sensed that my parents were happy with our puppy. It always motivates my kids to visit their grannies on weekends just to check on our puppy and how the old folks can handle him.
He would put his paws on my mom’s lap while she bends over to do some manual laundry. He would watch my dad as he works on his kitchen trying to act like an expert chef and getting wacky while cooking. Scrappy could be observed watching over the floor scavenging for some food falling from the stove. He would even behave just sitting there as if being entertained by what is going on. When we had visitors, Scrappy would just watch and welcome the guests by wagging his tail. He would even want to go up to our bunk bed and imagine that the kids are there on ordinary days; an indication that he misses the kids’ presence. He was not an ordinary puppy, I can tell. He thinks and acts like a human being in some ways, which amazes me. But what’s more amazing is the fact that this puppy gave way for our family to bond more, and enjoy quality time playing with him during the weekends. You can often see Scrappy sitting behaved on the couch, watching TV. He would also grab the end of the curtain that my mom was working on her sewing machine, just to catch my mom’s attention.
There were times I can’t handle his naughty behavior so I used to shout at him while scolding him. If I point a finger while I scold him, he would whimper and act like he wants to reason out. He is funny when he attempts to talk and I knew he was no ordinary puppy. Scrappy would struggle to catch your attention when he knows you are busy. He would pounce at his dish when he wants me to feed him so I can hear him beg for food. He is so behaved when my dad used to give him a bath. He would let his paw reach out to your hand if you ask him for “Hi 5!”Scrappy wouldn’t let you sleep when he gets a chance to jump up in bed. He would lick your face to wake you up even if you hide your face under the pillows. He would gnaw or pull your hair just to wake you up because he can sense that you are just pretending to sleep. Yes, he was just a puppy, wanting to be loved and begging for your attention.
And then the moment came when our family was a victim of the calamities here caused by the typhoon Ondoy. Our house was flooded and we had to evacuate. He was rescued too, while my daughter held him as we rode the small boat. Our older dog, Kobe was left because we cannot take two dogs anymore. I witnessed how Scrappy gave a sad look at Kobe while we left. He stared as if he knew that they won’t see each other again. My parents stayed at my place but unfortunately, pets are not allowed in my condominium unit, so they decided to hand him over to my in-laws temporarily. Sadly, my dad was diagnosed to have asthma leading to emphysema, so the doctor advised him to avoid having allergies; and one preventive measure is to avoid having a dog for a pet. Much as I know my parents would miss him, I decided to let him go as well.
He was then a puppy, not used to living in a new house. He grew up not the way my parents took care of him, because he learned to wander on the street and can seldom be seen at home anymore. He would be usually found scavenging on the street so I guess that gave him the disease. The last time my parents visited him, he wanted to jump inside the van, wanting to go back home. That broke our heart but we can’t do anything but to leave him behind because we knew that he will be happy with my kids in his new house.
Then came December and Christmas decorations can be seen in our ancestral house. My parents were hoping we could bring Scrappy Doo one day, so he can enjoy the wonderful sparkling of the Christmas lights and the festivities wherein he would truly enjoy the food. My old folks were missing him so much so I decided to check on him. One day I visited my son because he got sick and I learned that Scrappy got ill too. We tried to administer some medicines to relieve the pain he was suffering. I could tell if a puppy was in pain, his eyes looked different, as if wanting to say something... wanting to say Goodbye.
We took him and carried him like a baby even if he had grown up so fast. He was crying, whimpering again wanting to let me know that he was in pain. It was late at night and the vet clinics were already closed. He finally threw up and smelly stool came out. I knew by then he wouldn’t last. I had seen this happened before. I lost some of my favorite pets by seeing this symptom. I gave him a pat for the last time and whispered Goodbye, never letting my youngest son realize he would be gone soon. He guarded the front gate, as if not wanting us to leave. I knew this was coming, so I just took a deep breath, not wanting my kids to feel the pain I was feeling inside.
Losing a pet is like losing someone in the family. Caring for a pet is like treating it like part of your life. We will never forget this puppy that brightened my old folks’ lives even for just a short period of time. I took a last glance at my puppy, and for the last time, I saw him wag a grateful tail. I hope that St. Francis, the patron of pets, would welcome you in heaven, Scrappy. We will truly miss you.
Parenting - What Parents Need to Understand About Adolescence Stage
Considering the reality that all of us have undergone adolescence stage in our lives, we can attest to the fact that we have also experienced various transitional implications from our childhood to adulthood. We have noticed the physical changes and the behavioral changes underlying the condition. But of course, everything varies depending on culture, environment, and how we coped up with the ever changing times.
When I became a parent, I realized a lot factors have to be contemplated on especially now that I have four growing teens. Different traits, characteristics and psychological analysis of their emotions have caught my attention. During my time, I had to admit that I for once, had the rebellious instinct. My parents were over protective of me, being an only daughter. I guess lack of trust and confidence on my ability to protect myself hindered my mom to prevent my “being sick and tired” of the usual mother’s protection routine. I never enjoyed attending parties as I always presumed that at the count of 10 o’clock in the evening; I will have to go home. This was the time when the guests were just arriving so I’d rather not show up otherwise I will be the subject of mockery. Letting your child socialize outside your home does not mean they will be gone in your life forever. Give them a chance to interact with people of their age and learn from interacting and expressing themselves in various ways. But of course, never tolerate nor teach them to abuse your diplomacy.
Focusing on the type of peer group your child is engaged at, is the main thing you have to give attention. Influence plays a huge role in your child’s shift of attitude towards every aspect of life. Guiding the group by involving them into sports will help you get them away from drugs. Teach them to make their life meaningful by engaging in outreach programs for the needy which shall religiously help them to grow with a God fearing attitude. Don’t be too strict, otherwise they will have the need to be secretive on you. I prefer all my kids to be open to me when it comes to their activities, or whatever problems they encounter, their love interests or new discoveries. Be supportive of every undertaking they decide to choose so that they attain their goal to succeed. Always be there when they are victorious and give them a small treat to reward their achievement. Always praise your kids, no matter how they suck sometimes on any failure, give them the confidence they need to boost their morale. Bear in mind that during the adolescence stage, your child have the tendency to lose self esteem and suffer anxiety along the challenges they face everyday.
Nobody is perfect in this world, of course we have encountered imperfections in our lives, we have committed sinful mistakes from the past during our younger years that we should have outgrown and learned from. However, committing those human errors in life should be a guide for you to ensure that your children won’t experience the same mistake you did by analyzing the main cause why you stumbled into an imperfect life. It is never too late to change, and once you have applied the learnings from your past failures, you will be able to lead your children to the path of righteousness. Being ready for adversity should be your challenge though, particularly if your child is vulnerable to be influenced by the peer group. Keeping in touch with the families of your child’s peer group would help you learn their background and imperfections as well. That way, you will have a hint on which aspect to focus into in a particular friendship. Remember that your child will only tell secrets to the best friend before telling you. Make sure that you stay close to this “best friend” and make them aware that you are always there to support whatever decision in life and activities they want to pursue or they are involved at.
Emotions of New Moms after Child Delivery
Picture shows my Mom and her grandson (my first-born child)
It has been quite a while since I have experienced giving birth to my eldest son. I had mixed emotions starting from anxiety, happiness, and fulfillment while envisioning future plans. New moms would have the feeling of warmth and satisfaction surrounding the atmosphere as they cuddle their first born. It is a feeling that is hard to explain but easy to comprehend. It is a feeling similar to that when someone is rewarded after a long period of time waiting for results. During pregnancy comes a stage when first-timer moms would feel exactly the same as one would feel after childbirth. The only difference is being fulfilled and happy with the outcome of all your sacrifice, sufferings and a long period of waiting.
When the child comes out of this world, a new mom would feel so proud seeing her child’s physical features. She would then compare her child with the other infants in the nursery and will be capable of distinguishing her baby anytime even if it frowns, yawns, stretches, smiles or even when the baby is merely sleeping like an angel. New moms feel anxiety sometimes. They feel uncertain if they can raise the baby well or if they would turn out to be perfect mothers to their child. There would always be a feeling of uncertainty if the child is normal or with congenital deficiencies. New moms have a way of making the baby feel the tender loving care only a mom could provide. A baby would always recognize the smell of the mother and taste the breast milk on the initial week of birth and would continue to seek their moms when hungry or if they need someone to hug them to feel warm.
New moms can use no amount of words to express their true happiness when they hug their babies. The feeling of fulfillment emanates from within their heart for they are aware that they were able to accomplish a major goal considering all the hardships of dealing with morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, terrible headaches and temper tantrums. It is not only the new moms who feel the joy of attaining their dream but also the husband as well. Photo shoots must be done always to see how the baby develops in time. The new moms would aim to update their photo albums to the best they can since it is also a good way to cherish the moments of being a new parent.
Envisioning future plans for their baby even while still early on the right decisions to make, it is quite rewarding to set a goal for their child on whatever future plans the couple decides. Some women would invest on time and money purchasing and preparing the things an infant should use. Infant clothes and accessories would always be the target of the new moms each time they shop at the malls. It is quite tolerable if the reaction of new moms exhibit extravagance since their excitement to feel the mother image makes them feel more dedicated to their child and their family as well. Remember that a mother would always do anything for the sake of her child and so this poignant experience of initial motherhood is really worth remembering.
Home Remedy – Dealing with Stomach Pains the Easy Way
Have you ever encountered problems dealing with stomach cramps, acid attacks or spasms? Chances are, you have indigestion or you have hyperacidity. I remember my grandmother decades ago taught me this remedy. In the absence of medicines to treat these symptoms, try healing the natural way.
Get a handful of raw rice grains and roast it on the frying pan with the absence of oil, of course. Let if brown while tossing on low fire. Once the grains become roasted, remove the fire and put the grains on a cup. Add boiling water and put a spoonful of sugar. Stir until you see the water turns dark brown like that of a coffee mixture. Carefully remove the floating grains of rice until the brown mixture becomes clear.
Now that you have a natural coffee made of rice grains instead of coffee beans, take lots of sip and make sure that it is still hot, if you can tolerate it. Eventually, you will feel a certain relief of your flatulence and the cramps or spasm shall go away. You might be burping a lot though or excreting gas from your system but at least, that solves your hyperacidity in a natural way. In cases when you suffer from stomach pains due to diarrhea, this mixture shall also help you deal with that and can replace the fluids you lose.
Another way to deal with diarrhea is to cook or boil rice, and extract the soup while the rice is at the boiling point. The thick soup of the rice should be a little bit creamy. You can add a pinch of salt or a teaspoon of sugar on the creamy rice soup when you take it. Eating bananas, apples, and also taking Gatorade or Coke shall also help you recover with the absence of medicines.