AM I A GOOD LISTENER?

I really do not know if i am a good listener or not? I am often caught in a situation wherein people from different walks of life come to me and share their concerns or problems. I do not know most of them but they spend time to talk to me. Most people who are faced with distressing circumstances would always find someone to talked to.They do not really believe that I can solve their problems. They do not think I have the best advice for their problems. Perhaps it is really man's nature to appease their emotional burden by trying to share it to someone. I am not sure if those who came to me were comfortable talking to me but I am sure that they find it helpful when they were able to express what they feel. Problems are not something one can switch on and off that is why most people can't resist at sharing it to others. Some would resort to displacement (they hurt others as a way of compensating their own hurts) and others even would commit suicide just to get away with it. Expressing one's emotional crisis is the primary step of acknowledgment that their is way out or that problems can be manage. It is also a healthy way of telling oneself that problems are temporary. On the other hand listeners must recognize that they can help and even can save lives.

If you are in a situation where someone needs your listening ears then be very much willing to do so. Be a good listener. Allow them to cry, don’t stop them. Crying may provide a great relief for the person. The most important thing to remember in these situations is that you are providing comfort, listening, and trying to help solve a problem. According to Joe L., in listening to someone with a problem, one should let the rules of common sense and logic as guide. Avoid also of letting the event ruin your day or overrule your priorities. Do not play as catcher of problems by trying to divulge yourself with the painful situation, empathize instead. Recognize that you’re only temporarily turning your attention to someone’s problem. Once the problem has been addressed, then return to your daily schedule.

Be very grateful that you are able to help.

SAYING HELLO

Saying hello with a smile in your face is one way to uplift the spirit of the people you are meeting whether in the external or virtual world. According to www.rd.com saying hello is an acknowledgment of existence. It is a pause, however brief, to affirm another person's worth. In return, you become a person to them, too. According to research saying hello can raise productivity. A study on the topic had teachers in middle school greet their students individually every month. The short interaction raised the students' productivity by 27 percent. Studies have also shown that saying hello can save marriage. Common courtesy isn't that common. When did you last say hello to your spouse?

Of course don't ever forget to say hello to yourself each morning. You are the person who need it most.

HELLO!!!

CHRISTIAN LIFE PROGRAM - SINGLES FOR CHRIST

Last Saturday, I was invited by my best friend to attend a Christian Life Program Orientation for SFC (Singles for Christ) community, Talamban chapter. I wanted not to attend the orientation as I don't desire to join the community but I do not want to offend my bf so I attend instead. The weather was bad at that time, I could have a very valid reason not to pursue aside from telling that i live very far from Talamban but sayang ang free snacks (just kidding). As i arrive at the place I was greeted warmly by the SFC brothers and sisters. They seemed very nice,well of course because my best friend was one of them. Then my bf brought me to the orientation room. I was asked to find a comfortable seat. Then the music ministry team leader ask the group to sing with him three christian songs. The songs were not really familiar to me except for one entitled "I GIVE YOU MY HEART". The orientation started with an opening prayer and the the singing of the songs practiced beforehand. Then the speaker was introduce to the group. His first statement was WHY ARE YOU HERE? Then he proceeded to the main subject of his talk. He had many adlibs mostly jokes to awaken the crowd. His talk lasted for an hour with series of testimonies from SFC members in between. Of course the orientation ended with the camaraderie of eating the snacks while chatting with the people around. A game was also given then early attendees where rewarded. I was suppose to receive a reward as i was the first person to write my name on the attendance sheet however my conscience dictated me that the other woman came earlier so i gave my reward to her. She deserves it naman. Next Saturday will be the start of the Christian Life Program series. I will have to sacrifice my 12 Saturday nights for that activity. I hope I will be able to make it in Gods grace even if i don't really have to be a member for a lifetime. I hope ill grow spiritually also.

So for those who like to join the Christian Life Program of SFC (12 series of Saturday evening) I am inviting all single men and women out there to come out on Saturday evenings and join us. The first talk will be on April 25, 2009 at 7:30-9:30pm. It will be held at Talamban Parish Pastoral Center. Just contact my bf Abigail Laurente at 639274247726 or you may ym her at biging18@yahoo.com

See you there

MY LENTEN SEASON WAS PERFECT?

I feel that my Lenten season was somehow perfect. My reasons for this are quite shallow but this year I had my Lenten season celebrated uniquely ever since. I tried practicing no meat on Fridays but I failed once. On a palm Sunday I attended a Lenten recollection at the pink sister's chapel. It was a very light but thought provoking recollection led by Fr. Jerome Cayetano, SVD. On holy Monday I had my good confession at Lourdes Parish church. That was the longest sacrifice I made as I was there at 3:30 lining up for confession but I only receive my contrition at 6:30pm. That was three hours of waiting to for my turn. On a Holy Wednesday that was my time to go home. On a Holy Thursday I was together with my family praying the rosary. On a Holy Friday the whole family went to church and we made our via cruses. Then on Saturday we went to the beach and had side adventure at an islet. On a Sunday, it was a time for rejoicing and merrying as we commemorate Jesus' resurrection, the whole family attended holy mass. Wow! i did have a lot of activities for the whole Lenten season and I thought that it was really perfect however, i realized that although I was able to attend recollection for my own spiritual growth and somehow receive the sacrament of penance it was still too shallow because I failed to evangelize. I also realized that I was not able to make a personal apology to people whom I might have hurt or whom I dislike. Should I? well my inner pride says why should I? Why assume on things that might not be true? My insensitivity to other people's feelings might hinder my growth and commitment to God. Clearly I am often trap by the sin of omission. So help me God.

KERYGMA FEAST SCHEDULE FOR CEBU CITY

I am inviting all of you to attend the Kerygma Feast here in Cebu which is every first monday and third monday of the month. Bo Sanchez, Catholic lay preacher will inspire, touch and bless your lives. Receive great miracles and experience the love of Jesus. Bo will be preaching through video. Learn that you are not alone in your journey with this life's circumstances, you are embedded with the grace of healing and mercy from God.

Kerygma Feast Cebu City Chapter venue is at St. Joseph Parish Church, Mabolo Cebu City.

Contact 273-6138 or +639174709071 for more information.


SEE YOU ...............

FEBRUARY 23, 2009

My neice and I went to Simala Sibonga last Monday, February 23, 2009. It was a planned visit to Mama Mary. I actually was suppose to visit her last January; however it took a month before I could fulfill my plan for various reasons aside from financial constraints. We chose to ride a trycicle instead of the usual motorcycle and on the way to the place the driver of another trycicle run after our vehicle and overtake us then blocked our way. He shouted at our driver in a very angry manner. The reason why he got mad at our driver was that it was supposedly his turn to take the passengers to the shrine but he was outsmarted by our driver. Before their quarrel heightened I decided to get out of the vehicle and take my neice for a walk. So we walked the long way going to the marian monks' place and reach their by 12:00 noon. I did not really mind walking going to the place, it was sort of a sacrifice. My legs did not even feel the pain, the longer it takes to reach the place the more exciting was our journey. Despite that we were wet having to soak ourselves with our sweat we still were able to wear a smile. Perhaps it was only me who feel the joy but somehow I was able to share it with my neice who was at that time complaining we ought to find a ride instead of walking. Nevertheless I noted that day as one of the most beautiful day. It was my mother's 61irst birthday. I was thier offering a sacrifice and prayer for her.

TOP FIVE TV PROGRAM I LIKE TO WATCH

Sunday

1. Chef to Go - Q27 ( Hosted by Chef Roberto Pengson ) i just like to watch how Chef Rob prepare the food, the garnishing is really creative and colorful.

2. Shall We Dance - TV5 ( hosted by Lucy Torres Gomez ) i just like the art of dancing.The interaction of body language and emotion. I am delighted at seeing the moves of the pairs dancing with so much grace.

Monday

none

Tuesday

3. Prison Break - CS9 ( main actor : Wenthworth Miller ) i appreciate how the writer wrote the story of this tv series. i find it very intellectually made, the characters are also very good. the depth and message wasn't really about trying to break from a prison cell but trying to break oneself from being imprisoned to hatred, revenge, chaos.


Wednesday

None


Thursday

None

Friday

None

Saturday

4. Jessica Suho - GMA 7 I appreciate Jessica's effort of digging and researching information from every cornser of the Philippine archipelago. She is a very good, intellectual and active researcher-reporter.

5. Imbistigador -GMA 7 ( Hosted by Mike Enriquez) I just like this segment in GMA tv7. This has brought awareness of the real picture of our society.