On Reading, Cracking the Millionaire Code by Mark Victor Hansen & Robert G. Allen

A beggar had been sitting by the side of the road for over 30 years. One day a stranger walked by, "Spare some change?" mumbled the beggar, mechanically holding out his old baseball cap. "I have nothing to give you," said the stranger. Then he asked:"What's that you are sitting on?" "Nothing," replied the beggar. "Just an old box. I have been sitting on it for as long as I can remember." "Ever looked inside?" asked the stranger."No," said the beggar. "What's the point? There's nothing in there." "Have a look inside," insisted the stranger. The beggar managed to pry open the lid. With astonishment, disbelief, and elation, he saw that the box was filled with gold. - Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now.

There is that " box of gold" in all of us. We are "sitting on" it. But we have to stand up, use our hands to "pry open the lid." Is it not that faith without work is dead. We have to look for that gold of opportunity unceasingly even if it takes a lifetime.

How? By applying Life Management. According to Nido Qubein (visionay leader & great philanthropist, benefactor and humanitarian) Life management focuses on the activities that you are passionate about. We have time for whatever we are passionate about. I have a 'to-do'
list, but more importantly, I have a 'to-stop'list. I don't read newspaper in the morning; I read self-help, inspirational, and spiritual literature that uplifts me. I take vacations as an investment in memories with my children."

what it takes...

"it takes a minute to find special persons, an hour to appreciate special persons, a day to love them, an entire life to forget them."

"... life is too short my friend; look for that special someone and you'll find that person."

Days sans Jesus are:
Mourndays
Tearsdays
Wastedays
Thirstdays
Fightdays
Shatterdays
Sindays

• It pays to go out to breathe some fresh air. Last Saturday we attended the Santo Nino de Agosto Fiesta. Twenty- one (21) Santo Nino Groups from all over Illinois including one from Wisconsin attended. The celebration with the procession around the block from St. Genevieve Church proved that there is that elusive beauty of unity in a world of diversity. It also showcased the vestige of Spanish religious influence in the Philippines. This is now manifested in the Santo Nino image found in almost every Filipino domiciles all over the world. And even on their vehicles.
• Sunday at Lone Tree Banquet Hall, we found ourselves submerged in the fun and frolics of the young, the music in the christening celebration. I met somebody that brought back wonderful memories of my schooldays.
• It really is healthy to be out of your shell regularly. It is a good living.

Country Life

I love the country with its charm
The varied green vegetables
Cattle grazing away from harm
And food always at your tables.

You can walk and you can smile
Or even cry and loudly shout

The echo could be heard a mile;

A Bamboo with a lovely sprout.

The breath of  tropical dawn;
Admire the happy giggling trees
Slumber in the nature's lawn
And dream of the birds and the bees.

and dream of birds and bees.

Life is what you picture it to be. It all starts in your intention, in your perception, in your mind. Look at this picture Viewers have different creative ideas on this. Now change your concept of this particular picture; the picture stays the same but you created something that may become a poem, an essay or a story.
If this is the real thing, of course, the landscape and seascape change. "When you change the way you look at things; things change.
Looking at this picture for a second, you'll see that there is a great Unseen Painter which we call the Source of Abundance, of Beauty, of Love, of Truth.

Ray's the man...

There's a ray of intention in our life. A ray of hope. Of comfort.

He has the audacity to greet a newcomer. This person called Ray. It was at the Butera Store on Division that we exchanged infos on our who,why, what, when and where. That he was connected with Chase and Manhattan Bank. Then we crossed paths on some occasions.
On "The Pathway to Rome", we met, we talked and we dined.

Lately, we met at Rago's on Western Avenue. In a nutshell, we have things in common - frequenting and surfing the internet.

On Retirement...

A priest's homily on the
sojourn from material to
the spiritual was extra-ordinarily unique in the sense that it was the first time I heard it but it was something to deal with. It is retirement at its best 'cuz worry is out of the question. No bills, no more planning of the next day, nada, zip...." as in my Father's place there are many mansions that are prepared for everyone and you have all that you need...