"iN ThE SpiRiT"

I came across an inspiring column called "In The Spirit" written by Susan Taylor, Editorial Director of Essence, on the said magazine's March 2006 issue. Here's an excerpt of what she wrote (hope it inspires you, too):

"... every crisis is a call from God --- a summons to deep reflection, life-changing decision-making and commitment to spiritual practice... One of the joys in growing older is gaining the wisdom and confidence to heed the call of your soul --- before life slaps you upside the head again and again..."

"... whisper these few promises to your soul in the quiet of each morning --- or create your own affirmations. This will create a sacred space for healing and inner cheering. It will help you honor the perfection God made and find and follow the divine-right path life has prepared for you:

• I promise myself to live by the authority of my own soul today and to practice being my own best friend and motivator. I promise to speak to myself kindly and to give myself the attention and nourishment I need. I promise to remember that other's opinions, judgements and deeds can't diminish me. I promise not to hide out or play it safe, but to bring my open heart and Master mind to each moment with confidence. I promise to believe in myself and in the genius of my people.
• I promise myself to live this day with joy and enthusiasm, to allow only love and light to flow through me no matter who or what life sends my way. Everywhere I look I will see beauty and possibility, and I let my light shine in service to my people, giving joyfully from a full cup.
• I promise myself to remember that every circumstance is a pathway to God, that every crisis is temporary and lasts not a moment longer than it takes for me to surrender it to God and ask for a divine solution.
• I promise myself to remain faithfully aware that God is always here, with and within me. That no matter what the question, God is the answer. No matter what the need, God is the fulfillment. I promise myself to remember."

ThiS iS TrUe

True
by Ryan Cabrera

I won't talk
I won't breathe
I won't move till you finally see
That you belong with me

You might think I don't look
But deep inside
In the corner of my mind
I'm attached to you

I'm weak
It's true
'Coz I'm afraid to know the answer
Do you want me too?
'Coz my heart keeps falling faster

I've waited all my life
To cross this line
To the only thing that's true
So I will not hide
It's time to try
Anything to be with you
All my life I've waited
This is true

You don't know what you do
Everytime you walk into the room
I'm afraid to move
I'm weak
It's true

I'm just scared to know the ending
Do you see me too?
Do you even know you met me?
I've waited all my life
To cross this line
To the only thing that's true
So I will not hide
It's time to try anything to be with you
All my life I've waited
This is true

I know when I go
I'll be on my way to you
The way that's true
I've waited all my life
To cross this line
To the only thing that's true
So I will not hide
It's time to try anything to be with you
All my life I've waited
This is true

ThiNk AboUt iT...

"We can never judge the lives of others,

because each person knows only

his own pain and renunciation.

It’s one thing to feel that you are on the right path,

but it’s another to think yours is the only path."

- from "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho

Stick Wit U (Avant Remix)

by Pussycat Dolls Featuring Avant

[PCD]
I don't wanna go another day
So I'm telling you exactly what is on my mind
Seems like everybody's breakin' up
They're throwin' their love away
But I know I got a good thing right here
That's why I say... hey

[PCD w/Avant]
Nobody gonna love me better
I'ma stickwitu forever
Nobody gonna take me higher
I'ma stickwitu
You know how to appreciate me
I'ma stickwitu, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way,
I'ma stickwitu

[Avant]
Through everything goin' on
We're right here holdin' on
To one another
The reason why I love you
Ya charm and personality
I love your sensitivity
Hmm... let me take a second
Cuz I'll be your love & essence
Only, wanna hear your voice speak
When I feel your body heat
Love every minute of it
You're like the fresh air
When it feels like no one cares
That's why I say...

[PCD (w/Avant)]
Nobody gonna love me better
(Nobody's gonna love me better)
I'ma stickwitu forever
(Ohh No) Nobody gonna take me higher
(Nobody) I'ma stickwitu
(No) You know how to appreciate me
(I know you love me) I'ma stickwitu, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way
(Ohh) I'ma stickwitu (Nobody)

[PCD (w/Avant)]
And now,
Ain't nothin else I could need (nothin' else I could need)
And I'm singin' 'cuz you're still so into me
I got you, we'll be making love endlessly
I'm with you (Baby I'm witchu)
Baby you're with me (Baby you're with me)
So don't you worry about
People hangin' around
They ain't bringing us down

[Avant]
Baby talk to me 'cuz all
I'm here to say is
I'll be right here for forever and a day,
Hey...

[PCD (w/Avant)]
Nobody gonna love me better
I'ma stickwitu forever
Nobody gonna take me higher
I'ma stickwitu
(C'mon) You know how to appreciate me
(Nobody, Nobody) I'ma stickwitu, my baby
Nobody ever made me feel this way
I'ma stickwitu

[Avant]
You're a shelter in the storm
[PCD]
I'm right here

[Avant]
Keepin' me away from harm
[PCD]
I'm never gonna leave you

[Avant]
You're a song with beautiful words
[PCD]
I'm your song

[Avant]
Something that I never heard
[PCD]
Yeahh

[PCD (w/Avant)]
You know how to appreciate me
(You know how to appreciate me)
I'ma stickwitu, my baby
(I love you, you're my baby)
Nobody ever made me feel this way
(Ohh), I'ma stickwitu

i crUnCh!

My new daily workout, in addition to going to the gym, is the FAT BURNING PILATES by Crunch. I want to achieve Ellen Barrett's body. Let's see how far I go. Let's start CrUnChiNg!!!

DeAr MaMa

Happy Birthday to the most beautiful woman, the best mother in the world... my Mama. I don't always put my into words all the love and gratefulness I have for you, but that's only because no words are enough to express them. I love you Ma! I love you with all of my life.

Thank you for sacrificing a lot to keep our family together and for facing all the trials that came in our life with strength, grace, and great faith. Thank you for your unconditional love, and warmth. Thank you for always pushing me to be the best. Thank you for teaching me to be proud of my achievements and to always believe in myself, but most especially, to be grateful for all the blessings and trials that came along with it. I am a better person every day because of you and your love. I will strive to be the best person I can be.

I will always be by your side. Edaka paburen Ma. You are the most important person in my life.

--- Your Ling-ling

WhErEvEr YoU aRe

By South Border (one of my favorite Filipino bands)

I love to see the ocean's beauty
And the moon that shines above
Alone in the sand lookin' at the stars
Wishing someday I would find true love

Wouldn't be nice to see the morning
With the one you love the most
Wouldn't be nice to say goodnight
To the one you hold so close
To your heart, to your heart...

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are

I love to sit in fields of green
Looking deeply thru the sky
Watching birds as they flap by
Hoping someday faith will bring me true love

Wouldn't be nice to hold someone
So dear, and near your heart
Wouldn't be nice to hear those words
I love you, from the one
That you love, that you love

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are
The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are

I love to see myself one day
In the arms of someone
Who will share her life with me
Selflessly, someday you will find your way,
To me . . .

The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are
The wind that blows the dove
Is the wind that blows my love
Hoping to find its way to you
Wherever you are,
Wherever you are.