so guilty...

 

hahahahaha...

 

from Cody Bret...

I'm at the point in my life ...... Where I don't expect too much from people anymore. If you don't want to be in my life, I will not stop you. If unfriending me makes you happy, please....do just that. If the efforts I make do not get reciprocated, that’s perfectly fine. If you can’t equate my love for you, I will respect that. If you do not like me, I can accept that. It takes maturity to reach this point. It takes self-love to be on this level. It is just that it is too tiring to please people. It is so tiring to beg for people to be a part of your life. It is pointless to force someone to be on the same page with you. I am at the point in my life where if you stay, you’re mine, and if you are not, then I let go. It is too tiring to keep on forcing things to happen. It is too painful to see your efforts getting unnoticed. It is not worth it to beg for someone just to let them see how much you love them. It is not worth chasing people because you deserve better. It is too unnecessary to force friendships. It is too tiring to make reconciliation for people who do not deserve it. Do not regret anything, especially if you made efforts to make it work in the past. Focus on your life. Focus on people who love you. Embrace change. After all, that is the only thing constant in this world. Take my advice and surround yourself with people who truly want the best for you and your mental health. Because your circle ...... it matters.

Thank you for being you (part 2)

I believe too that the best thing someone can say to you is “thank you for being you.”

These words carry a profound depth. They encompass not just individual characteristics, but the entirety of your being—the flaws, the strengths, the quirks, and the journey you’ve taken to become who you are. It's an acknowledgement that your presence, just as it is, brings value and meaning.

“Thank you for being you” means that your existence, your unique combination of experiences and perspectives, is appreciated and cherished. It’s a recognition that you don’t need to change or be anything other than yourself to be worthy of gratitude.

It’s a statement that transcends surface-level attributes and honors the deeper essence of your soul.

In a world that often pushes us to be more, to do more, to change ourselves to fit various molds, hearing “thank you for being you” is liberating. It affirms that who you are, at your core, is enough. It’s a celebration of authenticity and a reminder that your true self is your greatest gift to the world.

So, when someone says these words to you, know that they see and appreciate the real you. They value not just what you do, but who you are. And that, in its simplicity and sincerity, is the highest form of compliment.

Thank you for being you (part 1)

I think the best thing someone can say to you is not necessarily “you are beautiful, you are funny, you are generous” or anything like that.

No. I think the best thing someone can say to you is “thank you for being you.”

An acknowledgement that simply you being yourself is something they are thankful for.

Because whilst your actions - your beauty, your wit, your generosity - might indeed be the reason for their thanks, “thank you for being you” says that you alone are enough.

More than enough.

That you alone are a blessing to them.

With no expectation going forward to be beautiful or funny or generous.

Or anything else.

But to simply be you.

Yourself.

Knowing that you are not defined by one wonderful thing you do.

But rather appreciated for the thousands of wonderful things

that you are.

Becky Hemsley 2023

this brings back terrible memories...

Back in the early to mid-1970's at Deerfield Elementary School, from grades 1 to 8, we had to climb this rope at least once a week in our PE class and i humiliated myself every time with all my classmates watching from the gym floor cuz i couldn't make it to the top. although i was really skinny (maybe even malnourished during those days!), i have no upper body strength, so i could never complete the exercise!!!

ain't that the truth...

 

i never knew this...

 

from Laura Ding-Edwards

If the mountain seems too big today, then climb a hill instead;
If morning brings you sadness, it’s okay to stay in bed.
If the day ahead feels heavy and your plans feel like a curse, There’s no shame in rearranging, don’t make yourself feel worse.
If a shower stings like needles and a bath feels like you’ll drown;
If you haven’t washed your hair for days, don’t throw away your crown!
A day is not a lifetime. A rest is not defeat.
Don’t think of it as failure, Just a quiet, kind retreat.
It’s okay to take a moment From an anxious, fractured mind.
The world will not stop turning While you get realigned!
The mountain will still be there When you want to try again
You can climb it in your own time, Just love yourself until then!''

this is what i posted on FB the day I turned 66...

 

this might be a little long, but i hope you'll indulge this senior citizen 😀

as i begin year 66 here on earth, I find myself thinking back on this blessed and full life that God has given me. It is to Him that I give back all praise and glory for everything that He has done! None of it is of my own making -- He alone deserves all the glory!!

He gave me the privilege of having godly parents in Drs Gadiel and the late Marge Alcala Isidro. As the eldest of their 3 children (4 if you count the brother who was miscarried), i'm sure i was the guinea pig but also the start of their great adventure in parenthood. although my siblings and i are far from each other (in more ways than one), i'm grateful for them and the lessons i learned from them about being part of a team (especially since we sang and played our instruments together -- trumpet for Rey, clarinet for Bev, and saxophone for me -- when our Dad would preach in different churches in the Midwest when we lived in Deerfield, IL from 1965 to 1970) and learning to love each other despite our differences.

i'd like to give a shout out to my cousins on my Dad's side--Liza and Vera Pepito-- who remain my favorites to this day and those on my Mom's side who i spent time with when i was younger--Kuya Boy, Warren who left us way too soon, Jocelyn, Jackeline, and Wilbert Wee. and to the Alcala cousins i've connected with in recent years, either in person or through FB--the Montiels, the Castandiellos, the Ricaforts, the many Alcalas in Mindanao. i want to someday meet them all in person but, if not, we will meet for sure in that land where no one says goodbye 🙂

i thought my childhood was pretty magical. i'm sure there were hard times, especially since we were very poor, but they don't overwhelm my memory bank 🙂 i don't remember my childhood friends when we lived in Cebu (ages 0-5) but i've heard stories about my siblings and i playing with MKs (missionary kids) and speaking English even at a young age (at my Mom's insistence). i do remember my childhood friends when we moved to FEBIAS (ages 5-10 and 15 to 19)--Fely and Jean Majo, Frances Siodora, the Gusto kids, and the MKs whose parents were with the mission organization formerly known as FEGC, like Sue Bedell, the late Larry Haglund... Then there were my friends from Caloocan Bible Church where my Dad was pastor for several years--Jem Apelar and his sister Faith who is now with the Lord, the Guingons, Jessica Fernandez, the Nieuwsmas, the Chatas, Butch Soriano, the Ronquillo sisters. There are also my close friends from in and around the two compounds of FEBIAS and FEBC--Em Perez, Ali Aguarino, Robyn Reynolds, Lynette Tackett, Abe Navarette, Janet Gay... A significant part of my teen years was spent at Faith Academy where many of the friendships formed during those 4 years are still very dear to me -- Angela Simpson, Joel Eyestone, Leah Eaton, Becky Costerisan, Bill Ebert, the late John Carvey, just to name a few! 4 years at Trinity College (now International University) brought additional special people into my life -- Ruth Geisler, Sam Kostreva, Alex Shu, Debbie Christensen, Steve Pruett, David Murphy, Greg Tasker, Bob Depuy, Sheryll Barker, Linda Thompson, Sharon Rose James, Dr Bill William Graddy.

special mention must be made of my 2nd family -- the Lacanilaos, especially Ester, my mother-in-law, my brothers-in-law, Kuya Sam, Norman, Bhe (Ephraim), their spouses -- Ate Myrna, Malou, and Cindy -- and my nieces -- Kaye (husband Tom), Trisha, Esther Ruth, and nephews -- Nate (wife Angela), Steve (wife Jeng), Paulo, Jonathan, and Miko. they bring me much joy and i thank God for giving them to me through my wonderful husband, Dan!!

looking back on 66 years makes me realize just how much I have for which to be thankful. obviously, life hasn't been the proverbial bed of roses -- my own family of 3 kids -- Ashley, Justin and Erin, their spouses -- Phil, Gina and Joe -- and 9 grandkids has been through some traumatic episodes -- but, i thank God for His love and mercy, for keeping us safe from harm and danger, for providing for all our needs, for helping us stay close to Him. without a doubt, God TRULY has been very good to me and to my family. That's why, as long as I have breath and my body holds up, I will follow Him wherever He leads. Right now, He has led us to a ministry in Palawan (and also Cebu when the pandemic there subsides) with TEMI (Telos Euarestos Ministries, Inc). With His help, we are praying that we can complete the task that He has given us there in Brooke's Point with TEMI Bible School and that He will provide for someone to take over when we're no longer able to travel back and forth from the States.

I don't know how many more years God will give me on this earth, but while I'm alive and kicking, i want to always live in a way that glorifies and points people to Him. i know i fail often at this, but He is merciful and loving and continues to give me those wonderful "second" chances. That is just too awesome to comprehend or understand! But I've found that living for Him and following Him is the only way to live one's life here on earth... And when it's time for me to go home, I want to go singing, "Jesus led me all the way. Led me step by step each day. I will tell the saints and angels as i lay my burden down, Jesus led me all the way." ❤