Calendar for July 2012 - FYI‏

The following information was passed on by Rollie (BFF Josie's friend).  Thank you, both!

I don't know about the promised "money bags," but we won't know for certain if we don't give the instruction a shot, right?

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THIS IS THE ONLY TIME WE WILL SEE AND LIVE THIS EVENT Calendar for July 2012 (United States) July Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat           1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31           This year, July has 5 Fridays, 5 Saturdays and 5 Sundays. This happens once every 823 years. This is called money bags. So, forward this to your friends and money will arrive within 4 days. Based on Chinese Feng Shui. The one who does not forward.....will be without money.

Green papaya fix

Shared by my BFF Josie (muchas gracias, amiga!), the following home medication is recommended for folks suffering from uric acid, gout, joint and stomach pains.  No harm trying!  To see is to believe.

It is just too bad that the author of this piece cannot be given credit as he or she has remained anonymous.  Whoever you are, a bundle of thanks!

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photo credit:  zumaorganic.com

 Just try if you've got uric acid, after all no harm done.

This is really effective, just mix green papaya cubes to the ordinary green tea, my cousin's brother tried and found it very effective. I have also shared with a friend with gout to try this (his "toe joints" started to deform), after a week of drinking this formula there was significant improvement, after two weeks the toe joints healed and reverted to normal state. It is almost three years now, the joint pain is gone, but he maintains the intake between 1-3 times monthly to avoid relapse.

Other friends suffering from years of gout problem have also recovered. It is good for all, even those without gout. Good formula! Do share with the people in need!

An improved sequence by Professor Lai from the China School of Pharmacy:

Cut green papaya into small cubes, place into the water, bring to boil, then add green tea leaves, similar to the tea-making process. Clinical tests show that this brings better effects for treatment of gout, subject to frequent drinking of this formula.

Mr. Liu Qing, Chief of the Rende Town in Tainan, was suffering for years from severe stomach pain around the posterior wall of the stomach. He used green papaya as a tea pot to prepare the family tea daily.  After a month his chronic disease condition was much improved. His family members with high uric acid were also healed by the same papaya tea. For this Mr. Liu planted a lot of papaya to share with relatives and friends with similar sickness.

According to Mr. Liu, in the selection of the green papaya as tea pot, pick those the shape of which is fat and short, with larger capacity. Cut off the top part of the papaya, clear away the seeds, open a small hole at the upper side wall to facilitate pouring of tea. Create a small ventilation hole at top cover, put in the tea leaves, pour in boiling water, place the top cover back to papaya, you may use the toothpicks to secure the top cover. Similar to normal process of preparing tea.

photo credit:  foodsubs.com





Liu like to use Oolong tea as the taste is good. He was pleasantly surprised that the stomach pains he suffered for many years was healed after a month of drinking tea from the green papaya pot, without taking any other medication. He passed some green papaya leaves to a friend who worked at a Medical Center to test and analyze the content. The tests confirmed that the healthy enzyme present in papaya is beneficial to human health. Now as papaya in Mr. Liu's orchard is yielding suitable size fruits, he would share the fruits with family and friends.

Xu Fuchang, an experienced papaya farmer, said the green papaya refers to papaya that is not ripe, where the skin is still green in color. Generally, the papaya takes about four months to fully mature and ripe, but the healing effect would be lost after it is fully ripe. Green papaya should be harvested when the papaya is approximately three months old, when the fruit is still firm, and the "papaya milk" contains high papaya enzyme and other healthy ingredients.

Not only the green papaya can be used in tea drinking, you may also cut them into cubes, and boil with the meat (parang tinola), or even slicing the green papaya into fine long pieces and fried with garlic, very tasty, and no adverse effects on the human body.

Angels among us

Do you believe in angels?  Not the winged creatures who have the ability to fly, but mere mortals we meet in our everyday business.

Well, one day last week I met one while I was hot and bothered, waiting for my ride home.

That day at work was absolutely frustrating, probably the worst day I have spent in the workplace... ever.  I shared my ready-to-explode predicament with someone in the office.  Instead of getting the boost that my sagging spirit was pining for, I walked away from our conversation feeling attacked.  My work day went downhill from that moment, but being a pro I went about my business without allowing the let-down feeling to consume me.

I really miss the good old days when coming to work was such a genuine joy.  Many decades ago, I worked with someone named Kenneth who, to this day, I consider to be the best boss in the world.  Despite his corporate executive responsibilities, he always had time to chitchat with the "little people," literally, because in the country we worked in, everyone was miniature compared to Kenneth's tall, overpowering presence. 

Today Corporate America is all about getting-the-job-done-so-that-we-can-stay-in-business mentality.  Amen, brothers.  But let us not forget the glorified slaves who make sacrifices so that the bottom line continues to shine.  

I am completely resigned to the fact that I may never work again for a company that takes care of the people who take care of the profit margin.  But my Pollyannaish mind cannot help but wish that company owners and business leaders would see the importance of making their employees feel rewarded.  A joyful staff makes for a profitable organization.  Treating employees well brings good business karma.  Just ask the Prosperity Minister, Joel Osteen.  Does anyone ever wonder why Oprah Winfrey continues to be rich and powerful?  The lady genuinely cares for those who make her look good and she shows it!

Anyway, back to the subject of angels.  As I tried to divert my mind from the unhappy episode at the office by working on a word puzzle, a gray-haired man came to join me at the bus stop.  He carried a case that looked like a guitar container.  He asked if he was at the right gate for his ride to wherever he was scheduled for music practice.  After a bit of small talk, he offered me a card that listed a link to an online Bible which I gratefully accepted.  We got to talking about spiritual stuff and how politicians are messing with our sanity.  I noticed that he had the most angelic looking face I had ever seen.  He had the glow of someone who had found the Lord.  Without any encouragement, he started singing a song that praised God's goodness.  I thought that was so charming and before I knew it, my day-old sadness melted in the hot afternoon air.

In other words, that total stranger was the angel who lifted the burden from my heart.  Whoever you are, sir, a million thanks!  I came home with a really big smile on my face.

I totally believe that people come into our lives for a purpose.  That man came from out of the blue to bring back the joy that got away from me that day.

Wildfires in the cities

Yesterday was a day from hell... literally... for many folks in my part of the world.  Wildfires were raging uncontrollably in some areas many miles from my home.

The biggest fire started last Saturday and due to the triple digit weather we have been having, containment by fire fighters has not had much progress.  Constant high winds have contributed to the difficulty.

The news reported that 12,000 evacuations have already happened since the weekend.  Meaning, a huge number of folks are temporarily homeless, if they have not totally lost their homes and precious possessions.

I can relate to the fire victims.  When I was a little girl, I came home from school to watch my home in flames.  My family lost everything.  But God was really Good because He gave my father (the sole breadwinner) the positive outlook, determination and fighting spirit to start over.  In the part of the world where we lived, there was no insurance coverage for a loss like a home.  Fortunately, my father had invested in real estate because his long-term plan was to give a piece of land to each of his children.  His visionary mentality paid off because the sale of one of the properties provided the opportunity for him to start over and re-establish his business.

When I look back to that long-ago time, I cannot help but feel so proud of my parents.  If not for their care in handling the family finances and foresight in covering for any type of crisis, I do not know where I will be now.  I might not have gone to college, found gainful employment and become a productive citizen of society.

The point I am trying to say is that fire victims should not lose hope.  My advice is for them to quickly move on and not allow themselves to wallow in self-pity.  If they maintained a frugal lifestyle and took care in getting appropriate insurance for their assets... job well done!  They will not find it difficult to start over.  Just like the mythical Phoenix, they can rise from the ashes.

These fire tragedies should send a lesson to everyone.  Let us not get too attached to our material belongings because whether we like it or not, they come and go.  What is important is to have the resolve of an indefatigable fighter, to not buckle down at the first sign of trouble.  More important, leave the rest to the Good Lord.  Things happen for a reason and it is up to us to find the message in every mess.

For those of us who remain safe and snug in our comfort zones, besides counting our blessings, let us spend a moment to commiserate with the fire victims.  One great way of doing that is to send financial donations to the Red Cross and other organizatiions that shelter fire victims.  This is a time when our assistance is needed and appreciated the most.  Let us always remember that "what goes around, comes around." 

Take 2: Our home's sacred zone

For many people, an altar in the home provides the much-needed spiritual anchor in their lives.  We all need a distraction from the pressures of daily living or a diversion from whatever battle we are fighting. 

The following piece originally graced this site in late 2010.   

Our home's sacred zone

The world of babies

The documentary, “Babies,” kept me captivated over the weekend.  The film by Thomas Balmés documents the culturally disparate lives of four children in different parts of the globe… Hattie in San Francisco, U.S.A.;  Bayar in Bayandchanmani, Mongolia; Mari in Tokyo, Japan; and Ponijao in Opuwo, Namibia.  

From their entry into the world until their triumph over their first step, Balmés captured each baby's one year's worth of endearing moments.  .

After watching it, I could not help but notice that the child (Ponijao in Namibia) who was raised in the least privileged (primitive actually) surroundings grew up the happiest with a constant big smile on her face. Growing up almost naked, playing in the dirt, drinking muddy water and playing with Nature's gifts reiterated my belief that simplicity can inspire a joyful life.  In contrast, the Japanese kid (Mari) often got cranky despite the abundance of play things in her world.

Below is an educated observation… from someone who should know what he is talking about… a psychologist.

A psychologist’s commentary

Prayers for cancer patients

St. Peregrine is the patron saint of cancer patients.  He himself suffered from and was cured of this disease after receiving a vision of the Crucified Jesus reaching out His Hand to touch his afflicted limb.  Below are prayers for St. Peregrine's intercession for cancer-stricken people.

Prayer to Saint Peregrine

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called “The Mighty,” “The Wonder-Worker,” because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you.

For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more.  You were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction.  Ask of God and our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you.

(Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying)

Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.

Amen.

Novena to St. Peregrine

Glorious Wonder-Worker, St. Peregrine, you answered the divine call with a ready spirit, and forsook all comforts of a life of ease and all the empty honors of the world to dedicate yourself to God in the Order of His holy Mother.

You labored manfully for the salvation of souls.  In union with Jesus crucified, you endured painful sufferings with such patience as to deserve to be healed miraculously of an incurable cancer in your leg by a touch of His divine Hand.

Obtain for me the grace to answer every call of God and to fulfill His Will in all events of life.  Enkindle in my heart a consuming zeal for the salvation of all men.

Deliver me from the infirmities that afflict my body (especially… )

Obtain for me also a perfect resignation to the sufferings it may please God to send me, so that, imitating our crucified Savior and His sorrowful Mother, I may merit eternal glory in heaven.

St. Peregrine, pray for me and for all who invoke your aid.

Take 2: Cyber clutter

With the advent of computers came a maddening situation waiting to happen:  electronic clutter.

Have you never cleaned out your e-mail folders?  Are there electronic files hanging around in your hard drive that you have not retrieved in five years?  Do you store every funny e-mail forwarded by a friend or member of your family?

If you answered a confident YES to all of the above, welcome to the CCC (Cyber Clutter Club)!  Click on the link below and read on...

Cyber clutter

Taylor's wisdom

I was never a Taylor Swift fan until I caught her "60 Minutes" interview with Leslie Stahl last Sunday evening. 

“Every singer on the radio is raising the next generation.  Make your words count.”  No wiser words could have come out of a 21-year old’s mouth.  Taylor drove the nail on the head!  

Entertainers need to realize the important job they do in the world:  their significant impact on the young generation’s attitude about life, love, success and failure.  They have to realize that being good role models should be part of why they are in the business besides the obvious reason of wanting to amass their personal wealth.  Today’s youth are fixated on celebrities for inspiration in their personal lives.  Famous faces have the weight on their shoulders of providing good examples for their fans to emulate.  The kind of clothes they wear, their manner of speech and how they conduct their personal lives away from the spotlight are not lost on the adoring young minds.

Because celebrities make obscene amounts of money, it is all the more expected of them to prove they are worthy of the blessing.  Their fans who buy their movie or concert tickets, music albums, accessories, dress designs and what-have-you deserve to be uplifted in return.  The best way to accomplish that is to demonstrate what ideal role models they are in the lives of the average Joes and Janes.

Fortunately, the world has a Taylor Swift who knows and accepts her mission in the industry she moves in.  She is willing to rise to the occasion.  Thank goodness for that.  More power to her!

photo credit:  http://taylor-swift-wallpapers-hd.blogspot.com/2012/01/taylor-swift-hot-pictures.html

Take 2: Cellular chatting unleashed

I think there should be a law against obscene cell phone conversations.  In my daily bus/train commute to and from work, I have been the unwilling eavesdropper to many a private chat that I had no business hearing.

The sad reality is that humanity (the kind I interact with on Planet Earth) has lost respect for boundaries.  The practice of good conduct and proper behavior is lost, hopefully not, for good.  Shame on us!

Cellular chatting had been a subject of a blog last year.  The topic remains very relevant and I feel the need to re-publish the post.  Call it a friendly reminder to the constant uncontrollable offenders.  I should apologize to those whose toes may get stepped on, but I do not see the need to do so. 

Cellular chatting unleashed

Serenity Prayer

A card containing the Serenity Prayer brings me peace in my 8-to-5 world.  No matter how much hard work I bring to the table, there are those who would rather focus on the flaws in me than give me a well-deserved pat on the back.  To watch people in power sow feelings of inadequacy rather than motivate and lift up spirits... is utterly sad. 

For anyone who needs a calming thought in the midst of a stressful day or overwhelming moment, this prayer is for you!  No matter how weighed down you feel or how impossible your personal circumstances may seem, may you take immense solace in these comforting words.



Rare Jose Rizal pictures

José Rizal is the Philippines' national hero.  Thanks to BFF Josie's friend Rollie, Rizal fans can have a glimpse of the following rare photos of this beloved Filipino who celebrated his birthday on this date.  Rizal may not be a familiar name to many people in the world, but he is a national treasure in his homeland.

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For our collectors of historical photos:

Juliana Gorricho vda. de Pardo de Tavera (seated at the center with baby Andrés Luna y Pardo de Tavera) with María de la Paz Pardo de Tavera y Gorricho de Luna (standing 2nd from the right) and José Rizal (standing 2nd from the left)

Juliana Gorricho vda. de Pardo de Tavera (seated at the center with baby Andrés Luna y Pardo de Tavera) with María de la Paz Pardo de Tavera y Gorricho de Luna (standing 2nd from the right) and José Rizal (standing 2nd from the left) José Rizal (at the front) with friends Trinidad Hermenegildo Pardo de Tavera (right) and Félix Pardo de Tavera (in the back) posing for a Juan Luna portrait.

José Rizal (left) and friends

Rizal was made a Master Mason on November 15, 1890 at Logia Solidaridad 53 in Madrid , Spain . He affiliated with a lodge under the jurisdiction of Grand Orient of France on October 14, 1891, and was made honorary Worshipful Master of Nilad Lodge No. 144 in 1892. There he delivered a lecture entitled “La Masoneria."

José Rizal's Dapper Look

Rizal as a student at the University of Santo Tomas 1879

Rizal, 11 years old, a student at the Ateneo Municipal de Manila

Filipino Ilustrados Jose Rizal, Marcelo del Pilar and Mariano Ponce

Dr. Rizal's Professional Card when In Hong Kong

Sculpture by Rizal when a mere student "The Power of Science over Death"

Photograph Of The Original "La Liga Filipina" (below)

Note the erasures and the abbreviations intended to be used instead of the real names in Rizal's handwriting.

Photograph Of The Original "Mi Ultimo Adios" Below)

There was some argument whether this was the original because as you will note, there were no erasures and the grammar was flawless. It was determined such was Rizal’s concentration in the eve of his death that his writing came straight from his soul.

Jesus Painting

This amazing material was shared by my BFF Josie (thanks, sistah!).  I was blown away!  Be prepared to be awed!

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This is almost unbelievable.

 

David Garibaldi painting a portrait of Jesus. You never see it coming and all of a sudden there it is. Click here to see!

Confession equals good health

Thank you, Lina (my friend from high school), for sharing another Rick Warren precious nugget. 

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Confession Keeps You Healthy
by Rick Warren

“When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long.” (Psalm 32:3 NLT)

Confessing my sin is good for my health; any psychologist will tell you this. It’s good to clear your conscience and get things off your chest. Your body is not made to hold it in. When you hold guilt inside you, it’s like shaking up a soda can with the top on. It will blow eventually.

David says it this way in Psalm 32:3-5: “When I refused to confess my sin, I was weak and miserable, and I groaned all day long. . . . My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Finally I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide them. . . . And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (NLT).

David internalized his guilt, and it physically affected his body. If you don’t talk out your problems, your guilt, your bitterness with God, you’re going to take it out on your body.

Doctors say a lot of people could leave the hospital today if they knew how to get rid of guilt or resentment over things they’ve done to others and things others have done to them.

Talk  About It

Spend a few moments in prayer today asking God to forgive you for the things you’ve done to others.

Then pray about any resentment and bitterness you are holding against people who have hurt you. Ask God to help you forgive those people so you can move on to better health.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

HONOR GOD. MAKE DISCIPLES.

Lina

Channeling our inner Deepak Chopra

If you are a fan of spiritual teacher and author Deepak Chopra, you know that he has demystified the code to living a joyful existence.

Deepak Chopra has always struck me as a very calm soul, the kind who does not allow stress to rattle his nerves.  In his recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, he shared the reason for his cool and collected, quiet essence, qualities that make him a divine human being:  living a meditative state.   He and his wife go on trips of silence! 

Perhaps what the world needs now is an occasional mandatory retreat from the maddening (noisy) crowd... just spending time in a quiet place... with ourselves, our thoughts and our dreams.  Free from the nasty noises of everyday living... the daily nuisances in our hurried society.

Silence is golden.  For many, keeping still and quiet is a tough hurdle to overcome.  If you ask me, spending quality time with ourselves in a peaceful setting with no need to indulge in pointless chatter might be just the path to finding infinite joy in our life.

Click below to learn more about Oprah's interview with Deepak Chopra.

Oprah Talks to Deepak Chopra

A song for the 50+ Club

Thanks to Rollie (BFF Josie's friend) for passing along the following "for over 50" musical treat.  Thanks, R&J!

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To anyone over 50, you must watch this...

It is comical, and hits the nail on the head, for me anyway.

 

I couldn't have said it better!

Green Side of the Grass

Click below for more of the same.

Libby Allen Songs

Please not the world

A friend from high school, Lina, forwarded the following piece that addresses a universal social disease:  trying to please the world.  It is really sad that humanity cares more about getting along with fellow human beings than being pleasing in the eyes of their God.

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Quit Trying to Please Everybody
by Rick Warren

"It is dangerous to be concerned with what others think of you." (Proverbs 29:25a GN)

When we worry about what other people think, we let them control us. We waste a lot of time and energy trying to figure out what other people want us to be and then trying to become like that.

Worrying about what other people think is dangerous, because we're more likely to cave in to criticism. It means we don't always do the right thing; instead, we do the thing that everybody wants us to do.

And we're in danger of missing God's best, because we're so worried about what other people want us to do that we can't stop to think about what God wants us to do.

• Fact #1: You cannot please everybody. Even God can't please everybody. One person prays for it to rain; another prays for it to be sunny. Who is God going to answer? God can't please everybody. Only a fool would try to do what even God can't do.

• Fact #2: It's not necessary to please everybody. There is a myth that says you must be loved and approved by everybody in order to be happy. That's just not true. You don't have to please everybody in order to be happy in life.

• Fact #3: Rejection will not ruin your life. It hurts, sure. It's not fun. It's uncomfortable. But rejection will not ruin your life unless you let it.

Quit trying to please everybody! Remember that nobody can make you feel inferior unless you give him or her permission.

The Apostle Paul says, "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31b TEV) This means we can think like this: "God likes me, and I like me; if you don't like me, then you have a problem. If God likes me, who cares that everybody doesn't approve of everything I do?"

Remember, nothing you ever do will make God love you less. Nothing you ever do will make God love you more. He loves you completely right now.

Talk About It

Who are you most concerned with impressing, winning the approval of, or pleasing?

The knowledge that "nothing you ever do will make God love you less" should bring peace to your life. How does your life reflect that kind of peace?

TO GOD BE THE GLORY.

HONOR GOD. MAKE DISCIPLES.

Lina

Blooming cacti and thoughts to chew on

My long-time friend and former boss (the best!), Kenneth in the Gold Coast, shared the following reflections on life, positive thinking, friendship and joy.  The presentation is accompanied by awesome blooming cacti.  Enjoy!

Kenneth is currently on his annual out-of-country vacation this month and I wish him Bon Voyage and many happy memories. 

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USS New York

Thanks to BFF Josie for sharing the following piece.  What were once gloomy remains of a national tragedy have become a treasure for posterity!

My friend was misty-eyed just looking at it because she was deeply touched and felt proud.  Thanks to all the folks who worked hard to bring the USS New York ("forged from the steel of the World Trade Center' as one website describes it) to reality. 

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THIS INCLUDES THE NEW SHIP ‘THE USS NEW YORK’ MADE FROM THE SCRAPE METAL FROM THE 911 INCIDENCE…….WOW!!!