Walking down Memory Lane

The following pictures are rarely seen, but might now be making the rounds of the e-mail universe.  I got a hold of these through my BFF Josie who received the e-mail from her brother, Jim.  Thanks to both for sharing these so that I can share with you.

All the snapshots bring nostalgia... some are disturbingly graphic.  Although the pictures of death might bring sadness and tears, each and every photo made history, and brought us where we are today.

Let's take a moment to walk down Memory Lane...



THE FIRST McDONALD



CHE  GUEVARA AND FIDEL CASTRO

SADAM HUSSEIN WITH THE NOOSE AROUND THE NECK

EARLY CONSTRUCTION OF BRASILIA, CAPITAL OF BRASIL

PAPA PIO XII AND HITLER

ELVIS PRESLEY DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY

THE BEATLES BEFORE THEY BECAME FAMOUS

THE BEATLES WHEN THEY WERE ADOLESCENTS  

OSAMA BIN LADEN FAMILY.  OSAMA IS THE ONE WITH RED CIRCLE AROUND HIS FACE.

THE TITANIC SHIP BEFORE SAILING

THE TITANIC AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA

FIRST PHOTOGRAPH IN HISTORY IN FRANCE

CONSTRUCTION OF DISNEY WORLD

BERLIN WALL BEING TORN DOWN

EVOLUTION OF THE COCA COLA

JOHN LENNON SIGNING AUTOGRAPH BEFORE HIS DEATH

JOHN LENNON’S CADAVER

ADOLF HITLER AS A CHILD

HOLOCAUST DONE BY HITLER

JEWS IN THE CONCENTRATION CAMP

CHUCK NORRIS & BRUCE LEE

BLACK PHYSICIANS  TREATING IN THE ER A MEMBER OF THE KU KLUX KLAN

COPACABANA BEACH IN RIO DE JANEIRO

CONSTRUCTION OF CHRIST THE REDEEMER IN RIO DE JANEIRO

ALBERT EINSTEIN IN BRASIL

SCHOOL GRADES OF ALBERT EINSTEIN

CHARLIE CHAPLIN AND MAHATMA GANDHI

FIRST COMPUTER EVER MADE

BODY OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY IN 1963

CONSTRUCTION OF THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.  THIS IS A COPY OF THE ORIGINAL PHOTO.

MARTIN LUTHER KING’S CADAVER

???????WRIGHT BROTHERS???????

GOOGLE IN 1999,  WHEN THEY STARTED.

LADY DIANA ACCIDENT SCENE

FOOTBALL PLAYER DIES WHILE PLAYING

POPE JOHN PAUL WITH THE MAN THAT TRIED TO KILL HIM.

THE MOMENT WHEN GEORGE BUSH WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ATTACK ON THE TWIN TOWERS.

His favor is for a lifetime

Thanks to Lina for passing this on...

“...His favor is for a lifetime...”

(Psalm 30:5, AMP)

One definition of THE WORD “FAVOR” IS AN ADVANTAGE FOR SUCCESS. WHEN YOU PUT GOD FIRST, WHEN YOU OBEY HIS COMMANDS, YOU OPEN THE DOOR FOR HIS FAVOR  —  you have the advantage for success! Even if someone may have wronged you and it looks like they have the upper hand, even if it looks like things are never going to change, you need to KEEP REMINDING YOURSELF, “I have an advantage. God is in control of my destiny. He’s fighting my battles for me. He is my vindicator. And it’s just a matter of time before things change in my favor.”

I love the scripture in Hebrews that says, “Don’t cast away your confidence.”  One translation says, “...for payday is coming.”  In the difficult times, you have to remind yourself that payday is on its way. GOD IS A FAITHFUL GOD.  IF YOU’LL KEEP DOING THE RIGHT THING, HONORING HIM AND EXPECTING HIS FAVOR, GOD HAS PROMISED HE WILL PAY YOU BACK. HE WILL RESTORE EVERYTHING IN YOUR LIFE THAT THE ENEMY HAS STOLEN SO YOU CAN LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE HE HAS PROMISED TO YOU!

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

FATHER IN HEAVEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GRACE, MERCY AND EVERLASTING FAVOR.  I OPEN MY HEART AND MIND TO YOU AND RECEIVE EVERYTHING YOU HAVE FOR ME.  THANK YOU FOR RESTORING AND HEALING EVERY AREA OF MY LIFE.

IN JESUS’ NAME. AMEN.

A special day of graces (December 8th)

In honor of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception tomorrow, I am sharing the following piece forwarded by Josie.  Thank you, Best Girl Friend!

December 08 / A Special Day of Graces
Revelation of Maria Rosa Mystica (1947)
(Our Ladys Words are in Italics & Dated)

 
The Hour of Grace for the Whole World: Our Lady appeared and made known to a chosen soul named Pierina Gilli on two separate occasions (November 22, 1947 and December 08, 1947) in the Cathedral of Montichiari, Italy about an important event which would be a source of special graces called “The Hour of Grace.” This Hour of Grace is to be celebrated at Church (Any Catholic Church within your area) every year on December 08 at Noon (Between 12pm - 1pm). The graces associated with this exercise are; great and numerous conversions will occur (Souls, totally hardened, cold as marble, will be touched by divine grace and become faithful and god-loving again) and in Our Ladys own words "...With this practice one will obtain many spiritual and corporal (bodily) graces. Our Lord my Divine Son Jesus, will grant His greatest mercy, as long as the good people continue to pray for their sinful brothers." 12/08/1947 Message. Our Lady desires PRAYER (intention being for the conversion of sinners) during this time (Hour of Grace) in order to achieve the graces promised.

ANOTHER OPTION: “…Those who cannot be in their Church, even remaining in their homes at midday (12pm-1pm), praying, will obtain graces from me.”12/08/1947 Message.

INSTRUCTIONS: It is required that in order to participate in this Hour of Grace promised by Our Lady, the individual is to respond as Our Lady mentioned and that is through a proper preparation which is to begin on November 22 and end on December 8. This preparation involves prayer and penance, Our Lady emphasized that everyday people must recite 3 times Psalm #51 in the Bible (known as the Miserere) with open arms. Our Lady replied like this to a request for Grace: “Spiritual Graces will be given…” 11/22/1947 Message.  

CELEBRATING THE HOUR OF GRACE (PRAYER OPTIONS):
The Mass, The Holy Rosary, or any other favorite devotions during this period.

 
HELP SPREAD THE MESSAGE: “It is my wish that this hour of grace be publicized (make known) and spread throughout the whole world.” 12/08/1947 Message. “Very soon one will know how important this hour of grace is.” 12/08/1947 Message.

OUR LADYS PROMISE: “I have an abundance of graces ready for all those children who hear my voice and take my wishes to heart.” 12/08/1947 Message.  

1973 EXCERPT MESSAGES

“Now and forever. The Lord sent me to bring His love to humanity with His mercy. And I ask my children to listen to the beats of my heart. I wish that my wishes would be fulfilled…” 07/22/1973 Message.  
“I appeal to the Lord for abundant blessings upon all my children who are working to spread my love and my work in order to make me known. I ask for abundant blessings upon all those who are courageously committed to fulfill my wishes, as I have already manifested. To all these children I promise my motherly love with the graces from the Lord.”  07/22/1973 Message.

HOUR OF GRACE MIRACULOUS HEALINGS (REVEALED): Our Lady announced on November 22, 1947 that she will appear on December 08, 1947 at noon (Hour of Grace) in the parish church at Montichiari. The Miraculous Healing Stories that will now be shared during this Apparition (December 08, 1947) which you are about to read are excerpts (pages 25-27) from a book called,“Maria Rosa Mystica,” Montichiari-Fontanelle by; Norman C. Reeves & Irmgard Muske.

HEALINGS AT THE CHURCH: Parents brought to the church a boy of about five or six years who was suffering from polio (disease affecting brain and spinal cord) and could not stand or walk, and other parents brought their daughter, about twenty six years old, who had suffered since she was twelve years old from severe tuberculosis (communicable disease, that affects especially the lungs). She had not been able to utter a single word for the last nine years.  
Both were in the same moment completely healed.  
The girl who had not been able to speak a word for the past nine years now sang with full voice a song of praise. Since then she has been able to sing and speak without any difficulty.
 
The parents of the boy carried him in their arms into the church, now he could stand and walk. Later on he was shown in pubic from a balcony to the rejoicing crowd in the big square in front of the church. The whole crowd was deeply stirred when they saw the child jump up and down. He declared: “I have seen Our Lady in the church and she smiled at me benevolently.”
 
Since that time both have been in good health. The boy married some years ago and the girl has become a pious God fearing nun who is living only to expiate for the religious orders and priests.  

A Third Miracle
 

HEALINGS AT HOME: This happened during the time of the appearance of Our Lady (Hour of Grace; 12pm-1pm), not in the church of Montichiari, but in a private home of the town. A girl of about thirty six years was healed at home during the time of the apparition. From childhood on she was not normal but also not completely mentally disturbed. She could not speak, but the worst thing was, that she had no control over her bodily functions.

Her sister in law had to stay at home with her while her father went to the cathedral to the anticipated appearance of Our Lady. Her sister in law prayed the holy rosary at the time of the appearance, and exclaimed spontaneously: “Our dear Lady, if you are really present in the church of Montichiari, please, heal this poor sick girl!” In the same moment the sick person was healed completely. She was healed forever! Loud and full of joy she prayed with her sister in law the holy rosary to the end. When the father came home from the church he was astonished and full of joy upon seeing his daughter healed.  
This miracle especially caused a sensation and was later on declared to be the most important one by several physicians, as in this case any mass suggestion had to be excluded. The healing was lasting. The girl died some years later; but one of her brothers is still alive and can witness to all this.  

Questions about this Devotion, Contact Jr* at: 1-805-878-7950 and or (e-mail) junior00513@aol.com. God Bless!

In praise of the kamote (sweet potato)

This piece addresses the Pinoys (term of endearment for Filipinos) who visit this site.  The following informative material arrived in my cyber mailbox years ago.  The information hoarder that I am, I saved it, but can't remember the sender's identity.  It won't be a surprise if it's you, Josie (my BFF)... thank you!

Unfortunately, the anonymous author can't get the appropriate credit.  Whoever you are... you have my thanks and appreciation.  Salamat po!

photo credit:  self.com

Too many wrong instructions have been programmed into the Filipino psyche. If we want to move forward, we must unlearn those things that bring us down. Our counterproductive mindsets prevent us from sustaining whatever beachheads we have accomplished. We are among the hardest to convince when it comes to retooling ourselves and adopting scientifically-validated new methods. We're afraid to venture beyond our comfort zone.
 
We are a nation blessed with tremendous natural resources and yet many Filipinos suffer from hunger and malnutrition. While it's true that the nation's wealth is cornered by only a few Filipinos, we must not lose sight of the fact that a good part of our malnutrition problem is also self-inflicted.
 
Rampant malnutrition could have been significantly checked had the government taken time to promote food alternatives that could even provide better nutrition than the usually consumed  staples such as rice.  Ignorance, not just lack of money, causes malnutrition.
 
Captive to our comfort zone, our people either do not know their food options or simply refuse to consider the other foods that are available to them. The underrated kamote illustrates my point.  Do you know that kamote far exceeds the nutrition and health values of rice? Here are the benefits of substituting rice with kamote:
 
 1. Kamote is more filling and suppresses hunger pangs longer. It is also cheaper than rice.
 
 2. Unlike rice, kamote is so easy to grow. It grows in backyards with or without fertilizers. Local government executives can provide their poor communities with idle government land for planting kamote which the entire community can share.
 
 3. Unlike rice which needs to be eaten with a dish, kamote tastes good and can be eaten by itself. Thus, substituting rice with kamote saves money for other needs.
 
 4. Rice cannot match the nutritional values of kamote. Because rice converts to sugar in the body, the Philippines registers as a top producer of diabetics in the world. The poor tends to load up on rice and less on the dish which are more expensive. That makes them vulnerable to diabetes, an ailment known in developed countries as a rich man's disease.
 
 5. The nutritional values of a 3 oz baked kamote are:
 
 *  calories 90,
 *  fat 0 g,
 *  saturated fat 0 g,
 *  cholesterol 0 mg,
 *  carbohydrate 21 g,
 *  protein 2 g,
 *  dietary fiber 3 g,
 *  sodium 36 mg,
 *  vitamin A 19,218 IU,
 *  folic acid 6 micrograms,
 *  pantothenic acid 1 mg,
 *  vitamin B6 1 mg,
 *  vitamin C 20 mg,
 *  vitamin E 1 mg,
 *  calcium 38 mg,
 *  manganese 1 mg,
 *  carotenoids 11,552 mcg, potassium 475 mg and
 *  magnesium 45 mg.
 
Compare that to a 100 g serving of white rice with:
 
*  calories 361 kcal,
*  water 10.2 g,
*  total fat 0.8 g,
*  dietary fiber 0.6 g,
*  calcium 8 mg,
*  phosphorous 87 mg,
*  potassium 111 mg,
*  sodium 31 mg,
*  vitamin B1 0.07 mg,
*  vitamin B2 0.02 mg,
*  niacin 1.8 g,
*  protein 6 g and
*  carbohydrates 82 g.
 
6. Too much rice consumption can make you sick but kamote can bring you to health and keep away some health problems. These have been proved medically. In a medical documentary I watched recently on KBS World (the South Korean TV Network), I was awed by the results of the research the Koreans conducted on the nutritional and medicinal benefits of kamote (which they refer to as sweet potato).
 
Few Filipinos realize that South Korean doctors are among the finest in the world. The Korean doctors have accomplished many key breakthroughs in the field of medicine. It was a Korean doctor working in Germany who was able to develop the successful liver transplantation protocol (and the Germans almost placed him in jail for having experimented at home with live animals).
 
The Korean doctors enjoy the benefit of knowing both the Eastern and the Western methods to tackling diseases.
 
In that Korean medical documentary I watched (which I followed through the English subtitles), they presented the research findings on people with established health problems who were placed on a kamote/sweet potato diet.
 
Believe it or not - kamote lowers hypertension, bad cholesterol and even blood sugar when eaten as SUBSTITUTE TO RICE! The purple sweet potato (kamote) is particularly effective for lowering hypertension. Not only that, the Korean medical documentary credits the sweet potato (kamote) as high fiber and is one of the best foods that one can eat to prevent cancer! For those who are only impressed by US doctors, listen to this:  the North Carolina Stroke Association, American Cancer Society, and the American Heart Association have all endorsed the sweet potato for its disease prevention and healing qualities.
 
The Americans, the South Koreans - both progressive nations – have raised the kamote to a high pedestal. Many of them even call the kamote a "super food that heals."
 
And just how do we Filipinos regard the kamote?  Remember how we like to call a loser as one who is nangangamote (Filipino term for lagging behind)? Truly, unless we unlearn many things, we will, as a nation, always be nangangamote.

Laughter for mental health

Lucky are the folks who can belt out healthy laughter at the least provocation.  We've heard the popular phrase, "Laughter is the best medicine."  

I find laughing personally uplifting specially in stressful moments.  When I encounter long faces in public, I wonder what made those negative expressions come to be.  My wish is that humanity would be less serious and laugh more.  Laughting is not only fun, it's healthy!

Thanks to Kenneth for passing this on...

What I wish for you

Thanks to my friend Kenneth for passing this on.  I dedicate it to my sister who turns 63 today.  Happy birthday, GG!

I WISH FOR YOU...

Comfort on difficult days,

Smiles when sadness intrudes,

Rainbows to follow the clouds,

Laughter to kiss your lips,

Sunsets to warm your heart,

Gentle hugs when spirits sag,

Friendships to brighten your being,

Beauty for your eyes to see,

Confidence for when you doubt,

Faith so that you can believe,

Courage to know yourself,

Patience to accept the truth,

And love to complete your life.

God Bless you!

I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you
His promises are true
No matter what the tribulation
You know He will see us through
So, when the road you're traveling on
Seems difficult at best
Give your problems to the Lord
And God will do the rest. 

Breathtaking moments

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

but by the number of moments that take our breath away."

This beautiful saying instantly held me captive at a Target store,  The words were written below a picture of dandelions, encased in a black frame.  I found it among wall decors at the store while looking for a gift to exchange at a White Elephant holiday party.  I fell in love with it and wished that whoever gets it would appreciate the thought-provoking quote too.  

Come to think of it, unless we live a lifestyle of solid adventure, we can probably count with our fingers the rare events in our lifetime that are totally breathtaking.  Mine was a scary roller-coaster ride and, call me a pathetic and miserable wimp, it happened only once.

Joking aside, watching the sun come down across the bay is, no doubt in my mind, the most awesome real time occurrence I've ever experienced.  The view of sunrise has its charm, but seeing the sunset can be as astonishingly beautiful.

Then there was that time I saw a double rainbow.  It was the first ever for me and my fascination kept me awestruck, my mind wondering why it seemed to be following me home! 

photo credit:  culturemap.com

How many moments have we experienced in our life that absolutely captivated us?  More often than not, people are too preoccupied with their thoughts or the day's tasks or too rushed to go somewhere that they wouldn't have noticed a memorable moment if it stared them in the face.  People are more prone to pause and stare at a traffic accident than to linger and ponder on an uplifting sight.  

Gone are the days when people took the time to slow down to smell the coffee or appreciate a lovely view.  Our modern world has got everyone hooked on some exciting electronic gadget to keep them perpetually occupied.  Even children of today prefer playing with inventions of modern technology.

I feel blessed that I grew up in a slower paced era... a time when playing in the yard with other kids was a most cherished childhood pastime.  I love to call us the Happy Times Generation.  We may not have had all the sophisticated toys that today's children have, but our children's play was creative and fun.  I remember having developed a fond attachment to a huge flat pebble when my grade school classmates and I played a game whose name now escapes memory.  We drew a houselike figure on the dirt with boxes where we were supposed to jump over on one leg.  Today's children would probably find it terribly boring, but back in those days it brought us ecstacy.

Although we played boring games, the wonderful thing that happened was that my fellow Baby Boomers and I were raised to think on our feet, be appreciative of the simple things, and be caring citizens of the world. 

If I were to live my childhood over again, I wouldn't change a thing in my growing up years.  To be raised in the same old world milieu before technology robbed people of their childhood was, for me, a precious birthright. 

I just won't have it any other way.

A casual (but profound) encounter

This past weekend nothing could stop me from going to a Target store.  Although my shopping of choice is cyberspace, I have a Target craving once in a while.  I love shopping there, but it’s been months since I stepped foot on that one-stop shopping heaven.

The store is always neatly stocked with merchandise and on any given day, shoppers are frantically walking the aisles with loaded carts.  That day I wasn’t in a rush at all, leisurely pacing the shelves in slow motion, feasting my eyes on the goods on display.  It was something I couldn't do while cyber shopping so I took advantage of the rare occasion.

When I felt that I had enough, I got in line at the checkout counter.  Ahead of me was a tall brunette who seemed to struggle with her personal organization.  She took out envelopes from her gigantic bag.  Each envelope contained cash and the envelopes were labeled “Paper,” “Food,” etc.  In other words, items that the money contained in the envelopes were budgeted for.  I thought that was a great idea!  My only concern was having to carry cash when a Target REDcard that drew funds from my checking account was more convenient.

The woman took her sweet time at the counter.  She engaged the clerk in conversation, which slowed down the checkout process, and the girl was only too eager to indulge.  Elizabeth (the checkout girl) seemed to find delight in chatting while carrying on the seemingly boring task of scanning merchandise. 

When my turn came, the woman took a very long time organizing her bag and didn’t leave right away.  She overheard me tell Elizabeth, “Do you have a big bag?  You see, I have to take the bus home.”  Those were the magic words.  Instantly, the woman turned to me and asked:  “Do you need a ride?  Do you live far from here?  I have a car and can take you home.” 

If these aren’t tough times when people can get killed or molested riding in strangers' cars, I would have been tempted to let her give me a lift.  But I thanked her and told her that I still needed to go to other places before heading home.  We chatted as we walked towards the exit together and by the time we reached the shopping cart area, our conversation took on a deeper tone. 

She confided that her car was a gift from God as the money came from her disability payment.  She struggled with the decision to buy a car and decided to go for it as she was already tired riding the bus for the past four years.  That was the reason that she loves to give back whenever an opportunity presented itself.  There was no hesitation when she confided that her husband committed suicide in his car and it took a couple of days before anyone found him.  For her it was a good thing (her husband's death, that is) because she had to put up with a life of physical abuse during her marriage.  She couldn’t leave him because she had no means to support herself and her little girl.  After the husband’s death, she received a monthly payment from Social Security which allowed her to go to school and become a nurse.  But because she experienced debilitating poor health, she eventually had to quit working and file for disability.

In the 15 minutes we chatted, I got a montage of her sad life… the physically abusive marital relationship, the constant struggles and financial hardship.  One thing became very clear and that was her personal relationship with her God.  She said that although she didn’t go to church regularly and participate in the religious rituals, she’s always talking to Jesus like a daughter to her father.  But she couldn’t understand why despite her closeness to Him, she continues to live a “give and take” pattern in her life.  That is, although she receives blessings, after a while those get taken away from her.  At this time, her fear was losing the car that she bought from her disability check.  Her car insurance is running out and she didn’t know where the next payment would come from.

I reminded her that things that happen in our lives occur for a reason.  I assured her that the hardships she is encountering now might not be meant to test her faith and character, but the people in her life.  Her daughter is now living on her own and has a job.  I told her that maybe her current financial hardship is a message that it’s time for her daughter to return the favor and take care of her.

I thought that our conversation would have no end, but eventually, she said goodbye and reminded me that she offered me a ride as a way of paying it forward.  We shook hands and she told me that her name was Barbara.

I have never before had such a profound conversation with a fellow shopper.  I know that it happened as God's way of letting me know that my own problems are miniscule compared to others.  While my own troubles are few and far between, many others have seemingly unbearable burdens to carry. 

My encounter with Barbara might have also left her with a divine assurance that things will get better in her life.  That's exactly what I communicated to her.  Just hang on because we don't get the load that we can't carry.  Everything will be fine. 

I certainly hope that she paid attention.

Exotic garden of philosophical thinking

Thanks to Josie (my BFF) for this lovely piece.

If humanity can take the time to ponder on these thoughts, greed for material comforts will take the much-deserved back seat in everyone's existence.

Chew on these...

* * *

We never get what we want,

We never want what we get,

We never have what we like,

We never like what we have.

And still we live & love.

That's life...

The best kind of friends,

Is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with,

Never say a word,

And then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know

What we've got until it's gone,

But it's also true that we don't know

What we've been missing until it arrives.

Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back!

Don't expect love in return;

Just wait for it to grow in their heart,

But if it doesn't, be content it grew in yours.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, 

An hour to like someone, 

And a day to love someone,

But it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks; they can deceive.

Don't go for wealth; even that fades away.

Go for someone who makes you smile,

Because it takes only a smile to

Make a dark day seems bright.

Find the one that makes your heart smile!

May you have

Enough happiness to make you sweet,

Enough trials to make you strong,

Enough sorrow to keep you human,

And enough hope to make you happy.

Always put yourself in others' shoes.

If you feel that it hurts you,

It probably hurts the other person, too.

The happiest of people

Don't necessarily have the best of everything;

They just make the most of everything that comes along their way.

Happiness lies for

Those who cry,

Those who hurt,

Those who have searched,

And those who have tried,

For only they can appreciate the importance of people

Who have touched their lives.

When you were born, you were crying

And everyone around you was smiling.

Live your life so that when you die,

You're the one who is smiling

And everyone around you is crying.

Please send this message

To those people who mean something to you,

To those who have touched your life in one way or another,

To those who make you smile when you really need it,

To those that make you see the brighter side of things

When you are really down,

To those who you want to know

That you appreciate their friendship.

  

And if you don't, don't worry,

Nothing bad will happen to you,

You will just miss out on the opportunity

to brighten someone's life with this message...