Thanks again Definitely Filipino!

My blog entry in definitely filipino site is published today. Thank you to all of you who have followed my blogs.  Life is too short, http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/03/12/life-is-too-short/

These are the things I am thankful for

Oct 2012, SF Pier 39

I am thankful for my present bodily condition, that I have a fully functioning body and a quiet mind.
for my family, friends and the people around me who are helping me out.
for the positive things and events that are slowly taking me to a much brighter future.
for having the capacity to apply the wisdom and knowledge that was handed down to me.
for being calm and peaceful in the midst of confusion and complications.
for the necessities that are being provided daily.
for the hope and faith that keeps me going.
for the lessons I am getting from giving, that it is the most sure way in receiving.
and I am thankful to God for making things right in my life with His ways even though I have no complete understanding of it all.




Dark Knight (R.F.)

Life is too short

Glendale, California

The most famous phrase that we often hear. We are all really just passing by in this gift of life we are privileged to experience. I would like to think it is important to live sincerely. It is the thing that we really should be striving in this borrowed time we have. How much close are we in becoming our true self, to our whole being? We are not just made out of muscles, bones, nerves, internal organs etc. We are also spirit, not everyone might believe it but that is what I feel inside. The only way we could bring delight on our last days is to reflect and go back to all the good things we did for others more than what we did good for ourselves. You wouldn't like to be remembered as someone who is a selfish & difficult person to deal with. Someone who is hated by most. I believe that we are all kind and nice. Because it feels good to be kind and nice than to be rude and obnoxious. It's that simple, we can feel that almost instantaneously.


I have just been reminded again how short life is. I've learned that one of my childhood friend has a terminal disease (stage 4!). I pray that he is going to be completely healed of his illness and everyday pain that he has to deal with. I am saddened when I got this news from another friend. At the same time this kind of situations takes me back on reflecting how I should start working on truly discovering who I am and get to know myself more. Do I have a purpose? If so, what is it? To encourage others or to discourage others? Little by little I am taking steps to discover it in my own simple ways. Most of the time in the tiniest segments of my daily experience. It is in the smallest things that I can evaluate myself because it is the most honest reactions I make.


Where I am going with this is the importance of our sincerity to our self and to our Creator. We cannot just compose a very powerful prayer that could put us in tears and five minutes after we forget everything about it. Then think of ourselves as spiritual masters. It is really in the doing that equates it all not in the saying. The best investment for me is to have a sincere heart. It will never depreciate my worth, ever. In fact in my mind I will be appreciated by some for having it.  At the same time I understand that acquiring sincerity is not easy but it is worth striving for. Because there are positive effects to myself and others that can bring about in our lives.

Sooner or later we are going to connect to our spirituality because that is where we are all heading back. I might not be able to reach a high level of spirituality on my own limited capabilities, but with the grace of the Holy Spirit and consistent humility, somehow I might get to have a glimpse of devoutness. We are all in the process of being molded to reach our highest self. For God is the potter and we are his clay.


Dark Knight (R.F.)

Thank you once again Definitely Filipino!

 

Maraming Salamat po Definitely Filipino! for posting my blogs in your site! namely "Sacrifice for Lent" http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/03/04/sacrifice-for-the-lent/.... "Kapag may kasama, matutong makisama"   http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/03/05/kapag-may-kasama-matutong-makisama/....."Sa Isip, Sa Salita at Sa Gawa"... http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/03/06/sa-isip-sa-salita-at-sa-gawa/

Dark Knight (R.F.)

My Affirmation for this day.

Space Sunrise

I have a strong understanding that it is through the amount of my hope and faith that I will be blessed.
I am surrounded by people who are sincere to me and who respects me.
I always remember that God gave me wisdom to point myself to positive thoughts and actions that will point me to positive situations and events that is favorable to me.
I am an attractor of all the things I want to experience and I am always supported by God.
I believe that everything I am aiming for will end up to be my reality and it will give me satisfaction that will trigger more progressive goals. 
I will be good at anything that I am pursuing.
All the hindrances will not triumph to impede me of my dreams.
My intelligence to think of solutions are always greater than any complications. 
I have eyes and consciousness that are directed in figuring things out and clear options for a much better taste of life.
God gives me strength and protection when I am weak and when I am alone.

Dark Knight (R.F.)

Understanding the Time (Luke 12: 54-56)

photo by miles storey

Jesus said also to the people, "When you see a cloud coming up in the west, at once you say that it is going to rain-and it does. And when you feel the south wind blowing, you say that it is going to get hot-and it does. Hypocrites! You can look at the earth and the sky and predict the weather; why, then, don't you know the meaning of this present time?"

Thank you Definitely Filipino for posting my blog!

Definitely Filipino have posted my blog " Happiness: Is there such a thing?" I would like to thank them for picking my blog to post it. I wrote that one when I was just starting to put up this blog site with the help of my friend (Thank you Ding!). I am so happy to see my writing posted in DF site. In the same token I would also like to thank my followers on my blog who signed up. Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat :) Here is the link: http://definitelyfilipino.com/blog/2012/01/27/happiness-is-there-such-a-thing/

In fact my friend and I accidentally browsed on it. DF usually post on facebook, that is the only time I see whatever they are posting. Which is ironic because I have given up FB for lent and yet I still have found out about it. :)

Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person - C. Neil Strait

Have you decided on the things you are giving up for Lent? (Sacrifice for the Lent)

sundayschoolresources.com

Every year I think of something that I can give up for Lent to commemorate the sufferings of Jesus Christ on the cross for our sins. Also to remind myself that I should be more attach to Him than the worldly things. I should do it more for myself than seek recognition of doing it and be much-admired by the people around me for doing it. In fact it is to humble my self to the one who has given up his life in following the will of his Father. Which I should be doing more often for a more refined character and attitude.

I always think of it as something that I can get more than losing. Yes I may be restraining myself to the things that I chose to give up for the season. But in time it will help me understand to go back to the basics of life. Why? You may I ask. Because I have found out that without the basics I am more unstable in my thinking and the way I see things. It is almost like the anchor to a big ship. Though it is a big ship it cannot stay on one spot. The tide can carry it afloat in a different direction or hit other ships around or lose its altitude when the captain is not aware. It helps me put my self in the right perspective.

Usually the things that are easy, (looking back now) are the things that I give up in preparation for the Easter. Which I realized in previous recent years that the whole purpose of Easter is to renew our heart and mind. If that is so, then I should be giving up the things that really cost. There is no point in giving up the things that I should be giving up anyways. Although it is a great start. I can feel that restricting myself to tangible things for lent is getting easier and easier or is it because I choose the easy ones. I always find it hard to deal with the things that cannot be seen by the naked eye such as being judgmental, lies, lustful thoughts, being suspicious, anger, anxiety, etc. It would be a great challenge for me not to do those for forty days. But I will strive to maintain it, hopefully.

As for me for this lenten season I have agreed to give up the things I know I am struggling with. I have elected to keep it private between me and God. I like this tradition a lot it helps us to be more centered in my opinion. So whether you are giving up small things for now or you have gotten to the stage of giving up bigger things in your own definition. Some may do it in giving to others in honor of the season. Great job in doing that for Lent! May you find the maturity that you are looking for in doing those. :)

Dark Knight (R.F.)

These are the things I am thankful for

 pier 39 SF, CA Oct 2011

I am thankful for the circumstances and events that has opened wonderful possibilities.

for all the nice things that are being prepared for me while I am asleep, I will connect to it with a positive outlook.

for the great morning as I wake up, that reminds me of a new chance, new hope, new beginning, new dreams.

for all the talents and ideas that are being delivered to me, and the wisdom and knowledge I have gained from my experiences.

for my gradual improvement as I work on my character and attitude.

for the people around me who I know will be there to support me and the ones that I have just met who can help me to be successful in whatever it is I am pursuing.

for all of my past projects and for the next ones that are lined up and will come along at the right time.

and I am thankful for God, even though I am weak, He forgives me of my sins and is ever willing to have a private relationship with me.

Dark Knight (R.F.)

Psalms 73 Good News Translation

God is indeed good to Israel, to those who have pure hearts.
But I had nearly lost confidence; my faith was almost gone because
I was jealous of the proud when I saw that things go well for the wicked.

They do not suffer pain; they are strong and healthy. They do not suffer as other people do; they do not have the troubles that others have. And so they wear pride like a necklace and violence like a robe; their hearts pour out evil, and their minds are busy with wicked schemes.They laugh at other people and speak of evil things; they are proud and make plans to oppress others. They speak evil of God in heaven and give arrogant orders to everyone on earth, so that even God's people turn to them and eagerly believe whatever they say. They say, "God will not know; the Most High will not find out." That is what the wicked are like. They have plenty and are always getting more.

Is it for nothing, then, that I have kept myself pure and have not committed sin? O God, you have made me suffer all day long; every morning you have punished me.

If I had said such things, I would not be acting as one of your people. I tried to think this problem through, but it was too difficult to me until I went into your Temple. Then I understood what will happen to the wicked.

You will put them in slippery places and make them fall to destruction! They are instantly destroyed; they go down to horrible end. They are like a dream that goes away in the morning; when you rouse yourself, O Lord, they disappear.

When my thoughts were bitter and my feelings were hurt, I was as stupid as an animal; I did not understand you. Yet I always stay close to you, and you hold me by the hand. You guide me with your instruction and at the end you will receive me with honor. What else do I have in heaven but you? Since I have you, what else could I want on earth? My mind and my body may grow weak, but God is my strength; he is all i ever need. 

Those who abandon you will certainly perish; you will destroy those who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, how wonderful to be near God, to find protection with the Sovereign Lord and to proclaim all that he has done!

 

Pacman's camp in Los Angeles - Hollywood,California

Wild Card Boxing Club 2011

Wild Card Boxing Club... May 21, 2011 sorry po! point and shoot lang ang digital cam ko ...wala akong powerful na lens.

Ang sabi ko may tiwala, pero ang laman ng puso ko puro duda. ( Sa isip, sa salita at sa gawa)

Kontra ang title ng post kong ito pero madalas kong maramdaman sa sarili ko. Usually kung ano ang nasa puso mo yun ang sasabihin mo. Match palagi parang kaluluwa at katawan natin. Pero mahirap marating ang stage na yun. 

Parang yung napagusapan namin ng kaibigan ko, minsan kaming naglalakad; lahat ng relihiyoso o mga nagbabago, gustong pumunta sa langit pero walang handang pumunta ngayon sa oras na to. Madalas gawing joke ng mga Pari. "Sinong gustong pumunta sa langit? itaas ang kamay, Sino naman ang gusto ng pumunta sa langit ngayon?" Sabay magtatawanan ang mga tao, kasi walang makataas ng kamay.

Malakas kasi ang hatak ng laman at kamunduhan. Ang hirap hindi maging makamundo habang nakatuntong ka dito. May ilan-ilan lang talaga ang nakakaabot sa stage na malagpasan ang kagustuhan mag-enjoy sa buhay. Kahit nga mga nagaagaw buhay, karamihan siguro pilit pa ring lumalaban mabuhay lang.

Gaano nga ba ka importante na tumugma ang sinasabi natin sa laman ng puso natin? Sa tingin ko kasi, doon tutuwid ang buhay natin sa maliit na bagay na yun. Hindi hati ang direksyon ng kilos at paguugali natin. Dami na ngang kaguluhan sa mundo pati ba naman sa kalooban natin papayag tayong magulo pa rin. Tayo ang may control sa buhay natin. Kahit ano pa ang ugali ng mga taong nakapaligid sa atin. Palaging may choice tayo na maging pino pa rin. Kahit ano pang sitwasyon ng ekonomiya, walang kinalaman yun sa pagkatao natin. Maski nga summa cum laude ka pa walang koneksyon yun sa pagkatao mo.

quotessensei.com

Madalas nating makalimutan na ihiwalay ang sarili natin sa kung saan man tayo, maging masaya, malungkot, may pighati, o kagalakan. Kasi ang totoong ako pwedeng bumalik sa mapayapang pagiisip, ang madalas kong ipaalala sa sarili. San man dalhin ng alon. Excuse na lang yung sabihin natin sa sarili na "kaya ko sya ginulangan kasi sa hirap ng buhay". 

Tapos magdadasal-dasal tayo ng akala mo kung sinong mga ewan! O kaya naman, mag sasalita at magpapayo na akala mo kung sinong mga ewan! Guilty ako dyan!:) Ang kinatutuwa ko lang sa sarili ko ay pa unti-unti kong nilalagay ang mapayapang saloobin (peaceful attitude) sa isipan ko at aware ako na meron akong kailangang baguhin. Mahirap yung bukod sa wala kang ginagawang pagbabago ang buong akala mo pa, walang mali sa paguugali mo. 

Kaya nga minsan iniisip ko, kailangan mo pa ba talagang sumali sa isang organisasyon o grupo bukod pa sa ating mga religious persuasion (relihiyon)? para lang masabing kagalang galang ka o noble. Para sabihin mo sa sarili mo na ang pagsali ko dito sa grupo na ito o organisasyon na ito ang nakapagpabago ng buhay ko. Ok naman yan sa tingin ko, walang masama at di ko naman hinuhusgahan din. Kung sa tingin nating makakatulong ito para mas marami kang makilala, networking ika nga. Mga kasama na halos kaparehas mong magisip o halos magkaparehas ng pananaw sa buhay. 

Ang sinasabi ko lang, kahit magisa ka at wala kang ibang kasama kung gugustuhin mong magtino, kaya mo yun ng sarili mo lang. Sa tingin ko binigyan naman tayo ng lakas at talino para maisatupad yan sa sarili natin. Madalas lang nating balewalain. Nakakatawa minsan nakikita ko yun sa sarili ko, magdadasal ako ng mataimtim pero kapag nakakita ako ng pagkakataon na mang lamang ng kapwa, kukunin ko. Hindi match diba! Ang lakas talaga ng hatak ng kasalanan. Kaya ang madalas kong ipagdasal ang magkaroon ng sapat na guidance at humility. Kasi alam naman natin lahat kung anong kailangan natin para mabago ang kalooban. Hindi lang natin ma figure out kung pano ang paraan upang mahikayat ang sarili na mapanatili ang tama kesa sa mali. Nakasanayan na kasi natin, pero laos na rin yang katwiran na yan! Ang mas totoo, yung handa tayong baliin ang pagkamaako (Ego) na kaugalian, alang-alang sa matuwid na pamumuhay sa pagtugma ng sinasabi natin sa laman ng ating puso. :)


Dark Knight (R.F.)

Ready to hit the mitts or the bag

hand wrap (supine)

hand wrap (prone)

gloves with hand wrap inside (prone)

gloves with hand wrap inside (supine)


 I am not a professional fighter, just for fun and fitness...way lower than a beginner hehehe....to make it clear this is NOT my lifestyle! just my cardio...I'm a lover not a fighter :)  

Here's a good reference for hand wrapping...

My Affirtmation for this day!

pastorross.wordpress.com

I will constantly remind myself to have a strength that comes from knowing myself and my Creator.
For it will be the foundation of my thoughts and actions today, even just for this day.
It is not about what I am doing, it is about what I am feeling while I am doing the things I will be engaging in.
If it gives me heavy or guilty feeling I will stop and turn away from it.
I will give the importance of my activities by asking myself, will this be helpful to me and others?
I can avoid to swerve in being busy doing the things that has no valuable cause.
Changing small things can eventually give positive impact to the entirety of my character and my life.
My true self is when I am alone in private, it is my time to know myself and my Creator.



Dark Knight (R.F.)

Happy Valentine's Day!

May partner man o wala Happy pa rin sa araw na to! Dahil may buhay pa rin at may pag-asa. :)

Dark Knight (R.F.)

It's about doing. Not about just saying!

Am I as sincere as I thought I was? We should ask ourselves this question to remind us how we are acting towards others once in a while. Have you? How did you answered it? Based on your consequences or based on your excuses?

No one has perfect character and that is for sure, I hope I really know this, at this point of my life. Nevertheless it is great to have an honest relationship with ourselves. Than faking our relationships to our self and others with our crafty way of rationalizing things tailored for our own sake. My rule of thumb is when I think I am always in the right but everybody around me, hates me. There is something wrong with me than them. It's more reasonable to contemplate on examining yourself sincerely don't you think? Are you going to be part of solution or be the problem?

dreamstime.com

Then again i could be right all the time specially when I am justifying the things I have said and done to make me look good. As I masterfully twisted and turned the whole situation to lean towards my side. How could I know what is right? If lying is so simple to me like breathing air and very common, egoistic and never willing to submit in being responsible with my consequences than what I claim to be. 

Granting that you happen to care about how you treat others. Just weigh how things turned out to be from your selfish perspective and behavior. Learn to discover if there is guilt attached. Situations will never lie and will only get you to the truth, it is what it is.


Now what if you do not care about others as long as you get the things you want? Go on with it, that is your choice. But bear in mind that you will be continuously despised by others and eventually sooner or later you yourself will hate yourself too. I am guessing it is not going to be a good feeling. I wish to have the courage to be truthful with how I behave.


At the end of the day when you do not care. It will not only ruin your reputation, it also has the potential of destroying you from the inside. I do not mind so much about reputation, it is what others think of me. But losing my worth coming from myself? It's not good at all because I am going to be dealing with myself for the rest of my life. Would you settle in living lying to yourself for the rest of your days? Again it is always up to us. I can only hope to be wise in making such decisions on my journey.


Whether you are very good in posting great things to say to impress people on your status in Facebook, Twitter, what you have to say or whatever there is out there. It's not about just saying it and collecting how many "likes" you get. It's about having the honor and sincerity to apply it. :)


Dark Knight (R.F.)

San Francisco, CA OCT. 2011

Very nice weather in Frisco, Golden Gate...went to my cousin's wedding :)

the bridge

in the bridge

the other side of the bridge

Alcatraz, view from the bridge

smile bridge!

Fog is here!

Pier 39, San Francisco " it's a great day!"

Pier 39

These are the things i am thankful for

intentionalpursuit.com

I am thankful for my bed and for the good night sleep last night.
for opening my eyes in the morning to enjoy a new day and for having a strong body to get up and stand, walk, exercise, and able to make my body work.
for my place, my room, my clothes, my car, TV, laptop, chair, water, electricity, cable, internet, portable heater that keeps me warm.
for my healthy five senses and healthy body.
for my parents, family and friends who cares for me and ready to support me.
for the forgiveness of my sins and being able to forgive.
for the times I get help when I need it and for the times I was able to give help.
for my daily protection specially when I am driving and everyday provisions I am receiving.
for my financial resources, my bank account, my food, for the air that I am breathing.
for all the things that are working right in my life and the people who respects me and cooperates with me.
for reminding myself that it is a great privilege to enjoy the gift of life.
And I am thankful to realize that there are no small things from a thankful and a humble heart.

Dark Knight (R.F.)

Blind or simply not Looking?

Do I really not see what had gone by and what is going on in my life? Or am I not aware of my mannerisms on how I treat my self and others by looking away instead of looking within?

I am convinced how being aware is so important. Without it would be very difficult to establish and make our dreams come true or get to the inner growth that we all need to have. Such as being grateful, sincere, kind, forgiving, patient, etc. It gives me a better vision of myself because I can keep track of my tiny progression or if i am stalling. I consider it as the most reliable assessment of my own persona. Awareness takes us to our freedom to compose our own vision or at least the right direction. I look at vision as our capability to see the future events and things that we want to happen (of course with enough efforts) even in the absence of evidence.

The baffling nature of the future for me without noticing it is, when you get to it, it's now. Forty one years ago I'm just a baby. Where did all those years go? How did i get from a frail stage to a teen strong body at one point, to my 20's, 30's, and now to my present bodily condition so quick? ( together with my understanding ) Did I not see all those seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, years that had passed by or did i just let it pass through me and miss to cherish every single moment of it? ( or at least savored the happy occasions ) That's how fast it went? 

The time I could barely remember are the ones I know I'm not having inner growth. Because often times it is when the disguise of the wrong things that touches me and reminded me to grow. Seems like the unfairness of it makes it all fair in the name of growth. At the same time the wrong behavior I have given to others took me to the same conditions that nudged me to make adjustments on how I should respect my self and others.

For some it is difficult to see the message of it, others have increased their sensitivity in abiding on it. Either way, whether you look at it or look away from it, it will be the recurring theme of our life. Playing blind without care or looking at it from within? From the time you have read the title of this post to the last word you will be reading that registers in your thought is a time spent. The choice is ours to make, and the time is also ticking. :)

Dark Knight (R.F.)

mind what you say !

My Affirmations for this day.

Pagudpud Beach, Philippines

Today is a great day to uplift my spirit to be able to see the best possibilities out there.
Reality cannot stay still for a long time because it is constantly flowing, besides it's all dependent on how I look at it.
In a single situation two people can see it in two different versions.
Seeing things positively is more helpful than the other.
I will always be assisted to see things and events in a much optimistic interpretation to help me get in to that good feeling place that everyone is longing for. 
I will be responsible for my own happiness.
What I feel right now will flow through the whole day, and so my goal is to be in a state of appreciation and gratitude for everything I have, that I fail to notice.
There are no small things from a thankful and a humble heart.
Thank you God for the gift of life.




Dark Knight (R.F.)

Less is more

fitho.in

"When push comes to shove" is the phrase that runs in my mind as i rest my hands on the keyboard to get started. Wiktionary.com has defined it as "When the pressure is on; when the situation is critical or urgent; when the time has come for action, even if it is difficult". No matter what, when the situation calls for it you get the job done. 

In this economic difficulties that we are all affected and involved, there must be a universal message that we all should be getting. It is teaching us all to be frugal, be more sensible with our spending habits, teaching us to save for the rainy days. To help us make our lifestyle  never exceed our income. Learning to ask ourselves; "Is this thing that I really want is what I really need"? I have to be sensitive to my impracticality in purchasing the things that I just want to have. Being comfortably aware of the difference between needs and wants. Knowing what really is important in our life with the right perspective. An excuse to be cheap? maybe, or maybe not.  

Putting things into the right perspective might be the bottom lesson that we could be uncovering here. Practicality may eventually take us to our spirituality. Less stuffs fewer stress, more stuffs more problems. What better way to get to the fundamental core of our spirit but to be in the presence of peace. Our true guide (spirit) will not take us to a confusing, crazy situations, we just have to listen to it more often. Having more means, filling up the closet/ storage/ garage with stuffs that will never be used and will only occupy space. Not to deny us to the things that we want to have in life, but it's about being practical that will hopefully bring us to see the bigger picture. If you look at life as a freefall, what's the use of holding on to the stuffs that are freefalling with you? It's just going to take you a lot faster on falling.

Everything is circling down the drain - money, fame, possession of material things, etc. My own estimate is that ego is more dominant in our life when we have those. In fact in my opinion it is hard to handle being the poorest of the poor and to be the richest of the rich. On both extreme conditions our true character is forced to come out, and no matter how hard you try you will never be able to fake it. Because you are going to be pushed to your limits in either way. It is about adapting and adjusting to whatever situation you may be. When we want to survive we have got to do the things that are right not the selfish things. Applying the right things in our life is hard and tricky sometimes. May we all be reminded in our heart and mind that our present behavior is the best determiner of our future. Hopefully in this hard times we get the job done. With the right attitude, approach and decisions. :)


Dark Knight (R.F.)