of smiles and sweets

after being holed up at home for the past three days, i was finally able to go out of the house today. first stop? to drop-off mang rene's goodies. second stop? to look for kids with whom i can share lola's candies with.

as always, mang rene was surprised and happy with the little token we gave him. old as he was, he's one of those people who has that capacity to have his face show just what he is feeling. i caught him in the middle of his "duty" guiding the many vehicles that cross his (if i may say so) territory and it gave me such joy to be given that honest and pure smile of his. imagine being in his place... he's probably in his early 60's and yet despite the chilly weather and the holiday season, he's out there in the street still happily working away - smiling at the drivers and passersby.

it makes me think. given the comfort and blessings i enjoy, i really shouldn't take setbacks or those work problems that creep in day-in and day-out of my work bug me that much. after all, tough as they may be, there's always something that i / the team can do to solve it /them. moreover, i should keep my optimism no matter what. no sense in frowning or getting riled up over things. easier said than done i know, but with constant practice, maybe i can be a little bit more like mang rene in that aspect :)

then there were those kids. it took me a while to find them - as in i was literally going around the area looking for kids to give lola's candies too (did i have a certain criteria? not really. i was just looking for some street kids to somehow share the joy in getting candies with). so left, right, up and down i went... when i finally saw them: a group of little boys playing i'm not sure what. i stopped by the road, rolled down my window and gave the candies to the boy nearest to me.

PURE EXCITEMENT. that's what i saw on his face when he saw that it was a bag of candies that i was handing out the window. but you know what really made my heart smile? when i was driving out... instead of focusing on the candies, a couple of boys ran after my car shouting "ate! thank you ha!!" - my heart just melted. now that's real gratitude. and after experiencing street kids cursing or wishing me ill after not giving any alms (i believe this is a common experience during those times when one's stuck in traffic), my positive point of view of them has once again been restored.

finally it was time to go home... surprise surprise! a friend left something for me (a peace offering / happy new year gift?). thanks v! will share it with the family later.

OH OH! LOOK AT THAT! someone's calling first dibs already!! mr. snowman... please give me back my chocolates!!

lol. happy new year everyone!! here's to a happy, prosperous, friendship - laughter - love and happy memories filled 2011! :)

my prayer for thursday

Lord, thank You for another day within this life of mine.
give me the strength to live it well, whatever i may find.
bestow from Your abundance whatever i may lack.
to use the hours wisely, for i cannot have them back.

Lord, thank You for another day, in which to make amends for slights or petty words, inflicted on my friends.
for sometimes losing patience with problems that i find.
for seeing faults in other lives, but not the ones in mine.

Lord, thank You for another chance, in which to try to be a little more deserving of the gifts You've given me.
for yesterday is over, and tomorrow's far away, and i remain committed to the good i do today.

good morning God

in a few days, a new year will roll in and well, i just cannot let another day pass without expressing my gratitude for all that has been this 2010.

so here goes:

thank you for keeping my loved ones healthy, safe and ever embraced in your arms.

thank you for the friendship and loyalty of true friends.

thank you for the challenges that helped define and make our characters and relationships stronger.

thank you for the the upgrades for the press and keeping it full so that a lot of people have benefited from such.

thank you for the furry creatures that help epitomize the definition of unconditional love.

thank you for the sun that rises every morning.

thank you for inspiring books.

thank you for the numerous events that has instilled a smile in our hearts.

thank you for giving us free will and the independence to pursue our dreams and create our own destinies.

thank you for surprises - both big and small.

thank you for the privilege of being able to eat three, four, five (sometimes even more) meals a day.

thank you for the power to help and the to be of service to others.

last but definitely not the least, thank you for always being by my side. guiding me and holding me when i feel that i just can't push on anymore.

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now, i just hope that we have lived up to what this season is all about Father. cheers to another year of good tidings and cheer! :)

my prayer for wednesday

Lord Jesus,

i give You my hands to do Your work.

i give You my feet to go Your way.

i give You my eyes to see as You do.

i give You my tongue to speak Your words.

i give You my mind that You may think in me.

i give You my spirit that You may pray in me.

above all,

i give You my heart that, in me, You may love Your Father and all people.

i give You my whole self that You may grow in me,

so that it is You, Lord Jesus, who live and work and pray in me.

Amen.