Why You Should Not Worry

Are you an extreme worrier? Maybe you were thinking that by worrying, you can prevent bad things from happening. But this is not true. Come to think of it, has any of your problems been solved by thinking about it over and over again? Even the Scriptures is telling us not to worry.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

- Matthew 6:34

 According to Jim Rohn, an American entrepreneur, author and motivational speaker, Worry is the #1 killer of dreams, achievements , energy and vitality of life.  It is a sneaky way to trick all the facts and bring them to the negative side. It is a kill joy. It steals our happiness to enjoy the present.

Joyce Meyer, an author and speaker, defines worry as "like a rocking chair—it's always in motion but it never gets you anywhere. ” Indeed, worrying resolves nothing, but only waste our time and energy.

What you can do about our worries? 

Worry is often brought by lack of  full understanding and information about things and circumstances. It is caused by fear of the uncertain. 

What you can do to stop worrying? 

1. First, admit what worry can do to your life and commit yourself to take the worry habit out of your system. Think what worry can do you in your life, relationships, finances and decisions.

For example, I'm always hearing a person in a relationship (goes for both men and women) who is always worried about the possibility for his/her partner to find a partner better than him/her. It's crazy because it could lead to suspicions, false accusations and worst, break up. Imagine how a simple worry can destroy a relationship.

Think that worry is a constant threat to the pursuit of happiness. 90% of the things you worry doesn't happen, so why worry about it?

Don't analyze to death. Be in control of the worry. It's a very fantastic feeling not to worry and to transfer all your energy from worry to any action plans for good life. 

2. Be committed to continuously improve yourself. Develop self confidence. Read books, get the facts and start the change within you.

The start of change is new information. As you learn new information, you gain new skills, you develop self confidence. Once you develop your confidence, you will have the ability to handle the troubles in your life without too much worrying. Not only that, problems will appear to you as opportunities and redirected blessings.

Do not be afraid to take the chances of life. Remember that confidence can dominate worry. Have the ability to put emotional experience to its rational view.

Instead of worrying, change your mindset to positive expectations and develop a good plan for your life. Now, if your expectations are not met, you have to control what you can say to yourself. Handle disappointments properly. This is related to the next and last tip.

3. When everything seems uncontrollable, leave it to faith.

Whether we like it or not, the are uncontrollable things that can happen to our lives. It can be a loss of a job, bankruptcy of business, or betrayal of a friend.

These are unwanted events that even if we did our best for these not to happen, they happen still.

This is the time we should cast all our fears and worry to our Creator. This is where the faith comes in.

Sometimes, worry comes from the belief that God is not listening to our prayers. But the reality is this - God only wants the best for us. So when you feel like God is not listening to you, think again. Maybe, it's not yet time and He is just preparing you for greater things. Or maybe He is in the process of cleansing your heart first before He gives you the best blessings you can ever receive. Big blessings come with big responsibilities.

Start to trust God and stop Worrying.

Commitment, Continuous Self Development and Faith are the some of the keys to kick out of the worry habit that has been stealing your happiness for the longest time.

Believe that you are the in control of your success, that you are the captain of your faith and that you are the master of your soul.


Be a better you,
Maya

Be More Forgiving

"Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself"

Leviticus 19:18

Let's admit it, sometimes we find it difficult to love other people.

Loving good people is easy.

But loving difficult and bad people- those people who criticized you, make fun of you and betrayed you? Many people are in constant battle of doing this. 

Pero dahil ito ang utos ng Diyos according to the bible, we should obey this commandment- we should love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Can I share my own story? It happened about a month ago. I am a single mom and I always make sure that everytime my salary comes, I set aside a portion for it for the tuition of my daughter who is in preschool. Soon enough I was able to save for my daughter's tuition. I gave it to my "nanay" (my mother) since she's the one taking care of my kid while I'm at work.

So she told me she already paid for my daughter's tuition fee. I didn't demand for any receipts since she is my mother and I trusted her so much.

Then one day, while I was browsing all the notebooks of my daughter, I saw a note from her notebook marked as "Reminders". It says "Please be reminded to pay this XX amount on or before _______________________ as  a remaining balance for the tuition fee.

This would mean my mother was not able to pay the full amount of my daughter's tuition fee. There were a lot of thoughts in my mind. The evil was telling me "Your nanay is a liar. You trusted her so much but she betrayed you and used your money without your permission."

I didn't know what to feel and do at that very moment. I took a deep breath, sat down, and analyzed my thoughts. I prayed to God to guide me on what should I feel and do.

My mother was in Manila that time (we live in Bulacan), so I texted her and asked her about the note I saw in my daughter's notebook. She admitted it right away, that she spent a portion of my kids' tuition fee. She didn't tell me because she was expecting some money from her own small business but unfortunately didn't come earlier than expected. The problem was the payment due date was near already and I didn't know where to get the remaining amount to pay to my kid's school. My daughter couldn't get her scorecards and couldn't attend their culminating activity if the remaining amount wouldn't be paid.

It was so painful for me. I was asking how could my own mother do that to me. She could have told me earlier so I could lend some money to my friends. I didn't know what to do and I could not say anything since I was scared to say not so good things to my mother.

I just decided to sleep. It was so amazing. Before I totally fell asleep, I remember all my mistakes in the past. I remember all my failures - especially how many times I failed my mother, how many times I unintentionally disrespected her, how many times I took her love for granted.

Suddenly..

I remember how she took good care of me.

I remember how she protected me.

I remember how she loved me unconditionally.

 Then all the negative feelings I had were gone. It taught me a very important lesson.

Just like any other human being, my mother is imperfect. She could do things that could hurt me. She could commit mistakes. 

I know my mother loves me so much and as much as she could, she wants to me to be very happy.  But I have to accept that sometimes, even if she doesn't want to, she can do things that can disappoint me. Just like any other human being. Just like me.

It's also the same in dealing with other people. Let forgiveness should be our habit. From time to time, expect that people will fail our expectations, that people will hurt us, that people will do things that can disappoint us.

Accept that people are imperfect.

Just like You.

Just like Me.

A perfect God can forgive all our sins.

 How much more for imperfect people like us?

Forgive.

Forgive other people.

Forgive yourself.

.

Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37

Be a better you,

Maya

I am back! :D

After almost three months of not updating this blog, I decided to come back in writing stuff that could help a lot of Filipinos improving themselves. I hope all my previous blogs help you a lot.

This blog is a collection of lessons that I learn as I continue to improve myself everyday. This is a product of reading books, listening to people, and building relationships.

I have a big announcement. I realized since this blog is for Filipinos, maybe I can write in Taglish.. or Filipino.. in a language that is best understood by most Filipinos.

What do you think?
Cool?

Let's start the ball rolling again.
Let's inspire Filipinos again!

Let help each other be victorious.

Be a better you,
Maya

5 Daily Habits That Will Transform Your Life

Have you seen a tree with a lot of fresh fruits?
Isn't it so tempting to get the fruits from the tree and eat them? This is because we know they came from a good and well nourished tree.

The quality of the fruits on a tree depends on the nutrients provided in the roots- nutrients that came from the soil. The roots will always determine the fruits.

The fruits of a tree are just like our dreams.
The soil that nourishes the tree represents God in our lives.
And guess what represents the roots? - our HABITS.

The quality of our dreams is determined by our habits.
As a matter of fact, it's the little things that we do everyday that will make us a champion.

Oftentimes in our lives, we have dreams to pursue but we always lose track because of many distractions in our environment. But please don''t be discouraged by these obstacles and problems as these are needed so you can be the best that you become in achieving God's dreams for you.

Now, let me share to you 5 daily habits that really transformed my life. It changes how I see God, people and circumstances. It changes how I deal with people. It changes how I deal with problems. It changes me from being a superstar complainer to a happy person.

1. Start your Day with God.
When you wake up in the morning, thank God He gave you another day- another day to pursue your dreams, another day to inspire people, another day to serve others. Talk to Him for few minutes. Talk to Him like a friend - sharing your deepest desires and dreams to Him.

2. Plan for your day.
Write your plans for the day. Imagine the day as your best day ever - a day to be the most loving and kind, a day to celebrate life, a day to be Jesus to others, a day to be the best daughter, best parent, best employee and best person. Don't make your "best day" as an exception. Make it as a habit. Treat each day as your "best day ever."

Do what you have to do now so you will never have to wait again.

3. Live healthy. Do you believe that God wants the best for you? If so, then you would love yourself, and if you love yourself, you will love your body.

Do you want more time to spend with your family? to help other people? to serve the ministry?
If yes, then take care of your health. You need to be healthy in order to serve.

Eat fruits and vegetables.
Exercise 2-3 times a week.
Avoid processed foods.
Prefer organic.

Search more for ways to have a healthy living. God wants us to have the strength so we can fulfill His mission in this world.

4. Feed your mind.
The start of change is new information. Make it a habit a learn something new each day.
Read an inspirational book instead of watching TV shows. A 30 minute reading each day would be very helpful. If you are not a fan of reading books, you may choose audio books. You may listen to these while you're in the bus or taxi, or doing something else.

Improve yourself. Search for wisdom!

5. Associate with people who will lift you up and not with people who will bring you down.
Choose your friends wisely. Make sure your friends are true friends.

Are they always there for you whenever you have problems?
Are they trying to help you cope up with your situation?
Are they inspiring you?
Are they choosing to understand instead of judging you?

Socialize wisely.

It's the little things that we do daily that matters.
How about you? What are your habits?
Are they align to your dreams?

You will easily know - discover your fruits and assess.


Be a better you everyday,
Maya

Revolutionize Your Thoughts

 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

- Romans 12:2

Do you want a breakthrough this year? a complete life overhaul? So you can be the best that you can be?

Well, it will all start with changing your thoughts.

What are your thoughts about life? about relationships? about money? about people?
Your thoughts on these things actually reflect your current situation.

Our lives is governed by one law - the law of attraction.

Everything that you have and you will have in your life are the results of your thoughts. It's all about what you are thinking. You are actually attracting what is going on in your mind.

"Every thought of yours is a real thing - a force"

- Prentice Mulford

It doesn't matter who you are or wherever you are, this law of attraction always prevail. The law responds to your thoughts, no matter what they may be.

So what do you want in your life?

Good relationships?

Financial freedom?

A new car?

A breakthrough in business?

Be clear on what do you really want. The clearer, the better.

If you can think clearly about what  you want in your mind, and make that dominant thought, you're going to hold it in your hand, regardless of how many obstacles and struggles in the middle of your journey.

Let me give you 3 areas in your life where you can apply the Law of Attraction

1. Transform the way you think about yourself.

Are there times you feel like you're ugly? you feel like nobody likes you?

you feel that you are not worthy of love and affection?

Transform it right away! The moment you think about these things, put those out on your mind. These are all whispers by the enemy to make you  feel like a loser, because he wants you to get broke and he wants to see you miserable. Fight the enemy by revolutionizing your thoughts!

Think about the truth and reality.

"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made"

- Psalm 139:14

 God's works are all wonderful! This is the truth -  no matter how many pimples you have in your face, no matter how many scars you have in your skin, no matter how flat your nose is and no matter how many sins you committed in the past.. You are Beautiful! God thinks You are Amazing! That's why He created you..

Love yourself first so you will receive love. 

Affirm yourself with these thoughts:

"I am whole, strong, powerful, unique, loving, happy, and worthy of love and affection"

“To acquire love... fill yourself up with it until you become a magnet.”  

 - Charles Haanel

 

"I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy" - See more at: http://www.onepowerfulword.com/2007/02/charles-haanel-master-key-system-part.html#sthash.s7mI5lEz.dpuf

"I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy" - See more at: http://www.onepowerfulword.com/2007/02/charles-haanel-master-key-system-part.html#sthash.s7mI5lEz.dpuf

"I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy" - See more at: http://www.onepowerfulword.com/2007/02/charles-haanel-master-key-system-part.html#sthash.s7mI5lEz.dpuf

"I am whole, perfect, strong, powerful, loving, harmonious and happy" - See more at: http://www.onepowerfulword.com/2007/02/charles-haanel-master-key-system-part.html#sthash.s7mI5lEz.dpu

2. Transform the way you think about other people. Transform your relationships.

Learn to accept the imperfection of people around you. Who is perfect by the way?

Learn to continue trusting people, even if you've been already cheated on and betrayed.

Love your family, love your friends, love all the people around you.

Love your enemies. Love them to shame no matter how difficult it is.

Always remember the law of attraction. Whatever you do bounces back to you.

In relationships, we're so used to complaining about other people. For instance "my coworkers are so lazy, my husband makes me so mad, my children are so difficult. It's always focusing on the other person. But for relationships to really work, we need to focus on what we appreciate about the other person, not what we're complaining about. When we're complaining about those things we're only getting more of those things.

- Marci Shimoff

3. Transform the way you think about wealth. 

Wealth is good. Money, itself is not evil.. it's actually the way we use money that determines whether it's good or evil.

If you want abundance and prosperity, then focus on abundance. Focus on prosperity.

Don't focus on things that you are lacking right now.

Don't focus on scarcity.

Don't talk about it with your family.

Never discuss it with your friends.

Avoid topics about lack and scarcity of resources.

THINK ABOUT WEALTH.

Use your powerful imagination that you already have the amount of money you want. Make it a habit to look at things you want and say to yourself  "I can afford that!"

Then give more to receive more. It's also part of the Law of Attraction. When you give more, you will feel good about yourself. You feel like you're wealthy. You feel like you have a plenty to give.

Everything you want is an inside job. The outside world si the world of effects; it's just the result of thoughts. Set your thoughts and frequency on happiness... and 

you will experience the true heaven on earth

- The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne

Be a better you everyday,

Maya

The Power of Self Control

How will you react to these situations?

- Your kid doesn't get what he wants and he throw tantrums in the mall

- You get stuck with the traffic for very long hours

- Your sibling gets your thing without your permission

- Your boss screams at you in front of your colleagues

Will you be able to control your emotions?

or  Will you easily lose your temper?


I noticed that people nowadays are more expressive of what they feel. This is evident by posts in social media such as Facebook and Twitter, not only by ordinary people, but also by some influential celebrities. Some tend to say what they feel through these networks without regard to its implications to other people.

I'm hearing 3 myths about dealing with anger and temper.

Myth #1: "I can't control my emotions, I am a naturally hot headed person"

- All of us might have different reactions to circumstances. Some are born patient and some are born ill tempered or easily angered. However, here's the truth - all of us have a perfect control on our emotions. Yes, we don't have control to what's happening around us, but .. but.. we definitely have control on how we will react to different situations. When it comes to our emotions, isn't it better for us to be in driver's seat than in the passenger's seat?

Myth #2: "If I'm angry it's better to let it all out than to keep it inside"

- As a human, it's natural for us to express a strong emotion for our concerns. However, we should all realize that we can still learn to vent without exploding. You might choose a close friend who can fully understand your feelings and you might sincerely tell your concerns to him. Let him know that you just want someone to listen. Feel your feelings but don't let yourself do something that you will regret afterwards. Control your emotions and don't let it control you.

Myth #3: "If I'm gentle toward all, everyone will walk over me"

- This is just a complete myth. It won't make you a lesser person if you will be able to control your emotions. People will surely respect you more if you will display  self control.

Words are very powerful in building relationships. It can make or break someone's day.

How would you feel if someone tells you you're weak? you're a failure? you're ugly?

So the next time you feel like saying something which you think is true, but you're also aware that it could hurt someone's feeling, take control! bite your tongue! It's better to hurt yourself than to hurt others.

To better understand the concept of self control, let me share you a story... 

Once upon a time there was a little boy who was talented, creative, handsome, and extremely bright. A natural leader. The kind of person everyone would normally have wanted on their team or project. But he was also self-centered and had a very bad temper. When he got angry, he usually said, and often did, some very hurtful things. In fact, he seemed to have little regard for those around him. Even friends. So, naturally, he had few. “But,” he told himself, “that just shows how stupid most people are!”

As he grew, his parents became concerned about this personality flaw, and pondered long and hard about what they should do. Finally, the father had an idea. And he struck a bargain with his son. He gave him a bag of nails, and a BIG hammer. “Whenever you lose your temper,” he told the boy, “I want you to really let it out. Just take a nail and drive it into the oak boards of that old fence out back. Hit that nail as hard as you can!”

Of course, those weathered oak boards in that old fence were almost as tough as iron, and the hammer was mighty heavy, so it wasn’t nearly as easy as it first sounded. Nevertheless, by the end of the first day, the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence (That was one angry young man!). Gradually, over a period of weeks, the number dwindled down. Holding his temper proved to be easier than driving nails into the fence! Finally the day came when the boy didn’t lose his temper at all. He felt mighty proud as he told his parents about that accomplishment.

“As a sign of your success,” his father responded, “you get to PULL OUT one nail. In fact, you can do that each day that you don’t lose your temper even once.”
Well, many weeks passed. Finally one day the young boy was able to report proudly that all the nails were gone.

At that point, the father asked his son to walk out back with him and take one more good look at the fence. “You have done well, my son,” he said. “But I want you to notice the holes that are left. No matter what happens from now on, this fence will never be the same. Saying or doing hurtful things in anger produces the same kind of result. There will always be a scar. It won’t matter how many times you say you’re sorry, or how many years pass, the scar will still be there. And a verbal wound is as bad as a physical one. People are much more valuable than an old fence. They make us smile. They help us succeed. Some will even become friends who share our joys, and support us through bad times. And, if they trust us, they will also open their hearts to us. That means we need to treat everyone with love and respect. We need to prevent as many of those scars as we can.”


Relationships are the best investment in this world. We should spend time building bridges rather than barriers in our relationships. One way to do this is to practice self control.

"If you conquer yourself, then you conquer the world"

- Paulo Coelho, Aleph

Be a better you everyday,
Maya

Be More Grateful

Life nowadays has become more demanding.. with the release of new technologies and also with the influence of media, people are wanting more and more in life - latest fashionable clothing, accessories, shoes, cellphones, tables and a lot more.

This is the reason why some of the people fail to complain more in things that they can't have than to be grateful in what they already have.

 Let me give you Top 15 things to be grateful in life. Note: 15 is just a small number.. if you could just look around and appreciate what you have, you'll discover more and more!

1. Your parents - are they still alive? If yes, then you are so lucky! You have more time to express to them how much you love them- for taking care of you since you were born, for guiding you, and for loving you. Please take note that there are lot people who suffer from deep regrets of not expressing love to their parents when they were still alive.

2. Your family and friends - Are you close with your family and friends? If yes, then be thankful! Not all people have the ability to be close with family and friends. If not, then make a decision now. Whatever the circumstances are, relationships are the best things we can have in this world. One thing that others can't take away from us is the love that we give away to the people around us.

3. Your sense of sight - for seeing the colorful wonders of God's creation!

4. Your speech - for giving you an opportunity to express love and inspire others through your words

5. Your hands - for letting you flip the pages of your book, hug someone and hold the hands of your loved ones

6. Your legs - for giving you an ability to jog, walk, run, and swim

7. Your mind - for providing the ability to discern wisdom, to store memories and to solve problems

8. Your health - for letting you fulfill the dreams that you have. Without good health, we can't fulfill God's plans and dreams for us.

9. Disappointments - for giving you an opportunity to distinguish the things that really matter to you.

10. Pain - for teaching you how to become bolder and stronger. All the breakthrough we have in our lives come from pain, not pleasure. Be grateful for pain!

11.Your life - for giving you a chance to express God's love to the world

12. Your job - not all people have the kind of job that you have, have the amount of salary you earn.

13.You enemies - for helping you become a more patient  and understanding individual, recognizing that their existence is for you to uncover blind spots

14. Love - for letting you feel the true meaning of life

15. Yourself - for being unique, smart, funny, and worthy of love and affection.

Now, do you still have more reasons to complain about life?

God already provided all that you need!

What do you have that you did not receive? … Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! (1 Corinthians 4:7-8)

Be a better you everyday,
Maya