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Three things you can do today to brighten your life.

1. Smile at three people today.

2. Give encouragement to three people today.

3. Say to yourself, "Today is day, Today offers opportunities, Today is given to be lived in fullness.

4. For every challenge, generate three possible solutions.

5. Find three people who can give a wise advice.

6. Pause for three minutes to think

7. Wait about three seconds before you give you big answer.

Key words: encouragement, today, offers, great, challenge

A friend said, "Recession is coming. The economy is slowing down."

I said, "You may be right. However, are you going to recession too?"

Yes, the gloom and doom people are coming out of the woodwork. They  bombard you with the latest downbeat news. It will get more gloomy because of these folks.

The economy moves in a cyclical fashion. It goes up. It goes down. It expands and it contracts. This is a fact of life. It is inevitable.

How should we conduct ourselves in this changing environment? Here are four ideas:

1. Have faith. Believe dark moments of the economy shall pass. Be optimistic about life. Seach for the gems in the good and bad times. Read encouraging books. Stop telling your sad stories. Learn the lessons from sad events and move on.

2. Develop your skills. Read books to upgrade you talents. Learn new skills. I read four books a month. Two of which are writing improvement books. I discovered there is a writing bug in me. I need to know where this writing journey leads. I finished my nonfiction manuscript and edited the draft 50 times. Reading the self help writing books propelled my writing to a higher level.

3. Find optimistic people. Also, encourage your family members and friends to be optimistic. If they need help to see the brighter side of things, coach them. Create a personal contract with your inner circle of friends to encourage one another. Have prior permission to stop each other in mid-sentence or mid-syllable when pessimism spew out of the mouth.

You can beat the recession of the mind. Have faith, believe, and be optimistic. Develop your skills. Sorround yourself with optimistic people.

When you follow these suggestions, you live a happier life and eventually beat the economic recession.

Word Search: recession, economy, slow down, Fed, rate, skills, mind, cyclical

Okay, I will spare you. I will not sing. I've watched three episodes of American Idol. I like the audition. It helps me see the cross section of America. Also, it helps me see people with dreams.

The funny thing is American Idol is beginning to penetrate to the inner sanctum of my soul. It is not the singing. It it not the judges: Paula, Simon or Randy. It is about the dreams yearning to come out in the lives of the constestants.

I have a dream. I have an aspiration. I have a dream of writing a book. More precisely, I have a dream of writing a book that transform lives. As for me, I already have four rejections from book agents and publishers. I encourage myself knowing that J.K Rowlings (The Harry Potter lady) was rejected 11 times. Now, she is a billionaire.

I am willing to absorb rejections to see lives change. Okay, I have to confess. I dream my book being is a best selling blockbuster. Now, I just smile when rejections comes. It is part of the process. At the same time, I am one rejection closer to my dream.

I see myself in those contestants who dream to reach the top. I see those who excel and those who will go nowhere. The questions turns to you.

I see ATTITUDE, HUMILITY, and TEACHABILITY are big factors to progress forward.

The other fun part I like is to observe is how Simon and Fox put together the final 24. There is a talent, character, and business aspect in the decisions.

Here is my prediction. I predict Mr. Archuleta and Miss. Malubay will be in the top 5. Both of of them are good singers. Here are some intrinsic character traits that push them higher. Both are young and humble. Mr. Archuleta, 16, will wow the young girls. For Miss Malubay, there is a back end financial gain for the organizers.

I assume organizers have a cut to their future income. Organizers set the path of the singers stardom. For example, Jasmine Trias went platinum in the Philippines. She packs fans with in 10,000 and 20,000 auditoriums.

As for me, I will not vote. I just watch and observe. There are so much to learn to become an American Idol. There are so much to gems in this arena.

Search: Fox, Americal Idol, Simon, Paula, Randy, singing, contest, tv

It is the end of the month. January 2008 is already a history. Time moves fast when your are busy and having fun. My goals are progressing and moving forward. Life is more fun when friends and family members take active part with your progress. Also, you will achieve more. Try it.

2008 Goals

• Spend three hours a week thinking of the goals and plans
• Share to your family and friends. Ask them to check on your goals every MONTH

A. Spiritual

1. Block three hours a week to thinking, planning,

2. _____________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________

B. Family

1. Tell family each member you love them

2. ____________________________________________________________

3. ____________________________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________________________

5. ____________________________________________________________

C. Educational

1. Read ____ books

2.

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ______________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________

D. Health

1. Eat more fruits and vegetables

2. Exercise ______________________________________________________

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. ________________________________________________________________

5. ______________________________________________________________

E. Work

1. Compliment three people at work

2. Spend 15 minutes a day during spare time to uncover ways to improve work

3. ______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

Well, it is already January 15, 2008. The year is young; yet, fifteen days had passed already.

My 2008 Goal is to memorized 250 verses this year. My first project is to memorize I Corinthians 13. Today, I memorized the whole chapter.

As a result of doing this project: Here are some things that are happening to me:

1. My mind is coming alive. I am not getting any younger; but the mind is becoming more sharp to figure things out.  

2. The mind is more focused and disciplined.

3. I recite the verses during transit. When someone do something foolish on the road, I do not waste my time thinking foolish things to someone else foolishness.

4. I recite these verses to people I know. As a result, we discuss something noble and talk more deeply about life. I brighten their lives.

5. I have two people who are tracking my progress. I gave them permission to nudge me, prod me, or lecture when I am not doing this project. This makes life fun.

Try memorizing. It will transform your life. 

1 Corinthians 13 NKJV

1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love I am nothing.

3. And though I bestow all my good to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.

4. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, it is not puffed up;

5. does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil;

6. does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth;

7. bears all things, believes all things, endures all things.

8 Love never fails. But whether there are tongues, they will cease, whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.

9. For we know in part and we prophesy in part.

10. But when that which is perfect has come, then what which is in part will be done away.

11. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child,; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

12. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

13. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Another year, another opportunity is about tounfold in our lives. I wrote my goals and plans for 2008. What different thing I will do this year?

I went to Diamond Head during new year's day. The top of the crater was packed. From the top to the first landing, people, mostly Japanese tourists, waited patiently for the rising of the sun. I had my share of spending my time at the top 45 minutes later. It was a solemn moment as I embark the new year.

What different thing I will do this year? I am involving more people in my life. I have a critique group. Three of us meet once a month. However, we call each other once or twice during the week. First, we encourage one another with to complete our own project. We wrote our 2008 goals and two specific projects. We each share our goals and plans to each other.

This is where the fun begins. We are accountable to each other. Each of our strengths plays well for each of us to excel in our endeavors. I have some organizing skills and so I will make it a point for each one of us to be on time. During the first two meetings, one person came late. Well, I gave em an earful. So that was the last late encounter for the group.

What different thing I will do this year?  I will value my time more. I allowed precious time during the past years to slip away.

What different thing I will do this year? I will help more people and extend of my life to others. This is the key to a happy living. When I have challenges, I know there are more people who are in worst situation.

Well, Happy New Year. Spend quite moments and unveil the wonders of life. Then, share the beauty and power in you to a world longing for peace, joy, and love.

This year I will do something different. However, I will still write my 2008 goals. I will go hike Diamond Head on New Years day to greet the coming new year. I will watch Hawaii play Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.

This time around I will share my 2008 goals to two trusted friends. The two friends will share their goals to me, too.  This is what we agreed:

1. We will meet once a month and update each other check our progress.

2. We gave each other advance permission to hound, push, encourage, or whack each other if we are not working on our goals.

3. The commonality we have is that we are writing a book. Therefore, we touch base to each other once a week.

Life is too short. We accomplish more when we have friends around us encouraging us to press forward. At the same time, life is more joyous when we encourage others to excel with their dreams.

Well this is my approach to the 2008 resolutions or goals. I hope 2008 will be great for you.

I like the December month. It is filled with happy moments. It is a time we celebrate the coming of Christ. Well, retailer$ would like to think otherwise.

I spent my time during December to look back and to look forward. The first two weeks are spent reflecting on the past year. The last two weeks are used to put together a goal for the coming year.

Spending time to look at the past year and plan for the coming year reduce much of the stress of the Christmas holidays.

Here are two life changing lessons:

Lesson 1: Slow down to know what is important. Sometimes we are caught in a hectic pace. However, when we slow down, truth reveals the foolishness of our activities. As we pause, we see things that are important in life.  

Lesson 2: Look forward. When you pursue a dream, it gives you a reason to get out of the door. As you engage to a noble goal, you spend less time stewing over past problems.

During the Christmas season, look back to uncover the gems of the past and look forward to polish the gems arriving at the scene.

Have a Merry Christmas.

The true character of people rears its ugly head during this season. People are impatient. People cut corners to save time. People abandon their moral compass to chase after alluring trinkets of the world.

It is a wild world during this season. Here is your chance to shine. Take time to smile at people and at you situation. Take time to extend a helping hand to the needy. Give encouragement to everybody - that includes you. When you do these simple acts of kindness, you are on your way to a happy Chrismas season.

I was at McDonald's a few days ago. Four people huddled around a small table. I overhead the conversation as one shared her experience at a home supply store. She went to purchase an air conditioning unit. She spent a minute or two in the store when Kelly met the customer. Kelly greeted the lady with a warm welcoming hello.

The lady asked for an air conditioning unit. Kelly warmly answered and said there was one more left that was on special. Kelly asked another associate to take the lady's cart that was filled with items to the cashier and wait for the customer.

Kelly explained the capacity of the unit. She slowed down and addressed the concerns of the custormer. Kelly took the extra time to make the customer welcome.

The lady went to the cashier and another associate helped the lady load items in the car.

The lady was so happy with Kelly's help she wanted to share her appreciation to management. So, she went to the customer service counter and asked for the manager. The counter person had some reluctance.

A man came to the counter. The lady asked if he was the manager. The lady almost could read what was whirling on the manager's head. She sensed like a lump of stress in his throat until the lady said, "I just want to thank you for the great service. Kelly really helped me with my purchase...."

The manager released the stress and gave smile as large as the moon.

Christmas has no meaning without Christ. Therefore, allow the love of Christ shine through you. Let Christ be the REASON for this season. When you do this, the madness of life during this season fades away. You live for a  higher purpose and the trinkets of this world lose sits grip on you.

Have a Happy Merry Christmas.

During the Holidays Relish the Moments

Light comes with certainty. Nature prepares the advent of the sun and the promise of the day. Nature awakens. Your heart sees and feels what the physical eye cannot see. Your mind sees optimism, your soul feels hope, and your heart feels love.

God orchestrates the day. It is a wonderful serenity. The day shows its promise. God unfolds creation . Hope arrives at the scene.

What are you going to do?

The new day comes. Nature unfolds. It is fresh with aura. The day is crisp with promise. The day opens with clarity. When the sun comes, many are sleeping. As a result, mornings adored by a few.

By the same token, there are no fan-fares when dreams are born. There are no welcoming group. There are no band playing when great ideas are planted. Yet, dreams come with sureness and promise.

Opportunity comes to all. However, only a handful greets the promise.

You are given this day. You are given blessings. It is up to you to capture these moments. Live each day with hope. Harvest the gems. Solving today’s challenges.

Sunsets are wondrous. I spent soul searching moments watching the waning sun. One late afternoon, it dawned on me. Now, I know why the sunsets explodes with vibrant, colorful, and solemn vistas.

Impurities float up and drift west. The dust and gases floats up and comes back to earth. As a result, impurities diffuse the light. These impurities change the mood of the setting sun.

The gases and impurities act as a prism to expose the beauty wrapped in the light. The sun turns reddish orange. The sunset looks softer.

Nature becomes vivid when you pause. When your soul slows down and feel at peace, you feel the wonders of life. After the hard labor, you assess your life. You pause for a moment. You listen to your soul and see the wonders of creation. At the same time, sense the wonder of God within.