Kat in the Box

POSTED: OCTOBER 12, 2009 12:52PM Ever since the Ondoy devastation three weeks ago, I've been wanting to write something about it. But much has been said about the havoc that it caused. I don't want to relieve sad memories of what it did to our country. Then Pepeng came and caused more damage to Luzon. I don;t want to forever remember these tragedies. But just like in everything that happens in our lives, I believe that there is a reason for this. We can only hope for the best of what tomorrow will bring us. A friend forwarded this email to me and I do believe that this is the most fitting message for the victims of the typhoon. It not only applies to them actually, but for all of us as well... Every Storm Will End (Bo Sanchez) Did you suffer a loss recently? A job? A relationship? Material things stolen from you? Many of my friends lost many things in the recent flood. My friends lost homes. My friends lost businesses. With tears, my auntie said, “Bo, I lost all the material things I’ve collected over the past 50 years of my life!” Some friends told me that what was most painful was loosing all their photographs—the memories of a lifetime. Friend, I’ve got a message for you today: Believe that every storm will end. And after the storm, a new morning begins. Remember that every loss is temporary. If you lost a loved one, that loss is temporary. In heaven, you’ll see your beloved again and your reunion will last forever. If you lost photographs, believe that in heaven, God will give back to you DVD copies of all the sweetest memories you’ve had in your life. (I’m not sure what video version they use up there, but I’m sure it’ll be the most modern. Perhaps it’ll be a virtual reality video!) If you lost material things or opportunities or relationships, believe that God is creating room for something better to come your way. How will this “better” happen? Start being grateful. That’s not a typo. In the midst of your loss, be thankful. I know you’ll complain, “Bo, there’s nothing to be thankful for! I lost half my life!” Well, be thankful for the other half that you still have. Don’t focus on what you lost, focus on what you still have. You’ve got too many good things happening to you to be down! Say this with me, “I’m too blessed to be stressed.” (Not original from me. Got it from a bumper sticker.) Why be grateful? Because you attract what you focus on. I’ve said that before so many times, but I’ll keep saying it until God calls me home. Because it’s so powerful. When you become grateful, you attract more of what you’re grateful for. Gratitude is a blessings magnet. My Business Loss Many years ago, I lost a lot of money in a businesses venture. It was a big loss for me. At that time, I lost almost my entire net worth. I was tempted to mope, to sulk, to carry a heavy burden for a long time. Actually, I allowed myself to grieve for awhile—which was very healthy. But I decided not to grieve for too long, or I would be stuck forever. After some time, I declared, “God has something better for me.” I chose to smile. I chose to look at the brighter side. I chose to believe that better businesses would come my way. In fact, I began declaring the unbelievable. I said, “I’ll earn ten times what I lost!” Later that week, a friend asked me, “Is it true that you lost a lot of money in that business?” I said, “Yes, I did.” “It happens to you too, huh? And I thought people like you are exempt from these things. So why are you smiling?” “Because I believe God is redirecting me to a better business. And I know that I’ll earn ten times what I lost.” It was a big claim and some friends couldn’t understand why I was so relaxed. But a few years later, what I declared happened. I started new businesses and I began to earn ten times what I lost. What I lost—my savings for years—I earned in a few months. Today, my new businesses are multiplying. I ask myself sometimes, “What if I didn’t fail in that business? I would still be stuck in that business! I wouldn’t have the new business that I have now.” And imagine if kept moping and sulking—would I have seen the new opportunities around me? Imagine if I kept mourning my loss—would I have had the energy to venture into something new? Friend, don’t focus at the problems in your life. Don’t focus on what you loss. Instead, focus on two things: look at what you still have and look at the new things that God will give you. And be grateful. Where Is The Real Storm? Typhoon Ondoy came and went. But the real storm is not out there. The real storm is in your mind. Do you believe that great things will happen to you? Imagine a party balloon. At first, it’s bright and fat and goes up to the ceiling. But after a few days, it becomes deflated. It stays on the floor. We’re like balloons. What keeps us up is hope. But life happens, and everyday, we leak hope. Especially when big trials come, we surely leak out a lot of hope. And we’re deflated. Here’s what you need to do: You need to refill your heart with hope. So that you can rise up again. Dispel the storms in your mind. It may be stormy on the outside but it shouldn’t be stormy on the inside. The only way to dispel the storms is to be grateful for what you have today and what will happen tomorrow. God is redirecting you to something better. Sit up straight. Out loud, say this declaration with me… I’m strong in the Lord. I’m blessed. I’m forgiven. I’m protected. I’m redeemed. I’m equipped. I’m anointed. Healing flows in my body. New doors will open before me. I’ll meet the right people, the right opportunities, at the right time, at the right place. I’ll regain ten times what I lost… In Jesus name! May your dreams come true, Bo Sanchez

POSTED: SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 6:07PM Shoes, oh I have tons of them. My hubby often wonders at the contents of my shoe cabinet at home and how I often complain of not having “the right shoes” for my outfit. Believe me, it’s a struggle that men don’t understand. You see, Sherwin can survive with just his black shoes (2 pairs) for work, rubber shoes and Crocs for his casual days. But me, oh no no no.. colors, shape, height, and compatibility are among the factors that I have to consider before I can finally tell my husband “I’m ready! Let’s go!”. A painful process… umm.. yeah.. but girls will be girls. During my single days, buying a pair of shoes is part of my monthly hobby. Yup, you read it right, hobby. But when Heinel came, buying baby stuff became the hobby. The shoe part was slightly set aside. But yesterday, I decided to indulge into my deepest desire. In short, I will buy a new pair of shoes! How dramatic. But I tell you the excitement of entering the mall knowing I will buy something? Priceless! The moment I stepped out of MRT I felt excitement all over my body. It’s like I’m pulpitating. I’m alive!!!!!!! I had a hard time choosing a shoe. I had several items in mind but of course I couldn’t buy all of them. But when I was down to my two choices, oh boy, did I have a difficult time! I probably walked around each pair for about 30 times; checking it out in the floor mirror to see how it looks on my feet, then in the full length mirror to see the overall effect, then walked around again. I can feel the salesman’s gaze like I’m a freak. Well, I can’t expect him to understand, he’s a boy after all. But have you ever felt that feeling? Like your decision is so so difficult because you like them both but you have to have only one of them? If you’re girl I know you will agree with me. And so, I looked around me hoping to find a saleslady but all of them seem to be busy. And so I walked and walked again. I look at the salesman and smiled again. I know he must be thinking “Just buy them both!”.. and just when I was about to cry in frustration, out came this pretty, angelic, heavenly saleslady (ok, I’m exaggerating but I really felt like she’s an angel at that time) and I felt like all my payers were answered. And so I asked for her help and she gladly helped me decide. She even told me that she’d already tried both shoes and knows how it feels on her feet. Haayy… girls! Only we can understand each other. Happy with my decision, I paid for my pair and oh my, was I super happy. I have big smile all over my face as I handed the cashier my payment. After this episode of shoe-holicness, I got myself thinking, are we girls really that complicated? Are we that meticulous? Are we diffuclt to please? Are men ever going to “get” us and us “get” them? In my quest of finding the perfect shoe I’ve come to realize that men and women need not understand each other. It is just plain impossible. No matter how I explain to the salesman what difference there is between two almost identical shoes except that the other one is peep-toed and the other is open-toed, he will not get it. Not because of lack of anything, but simply because he is a guy. The same way that I won’t be able to understand why my husband and my brother and my dad buy new shoes which is exactly, I mean exactly, the same as their old ones! Men and women are total opposites yet both need each other. My first lesson of the day: men and women will be forever different. We NEED NOT understand each other all the time. Like what I said, it’s just plain impossible. What we need is to just learn to co-exist and respect our differences. This is easier said and done, I know. In fact, admittedly, I’m the one whose temper rises whenever Sherwin can’t read my mind. I know he tries but I know he will not succeed in totally being in-sync with me. And second: Why go through the painful process of reconciling your being “Boy” and “Girl”? if you want to be understood, go find another woman/man and vent your emotions. I tell you, you will save a lot of energies doing this! Ok, enough of this now, I’m going crazy. I may be weird but I don’t care. All I know is that I have a new pair of shoes and I’m happy! Although wait, I realized I will be happier if I paired it with a new dress!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I love being a girl!!!!!!!!!!

POSTED: SEPTEMBER 3, 2009 12:39PM A friend forwarded me this review of the movie and upon reading it I totally agree with the writer and I know i couldn't write it any better so I decided to just post it here. Two thumbs up for UP. Another movie for Heinel to see in the future. What values can we learn from ‘Up’? By Cathy S. Babao-GuballaPhilippine Daily InquirerFirst Posted 22:18:00 09/01/2009Filed Under: Cinema, Lifestyle & Leisure INSPIRATION and enlightenment can be found in the unlikeliest of places. The latest Disney-Pixar film, “Up” is a perfect example of art, inspiration, and amazing creativity all put together. I was surprised by the rave reviews from both young and old alike. In social networking sites, classrooms and film review sites, it was all thumbs up for this wonderful and heartwarming animated film. “UP” tugged at the heart and resonated with viewers on so many levels. The universal themes of love, loss, friendship, letting go, and pursuing dreams and adventures are tackled well in the film. The visuals are stunning and you are blown away by the details and use of color. The characters, though they were not human, were able to evoke strong emotions. Ellie, Carl, and Russell are the most adorable Disney characters I have seen in a long time. At the start of the film there is a 15-minute montage with no dialogue, only music. As one writer-friend put it, “It’s the best piece of storytelling I have seen in a long, long time.”But what is it about “Up” that made it a hit? I suppose in difficult times, many of us need to be reminded about what’s truly important in life. It can get so tiring at times, we need to have our emotional tanks filled every now and then. For younger children, the wonderful animation and comic scenes were enough to draw them in. But for the adults, I suppose “UP” showed us life’s lessons that we all needed to be reminded about.Here are some of the more pertinent ones that a group of friends and I chose from watching the film. 1. Commitment. No matter how difficult the trial or challenge may be, you do everything in your power to see it through. Tenacity is a rare gift, so we should strive to pursue dreams and meet goals in the face of obstacles and difficulties. 2. To love unconditionally is one of the most difficult things but also one of the most rewarding ways to live. To be a recipient of this love is one of the most affirming experiences you can ever have. When you place the needs of others above your own, anything is possible. 3. Purity of heart. They say that when your goal is noble, the universe will conspire to make things happen for you. It is when you let God orchestrate your days that makes every moment that unfolds a gift or a miracle. 4. Growing old is inevitable and when the one you love leaves ahead of you, it can be one of your saddest experiences. But, it can also make you braver. It helps to believe that endings are just beginnings, too. 5. Stay open to the possibilities of new adventures and relationships no matter your age. People like to stay in their comfort zones and miss out on many things because of fear of the unknown. 6. Be in the moment always. Savor each conversation, activity, story that is shared because there are many gifts that every moment brings. Often, you will never get another one like it ever again. 7. When a marriage breaks up, it is important for both parents to be there for their children. Make peace with your spouse and no matter the circumstances, make time for the children. Leave the children out of your war and do not make them suffer unnecessarily. 8. Life is a big adventure so let go of the things and people that weigh you down. Whether it is sadness, holding on to a grudge, living in the past or being attached to material possessions, free yourself of these so you can move forward. Leave no room for hatred or negativity, and learn to forgive others, and sometimes, yourself. It’s not always an easy thing to do, but once you do this, it can be such a liberating experience. As Carl and Russell find out in the movie, you are always given the resources and people that need to be in your life at different points along the road so you can pursue your dreams, fulfill missions and go on with the big adventure. These are the people who make your heart sing and help you soar as you navigate through life.

POSTED: AUGUST 25, 2009 12:45PM On Sunday night (August 23), Sherwin and I watched the documentary "The Last Journey of Ninoy". It was a history lesson for me once more. I've learned about Ninoy's heroism during my elementary and college years, and I guess, just like eveybody else at that age, it didn't make quite an impact. Now that I'm a member of the workforce, and a mother who wants the best for her child's future, Ninoy's sacrifices became relevant. Ninoy's life has been all about public service. From being a journalist at the age of 17, to becoming the youngest mayor at the age of 22, his heart has always been the welfare of his countrymen. For him, "bayan" comes first before himself and even his family. He was imprisoned for seven years at the Fort and later, in Laur, Neuva Ecija. 7 long years; that's a long time to be away from his wife and 5 kids. A lot of politicians advised him, and even Cory to just pick up the phone and call Marcos. Tell him that he is surrendering the fight, but he remained true to his advocacy. I can just imagine the torture, mental torture that is, that he suffered when he was transferred to Laur without his family knowing where he is. In a small room with nothing but a bed, one can just imagine the loneliness it will bring. He can't even see the stars and the sun. I was moved to tears when President Cory narrated how her husband looked when they first saw him at Laur. He was so thin that his pants are falling off, and for the first time, she saw him sobbing. He looked defeated. He must've been relieved and yet sad to see his family again but under a very pathetic situation. I can't just imagine being in the situation. When Ninoy had to undergo a heart bypass and was allowed by the Marcoses to fly to the US, normalcy returned to the Aquinos, although temporary. It must've been a good 3 years being with his family again, enjoying their company, love and togetherness. One would probably would just want to stay that way. But Ninoy is Ninoy. His love for our country prevailed. He seemed aware that death is what is expecting him if he returns to the Philippines. In an interview a day or two before he was assasinated, he was even telling the press that the bulletproof vest can only protect his body but not his head. If the assasin shoots him in the head, it will be all over. He knew. He will be leaving behind his family, he knew of that. But if that is the only way for our country to be free, then it will be worth it. He died. Assasinated. And the events that transpired after that is history. Ninoy dedicated and even gave up his life for our country. Just reading this statement is easy. But can we all think of what that dedication entailed for him and his family? It meant giving up precious moments watching his children grow. It meant giving up opportunities that will ensure a bright and comfortable life for his children. It meant suffering alone in isolation, in harrassment, in torture (mental and emotional). He can opt not to do it, but he did. Without hesitation, without anything in return. Now , we are enjoying the freedom. But at the same time we are taking it for granted. As Filipinos, I pray that we all do our share in keeping it. I pray that each of us will have eyes and hearts like Ninoy. I pray that one day, Heinel will be able to read this blog and appreciate the gift of freedom that he is enjoying. If each of us will do our share and carry it out to the next generation, then we woulnd't have to worry what future awaits our children and their children. Thank you Ninoy..