Japan Awakening, Our Awakening

It is really disheartening that Japanese people went through so much pain and loss after the strong earthquake combined with the gigantic tsunami engulfing them and the unexpected nuclear plant leakage. Indeed, disasters have no favorites, whether you are rich or poor. But time cannot wait for them so they must continue living in spite of what happened. Yes, what kind of life to have in such dire circumstance?

Japan is well known for its high technology in the field of computers but it could not save them from such calamity. Robots may have worked in their factories, offices, and even in houses but could not help them from great tidal waves from destroying their homes and infrastructures. Countries compete with one another in the nuclear and industrial world but unknowingly it is pressuring the citizens involved and stealing them from their homes. What kind of people are they? They must not forget that they are humans, too.

Yes, it is time for awakening. A human life is worth more than anything what the financial world can offer. Man is still a precious being in God’s eyes that riches cannot buy. We should be awakened in this reality. We tend to neglect life and relationships as what God created it to be. We focused so much on what the material world can provide and neglecting the most important thing in our lives, family and friends.

Since we are talking about the importance of life then let us reflect on what the Japanese has gone through. Let us be reminded of the Hiroshima bombing, too. Then allow me to ask you these personal questions.

·         How good is your relationship with your families and friends?

·         How much time did you spend with them?

·         What is your first priority in life?

Yes, if only there are time machines built to serve us in cruising life but there is none. Let us not wait for disaster to come before we try to reflect on what is truly important to us. There is always a saying that regrets always come late.

Let us, also, share our blessings to the Japanese people. If you can extend help to them then try to check on websites and organizations that are giving financial support to them.

Tell Them Now

Let somebody know you're caring,

Take the time to listen to
What they want so much to tell you,
For the gentle folks are few.
You are not so high and mighty,
That you cannot spare a smile,
For you never know when you might
Need somebody after-while.

This poem reminded me of someone close to me before he died. This happened during my high school years.  I have been very close to this old man. He was a far relative. I really enjoyed talking to him and listening to his jokes and guidance. When he started to get sick, I visited him every Sunday afternoon just to spend time talking and listening to him. I was not weary traveling far just to listen to this man and read all the books he wanted me to read to him allowed.

Then I started to get busy with exams in school and I stopped visiting. Then suddenly, some of my relatives came to visit me and mentioned that the old man died months ago. I was really shocked that I realized that I totally forgot to visit him again. Then they mentioned that he was looking for me those past days before he died. He kept on mentioning about the girl who was always there to listen and talk to him. He wished that I was around to read him more books. Then they said that he was really waiting for me.

I really cried to hear everything they said. Somehow, I was, also, at peace when they added that before he died, he told them to tell me that he was really thankful that there was somebody who spared the time to be with him. He was happy that I read all those books for him. He wished of my presence but those days spent with him was enough to make him happy recalling those memories.

I wished that I didn't stop visiting but those last words of kindness made me happy that I did something good for that old man. How about you? Have you spent the time talking with your parents or family or friends? Life is quite short and you will never what you totally missed. Regrets will always come last.

Also, there will be a time that you will be needing someone to spend the time with you, too. So, give those smiles and time now while you can.

Children of Divorced Parents are Strong

It is really sad to see the rate of divorce is getting higher. Marriage seems to be a joy ride to some of these couples but not all. It seems so easy to march down the aisle and say I do. To make a commitment without firm foundation is like building a house on a sandy land. Unfortunately, the children are the ones who suffered the most. Unknowingly, these children mature faster on the way they think. In fact, with proper guidance, they can be as strong as a Mahogany tree when it comes to life principles and become better citizens in the future.

 

I can say this with much confidence because I am one of them. My parents separated when I was still nine years old. Life seems so hard to understand at that time. My hopes went to the drain when my parents announced that they were separating. Divorce is not practice in the Philippines. Annulment of marriage certificates is allowed now but not before. So, my parents made an agreement to get separated. It was not legal but a lot of couples are doing that, even until now. 

I cried a lot of times after my father left. Sixteen years of marriage went to history for nothing. Infidelity, committed by my father, was the reason of the separation. We are five in the family. I am the fourth. I was still very young when it happened. I, almost, run away because I could not find any joy anymore with my life and studies. Thank God, my teachers guided and helped me. Then I realized later that it seems I am no longer a child on my way of thinking after seeing such pitiful marriage. A result of anger toward my father, I made a resolution that I will not choose a man like him when I get married. That I will prove to him that he is totally mistaken on his decision.

As I look back on that part of my life, the only thing I can say is that thank God for having such teachers in my life. I, almost, made a wrong decision that I will regret all my life if not of them. I am, also, thankful to my mother that in spite of being in pain, she tried her best to guide us though the Bible. She did not teach us to have hatred toward our father. She tried to bring my father back to us. She even tried to make their marriage work again. My father's pride is just as high as a mountain that he is not willing to humble down but I have forgiven him. I can heartily say that.

The effect of my parent's separation was different to each of us. Somehow, I can only say that all of us became serious with our studies and on the way we look life. We started to have goals and aspirations that are totally different from other kids. We tried our very best to make life easier for our mother. We learned to survive with little that we had and created new things to make life enjoyable. There were some setbacks to some of my siblings but it was not as bad as making life miserable to live.

Children of divorced parents can be strong and they can be better parents someday but with proper guidance. They are not hopeless and helpless beings but they are individuals that can be reliable and trustworthy. All they need is a shoulder to cry on, a person, who has good moral standing, to become their mentor, and lots and lots of words of encouragement. In fact, you can be that person if you are willing.

20 Tips to Strengthen your Relationship with Your Children

As I saw my children reaching the age of puberty, then entering adulthood, I realized that I need to strengthen my relationship with them. At the same time, I will be improving myself concerning parenthood. So, these are the list of reminders I made for myself.

Tips to strengthen my relationship with my children:

1. I need to be strict to have a Family Day every week. This is an exclusive day for family fun time and spending time with the kids. No interruptions through calls or of any way to interfere my time with my children.

2. Family Devotion. To spend time reading the Bible with my children to build each one of us through God's word. At the same time, guidance for my kids as they grow.

3. I must keep my promises whenever I make a promise. Whether be simple or major things/affairs, I must keep them.