Get closer. Have a “WE” time.

“If conversation was the lyrics, laughter was the music, making time spent together a melody, that could be replayed over and over without getting stale.” – Nicholas Sparks

If we want to build strong foundation for relationships, we need to set an exclusive time for bonding, and be tenacious in doing it. It has to be constantly and persistently and it could be any activity that you do daily, weekly, or monthly. The key here is to spend time together on a set schedule repeatedly.

I have a graveyard work schedule, and so I sleep during the afternoon. I deliberately choose to sleep in the afternoon because I want to see and welcome my 5-year old daughter back from school. When she takes her nap, I sleep with her but we have this everyday ritual that we call “Cuddle Time”. 🙂

When we’re in bed, we talk, sometimes we sing together or read a book, then we tickle each other, we exchange kisses on the face, and hug-hug-hug a lot! And then we pray and go to sleep.

We do this every single day. WHY? Because this is how we could strengthen our bond as mother & daughter. This is our “WE” time. And this is what I want her to remember when she grows up- the fun & happy times, not those times when I get frustrated at her.

Now it is not enough to just set a time. It is important to be “present” in that exact moment. Don’t do it with your mind elsewhere, otherwise you are not going to enjoy and it loses its significance for you. It will be just like any other routine.

If you want to strengthen your relationship with your spouse, siblings, parents or friends, be intentional in spending “WE” time with them. Do not put other things before your scheduled time of “togetherness” and ALWAYS be mindful of the moment. Be there and be present physically & emotionally!

(photo source)

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How to be Successful in Achieving Goals

“If you want to be happy, set a goal that commands your thoughts, liberates your energy and inspires your hopes.” — Andrew Carnegie

We set goals for ourselves. We get excited and enthusiastically do the things to achieve that goal for the first few months (or weeks); then we missed and forget every once in a while; until the occasional forgetting becomes permanently not doing anything to achieve that goal anymore. This is what happens usually, and the reason for most of us not achieving our goals.

So what can we do to avoid falling into this trap? I say we should MARRY OUR GOALS.

• BE COMMITTED. Make our goals a part of who we are by incorporating it to our habits.
• BE FAITHFUL. Our goals should not be something that we can just give up. We should stick to them whether in times of difficulties (or failures) and triumphs.
• BE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. We should not settle for mediocrity.  We should always strive for improvement in our performance.
• LEARN TO COMPROMISE. We should know how to prioritize. Let go of other stuffs that prevents us from progressing towards the achievement of our goals.
• INVEST TIME AND ENERGY. We reap what we sow. If we do not invest, we can expect nothing in return.

So, when do you want to get married? 🙂

Photo Source

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Date Written: July 29, 2016

Let’s Make Wonders!

“Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”- Leo Buscaglia

Hello Everyone!

Why don’t we start this week by spreading good vibes? Let’s try these simple and very easy steps on how we can share a bit of happiness to someone else’s day today.

1. Smile. 🙂
Sharing your good natured smile would tell others that you are a caring person.  It can brighten up anybody’s otherwise cloudy day. Besides, smiling is one of the best beauty remedies. Anyone who wears a smile becomes more good-looking! 🙂

2.Take time to compliment.
A genuine compliment shows that you pay attention to other people’s efforts and strength. Who would not appreciate one? Just be careful that you are not giving false flattery.

3. Listen.
It’s also nice to just listen from people. When they share great news, celebrate with them. Avoid the urge to share your own good news right away. Let them enjoy “their” moment.
If someone vents out frustrations, he or she may not necessarily be looking for advice, but just need someone to listen. So just listen. They will surely appreciate it.

4. Hug or Give a Pat on the Back.
These gestures when done appropriately is uplifting and could really boost the spirit. Sometimes, touch is even more effective than words.

5. Do a good deed.
As simple as opening a door for someone, picking up someone’s pen or book, or offering to make the coffee could already put a smile on someone else’s face.

As William Hazlitt said, “A gentle word, a kind look, a good-natured smile can work wonders and accomplish miracles.” So let’s go ahead and start making wonders! 🙂

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Date Written: July 25, 2016

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

“Self-worth is so vital to your happiness. If you don’t feel good about YOU, it’s hard to feel good about anything else”- Mandy Hale

Some people are not truly happy with their lives because they are too conscious about how people might judge them. They give too much importance on how others would see them, and sometimes, they try to change who they are just to belong and be accepted. Some people think that it will make them happy if they will fit the criteria and meet the standards that other people set up for them.

But I believe otherwise. I believe that one way to live a happy life is to accept ourselves for who we are.

It is not how other people see you that is important. It is how you see yourself that is more important.
It is not whether people will like you or not that matters. It is whether you like yourself or not that matters more.

So stop pretending to be someone you’re not just to be liked and belong.
Stop being insecure and start embracing your real self

When you become comfortable with who you really are, and no longer care too much about your “image”, you will become happier and more attractive to people. So be true to yourself and be your own kind of beautiful! 🙂

(Note: I would like to say thank you to Nicky M. of TheShimmerWithinHer for the inspiration.)

(photo source)

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Date Written: August 11, 2016

Surviving Tough Times!

“You’re going to go through tough times – that’s life. But I say, ‘Nothing happens to you, it happens for you.’ See the positive in negative events.”- Joel Osteen 

When you will find yourself in a problem situation, remember to remind yourself of these:

1. You’ve been through worse.
   Think of the greatest adversity you have ever encountered in your life and how you were able to get through it. You may be amazed to discover that you have had survived tougher and rougher situations.
2. This is just a bad day, not a bad life.
   Just because things are going wrong this time doesn’t mean that life is no longer good. You can cry over your problems, but do not forget the other good things that are going well in your life too. This is the best time to count your blessings.
3. Change your Paradigm.
   Instead of whining about the bad situation, focus on how this experience would make you a better person. What is it trying to teach you? How will you respond?
4. Keep Calm.
   Anxiety and stress would only magnify the problem in your own perception. It makes the problem bigger than it really is. So do not stress out and calm yourself. Remember that a problem ALWAYS has a solution. Otherwise, it is not a problem.
5. You are in control.
   You cannot choose how to feel; BUT you can always choose how to respond.Do not let the situation control you. Be in control of the situation.

Smile even when in trouble, happiness will find you! 🙂

(Photo Source)

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Date Written: July 15, 2016

Protect Your Self-Esteem!

“The worst loneliness is to not be comfortable with yourself.”  ― Mark Twain

Some people may not pay attention very much on Self-esteem but it is important and it matters. Why? Because our Self-esteem affects the way we look at ourselves. How we perceive ourselves influences our actions, which will eventually affect the way we live our lives.

Unfortunately, there are certain factors beyond our control that could negatively impact our Self-esteem. Fortunately, we can do something to protect it and if we want to, we can re-build a more positive self-image.

Here are some helpful ways to protect our Self-esteem:

1. Choose your company

Hang out with people who appreciate you and make you feel good; and depart yourself from people who constantly put you down. We may not always avoid negative people in our lives, but we can always keep reminding ourselves not to allow their negativity to transfer onto us. Remember that you deserve to be loved and respected. So be around people who bring out the best in you.

     2. Know the difference between constructive feedback and destructive criticism.

Constructive feedback is focused on your behavior or action, and it aims to improve you . On the other hand, destructive criticism attacks you personally and it does not have any purpose for your betterment. So take in the constructive feedbacks and do not pay attention to the destructive ones.

  3. Avoid comparing yourself with others.

Do not compare yourself with others especially if you think that they are better than you. Wishing that you are on their shoes is hurtful to your self-esteem. What you can do is analyze their behavior and take note of what they are doing good, and then copy that. If it is healthy and you can benefit from it, you can mirror that attitude or behavior until it becomes you.

     4. Learn to accept compliments

Don’t be shy to accept compliments. Believe and accept that you can really be good at something so learn to say THANK YOU!

  5. Build up positive thoughts about yourself.

Don’t dwell too much on your failures as it will only drag your self-esteem. Instead, catch yourself when you do great! Make sure to celebrate small victories by rewarding yourself to things that you enjoy.

(photo source)

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Date Written: August 08, 2016

Happy Thoughts: HAPPINESS & Pain

“TODAY I break free from painful past, and let go of people who hurt me.
I forgive…Now I move on.”

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Special thanks to Alex Markovich for allowing us to share his beautiful photo. You my visit Alex’ blog if you want to see more amazingly inspiring pictures!