What a brilliant time to be alive...
Tag: reflections
[Books] Spirituality for all
Fr. James J. Martin, S.J.'s book, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, is a great read for anyone across all walks of life - not just Roman Catholics or Christians - wishing to explore spirituality more deeply. The truths taught by the Jesuit founder, St. Ignatius of Loyola, are universal, timeless, practical, and flexible: a recipe for reaching out to the entire world.
Introducing: Shower Meditation in 6 easy steps
If you're having your own spa experience at home with, say, scrubs and aromatherapy, then it's but natural to include a meditation process in it! Here I introduce my Shower Meditation practice, and now you can do it too in six easy steps.
A visionary’s flaw, or the relationship between principles and kindness
Living a conscious life of purpose involves high principles or standards, and adhering to them. However, we run the risk of alienating others - and even ourselves! - by too strict an adherence or enforcement of said standards. We have to remember to be kind and understanding in accommodating others - and even towards ourselves!
Why?
The key to understanding everything, especially about yourself, is all about asking WHY. It leads to a deeper appreciation of your thoughts, words, and actions - and thus empowers you to live a better life well anchored on something eternal. Our entire beings are put into perspective: our underlying reason and purpose.
The year that defined me – and how it can define us all
2014 was the year that defined me, for it shaped my beliefs, and it did so for good. Much of it is rooted in my experiences in the Benita & Catalino Yap Foundation (BCYF), and here I present my reflections from them as an excerpt from the forthcoming book 'Conversations with the Chairman'.
The race or the call
Would you choose to race, or to accept a call? And would the race be worth it, or not? I do know the call is worth it. I invite you to reflect on answering your vocation as opposed to being engaged in careerism.
The Gospel According to You
What is the Gospel According to You? Only you can say, for it is YOUR story of love and peace shaped uniquely through YOUR lens. You are you, and there never was, is, and will be anyone like you.
Weekly Word 21 April 2015
What do you stand for? This week, we cover a word that encapsulates the raison d'être of this site, a word that I wish everyone should discover and live out. This week's Word is "advocacy".
Weekly Word 14 April 2015
This week, we reflect on a word that I believe we should live out more often and more wholly, and not just for ourselves but for others too. This week's Word is "dream".
Weekly Grace 12 April 2015
"Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the judgment you make you will be judged, and the measure you give will be the measure you get." (Mt. 7:1-2, NRSV)
Everything in moderation
It is dangerous to focus on perfection or to be perfectionist - dangerous to our health, to our growth, and even to our faith. Perfectionism is different from excellence, the latter of which is what we should strive for - and the key to that is moderation.
Weekly Word 7 April 2015
This week, we cover a word whose true meaning, for me, has been flattened out to mean just one aspect of what it truly means. As we discover ourselves and the world around us, I invite you to return to the true meaning of this word, and to live it out. This week's Word is "philanthropy".
Easter Grace
Christ gave us new life in rising from the dead, triumphing over sin so that we can hope in eternal life. It is our duty and calling, therefore, to make the most of this opportunity for His greater glory.
Worrying vs. Meditating
Worrying is focused thinking on a problem, which brings anxious and troubled feelings. Meditation, on the other hand, is focused thinking on something good, something peaceful - one of the highest examples being the Word of God. I invite you to stop worrying and start meditating!
Holy Week Grace 3 April 2015
Today, as we remember the ultimate sacrifice Jesus made for us, we are reminded to mimic His example of loving - the greatest love of laying down one's life for his friends.
Holy Week Grace 2 April 2015
This Maundy Thursday, we remember how Christ, the King of Kings, humbled Himself to wash His apostles' feet. This is the true meaning of leadership - a servant first and foremost, and a leader next.
Holy Week Grace 1 April 2015
Today is Holy or Spy Wednesday, commemorating Judas Iscariot's betrayal of Jesus but, more importantly, the actions of the woman with the expensive perfume. She knew her priorities and acted on them; I invite you to do the same.
Weekly Word 31 March 2015
This Holy Week, we are reminded of the ultimate gift of God for us, represented by this word, so that we may enjoy eternal life with Him. This week's Word is "grace".
Weekly Grace: 29 March 2015
"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem! Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, humble, and mounted on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey." (Zechariah 9:9, NASB)
Lectione gaudium
There is much joy to be elicited from reading. It is a free and pleasurable (if you let it be) vacation and medicine - a vacation for mind and soul, and a medicine for soul and society. Today, many take it for granted, and correspondingly, the Social Cancer is still strong and spreading. Take up a book today, read, learn, and act!
Better Over Good
I invite you to contemplate on choosing the better option over the good option in everything you do. Knowing that one can live better should be reason enough to reflect on this. Furthermore, God left no stone unturned in sending His only Son to die for our sins so that we may be saved; in return, we, too, owe it to Him to consider Better Over Good.
Weekly Word 24 March 2015
What inspires you? This week's Word is "inspire".
What is to truly travel?
What does it mean to truly travel? It is adapting an open and mindful mind while staying true to yourself, as opposed to being unaware, intentionally or not, of the ways around you. The latter leads to a less-than-fulfilled experience, while the former makes you grow and appreciate more - one step closer to practicing true personal CSR.
10 good manners to remember today
Practicing good manners show you respect others and their human dignity. After all, the cornerstone of living well is living a life of service, a life for others and not just for yourself. Good manners is one good place to start, especially if you're young. Here are 10 manners to serve as your daily mental vitamin!
The Librarian’s: On mercy and compassion – Lessons from a true Jesuit
To weep is to show true compassion, to sympathize with the plight of the less fortunate, to devote ourselves not just financially but also emotionally and whole-heartedly. To act on this is to show true mercy. This is the central message behind the theme of the 2015 State and Pastoral Visit to the Philippines of His Holiness Pope Francis, "Mercy and Compassion", and perhaps his entire papacy itself.
Individuality through painting
The arts are one of the best ways for us to showcase our individuality and uniqueness. And this is not to be ashamed of if your work is considered inferior to another, for that's a standard by men. Using your talents with all your heart for the glory of God is invaluable, no matter the result
“In case”: Why getting ready ASAP in the morning is important
Being responsible is to be prepared always, and that applies even on the most basic of levels: getting ready in the morning. First things first, we should be ready - all dressed up and groomed to face the day - for anything from the simplest of errands down the block to something as urgent as a fire.
The Order to Love
Even with no S.O., you can spend Valentine's Day as a day of love for anyone and everyone, be it family, friends, less fortunate brothers and sisters, or even strangers. After all, since when has love been all romantic? Happy Valentine's Day!
Use social media responsibly!
In a world where social media has brought us closer and enabled our communications to reach wider audiences, it isn't difficult to be careless and be irresponsible or reckless in it. However, so is responding to said posts. Let this serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to use social media wisely.
Simple living: Part 2
In this follow-up to the first Simple Living post, I discuss how simple living is not as austere or dull-sounding as it might be to some. It's all about living SMARTLY. Click on and read.
Simple living: Part 1
In the rush for the latest or most expensive product, people sometimes stretch themselves beyond normal - only to repeat the process again the following year. It's exhausting, if you ask me. Read on about my thoughts on living simply in this two-part post.
Obey traffic rules!
They were put there for a reason, and that reason is connected to being a good citizen, following the law. And being a good citizen means to follow the law, even if it seems to be unreasonable or a burden.
2 Daily Reminders on Innovation
As a reminder even to myself, there are two things we should always keep in mind regarding innovation, which is crucial in the world today. Read on to see what they are and how my thoughts developed around them!
My 3-Point New Year’s Resolution
Happy New Year! Here, I give a three-point New Year's Resolution. Read on to find out what it is.
Why a dentist is a perfect example of community
Before I begin writing, I'd like to take a moment to share this video of a story I've frequently encountered over the years. It's about the blind men and an elephant, which is commonly used as a fable for the relativism and subjectivity of truth - how our subjectivity is true but may not be total. But this… Continue reading Why a dentist is a perfect example of community
The Heroes in Us
This is a cross-publication of my editorial on CSR Bookshelf for yesterday, Monday, 25 August 2014, Philippine National Heroes Day for 2014.
Today, we celebrate a national public holiday whose significance is very, very special to us as a nation, as a people. Although they are not the de jure subjects of the holiday, thanks to the efforts of some of the people we honor this day, the events that led up to 12 June 1898 began. As such, we commemorate them as our national heroes. Today is National Heroes Day.
National Heroes Day was first signed into law through the national legislature’s Act No. 3827 on 28 October 1931, to be celebrated as an official, national holiday on the last Sunday of August. During President Corazon C. Aquino’s term, her 1987 Administrative Code adopted this in the list of regular holidays and nationwide “special days”. In 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Republic Act No. 9492, which made our Heroes’ Day fall on the last Monday of August.
To us, the millennial youth of the…
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3 Taon, 3 Hakbang
Bakit ko ginagawa ang ginagawa ko? Naitatanong lagi sa akin iyan (ngunit hindi sa ganiyang paraan lagi), at nakakabigo tuwing nahihirapan akong sagutin ito. Ngunit alam ko rin na tama ang aking ginagawa, tama dahil iyon ang daan ng pag-ibig ng Maykapal. Kaya, kahit papano, ako'y namamayapa. Naniniwala ang aking tagapayo na mangyari nating gamitin ang ating mga… Continue reading 3 Taon, 3 Hakbang
3 Years, 3 Steps
Why do I do what I do? I get that question (not in that form always, though) a lot, and I find it slightly frustrating that I find it difficult or even impossible to answer. But, at the same time, I know that what I'm doing is right, right in the sense that it's the… Continue reading 3 Years, 3 Steps
NEWSFLASH: A New Kind of Bucket List
Do you have a bucket list? What are the items listed in it? A lot of us would write ours to contain things we want to do before we die, such as visit so-and-so or do such-and-such with who-and-who. The goal? To maximize the experience one gets from life before it's all gone forever (or, rather,… Continue reading NEWSFLASH: A New Kind of Bucket List
I Choose to Be Happy!
So many things can keep us down in the dumps - even and ESPECIALLY those that we stand or believe we're purposed for. You can choose to stay sad or angry, or you can choose to be happy. What do you choose?
6 July
Hi, Daddy. Today's Sunday, July 13 (well, now, Monday, July 14). And on Tuesday, you turn 63. I was supposed to write this last Sunday, July 6, but things got in the way. Sorry... I very clearly remember that day. How I was woken up early, refused to do so, and was scolded. How we drove… Continue reading 6 July
Reflections on Responsible Traveling Fashion
I always predict that my biggest expenses will go to traveling, food, and books. I am an absolute adventurer, and I am in love with that exhilarating feeling of travel, where one lives on nothing but the things they pack in their suitcase or bag, as well as the sights, sounds, and savors of where… Continue reading Reflections on Responsible Traveling Fashion
Geneses, Or My Start-Up Bites
Maybe it's the emotions drawing from experiencing familiar things that are somehow different from the previous experience. So many possibilities, even though you have a general direction of where you're going - and that may be why I have the "start-up bug" not just in business, but in my daily lifestyle.
Fashion and Life: Standing Out (Part Two)
Traveling without your family is a somewhat refreshing experience. In my case, I traveled with my bachelor uncle, my late father's brother (as the third son, we call him 三叔). Perhaps the biggest inspiration for the travel geek in me, my uncle encouraged me to be independent and do things on my own, something I embraced with… Continue reading Fashion and Life: Standing Out (Part Two)
Fashion and Life: Standing Out (Part One)
There are so many sayings regarding appearance: "First impressions last", "Don't judge a book by its cover", and so on. Truly, in our world, things have become so fast-paced that on the one hand, people tend to make judgments out of a lack of time (or an unwillingness to make time), from the first thing that… Continue reading Fashion and Life: Standing Out (Part One)
2012: Not the end, but the beginning.
Wow, I haven't updated this in almost a year. How time flies... Indeed, this supposed last year of the world has been figuratively (good thing not literally) a blast, and especially in this time of my life, I am now more than game to face 2013. Although the seeds were sown during the last quarter… Continue reading 2012: Not the end, but the beginning.
Ang Libreng Bakasyon at Gamot
"Sa pagbasa ng isang magandang aklat, dapat mag-iwan ito ng maraming karanasan sa iyo, bukod pa sa kaunting pagod. Dapat kang mabuhay ng iilang buhay habang binabasa ito. (A great book should leave you with many experiences, and slightly exhausted. You should live several lives while reading it.)" -William Styron, manunulat Simula pa noong bata… Continue reading Ang Libreng Bakasyon at Gamot
Aloy Chua 