A letter to my son in heaven
Dear Luijoe, It’s been 17 years . 17 years today… without seeing your impish smile, without receiving wild flowers with a note “I love you so very much, mama” without your gentle… Read more »
Category Archives: Recovery Tips
Five parenting lessons my beloved son taught me
It’s that time of the year that I declutter my home. The library which is located in my home office is often filled with books because my family members are… Read more »
The Blame game: Filipino version can be summarized in 2 words “Ikaw kasi.”
“Ikaw kasi!” Olivia blurted out to her friend Rose as they assessed the outcome of a project presentation. Prior to the big day, each of them had two different takes… Read more »
Practice forgiveness: The ability to forgive is one of the greatest gifts you can ever give yourself.
Forgiveness sets you free from resentment’s confines; it breaks down the walls that anger builds and negativity reinforces. I was struck by a facebook post from a friend. She shared… Read more »
Easter Sunday reminds me of my beloved son’s message of eternal life
I wrote this many years ago but I want to share this story again because Easter Sunday is very special. “If I die, Mama, will I be alive again?” Luijoe… Read more »
The Art of “Thank You” and “I’m Sorry”
A simple ‘thank you’ can save a life, brighten up a bad day, and even change the world. It makes the person hearing it want to return the favor, pay… Read more »
Are You A Victim? Real or Imagined?
“I am not a victim. No matter what I have been through, I’m still here. I have a history of victory.” – Steve Maraboli Do you feel trapped or… Read more »
Aspire to be the best me in 2017 and beyond
“Aspire, break bounds. Endeavor to be good, and better still, best.” – Robert Browning I feel good about 2017. After all, it is my year. 2017 is the year of… Read more »
No Christmas Tree?
The joy of brightening other lives, bearing each others’ burdens, easing other’s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of Christmas. -W…. Read more »
How To Beat the Holiday Blues
There is nothing abnormal about having the “holiday blues,” which are more like a mood than any sort of lasting condition. Depression, anxiety, and other psychological symptoms are associated with… Read more »
Thanksgiving day reminds me of the word “gratitude”
Thanksgiving day being the most celebrated holiday in the states reminds me of the word “gratitude”. A few years ago, I was planning to bake Pumpkin Pie because I remembered… Read more »
Remembering Luijoe on All Saints Day
Remembering our departed loved ones on All Saints’ day and everyday of our lives. Did you know…the universal symbol of remembering is a candle? Did you know…letting go of our… Read more »
How “Acting As if” helped me in my recovery
A year ago, my daughter shared me an article “Self help: try positive action, not positive thinking” The self-help industry is mired in ideas about positive thinking that are at… Read more »
“Companion” animated video gives hope in 40 seconds
“No, you aren’t alone. Yes, we all feel this way sometimes. No, you won’t always feel like this. Yes, the world is a better place with you in it.” It… Read more »
Change The Way You See Happiness
I have choices. We have choices, more choices than we let ourselves see. When my precious son died 16 years ago, I felt my whole world collapsed. Losing a child… Read more »
21 things to do during the golden years
I have been reflecting about our empty nest situation and golden years with my husband. There are times we reflect on our being parents …that we were not the best… Read more »
Do You Believe in Giving Second Chances?
Second chances? Do you believe that someone who has caused you so much pain deserves a second chance? Do you believe that YOU deserve a second chance? Seven years ago,… Read more »
The myth of closure
So if someone says to us, by word or by action, “You should be over that by now,” we can recall the words from the Talmud: “Judge no one before… Read more »
Luijoe, my son and The Seven Last Words
Luijoe meadow somewhere in the North, where his grandparents live today The Holy Week is one of the most memorable time of the year. Being a “cafeteria Catholic” my religious… Read more »
Healing thoughts
I am listening to “Tomaso Albinoni- Adagio in G Minor by Gizatto” as I write this post. I’m exhausted. Not from work but from trying to figure out things from… Read more »
Life is about creating yourself
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” George Bernard Shaw I caught the George Bernard Shaw quote a few days ago and it made me reflect back… Read more »
One way to empower the good is through affirmations which are just simple positive statements.
You have always heard me say over and over again that we cannot control people’s actions, attitudes and even events. The only thing we can control is our attitude. But… Read more »
25 random things about the love of my Life
I know I will embarrass my husband with this post. I wrote this list a couple of years ago but I just want to revive this for Valentine’s day. He… Read more »
Why It’s Not Always True That Quitters Never Win
By: Joseph Romana as originally posted at Philippine Online Chronicles “Winners never quit and quitters never win.” – Vince Lombardi “Age wrinkles the body, quitting wrinkles the soul.” – General… Read more »
We don’t have to be relationship martyrs. Love yourself first.
Every now and then, I get bombarded with text messages from wives asking for my advice on their marital woes. The thing is I am not a counselor and I… Read more »