Some people move through life letting things happen to them. Caught in the mindset of “what-if’s”, “buts” and “could’s” refusing to see “what is”. For any self-respecting realist, leaving things to fate is a waste of your time not to mention, a dangerous mind-set.

As I go through this life, it has occurred to me that the best way to gauge if a situation or relationship suits you is to give it a two-year assessment:

Two years to observe

Two years to find out

Two years to test

Two years to push and pull

Two years to give it your all

Two years to understand

Two years to learn as much as you can

Two years to know yourself more

Two years to weigh things

Two years to gather courage

Two years to make that decision

May it be in a career/work or in a personal relationship, two years is the best window time to determine if you are willing to go the distance or quit in the game while there’s still time.

These two years is the best time to give an objective assessment of whether you’re going to take this person/situation/career as what it is.

If you are living with someone may it be a boyfriend or a girlfriend, two years is the perfect opportunity to assess whether you’re in it for the long haul and can actually picture yourself spending the rest of your life with this person.

If your in a career rut, two years is the best time to tell whether you plan to spend every single day of your remaining adult life in the same office, with the same boss, at the same salary and try to convince yourself that it will make you happy.

In the span of two years, you may have lost some, but you sure also, have gained some. All it takes is two years to know whether you’re a right fit to anything.

If you are indeed a pro-active person, fully in-charge of your life, two years is the best gauge. After those two years and you have not made a decision with what you’re going to do, life will make the unmistakable action of deciding for you --- and sometimes, the results of letting things happen to you can never be in your best interests.

After all, it is your life and future on the line --- never settle.

Currently listening to West and JayZ’s Watch the Throne album. I am loving it!
Despite the explicit content, you've got to hand it to them: they have a way with words.
Plus, as I read more on their advertising strategy, they got skills as well.
In my continuous quest for inspiration and the ‘Aha’ moment, I am reading, listening, watching and meeting more.

Everything for the sake of the ‘Aha’ moment.

Let me share with you one of my favorite write-ups on moving the world with words, Mad Men style!
Also, how JayZ and Kanye West are not only masters of rap but have great marketing talent (all the wile staying true to themselves…) damn I just love it!

Just to quote from Copy Blogger's the need for  Doing Nothing :
"When you’re a writer, sitting by the pool and reading a book is all part of your job.
Sure, it’s relaxing. Sure, you enjoy it. Sure, you might feel a little guilty about it.
But if you stop, what happens? I’ll tell you: your creativity will dry up, your work will get stale, and you’ll lose your edge.
So, stop being ashamed of it.
Personally, I spend about 3-4 hours per day watching television, reading books, and listening to NPR. On average, I also stare into space for about 1-2 hours, just thinking.
If anyone asks what I’m doing, I say I’m working. Because I am."

Inspiration found? Yes and it's through Kanye West and JayZ's latest masterpiece ;-)

Time and time again, I am amazed by the power of my prayers. I have prayed and it was given to me, and even more.

I wouldn’t say I am a very religious person. I was raised Catholic, and the teachings of my family and school was never a thing I took seriously. I would attend (with much pressure and nagging) mass and basically, drone through the ceremony. I graduated from an all-girls Catholic school, taught by nuns and was mentored by a Priest. Everything, till now, was taken for granted and underestimated.

I have started praying again. And during these prayers, I have found somewhat, a little bit of peace.

It feels good that whenever I strike a conversation with God, through my crazy prayers, I am more at ease and know that He has something up his sleeve.

Just recently, I was blessed with a very nice surprise. And I can’t help but be grateful and thankful that He didn’t let me hurt anymore, to toil away senselessly. He made it so easier for me. No resisting necessary. A friend told me simply to trust, and I did.

Now, I am preparing for my transition, and still praying.

I dedicate this entry to Him:

You have been so good to me; I don’t know how I’ve even deserved any of the wonderful things you gave me. I am not worthy of it, and you know fully well why. But time and time again, you astound me with the power of your love. You, my protector, my friend, have always been there for me, when I haven’t been there for you.

Thank you for loving me, for providing for me and making everything so easy for me.

I am your child and I pray, Lord, that you guide me well, that I may never stray as I often do. Help me become an example of your love.

I don’t know what my purpose on this earth is, but I know you have bigger plans for me and for the first time, in a long time, I entrust my life to you, that your promises may be fulfilled.

  

“And, in the end The love you take
is equal to the love you make.”
― Paul McCartney

For the longest time in my life, I have just come to the realization that love, similar to respect, is earned.

We don’t give our love easily as we don't give our bodies/wants/possessions that easily as well.

“Love is the highest form of our values as a person” says Ms. Ayn Rand .  She adds, "love is the upward glance, adoration, worship..."

As I go along, however, the more I decipher what love is, the more confused I become. Shall I go through life searching for the one to 'adore', to 'worship', to 'love'? As human beings, we are capable of so much indiosyncracies. How can one 'adore', 'worship' or 'love' a fellow human being that is flawed and imperfect?

I still have to learn the ways and meanings of what real love is and answer the question of whether I am truly capable of such a strong passion...  

Being a beauty and health buff myself, I am just ecstatic when I read tips and tricks on keeping fit and looking fabulous... Sharing with you an article I found online about timeless beauty secrets you can easily do :-)
44 Timeless Beauty Tips from Women's Day

How about you? Share your beauty tips/advise as well, would love to hear all about them :-)

Have you ever just wanted to get out of the rat race and enjoy life? To be able to slow down and take it easy and just savour every minute you have with family and friends, in general? Well, the term for this slowing down is called Downshifting.

Downshifting, in its essence is all about striking a balance between work and life. It means having time for things that really matter to you, for example pursuing higher studies, growing your own food or simply just evading the morning traffic, for good!

According to the website www.downshiftingweek.com, the best part about downshifting is that it helps find a better work-life-balance by living with less, and this means pulling back from mass consumerism dictated by media and society. Another plus is that by moving away from a consumerist lifestyle, you are able to hold on longer to your hard-earned cash.

In a nutshell, if you keep spending your money, you need more time to work (to earn more) and less time to spend with loved ones.  

Downshifting is the opposite of living high. It is the simple life. Others, who are experiencing it – call it, The Great Life. Downshifting involves a total change in goals, mindset and sometimes values. Downshifting is also closely linked to personal financial management, frugality and being disciplined enough to live below one’s means.

The Reasons Why People Downshift:

The websites www.choosing voluntarysimplicity.com and www.greenliving tips.com share the main reasons why people decide to downshift:

Ø  Many of those considering to ‘shift’ cite job stress, living competitively, consumerism and ‘not being able to live up to someone else’s expectations’ as major reasons why downshifting seems like an attractive alternative to achieving a more balanced life.

Ø  Other major reasons can be a life-changing experience, some health reasons or a personal crisis.

Ø  Whereas others wish to conserve natural resources.  By doing these, downshifters will most likely reject consumerism and focus more on sustainable living and environmental concerns.

If the downshifting concept seem baffling to you at this time, read the steps on how to begin this journey. Who knows, you might be ready for it, unexpectedly.

10 Steps on how to begin your downshifting journey (www.independent.co.uk):

Ø  Get a hold of your finances – taming your finances may seem tedious and small minded but the returns (and the wake-up call) is definitely worth the hassle. Try writing down for one week your daily expenses, even the small cup of coffee you bought at the convenience store. This exercise will give you an idea of where your money is going and how much you’re spending on those ‘small’ things. The wake-up call may come with the realization to prioritize what matters most when it comes to your spending habits.

Ø  Be frugal – when you start taming your expenditures, you will most likely go into the direction of becoming frugal.  Being frugal does not necessarily mean being on a “diet” in expenses, but more of taking a hard look on how you can save money. This can be cooking by batches and storing in the fridge to save on energy, or switching to energy efficient bulbs, or maybe hand washing your clothes outside to dry – the possibilities are endless.

Ø  Get rid of home junk – maybe its time to let go of the toaster that’s been collecting dust in your kitchen cabinet, or the pair of shoes that don’t fit anymore. Free-up more space—so less fixtures to keep tidy.  Have a garage sale so that others may find something useful among  your to-go stuff

Ø  Keeping your own garden – one of the best highlights of downshifting is growing your own fruits and vegetables. By having your own vegetable garden, you not only cut back on grocery bills, you will also get the pleasure of growing and cooking your own food ingredients.

Ø  Re-assessing your work life – These days, working from home has both its charms and misgivings --- however, if you’re really on the path to downshifting, you may give home-based jobs a second look.

Ø  Try living in the countryside – Look at it as a vision of things to come, when you’re officially leaving  the busy city life.  Country life will give you a picture of what it feels to live simply and will also serve as a reality check for you. With chores to be done and the country weather to deal with – look at this as a preparation to retirement (while still young).

The Benefits of Downshifting:

There are no hard or fast rules in downshifting. In fact, anyone can do it and there is no specific age or income to live by. This revolutionary approach to living encapsulates the idea: keep what you truly want and need from what the modern world has to offer and discard the rest, question the importance of certain things in your life and put it to the acid test.

Those who have downshifted, experience a new sense of living and personal freedom. They are no longer easily persuaded by trends, politicians and the populace in general. Downshifters eventually decline items related to social status, eat out less, plan their spending efficiently, and take less holidays away from home – since most downshifters have turned their home into their private holiday destination already! These individuals will most likely choose their place of residence that suit their hobbies, type of friends and the need for peace in a less toxic environment. Downshifting is a process that doesn't occur overnight though, rather refined over a number of years. Downshifting is revolutionary in a sense that it means less consumption and being happier for it. (www.greenlivingtips.com )

How about you? Have you decided to downshift your life?

 

References:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/this-britain/downshifting-for-beginners-475812.html

http://www.downshiftingweek.com/

http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/downshifting-to-a-simpler-life/

http://notesfromthefrugaltrenches.com/downshifting/

www.greenlivingtips.com

www.slowmovement.com

The heat is excruciating this April.
I am bringing out the big guns: sunblock, sunglasses, a fan and an umbrella.
I am constantly drinking lots of fluids to combat the heat.
My biggest damage? My electric bill, a wrinkle and a sunspot on my face.  

Just today, I paid around P4,030 for my electric bill alone. Meralco is definitely getting a big chunk off of my salary. Seriously, sometimes I think I am working for them. Ah, plus I was late by 4 minutes this Monday...

Living with my brother who uses the computer 24/7 and a mother who uses the TV as her form of lullaby is hurting my financial health.
I mean, I still want to be able to save money. I wonder if it’s more economical for me to live alone.
If I do that, I would have to be able to handle and monetize on the following:

1.       Rent
2.       Electric bill
3.       Water bill
4.       Internet
5.       Food
6.       Transportation (work)
7.       Education (Masteral Degree)
8.       Miscellaneous (credit card, entertainment, etc.)

Mind you, these are just BASIC things one needs in order to live...
May the good Lord help me weather this through...

Looking for inspiration has been such a challenge for me lately. I am in constant search and I don’t know exactly what I am looking for.

A friend of mine said that maybe I just need time off, to get my thoughts in order. A retreat perhaps. Maybe, maybe not.

Am I just particularly bored  and jaded with everything?
Where is the passion?
Where is the purpose?
What am I really here for?

I am at odds with myself.

Do you think I need time out? I just got off vacation last week and still no light at the end of the tunnel.
Should I just give it all up? My writing? Maybe set off another career?

I have been writing since I can remember. I know I am better at expressing myself when I write and to give that all up because I can’t figure out what to do is killing me.