Project Gratitude

Project Gratitude: Welcome Video

2015-06-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Be Grateful for What You Have... Now!

2010-02-22T02:47:00.000-08:00

Gratitude... is a gift of the heart, rarely found by those who are busy wallowing in negative emotions, and for those who did - it is truly a blessing to behold. Being grateful for what you have is something you can even forget at the end of a very stressful day. Just for the strength of having survived one is a good reason enough to start being grateful.

You are given 86,400 seconds in a day and even a second spent on gratitude will help make a change. Would you rather regret not sharing a second of such a wonderful, positive feeling even for a second? Sadly, many people regret the very things they ignore when they lose it. It doesn't have to be this way. You can be grateful for the simplest joys and pleasures you have in your life, now. This means ... NOT Later, NOT tomorrow... but.. NOW!

Life's tough ordeals take a toll on everything that we do with our lives. You can only focus on something wrong, and it seems like everything always goes wrong in an endless loop of self-destruction. It's like bad karma that you create for yourself and you are trapped in the center of the very limbo you have spun. You are your own prey as you wait for the black widow of hopelessness to devour you.

Things doesn't have to be this way if you just simply take the time to say "Thank You " today. What are you grateful for? Try to find your gratitude in your heart. It can even be a special friend who inspires you to be your very best. No matter who or what you are thankful for, better do it now. If someone does you a favor, never be shy to smile and say thanks. It may brighten up a person's day.

Gratitude... should never be something you force on yourself just for you to live in an illusion of positivity. It must be something felt honestly, something given wholeheartedly, and something that is pure of simplicity. If you are not grateful now, then.. when?

" I am thankful for the company of a good friend who makes me smile after a tough day.. "

What are you grateful for?

Of Gratitude and Love

2010-02-15T08:23:00.000-08:00

The season of love brings many questions to those who are taken for granted, those who are waiting to be loved, and those who wonder what love is all about. Then, there are those who are simply hating the Valentines Day because of a bitter experience with a person who can no longer return that love. If love is the strongest force in the universe and you feel it is far from reach, is it possible to feel grateful about... Life?

One of the most painful wounds that a person can carry is the rejection of a beloved. Some scars take years to heal, and some simply don't. Life is beautiful but when the heart is aching, there is simply no room for joy and everything seems to be full of cynicism. The world suddenly feels like a small box, with four equal corners, and you are trapped inside a cage. You can barely breathe. Your box traps you from seeing the beautiful experiences outside it. You can choose to leap anytime from your personal cage, but like many, you choose to wallow in it. It is like a mother's womb, keeping you safe, making you feel better than risking the hurt of the world outside.

After all these... Can you still be grateful?

Life is tough. You cannot have everything and if you're feeling no one loves you, think twice. Maybe, you are just loving this self-destructive habit of feeling unwanted. Yes, it is hard to find something real in a sea of strangers, and you may even scoff at the saying that " there's plenty of fish in the ocean. " If there is, why aren't you catching one?

LOVE... comes to those who radiate the very feeling of love. You have to start loving yourself first and be easy on yourself. Don't be harsh on you. When you appreciate the way you are, when you are grateful for those 86,400 seconds you live each day, you will see a whole lot of change... positive changes. You may not believe it, unless you try it yourself. What's so bad in you that you can't be loved?

Go out there and enjoy the beauty of what life has to offer. When you feel this love within yourself, it is like a beacon of light that cannot be contained within you. There will come a time when that light will catch the eye of someone who sees the love in you and will want to share that love with you. There is no point trying to find the perfect person to complete you. You are complete. You just need someone to love you better than how you love yourself right now... which is better than perfect. When you do find this someone, be grateful. Such blessing is a rare gift to behold.

An Inspiring Passage from St. Augustine:

" Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being "in love" which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two. "

Do You Have the Gratitude Attitude?

2010-02-01T11:50:00.000-08:00

What does it mean to be truly grateful? Is it just making a list of all your blessings for the day before you go the blissfulness of sleep? Is it just saying thanks for another day lived? Many of us often forget, in the rush of our hectic lives, to really appreciate the many beautiful things we have for the day. Maybe, this is why life is being harsh on us sometimes so we can just fall into the dirt where we were found, for us to see that we have forgotten the amazing things beneath our lofty pedestals. It is only through a fall from grace that we go back to our true selves and see that we are indeed blessed. This is why some people call life's little challenges as blessings in disguise. These trials will nudge you from the seat of your made-up reality and make you become aware of the things you've been missing.

There are indeed many things to be grateful about: Your life, your family, precious friends, your career, good health, laughter, freedom, free will, and the list can go on. The question now is: How often do you ever stop and take a single minute to appreciate all these good things in your life? The attitude of gratitude is simply not only about saying thank you because you have to. Take for example a gift given to you which you don't like. You say " Thank you... ' simply because good manners dictate that you do. But, there is not much enthusiasm in the way you say it. Gratitude attitude is all about feeling these blessings that fill you like an overflowing cup of joy - with passion and enthusiasm! No, you don't need to step on the ledge of a building and shout your joy to the world below. The attitude of gratitude will always be close to your heart.

Being truly grateful is simply enjoying the simple pleasures that life can bring. " Be mindful of the smallest things. " Go out there in the world and TRULY enjoy and revel in the beauty of it. When you see that you are so much blessed, the whole world suddenly appears to be better, happier, and brighter. There is just too much abundance that you can barely bear. When was the last time you have even wondered at the beauty of the biggest and brightest full moon on a clear, night sky? Have you ever long to breathe the fresh air that smells of pines? Can you hear the music of the waves as the sea touches your feet on the shores?

Gratitude is not just a habit. It is an attitude that you need to carry along with you like the H1N1 virus. Spread this feeling of gratefulness for the world around you with those who are dear to you. Before you even complain about how life's little troubles bug you like a swarm of flies, stop for a moment and think of all the good things you have. You just don't have a clue how millions of people will do anything to have the life that you live right now. Enjoy each moment of it.

Gratitude is a gift you carry in your heart and it can be easily given. You may write what you feel in your gratitude journal, yet, the best things in life are written in the pages of your heart. Strive to Be Happy... You may only have four minutes of bliss.. which can inspire you for a lifetime.

Science of Happiness: The Gratitude Attitude

Do You Have a Song in Your Heart?

2010-01-17T03:47:00.000-08:00

" My song is...LOVE... and it is living inside me, waiting, wanting to be shared. "

I had only recently appreciated what Og Mandino meant when he wrote: I will live this day with love in my heart. For three decades of an utter merry-go-round I call " My Life, " I have been living in the shadows of regrets and hate of the past, of people and circumstances that had left their scars on my fragile mind, making me the bitter person I am not supposed to be. Sometimes, I would imagine that if ever I was already conscious of the world I would be born into, maybe I won't come out at all from my mother's womb. Wishful thinking, of course.

Life Always Moves in Mysterious Ways

Looking back from where I am today, I can never imagine why I even wished that. No one's perfect, and so am I. Realization hit me faster than a speeding meteor crashing into the Earth: I have the power to change my life! To do this, I had underwent a month of self recollection, forgave others and... myself. It is all a matter of mental perception and a positive reinforcement. It all came down to Love. I, then, took sometime to really understand and love myself - for if I don't love me first, then, who will?

Ask and You Shall Receive

Last year, my life took on such a dramatic climax that had almost broken my soul. My life seems to have no meaning at all, my debts are piling up, my career is doomed to stagnation and my relationship with people I care about fell faster than the laws of gravity can even allow. A little more push and surely, I would have jumped off from the edge of my sanity and existence for good. It made me wonder if I am having a karmic spell or just a series of unfortunate luck. Why me?

There were so many questions without an answer, as I was filled with thoughts of pity, envy, hate, and despair. I have moments of asking the very full moon what have I done to deserve such a fall from grace. I am a nice person and never had violated any man-made law. I even had bought dozens of good luck charms and incense to ward off the bad chi from my home.

Look into the song of your heart...for the answer lies within.

It was only when I had cleared my thoughts of all the negative things that I have seen the real me... in crystal clear digital HD. My heart sings of love, and the ugly realities of my everyday world had left me almost deaf from its wonderful tune. I have never felt such blessed peace and yes, I did cry.. for I am a beautiful person within, waiting to manifest on the outside. I only have to give up the false egos and vanity of my past and move forward, in a new self that's free from negativity.

The secret of life and the universe itself may have been involved in the laws of attraction used for the sake of profit, but I tell you this: No book ever written can ever write who you really are, unless you stop for a moment and listen to the song of your heart. From that moment I have found my inner Buddha, things changed for the better in my life. I can't believe how fast my life is evolving into what I dreamed it would be. Is it chance? Is it magic? I may never know. All I know is... I live each day with LOVE in my heart.

Be Grateful for the Power and Grace of Love in Your Life!

" All You Need is Love... Love is All You Need.. "

How Can You Be Grateful When You are Feeling Down?

2010-01-12T06:53:00.000-08:00

For quite some time, I have simply stopped writing inspirational articles on this gratitude blog - out of a deep void inside my heart. Life is not as sweet as your honey-coated chocolate candy all the time. There will always come a point in your life when the universe seem to conspire with all that there is... to bring you to the lowest point of your life. It happened to me for the past three months and it was tough to write something inspiring when you are feeling just exactly the opposite.

As the clock struck twelve on New Year's Eve, I have realized that I am the key to my own happiness and no one else. It wasn't even a New Year's resolution, but I have made a promise to dedicate myself in finding my bottle of joy, instead of wallowing in my own pool of tears. I am keeping this vow for the year 2010 and no matter how tough this promise may be, I shall strive to be happy. Perhaps, many have come to realize this too as the old year welcomed the new year. After all those economic and financial turmoil that had left a lot of people lose their very sense of security, driving them to the edge of sanity, I believe that it is high time to reassess what is truly important in life... and for me, it is finding simple pleasures and joy that are simply... priceless.

Gratitude is the very core of being happy and many Zen masters can attest to what I am saying here. But, one question always pop inside my head when it comes to being grateful for the blessings that come my way: Why is it just tough to say thank you when you are feeling the blues? It seems like an impossible fete to feel thank you when you lost your job, when someone you love rejected your affections, or when someone dear to you passed away. It doesn't seem to sound right to say thank you for being unemployed, thank you for being broken-hearted, or even thanking the fates for taking your dearest friend away for good. How can you?

Trials and sufferings can mold us into a better person, an old sage used to say. Sometimes, life may seem too harsh or too unfair. For this reason, many have become jaded, living a cynical life in their limited world. To become positive about every little thing makes one appear too idealistic and out-of-touch with life's bittersweet realities. Happy people are becoming a rare species nowadays and it seems like being pessimistic and practical is the latest trend. No one seems to care anymore to simply stop and smell the roses. Everyone seems to be walking with a mask of irony.

Life may catch you and hurl you in a whirlwind where everything becomes a blur. You may lose your ability to hope for something better and more positive, or you may wallow in the shadows of hopelessness. Do know that whichever you choose, you will always be the one to make that choice. Saying thank you doesn't have to be about the things you have recently received... but it is appreciation of what you already had, of something you never took time to appreciate.

It may be hard to say thank you when you are feeling so negative about the way life is, no matter how you try to convince yourself that things will be better. I have walked the same path and it was never easy. When each day is full of darkness inside me, it is just too hard to appreciate that warm ray of sunlight that shines on my face each day I wake up. It was a realization that made me snap out of my self-punishing habit and into the light of gratitude.

It is not hard after all to say thank you with all those bottled feelings of hate and anger inside. All you need to do is find that quiet moment to be at peace with yourself, with god, and the universe. By simply appreciating the fact that you are alive to see the adventures of what the day can bring, you can just smile... You are indeed blessed! Be Grateful... to be YOU!

" You are the One Who Creates Your Own Reality... "

An Empowering Inspiring Video Message:

Is It Wrong to Love Yourself?

2009-09-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

Why is it difficult to love oneself? This is the question which had been plaguing me for weeks, after reading an inspirational book about love and healing. The paperback might have been right about one thing, that healing comes from loving myself. The question is: HOW?

When you come to think of it, society has been fashioned from the old concepts of making sacrifices for the well-being of others.

Many dogmatic religions have been centered on the art of self-sacrifice, where the self is forgotten for the sake of what is good and right. For this, many have died unjustly, believing that they are giving up their very lives for the sake of martyrdom. For those who have chosen self-preservation, society can only cast an evil eye, labeling them as narcissistic cowards wallowing in their very own selfishness.

My Question then: Is Loving Yourself a Selfish Thing to Do?

There is nothing wrong with giving your very best for others, as long as you know where your limit is. If you have been ultra nice for years and have been a doormat for everybody to step on, it is high time to ask yourself if it is all worth it. Perhaps, it won't hurt to pamper yourself for a change.

Loving is always Good!

When you learn to say no, be it a simple request of doing your office mate's work, or an all-out party that you simply don't enjoy - you are then setting your bounds and giving more time for you. People may not like you for it, but no one can please everybody. They may say the world revolves around you, or call you names, of someone without any care for the world. But, does it matter what they say? As long as you haven't violated anyone's personal space, then, it's alright to love yourself with all the passion you can get.

There are many books out there waiting to be perused, wanting to guide you in feeling free. You deserve all of life's greatest and it's all up to you to reinforce this belief, or forever lie in the shadows of wanting. It is never easy to love yourself when you have believed all your life that it is a mortal sin.

Experiencing self love all comes down to self respect. Do you know your self worth? Answer this and you will learn more how to love yourself each day, where you will be happier living your life the way you want it to be lived. The choice to experience self love is always up to you, if you take that chance. The universe was created with many beautiful wonders, so you may enjoy your stay here on Earth. Life is just too short to waste on other things... than you. It's never too late to start.

Love. Live. Be Happy!

How to Stop the Pain of Being Hurt

2009-09-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

" Rip the heart out and feel no more... " I would sometimes have this wishful thinking whenever I cry myself to sleep over life's onions and lemons that make my mind scream the word: OUCH! If there were just enough Kleenex on my bedside table, I was sure to have cried a whole lot more, until the room is flooded with my salty tears.

Reality is, that at some point, we do become tired of crying. No matter how one wants to stop feeling hurt, life is like a light switch: of turning on the bliss and turning off to the darkness of trials and sufferings. There is just no space in between.

I remember an episode of a thriller flick, where the lead character is a smart, pretty young scientist who exchanged her mortal soul to the devil incarnate, so she could invent an artificial replica of herself. She had believed that her soul sits in the presence of her mind, making her want to find ways to extract her thoughts to the mechanical image of herself ( a robot ). She was so dejected and hurt by men who used and abused her. She had wanted to escape so badly from a deep reproach of her pain and the devil granted her the key. She had finally transplanted her thoughts onto the machine... but without the emotions to will it to move under her mind's control, she became doomed. The devil had the final laugh and didn't even reap her poor soul for she had created her perfect hell, paralyzed and living forever in an inanimate thing she had made for herself.

It is such an ironic tale and so is life. There are many ironies that come our way and we could only stand against it like a brick wall facing a mud slide, or we can flow with it like a flotsam in a river. The truth is, when life hurdles its pies of hurt in our way, we will always have one hitting our face . What must go up... must come down. The wheel of our lives will always turn, like the Earth's rotation from sunrise until sunset. Nothing is ever permanent.

There are many reasons that bring many kinds of pain in our lives. I, too, am not omniscient to be free from the curse of hurt. It is like a shadow of malice, filling our very beings with feelings of ugliness, lack, hatred, desolation, pity, guilt, and remorse. The very tough have survived and lived to see another day. Yet, there are a few who just quit on life itself and took matters on their hands, stopping their very existence. I am thankful that I didn't go that far.

Perhaps the most painful hurt I've had is the rejection of a love and the loss of a love. It is painful to see all good things come to an end just because there is no other way, or worst, circumstances are out of control. It can be devastating to feel something so good, so cherished ...vanishing into thin air. It is hard letting go, but at some point, I have to learn to be free and live life again the way I dreamed it to be.

In the end, there's really no way of stopping the pain that a hurt brings. Only a positive outlook in life can take off the weight of a burden and make you come out a scarred person, learned and wiser. It is only through acceptance that one can really move on through life's rugged terrain and still have the power to...SMILE. Self-help books and counselings can help. A good friend who is ready to listen is a priceless treasure to have. Only through forgiveness shall we see the light at the end of the tunnel, where we move on to a new light of hope, love and peace. It may not last, but at least, we are free for the moment to enjoy life's amazing graces.

" Love Yourself. You are just human. You are beautiful. You are a Survivor. "

The Gift of Forgiveness:

The Gift of Forgiveness - Click here for another funny movie.

Reaching Your Dreams through 3 D's

2009-09-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

This article, among many good things, is what I will be leaving behind this pale, blue dot in the sky we call home - Earth. The body may wither and perish, but the ebb of inspiration shall linger across the shores of the human mind, flowing to the very core of the soul that unites our lives like a spinning web. You may not even have heard of my name... but the very thought of this article being read right now have made me feel that somehow, I have touched someone's life. It is not a magic pill, yet, I am only hoping for the best.

DREAM

I have always been a dreamer under countless stars, waiting for miracles to happen... until one day, I woke up being hit hard by an ultimate realization: I have the power to get my dreams! I never had the confidence in myself until I have realized one thing - that if I don't believe in me, then, no one probably will. I have dreamed of being a writer and now, I become one. The road of dreams is one rocky, steep climb, and I got bruises along the way. It is in my darkest moments that I have learned to face my deepest fears and learned to rise again. Life may not always be a picture-perfect postcard, or a box of the sweetest chocolates, but always find a time to dream. It can come true. It happened to me and so, it can happen to you.

DESIRE

Being an artist, I am more open to the countless moments of serendipity in my life. There were times when I had wanted something so badly, only to have a friend coming to give me that very thing I had desired. I even find myself in the edge of sanity as I try so hard to find ways in fixing my life only to find answers in the very wind that gently kissed my face. I believe that my openness to the simplest joys and pleasures of this world have made my life a cornucopia, where graces fill and flow. Sometimes, the rigors of daily living can take a toll on each one of us.. but never stop desiring.. for the cosmos has a mysterious way of bringing all hopes together into the material world. Believe it or not. The important thing is living each day with passion and love for life itself.

DO

I will never forget the ads I saw a few years back: JUST DO IT! Yes, that is my motto in life. I had numerous moments of doubts and fears gnawing on my mind like nasty little maggots. If only I had been wiser, I would have done things differently. Fact is: Nothing is ever too late. I have made mistakes and so did you. We might even harbor some guilt and regrets that are clouding the very beauty of our lives.

It is hard to let go of the past or worries for the future, but I am still learning the art of letting go. I have accepted that I am not a perfect person. This is the first step in doing what I am meant to do here on Earth. When I had lowered the high bar jump of my life and accepted the way that I am, I have found out that life is not so tough as I used to believe. Then, everything flows seamlessly like an invincible shroud cradling me from the ugliness of the real world.

I am a living testament to life's simple grace. This is my manifestation. It may not even be the golden key to the secrets of the universe, but it makes me happy that I am leaving these words of hope for you to read.

" Inspiration...this is my gift.. "

Be Inspired with Diane Chamberlain's Insight on Writing:

Diane Chamberlain on Writing: Inspiration - For more amazing video clips, click here

Do You Mind Your Own Time?

2009-08-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Imagine this: If you have twenty-four hours to live in this world, how would you spend your time?

It may sound preposterous or even too drastic, but this is how I treat time, everyday of my life. It may even sound negative, yet, this propels me to be at my best each waking hour as I go on living the day, making the most of what time could give me.

The saying that “ Time is Gold” may be the oldest in the book, but the value it impart is priceless than the purest of gold. Reality is that everything moves in time, always going forward. It is only in our memories that we can relive the regrets of the past. What happened in the last five minutes stays there. It is not like typing a typo in your keyboard where you could correct the error with just a simple backspace. Everything on this planet and the outside is moving in constant motion, always expanding into the uncertainties of what the future might bring.

We are living today in the dream of tomorrow.

Whatever one does, no matter how big or small, will always have an impact on the collective lives of this world. How we spend our time right now will impact the future generation, for better or for worst. You might say that your life is your own and you spend your time on self-serving acts that make you happy. Your time is your own and it is your god-given right to spend it the way you want to. There is no argument on that. But, wouldn't it be better if your time is spent in more meaningful ways than it is right now? Wouldn't it be better to spend your time on something that will enrich not only your life, but others' lives as well?

Life is Short... to be lived on the regrets of the past.

To reminisce cherished moments gives feelings of hope and love in our hearts, but when our past lives become hindrances to living our life to the max, then, it is high time to move - forward. We can only take as much wisdom from our past experiences, and live life with only the most positive of thoughts and the brightest of smiles. Life is already filled with too much drama and to add more is just so over-rated.

Mind Your Own Time!

If wasting your own time is not enough damage, wasting others' time is just too much to bear. You might be on the top, but this doesn't mean you have the right to own someone's time. We are all valuable and so is our time. If you have been too nice to let others take away the precious second that is given to you everyday, don't be afraid to speak up and make your time worthy. After all, we all live once in this world. Think about it.

Nothing is ever too late, whatever your age is. If you feel that your time has been wasted, there is still a chance for you to re-assess your priorities and live the life that you have imagined it to be. Stop procrastinating and take charge. You are the reason that time exists in your life... and that by itself, it gives you all the reason to value it.

Be thankful for the time you have, no matter how long or short it seems. Value your time.

Indifference Drives the World into Poverty

2009-08-24T08:24:00.000-07:00

INDIFFERENCE... is the root cause of poverty's very own evil. Greed is just the wind that fans the flame of hardship.

Poverty and selfishness have always been synonymous with each other, even in the Ancient times where the powerful and rich Pharaohs of Egypt had the luxury of gold and wine lain at their feet, while the multitude of slaves were made to suffer great heights of impoverishment. It is the very greed eating inside Cain that led him to slay his brother, Abel. It is in the very nature of mankind to want more, until we suck this earth dry of its natural bounty and beauty.

Lucky are those who have the supreme power in the politics of this world...

The very imbalance of the invisible scale between wealth and penury is ever so common in the third world countries. We live in it everyday - of city slums side by side the metro's high rise. There is so much gap between the rich and the poor that one could wonder how we survive amidst the chaos of it all. It is like waking up everyday surrounded by malformed paintings, only that these paintings are day-to-day realities. We see homeless people stripped of their basic right to human dignity, people dying of hunger on the other side of the world, women risking their lives into human trafficking just to get away from poverty back home, and many more stories we don't want to hear of. Unfortunately, some of them never made to live another day to see a better world. Stories like these become a common evening news made for our entertainment, where people have turned a blind-eye and a deaf ear to life's bitter realities.

Acknowledging that there is something wrong with the world today and doing nothing about it - is the worst of all sins.

Greed is just the driving force that pushes people to live in extremes... for the benefit of the very few, elite players in the field. It doesn't matter if it is played in the name of money, power, domination, or control, as long as the barrels of the major league players are filled to the brim. Reality is: the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer.

One might say that there are various helps given by the first world countries to the under-developed ones. It is very much appreciated, but, it is like a band-aid solution without lasting effects. If the first world nations really want to alleviate the standard of lives of those living under inhumane conditions, a permanent change must be made and laws must be rewritten.

Reality is that impoverished nations are being buried in a mountain of debts from the World Bank and IMF. It is then very hard to climb the ladder of success when one's foot is stuck in a ditch of debt that will be paid by the next generations to come. Sometimes, the very fault is in the government of these poor countries, of blatant corruption and abuse of authority. In the end, growth is moving in a turtle pace and most of the time, forced into stalemate. Numerous funds that should have went to a very good cause have vanished into thin air and nobody could offer a good resolution, or even a simple explanation for the matter.

It is not bad to think of oneself first before others. But in a world of uncertainties, where even those on the top are hitting rock bottom - it is high time to reassess what our values really are if we want to lead better lives in this world. Besides, we only have one planet to deal with and we are here to stay. We might as well help each other out - for no one will do it for us... but our own greedy selves.

What can you do to end poverty? A LOT. One small change is all that it thanks to make a huge difference. Be thankful for this gift of re-awakening.

Reflections: The Beauty of Magic

2009-08-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

MAGIC... a five-letter word, like the five-pointed star of the witches pentagram, evoking the very powerful human desire to control forces beyond our grasp. Some may think of bewitchment, some of enthrallment and others, of those paranormal events. It could be a source of devotion to many, a great religion to cultures unheard of, and a hoodoo to the modern society. It can even be a cheap stage trick to elaborate illusions made for the entertainment of many.

" It's simply... magical! "

It is our human longing to connect with the omnipotent in each of us that magic had taken its place in our very lives. Even during prehistoric times, mankind had always felt a powerful presence so large that he had wanted to take a part in the divine scheme of things. It is fear of the unknown and the desire of the ultimate knowledge that had led people to the lure of the magical world, from the Shamans of lost cities.. to modern day sages. There is just a very potent formula that magic brings to our lives, and we had always been seeking its cradle.

Our enlightened age makes it a safe haven for practitioners of all forms of magic out there when many have been condemned to die in the name of knowledge, and mostly, women seeking their rightful place in the society. It had been a dark age of fear, scandal, and even malicious intent. How many times do we even see witches burned at the stake nowadays? We could just only shake our heads and felt sympathy for all those who had suffered the great injustices of persecution and close-mindedness.

The Greek magi had devoted themselves to the magical realms of their gods and goddesses, from the famous Apollo's oracle at Delphi to the pilgrimage to Mount Olympus. Grimoires were written in the Middle Ages in an attempt to capture the supernatural into a written form. We have all heard of stories where astrologers and alchemists of centuries ago tried to define the boundary between the physical and the metaphysical world, of angels and demons. There were even magical symbols that evoke secret powers unknown, chants to subdue the elemental to make them do your bidding and spells, promising fulfillment to our deepest carnal desires.

Magic means different things to many people.

When all hopes are lost and we are on the verge of despair, it is our innate nature to seek for answers beyond the confines of our finite world. " It is in our darkest moment that we are nearest to Heaven.." I heard an old man say, as he lit a candle in front of a church. I may not know what he was suffering of, but I could only watch him deep in prayers, as if time stood still.

We often find ourselves in countless situations that are too magical to even speak of. We even hear of wonderful miracles and angels in disguise bringing magic to people who had been in the peak of their distress. In my country, there are countless stories of it - from magical amulets that make the bearer invincible.. to people coming back from the dead like Lazarus did. These magical moments are even called Miracles, and some stories are too bizarre, making an overnight sensation seen on the local news.

What is magic for me?

I can give you links to countless sites and make a list of books that offer hundreds of definition and insight of what magic is all about. This, however, doesn't offer a fool-proof promise and solutions to life's harsh ordeals. In my world of simple pleasures and joy, magic is simply - " amazing graces " that come my way. My openness to the beauty of life itself is my golden key to the limitless world that magic can bring into my reality. I don't have to join a cult or learn spell-casting in order to bring order into my life. I simply wake up each morning, anticipating, acknowledging that there are bigger forces around me that I may not even understand... but having just enough faith that everything will turn out to be alright, makes my life... an everyday fount of magic.

" Magic... comes to those who believe.. and be grateful when you find it "

Gratitude Message: You are Beautiful!

2009-07-26T00:36:00.000-07:00

" Woman, what is your worth? " I am urging all the women out there to take that moment to ponder on this very important question that can make a difference in the way you view yourself. Go ahead and take a good look at yourself in front of a whole-body mirror, or if you can't find one, just a mirror from your powder compact would be fine. Take that pleasure as you examine every inch of you - from head to toe... and realize only a word that describes you perfectly: BEAUTIFUL.

It took me years to realize that the first step in my happiness as a modern day woman is to appreciate the way I am. Gratitude for the way that you are is the very key in defining your self worth.

I realized that I have been too harsh with myself, my mind was filled with the thought that I was never good enough. I could never measure up to those stories of successful and glamorous women making headlines on the covers of a glossy lifestyle magazine. I could never have that perfect size zero and that flawless svelte that would turn the femme fatale out of me. I could never even be that classy career woman who have the power to control the world at the tip of her well-manicured hands... and the list goes on.

Happiness cannot be chased, but, it can be inspired!

Running after happiness is like chasing after one's shadow and no matter how hard you try to "fit in" to that perfect image inside your head, the more frustrated you will feel with all the comparisons and unmet expectations you encounter. So what if you are not that "perfect" person you want to be? I have to learn it the hard way and I realized that I could escape almost anything in this world, except for that face staring in front of me when I look at myself in my bathroom mirror. There's just no escaping from me, so I better start loving me. You better start loving yourself as well because if you don't, who will?

Loving oneself takes more than a positive reinforcement.

If you love yourself the way that you deserve to be loved, everything else will be - magic. But learning to love yourself takes more than all those self-help books and counseling you could get. You have to believe that you are deserving of all the good things in life. You have to learn the art of letting go of all the bad things that happened, whether made by you or done unto you, and start on a clean slate. Forgiveness may be the hardest thing to do, but this is the only way for that peace of mind you have always wanted. It can be a wonderful act to do and it feels like you have just detoxified yourself from a lot of stress that add on the harmful toxins your body gets ( on top of the free radicals around ).

You are the key to your happiness.

Many women, including myself, have had this lingering belief that somehow, there's this sense of being incomplete. We, then, find ourselves trying to fill in that void with an addiction so powerful it threatens to destroy the very beauty in us. We hear many women say that they are "lonely" and needs a man to complete her joy. We even see others finding solace in food as they binge eat to satisfy that hunger within. It's like shopping for that pair of magical shoes until we have a roomful of them, and still, there's this craving to buy some more.

Only when you are at peace with yourself can you truly see that you are the only person in charge of your happiness and no one else. When you see that you are perfect and complete in your own unique way, then, you are closer to that piece of heaven here on Earth. Joey McIntyre have said it better when he sung " Don't you ever wish you were someone else...you are meant to be...the way you are exactly.." Yes - you, me and all the women in this world are meant to be just the way we are and if people are having a problem loving us for who we are, I say it's their problem and not ours.

Love Yourself. Appreciate Your Very Being. After all... You are.. Beautiful!

The Truth Behind the Law of Attraction

2009-07-19T08:41:00.000-07:00

LOVE... is the very secret of the Law of Attraction. When your heart is filled with love, you are being open to the marvelous flow of positivity in your life. When you wake up each morning with love in your heart, you will feel much better living in a world that is full of everyday ugliness, horrors, and crimes.

Love is a very powerful force that had shaped our universe into the way we know it today. Love have compelled all the atoms in the world to merge into a big bang that created the very spawn of life, connecting us with each other. Even the Holy Bible mentions this love that made God create the world and mankind. Love also prevented our total annihilation by the great flood that had swept the so called "evil" in the olden days.

There are many books and videos out there selling the principle of the law of attraction for the sake of profit. They come in many beautiful pictures and words - truly evoking. But, if one would look closer and compare, one can see that the very core teaching of this law is based on love.

Love makes you feel all the positive feelings of joy, peace, hope, abundance, health, and dreams. When there is love, you are singing the very song that is sung by the omnipresence we pray to. We may call it in different names: Jesus, Allah, Buddha, and so on. But when your heart is a fount of love, it shelters you from the negative things life can bring - and so, you only bind the positive aspects of life.

In a mathematical equation, we cannot be in both planes at the same time. You will notice that the world comes in duality: night and day, light and dark, matter and anti-matter. Everywhere is the opposite of something. Logically, you cannot be in two places at the same time. To apply this to the law of attraction means you cannot attract bad things if you are experiencing good things. Or simply put it this way: You cannot love and hate at the same time.

When you live each day with love in your life, you will be amazed of how powerful it can be. When the world feels this love you harbor inside, it somehow sends a ripple effect that only gives you that loving you deserve in return. It is like the Law of Karma, only this time, love guides you all the way.

Love yourself, be grateful for who you are, and you'll feel a huge difference in the way you have been living your life. You don't even have to buy and read all those books about the law of attraction. When you love yourself, the world is but a wonderful place where everything is possible. Just let love flow into your life and the rest will be - magic.

A Dose of Inspirational Gratitude Quotes

2009-07-15T17:50:00.000-07:00

Just before I start my working day, I remember all of you who are reading this blog. It is nice to wake up with a positive affirmation to look at. It is enough to bring a smile on your face and keep your feet on the ground. Gratitude is a rare gift and lucky are those who can conjure them in a millisecond. For the rest who feels their days are blithe, gratitude can come through inspirational quotes, giving us that constant reminder of giving thanks - to the most wonderful treasure we have lived... Our Lives.

Once again, I am bringing you a dose of good old gratitude quotes scoured from the web, in a hope to inspire you to live this day with joy. Sharing these are enough to keep me thankful for that gift of perseverance to continue my quest. Gratitude just feels so good and saying thank you is the best habit you can ever have. Enjoy Your Day and Be Blessed!

From Albert Schweitzer

At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.

From Anne Morrow Lindbergh

One can never pay in gratitude: one can only pay 'in kind' somewhere else in life.

From Ralph H. Blum

There is a calmness to a life lived in gratitude, a quiet joy.

From Seneca

Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.

From Margaret Cousins

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

From John Burroughs

To find the universal elements enough;
to find the air and the water exhilarating;
to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter;
to be thrilled by the stars at night:
to be elated over a bird's nest or a wildflower in spring ...
these are some of the rewards of the simple life.

From Betty Smith

Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time.. then your time on earth will be filled with glory.

From Meister Eckhart

If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, it will be enough.

From Francois De La Rochefoucauld

Gratitude is merely the secret hope of further favors.

From William J. Bennett

Sometimes we need to remind ourselves that thankfulness is indeed virtue.

From Plato

A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.

From The Secret

What can you do right now to turn your life around?? Gratitude

From The Author

It still...Feels Good to Say Thank You!

The Powers of Meditation and Gratitude

2009-07-12T06:55:00.000-07:00

The world we live in today seems to be revolving faster than it usually did in the past centuries. Often, we feel that time is just too fast and there are so many things to do in just a single day. How many times do we hear ourselves whisper, " I wish I had more time..?"

The truth is, we really do have time, but the way we spend them is the biggest question of all. What is quality time? For others, it may be about a well-organized schedule in their daily planners, and for a few, it may be those precious moments of joy which are priceless. Within the meaning of quality time lies a key to a simpler life that moved on a pace that seems to transcend - time.

Meditation, then, makes us hold our ground and stay still amidst the chaos of our very busy lives. It brings back that lost perspective on the simple, beautiful things we had almost forgotten. To be at peace from within is to be at peace with the world around us. There is just no room for all the ugliness we face everyday. To meditate is to unleash the power of balance that brings us back to our roots - that we are blessed, no matter how we may think otherwise.

When you spend a few minutes a day to meditate, you then start to see your life like an artwork in a canvass called LIFE. You see the good and the bad, like watching a beautiful montage. You see what your mind remembers and you learn from the lessons of your experiences. With this self discovery, you begin to be fully aware of the infinite things that dwell within and without you. Meditation then opens up that locked door within yourself, making you contact your higher being.

When this higher being is awakened, it fires up a pure energy that is in the very core of our hearts and souls. This energy makes you grateful for all the things that was, that is, and that will be.

Some people may resist this overwhelming feeling of gratitude, not because of lack, but because they have been too preoccupied to even feel its splendor. It is fear that makes them so. Gratitude brings a whole lot of positive emotions that can drown your very being. It is in the very air you breathe and the very food you eat. When you let yourself fill up with this pure energy, you'll feel that worries, fears, anger, and doubts leave your body. You feel at ease.

Maybe, we have been too harsh on ourselves to take a moment and feel this pure joy. Or, maybe we have been used to an endless cycle of suffering that stepping out from this vicious circle takes a bit of daring.

No matter how or when, let the gift of meditation guide you in finding your gratitude. When you do, keep it...for good!

Sunset Guided Meditation @ Yahoo! Video

Harnessing Energy with Gratitude

2009-07-07T07:16:00.000-07:00

Perhaps, the greatest challenge in breathing in a simple air of gratitude is life's day-to-day trials and burdens that are choking us, like poisons in the very air we breathe. The quest for the ultimate powers of a simple " thank you " have made me search for answers that lies more closely with science, than anything else one can ever imagine.

Everything that we are and everything that we see are made up of tiny atoms and electrons - which are in constant motion. In every core of each matter in space lies an energy that molds it into the physical form that it is. Our eyes may see a solid, immovable state, but under the microscope, it's a whole new story of constant motion.

Having this in mind, it poses a challenge to the question: Is gratitude a form of energy made by the constant motion of our very thoughts? If this is true, then, this is the most powerful energy that sets everything within us in a state of harmony. This feeling of balance and well-being makes us connected with the very life force that gives life to our bodies, and so it becomes a drum of joy that reverberates its magical sound to the universe... and the universe echoes back this sound, bringing us the deepest desire of our hearts, where all of this gratitude came from.

Many have been harnessing this energy, opening their minds' eyes to the limitless possibilities of life. Maybe, in a literal interpretation, we are indeed made in the image and likeness of the divine power. Our minds share in this magical world of creation around us. We live our lives just the way our mind pictures it to be. And to others, this may sound another hypothetical statement, something to laugh about.

Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion.

There must be a simple reason why saying thank you makes you feel good inside and out. It is like a new energy that fills our very body with a fount of hope for the coming days. The best part is, it's free. Is it life-changing? The answer is - YES!

All you have to do is breathe in the beauty of your life and feel the energy working from within. For some, it can feel like fire burning the heart with desire for life itself that they have missed for a very long time. For others, it can feel like bathing in an immortal fount that cleanses away that awful feeling of gloom and despair.

Anything that binds and brings harmony has its roots in energy. A moment of gratitude brings you and the world around you at peace, making it one of the most powerful feelings one can ever feel. Therefore, it is only right to say that gratitude is a passive energy lying within us, waiting to be awakened from its slumber. It is like rubbing a magical lamp, and that magic genie will show us the limitless possibilities of the world that surrounds us.

Pause for a while... and Breathe. Let the energy of gratitude fill your being...

Inspiring Thoughts for the Day

2009-06-29T06:05:00.000-07:00

Working for hours everyday can drain you of that vital energy to face another day - full of life, joy, and hope for the new things that will come your way. It's not easy to find inspiration, specially in times when the whole world seems to be working against you.

This is the reason why self-help and inspirational materials have been increasing its sales over the past few years, especially when people are in the constant search for some kind of peace amidst all these chaos we now live in.

It's truly amazing how inspiration can hit some, faster than the speed of light, and how a few, gifted people can harness their gift in bringing the most positive feelings to those who have been left out in the dark.

As they say, " the best things in life are... free.." I was about to turn off my computer to take a rest from all these writing works when I have accidentally clicked on a link to an inspirational slide, free for anyone who wants to have that uplifting moment, like fresh cool water in the middle of drought.

If you are more open to the beauty of this world, inspiration will find its way to touch you, even if you don't intend to seek it out. Thank you to Bro. Oh teik bin, for these beautiful slides.

12 Inspiring Thoughts

View more documents from Bro. Oh teik bin.

Why Bother Reading Gratitude Quotes?

2009-06-28T07:59:00.000-07:00

Many people call these as inspirational quotes, thank you quotes, or appreciation quotes... whatever they are called, they only serve one purpose: to help you feel and discover the power of a simple thanks on things we have often taken for granted.

Did our modern lives rob us of this innate gift of getting in touch with our inner Buddha? Maybe. These gratitude quotes are written to help us clear our thoughts of negativity and focus on what matters most in our lives. Simply genius. Irrevocably - timeless.

Honest to goodness appreciation that speaks from the heart means having greater awareness. When the mind is full of clutter and the heart feels so dejected, calling for a moment of gratitude is really tough.

Your life is full of blessings and all you need is that tiny spark of appreciation that can make a big difference in how you feel, live, and see your life and the bounty at your hands. Here are some famous gratitude quotes that can help you reflect on the positive joys of your life, which you can always recall when life's bitter reality bites:

From John Henry Jowett:

Life without thankfulness is devoid of love and passion. Hope without thankfulness is lacking in fine perception. Faith without thankfulness lacks strength and fortitude. Every virtue divorced from thankfulness is maimed and limps along the spiritual road.

From William A. Ward:

God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say "thank you?"

From John Henry Jowett:

Gratitude is a vaccine, an antitoxin, and an antiseptic.

From Christiane Northrup:

Feeling grateful or appreciative of someone or something in your life actually attracts more of the things that you appreciate and value into your life.

From Margaret Cousins:

Appreciation can make a day, even change a life. Your willingness to put it into words is all that is necessary.

From Brian Tracy ( My Favorite ):

Develop an attitude of gratitude, and give thanks for everything that happens to you, knowing that every step forward is a step toward achieving something bigger and better than your current situation.

From Eric Hoffer:

The hardest arithmetic to master is that which enables us to count our blessings.

From William Arthur Ward:

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.

From Buddha:

Let us rise up and be thankful, for if we didn't learn a lot today, at least we learned a little, and if we didn't learn a little, at least we didn't get sick, and if we got sick, at least we didn't die; so, let us all be thankful.

From Alfred Painter:

Saying thank you is more than good manners. It is good spirituality.

From Joseph Addison:

What sunshine is to flowers, smiles are to humanity. These are but trifles, to be sure; but, scattered along life's pathway, the good they do is inconceivable.

From Johannes A. Gaertner:

To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant, to enact gratitude is generous and noble, but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven.

From the Author:

It feels good to say thank you...

This is just part one of the compilation and the search goes on. If you want to share your quotes, you may send it by email. Thanks!

Gratitude Theory: Science or a Hoax?

2009-06-27T05:20:00.000-07:00

The power of gratitude has always been wrapped in mystery... and many are still finding amazement in the overwhelming feeling that they get with a simple thanks on what blessings and graces come their way. Is it really some kind of a mystical power that is fueling that honest to goodness positive feeling? Or, is there some scientific explanation behind this positive experience?

In my quest for answers, I've scoured the web for hours ( I couldn't really recall ) and there are plenty of stories out there on how a moment of sincere gratitude had brought magic and miracles back into their so-called hopeless lives. Sometimes, it makes one wonder if this is just another delusional craze that will feed the hungry souls with the latest inspiration, igniting emotions, and losing its hold - like one would feel on a sugar crash.

Saying thank you have been done out of conventional rules on good manners, and a very few people have done it almost everyday of their lives. Researchers have been curious and they have found out that gratitude can indeed give a significant boost to a person's health, and his or her overall well-being. There was indeed a study done on the theory of gratitude and thanksgiving... and it comes to no surprise that those who practiced the act of giving thanks everyday are more mentally alert, happy, and stress-free. Also, there is this unexplainable ripple effect that the act of gratitude encourages kindness among people, touching every person's heart with a sense of benevolence like some virus - in a good way.

The world's most celebrated religions and prophets have known this, and they have been teaching us all along for many centuries. Yet, we have failed to listen - most of the time. Prayer is the number one factor that allows the healing powers of gratitude to touch our lives. But this doesn't mean that people who chose to be free thinkers are less lucky.

A simple, honest thank you is just enough to uplift your very soul... and the good thing is, this act transcends religion, age, race, sex, or gender. It is said that in the field of positive psychology, the very act of gratitude is most often called as the "forgotten factor." We just seem to focus our happiness on things we want to have and achieve... when we have so much in our lives that we should be grateful for.

The good news is - there is still time to be thankful for all the blessings you have right now. It is never too late to start saying thank you, each day, and feel how blessed your life is. Then, you'll just feel yourself smiling and waking up to a better life that you haven't even known. It is still the same life you have, but only this time - more meaningful than what they seem to be.

Gratitude is something that must be respected, which can be felt, and something that science can never ever fully quantify. It is an invisible link that binds our souls into the voices of the world.... just happy to be here to live a short, but meaningful lifetime.

Here's a video I've found that can help you feel the joys of a simple thanks:

Words of Appreciation

2009-06-15T08:47:00.000-07:00

Thank you... is just the beginning of the many wonderful possibilities that can happen to your life, if you will only take the time to appreciate the things you have right now. It can be a simple meal that you get to enjoy each day, the kindness of a stranger, the job that pays for your bills, the smile of a beloved, the very air that you breathe... and the list can be too long to recall. As long as you feel good about those things, then, take a moment to reflect on your blessings.

It certainly feels good to be thankful of the things, persons, places, memories, and experiences we hold so dear - if we will only take a time to appreciate these things. If we can do this even for a minute a day, I believe it can make a difference in how we view our lives and the world - in general.

Personally, I just woke up one fine morning with an almost insane idea inside my head.. to share this positive feeling of gratitude that have changed the way I have been living my life lately. I had always been a skeptic until a day of inspiration had hit me like a stone on my head. It made me look at reality as a chocolate-coated candy, with nuts. This realization have then given me so much positivity to live each day with renewed spirit, of discovering my own life's purpose in the process.

I confess... I used to be a constant whiner... I have been whining about every little thing, that I failed to see the bigger picture. Each of us is a part of that masterpiece that is constantly evolving into an art woven into history and time - if we can just pause and take the time to appreciate our lives, in the stillness of our being.

One small step of positivity a day can lead to a giant leap of faith. Life seems to be easier, vibrant, and promising right now for me.. unlike the black and white picture I have inside my head. Everything becomes interesting and I find myself like a child, at awe with the world, where nothing really seems to be impossible.

A friend had shared with me that everything is an illusion and that the real thing we can only hold on to - is LOVE. I guess, it is this love that compels me to share the simple, but stunning powers behind a whispered " Thank You... " I don't know why I am compelled to share this message to a world that seems to be on the edge of sanity, but I believe that a simple act of kindness can make things brighter for everyone.

It just feels so good to say thank you and I'm sure it did bring smiles ( and tears, perhaps? ) to your faces. I'm not getting psychic or doing some mumbo-jumbo guru stuff here. It's just an honest observation from my first-hand experience and an overwhelming desire to share this life-changing discovery.

If you have felt wonderful too, why not share this positive feeling with your family, friends... or even a stranger? Be inspired and join the cause.. make that positive change today and bring back the smile to your life ( and hopefully, to the world ).

Be Thankful... Be Blessed...