LIVE WITH JOY

What is the good life, and the ultimate end or purpose of life? Is it not happiness, which is none other than the complete good, the sum of all goods, leaving nothing more to be desired? Do you seek the highest good, the total good, which is above all else?

How can one possibly find happiness in poverty, hunger, mourning, and persecution? Poverty of the spirit finds ample room and joy in possessing God as the greatest treasure possible. Hunger of the spirit seeks nourishment and strength in God's word and Spirit. Sorrow and mourning over wasted life and sin leads to joyful freedom from the burden of guilt and spiritual oppression. God reveals to the humble of heart the true source of abundant life and happiness. Jesus promises his disciples that the joys of heaven will more than compensate for the troubles and hardships they can expect in this world.

Thomas Aquinas said: No one can live without joy. That is why a person deprived of spiritual joy goes after carnal pleasures. Do you know the happiness of hungering and thirsting for God alone?

A TRUE PERSON

There is only one way in which a person's sincerity can be proved, and that is by one's practice. Fine words can never replace good deeds. Our character is revealed in the choices we make, especially when we must choose between what is true or false, and good or evil. Do you cheat on an exam or on your income taxes, especially when it will cost you? Do you lie, or cover-up, when disclosing the truth will cause you pain or embarrassment? A true person is honest and reliable before God, neighbor, and oneself. Such a person's word can be taken as trustworthy.

What can keep us from falsehood and disaster?

BUILDING STRONG FOUNDATION

What kind of foundation are we building our lives on? Who is the sure foundation of our lives?

The kind of foundation we build our lives upon will determine whether we can survive the storms that are sure to come. Builders usually lay their foundations when the weather and soil conditions are at their best. It takes foresight to know how a foundation will stand up against adverse conditions. Building a house on a flood plain, such as a dry river-bed, is a sure bet for disaster!

If we make the Lord and his word the rock and foundation of our lives, then nothing can shake us or keep us from God's saving presence and help. Is the Lord Jesus and his word the sure foundation of your life?

VIDEO GAMES

Violence in the video games are among what we call in psychology the risk factors that lead to violent behavior. Some children might develop aggressive and violent behavior from video games because they love to control. Also, other children, due to social and family surroundings, believe that imposing power over another makes them stronger. Some children love the element of excitement, therefore, video games, cartoons or comic books, which relay on violence, contribute in generating excitement.

Perhaps the biggest concern associated with video games has been the amount of time which children dedicate to playing them. Nine out of ten children play video games, and many of them play for hours a day. On average, children play video games two hours a day. Part of this obsession is because most games always contain a new threat or challenge, and this creates a compulsion to continue playing. Other reasons include pressure to continue playing so one can compete with other children’s high scores and deep knowledge of the game. When more than two hours a day is spent playing video games it is often at the expense of other activities. This is what many fear is happening to the majority of children, they are eliminating social activities in favor of the anti-social video games. Parents often see their children as becoming obsessed with playing, and the parents are able to see firsthand just how pervasive and powerful this gaming force is. One potential direction of this force is that it immerses children in useless, repetitive play that has the power to affect the ways in which they develop both emotionally and physically.

Ref: Video Games

TRIVIA - INFLUENZA

Did you know that influenza, commonly known as flu, was so named because the cause of the disease was supposedly the evil "influence" of the stars? This "influence" was believed to be the cause of plagues and pestilences.

WE ARE BUT A SMALL VOICE

What kind of future awaits us when those who will inherit it see themselves as victims of oppression, exploitation, and deprivation? Perhaps, the best first step to free the world of poverty and violence is to guarantee that the earth will be made safe for the weakest of the weak.

The ethics and morality of the world should rest on no less than an enduring commitment to serve, protect, and love the helpless. I shout from my heart the tiny voices of the little ones and express the deep sense of hopelessness, frustration, resentment, powerlessness, impoverishment, helplessness, pain, suffering, the inability to be heard. But they shall endure the hardship and fight for their cause and be heard, the songs of their guttered souls shall resound to the ends of the earth.

We are but a small voice longing to be heard!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - CONFIDENCE

"Happiness and self-confidence come naturally when you feel yourself moving and progressing toward becoming the very best person you can possibly be."

Brian Tracy

BUSINESS ACUMEN

This is the answer to your inquiry, Arman --

It means knowing how to turn your role as an expert into advantage. Business acumen is gained by knowledge. It is a continuing process. It can be obtained by reading, studying, and putting what you’ve learned into practice. It is about building confidence; in everything you do, in everything you say. Positive results gained from knowledge, exposures, and actions come confidence. Right choices are the true essence of business acumen. If you have little business acumen and taking the right direction, you will be able to turn your expertise into big opportunities.

CONGRATULATIONS

DON'T WORRY, BE HAPPY!

We should always aim at getting the best out of our abilities. This reflects our own efficiency as an individual. Don't worry about a problem until it becomes a problem.

Worrying is a way of life nowadays, it's a social problem and is very unhealthy. Generally, we consider worrying to be negative prediction about what is to happen in the future, usually involving unpleasant thoughts and ideas coupled with fear, depression, anxiety, and apprehension. It is hardly a pleasant experience.

And what do we worry about? We worry just about everything; big and small, hard and easy, practical and impractical things, yesterday, today, and tomorrow, we worry about the past, the future, and the present. Surely, there is plenty to worry about. There is a whole lifetime of worries ahead of us. According to research, happy people worry far less than most of us do.

TRUE LOVE

".... you're in love, so in love, and love is all you're
thinkin' of, don't you know love,
that true love comes from God....

I love you, you love me, we vowed our love
eternally, don't you know love,
that true love comes from God ...."

Who is the greatest lover of all?

True love always costs dearly! God, the perfect lover, has given us, His beloved, the most perfect gift of all. "To ransom a slave God gave His Son" (an ancient prayer from the Easter vigil liturgy). God sent His Son to free us from the worst of tyrannies – slavery to sin and the curse of death. Jesus' sacrificial death was an act of total self-giving. Jesus gave Himself completely out of love for His Father, and He willingly laid down His life out of selfless love for our sake and for our salvation. His death on the cross was both a total offering to God and the perfect sacrifice of atonement for our sin and the sin of the world.

CREATING GOODWILL

Impressive business letter creates goodwill. Goodwill creates customers. Customer means revenue.

Here are some tips to my colleagues, who have difficulties writing impressive letters to customers. Always remember that a well-worded letter plays a very important role in maintaining business. A direct approach is best when writing customer service letters. The majority of customer service letters either to a customer or from a customer involve the exchange of information. The letters either ask for or give specific facts so that the company can satisfy the customer -

Be specific. Rather than writing vague generalities include details.

Watch the tone of your letter. Customers may be wrong,
but how you present that information can directly
impact on whether that customer stays or leaves.

Ask for what information you need to help the customer.

When delivering negative news, use a positive or negative buffer.

Restate the information to ensure you have it right.

Include dates, prices, order numbers, invoice numbers,
and any other data that will help serve the customer.

Draw the customer’s attention to a new product or service
or sell the customer on your company.

Show that you are courteous and professional.
Always thank the customer for the business.

Remind a customer or potential customer of your continued
willingness to serve. Always encourage future business.

NO HONKING!

Horns are not for bluffing, scaring, heckling or training. Horns are for alerting and warning others, whether on wheels or foot. No one should resent a driver tapping his horn to alert him of a hazard or to warn any pedestrian or driver who might walk, drive or back into his path.

Let your basic courtesy and consideration for others be your guide to using your horn.

CAR ASHTRAY!

This morning I had to flag down a taxi to get to the office. My friend’s car is in the repair shop. I immediately noticed the cab’s ashtray was filled with cigarette butts, gum, paper, and candy wrappers. Without hesitation, I reminded the driver that paper trash in the car ashtray, cigarette, cigar or pipe ashes not completely extinguished, or a match not completely out can cause fire to erupt in the ashtray. The driver was so appreciative for calling his attention.

Should this happen to you, don’t panic, first close the ashtray to diminish the flames or even smother the fire. Then pull off the road at the first safe opportunity and extinguish the fire completely.

However, it is a lot easier to prevent an ashtray fire by cleaning it often and dispose of their contents properly. It is not courteous to dump your ashtrays in a public parking area.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - COMPASSION

"If there is any kindness I can show, or any good thing I can do to any fellow being, let me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as I shall not pass this way again."

William Penn