DREAM.

I dream that one day
Our voices will somehow fill the earth
With joy forever
I dream that someday
Our wishes will somehow soon come true
And last forever

I dream that one day our songs in some way
Will bring a bright tomorrow
Full of love full of hope full of joy

I see this one day
When all the world will hear us
That someday when all will stand before us
Singing one song together
Everywhere singing
We are gonna love you people of the world
We are gonna make you a better world
We will all respect you people of the world
We are gonna make you a better world

...and I dream that one day, that good news will abundantly fill the web and all other sources of media. As an administrator of GK1world, Gawad Kalinga's online nation-building machine, I feel I have this burden and privilege and opportunity to share inspiring and life-changing stories to the rest of the world. So you should too. Help us flood the web with inspirations from ordinary people living out extraordinarily.

I dream of a better world where each of us would learn to live selflessly and bring out the best in everyone. Hope you'll share the same dream too. I'm inviting every storyteller (all of us are) out there to join us, become a writer, be part of our team in GK1world, and it doesn't matter wherever you may be as long as you are living the GK way and have lots of juicy and inspiring stories to tell. 

P.S. Good news and inspiring stories at http://gk1world.com. All this drama came when it hit me that all I read every day are news related to violence, disaster, kidnappings, accidents and all other dreadful news. I remember there was a time that my papa forbid us from watching the news cause all it does is scare and discouraged us. So there. And that's why, every chance I get, I tell hopeful stories that I encounter in my every GK experience and in this GK journey.

And I am excited about our upcoming GK GLOBAL SUMMIT 2010 in Singapore even if I can't be there. Be there with them in spirit, prayers and via chat to update the rest of the GK family who can't make it too. So stay tuned to www.twitter.com/GawadKalingaHQ and LIKE our Facebook account: Gawad Kalinga (Official Page). Woot! Help us spread the GK virus and the nation-building disease that it brings. For love of God and country. WALANG IWANAN!

Yep, Yep, Yep!

I'm back. I'll be trying to explain this sudden interruption of my 30 day blog challenge. And hopefully I'll be able to share some lesson and God moments here and there. So, I've already skipped blogging for more than a week. First, it was because the unavailability of internet and then laziness started to take its toll. So now I'm trying to think and see if I'll do it all over again or just blog whenever I feel like it. So here's a reflection that just dawned upon me just now, like a smack on my face. We are just lucky that God doesn't just do a 30 day of blessing, loving, molding, and watching over us but for a lifetime. And as much as this 30 day,supposedly, was a challenge and a struggle for me, His lifetime package of abundance isn't. And the best part is, there's no unavailability of blessings that would cause Him to stop filling us up with needed strength and inspiration to last us for a day, a week, a year and even for an eternity. And we would be doomed if laziness starts to take its toll on Him. That would mean havoc and total chaos. And the best part is, He doesn't love us only when He feels like it, but has decided to love us for the rest of eternity. Bigtime. So would like to end this reflection with my God Whispers that made my day and has definitely reprogrammed my mind that this week is gonna be a blessed and love-filled one. 

Love the choice of words. So me. with the yep, yep, yep! Wootwoot! Nothing beats the love of God! I will indeed get all the gusto I can and live life full of purpose and passion. One day at a time. And at the end of the race, I look forward to hear God say, "You did it Maymay! Yep, Yep, Yep! Now I welcome you to the coolest paradise there is, HEAVEN."

DAY 9: Be Grateful.

Had this conversation with a friend yesterday,

Me: May lagi gyud wala na lang ko nipalit og Starbucks. (I shouldn't have bought Starbucks.)

Friend: Ayaw na. No regrets. Nag-enjoy man kaha ka? (Don't. No regrets. As long as you enjoyed it.)

Me: O. Lami man ang caramel. (Absolutely. Love the caramel!)

Thought bubble: I'm not much of a translator. Even from Bisaya to English.

So there. Lesson learned. We had this conversation cause after I bought coffee, I realized I don't have any money left in my wallet in that afternoon and to think there's dinner to spend pa. I wasn't even praying for a free dinner yet God still sent me free dinner. Thank you Lord for surrounding me with abundantly generous people. He never fails to surprise and His generosity can never be outdone. The lesson there, learn to count your blessings, be grateful. Focus on the blessings and you'll never ran out of things to be thankful for. I remember having this almost same conversation with my bestfriend through chat... since she's miles away from me.

Me: Bestfriend!!! How is u? Kahibaw ka, nakapurchase bitaw ko og starbucks tungod og meeting. twice na. feeling gyud nako nakasala ko kay mahal rba. hahaBestfriend: ahaha! char na kaayo ka hap. meeting2 nakag starbucks. Karelate ko ana, mura kag maguilty kay mahal pero ayaw lang na tagda bestfriend ahaha! The Lord has always given us enough. We should live out our gratitude by being always thankful for the big and small things. ehehe, naa sad bitaw panahon na wa tay lami na kan-om...ahaha, pero thankful japon ta. :D

no translations na. so, so long conversation. hehe. Go figure!

The point, I deserve God's blessings and what I have right now. There are just those times that I feel guilty over something just because I think I don't deserve such blessing. Big letter "I" think. But that's not what the way God thinks. God knows that each one of us deserve His love, mercy, generosity and blessings and it is up to us to open ourselves to His extravagant love. We can never fathom God's wisdom and what we can do is have a grateful heart. Count our blessings, stay happy and grateful, open our hearts for the tons of blessings coming our way, and share His love.

DAY 8: Today is I LOVE YOU day!

Heard from Disney Channel a few hours ago that today is I LOVE YOU day! That day does exist after all. But for me, everyday should be I LOVE YOU day. Makes me want to call home...later. My papa never fails to include these three words when he sends a text. My papa is a man of a few words (but when he's in his happy and exciting mood, all he does is talk about GK and the environment and he goes teasing mama and all) so his texts such as this really means a lot. And that gets to rub off on me, mama and my younger brother. I carried that over and my best friends are mushy people too so I get I love you's a lot. My "macho" younger brother's sudden mushiness is truly a surprise. I got his ever first text message that ended with an I love you a few months before. I was shocked and excited and can't stop teasing him about it. I really kept that one (and as I was looking through my phone after I wrote this sentence, some of the text messages that I kept are gone...hmmmm) The day before I left for Manila, we had this normal fight between brothers and sisters. He went home a few hours after I reached home and he handed me flowers. Red roses bouquet. First flowers I received. Ever. So that means a lot. I was melting inside, like aaaaaawwwwwww. And I couldn't imagine that we were mortal enemies as early as 3 years old to around early high school days chasing and wrestling each other when we feel like, you know, arguing and fighting. So that's a big leap and a big change in him. How about you? Have you said I love you to the most important people you love? A kiss and a hug means a lot. As they say, action speaks louder than words. Have you thank and receive a hug and a kiss from the greatest Lover of all time? Have you set a date with Him yet? I have this feeling that when we tend to forget to spend time with Him, even for just a few minutes in a day, He goes planning something out to catch your attention. A sunrise or a sunset, an unexpected surprise, a concern that will make you seek Him, a blessing that will make you thank Him. And you know how much He really, really loves you? More than all the love in the world put together, higher than the highest part of the skies and deeper than the deepest depths of the sea, more than we can ever imagine. He love you that much that He sent His only Son to save you and me. This much.

DAY 7: Stars

“Indescribable, Uncontainable, You make the STARS in the sky and you know them by name, you are amazing GOD.”

Who would look up the stars and wouldn’t believe in God’s magnificence. His love for intricacies, and His unfathomable wisdom in details. I love stars, and up till now, I am still awed whenever I see these shining, glimmering heavenly bodies. (I just miss these tiny stuffs since I don’t get to see them here in Manila, except the shining yet not glimmering light from the posts in the busy streets). That song up there has been playing in my head for hours. LSS, thanks to a friend. (hi Ate Marj…J) Excited for the concert. Yaaay! And I remember, I have this fascination about stars from the songs to photos and stuffs and even thought of having a star collection. Virtually will be healthier, budget-wise. I remember that whenever we get to go out at night and see the stars (star-gazing bonding is a must), me and my sister will go looking for Orion’s belt and Big Dipper. And only that, since we’re not familiar with other star constellations. I have even included in my bucket list to wish on a shooting star since I haven’t seen one yet.  hopefully in my lifetime, I will. Reminded me of one of my favorite Kids for Christ (KFC) song, “Superhero”, where one line goes, “He’s the one who hangs the STARS, one by one”. And another praise song entitled “Praiseworthy” with a line that goes, “Im forever thankful for the stars in the night. How they sparkle and light up the night skies. All of these is beauty oh how profound. All of this power.. all of this Love.” Stars indeed make you worship its Maker, and above all, we should be STAR struck to its Creator. Like the stars, our Maker would want us what stars do best, SHINE. Shine amidst the stubborn darkness that surrounds us to glorify the Author of Life. Shine to give light to those who live in the night of despair. Stand up, stand out and stand firm. For it is in giving the best of who you are are you able to bring out the best and greatness in others. Let me leave with you my favorite movie quote of all-time from the movie Coach Carter. 

” Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. It's not just in some of us; it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others. “