"It's more fun in the Philippines"

Well, she must have read this ...
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/video/lifestyle/01/07/12/its-more-fun-philippines-spin-offs

Competition

Many times we have seen the word 'Competition' and so we assume we knew the word, the meaning, and its usage. By definition, 'Competition' is a contest between individuals, groups, animals, etc. for territory, a niche, or a location of resources.

But how far will you go with regards to competition? Why is there a competition?
Competition arises whenever at least two parties strive for a goal which cannot be shared, and this occurs when they co-exist in the same environment.

The 'Competition' I would tackle on this post is an unusual 'competition' on our daily lives. Could be a competition between families and household to strive for position, reputation, power, and social entity. Let me get to you straight to the point by example:
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Family 1; bought an LED screen TV 50-inch
Family 2; the next week, bought a 56-inch version of that TV
Family 3; cant buy, then declared, "I heard LED TVs have high maintenance, blah100x".
--

The competition here revolves around an unspoken competition concealed behind the words but present consciously, visibly. Competition here is due to jealousy, and jealousy is defined in a nut-shell as "not happy at someone’s success! happy at someone’s failures!".

I have personally witnessed people who are succumbed into this "diabolical sin" (from St. Augustine). To share you the story:
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MY family bought a new refrigerator to replace our very old and respected one which served us for ten years in operation. The next week, our neighbor knowing it, they bought a new ref though they still has their own which is not yet that old. Then my friend gave me a two-year old air conditioner with the reason that there is no place for him to leave the thing since he is leaving the country. So I installed it in the house the next day. Our neighbor then the next week bought a portable air conditioner, and stating they need it all over the house that is why they prefer it portable. Then on my mom's birthday, I gifted her a gas stove-oven for her to bake her out-of-nowhere cakes. The following days, the said neighbor bought a gas stove, and saying then don't need the oven because they can buy bread anytime. It keeps on when we bought a washing machine, because the old one was damaged by the flood, the personal computer, and so on. If the neighbor only knew that we have these things just because we need them, or someone gave them to us, they might change their mind to end the one-sided competition they are going through. It might seem flattering that what you do would be a big deal for them but its a pity to watch them going through all the hardships to watch on every moves we make.
--

Office politics is a form of competition or rivalry. Office-mates tend to grab down others for the sake of it. I have known several people in the office who are good at it. They talk ill things on other person just to destroy reputations and have their own gain. Well, for me, as long as they don't get more taxes from me.

Competition is healthy if its motives is good. If it grows out of jealousy and selfishness, then it is vain and bitter. Accept and be grateful of what you have. If you are jealous of what others have, and whine on the things you own, it would be an insult to Him who gave you the things you deserve to have.

To the April Summer

-->

thou are the moon in Clear midsummer nigHt

with charming buds of May Endure unshaKen sight

laid gentle winds hath lease Cherubic songs

to thee, for me who wanderest thy light

beneath, thou are, it is, forevermore

thou are the sun in blue bright suMmer day

with daffodIls all dancing mirthful play

rough winds hath brag thy owest golDen fair

to me, for me who wonderest thy May

by fate, thou are, it is, forevermore

when for eternal bliss thy lights imPLore

And summers' fair shall soon in autum rest

still be thy beauty fadest NoT by chance

lest all, i worship thee, and nothingmore.

(read instruction above)

New post for the new year

What's new, what's old? A happy new year, and the old year's a history. We traveled this far, and 2012 is here. Right before our hands. Every new year is an achievement, a reward, a gift. Imagine all through the past years, the trials, the hardships, the smiles, and victories we had. We have surpassed all those things and now we are here for another set of it. Life is worth living, satisfying, and divine.



As the song goes, "Its been a long and winding journey but im finally here tonight " (Angels Brought Me Here), life is journey. We are on a journey. And the journey is worth traveling.


There is one lesson in life I would like to share to you which also I have learned from that year which have just past, 2011. And I hope this could relate to your own experience.



"This is your time, and your time is now."

--


This is your life and your time to be happy is now. Many times i have given up my own happiness in the name of selflessness. BUT this is wrong. If you give up on something, be happy that you did it for the sake of others. Don’t give up happiness but be happy on giving up for others. Your time is now to be happy. Do not wait for a time to be happy. Life is too short for the waiting. Look around you, your parents, siblings, friends, health, job, food, money, time, and everything you need, they are given to you as you deserved it. Realize you need them and be happy for it. Do not be bitter with your wants as you cannot have everything. Most importantly be thankful for the time you spent with your love ones, as time will always be a passing bliss. Cherish it and feel its moment. The small talks, chats, smiles are always there, so it seems, but you will soon realize how you loved those times when they cant happen again. Be happy, cry, smile, and move on for the next best things in life.


This is your chance to grow, for achievement, for victory, and for bravery. Life ahead has a new set of experiences for you. This is it, endure it, love its chances of growth. Life has something for you right now. In account of receiving something from life, give some space for it. It means, lose something in order to have something for your better gain. Embrace the incoming blessing while gracefully surrendering the old things for others. Give yourself a space to grow while giving away the childish thoughts of selfishness. Accept defeat for a chance to stand up for bravery. Give away strength to gain new ones for greater achievements. Do this with a grateful heart and an open mind.


This is the time to be you. Its your turn to be you. As the song goes, "for years I've seen my life through someone else's eyes, and now its my turn."

Lastly, be gentle with yourself, after all it is God, through you, that makes life worth living.


Have a blessed new year to All!!