A Form Of Dialogue That Targets Better Relationships

The word ‘Dialogue’ has several meanings. In ordinary layman’s term, it refers to an exchange of communication between two people. It’s like having a message you want to convey to a person.

Such person receives the message and gives a feedback or a response to show that he acknowledges receipt of that which was conveyed. What matters here is that the sender and receiver of the message understand each other. Period!

Nonetheless, there’s another form of dialogue with a much deeper meaning to people of a certain religious persuasion.  Vatican has created an office called the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Dialogue. It is an arm of their church tasked to reach out to believers of other living faiths, such as Islam, Buddhism, other Christian churches, and so on.

It doesn’t mean though that said church is out to ‘convert’ believers of other religions into the said faith. Rather, this type of dialogue aims to foster a deeper friendship with the ‘others’ through whatever means. It could be through study of certain aspects of their respective faiths, through sports, ecumenical services, simple consultative discussions, even through fellowship meals.

I was lucky enough to be a witness to a real dialogue of life several times in the past between theologians of a major seminary and families in the Islamic areas around Davao City, in the island of Mindanao, Philippines.

For more than ten years since 2001, our local ministry in Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue has been helping the said seminary facilitate their Immersion Program to Muslim Communities.

In such program, the graduating seminarians are to spend one full week living with chosen Muslim families belonging to tribes like Kagan, Tausog, Maranaw, Sama, among others.

Imagine the fear etched in most of the seminarians’ faces when they learned that they have to stay for a week with their Muslim foster families! Of course, 99% of them have some sort of bias and prejudice against these people, for reasons they revealed later during the processing of such experience.

When processing day came, which is one day after their departure from the communities, the theologians were ready with their honest sharing and shocking revelations. All were positive ones but perhaps the most touching that was common among the sharing is that their foster parents cried on the day of their departure. Why? Because they have started to accept the guys, loved them and eventually missed their presence, in such a short span of time.

See what genuine dialogue can do to the lives of ordinary Muslims and Christians? Definitely Allah was in their midst when that life-in-dialogue was happening.

Entering into such formof dialogue certainly requires proper preparation, respect and an open mind and heart to be able to accept the ‘other’. With that, its goal of achieving better relationship is just an arm’s length.

How about you? Want to share your dialogue experience?

Excited While On A Waiting Mode

Have you experienced being on a waiting mode? Certainly you know how it feels to sit on hours at the departure area waiting for your flight, only to be told that your schedule will be delayed for maybe an hour. And all they ask of you is to be considerate for such inconvenience! Not exciting at all!

Another incidence of being on a waiting mode is during payday when all that’s left in your pocket is just a few small bills. Then all of a sudden, the company treasurer announces that there might be a delay in the fund transfer because of some technical problems with the ATM machine. How horrible!

All those waiting, causing you anxiety and great psychological disturbance (and financial as well)!  It’s a fact that waiting for something or someone can be quite distracting and irksome especially if all the forces are against you.

But there’s a kind of waiting that brings joy and hope experienced by some lucky women. Yes, waiting for a baby to be born! Getting pregnant no doubt gives the expectant mother joyous feelings to the highest level.  Just the indication of the first few days or weeks of pregnancy will be enough to send you reeling with gladness and excitement.

But nine months seem too long to wait. Unluckily, most women are not spared from the so-called morning sickness and the ‘blues.’ But, it pays to be in the best of health if you decide to conceive. At least, you’re able to manage the discomfort with ease.

Additionally, you should be at the proper age to be able to overcome the pain and discomforts. These are brought about by the changes happening to your body to accommodate that tiny life inside of you.

With technological advancement today, you have several options to make life better and enjoyable despite having limited activities during that period of waiting. It doesn’t mean though that you have to stay in bed all the time and forget about socializing. Of course, it’s reasonable if you’re in some sort of high risk pregnancy.

Why not start to learn some breathing exercises especially if you’re a first time mom? But remember to do it only with the supervision of an expert. Or how about learning to stitch some art into baby’s overall? Or spend some time browsing over those vibrantly-colored baby e-magazines so you’ll know how infants get their baths and their diapers changed the proper way?

Of course, so much can happen within those nine months and you can have all the time in the world to prepare for baby’s coming. There’s so much to thank the Creator for especially for making you a complete person.

On that big day when you hold your bundle of joy so close to your heart for the first time in your life, you would forget that you’ve been ona waiting mode for so long.

Do you have a similar exciting ‘waiting’ experience? Share it here. 

Do You Have A Passion For Writing?

Not everyone can write, there’s no doubt about that. Or shall I say it correctly- anyone can write but not everyone can become a writer.

A person maybe an eloquent speaker but it does not automatically mean he’s the one who writes his sparkling speeches. A preacher maybe able to craft a very good vision for his flock but if someone does not help him lay the blueprint, he may not get to see it come to reality.

 

Is it hard to write? And I mean putting on paper your thoughts, like writing an essay, poem, letters, reflections, realizations, and so on. If you feel you have a passion for writing, go for it no matter how old you are. It’s never too late to write!

They say that writing is both a talent and a skill- talent, if you were born with it and develop it through time; skill, if you take the effort of enrolling in some training or workshop and later on discover that you have the interest after all.

               

Of course, it pays to have a good teacher and a quality school curriculum to produce brilliant journalists. And that could be expensive. But luckily, there are people who really can write magnificent compositions in good English even if they are not professional journalists or writers.

I am one of the lucky few who can freely express what’s on my mind. I am not scared of being accused of bad grammar or wrong spelling and not following writing rules. Truth is, I have so many people in my life to thank for who have helped hone my writing skill.

First, there was my mom (may she rest in peace) who patiently corrected my writing home works. Secondly, my high school language teachers and college professors who instilled the much needed discipline when it comes to the subject.

Lastly, I had previous bosses (a priest and a nun) who believed in my capability and who inspired me to write my own reflections whenever our team had our retreats and recollections.

Furthermore, I happened to meet and became friends with an editor-in-chief of the longest running local diocesan weekly paper in my area. He has taught me all there is I need to know about writing for newspapers. And the rest is history.

Today, I can no longer keep track of the number of articles I have written since 2012 for the outsourcing company I’m working for. My happiness is indescribable whenever I see many of my works published on various websites.

Unfortunately nowadays, there are the so-called instant writers proliferating on the Internet. Many people claim to have an authority over a certain discipline or master of this and that and now are writing online. Of course, this does not include the legitimate ones whose articles are an important resource for those who need info.   

               

In all fairness, there are many individuals who have a passion for writing and it’s good to encounter them once in a while when you’re doing your search online. You not only get educated reading their materials but entertained as well. And most importantly, you can relate to that person.

How about you? Do you feel the same? Share your thoughts here.               

Raising Happy Kids When You’re a Solo Parent

As a solo parent, did you ever experience headaches raising a bunch of little monsters? A solo parent or single parent is defined as one not living with a spouse or partner, who has most of the day-to-day responsibilities in raising the child or children.

Being a single parent is no easy job especially when you have 4 under your brood and with just enough income for daily needs. Single parenting is not something bad or unfortunate at all as some people view it. Once you’re able to handle the complex issues of money, childcare, and your relationship (if any) with your child's other parent, then single parenting can be a joy. Seeing your brood grow up to be happy kids is worth the effort, and the headaches of course. Here’s what I can share:

Communicate- Talk, listen, share, ask questions, SMS, call, chat, email- call them what you want. What matters most is that you have communications going on with kids anytime of the day. Caring parents take effort in contacting their kids whenever they’re at school, at work, or wherever. Who wouldn’t worry if it’s past 10pm and kid isn’t home yet? When my kids were small, we enjoyed talking at mealtimes. Listening to their school escapades and achievements made us proud parents. I made sure they feel loved through verbal and non- verbal gestures. Being free to communicate with each other is one good way of raising happy kids.

Share interests- Kids and I share the same interests- food, sand, sea, fun, etc. It’s a kind of bonding when you let them prepare their favorite barbecue while you whip up their favorite dessert. And yes, we do that—eat outdoors as in picnic, for instance. Then afterwards each one does her/his share of clearing away the area. At long vacations especially during the Holy Week (for Christians), we gathered round the living room to watch old favorites- movies with moral values. Or during Christmas season when they’re off school, we enjoyed watching funny movies together and laughed our hearts out.

Teach independence- Teach your kids independence at a tender age. As a mom, it was my pride to see my kids when they were 5 years old to bathe or do toileting by themselves. School was a source of excitement as they rose up early to bath. Also, ask your tot courteously but firmly to tidy up his closet or his toy box after playing. You won’t need to remind kids every time once they realize the consequences of not tidying up. Experiencing some degree of independence at a young age gives your child the chances to grow up well-adjusted. Today, my kids are a bit older, the eldest has married, the next a marketing professional, the third a psychology college major and the youngest a 7^th grader. As I look into the past, I thank God when people remark how great kids I have. I feel proud I’ve been raising happy kids.

Do you have a story about raising happy kids? Please share your thoughts.

Bad Hair Day- Don’t Let Me Down

Bad hair day! Have you ever experienced a bad hair day? When you felt your hair was dry, brittle and dull? Is it because the shampoo you were using failed to deliver its promise of soft, shiny hair?
Say goodbye to bad hair day and hello to lovable hair. Nature has afforded us a surefire solution to bad hair days: the egg-coconut milk mixture. 

Here’s how to do it:

·  Beat 1 egg in a bowl (or 2 eggs for long thick hair)

·  Add 3 tablespoon of coconut oil (6T for long thick hair)

·  Mix well; Apply to hair by hand, making sure every strand is coated

·  Let it stand for 20 minutes

·  Add 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar to rinsing water

·  Rinse hair well

·  Towel- dry and comb hair until natural luster shows

If the method worked on my daughters, why not on you? My 2 girls having thick long locks used to suffer from dry hair and flakes! We have tried different brands of shampoo and conditioner but each time, problem resurfaced. Sadly, hair treatment at the salon is very costly. So in desperation, I searched the web for an answer.

With this egg-oil mixture, the hair regains its natural shine and softness, making it easier to comb. You can even finger-comb it. The coconut oil keeps hair moisturized, the proteins in egg encourage growth of healthy hair, and the apple cider, a cleaning agent removes buildup from styling product. Apart from killing bacteria and removing dandruff, apple cider also strengthens the hair shaft, leaving you with soft, shiny strands.

What is hair made up of?

Real human hair is made up of the protein called keratin. Found also in human skin, teeth, fingernails and toenails, keratin is very strong and rigid when thick. But it can be very flexible when very thin. Our hair has natural oils responsible for its texture and a chemical called melanin. This one gives hair fiber its color based on the number, distribution and types of melanin granules.

Our hair is more than just a crowning glory. Hair on the head protects us from the sun’s heat, from ultra- violet radiation. It’s also the primary source of cooling, that is, when sweat evaporates from soaked hair. Just imagine how our hair is exposed to drastic conditions each time we go out to work, to play or even when just staying at home. So it’s our responsibility to keep it healthy all the time.

Today, we now have an option. You need not necessarily buy the priciest conditioners on the market to moisturize and rejuvenate your hair. Bring your hair back to life in a natural way. Don’t let bad hair day put you down!

Have you tried it? If so, please share your experience. Leave a comment.

 

 

  

Why Young People Are Addicted to Social Media

Do you ever wonder why millions of young people the world over are addicted to social media? Said to be the perfect tool for attracting tech- savvy youth, nothing beats social media as the predominant Internet activity on smartphones today. Studies show that social media represents by far the largest share of online time via smartphones.

With the emergence of smartphones which you could now buy at amazingly affordable prices, you can get instant internet access. Meaning, anyone can just quickly check social sites, emails, and a host of other things, with such an astonishing thin and light hand-held device. Great connectivity!

Undoubtedly, teens and young professionals comprise the biggest sector that patronizes smartphones. They are surprisingly adept at using all forms of mobile technology. Kids have taken social media as an integral part of their digital life. With the apps that encourage the use of Internet, what else can you expect but get status updates, post short comments, do replies, likes, etc.

For those not yet tech- savvy, social media is a two-way street where you get to spread your word and get comments/replies in return. In short, it pays to learn technology so you can communicate socially. Think of being connected to a bigger world in just an instance. Wouldn’t you feel great about meeting new friends from the other side of the globe?

And here’s another interesting thing. There are Messaging apps emerging in Japan and Korea that young people are crazy about. It has now become the leading social networks on the basis of active users. Moreover, young people the world over are turning their attention to these Messaging apps with a variety of features beyond text messaging.

Very much like Facebook, smartphone- based Messaging apps sweeping across North America, Asia and Europe are being used by millions of tech-savvy young people. These apps allow you to create personal profiles, build networks of friends, and even share photos, videos and music.

Additionally, messaging apps have become platforms for other services especially games. Today, experts are now building the same apps for the desktop. Free calls, free texts and free media exchange are the major keys to the popularity of Messaging apps.

These new social media networks have quickly become a favorite as they fit the lifestyle of young people more closely than do traditional social networks on mobile devices. As parents, it’s now our responsibility to give our kids proper guidance on cellphone use.

What do you think? Please share your thoughts.

Caring For Children- What To Do If Your Child Has Fever

Have you ever experienced waking up at night because your child was shaking with high fever? Having a sick child at home is a cause for worry most especially if you’re a solo working parent. Now if you’re the doting mom, of course there’s no better way of making your tot feel at least comfortable than by having yourself at his side. Here are proven practical ways in caring for children when they’re sick:

• Temperature- Anything between 35.5 and 37.5 °C (others put it at 37.0 °C or 98.6 °F) is considered normal body temperature for anyone, young or old. Any change above the normal body temperature is already a fever. Fever is usually caused by infection. But it doesn’t always mean there’s a severe infection if the temperature is a bit higher. Just be around to take his temperature as needed. Also, you really don’t have to worry until you see a doctor. However, if it’s a very young infant who’s sick, bring him straight away to the doctor.

• Fever reliever- Give your kid paracetamol (also known as acetaminophen) to relieve pain and fever. Given at the right time with the right dosage should be enough to bring the fever down in 24 to 48 hours. Give him a sponge bath of water or mild alcohol on the entire body. Change his clothing once he gets sweaty.

• Liquids- Small but frequent sips of water or fresh fruit juice prevent dehydration, a condition that sets in with high temperatures. I remember grandma used to have me drink cool water to lessen body heat during a fever. Also, be sure to have his favorite soup along with an attractive healthy meal. Remember, a feverish kid more often than not lose his appetite so it’s wise to have a colorful meal seasoned according to his taste. Fresh fruits or congee are good snack options. Healthy food gives your tot enough energy to withstand the fever.

• Beddings, fresh air and sun- You’ll make your child feel better with fresh beddings and linens to sleep on. If you’re living in a safe neighborhood, it’s best to have a window open to let fresh air in. Also whenever you can, expose him to early morning sunlight. These will give him enough comfort.

• And of course, top that with a mother’s healing touch. It can help calm your tot down, reduce the pain and stress. It could even help him recover fast, so give him a gentle massage. According to studies, healing touch is a great way to help people feel better physically, emotionally, spiritually and mentally. You get back the same treatment more or less if you get sick. There are a lot of ways in caring for children during an illness.

Have you any similar experience to add? Please share your thoughts and leave your comment.