Yes, beloved Bride, this is why I have chosen you – you are utterly faithful, completely and totally yielded and so eager to receive and share with others what I have revealed to you. You share with humility and wonder why I have chosen you. I need not fear or even be concerned about your trustworthiness and faithfulness. Long ago you proved your perfect love so that I would never doubt your unfailing eternal love. Just as My love is unconditional, so is yours. You never blame Me when things don’t happen the way you have planned. You immediately release your plan to Me and say and mean with all of your heart, “God has a plan! I  may not understand it now but He is trustworthy and He is working all things to My good. His plan is better.”

Thank you, for entrusting all of your hopes and dreams and plans to Me. I will greatly reward you, precious Bride, for your unfailing love. Love covers a multitude of sins and stumbling and going the wrong way, while seeking out the right way. Is it any wonder that I have chosen you! As I look to and fro over the earth, I see all of the love in your heart for Me and My heart is melted with mercy and compassion for you. I promise, I will pour down from Heaven, blessings without number, grace without measure and My abiding, unconditional, eternal love. I have chosen you because you have chosen Me and been faithful to Me with a love that has no conditions for, truly, you love Me with an unconditional love.

Forgiven Love, what sin? I don’t remember any sin. They have long ago been forgiven and forgotten. The blood of the Lamb, the  one perfect, complete and total sacrifice, wiped your slate clean, eternally. Remember, you are cleansed and made holy, once and for all. You do not have to keep coming to Me with every transgression. I AM continually cleansing and healing and restoring. I AM making new and fresh constantly. I AM leading you in the way of holiness. Rest in my promise of new life daily. I AM perfecting all that concerns you and I AM also perfecting you. Be at peace, it is a process. I will not hold back My love until the process is complete. You are loved and cherished right now. Don’t carry a heavy load of condemnation. I want you to rejoice in my acceptance of you – in My great and abiding and eternal love for you now, right this very minute. Receive and rejoice in My love.

Beloved, there is, now, no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. You dwell in Me and I in you – in this union and communion, there is only love. I do not condemn you. All past mistakes and sins have been perpetually washed away – forgiven and forgotten – swept into a sea of forgetfulness.

You are not alone adrift in a stormy sea but My love surrounds you and protects you and guides you. Don’t condemn yourself when I don’t condemn you or even allow others to condemn you. Learn to love yourself, as I love you, without condemnation – perpetually and eternally forgiven. Rejoice in the freedom of now condemnation, in a joy of a , truly, unconditional love. I will not love you more at some future date when you have perfected every flaw and corrected every mistake you have made or might make. Accept and appreciate My gift of love with no conditions – unconditionally and eternally yours.

I want you to rejoice in My love. Only receive My unconditional love. You don’t have to deserve it or earn it or try to keep it from slipping away. There is only joy in receiving. There is no striving or straining. There is no trying to please or measure up to expectations. I love you right where you are – just as you are. I know the reason behind the sin and I forgive you. I know your frailties and you weaknesses. I come not to condemn but to give life abundant – even forevermore. Don’t be so afraid of My judgment, which you feel you deserve, that you don’t come and receive full pardon and overflowing love and blessing. Trust in My mercy, My lovingkindness and My loving grace raining down upon you as gentle, cleansing, healing, restoring showers of blessing. Receive and rejoice in My love. I love you – unconditionally.

For the past days, I have been talking about a Givers’ Circle which I really want to start. But I feel that before we even get deep into this, we have to understand first why we give and how to be able to give properly.

I grew up under a mother who was rich in generosity. As a matter of fact, my mother was so generous to a fault — she would sometimes even extend a helping hand even when the family had none to extend already. But please note, I am not saying this is all bad, but please do remember my mother’s example because we will come to see some angles to it later.

Since I saw the generosity of my Mama, I grew up learning more of giving away money than keeping it. We will often go to church in Landayan every month to keep with the religious practices, and when I came there, I have come to expect the line of beggars that come before the showcase of the images of the saints. Every time, I will have 25 to 50 centavo coins prepared to be handed out. None of those beggars were missed or passed. Then I remember that for the showcase of the saints, I prepare flower garlands which I made myself by sewing together petals. I even remember overhearing my father at one time he was with us in one of his vacations (as he worked abroad) telling my Mama, “Napakamapag-bigay ng anak mo” (your daughter is so generous).

Now, as I grew older, I saw people take advantage of the goodness of my Mama. Most of my family’s heartaches came from these people. And I suddenly found myself hating to give to people. I was close to making generalizations that those who ask for help are most of the time people who fool other people because they are lazy. But Mama will always remind me that judgment is not ours to handle but God’s. She would tell me stories when I was younger and my Papa had no job because FORD closed at that time and suddenly our family had nothing. Then someone came to the house one night, a woman whose husband died and had no money to bury him with. My Papa at that time took out the last money he had in his wallet, one he was keeping to use to find a job the following day for his family’s comfort and handed it to the woman. My Mama said, the following day, along with my Uncle and with no money, Papa just walked along Taft Avenue, got tired and stopped in front of an agency which later was the one which sent him to Saudi Arabia where he worked for 18 years after.

So you see, the stories of my parents above just show that generosity cannot be dictated by how we judge things. We give only when we give from the heart. The reason I wanted a Givers’ Circle was to allow people to give freely to the cause their hearts have directed them to. Giving is not easy, as it entails sacrifice. It entails not being selfish and not being attached to the money or item you give away. This is the real generosity. It is not because there is an expectation of return of any form.

I have worked with several NGOs over the years and I have designed so many projects and campaigns for them. And one of the musts in the campaign was that there should be something that the donors receive in return. I understand the need for recognition, but it should be something that comes as a surprise or as a bonus. I am here to challenge you to give because your heart tells you to. This is different from accountability. It is a foundation’s responsibility to make itself accountable to its donors. But as donors or givers, give because you are overwhelmed by the joy and peace and love that it brings to your heart.

Nowadays, I believe God will be leveling the playing field. Not all who will need will only be those who are within poverty. Those in the middle class or those who are rich will have some form of need that they will encounter in their lives. And sometimes, two lives from different classes will have to come together in order to find the answer to the one need. It can be as simple as a blood type or a scholarship fund, or even just second clothing. I have people come to me, even in the best conditions of life needing something such as a prayer or even provisions to continue a medical treatment. It is time to reinvent what we have known as generosity. Give when it is within your capacity regardless of your bank account. Give when your heart says so.

We are all made for different purposes in life, but we only belong to one home. Logic can dictate that we are all connected in some ways. Allow yourself into this and the world can become an even greater place. Need comes in different form and your causes can vary — you may have been created to believe in the need to preserve our world, then give to environmental causes; you may have been blessed with so much and have access to a form of education, then extend scholarships; you may have experienced a second chance in life through God’s work, then support missions. You may have an extra 100 pesos a month, then help someone who needs the same for a medical treatment. It all varies, but someone out there has the answer to meet a need.

One of my greatest joys in life is being able to give. But I am not always with the answer to give to that need. However, I have been blessed with a good network of friends and acquaintances, and I have over the years brought need and answers together. I am writing this because if you can understand how it works, and I can multiply what I do, then perhaps more need will be answered and many people will have hope. For we all just live everyday with hope that somewhere, somehow, someone will extend a chance to us.

So this is what you must do if you want to practice generosity. Look at your life and how it has been, look at the life of others, then determine what you think you can give. It can be a silent prayer, it can be your time, it can be an item, it can be money. Look at the foundations that exist and review them if you must. See their accountability reports and see if it gives you confidence to support them. If it does, then support them regularly.

The whole time I was hearing this, my friend was grinding her teeth in absolute irritation with her “life coach” friend, while me sitting across her from the table was just smiling and laughing in my head. Finally, my friend blurts out, “what do you think Gel?”. I smiled for in my mind, I was imagining telling my friend this “heck with the negativity girl, get pregnant so that you become positive. Get a broom and sweep the mess, or better yet, since we are career women, hire someone to clean up the mess for you since you can afford it anyway.” Okay, I will admit now, some of those words came out of my mouth, along with “When your “life coach” friend calls and asks if you will come, tell her you have better things to do like sleep. And when she asks you why you would rather sleep, tell her you decided to follow her advice on better time management and since you need to take care of yourself to look good since you have no make-up, then sleep is really better.” My friend and I ended up laughing our heads off with these words. Am not sure if she still came to that reunion last night, but am certain if she did, she will just be fine.

Am certain in your life you have a share of those kinds of people. Heck, I may even be like that to some people I really hate. Hahahhha. But sadly, I too have those share of people in my life. As a matter of fact, I have heard tons of comments and “negativities” over the years from people. People who think they know me, but you know, now that I am older and wiser (sorry, I saw Sound of Music just recently), it is very clear to me that they do not have any idea at all as to who I am.

You see, people who really know me is comfortable with me. They can hear crap coming from me like my friend yesterday, but they know that I am a good person. No judgment comes towards my way for words that come out like that. I am allowed to be angry. I am allowed to be upset. I am allowed to fail. I am allowed to whine. In short, I am allowed to be human.

I told my friend on our way out, I always wear high heels and one time someone told me this: “Gel, you know I heard that people who are insecure are those who always wear high heels. Those shoes are so uncomfortable, but to hide their insecurities, they bear with it so that they will feel good.” My friend, knowing me asked, “So what did you tell that person”. I said, “I stopped, looked at him in the eye and told him this — I was born with club feet. My feet hurt when I wear flat shoes. I am not insecure, they are because they cannot wear heels and carry it!”

People will always have their opinion of you. Sadly, there are some who will manipulate the situation to make you look bad. I have these people and I know people who are like this. There are even people who are already up there who would do this to you just because you are doing well. And sadly, they do this because their minds interpret your actions as doing something bad or something that would make them look bad. You have to note this — THEIR MINDS. Only a few will consider asking you first for a decent explanation about your actions or about who you are.

To those who are like me, who are often preyed by people like this, take heart. I can relate on how painful it can be sometimes. Getting into a fight with them sometimes just do not work even, because people who do this are very pretentious. They have to pretend that they are right all the time, and refuse to hear out other people. Well, you cannot blame them as well. In life, not all people are truthful. Not all people have the guts to tell the truth about themselves, escpecially if it involves admitting a mistake.

It is sad when I saw my friend be in a place where she for a quick time doubted her own goodness because someone said unkind words about her. Truly she did not deserve that. I can see that in her head she knows that what her “life coach” friend was saying was not true, and if it were true, like her not wearing make up, she had valid reasons why she does not. But hearing words like that just struck her and hurt her in the process.

That is why am writing this. For those who take time to read this, let me tell you, you are not obligated to do what I say. You are gifted with your own brain and you are blessed with your own experiences, as I am. Take my story and see what you can learn, but decide for yourself. And if ever, you are one of those people who say things like the “life coach” friend, hear this out — count the number your mouth open and choose your words. I have been there too, it will be such a blessing if your hurtful words would challenge someone and make their lives better, but it will be such a tragedy if your words lead someone to ending their lives or worse, ending their hope.

My friend, you know who you are, your “life coach” friend only speaks from what is in the surface. This is the kind of friend she is. So unlike you, for you are a person who proves to be a very good and true friend. I am very blessed with your life especially when I think that we came to be friends by simply doing business early on. But in the journey, you have held my hand many times. You are not alone, you will never be alone, because you have friends like me and Gene. You are not messy, you just choose to be determined with your work, and you are simply giving other girls chances with the guys (wink). They will probably not be able to handle the competition anyway.

As for me, I am sick and tired of people telling me who I am and what I can do. So to clear things out, let me introduce to you Gel in her 30′s – I am Gel Tabia-Yap, I am a smart woman. I am very talented. I am persistent, I am passionate and I am extremely resourceful. I am a child of God, a daughter, a sister, a wife and a mother. I am honest as I can be. I have a very short patience. I love to help people, but I have low tolerance for conscious stupidity and conscious laziness. I always lack money, but somehow my Father in Heaven never fails to provide for all that I need. I am not disorganized. I am a multitasker. You want to get the best from me, then give me credit when due. Never reprimand me in public because you will see hell. I am too giving sometimes I become stupid in the process. Most of all, if you need anything whether help or to understand who I am —it is best to ask me directly. Now let me hear a Hooo-Haaa, Gel!

This is one word that many people know about. It is probably one of the many words that we cannot avoid saying within a day. It is understandable, everyone has their own need, and it is human nature to verbalize their needs.

But what really is a need? Over the years, I have come to encounter the word used in varied ways — one to describe something material that is perceived as a necessity, in another, used to describe an emotion towards someone or something, in most cases to describe a plight or a plea with a sense of urgency.

Need can be different for people. And when there is  a need, often a strong feeling of desperation follows it. A longing to have that need addressed almost immediately. Yet, if all people reacted this way to need, then how can we be sure that each need would be met properly and in the right time?

Over the years I have encountered many people who express needs and those who want to address needs. There are numerous from both groups. And I always hear that for every need that is out there, someone else has the answer to that need. This is probably the balance of nature. If need was a form of energy, then it will be true, because energy cannot be destroyed, only converted into another usable form. If this were the case, then logic would have that if I needed a paperclip, someone our there will have a spare one.

Sadly though, my illustration is not enough to describe the gravity of need that exists in our world today. In my country alone, the Philippines, many people have needs because of the recent events of typhoon and flooding. And in the areas that have not been affected, some have needs for money for schooling, while some need it for medicines or a medical procedure. Some just need a good cry. Some would need to laugh, while some just need to face the truth. Some want to just be happy. Some just want to be able to love and be loved. The need differs from one person to another, but the emotion that goes with it is always the familiar passion and desire for that need to be met.

Now, if there is a need someone must be willing to meet it. Someone must be willing to make the sacrifice and let go of something that is his own. Because if the saying “if there is a need, then someone else has the answer to that need somewhere”, then someone should let go of that and give it to the needy at some point in time.

It seems to paint such as vast picture doesn’t it? As if it is almost impossible to find someone who will be willing to give up that answer to your need. But really, sometimes we do not have to look far. We just have to look at what we have and who we have nearby.

I have over the years seen with my own eyes, how needs are met and how sacrifices are made. This is why I want to have that Givers’ Circle. It is not a foundation like most that exists, but I envision it to be something that bears sincere sacrifice. It is a meeting point of needs and answers to those needs…not a certain one, but it can provide an opportunity.

For the longest time, one of my biggest frustrations was that I was not rich enough to be able to help those who came across my path and needed food, medication or education…or clothing or anything material that can provide some form of comfort in the short term. But then I realized in the moments that I was not able to give them anything material, I somehow was able to give them something else, and that is love and dignity. For when we are in need, we feel like no one would be there to listen or even spend a second to hear our plea, but if someone took time to even think about it for a moment, we gain back a little bit of dignity and we realize we can fight back. A simple smile from someone else, or even just eyes that are directed towards you…they all show that someone else is sharing the burden with you.

So next time, when you speak about need and you ask someone to take that sacrifice to answer a need, it is best to make sure that you can take both shoes and wear them. It is only through this way that you can truly perform the act in grandeur and make it count.

We all just recovered from the blasts of firecrackers that signalled the transition of the old year to the new year. If you are like me, the excitement of opening your new 2012 diary has probably taken over your emotions and have now been completely mesmerized by the thought of what is ahead.

I got a planner that says it is the most complete one that a person can ever have. True enough, this planner has complicated things by trying to contain every aspect of who I am — from my personal details to the excess fat I am constantly reminded to shed off from my previous 100-lbs body.

But running through the complexity of the planner just made me realize a couple of things. You see, the year that was (2011) has been a very emotionally and physically draining year for me. Oh, when I say that, it does not mean that it has been a bad year. If I were younger, I would say it was bad, but life has showed me enough challenges for me to know that in the 33 years of my life, no year is good and no year is bad. We all just have to deal with it and grow from the experiences everyday.

Back to my story, 2011 was an emotionally and physically draining year. I started that year hopeful that I will finally find my place in the work world. Determined to make it work, I had emptied myself to where I was at the beginning of the year, only to find out at the half of the year that office politics was out to get me again. But this time, I was determined to change the way my life goes, and tried to fight, but it just didn’t work out. The good thing is, I am still in the same industry and I have had the chance to also work with what I love later during the year. Hah, life does have lemons that can be turned to lemonades.

Like Wll Smith’s movie, my pursuit for happiness goes on. Ah, those who do not know me that well may think that I live a sad life. Contrary my friends, my life would be the farthest one from boring and sad. Adventure is pretty much in my blood. And this year, I am prepared to continue that pursuit to find my place, but this time, I have weapon with me, for this time, I know what I want and where I want to be. And I think I have the right tool to begin the journey with.

A few weeks back, I was trying to contemplate on the idea of having one of the famous New Years’ Resolutions. Yet, I found myself uninspired to draft such colorful ones. The thought bothered me and I began then to contemplate on why I had such apathy. And then I think I have figured it out, again thanks to the complex planner that was given to me. I realized that life simply is a continuous process!

Yes, LIFE is CONTINUOUS, and I simply cannot put resolutions to it at the end of the year or at the beginning of one. Life is an active decision to pursue lessons and learn from them. 2011 was hard, but I never thought it was, or felt it. The difference was, somewhere along the way, I have learned that life is continuous and the lessons lead to another lesson and must therefore be carried over. And hopefully at the end of all this, you get a heap of wisdom from all the lessons you learned.

So I reflect on the roller coaster ride of 2011 and remain hopeful for 2012. I have no resolutions for I do not know what is in store. But I have hope, and I carry it with me. I have faith in God and therefore I try to exercise trust in the most humanly way as possible. I have mistakes, regrets and pain, but I choose to learn from them and turn them into life lessons that bring out wisdom. I am human therefore I have my share of friends and detractors. Whatever may exist, one thing holds true — LIFE IS CONTINUOUS, therefore it must be lived with love.

Many people would have irked at the thought of getting on a boat and doing a parade along the stretch of Pasig River, especially when this is done every summer when the stench of the river was just so overwhelming because no rain water dilutes it or disperses the garbage. Or at the thought of going down Manila Bay with Ms Earth beauty queens so that you can all pick up garbage with your hands as part of a clean-up advocacy. But somehow, when I was doing those things, I felt like it was my chance to give back to community and to the world.

When I left Unilever in 2004, it was one of the saddest thoughts that I had – that I can no longer be part of activities such as those I mentioned earlier. But my sadness soon was replaced with gladness when the NGOs I have worked with while I was in the company got in touch and asked for my help still. Thus, throughout the years I have very much taken part and influenced many people and companies to support environmental initiatives.

Just recently, I got to work with a group whose thrust is in campaigning on the effects of plastics to our marine environment. And to be able to do this, they have to be able to trace the roots of plastic from its beginnings as a clean option as a container to a floating garbage in one of the seas around the world that greatly affects the world’s resources.

Because of this, they go around the world to look at situations and solutions that have been implemented. I am privileged to have been part of their initial visit to the Philippines and I must admit, the experience has touched my heart over again, as I was able to revisit the projects that deemed “impossible” ten years ago into “hey, we are getting somewhere”.

Smokey Mountain Was A Pleasant Surprise

I also was able to appreciate the efforts done for Pasig River and the used-to-be-garbage filled esteros that me and my colleague would look helplessly at, is now free of floating garbage and I was actually able to walk beside the estero already from Osmena to Paco Market! I felt like I was a kid who can finally experience stories that I just heard of from yesteryears. It just felt great.

That day made me look back to where I was ten years ago. Who would have thought those smelly moments, or no-weekend Aprils will lead to the improvements that we have now. Maybe, when all people begin to understand, then the world will have hope in becoming cleaner. It really takes a lot of comprehension to be able to work with plastics or garbage. It takes an active decision of whether we go for convenience or responsibility for the next generation. Ondoy and Pedring came and am certain some more typhoons that bring flood will come soon. I pray the little steps we take now can help rid the world of our problems with garbage and maybe prevent a mass evacuation to another planet as in the movie “e!”.

Chef Joey Prat's Citrus Chiffon with White Chocolate Blueberry Cream

Recently however, I have had the pleasure of being brought into a baking class of Chef Joey Prats — he is an advocate of desserts and it was a very fruitful experience for me. Attending the class was not part of my itinerary that day, but I welcome alterations to my schedule especially if there was an opportunity to learn. On the way I tried to imagine how it will be and even thought I would be immersed into a lot of flour dust that day.

We got to our destination and apprarently the class was a very intimate one. The group was kept to a minimum so Chef Joey had an interaction with all participants. He basically taught us how to do three of his signature cakes and one of them was the Citrus Chiffon with White Chocolate Cranberry Cream. As I sat there trying to rekindle the “baking” experience, I actually had more fun with the way the class was done. You see, it was different, because Chef Joey in his recipes actually include a bit of history or trivia. For instance, with the Citrus Chiffon, he shared an interesting fact about the Chiffon Cake — that it was actually developed by an insurance salesman by the name of Harry Baker. Over the years, Mr Baker sold his cake to people and in high society, keeping the recipe secret until after 20 years from the time he discovered it. In 1947, Mr Baker sold the recipe to General Mills. Well, I will let you find out more about it through the internet. As I am here to talk about the experience anyway.

Along with the discussion of the history, Chef Joey shared that in developing his recipe, he researched the original chiffon recipe and what we will do that day was actually very close to it with just minimal adjustments due to ingredients. It got me interested.

We did the cakes and later on got to bring them home in our pabaon boxes. The whole time I was looking forward to tasting the cakes, especially the chiffon, having in mind that it had in a way some historical significance, being close to the original recipe. And as I did, it was indeed a taste of heaven.

Right after I tasted the chiffon cake, I sent a message to Chef Joey and told him how I appreciated the taste. I valued it very much as other than serving as a form of encouragement (how an insurance salesman made big through a cake recipe), it also showed Chef Joey’s passion for his signature desserts. Knowing the background of recipes tells me how much of his person is in his every recipe. Anyone who takes that time to develop a recipe shows a lot of passion indeed.

I have no oven at home, but I think Chef Joey’s classes are very relevant and encouraging. For me I think he has what it takes to be a pastry chef or to be a chef who specialised in desserts. You see, desserts are supposed to be wonderful conclusions to great meals. The main dishes retain their greatness if supported with a great finale. Desserts are not meant to just remove the taste of the main dish…they are supposed to bring you to a level of satisfaction and gratefulness for a good, well-deserved meal.

Chef Joey has his page in Facebook: Joey Prats Signature Desserts. Like it…I did.

The past weeks, Palestine has called for a unified Palestine state, which means (as they have shown in the map the Palestines distributed to the United Nations) wiping out the entire Jewish nation of Israel from the map and having PALESTINE only. To simplify, it is what GOD has referred to us “divided up my land” in the Bible.

Member countries of the United Nations have been asked to prepare their votes for this event and this will happen soon. I am saddened for I learned today that my nation, which has been regarded as the only Christian country in Asia has shown inclination to support Palestine in this move. If this is the case, my nation and its people has taken part in the division of GOD’s chosen land.

As I was enveloped by sadness, GOD has graciously reminded me of a vision He gave me before in a Pillars Event in 2009 when I was still with CBN Asia. I have shared this before with our CEO as when I saw this, it was to me “irrelevant”.

A rough sketch of the vision I saw in 2009

I drew the vision in a sketch and it is what you will see in this note. Until today, this vision made no sense to me, until I heard about the developments on Israel’s plight. Then I saw pastors referring to Joel 3, so I read it, and I was taken by these verses:

Joel 3:1-2

For behold, in those days and at that time when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there and on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land,”

An illustration of the Valley of Jehoshaphat I found on the web.

9 Proclaim this among the nations:
Consecrate for war; stir up the mighty men. Let all the men of war draw near, let them come up.
10 Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears; let the weak say, “I AM A WARRIOR”.
11 Hasten and come, all you surrounding nations, and gather yourselves there. Bring down your warriors, O LORD.
12 Let the nations stir themselves up and come up to the “Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations.
13 Put in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Go in, tread for the winepress is full. The vats overflow, for their evil is great.
14 Multitudes, multitudes, in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.
15 The sun and moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining.
16 The LORD roars from Zion and utters his voice from Jerusalem, and the heavens and earth quake. But the LORD is a refuge to his people, a stronhold to the people of Israel. (ESV

However, this will not be the case. Like any other Asian country, Bangkok has transformed itself into modernity..however, the culture is still pretty much intact. Therefore, the same Tuk-tuk issues, the constant smell of incense and the other tourist must-sees are pretty much the same.

As always when you go to Bangkok, and you are as conservative as a traveler as I am (meaning you keep to a 10-km distance from your hotel), all you’d pretty much enjoy are the food and the shopping. The shopping experience is the same, but I got a little more involved in it this time. As when I first came to Bangkok, my husband and I forgot to bring substantial spending money that we survived the 4-day honeymoon out of God’s miraculous and Divine provision.

This time, I had some money with me and during the course of several trips to various shopping areas, got into the haggling with one of the Thai ladies in the floating market. I was trying to get this cool metal sculpture for my boss, and from a ridiculously expensive rate, I was trying to work my way to cutting it to half. I was expecting a back and forth of price bids, but then she cut me short when she said, “ah, this is last price I can give you, you know Filipin, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thai…all same-same. No more bargain long.” I gave a sigh of relief as normally in the Philippines, I’d cut right into, “let’s not waste time, give me the lowest you can afford”.

Now, that little experience struck me as when I returned to the Philippines, several incidents with people around me seemed to have made the “same-same” principle more relevant. And as I hear stories, complaints and analysis of several items, I found myself thinking “oh, same-same”.

It got me to catch a glimpse of where the Thai lady was probably coming from. She must have spent a lot of hours at the Floating Market spending (or more of wasting) minutes just trying to haggle costs. That she most likely figured out, “heck, can we start changing things and just get on to business. anyway, it’s the same-same thing over again”.

I say, “let’s do it sister!” Problems at work — SAME-SAME, most likely it involves a lot of shortcut steps or not having that much passion. Some people are thinking of resigning because they feel there is something better for them out there — well you know guys, unless you check yourself and decide, it will be pretty much “same-same” for you. Relationship problems —oh, same-same. Break-ups because of distances or betrayal…well you see guys, unless you decide work it out with someone definite and put up with that person, it will be pretty much “same-same” for you.

A friend of mine laughs at me when I reply “same-same” to her, but you see, I love that Thai lady as she gave me something to remind me to reflect things with. Do I go for “same-same” or do some “change-ing”?

This made me think about the world in general. Managers and even CEOs are becoming younger everyday. It can be attributed to technology or the openness of the world to knowledge and possibilities, but in the end, the world will definitely become a very competitive one.

I use to hear that as the end times come near, stress would most likely be the top cause of death amongst people. For quite some time I wondered how this could possibly be. Sadly, the past few days has shown me how it could. Older generation who are supposed to be enjoying their lives are still grappling for recognition and achievement. And since it is not within their generation anymore, they resort to the techniques of older days — step on some people and power play.

I think this has come to pass. It is so old school. Nowadays, you show your worth by making a difference. You show your value by keeping to principles and giving meaning to yourself. Change-movers are the ones who make it big, not those who try to keep to the times that is no longer theirs.

Heck, I work everyday just to have fun and to hopefully make a difference. The pay comes as bonuses. Sadly, there are still people around who think otherwise — thinking their value depends on the number of digits on that atm receipt.

I say to the young, as early as now learn that when you work for the benefit of others, that when and where the rewards come in. Enjoy life, it is too short. And treasures are not in money — they are in how you spend your days, your God-given breath of life and who you spend them with.

I don’t have a fat bank account, but I am rich. I have parents who taught me well, brothers who respect me, a husband who loves me so much, two sons who shower me with love and friends who surround me with sincerity and truth. Most of all, I have a God who gives to me the abundance according to Him.

I hope the rest can see the same in their lives. Blessings!