THE WRITING OF FEAR
 Ronel L. Alijado
(LORD AND GOD JESUS, HAVE MERCY ON US!)

 Fear is good or bad. It is bad when it controls us because of lack of faith in God. We do not trust His power which can do all possibilities. Then, there is a kind of fear that is not healthy to the mind, the heart, the body, and the soul. This is caused by sins which separate us from God the father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, fear can be good when we do not go against the Holy will of Jesus, our God, because we honor and love Him with all our heart, mind, and spirit. We believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. If we obey His divine commandments, we will not fall onto destruction or hell. Instead, we have true love, peace, and life.

 Many of us do not trust ourselves. Worse, we do not believe that Jesus provides in all situations. We quit because we doubt our talents and blessings that they are not enough to face all types of situations. We just think of ourselves. We forget that Jesus guides, protects, enlightens, and blesses us. We fear because we are selfish. We do not sacrifice for the love for others and for God. We should not let this thing happen. All of us must be patient, strong, brave, and optimistic that we can do it with divine assistance. Let us not forget that Jesus saves!

 Another reason we get afraid is sin. Sin has consequences. It disturbs the mind and affects the heart, the body, and the soul. The soul is dying particularly when it carries innumerable sins. They are heavy for the soul. Though the mind, the heart, and the rest of the body continue to function, it seems life does not exist. We cannot see green leaves, colorful flowers, white clouds, majestic mountains though they are all right before us. We cannot listen to laughters and the great sounds of animals though we are near them. We cannot taste the delicious flavors of food though they are in our mouth. Sins deprive us of our vital senses which give us life. We are the living dead. We dwell in loneliness,
in darkness, in pain, and in fear.

 To live means to be with Christ - Our God. We must know Him. We read The Bible. We attend the Holy Mass daily. We pray the rosary everyday. We offer novena prayers. We join church organizations and activities. We follow the Ten Commandments and His moral principles. His Holy Word becomes our living guide. We must practice acts of purity, kindness, respect, care, and love. Our fear in Him is helpful because it helps us discover the genuine understanding about life. We do not sin because we are scared to lose Him who is our life, our Lord, and our God who stays always
with us to grant us salvation here on Earth and in the next life He promises.

 Indeed, Jesus is God!

Life's Rejections and Your Acceptance

                                                 Life's Rejections and Your Acceptance

Accepting your life - all its good and bad experiences - is a way to learn great lessons to grow and to make other people and yourself truly happy. If you have a pessimist view, you will surely have a frustrating and miserable existence. Why? The reason is that you constantly search for things you do not have day and night. It does not mean to dream - to improve oneself -  is bad, but without realism is not.This craving disrupts you to face your tasks (responsibilities and duties) and to enjoy wonderful things, events, and people. You become absent in this world because you are in a prison of desires that give you discomfort, discontentment, and unhappiness. You will fail to touch the lives of many and to love those who love you. You live for yourself only. You become selfish, cruel, and worst evil to attain material things  you wish for yourself. You become a different character. You are not a real actor. You are full of pretense. Get rid of that ugly mask. Embrace your life. Live!

You must value whatever you have and whoever you are. Appreciate those simple things that matter most. The enumeration of those starts from the food you eat to an old man along the street who smiles at you. Please think of your family too ( It even includes those you have no blood relation, but they do care and love you). Always believe that there is Something or Someone higher than us, who showers these blessings. It is just faith. Be thankful of your life.

If life brings you to a place you like or do not like, or it puts you on a situation you dream or abhor, just deal with it. Use it as a learning opportunity. Face the fact that pains can be part of living. You can be a victim or a victor. It depends on how you see these happenings surrounding your life. It takes a strong personality and an intelligent mind to embrace losses. But have the confidence that you will rise from these falls. You will succeed. One day you will celebrate. And when there is a chance, be proud and happy of your accomplishments.

In every successful story, share it with your family, relatives, friends, and others. Help those who are in need. You may give a piece of bread to a beggar, clothes to a naked child, shelter to an old woman, education to a poor girl or boy, yourself to the unloved. You do not only breathe for yourself. You live for many. You can be a light to every dark corner, and every person that you make to smile or laugh will be your candle to guide, to inspire, and to enlighten you. Just imagine if you touch thousands or millions of people! It will be a bright and beautiful world for them and for you. Your world becomes not your competitor nor your enemy but a friend whom you think and feel who will never abandon you.

Meanwhile, your negative thoughts fade away, and they are changed by positive ones. You do not look at challenges as life's rejections, but your acceptance of all events of your life provide you with different lens. What you discover is not misery but mystery - that makes you deeply think of the meaning and significance of all your experiences. Once you break the cell with courage, bravery, self-esteem, and strength, the unfolding of their purpose will take place. You will be the best person you can be. At the end, you proudly say to yourself, "I must accept my life, and grow! I can be happy! I am happy!"

Strengthening Friendship and Unity through Social Activities

Strengthening Friendship and Unity through Social Activities
by: Ronel L. Alijado

          What is friendship? What is unity? How and why do we strengthen friendship and unity? These are the very big questions that need explanations and discussions to comprehend the theme of this occasion and of the celebration of the month of love. The theme this year is “Strengthening Friendship and Unity through Social Activities.”

            Friendship has different connotations to different people. But the diversity of perspectives of the concept can discover the same ground where good values grow.  Tensions, conflicts, and divisions like “bugs” that kill plants cannot thrive there, for their roots cling to values, and these fertilize them to become tall and sturdy trees that their branches bear fruits of love, responsibility, and respect.

             

            We hope that our homes, schools, neighborhoods, and nations are built on the same good grounds where we love, respect, and work. However, in many places and situations, there are people who sow seeds of hate, discrimination, selfishness, and discord that result to human sufferings.

            Unity is one of the world’s scarcities. There are people in protests.   There are nations at war. These events are caused by lack of privileges and by violation of rights of millions of people all over the world because only the rich and the powerful enjoy those by unjust, unfair, corrupt, and evil means.

           

            These malpractices destroy friendship and unity. Unless we kill the “bugs” of societies, the world will remain in great trouble. We will continue to see hungry, bare, homeless, unemployed, abused individuals. The struggle for emancipation from these painful realities continues.

           

            Every person must have a house. Every person must receive education.  Every person must have a job. Every person must enjoy those rights.

                        We can stop human miseries through social activities that provide opportunities to families. Housing, educational, livelihood, and other civic programs of government and nongovernment organizations can change lives. These projects will need the assistance of people who will share their resources: money, knowledge, talent, skill, time, energy, and love.

                        A house for a family becomes the beginning for realizing dreams. Education gives intelligence that turns to powers to improve people’s living. Livelihood supports the needs of a family.

                        But these are the numerical facts: 22.8 million Filipinos live in slums according to Homeless International; 27% of world population or 1, 890, 000, 000 are illiterate based on the report of World Statistics Institute; more than 57 million children do not have access to primary education; Nigeria first in the list has 10.5 million out-of-school children, and Philippines fifth in the rank has 1.5 million by a recent report of UNESCO’s Institute for Statistics; 7.3% is the Philippine jobless rate in 2013, up from 7% of 2012 despite economic expansion by National Statistics Office; 6.1% is the forecast of world unemployment in 2014 from 6% in 2013, and will stay well above 5.5% for several years.  

                       

                        If people continue to experience the effects of misguided governance and insensitive society, doubt and hatred remain in the hearts of men. These are barriers to friendship and unity. The world stays divided. People will not end the fight for equality, fairness, justice, and happiness. They will continue to demand better living conditions. Friendship and unity will remain dreams of every people and every nation. With that, strengthening friendship and unity through social activities is necessary.