ONE STATEMENT, JULY 1-31, 2025
"Through all our difficulties and deprivations, we can
trust that our Heavenly Father cares, enough to provide, more than enough to
give strength and wisdom."
A true Josenian is a disciplined person, a good and
responsible citizen, humble, ethical, diligent, and sincere...
"High school makes us learn and know who we truly
are...
College disciplines us, trains us in good work ethic, and
makes us better citizens and individuals."
"Our gifts are meant to uplift, not to burden."
"Sad and desolate is the soul that doesn't have SomeOne
to pray to; their being self-reliant might be their own undoing, or a cause of
a mental health breakdown. But happy and content is the soul who has SomeOne to
call on in times of joy and distress; because they have learned that we are all
transients in life, that virtually nothing is within our control, and if we
entrust them all to our Heavenly Father, then we would have become one with the
rest of creation, who are not bothered by what comes tomorrow, because they
know that there will always be provision.
And when the time comes when everything fails, or comes to a
standstill, or even when physical life is ended and we take our last breath, we
know to whom our spirits will return--the One who gave it, the One who ordained
everything it goes through, and the One who will ultimately bring it all to
rest in peace."
One thing I learned from my late academic coach, beloved
teacher, and teaching mentor, Sir RYD, is to:
"NEVER TEACH YOUR STUDENTS THE WAY YOU WERE
TAUGHT"
Seems about right, especially since some of my former
teachers were on all places between the "Uplifter and Eliminator"
spectrum.
And in a difficult but painful way, I realized it applies to
work too:
"THOSE WHO WORK FOR YOU AND WITH YOU ARE IN IT FOR THE
PAY, THE CAREER ADVANCEMENT, THE PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. THEY ARE NOT FRATERNITY
OR SORORITY NEOPHYTES TO BE SUBJECTED TO HARASSMENT AND HAZING, AS THEIR
INITIATION, AND FOR THEM TO GET AHEAD.
IF WE WANT TO SUCCEED IN LIFE, AS A TEAM, AND PRODUCE A
SUCCEEDING GENERATION THAT IS BETTER THAN US, AND THAT MAKES THE WORLD A BETTER
PLACE, WE NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION, WE NEED TO BUILD UP, WE NEED TO DEMONSTRATE
COACHING, MENTORSHIP, LOVE AND UNDERSTANDING."
(And I wish I could have done my best in that aspect too.)
#SomethingToThinkAboutADayBeforeTheShortestDayOfTheYear
"Scientists have been discovering that math geniuses
are also good musicians, or at least music enthusiasts, learning that the same
brain regions triggered in playing musical instruments, or listening to good
music, are the ones exercised in analyzing and solving math problems. Indeed,
if math is the universal language of life and creation, so it seems music is
the universal language of the soul. This goes in saying, that for one to have a
well-rounded, balanced, happy and successful life, risen above the world's base
desires and concerns, is to appreciate music that uplifts, relaxes, fills the
soul, and calms the spirit. Thank God for the music, thank God for the
mathematics too."
"It can't be stressed enough: we have to be careful
what we wish for, because it might come true. Likewise in prayer, whatever we
ask for in faith, almost always gets granted in the right time. But for those
that were not, maybe they are reserved for another time, or we are meant to
receive something else that's definitely better. And to know that our Savior
once prayed for us too, for deliverance and safety, just like He did for His
apostles, should be more than enough to inspire and give us courage. May we
never cease praying, in all situations, as we face our daily challenges and our
characters get built up in return."
"Trying to understand and get wisdom on things our own
way is difficult, for there are many things beyond our understanding and
control. But seeing life through the backdrop of our Heavenly Father's plan,
and the safety of being held in His mighty hand, makes some of the most painful
and challenging things acceptable. For we can believe, be confident, remain
humble and peaceful; that in our faith and obedience something good will
happen, we can learn to appreciate other people's potentials and situations, and
respect them for it. And we can have courage that wherever life takes us next,
the same guidance and provision, protection and care will see us through."
"Some run races for health and all kinds of goals and
causes. But life's greatest race calls for wisdom, patience, courage, justice
and fairness, honesty, generosity, prudence, simplicity and modesty, humility
and perseverance."
"Each of us are blessed with talents unique and
special, which we either are born with, or are given time to discover and
develop. And they are not meant solely for entertainment, but to make life
better for us and others too. May we learn to be grateful for what we have,
humble with what we can contribute, and courageous enough to give and go beyond
to that extra mile. For indeed, 'to those who are given much, much is
demanded.'"
"Many people hate the idea of sin, not because they
hate it per se, but because they like to think they are doing right, acting on
their own convictions. But if what we are doing and achieving comes at the
expense of other people's dignity and rights, or deprives them of that which
they should rightfully enjoy in peace, we still are not doing right. Like,
teasing or joking, commenting or retorting when the other person is not
comfortable, feels misunderstood or it hurts their sensibilities, is not a
light matter, but bullying and harassment, a crime against humanity's moral
codes of conduct, respectful and good manners, and humane behavior, and a form
of psychological abuse. So, yes, we may not like to call sin as it is, but if
it damages another person's psyche, their emotional and mental health, it is an
affront to the beautiful life our Creator has bestowed on us, a demeaning and
diminution of the harmony He has endowed nature with. May we be circumspect,
tactful, and mindful of the effect our words and choice of vocabularies, our
actions and inactions, have on others and on our future too."
"Some people discredit God's role in their lives, while
also discrediting faith in others, thinking that with all the suffering the
world is experiencing right now, maybe He is not there, or He is not real and
true. But we must not forget that when our first parents chose knowledge, it
came with responsibilities: the reason we are suffering now is because of our
own doings, the calamities we experience are part of nature's call, much of our
sickness and disease either from lifestyle or life's natural course. And so we
cannot say just because God is not indulging us every time we suffer or are
just even inconvenienced by the circumstances, He is not true, or believing in
or praying to Him is hypocritical. The finger we point outside leaves us with
four pointing at ourselves: are we honest and sincere in dealing with others?
Don't we have inflated egos at our own capabilities? Were the wealth,
education, status and degrees we have gained not through stepping on others, or
demeaning them, or taken away from those who rightfully should have them? Do we
see other people, of whatever age, gender, nationality, intellectual ability
and economic status as equals, not as dispensable creatures whom we disregard
when they can bring us no more favors? Unfortunately for those who believe
themselves self-made, deluding themselves by believing in their own capacities
and discrediting the help and support they get from the people God sends their
way, God is always there--a source of strength for the weary, a source of wisdom
for the confused, a source of hope for the oppressed, the Ultimate Judge giving
justice to those who have been trodden under, the true light and guide to those
who trust and patiently endure."
"It's an accepted fact by many social and behavioral
experts: prayer does wonders for people's personalities and mental health.
Indeed, the prayerful person is a hopeful person, believing that something good
always comes out in difficult and challenging situations, trusting that there
will always be a way to meet a need, to understand and hurdle any obstacle, and
remaining sane and whole through life's most defining moments. And may we not
waste such hope by keeping faith in the One who created us and planned for our
lives, causing us to be here, imbuing us with wisdom to find our purpose, and
love to make a good and significant impact in the World. May we always pray,
hope, trust, and obey."
"The hope and promise of the afterlife fuel the faith
of many, and rightly so. Without believing in eternal consequences, everybody
would just do whatever they want, even the most evil and cruel, with impunity.
Sadly, many indeed do the latter, dismissing outright that an Eternal Judge
awaits, or believing that with a few tears and oral professions of conviction
and reform in the future, their horrible acts now can be forgiven. But to their
victims, the scars of oppression and abuse remain alive forever, also a forever
incense of prayer calling out for justice. May each word we speak and every
step we take today be done in wisdom and love, prioritizing what's good for
all, courageously done to uphold truth, justice and right. That in the years to
come, even in the life beyond, we would have no fear where we will ultimately
be destined, for we know, it will just be right so."
"Our upbringing always shows... And it's not referring
to inter-generational wealth, nor to social class or the professions our
relatives and ancestors hold: but the ethics and values we grew up with, the
good habits and manners, the talents and skills ingrained in our system, that
determines the quality of our person. For wealth can be gained, some in honest
effort, many out of oppression and abuse toward others, and lost as easily.
Degrees and honors can be achieved--many in diligence and humility, but many
also paid out in favors or bribes, in favoritism and nepotism, in corruption
and graft. But growing up honest and humane, with respect for all people and
nature, with understanding and empathy toward others, and with quiet confidence
in our worth and capability, are something that come from being built up to be
the kind of person who can be depended on to keep the faith, one who can
courageously face life's challenges with peace, calmness, and resolution, to
continue living honestly and diligently."
"Evil and cruel misogynistic people throughout
millennia have used this passage to demean and abuse women and treat them as
objects, something less than human, while losing the eternal lesson: whatever
choice we make brings eternal consequences. She chose knowledge and freedom, at
the expense of being banished from a sheltered garden and a comfort zone of
existence, to exploring the rest of creation in all its beauty and ugliness,
working through tears and sorrow, suffering through life by bringing it out and
up, and all the time, holding the short end of the stick. For as she is
demeaned and objectified, the man does not escape responsibility too: his
gullibility and lack of courage and initiative is the curse of
modern-humanity's failures, which we now are experiencing in the forms of lack
of accountability, corruption and greed, blame-gaming and even body-shaming --
manifestations of the one half of humanity who didn't live up to their
God-ordained stewardship role. Yes, the woman disobeyed, but she brought forth
the Redeemer in the flesh forty-plus generations later. May we too make sure
that our future generations become better than us, by facing our challenges and
setbacks headon, while keeping faith, hope, and love alive."
"Being ready is an attitude - - believing that whatever
happens was already part of our Heavenly Father's greater plan, and matching
each moment with calmness and peace, as we give our best in whatever task we
are assigned, or situation we find ourselves in. While we may experience
setbacks and downturns, instead of discouraging us, may they instead serve as
little downtimes to relieve some of the stress of trying to live right and well
in a harsh and cruel world. May our Father's mercy and love give us courage and
inspiration, the oil to our flickering little lamps of faith."
"In life, we often lose things, both valuable and
trivial. But what we shouldn't lose as we age are hope and confidence - -
because we know and are dedicated to the cause of the One who called us. And at
all times He will be there, to guide and provide, to give healing and
deliverance, to send people our way to support our journey, and to give
validation to our efforts that give glory to His Name, and that makes this
world and this life better for all."
"There might be setbacks and breakdowns from time to
time, but as we age, we learn that everyday something in us gets better, and
every choice we made, all the challenges and difficulties we managed somehow to
pass were all worth it."
"It's easy to say we have faith, but difficult to prove
unless people see it in what we do. It's easy to claim we are strong and
secured, but that proclamation crumbles down when we strive so hard to earn our
way up and ahead of everyone else, even stepping on them or over. For the one
who truly believes that the Father provides and guides, protects and fights for
them, will always keep their heart in peace."
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