"CHANGE"

NEW YEAR NEW ME

                 In our life, everyday is an experience.  While I was sitting at the corridor, I thought of the coming year and what I have done in year 2014 to improve myself mentally and physically.  This doesn’t mean that I have to change the good attitudes that I have but to improve for the best.  As I thought about the meaning of life, I realized there was nothing more meaningful than to pursue a life of development and betterment. It is through improving ourselves that we get the most out of life.

          One of the things that I will improve is to read more books instead of playing computer games. This will utilize my extra time of learning more and improving my mental knowledge.  Books are concentrated sources of wisdom.  The more books you read the more wisdom you expose yourself.  In these days upgraded technology, I can also surf in the internet to acquire better ideas which can enrich myself with more information.

          Aside from the things to boost my mental ability, I will also do something to become more healthy, thus improving my physical body.  Basketball and volleyball are good sports.  I’m going to have at least an hour every week playing at the court.  This will improve my movement ability and mind relaxation.  Moreover, I’ll make sure that I eat good food on time and doesn’t skip meal. Talking about food, I would love also to learn on how to cook and prepare my own menu.  That’s interesting.

          What else?  To keep on smiling and be stronger in life’s challenges. 

          I realize that there is never an end to the journey of self improvement. The more I grow, the more I realize there is so much out there I don’t know, so much that I have to learn. For sure, there is always something about ourselves we can improve on. The human potential is limitless, so it’s impossible to reach a point of no growth. Whenever we think we are good, we can be even better.

          Above all, I will continue to reach my dreams and achieve my goals in life with the help of our Dear Lord.  

"True Nature of XMas"

ESSENCE OF CHRISTMAS

It's that time of the year. December has come and with it all the joys of Christmas. But what is the real meaning of Christmas? Is it the gifts under the tree, the lights in the windows, the cards in the mail, greetings in facebook, Noche Buena with family and friends, socks hanging in the doors, and shouts of "Merry Christmas" to those who pass us in the streets? Is this really the essence of Christmas?

For many people, Christmas is a time of sorrow. They don't have the extra money to buy presents for their children, family, and friends. Ham and Keso de Bola in noche buena may only be a wish and not a reality for some.  Many are saddened during Christmastime when they think of their loved ones who will not be able to come home for various reasons.

Yet, Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. You see, Christmas is when we celebrate the birth of the Christ child. God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world to be born. His birth brought great joy to the world. Christmas is a time to renew bonds of love. It's a wonderful time when loved ones can show appreciation for each other. It's also a great time to use that love to build bridges of understanding, acceptance, and forgiveness.

Hate no one, no matter how much they’ve wronged you. Live humbly, no matter how wealthy you become.  Think positively, no matter how hard life is.  Give much, even if you’ve been given little. Keep in touch with the ones who are far from you and do not stop praying for the best for those you love.

Look at Christmas in a new way this year. This is the year to invite Jesus into your heart. You will then have a "Merry Christmas." The joy and peace you will receive will last all year as you look to God for all your needs to be met.  We can truly be happy at Christmas! No matter what may be happening, we can know that we are His children. We then become sons and daughters of God.

Christmas is best enjoyed when it isn't centered on decorations, gifts, or festivities, but when love is at its core. It is a time to see the world through the eyes of love.  Love is the essence of Christmas.

"Harmony Shall Return"

CLIMATE CHANGE

              Global warming has really taken effect in the world over the past few years, decades or even centuries. Nowadays climate change is the biggest problem of the human being. It is already happening and represents one of the greatest environmental, social and economic threats facing the planet.

The climate can affect every person and our health directly through increases in temperature. Such increases may lead to more extreme heat waves during the summer while producing less extreme cold spells during the winter.  Changes in the climate can lead to significant changes in agricultural industries. This can lead to good farmland becoming deserts, make it too hot for some crops to grow or let pests and diseases thrive. As a result some countries can suffer bad economic conditions and people will have to move.

Another huge problem is that the sea levels are rising worldwide. Also the expansion of ocean water is caused by warmer ocean temperatures. Mountain glaciers and small ice caps are melting. The temperature is rising which means that ice is melting faster and faster.

However, these are not the only problems. People have been trying to reduce them but the problem is still topical and I think we have to do something like ride a bike not a car in going to work or school. We also may choose a clean-burning fuel, which reduces ozone-forming pollutants and buy a car that produces fewer emissions or runs using an alternative fuel. The taxes of cars should be higher and most of the people will prefer to use the public transport and we will no longer have traffic jams and we will reduce the damaging emissions.

Homes, towns, cities, states, nations, and countries around the world are all addressing the issue of global climate change. Individuals are beginning to realize the importance of keeping our environment clean. Towns and cities are implementing new conservation programs, energy saving incentives, and many other environment-friendly initiatives. Countries around the world are cooperating together to improve the climate change situation as well. Together we are taking the initiative to improve our surrounding environment.

The climate is a very important thing and if we don’t stop the changes soon, more and more plants and trees are going to die, we won’t have enough food and then not only will the third world countries suffer from hunger but so will the whole world. I think it is better to first stop the changes in climate and then gradually reduce the hunger in the poor countries. Because if we stop the changes, we are going to be healthier and everything around us will be cleaner and it will be how it actually should be. I believe harmony between nature and human beings will return.