Last night, as I was putting the girls to sleep, Isabela asked me a question. “Mommy, when will the virus end?” Such a loaded question coming from a 4-year old. Some parents may feel obliged to protect their kids from trauma and thus withhold the truth from them. But my personal stand with my kids … Continue reading Parenting in the Time of a Pandemic
Tips on Practical Spirituality (Part 1)
Spirituality is having the belief that there is a power greater than oneself; that there are things outside one's control. It is living life in a deeper, more profound way, having a deep sense of life's 'truths'. Spirituality has been defined consistently by scientists as the search for or connection with “the sacred”. The Sacred … Continue reading Tips on Practical Spirituality (Part 1)
Relax Into Structure in Your Day
There’s something in many of us that resists structure — we want the freedom of not having to do something, of being able to just relax. There’s something to that: freedom and going through our day feeling open and relaxed is really nice! Unfortunately, that’s not actually how things usually go for most people. We rebel … Continue reading Relax Into Structure in Your Day
Hanapbuhay
The Filipino word for work is HANAPBUHAY. It is such a beautiful word because it captures what work is supposed to be in our culture. Work is not just about earning money, it is about finding life (hanap = to find + buhay = life). The word hanapbuhay reminds us that we should see work, … Continue reading Hanapbuhay
When Willpower is Trumped by Bad Habits
‘Conscience whispers, but interest screams aloud.’ ~J. Petit-Senn Have you ever set out to start a new habit or goal, but found your willpower lacking? Many new ventures are foiled by the morning email habit, for example — we want to exercise or write or meditate, but we can’t resist checking out email for just … Continue reading When Willpower is Trumped by Bad Habits
The Pause Upon Which All Else Relies
Originally posted in ZenHabits.Netby Leo Baubata There is one little habit I’ve learned that has changed everything else in my life. The pause. When we fail, it’s because we act on urges without thinking, without realizing it. We have the urge to eat junk, and we do it. We have the urge to check email … Continue reading The Pause Upon Which All Else Relies
The Son Who Stayed
I wrote a prayer from the perspective of the Prodigal Son in my previous post. This is a reflection from the perspective of the Elder Son, the one who stayed behind to be his father’s heir. What things in your life right now do you do only for the sake of responsibility? How has your … Continue reading The Son Who Stayed
Prayer of the Prodigal Son
This was something I wrote just before I left the Jesuits. It’s a very special poem for me, not only because of the things I went through when I was writing the poem, but because in many ways, it is something that continues to be true for me today. We journey through life thinking that … Continue reading Prayer of the Prodigal Son
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