No Shortcuts

My fragile body thanks old able-bodied me for working hard. At least I am not a burden to anyone financially. I knew since I was 18 years old that I would eventually require heart surgery. We just didn't know when and how. Back then I had no idea how I'd fund heart surgery. My parents made some sacrifices just in case I really needed it. 

Luckily, I didn't need it at that time and the money my parents saved went to their needs. Since then I worked really hard. I studied hard and got an MBA so I could have better employment prospects. Tried also being an entrepreneur, but as an orgdev expert assessed, I'm better off as a consultant. 

I worked my way up and made sure that I kept learning from all the jobs I took. I knew what I wanted to do after I finished my MBA and took pains to find jobs that where I could learn new skills. I hopped from one job to another until I found the one and stayed there for 15 years until my body broke down. 

By the time I had heart surgery 12 years ago, I made it a point to save. I didn't want anyone burdened with my health issues. I made sure we lived within our means. Hardwork does pay off as long as you manage things well. Just don't overdo it like I did! 

I just had this thought about working hard today because of what's happening in our country. I see all these government official, engineers, big contractors who had really good opportunities. Very few reach those positions where they could serve a lot and make lives better. Keep your values and principles intact. And pray. 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Forgiveness is No Substitute for Justice

We went around our neighborhood to spin somme Pokestops earlier. We usually go around the park since there are a number of Pokestops in the area.  We usually stop and park where the stops are reachable and I saw a gate that had a message on the gate -

The house looked like it was being renovated. It probably had building materials inside, but no one was there to keep the place secure. Well, that was the main reason why we lived in a condo for a long time. We traveled a lot and could just easily lock up our place and leave. We decided to move to a house mainly because of the pandemic. We felt it would be safer for us to live in a detached house, plus we rarely go out nowadays. 

Stealing IS a mortal sin. Last night I watched a video on PTSD. The doctor explained that PTSD is caused by experiences that are usually disastrous and something very hard to comprehend. It is that inability to deal with the matter that triggers the stress. It happens because the event is something that does not adhere to your values or what is normal. 

The past few weeks have been very difficult for me. I told Sweetie last night that May 9 triggered my PTSD. I was already able to manage other issues, but May 9 was just really incomprehensible for me. I've been avoiding watching and reading the news because it stresses me out. When I get stressed, I get sick. Sweetie told me maybe I could train myself again so I could cope better. 

That made me get to the bottom of why its triggering my PTSD. Stealing is a mortal sin. It is one of the ten commandments and certainly an important value for me. Managing the issue of my Mom's helper and May 9 stems from the same belief that's been attacked. I think we can all agree that it is a painful experience when someone steals from you. It's been incomprehensible for me since it was done by a person we trusted for many years. And the circumstances surrounding May 9 is also incomprehensible. 

"Forgiveness is no substitute for justice." - Pope Benedict XVI

Outrage is what I feel. I am angry and that's why I am stressed. I cannot just let it go as someone suggested. There is so much more than being stolen from. It happened in my home which is our safe place. To help Mom move forward I hired professional cleaners, got Fr. Rene to bless our home again and I had everything they left physically removed from inside the house. That helped remove the bad vibes at home, but how does one remove six years of bad vibes we're stuck with? 

#BeKind #StaySafe

Happy Two's Day!

2-22-2022!

Two's day on a Tuesday! 

I found a trick to make me fall asleep faster. I read a chapter of a book. I've been having trouble sleeping and it takes me hours to finally fall asleep. Reading helped! Before drifting off to sleep I remembered one of the most important lessons my Dad taught me about values. 

I was previously stuck in a bad relationship. On the outside it seemed all good, but it came to a point where we just kept disagreeing about everything. One day my Dad sat down with me in the kitchen to tell me he did not approve of the relationship. He was worried it will end in a disaster because our values was very different. At that time I was already questioning myself whether staying in the relationship was worth it. 

I cried and cried and cried, but I realized what my Dad said was true. Our disagreements stemmed from our value differences. I was tired and unhappy and for my sanity I let it go. Having the same values with your partner is very important. It can make and break your relationship. My Mom explained if your values are different even the smallest things will bother you. It will eat you up and eventually break you. 

It took me years to heal and when I got around to dating again I treated it differently. Eventually I met Sweetie and the rest is history. So if you're stuck in a bad relationship, assess whether it's because you have very different values. It may save you from a lifetime of pain. 

And that applies as well to your choice of candidate. Make sure you choose wisely. :)

Rest in peace my thesis mentor, Ms. Cherry. We were her first gold thesis awardee. Will miss you. 

#BeKind #StayHome #VoteWisely