Lessons from my Post-Grad Experiences

March 21, 2013 By 3 Comments
Twitt

hannah3

Photo of Hannah Young

 

Dear readers,

 

Did you know that over the past three weeks, now on its fourth, I have been keeping roaming streets and keeping my eyes and mind wide awake till the wee hours of the morning, trying to finish my research paper for the Masteral program?

 

That will elicit a wow, I guess, from readers who’d first be impressed by the achievement ahead. But you know what, this course has led me to experience sleepless nights, frustrations and discouragement, and many downfalls (not to mention when the computer corrupted an edited file).

 

Today, the task isn’t finished but I decide to rest a while. I suddenly missed my children who I haven’t hugged and told stories with for some days. I suddenly want to fall in love more deeply with my husband, who I haven’t kissed for some time. I suddenly come across that thought, that the greatest accomplishment I could ever claim that makes me truly happy, is to be with my family, and embrace them close.

 

Yes, sometimes we come to embracing things that will lead us to some sort of success; we have to. But success is right with us- our loved ones, them who complete our triumphs because they are our greatest rewards, without having to try so hard.

 

Today, I put off my paper works and decide to be happy. I thank God for all the lessons behind the thesis work but especially, for the perfect timing. Today is my son’s birthday, and I will be happily celebrating it with them along with the thanksgiving that my graduation for the Masters program is not too far away.

 

I hope this can leave some bits of inspiration to us all. Happy AMS Daily!

 

Thanking God for making all things possible,
Buena

 

Editor’s Note: We wish Buenaflor Laoang all the success as she pursues her Master’s Degree program. I understand the challenges and also the sacrifices that come with it. I’ve been there, done that. It took me three years to get mine done while having a full-time job and raising a very young child before. But it was all worth it. To you, Manang Buenaflor Laoang – keep up the work. You will get there!

 

 

Buenaflor Laoang-Rosete is a mother, freelance writer and a researcher based in Tarlac, Philippines. She writes her thoughts on her website Fragrant Lives. You can contact her via email at buenalaoang@yahoo.com, facebook, or subscribe to her blog.

Filed Under: Daily Inspiration, Wednesdays with Buena Tagged With: , , , ,

Buena Laoang February

February 15, 2013 By 3 Comments
Twitt

hannah2

Photo of Hannah Young

 

By Buenaflor Laoang-Rosete

 

Happy Hearts Day this love month, AMSdaily fans!

I feel blessed to be posting for this blog today, as I come to remember beautiful life details every time February 14 comes! But, for a brief love note- reserving to you the chance to write up your own love letter after reading- here’s my Valentine testimony for all of you! May you be filled with so much love!

 

February 14, 2013

My dear friend,

            I’ve been telling this story for years now..but the excitement to share it has multiplied over and over! If you haven’t heard of it, I am happy to let you know!

            One dark February 14 several years ago, I was ready to kill myself. The world had become too dark and lonely.. there was no love, only emptiness. My soul thirsted, that I felt I was ready for goodbye. And as in a final song, I cried to the Lord, “I’m on my way…you shall not bear with me again.. won’t you embrace me today?”

            And yes, for a heart that sincerely asked, He did. He embraced me and I felt it.

            My friend, how are you today? Are you there excited to meet with your date? Are you on the train, or in your car, listening to love songs- just trying to forget… You miss someone, figuring out whether to go see that person or not? Do you need to forgive, or do you think you want forgiveness and be free?

            Why not try it? Whoever it is, ask to be embraced.

            I hope you well! And a happy Valentine!

Love love love,

Buena

 

 

Buenaflor Laoang-Rosete is a mother, freelance writer and a public administrator based in Tarlac, Philippines. She writes her thoughts on her website Fragrant Lives. You can contact her via email at buenalaoang@yahoo.com, facebook, or subscribe to her blog.

Filed Under: Daily Inspiration, Wednesdays with Buena Tagged With: , ,

Strive to be Gentle

December 27, 2012 By 4 Comments
Twitt

Photo of Ria G. Rombaoa

By Buena Laoang

 

Last night, the mother in me cried.
My youngest was having a hard cough, and crying in bed, I was trying to pacify her. My eldest, who saw the pillow her sister was using, pulled the pillow away, declaring “That’s mine!”
I cried, more than my youngest. Something inside me was hit by my eldest’s behavior at that moment. Scolding her in between tears, I was brought to make her see how blessed she is that when she was younger and still an only child, she’d been pampered and has been taken care of every minute. Why is she being harsh to her youngest sibling, who had to deal with divided attention and actually has been her and little brother’s “eager,  always present servant”?
Then today, I thought of people- like bosses in the workplace, or wives like me, or friends who think twice at returning calls or favors. Has anyone also observed somebody who is harsh other than how he or she should act? Like the boss who complains about unfinished assigned tasks- how much portion of his salary was because of simply assigning the work to other people? Or the wife (me not exempted!) who gets mad about the absence of her husband for a while, and does not ponder how long he had been there working for and supporting the family? That friend who shows pouted lips when asked a favor- while too many times she had run to you for something…

 

Why the harsh behavior? Why the selfishness? Don’t we see all the blessings that surround us?

Have we forgotten to appreciate? Especially these people, who serve us.. who make our lives lighter and more bearable for us. We neglect to see that truth.
You see, it’s natural when we were children. But now we are grown-ups, we should clearly see the difference, and strive to be gentler.

 

Filed Under: Daily Inspiration, Photo of Ria Rombaoa, Wednesdays with Buena Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Arrogance

December 5, 2012 By 2 Comments
Twitt

 

Photo from Ninjakimal

 

 

By Buena Laoang

 

 

Let us talk about something today, that may affect in getting our new year’s resolutions ready, or at least our plans for a new us.

 

Maybe at one point in life, we have been (or present tense, ARE) attacked by it:

 

 

 

A s if we are right, and the other person is wrong

 

R anting,

 

R ecounting

 

O ver and over again, things that make us seem

 

G reat, a good judge, over anything under the sun.

 

A n attitude of the mind, of the heart, i am most bothered about

 

N ot a very cool thing, for any age, I should say.

 

C an we change it? (you are undecided.because sometimes arrogance make us feel good. but in a bad light.)

 

E nd someone like more and truly beautiful today. End arrogance.

 

Arrogance is bitter. Better be sweeter.

 

 

 


Filed Under: Daily Inspiration, Wednesdays with Buena Tagged With: , , , , ,

Who has a Pure Heart?

November 28, 2012 By 4 Comments
Twitt

Photo of Ria G. Rombaoa

By Buena Laoang

 

Few people find time to read. Few reflect and very few want to think over matters that do not directly affect their physical and material well-being.

 

Many times we become too consumed with the things before us, that we neglect to see behind these things, we neglect to evaluate their probable impact to us, or to other people.

 

Like the mom who rushed to office-because she needed to be on time at work; she did not see the the pathetic effect of it on her child, how the little one would have felt..how the baby carer would find it very hard to pacify the child…

 

Before saying it, think about it. Before acting it, first reason on it. In everything be conscious and use the godly intellect that heaven has bestowed us. That will lessen apologies, that will avoid troubles and make things right.

 

Only a heart that is pure can be able to go and do, without too many considerations. Because it knows about what it carries.

 

The mom who goes to office, if she will kindle purity of heart, would know that she has to wake up much too early, to be able to leave ample hugs and kisses to her child, an assurance that she will be back and the motherly love stays, even in the while she is a distance away.

 

But when we become too busy, we neglect on these things.

 

We have to strive cultivating a pure heart. “A pure heart, that’s what I long for,” as a Christian song says… “A heart that follows hard after Thee.”

 

Who has a pure heart? The heart that is open to speak to God at night and tell everything. The heart that seeks only to glorify God and forget about itself and is ready to tell truth anytime. The heart that if it has to admit overlooked faults or misgivings, will be very ready to say “I am sorry Lord… please help me up.. purify my heart.”

 

(Yes, Lord…I love you for this second discourse. Purify the intention to share the wisdom that comes from having a personal relationship with you. Amen.)

 

About the Author: Buenaflor Laoang-Rosete finished Creative Writing from the University of the Philippines Diliman, and an awardee of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts Philippines in 2001. She is a mother, public servant, teacher. Her Lifenotes tell of a “once-a-wretch-now-fully-blest” life story, inspiring the advocacy of living simply, fragrantly and richly. She is a Filipino and is happy to be one.

Filed Under: Daily Inspiration, Photo of Ria Rombaoa, Wednesdays with Buena Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,