Let the Sunshine In Newest Article Tin and Jess Wednesday, December 12, 2018

Comfort Zone

We all have that favorite spot, our very own personal space where we feel most comfortable at any given time and in any given day. This is probably the safest place we can run to and hide in whenever things don’t go our way. It is the safest place to stay or at least that’s how we think of it when in need of self convincing. 

It’s good to have that comfort zone, but don’t forget to make a note to yourself – discomfort and challenges too can help you discover more about yourself, learn more about your environment and help you see the opportunities that are hiding in plain sight.

Here and Now

When you feel you might have the courage to get yourself unstuck from the everyday routine and struggles, but the voice inside your head keeps screaming away with doubt and fear. What do you do then? Just make it simple. There’s no better place than here and no better time than now. 

The right time is always now. Make that decision and keep moving forward towards your future. Experience is the best teacher there is, learn from everything that comes your way. Don’t look back in the past with regret, instead, move forward and continue to learn from it.

Beneath the Shade

When the sun shines so bright it may sometimes burn your skin and the best place to be in is underneath the shade where it’s comfortable, convenient and safe. Try not to stay there for too long though because the moment you learn to endure is also when you learn the lessons of life and gain wisdom. 

So the next time you find things difficult, frustrating and even too painful to carry on just live on, take it one day at a time. You are stronger than you think. Let the sunshine in your heart and step outside your comfort zone. It’s time for you to wake up and live your dreams.

Life and its Little Pieces Tin and Jess Thursday, November 16, 2017

False Hopes

What is hope? In the end, hope keeps us alive, false ones or otherwise, it kept us going long enough to help us get through the tough parts in our story. I used to think I carry hope around like a thing in my pocket, but the best place to keep it and not lose it is in my heart. Carry it around like so along with all the other excess baggage of our past. There is always a better choice.

It’s ok to leave it all behind. Whoever it is, whatever it is that friends, family, or just people dump on you in order for them to feel better, leave it all along with everything and anything that will only drag you down. Choose yourself first; make things better for you, and only then can you live with a warmer heart to share. Have hope always too. It’s definitely something worth keeping even if it seems like all is lost at times.

Finding Your Element

Some may have it easy, they may know exactly where to go, they may know exactly what to do, and they may even have more guts than you and I. They may have that clear vision for how their lives should be or how they want their lives to turn out, and they may even have that lasting fire in their hearts that keep them going on and on and on. Should you cross paths with someone just like them, it’s ok to put some happiness in your heart for them.

If however, worry fills your heart still, try not to be. Worrying will not do anything good for you or your heart. There is no need for panic or for pointless comparison. Their life is theirs and yours is your own. Finding your element will come to you at the most opportune time. Trust in yourself and make that shift in attitude instead. Choose hope, choose happiness, choose curiosity, choose learning, and choose every little thing there is that will keep you moving forward towards a better life.

Some may have it tough, but remember this, so are you. Our strengths and courage may not show up right away, but they are there. Learn to muster it. Some may not have that clear pathway to how they should live life, and they may not know where to begin or what to do. Should you cross paths with someone just like them, it’s ok to lend a hand. You just might be the spring that pushes them forward to a great start.

Carry On

There is always a better choice and a simple one too. Just carry on and live life the way you see fit. It is our own after all. Some things we end up doing it right and some things we end up doing it wrong. It’s ok. There will always be right and wrong; good and bad; happy and sad, but there is also today and tomorrow. There will always be room for hope, happiness, courage, and strength among other things within our hearts. Whatever it is life brings to us, let us take it, let us make it, and carry on.

Impossible is Nothing Tin and Jess Saturday, September 30, 2017

Impossible is Nothing

When our curiosity sparks, so does our interests, our creativity, and our dreams that we begin to create one goal after another and that’s what makes our desires rage on to reaching for the stars no matter what. It is when we persist and choose to disregard whatever blocks our way towards that vision. But when our mind is not open to change, we tend to resist, and so the opportunities that are right in front of our eyes become irrelevant, as if they are invisible. When we persist everything becomes easy, but when we resist everything becomes difficult.

Life is Here and Now

We all have a choice, we choose to see what we want, and at times, we choose to simply look away and pretend to not see the reality happening in front of our eyes. We can sometimes get too disconnected, and deny ourselves of the truth. We can get too scared of both the little things that make big ripples in our lives, and the big things that make us larger than life. What matters most is that we do something about it. We don’t have the luxury to think about it for too long really.

They say life is short, perhaps it truly is. Let’s do what we can with the time that we have, however, brief or prolonged they may be. There is no way for us to tell anyway because the future is as blurred as the dew and fog that greet us each morning. Keep this in mind too; the future can be just as warm as the ray of sun that greets us in every sunrise. They say time waits for no one, perhaps it truly does not wait for anybody at all. And so, there is no better time than now to do the things that we’ve only been spending time dreaming of.

Dream Yourself a Dream Come True

It’s not a bad thing at all, to dream, let’s dream like mad scientists, but most importantly, let’s wake up from that dream and take action. Let’s start today in making our dreams into reality. Keep in mind though; our dream is only the beginning of many good things to come. Let our dreams be the fuel for everything and anything that we could ever want and hope for in this world. When we hold on to our dreams and madly reach for it, the impossible becomes nothing.

When we begin to acknowledge how scared we are to do things, then we are more ready, as we reached a deeper understanding of how huge an opportunity that is in our hands and that it can truly change our lives or influence the lives of those around us. It’s ok to be scared, but choose to do it scared anyway. When we choose to persist, our dreams will continue to exist and sooner than later it will become our greatest metamorphosis.

Heart and Souls Tin and Jess Saturday, September 30, 2017

Little one my heart beats for you and all the little things you used to do

Little one I miss your noise, your toss and turning and your little ploy

Little one please remember our voice, our countless story time, and all our little joys

Little one how I wish you could have stayed in my arms even just for one more day

Little one my soul is lost, and will it find its way once more?

Little one I trust and pray that you have found your own way

Little one I hope you feel my embrace and warmth in your special place

We will go on living and so shall you our little one; our lives will forever be intertwined

We will keep you in every memory; you will always be remembered

We will keep you in our hearts; you will be loved always and forever

The Struggle is Real: Only if you make it so Tin and Jess Saturday, July 15, 2017

Doggone Days

There will be days that are plainly and inexplicably chaotic while other days are just purely awesome. We normally can’t choose how our days are gonna go, but we still have a semblance of a choice. We can start by accepting a simple fact, that is, we do not have control over everything, and anything really. Spontaneity is a wonderful thing and it can be full of beautiful surprises too. Besides what is bound to happen will happen whether we like it or not, and whether we alter things in between while hoping for that ideal outcome.

There is Always a Better Way

To some they may look at it and call it fate, and to some they may call it as they see it; a bad day, a sticky situation, a predicament, but whatever it is, there is no need to worry because worrying does nothing as the Dalai Lama puts it. The great thing about any situation that may come our way is that it gives us a choice or a semblance of a choice and that is on how we choose to react to things that are constantly thrown at us. We can choose to focus on the pain, the way it hit our faces, we can let it drag on our days or we can choose to let it go and keep moving forward. There is always a better way!

Keep on Keeping On

The struggle is real, I’ve been seeing this often these days and I can say the same for myself, no exceptions. If you are among us who feel the same way, where some of our days are not as great as other days, keep on keeping on. Do not worry about everything too much; worrying does not bring you clarity over things that need your complete focus. And besides everything has unbelievable ways of sorting itself out, you’d be surprised. It’s not as if all your problems will magically disappear, but with the time and effort you put in for whatever struggle you’re faced with, it will work itself out eventually.

Free to Decide

Let’s not fear our mistakes because this is the best way that we can truly learn. Making a mistake today does not mean that we have eternally screwed our tomorrow. This is not the end, this is just the beginning. Whether our beginning is good or awesome, it depends entirely on how we choose to face them. We can face them holding on to the burdens of the past or we can face them head on, confident as ever and looking forward to the future. We’re all free to decide, the choice is ours. 

Nothing is What It Seems Tin and Jess Thursday, July 06, 2017

Nothing is What It Seems

There is that moment in our lives when we realize the fact that nothing is what it seems, and when we come to accept that fact, only then will we see things clearly. There is message in everything that crosses our path; there is message in everything that we experience; both in the good and the bad, in our pain, in our struggles, in our madness, in our sadness, and even in our happiness. We just have to be open to that self awareness to be able to see them and receive them in lucidity.

The things that happen in our everyday lives, they happen for a reason. We may not always see things in such a personal and intertwined way but there is such a thing of greater sense of purpose. There is that thing that is of impeccable timing. There is that thing that brings us ultimate clarity when we are given the chance to receive the message brought about by that specific event in our lives.

Message in a Bottle

These messages, they come our way every day, and in every little way.  At times, they may come in bits and pieces, unnoticeable and as if nothing makes sense. They come in separately; they come in at different times in our lives as if they were mere random events. But when that opportune time comes, and as we realize in that specific moment that we need to slow down for a moment, take a step back and just have a look at things.

We then get that opportunity to see the bigger picture, and it’s amazing how everything; even things that may have happened some 10 or 20 years ago today, makes perfect sense. Only then do we truly realize its impact in our lives, its reason for being there, its meaning and purpose for it all. Life and its speckled, chaotic, unruffled, and enigmatic ways at some point will bring to reveal its true self before our eyes.

We are Exactly Where we Need to be

Life always will reveal itself and each time it does it will be in our own pace, and in our own time. There is no need for worries. There is no need for holding on to pain. There is no need for panic and rushing into things. We are exactly where we need to be. No matter how painful the experiences that may come our way, no matter how difficult the path we tread.

The message that we are bound to receive from our very own life experiences, the lessons that we are bound to learn from it, and the things we are supposed to realize along with it will reveal itself. This really is inevitable and how soon it manifests itself will entirely depend on how soon we come to our realization and acceptance of the facts that are intertwined in that experience and in the most unexpected of times too.

You are Stronger than You Think

And if the answer you look for hasn’t revealed itself to you just yet, have patience and be calm because in the end nothing is what it seems. No matter how tough and impossible our situations are now, believe that we are exactly where we need to be. The hard road you are on today is the very thing you need right now even if you don’t feel like it is a necessary at all.

These kinds of seemingly impossible challenges in your life, in every life, these are the best kind because it’s going to prepare you for greater things to come your way tomorrow. So hang in there, remember that impossible is nothing, and remember, you are stronger than you think.

Fun Under the Sun Tin and Jess Friday, March 31, 2017

Summer is the best time of the year in this tiny tropical country of ours – Pilipinas! We grew up in a small community in Albay where we spent our summers basking under the sun and in full view of its beautiful beaches. But what really brings us all together whether it’s family or friends for some summer fun in the sun is the food! It’s not just about enjoying the beach; it’s all about time well spent with family and friends over lunch by the shore and nature’s relaxing breeze.

Photos borrowed from the Legazpi City Facebook Page

Picture this! Warm beach sand under your feet, everyone slipping into the shade of a bamboo cottage, giant banana leaves as plates running lush across the table and on it are your lutong bahay, lutong bicolano favorites like inihaw na Moblad, Bicol express, Pinangat (Laing), Adobo sa Asin, Cocidong Bulangawan, Pasa-pasa (Kinunot) and some ice cold soda or beer to go with it all. And the best part is the seemingly endless and warm conversations and getting a kick out of that distinct Bicolano humor.

Photos borrowed from the Legazpi City Facebook Page

This pretty much summed up my summers when I was younger, much younger than today. It’s been ages really since I’ve had my tranquil leisure time by the beach. But still, summer is a persistently fun and fiery celebration of life on the beach. We just tweaked our favorite way of celebrating life in this tiny tropical island a little bit. Growing up, growing older and hopefully wiser, we found ourselves moving to the city; closer to our hopes and dreams but farther away from the beautiful beaches, the laid back province, and our old little selves.

We may have gotten out of the province, but we can never take the province out of ourselves – Proud Bicolanos here folks! So this summer, we started our fun under the sun just like so. We went on a road trip, my Jesse and I, with my two brothers (Charles and Christian) along with Christian’s family; Maica and my niece, little Melissa. We drove up to Clark Field, Pampanga with all our road trip conversations, stopover hearty meals and then jumped right into the cool waters of Fontana Water Park and we had so much fun! It may be a little different from the salted beach waters we’ve grown up to and so loved but we made it just as warm and fun under this summer’s sun.

Detour Tin and Jess Monday, March 20, 2017

Life Goals

Driven, that’s one way of putting it when you’re all pumped up about your hopes and dreams and really set out to achieving them. It also comes with 3 Ps; it comes with perseverance, passion, and preparation to make a really strong foundation for yourself. And when you’re wound up about something you simply keep on going and going and going. There seems to be no stopping until you are done!

That’s a really good way of doing things. Your will and determination, it will keep you company and not to mention energized to keep on going forward. It will certainly make a great recipe for success. It may not be as easy at times, but it certainly keeps you pumped up and focused on your life goals. Just keep pushing on straight ahead, on long and winding roads, on zigzags of setbacks, but always follow your dreams, be kind and compassionate, keep moving forward, and dare to take action.

Yes and No

When you’re really serious about your life goals there are things that you will have to sacrifice. It can get really uncomfortable, but going out of your comfort zone will definitely give you more room to grow. You can start by saying “Yes” to doing things that will bring you closer to your life goals, and saying “No” to distractions. These distractions can be as simple as going out with friends or just watching movies.

You can say “Yes” to going out to attend business seminars, character development sessions, or any activity that will contribute to what you want to achieve. You can start saying “Yes” to reading more books, learning new things and more importantly, immediate application of the things you have learned. Remember that while theories are good, practical application of the things you have learned is better.

Detour

There is no such thing as the perfect recipe for success or a shortcut to getting there. Things may not always go as planned. Stay encouraged because while there may be setbacks that seem to push you back ten times each time you try to take a step forward, there will always be that big break that will come your way, and when you least expect it too.

Be brave, persevere, follow your heart, and this will keep you going even when things get tough. Keep your support system close like family and friends or whichever gives you the motivation to have the focus and grit to continue on and on and on. 

Failure too will come your way, but don’t be afraid, for these are merely detours that will stir you back to the right path, your very own path to reaching your hopes and dreams and making them into reality.

Attitude of Gratitude Tin and Jess Tuesday, March 07, 2017

Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions. The more you express gratitude for what you have, the more likely you will have even more to express gratitude for, a little something from Zig Ziglar. Our attitude of gratitude applies to everything we do in our everyday lives. It’s not just about being grateful for getting through the difficult times but just the same with the good things that come our way.

It can be as simple as being thankful for the food we are about to eat or being thankful for a new job, good health, a loving family, good friends and even being thankful for setbacks because they are simply detours to where we are supposed to go. This kind of attitude will help us all become stronger, kinder, wiser, and compassionate as we all move forward with our everyday lives.

I’m thankful for every blessing my Jesse and I receive. Sure we’ve had our setbacks and detours, don’t us all. But still, I think we should always be thankful for everything we have and for everything we continue to receive. I think it’s a great way to start and end your day with. Let’s all enjoy life! Have fun! Be kind, be grateful, keep learning new things, and be brave enough to love. Choose to be thankful and just live in your happiness. Always wear your attitude of gratitude.

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All we need is Love and Coffee Tin and Jess Tuesday, February 28, 2017

It’s the last day of the Love month but it surely isn’t the last day for Love! February always, always stirs the entire planet with matters of the heart and everything else that comes with it. The 14^th of February, ‘tis the time of the year that some look forward to while others dread just enough to tear the page off their calendars. Whatever it is that February brings everyone it certainly is a mix of emotions.

What can I say, I’m one of those who might slightly giggle over sweet gestures and give a big smile when I see people get overly romantic with their flowers and chocolates and stuff. When love is in the air it simply makes all sorts of distractions go away. Every heart in love has a sight as clear as the blue skies on a summer day. Love sees no end as courtships begin and I guess February brings the immortality of youth, audacity of time, and endless love.

And you know what they say; Love is a many-splendored thing. It certainly is and I think we should all celebrate our own love stories. I’ve seen a good amount of singles jokes, friend zone posts, and fears of becoming a spinster, even panic attacks because they don’t have a date and so on and so forth. I think we have all gone through somewhat similar events at some point in our lives. We seem so busy planning how we should spend Valentine’s Day with a partner or spend even more time finding a partner that we’re missing out on what it’s all about.

Valentine’s Day is all about love. I don’t think it only celebrates the kind of love that couples have, but a universal kind of love. It’s for family, it’s for friends, it’s for those who touch our lives, and it’s for all of us. This is for you and me, and we have enough for everyone and a little bit more. For those who are still in search of their one true love, keep on it. There’s no need to rush or even worry. Take time to love yourselves even more. Appreciate the entirety of who you are. Treat yourself well. Be kind, be gentle, be patient, be love.

As Noel Gallagher’s wisdom put it “Some people live their life...they worry about the destination. They worry about where they're going. I enjoy the trip. Wherever you're going is where you'll end up. Don't worry about that. Enjoy the scenery on the way.” I like this and if I were to give my younger self advice, this would definitely be one of them. It may be the end of the love month but it isn’t the end for love. All we need is love and coffee, and that is all we need.

Music in your Head Tin and Jess Saturday, February 18, 2017

Music makes everything better! It’s like chicken soup that warms your soul and you don’t really have to cook at all. When you feel sad you listen to music, when you feel bad you listen to music, when you feel happy you listen to music. It’s the melody, it’s the lyrics, and it’s the beat and the voice. It’s every little thing in life and so much more.

It’s one thing watching Youtube videos and listening to your favorite artists and listening to what most people are raving about, but always remember to listen to the music in your head. There’s nothing wrong with appreciating what’s on top of the charts or what’s in the Billboard countdown, but don’t get confused. We all have our own beat that we groove to.

Music is the life of our everyday party. There’s always something we can listen to that interprets our mood. It’s just a matter of finding the right jam at that right moment. Find inspiration in every word of the songs you groove to. Focus on the things you want, be grateful with the things you have and forget about looking at the things other people have.

Never compare yourself to others because it’s the most detrimental thing for you and your dreams. We are all unique and therefore comparison is futile. It’s the same as worrying, it does nothing. So instead of worrying and looking at other people’s plates, dream! Remember the things that you want.

Remember the things that bring you happiness. Change your perspective and embrace that change. Dare to take action today instead of waiting for the right moment. We live in the present so now is the right time, the best time. Don’t worry about the future because nothing is set in stone. Forget about the past but make sure to learn from it so you can keep moving forward.

Listen to the music in your head. If you can’t sing to it then hum, if you can’t dance to it then just nod your head. Remember that there’s always a way if you really want it. Don’t pay any attention to everything else, they are only distractions. And as the quote says, be careful what you say to yourself because you are always listening. 

No one is perfect. I’m not perfect. I make mistakes all the time too. But the important thing is we try over and over again and not to give up until we find our dreams again. Let us all listen to the music in our heads, aspire, inspire, and continuously remind ourselves that impossible is nothing. That we can do whatever it is we have set out to do.

Dream Big and Make It Happen! Tin and Jess Monday, February 13, 2017

Dream Big

I think everyone has dreams, big and small it doesn’t matter because it’s yours to begin with. You don’t need to care about what others might say about it. It’s your dream and they can’t take it away from you as long as you continue to believe in yourself and never give up on your dreams. You will always hold the most important piece of the puzzle and only you can answer the questions that plague your mind, questions like when and how? Come to think of it, questions like these never really bothered us when we were kids, so what changed?

I remember when I was younger my family would spend summer vacation in an island. We would take a quick boat ride across the sea to visit aunts, uncles and cousins where we would indulge in endless conversations and feast on simple meals. But one distinct habit we share during our vacation is dreaming and we dream big. Where we would all slip under the shade of an old Acacia tree overlooking the shore and simply blurt out what we want to be and the many different things we want to have.

Sky’s the Limit

Like most kids, my cousins, siblings and I dreamt of many things. From fairy dusts to sand castles and magical things, we all went crazy for new clothes and fun toys and delicious food or even treasures. It didn’t bother us even if it were make believe. It didn’t bother us to worry about when or how we would get them even if it made us look ridiculous. We just kept going, we dreamt and dreamt and dreamt on! When we were young it was sky’s the limit and there were no small or big dreams, all we wanted was to keep on dreaming.

As kids I think everyone had that distinctly rebellious passion for dreams where we wouldn’t care what others may say not even what our parents would say sometimes. Even if what we wanted to do was dangerous, we looked passed it and did it anyway. Even if it may seem like it’s impossible we got out of our way and did it anyway. Even if we ended up embarrassing ourselves, we did it anyway!

Find Your Passion

Perhaps that is exactly what we need in our young lives once more – Passion! Growing up has so many exciting things but coupled with it are bigger responsibilities and overwhelming independence. And it’s a normal thing really and I am sure many of us never stopped dreaming even if chaos and confusion greet us everyday. A fast paced lifestyle can be exhilarating and taking on multiple tasks pumps up adrenaline. But these days, I think a lot of us do things focusing mainly on money and other things because we just have to.  Everything seems like a chore, a routine.

Reasons may be valid but still, they do not seem to leave any room anymore for things that we really are passionate about. Ask yourselves this, when was the last time that you did something simply because you love it? If it’s been a while then the right time is now. It's time to find your passion, ignite that passion and start living your dreams! We can all say to ourselves and even take pride that we never stopped dreaming. Or that we continue to hold on to our dreams but what of those dreams?

Make it Happen

A person who dream and continue to dream of great things for himself and others has the power to make it happen! Rekindling your passion is only the beginning and it will open many great opportunities. You just need to affirm to yourself the things that you want and take action. Dreams have more worth when they stop being your source of hope and aspirations and become a reality. After all, dreams are meant to come true.

It only takes one decision to impact your life in the most positive way. Make that decision today! Start working on things today instead of tomorrow. Listen to your heart and find your passion. It’s simply doing what you love and loving what you do. Start with that and everything will fall into place. Remember that dreams will always be within your reach, you just have to own it and make it happen!

When our Kids Holler, Let's not Falter Tin and Jess Monday, February 06, 2017

When I was a kid, I remember calling out to my mother all the time. It really was simply the highlight of my day. I would always get very much excited showing her the things I can do or the new things I’ve learned. I’d call out to her to share my artwork, shout out her name “mama” and show her my cart wheel, relentlessly call out to her as I hid behind bedroom doors to instantly play hide and seek, tag her and run away, and I even clung happily along with my brothers and sisters to our window frame while waving our hands in excitement and while shouting “mama!, mama!” as she approached the front yard.

We were quite the hyper and happy bunch of kids I guess. There was just so much happiness and eagerness in every one of us to see mama’s face and see her walking through our front door. We’d hug her all the time, and call out to her persistently too. I must have called out to her a million times a day or at least that’s what it felt like to me at the time. And guess what? Mama always gave us her undivided attention every time. Those were really exciting times for my very young self I guess, and it’s also something I never get tired of reminiscing.

When I was a kid, I didn’t know why I kept calling out to my mom and continuously yearned for her attention. But I did know that it felt great, it was something I looked forward to everyday, and it made my day so much better every time mama responded. I guess it’s something universal to all kids around the world. It simply shows the unconditional love kids have, we have for our moms that we want her to be the first to know everything and anything about us.

I realize now more than ever that my mom is as important to me then as a kid, and even more so today that I still yearn for her attention and call out to her just because. It’s truly a bond unlike any other. This beautiful tradition of love and encouragement to kids I hope continues on with today’s mom generation. I understand we now live in a much different world of technology with all the cell phones, laptops, and gadgets in our faces day in and day out. I hope that with such technology we use it as a tool to connect more to our kids and not serve as a distraction to us.

When our kids holler, let’s not falter. Let’s give our children the attention they rightfully deserve right away, everyday. Whenever they call out to us, however ridiculous and insignificant it may seem, even if it pushes back our schedules a little bit, let’s take a second, give them a huge smile, a big hug, and most importantly give them our undivided attention. Because moments like these are precious and kids getting our attention all the time is their way of showing us how precious we are to them.

To all mothers out there, I say this in behalf of all the children, in behalf of those who were once children, and for those who continue to be children at heart, thank you. Thank you for your utmost patience in raising us, for nurturing us, for loving us, and for believing in us always. We love you mom!

Hashtag Happiness Tin and Jess Saturday, January 28, 2017

Everyday there seems to be a steady race towards the many things we want in life. Some we can easily win while some we lose to. And in today’s day and age, it has become such a competitive and cutthroat world especially with ease of access to anything and everything on the web. 

We’re all just quite busy speeding up to get what we want, when we want them, and to be the first in everything even if it means pushing others aside or stepping over some toes. We usually hear about these achievements or blunders on social media, depending on our vantage point.

Hashtag Nation

Social media plays a huge role and will continue to play a huge role as a means of self expression for today’s generation, the generation before us and the generations to come. Everyone is constantly proclaiming happiness, achievements and affections through their smartphones, tablets, GoPros, dashcams; through hashtags, fansigns, selfies and life goals. 

And it’s all good. It’s freedom of expression, it’s expression of love, it’s love for technology and being thankful for the many other blessings we receive. It’s love for self and self rewards, for a job well done, for spending long hours in the office, for the sacrifices made in order to get there, wherever your “there” is.

We all have many different things in mind when it comes to happiness, life goals, success and other sorts of accomplishments. We’re all so blessed and have so much to be thankful for that we see posts about it online, every second and every minute we spend over the internet. But amidst the hashtags, the fansigns, the selfies and online statuses, let’s step back, take a minute from our fast-paced lifestyles and really think sensibly of the things we value in our lives.

Butterfly Effect

It’s really just a mix of emotions online, some happy, some sad, some angry, it’s anything and everything you can find and express with seemingly unlimited liberty. It is freedom of choice, but let’s all be reminded that we are not at all free from its consequences. Our actions cause ripples across all oceans and impact all walks of life. It’s not just about us; it’s about everyone else too.

As the 14^th Dalai Lama put it, “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion, if you want to be happy, practice compassion.” He also wisely put that, “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them. Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”