mum inspires Archives - Page 2 of 10

Thankful Thursday: Pre-Birthday Musings

August 27, 2015 No Comments

I must be getting old as every time my birthday approaches, my thoughts are filled not with wishes that I hope to come true on my special day but of gratitude and thanks for all the blessings I am getting from Above since Day 1. In my 36 years, I have long realized that after all that I have been through in life, I was truly blessed to be living the life that I am living now, to be able to witness my son grow up each and every single day, to be there for my little man especially when he needs me the most instead of being tied up to a desk or a headset-and-a-computer. I am very blessed to be doing what I love doing and that is to be a mother to my son and to write, even when I am currently neck-deep with deadlines and backlogs on this blog.

It is a good night’s sleep away from my very special day and today I thank the Universe for these:

for making me realize how blessed I am
for another year to experience everything that life has to offer
for allowing me to live the kind of life that I love
for giving me special people in my life who makes me feel special
for Jared’s dad :heart:
for the unexpected surprises in the mail
for the opportunity to do and earn from doing what I love to do the most ~ to write
for making my blogs instruments for blessings, friendships, and opportunities
for the chance to cuddle up with a good book even when I cannot finish it {currently reading this awesome book about one of my favorite people, Princess Diana}
for making me experience childhood all over again with my little man :heart:
for a good night sleep
for good health
for seemingly endless chores that keep me occupied throughout the day
for finding inspirations from just about anything and anyone around me {like these wild flowers on the photo I chanced upon one day while on my way to my parents home}
for random acts of kindness
for the constant reminder of God’s love and grace

Truly, there is so much to be thankful for if we only look around us closely with an open heart. What are you thankful for today?

mum musings

Thankful Thursday: Of Grace + Gratitude

August 21, 2015 No Comments

mum inspires, mum's thoughts, Thankful Thursday,gratitude — *image is from Deepak and Oprah’s 21-Day Meditation Series, Day 1*

I cannot remember the last time I made a #ThankfulThursday post and I sorely miss doing it. The past several weeks had been quite hectic, especially during the little man’s exams week, and my favorite month of all is proving to be very eventful. I cannot wait to find out what else August has left in store for us! It is always a treat to share my list of thankfuls each week and it is something that I always look forward to. I highly encourage other mums to do the same and if they can manage it, create a blog post about their lists, too! After all, keeping a thankful heart can spell a world of difference and nurturing a grateful attitude towards the universe will allow more blessings to come.

Thanks to Deepak and Oprah’s 21-Day Meditation on Grace, it was what inspired my blog post title for today. Their topic this time around is all about grace and gratitude, and I am learning a lot from it. By far, this meditation series is my most favorite of all, and I look forward to each daily meditation practice because of them. The 21-Day Meditation mobile app is also a God-send as I can conveniently meditate in the room through my mobile phone. One time, I also tried meditating while aboard a UV van on the way to Manila for a blogger event. It may not have been quite a lot like my usual meditation routine, but it was a welcome change and it sure was a very worthwhile way to pass the time.

Here is my long overdue list of thankfuls for these past weeks:

mum musings

A Mother’s Tale of Husay At Malasakit

July 31, 2015 No Comments

Mama, mum's thoughts, family, mum inspires — *My Mama, My Unsung Hero*

I find myself thinking more about my Mama these days probably because I am a little under the weather lately, and there is no one I would love to take care of me while I am sick but my Mama. My fast-approaching birthday might also be one of the reasons as this special occasion is one of those days when I miss my parents the most. Or it might also be due to the meditation on gratitude I am currently doing. Reflecting on gratitude after every meditation brings to mind the images of my Mama and Papa, who cared for us and loved us to the very end.

My Mama is the epitome of #husayatmalasakit. She was a jane-of-all-trades, she can practically do almost anything, from cooking very delicious specialties and meals, to helping me finish my craft projects for school, to cutting and curling my hair and sewing clothes for me and my siblings. Looking back now, I marvel at how she managed to do everything she did. She was also a very kind person and was always willing to help anyone who knocks on our doors. She was also a very sociable person and actively campaigned for a kababaryo who was running for public service at the time {this kababaryo won this post and is currently serving his last term as City Mayor}.

“Mothers hold their child’s hand for a moment and their heart for a lifetime.”

My parents were simple folks who worked hard to raise their 5 children and sent them all to College. My Papa was an ordinary employee supporting and sending 5 kids to school with his meager minimum wage salary, while my Mama was a full time housewife who tended to her children’s every needs, while taking advantage of different earning opportunities here and there to help my Papa with the household expenses. Back in those days, people in our little barrio was in awe and thought we were actually rich because my parents managed to sent all of us to College while most of our batch mates are quitting school or only managed to finish High School because of poverty. We were never really well off, but school is a non-negotiable with my parents and we were always told to attend school as long as they can manage to support us. As the old folks’ saying goes “edukasyon lang ang maipapamana namin sa inyo,” and it is so true, my parents left us no riches or worldly belongings, but they left us with good education, which we can utilize to move forward in life. In retrospect, I am eternally grateful that my parents never gave up and struggled to make sure we all finished College. It was one of the best gifts they left us with.

You left me beautiful memories
Your love is still my guide,
and though we cannot see you,
you’re always at my side.

I remember all too clearly how my Mama lovingly cooks for us, supports our every endeavor, encourages us, and believes in us even when we fail to believe in ourselves. She was my Number 1 fan and I truly miss the way she dotes about me and my simple accomplishments. She was a good person and did her very best to mold her children to becoming good members of the society. She was a generous soul who gives generously and loves selflessly. I will always be grateful for her love and her guidance and I will always be thankful that she is my mother.

I will always keep my Mama in my heart and in my thoughts. I will always treasure the beautiful and fond memories of childhood and I will always be thankful for my Mama for leaving us with invaluable life lessons, for her unwavering faith in the Almighty and for the lessons on how to be a man for others, helping those who are in need in whatever way we can. Up to this day, my heart swells with pride hearing tales of my Mama’s extraordinary kindness from people she managed to help when she was alive. Like her family, I am sure these people will always remember her.

Thank you, Ma. You and Papa will always be my heroes and the reasons for all that I am today. I hope that I continue to make you proud in my own little way.