BLOG OF GRATITUDE

From now on, my blog will be a repository of stories of gratefulness.  Yes, gratitude for all that I have.  And for not having those which I may want but may be harmful to me or to my family.

I have been through quite an "anxiety" attack for a year now (I guess).  It's like I'm trapped in the "fear" zone.  My mind seems to automatically traverse to the "worst case scenario".  I always feel like crying for reasons even myself can't seem to figure out.  It's so difficult.  Because I can't even explain it.  I don't know exactly where the anxiety is coming from.  I'm not really sure what help I need.  Most of all, my family, especially my relationship with my husband has been greatly affected.  I even thought of seeking professional help...

As I write this, I think I'm on the road to recovery.  Actually, I would like to claim that I am healed.  I still struggle though to fight the negative thoughts that ruin my perspective in life.  I guess the struggle will not end.  It's a conscious effort to dismiss negativity.  But right now, the struggle is manageable.  How?  Nothing but prayers.., fervent prayers... and self help and inspirational books.

Prayers day and night for the Holy Spirit to guide or even take over my thoughts.   I also reach out to Mama Mary for intercession.

I also came across this book:  Heart Detox by Bo Sanchez (How to remove the emotional poisons and negative thoughts that are destroying your life).  

Was very timely when I learned about this book.  And what really made an impact to me is the part where it mentions that we don't need to manage our feelings... we need to manage our focus.  Yes, always focus on the good in your life.  I remind myself about this everyday.  That's why now that I'm back to my blog, I want this to be one form of exercise to force myself to think of what's good about the day and what I am grateful for the day.  Yeah... one day at a time.

So for those who are also going through anxiety attacks, let us conquer and manage it through prayers, reading inspirational books, and by surrounding ourselves with people who truly love us.

Dear Jesus, 

Not by my work or might but through your grace alone.  I lift to you my mind.  May it focus on noble thoughts and truth only.  Help me to cling to you and never let me leave your side.

Amen.

One of my favorite frames which is hung on my inspirational wall at home :)

HOW TO KEEP FROM STRESSING OUT

Another reminder for my anxiety filled mind...  



Not sure where those anxiety is coming from...  


But I'd like to keep this here in my blog (got it from Facebook) so I'll be reminded over and over again how blessed I am and how good the Lord is..  


I really do pray for courage and inner peace whatever the circumstances may be in my life...

TOO MUCH THINKING

 Don't know who is this image from but just got this from Facebook.

Yep, that's me... Our mind is so powerful and at the same time destructful.  Depends on what you feed on it.  Strangely though my mind seemed to be traversing the "worst case scenario" side more frequently than it should not.  That's why it's a big effort on my part to feed it with positive thoughts only.  To remind myself how blessed I am.  To remind myself to be grateful.  And I really do pray a lot for guidance from the Holy Spirit and from Mama Mary.  That's the only way... 

So for us struggling with anxious thoughts, let's fight it through prayer and conscious effort.  I'm not giving up.  Good vibes everyone!

LOVE LETTER

Every day is a learning experience with you…

Sometimes a pleasant surprise, other times a challenge…

But this is something I wouldn’t trade for anything…

Because I love every bit of time I spend discovering and growing with you…

I love you, mahal ko…

I SIGNED...

... the retention letter.  So I guess I will be staying for a few more years here in Cypress.  Been a roller coaster ride and I must admit I was not able to handle the emotions gracefully.

Anyway, done deal now.  What's important is that I'm still here and even closer to my family.  A blessing indeed.  After all what happened, I think it was just a matter of perspective... And I continue to pray that I will have the strength to allow only the positive ones to prevail...

Thank you dear Lord, for all your guidance and provision.

Amen.

#BLESSED

Just so blessed to have you kids.  I pray that you will grow up to be kind, courageous, respectful, responsible individuals, and with so much faith in the Lord and reverence to Mama Mary.

I love you, N & N!

NEW BEGINNINGS & EMBRACING 2016

Happy New Year, indeed!

I am just so excited for 2016.  I went through a roller coaster ride of emotions for 2015 as this was a year of transition for me.  But now I am looking forward to 2016 full of hope that it will be a year of personal breakthrough and a year of family bonding through travel and adventures.

When I attended the Jan 1 mass, I am glad that the verse is still the same as the previous new year's mass.  And yes, I am still holding to this prayer from Numbers 6:24-36.  And I still pray fervently to be able to fill my mind with good and noble thoughts.  My struggle is that my mind is prone to negative and destructive imaginations that it makes me so restless,.. and consequently affects my loved ones.  

(Image from pinterest.com)

Dear Lord Jesus and Holy Spirit, I lift to You my thoughts and my feelings.  Take over my mind and my heart that it may focus only to You and Your will.  I cannot win this battle of mind alone.  Let nobody and nothing have power over my mind and my heart.  Protect me from my own negative thoughts that fill me with nothing but anxiety.  Teach me to trust in You with all of my heart and lean not on my own understanding.  At the same time, teach me to fully trust my husband's love for me and my family.  Protect my husband from any harm, danger, evil, and temptation.  Lastly, help me to remember that I cannot and should not be playing god.  Because I cannot control everything and good things happen because of your grace (and YOUR GRACE ALONE) and not by my power or might.

O, Mama Mary, keep me under the mantle of your maternal protection.  When I feel weak, be with me and help me fill my mind with good thoughts.

Hail Mary, full of grace the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you amongst women

And blessed is the fruit of Thy womb Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God

Pray for us sinners

Now and at the hour of our death.

Amen.