Hugs, hugs and more hugs!

This is worth sharing....hugs!

Susie



By Joseph Walker


NATURAL, ORGANIC, 100 PERCENT WHOLESOME HUGGING
According my friend Andrew, there are six basic essentials of life: air, water, food, clothing, shelter and hugging.
Yes, that's right. Hugging. This isn't just Andrew's opinion. He says he has scientific evidence indicating that every human being needs four hugs per day to survive, eight hugs per day to maintain life at a strong emotional level and 12 hugs per day in order to flourish and grow.
I'm not sure which scientists made this discovery or how they conducted their research. I don't know if one standard-length hug can be replaced by two quick squeezes, or if one mondo-super-supreme hug can fulfill your minimum daily hug requirements. I offer this information simply because . . . well, they just might be right, and I wouldn’t want you to miss out on one of life’s most pleasant essentials.
As a hugger or huggee.
Frankly, I'm glad to see that hugging is finally getting its due. I come from a long line of huggers. Mom used to hug away our fears. Dad used to hug away our hurts. My oldest sister Jean used to hug me when it was Mom and Dad who I was afraid wanted to hurt me.
When we were really, really angry with each other, my sister Kathy and I used to hug each other until we couldn't breathe. That's because we knew we'd get in trouble for hitting, but we never got in trouble for hugging. We told Mom we only did it because we loved each other so much, but the truth is, we liked to see who could be the first to make the other's face turn blue.
For most people, however, hugging is less combative. In fact, Andrew's scientists – whoever they may be – insist that hugging is downright healthy. This is probably because, as Andrew says, "hugging is natural, organic, sweet, free of pesticides and preservatives. Hugging contains no artificial ingredients. It's 100 percent wholesome. No calories, no nicotine."
I don't know about that, but I do know that hugging helps. In fact, sometimes it's the only thing that will help. A few years ago I was a lay minister in my church, and I spent a lot of time with a troubled young man in the congregation. He was a good kid with great potential, but he kept using that potential in negative ways. He usually started out with good intentions, then he would make a bad choice or a dumb move, and before you knew it he was hip deep in difficulty.
One night I visited him in jail, and he looked helpless and frightened. His parents were weary of his escapades, and were unwilling to bail him out. His friends had turned against him, and his girlfriend wouldn't talk to him. He was embarrassed, frustrated and completely alone. I wanted to say something to help him feel better, but I couldn't find the words. Silence hung between us like a rain-soaked hammock. And so I did the only thing I could think of to do: I hugged him. At first he just stood there awkwardly and let me hug him. After a few seconds he tried to pull away, but I wouldn't let go. The longer we stood there hugging, the more he relaxed. Then I heard him sniffing. Then his shoulders were shaking. And then he was sobbing uncontrollably in my arms.
I wish I could tell you that this moment changed his life. The fact is, he continued making questionable choices. But it clearly was a turning point in my relationship with him, and in my ability to have influence.
I'm not saying that hugging is a panacea for the world's problems. It won't create peace in the Middle East. It won't put nourishing food in the mouths of starving children. It won't offer protection from a hurricane, a tornado, cancer or the wrath of Simon Cowell. But it won't hurt, either. And it just might give you the courage you need to cope with that other stuff.
Whether you're the hugger or the huggee.

# # #

"Happy Birthday April"

April's birthday is tomorrow. April 1st. Nope, this is not an April fool's day. Not a joke. It's really her birthday.

I met April thru cyberspace a long long. time ago. We immediately hit it off and we regularly exchange emails since then.

About five years ago, I got the chance to go to New York and we met for the very first time. I remember, we decided to meet at the train station and she told me, "I will be wearing a pink dress and a hat". And there she was, so lovely waiting for me.

April is such a sweet and intelligent woman. Very smart and I always admire her whenever she writes me because she has that perfect English and she never commits any mistake when she writes.

April, my dear sister, I wish you a very happy birthday and hope you enjoy your birthday to the fullest!

I love you and I am so blessed to have a friend like you.

God bless you and hope to see you again soon and in Paris I hope.

Take care,

Susie

Susie

"Let's All Get Involved"

Dear Friends,

I would like to share my concern concerning the upcoming Philippine presidential election. I must say that I am not at all politically minded and I really don’t want to get into it but I have come to realize that as a Pinoy living abroad, we also have the responsibility towards our kababayans back home.

We all have our families, friends, acquaintance back home. We also help them in one way or another. It is usually in monetary contribution. We are all concerned about what’s going on in our country.

The people are expressing their distress, their hopelessness, their dismay, their hardships towards the poor goverments mismanagement. Corruption is rampant from high officials to the bottom. It’s about time to change and look for reliable and honest leaders. Let’s take advantage of this opportunity to “educate’ our kababayans back home. That voting is their right and this time, they should not allow trapos to manipulate people anymore. Tell them not to sell their votes. Tell them to choose their own leaders. Leaders who could help them restore the lost democracy. Leaders who could lead them and help them help themselves.

Thank you so so much and let’s try to make the difference in the lives of others. After all, we just can’t stay in our comfotable homes and watch the people and do nothing. Thank you for all your help.

Pedestrian Observer GB: MRAPs, Obama's Poor Copy Cat in Manila Courtesy of Gloria Arroyo's Trapos

Pedestrian Observer GB: MRAPs, Obama's Poor Copy Cat in Manila Courtesy of Gloria Arroyo's Trapos

My Sweet Revenge

My Sweet Revenge

Having gone from a very humble beginning is not new to anyone. I have always been honest and clear to people whenever they want to know, be inquisitive or curious about me. I always tell people how life was hard and finding the next meal of the day was such an everyday struggle. I have never been ashamed to tell them that I come from a poor family.

During my childhood years I have regularly experienced embarrassments because we were poor. And a close relative at one point even denied me not being related to the family because of our hand to mouth existence.

I was already working in Manila that time. I told one of my workmates who was assigned in Pangasinan to say hello if ever she encounters my relative. And she said yes of course. When she came back in the office, I was excited asking her if she was able to meet the person to whom I was proud saying that we were closely related. And she said yes but she was sorry to tell me that my relative didn’t know anyone named Susie.

I was nearly in tears upon hearing that. And all I said was, “Of course, she only knows rich people. How could she know me? I am just a poor girl”.
In high school, I have got relatives who have openly snubbed me. They tried to put me down and took every opportunity to step on me. I was trying to look tough and pretended not to be affected and nobody knew that my heart was bleeding and I was in pain. I cried all my heart out and began asking, “Why are they doing these to me?” I just didn’t realize that I was being prepared to become tough in facing other more difficult challenges. I call them blessings now.

I remember this person who tried to console me when I was in the darkest moment of my life. When I thought that it was the end of the world because people around me were being hard on me. And he said, “ Kill them with kindness. That’s the best revenge you could offer.”

I have always been a fighter. I remember one of my grand aunts called me the “fighter” because even when I was not even going to school I was already that exuberant kind of girl and never was intimated by adults.

Years have passed by. I had continually encountered so much difficulties in life. I have experienced frustrations, hunger, deceptions, sorrows and joys as well. And I am thankful for all those ups and downs. I call them again blessings.
I am blessed with a family who is tightly-knit. I am also blessed with a husband who is so loving and a good provider. Without his love and support, I will not be able to do what I am doing now.

Whenever I get the chance to go home in the Philippines, I never forget to say hello to my family and relatives. I am always happy to see and bond with them. And share whatever I have. Time has changed and attitude as well. Painful past has been forgotten and been replaced by more love and forgiveness.

At one point, in one of the family reunions, this very relative of mine who denied knowing me came to me and embraced me saying, “Ading, let’s forgive and forget.” That’s the sweetest words ever heard from her.

All I can say is that, in life we never know what the future has in store for us. Sometimes you can be on top and sometimes, you can be at the bottom.

And no matter what kind of life we get, what kind of people we become, we should never forget to look back where we came from. Let’s practice humility and kindness to others.
In that way, we could proudly say….”this is my life’s sweet revenge”…. Caring and killing others in kindness.