One Income But Builds A Home

I always hear people say in panic, “Why are you not working? This is not the trend now!!! It is impossible to live in one income these days!!!! You are losing your mind! Those were my thoughts also when it was only my brother who was working and he is still the one who puts the bacon on the table up until now but someone serves it so beautifully that it makes me change my mind. 

I want you to meet my brother (Jerry), his only daughter (Jherra), & his wife (Darwin). This was on their thin & challenging days but they have stood the test of time. 

My brother was the one working on a very small monthly income and his wife stayed and turned their house into a home. They raised a child, have a simple but super beautiful and peaceful home, have a modest appliances, enjoyed with friends and have a blast in life. I know that they went through the toughest of days but they emerged the strongest as the time went by. With their small income, they built a house and sheltered both of their respective families.  They have been so generous of their spaces regardless if they were the one who sweat and sacrificed for it. 

At their home, he gets up to work and his wife provided a first class service for their family. They have healthy food, a tidy house, and a peaceful home. In most cases, their home has been a shelter for cousins who temporarily strayed away from their respective partners and went home refreshed. 

The following are what I learn from a model family who live in just one income:

1) DON’T MIND WHAT PEOPLE WILL SAY. I’m sure they must have feel the pressure of the voices all around them but they stick to what works for them. For them, it’s best that one works while the other stayed at home to raise a child and build a sanctuary of peace. To each it’s own. We have different path to follow and I am sure that they have followed through faithfully and consistently.

2) MAKE THE MOST OF WHAT YOU HAVE. My sister in law can turn a trash into gold. She uses it for decorations,  painted it herself and viola, her home is the best, no bias, promise. She is just a gifted home maker who just minds her own business. 

3) BUDGET AND STICK WITH IT. With a very small income that my brother have, she literally sticks to her budget and enjoy life. She has no internet, no facebook account, no instagram, no twitter, but bask on peace. And she did not look disheveled at all. She knows how to carry herself with class and elegance. And wait, my brother is the most at peace without social media too.

That’s my sister in law Darwin. Isn’t she lovely? I have a high regard on her. That does mean to say that we don’t have disagreement? We do but I consider her a great blessing to our family. 

4) BE CONTENT. In their home, there is peace because they are contented with what they have but keeps on dreaming. I remember at one point my brother told me, “You serve the Lord, You are driving a car, have a high salary, but you don’t have peace.” It was an eye opener for me and I will never forget it. To desire for material possessions and money drives us crazy but to be content gives us the space to have more. Eventually, my brother has been blessed not just with possessions but with their fats as well (hahahaha).

5) ENJOY LIFE. I’ve seen them respecting each other while enjoying simplicity at its core. 

She does the laundry.

But he helped when the rain pours so suddenly.

6) RAISE A GOOD NATURED CHILD. Their daughter though going through teenage challenges is such a lovely lady and our future Miss Universe (hahaha) 

I woke up like this. That’s their only daughter who is oh so beautiful. 

They have modeled what a contented family really is.

***********************************************************************For me, my brother and his family  is successful and have so much more. Sometimes, he looked down at himself probably because of what he has seen around him. Sometimes we missed the gold within us because we see glitters that will just fade but theirs is a glitter that stays. I will never forget when I was 8 when I prayed to the good Lord that my brother will have the best wife and my sisters will have the best husband. He did answer my prayers. 

Books For My Soul

When Television was so stranged in our home and radio can only be found at our neighbors abode where we sat behind their doors to listen to beautiful dramas, I found my way to entertain myself at a school library and fell in love with books. Books helped me to learn English by just watching at the pictures and went home happily sharing it to my family that the English Term for “kilat” (Cebuano Term) is lightning. My family were so amazed and bragged that I must be so smart and my future must be so bright. 

In the chaos of my soul when I started learning that our family must be born so underprivileged compared to some of my classmates who were the “IT PEEPS” at school, I found books to be my constant mentor in the absence of my mother. I always frequented to Biography section and has allowed those strangers to speak into my life by how they relayed their stories from rags to riches and how they did not allow bitterness to dwell into their soul. I can still remember how I cried in the corner of the school library feeling so encouraged that if others fare well in life because of sheer determination and perseverance, I must have too and that in itself made me a dreamer and ambitious while others believe that where they were must be their fate and they must happily lived with it. True indeed, these people who believed this way were empregnated way too early, married way too young, became a parent way too soon in life and continued to spread a message of “it’s our fate and so let’s live with it.” On the contrary, I am left unmarried, had my first boyfried in my early 30’s, no kids, bloomed in my late 30’s, just learned the value of saving, just enjoying the beauty of serenity brought by the Presence of Jesus, and just started to get a grasp of life reality by the Help of the Holy Spirit. 

As I am standing in between the two paradox of how a person live and view life, I also learned that the way we think matters. Some of my friends in the early days allowed the voices of the people closest to them as their final life reality. They were told that they wey were born poor and they must die poor. They were told that they were destined to live not finishing their studies and become a househelp and that’s where their actions led them. I was told the same way too. While I was so inspired by the lives of people I got strength from for their success through books, I also caught myself hearing the most familiar voices of my relatives who constantly told me that WHY SHOULD YOU TRY TO REACH THE STARS WHEN YOU CAN’T REACH THE STARS?!? YOU ARE DESTINED TO BE POOR AND YOU MUST BE CONTENTED WITH IT. YOUR FACE IS BEST TO BE A HOUSEHELP AND SO YOU MUST LEARN TO ACCEPT IT. THAT THERE’S NO FUTURE FOR SMALL PEOPLE AND SO ON AND SO FORTH.But then again SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN THE BOOKS I READ were exactly like me but had a shining future who inspires many. 

I remember how I stood in our school plaza one time and just dream of becoming a MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER & WRITER. Gosh, people may have fainted had I told them that desires in my heart. 

Fast forward, I graduated College by the grace of God,  became a motivational speaker to various places, offices,  campuses, and churches, and now slowly pave my way into writing. What’s the difference? I associated myself with those successful people I have never met in real life but learned their success stories through books and eventually adopted their attitudes of learning how to plow the way through regardless of how hard life may seemed at the moment because there’s a time that the field will become fertile for victory and success. 

One time, I was just talking to a friend who was trying to go back to school who eventually bursted, I don’t think I’ll make it in our class because my mind has been too rusty. I was infuriated on the inside. You will never be too rusty if you push your way through and read.  And if you are a Christian, your Bible must be your best reading material that must have provided you with wisdom and common sense. And true to what she said, she stopped going to school and does nothing now simply because she believed she can’t.

Friends, do not limit God’s way of shaping you into becoming who God wants you to be. Sure, there will be hardships, trial, and tribulations as you step in faith. Yes, success is not going to be overnight. True that the process will be too painful. But will you trade your VICTORIOUS OUTCOME SIMPLY BECAUSE THE PROCESS IS ROUGH???

Imagine how many young people will be inspired by your story just like how I was definitely encouraged by those successful people I read in the books. And oh, you might not be a book people will eventually read, but you can be an AN INSPIRING BOOK PEOPLE WILL SEE FACE TO FACE.

As Derek Ramsey always said, “LEADERS ARE READERS” so READ. You might not be leading a battalion of people, but friends, you have yourself to LEAD.

Aspire to LEAD YOURSELF WELL BY READING WELL.
A glimpse of my few books that I interacted with for the most parts of my life. 

Let’s Simplify Success

With so many information that could overload our brain, success may become paralyzed in the inability of not doing anything. Sometimes, what we see in pictures will enamore us so much that we just don’t realized it that time passed by so quickly without accomplishing anything. As a result, we continue to become an spectator in someone elses glimpse of their success and our only accomplishment is watching others succeed.

So let’s make life simple. 

Let’s simplify success.

Let’s find our niche in line with our uniqueness.

Here’s to how I simplify my life.

1) I MEDITATE only TWO VERSES per MONTH. I know that reading the Bible is very necessary but I realized that mere knowledge of the WORD is too shallow compared to someone who lived the WORD. There is depthness in the one who allowed the Word to take Root in their hearts compared to someone who are just hiding behind the Divine Word and does not put it into practice. 

2) I MIND MY OWN BUSINESS. My pet peeves are people who are too noisy but are not willing to do their personal demands. So in order for me to have consistency with my personal values, I learn to evaluate my personal success and never mind what others are doing. At the end of it all, I am accountable of my own personal performance.

3) I COME TO WORK 45 MINUTES IN ADVANCE. One, it will give me time to prepare for my tools. Two, it allows me to relax and get ready for the day. Three, it enables me to review my notes and learn from my previous performance or mistakes.

4) I COMPETE WITH MYSELF. The greatest disaster is doing life while eyes on someone else. People have a different learning curve and the learning time varies but what I should keep up is my daily personal growth and how I can improve from my previous work or life score.

5) I DO HOUSEHOLD CHORES EARLY IN THE MORNING SO THAT I HAVE THE TIME TO REST IN THE AFTERNOON. Since my work officially starts at 2AM, I have to make sure that I can relax in the afternoon because I can re-charge in stillness. Noise saps all the energy out of me and so to be in a quiet room to breathe in and out without doing anything is simply a bonus.

6) I HAVE TO BE ME AND TO LIKE ME. I have a different way of doing things, learning, views, etc. I admire how God made me so unuiqely from others and by enjoying me, I enjoy how beautiful others are to be so far distinct from me. 

7) I LOOK FOR MENTORS WHO HAVE THE SAME VALUES SYSTEM AS MINE. Since I can’t find them in person, God has His own way of letting me know people in You Tube. One that I watch these days is Nina, and her you tube channel is THE MINIMALIST NINJA. I always tell my boyfriend that I really have a best friend in her. 

7) I DO WHAT I CAN AND I PRAY FOR WHAT I CAN’T. Instead of complaining why this and that? And why he or she does it? Why does so and so said that? Etc? I learn to give my 100% in everything that God has allowed me to experience because that’s where my accountability lies but on the other hand, I learn to take a back seat on something that’s impossible for me to do and trust that My Heavenly Father is working behind the scene so that His plans for me will come to pass in His own timetable.

SO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU?!?

You don’t need to copy someone else.

You don’t  need to follow the blue print of somebody else’s success. 

You have a pathway to take and so walk in it with conviction and confidence. Make it a pathway too pretty to resist. 

Because one day, someone who might get lost in life will temporarily pass in your route, let your foot prints be a message of perseverance, fun, faith, and authencity to stand out so that in your IMPACT, they may go back to their own PATHWAY and like you, will INSPIRE someone else to become the best VERSION OF THEMSELVES TOO.

A glimpse of where I came from. Because a woman from a mountain can live in the City and find work if she will DREAM and DO IT.

Upward God’s Way 2 – Write The Vision

As a side note, the VISION that God gives us is very clear but because it’s TOO BIG, we have double thoughts whether its’ s from God or not. We have to understand that the One who gives the VISION is a GOD of the IMPOSSIBILITIES and the GOD of BIG THINGS, therefore, when He speaks, we should not be surprised over how HUGE the VISION IS. And the reason over why the VISION is SO BIG is because He has a plan of doing it, not us alone. We are only a steward and a privilege Sons and Daughters who are trusted to perform God’s agenda and His purposes here on earth. Terri Savelle Foy said in one of her podcasts “If your dream is not BIG ENOUGH, you probably are not hearing from God.”

So what are we going to do when we already receive the VISION of our FUTURE from God? God has a COUNSEL from the Book of Habakkuk.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 Then the LORD told me:  “I will give you my message  in the form of a vision.  Write it clearly enough  to be read at a glance. At the time I have decided,  my words will come true.  You can trust what I say  about the future.  It may take a long time,  but keep on waiting–  it will happen! (CEV).

When God speaks to us about our future, He always paint a picture in our hearts. You probably see yourself in the bookstore signing your best selling books. Some of you may see yourself having a peaceful family who stand the tests of time with your successful kids. Others may see a flourishing business and giving big bucks to charities, local church, and your very own families.

Whatever God has impressed in your heart, He gives a very wise counsel. “WRITE THE VISION CLEARLY.” Do not think of your disability to make it come to pass to disable you to write, just WRITE it. To WRITE what you think as impossibilities is believing that it’s not going to be your might, nor by your power but by the Spirit of the Living God. You may not understand how it is going to come to pass but that’s why you have to TRUST GOD and lean not on your own understanding. WRITING is the first breaking point against unbelief. To the artists, you can have a PICTURE beside what’s written to inspire you. That’s what I usually do because I find the VISION too bland without pictures or colors. Whatever, just start from there. Someone said, “AS SOON AS YOU THINK IT, INK IT.”

So what are the VISIONS that God has painted in your heart? Start to WRITE IT DOWN. If not, then just approach God so He can paint His VISION for you to accomplish here on earth.

Have a great day Faith filled people of God💗

Upward God’s Way 1 – Have A Vision

Many are day dreaming to become like the success of someone else. We wish we have their house,  their money, their fame, their power, their relationship, their career, and etc. They are the headlines and the center stage and we aspire what they become but how did they reach there? In fact, many believers are disappointed in life because they prayed for at least twenty years (20 years) but nothing has been changing.  The world are flourishing while the believers are way too defeated in life.  Does the Bible has some advice for success or it’s just for the exceptional few who landed on some luck in life?!? The truth of the matter is this: “The Bible is a reliable source for succes for an upward kind of life.”

Let me start to share with you the first principle for an Upward Life God’s Way. First is VISION.

Where there is NO VISION the people perish; but he that keepeth the law, happy is he (Proverbs 29:18 KJV).

So, what is the VISION that God has been sharing in your heart? Is that getting out of poverty? Paying your debt? Building A Home? Doing missionary works? Lasting relationship? Building A Career? Saving Money?  Writing a book? Blogging? Business?

Or let us start in simple things. Like what is your vision for the day? Do you see a house clean? Spend time with God in His Word? Meditating God’s Promises? Taking your kids to the park?

Remember, without a VISION for the day, you will perish. You feel lethargic to wake up. You will just stay in bed waiting when the next entertainment will be shown. You probably browse your social media account and probably will have fun doing it. Then, the night comes and you feel frustrated because you feel inadequate and inferior for not doing anything. And then, insecurity crepts in by being unhappy of the success of someone else.

What happened? There’s no VISION for the day. Someone said, the way you do anything is the way you do everything. So if laziness will become a way of the day, then, it will become a habit and eventually will become a way of life.

Therefore, let’s have a VISION for our life and let’s back it up with what we do everyday.

Have a great day visionaries💗

Morning Ritual

Successful people are inspiring. They have the same physical senses like everybody else but they make the most out of their life while they are here on earth. They earned more. They lived in a very comfortable home. They are the best go to people to learn because they have the life and the character to match. In short, they don’t need to shout their achievements. They have fruits and it can be clearly seen.

So, what’s their secrets? I discover that successful people has morning rituals or daily habits.

Here are just few examples that I find:

1) JACK DORSEY (Creator of Twitter and the CEO of Square). He wakes up at 5:30AM to meditate and jog.

2) HOWARD SCHULTZ (CEO of Starbucks). He gets up at 4:30 am to walk his three dogs before coming home and making coffee for himself and his wife at 5:45am. He drinks his coffee using a coarse grind of Sumatra steeped for 3-4 minutes in boiling water then arrives at the office by 6am.

3) STEVE JOBS (Former CEO of Apple). After waking up, he would go to the mirror and ask: If today was the last day of my life, would I be happy with what I’m about to do today?

4) BILL GATES (Microsoft Founder). He spends an hour on the treadmill doing cardio exercise but watches instructional videos from the Teaching Company. 

5) MARK ZUCKERBERG (Creator Of Facebook). Wears the same gray tshirt everyday so he can make a few decision as possible.

How about our Bible Heroes? I checked my manual and here’s what I find:

1) JOSHUA (LEADER, Brought the Israelites to the Promise Land). He meditates the Word Of God everyday (Joshua 1:8).

2) DANIEL (Ruler Over The Whole Province Of Babylon). He prayed three times a day (Daniel 6:10).

3) DAVID (King). He prayed every morning and lay his requests to the Lord (Psalm 5:3).

4) JESUS CHRIST (The Savior Of The World). He often withdrew to deserted places and pray (Luke 5:16) and He often got up to be alone with the Father and pray very early in the morning (Mark 1:35).

Are there modern contemporary examples of Believers who have Success Routine? Yes and here are some of them:

1) TERRI SAVELLE FOY (Terri Savelle Foy Ministries). She wakes up at 4:25am, Prays, Read, Review Her Dreams And Goals, Hear the Word, then Exercise.

2) MARILYN HICKEY (Marilyn Hickey Ministries). She followed Joshua and meditates on the Word Of God everyday. She memorized many Books Of The Bible. Evangelized most of the Muslim Countries and is still active at 84.

3) JERRY SAVELLE (Jerry Savelle Ministries). Study the Word Of God continually in obedience to John 8:31.

What do they have in common? They established their daily routine and they do it consistently. So, It’s not the Big Things that we do ONCE that makes the difference, rather, it’s what we consistently do everyday. Consistency is the key to change. John Maxwell always said, “THE SECRET OF YOUR FUTURE IS HIDDEN IN YOUR DAILY ROUTINE.”

My question is, Are our daily routines will eventually lead to our success or failure in life? If we know it’s going to be in the path of success,  then let’s keep doing it. However, if it will eventually lead to failure,  then, it’s not too late to change.

Have a Great Day, Great Readers💕