If there is one thing that you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?

If there is one thing that you can give to the Philippines, what is that gift?

Throughout the years, Philippines have endured a lot of hardships that range from political, environmental, employment, corruption, crime, etc. Almost every aspect in our country can be considered unfavorable.

One of the serious issues in the Philippines right now is no other than the lack of employment opportunities. The number of unemployed citizens is steadily on the rise. Every year, there are graduates that add to this number. Some are truly lucky to find the right jobs while others end up in jobs not connected to the course they took up in college. It is indeed a sad state and the government has not taken any action.

During Christmas day, what gift/gifts did you receive? Well, I actually received nothing, yet I am happy that I am with my family that day. As for our country, is there something that you can give and what would that gift be? For my answer, it is simple – JOB OPPORTUNITIES. If I am given the power, I would give jobs to my fellow countrymen who badly need it. This gift would be greatly appreciated by Filipinos who are unemployed.

It is a known fact that jobs are scarce in the Philippines, yet some are lucky enough to end up with their dream jobs. Others end up unemployed while others simply take on unrelated jobs than their courses due to financial needs.

With my gift to the Philippines, it would provide a number of benefits in the long run. Primarily, it would help increase the productivity levels since the manpower can be utilized in various ways. Additionally, it will help decrease the unemployment level, thus minimizing the crime levels. Apparently, this gift will help improve other aspects in our country over time.

How I truly wish I could give this gift to our country as part of #GLOBEProjectWonderful2014 by Globe. It can greatly help out the Philippines in many ways.

What about you?

If you can give a gift to our country, what will it be?

How Text Messages Changed Communication

It cannot be denied that text messages drastically changed communication by making it easier to get in touch with your loved ones and friends. If you are tired of long, unpleasant phone calls, text messages will make communication a lot easier. In studies conducted, teenagers regularly use text messages on a daily basis. Understandably, texting is considered as the preferred mode of communication among young people and this trend in communication is already becoming accepted among the adults. If you are using text messages, you have to bear in mind that it is already changing the ways people communicate with one another. Even though the benefits of this mode of communication helped you out a lot, it is best to be familiar with the changes it triggered.

Communication is easy with the help of mobile phones

Communication using text messages provides fast delivery of thoughts and words, but you could no longer communication on a face-to-face basis. As a result, if you use text messages to communicate most of the time, you might become uncomfortable with actual communication. Try not to depend solely on text messages all the time and communicate with others in person if possible.

With the help of text messages, it increases the chances of small talk which serves as an asset to individuals eager to start a friendship with others. This might be due to the fact that texting is more comfortable that using the phone when communicating with others. Obviously, texting only offers surface-level communication which simply means that they are less likely to engage in meaningful conversations. If you want to have a personal conversation with your friend or a loved one, limit on the text messages and try to talk in person.

Text messaging made communication easier

Constant use of text messages was discovered to affect our capability to communicate correctly. As a consequence, individuals who were accustomed to texting have poor writing skills than those who use phone or email for communication. In worst cases, these individuals could no longer adjust their tone and style when talking to others. Even though texting is considered as actual communication, it is not carried out in person. In doing so, it results to a scenario in which you are required to reply right away to the text message. In some individuals, late replies can lead to impatience and even aggression, especially if the recipients of a text messages took a long time to reply.

The lines of social boundaries can also be affected by text messages. Individuals can easily send text messages and expect a quick reply. It can disrupt the line between private and public as well as interfering with your privacy. You might have received text messages during the early hours in the morning or during your vacation. It can disrupt whatever you are doing just because you have to reply at once.

Get in touch with others through text messages

Even though there are evident changes in the way we communicate due to the use of text messages, it cannot be denied that it made communication a lot faster. You can easily get in touch with a loved one or a friend even with just simple messages, such as “How are you”. The simple act of sending a text message is greatly appreciated by those who are in a bad state or simply need someone to talk to.

Just make sure that you will use text messages appropriately and avoid going to the point where you are already disrupting the privacy of others. You can send a simple text message as a way of showing that you remember them, but not for a long conversation which takes away the personal touch of the act.

Why Celebrate Your Birthday?

Once you think about birthdays, there are several things that always come to mind – balloons, cakes, confetti, drinks and people. It is all about partying on your special day. Birthdays are celebrated animatedly during the younger years of an individual and eventually start to decline during the older years. Understandably, it all depends on the birthday celebrant and those involved in planning the birthday party. If you will take time to think, your birthday is indeed a special day in your life. Your birthday marks the time when you first opened your eyes to the world and became part of it. Consider yourself blessed if you can reach a healthy old age. It simply shows that you were able to live for many years just to celebrate your special day for another year and maybe even more years to come.

How do you celebrate your birthday?

Birthdays are viewed in different perspectives. Some individuals link birthdays to excitement while others have a sense of dread on that day. For many people, it is simply another day while others consider it as a biggest day of the year. Some dread their birthday since it marks the day that they will add a number to their age while others are excited just for the partying and gifts to be received. Aging is normal, yet others somehow fear that reality. How do you view your birthday?

Every individual has a different viewpoint when it comes to birthdays. Others do not want to eat cake or listen to rounds of the happy birthday song. In some individuals, they eagerly decorate their home with signs and decors telling everybody that it is his/her birthday. Some simply give more emphasis on special milestone birthdays. Depending on the category you fall, it is vital to respect the preferences of others when it comes to birthday celebrations. In the cultural perspective, each culture has a special way in celebrating birthdays.

In the United States, there is a mix of different cultural traditions. Families celebrate birthdays in different ways along with their own traditional features. Some families adhere closely to their religious or cultural traditions while others celebrate birthdays in a culturally homogeneous manner by incorporating elements from other cultures. 

Birthday gifts

Always remember that regardless of your viewpoint on birthdays, it is not just a time for celebration and frivolity, but also a way to mark the passage. It is the time where you reflect on your years of experiences and can be considered as a milestone with a variety of personal and cultural significance.
When it is your birthday, it is best to take some quiet time on your own in order to reflect on what you truly want for your life. All you have to do is to sit with your eyes closed and breathe in the feeling of love and gratitude in order to allow your heart to unfold on your special day.

In reality, it does not matter if you throw a big party or celebrate with just a few close friends. What matters most is that you consider your birthday as a special day in your life and you are lucky to have another birthday. As the saying, “May you have more birthdays to come”, it simply shows that it is indeed special for you to reach either your 21st or 40th birthday. It is only a day in the entire year where you can thank God for your existence as well as show gratitude for what you achieved in your life. Do not forget that your family and friends also remember your birthday and would eagerly celebrate with you during your special day.

Friendship - How to make it last

No man is an island. In life, not one of us passed through life without having a friend. Almost all of us have at least one friend or a group of friends at some point in our lives. You might have a lot of friends or just a few close friends, but what matters most is that we were able to form a connection with others. In establishing a bond with others, does it require you to possess special skills or is there a connection to your personality?

Always bear in mind that the formation of friendship forms in various ways, even in unusual circumstances or with people you are not likely to mingle with. There are some friendships that only last for a short time while others can last for a lifetime through thick and thin.

In any relationship including friendship, are there rules you should follow? You have to bear in mind that in friendship, there are basic rules that you have to adhere to. In one study, it was discovered that there are essential rules of friendship that you have to observe – trust and disclosing issues, showing emotional support, sharing news of success, aim to make your friend happy, volunteering in times of need and standing up for your friend. We will now take a close look at these essential rules of friendship one by one.

Trust and disclosing issues

It cannot be denied that trust is important in any relationship, even in friendship. Trust opens up a conduit in your heart so that you can experience life more fully. The trust you established with your friend is difficult to gain once it is broken. Hopefully, this will not happen but if it does, some can forget while others could never forgive.

Showing emotional support

In most cases, friendship typically starts with a shared feeling or situation. In friendship, you have to support this emotional closeness and show emotional support to your friend. Usually, this can be achieved by listening to your friend genuinely, providing advice through kind words and caring gestures. It will surely help enlighten your friend that she/she has someone there for him/her.

Friends stay true to one another despite hardships in life.

Sharing news of success

Every time success comes knocking on your door, you will enjoy life more once you share it with your friends. With the simple act of sharing, it helps strengthen your faith in the richness of goodness in life while at the same time strengthening the bond with your friend. If you got lucky with a promotion in your job or won in a singing contest, your friend will eagerly listen to your story.

Aim to make your friend happy

If your friend is facing a bad phase in his/her life, you should try to make your friend happy since it also shows that you truly value him/her. Even if your friend might be too buried in his/her problems, the simple gesture of cheering him/her up will be greatly appreciated. If you are in the bad state, a true friend will always keep in touch once they knew you are in trouble.

Spending time with your friend will surely make you smile.

Volunteering in times of need

Once your friend is in need of help, always offer a helping hand. Although your friend might decline your offer, it will be greatly appreciated that you still offered to help out. Some simply say nice things to their friends, but when you actually back up your words with action, it is considered as a blessing by your friend who is in need. You have to take note that balance should be applied though. Once you start demanding a lot from your friend or if the needs are one-sided, the friendship will not last since the other party will simply feel abused.

Standing up for your friend

This rule in friendship can test the integrity of the relationship. Understandably, you will take a risk and commit yourself in protecting your friend in case someone else speaks badly behind his/her back. As a result, your friend will greatly appreciate your action and can make the bond even stronger. It simply shows that as a true friend, you are ready to stand up for him/her.

Friendship is indeed essential in our lives. With the quote, “No man is an island”, you cannot go through life alone. Aside from your family, you definitely need a friend in order to make life a lot more meaningful. With the help of the rules of friendship, it will make your relationship with your friends last throughout the years while making your life a blessed one.

As a friend, how do you show that you truly care?