Change the way you look at things

It's really all a matter of how we look at things, as Wayne Dyer says in this quote. Our attitude and point of view are really powerful!

Th photo is a red flower from my garden. Its name is flaming Katy or Kalanchoe blossfeldiana.

Your thoughts are powerful

This quote from Peace Pilgrim is so true. Our thoughts are really so powerful as they can oftentimes turn things around. Everything concrete that we see really originate as mere thoughts. 

The photo is an orchid I found in a friend's garden.

Holy Family

Today is the Feast of the Holy Family. So I am sharing a quote from Deuteronomy about honoring your father and mother.

The photo is a stained glass window from a church here in the Philippines.

voyages of discovery

Thomas Merton is so right about reminding us to discover first ourselves before exploring worlds beyond us. We may know so much about the moon, but do we really know our selves?

The photo is the moon and  a tree skeleton which I layered in Photoshop.
If you are interested in a card or a poster of this, please go to my RedBubble site.

the power of vision

I believe angels are really among us. As St. Thomas Aquinas said, they can illuminate the thought and mind of man by strengthening the power of vision."

The photo is an angel on a Christmas tree.

Son of God

For unto us a Child is born. He is the Son of God! The birth of Jesus among us is really an amazing event. I wonder how the Blessed Virgin Mary felt when the angel told her this passage from Luke.

The photo is a stained-glass window in a church.

Christmas bells

Just like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, I also love listening to bells. Peace on earth and goodwill to men on this Christmas day!

The photo is a pink flower shaped like bells.

Christmas and Christ

It's so true that we tend to forget the most important gift we have at Christmas. Actually, if we remove "Christ" from "Christmas", then the latter does not mean anything at all. It's just a pity that Christ gets buried in all the tinsel and presents, and food that we prepare for this significant day.

The photo is a nativity scene carved in wood and displayed at a furniture store we recently visited here in the Philippines. 

Christmas in the heart of God

"Christmas is timeless and eternal." I only know Roy Rogers as an actor, I never realized that he has this deep understanding of what Christmas truly is. I'm sure glad I found this quote from him.

The photo is a nativity set that was given to me.

always pray

It's unfortunate that the author of this quote is unknown. I wish I could thank him/her about this beautiful prayer.

The photo is a bromeliad flower that looks like it is aflame with prayer and love.

Religion is a candle inside a multicolored lantern

I like the way Mohammed Naguib describes what religion is. This is especially true about traditional lanterns which are lighted by candles. We do see the various colors, but actually, the candle is always there inside. Nowadays however, lanterns are already lighted by light bulbs and not by candles anymore. More so with giant lanterns as shown in the photo below.

This giant lantern is actually lighted by more than a thousand bulbs. This particular lantern won the grand prize in the recently concluded giant lantern festival here in the Philippines.

Love was born at Christmas

I love this lyrical quote from Christina Rossetti. She sounds like she is singing.

The photo is an angel carved out of wood, that decorates the door of a church here in the Philippines.

God has perfect timing

I have experienced God's perfect timing in my life so many times already. Now I have learned to wait and be patient because God truly answers prayers, sometimes maybe not in the way we wanted it but always surely in the way that is best for us. We just need to trust and have faith.

The photo is a patch of strawberries coming out from their bed.If you notice, the fruits do not ripen at the same time. So each fruit has its own time for ripening.

love, strength and courage

Lao Tzu is indeed a philosopher par excellence! Imagine coming with a quote that is so deep, moving, and inspiring!

The photo is the flower of an ornamental banana plant. Deep inside, the banana plant holds many life secrets.

Appreciation is the highest form of prayer

I like how Alan Cohen described appreciation as "the highest form of prayer." It's so true that every time we are thankful, we acknowledge the presence of goodness. It also brings a smile to our lips and eyes! Just thinking about being thankful for something makes me do that - smile, that is!

The photo is a white mum with a tinge of pink and yellow.

felt with the heart

I find Helen Keller as such an amazing person. For somebody who has impaired sense of sight, she surely knows how to see what is beyond and behind the surface of things and people.

The photo is a raindrop at the tip of a flower. I love taking photos of raindrops and flowers and this is one of my favorites.

look deep into nature

Albert Einstein does not only have a great understanding of the physical laws of nature but of mankind as well. This quote from him is not only talking about nature but of mankind as well, don't you think so?

The photo is a deep inside photo of Oxalis, a most photogenic flower that I love to take photos of.

make life beautiful for others

I find this quote from Mandy Hale so beautiful and true. Mother Teresa comes to mind right away. Also, all those who help without expecting anything in return. This was made so evident during the recent typhoon that hit our country. All the goodness and beauty of  people shone forth as we all tried to make life better for those affected by the typhoon.

The photo is a flower I bought from a flower garden. Unfortunately, I forgot its name and couldn't find it in the web either.

Christmas hearts

I like this quote from Janice Maeditere. It reminds us of what is the true meaning of Christmas.

The photo is a tree laden with Christmas presents.

Mankind and Christmas

Yes, we are all one family in the eyes of the Lord. And this is especially felt at Christmas as we give love to each other. Pope John XXIII said this so nicely.

The photo is a Camillian Sister hugging children. I used Photoshop to create this "small world" effect.

Sing joyfully to the Lord

It is indeed fitting to "sing joyfully to the Lord" as what these lines from Psalm 33 tells us.

The photo shows Camillian Sisters singing Christmas carols to us.

Christmas Gift Suggestions

Here are some Christmas Gift Suggestions from an unknown author and converted I into a card. I think they are very good suggestions.

The photo shows red, trumpet-like flowers that somehow reminds me of Christmas. I don't know the scientific name of this plant though. 

the magic of Christmas

Yes indeed, Christmas is magic and everything is more beautiful. Norman Vincent Peale said it so nicely!

The photo is a nativity scene made by Precious Moments.

prayer is raising of the mind to God

Pope John XXIII describe best what is written in our minds or hearts. Most of the time, we do not know how to put words in our prayer. But as Pope John XXIII said, "actual words matter less" as long as we raise our mind to God.,

Photo is of somebody praying inside the Church of the Gesu, here in the Philippines.

books for Christmas

I like this reminder from Lenore Hershey. It's timely and very practical. And healthy too!

The photo is just a collage of books.

the heart of Christmas

I love this wish from Ada V. Hendricks. It's so full of positive energy and the true spirit of Christmas!

The photo is a flower I found in a friends house. Unfortunately, I do not know its name.

calmness of spirit

This maxim from Blessed Maria Domenica makes me feel at peace and calm. I like the terms that she used "calmness of spirit and tranquility of the heart."

The photo is an orchid used as floral piece in a hotel.

Dream and reality

This quote from Colin Powell just shows how down to earth he is. We should not just dream. We simply have to begin working on our dream and that takes "determination and hard work" according to Powell.

The photo is a raindrop on a fern frond. The raindrop clings on to the frond and stays longer out there.

you can achieve

As Norman Vincent Peale said, we can achieve whatever our "mind can conceive and believe" and our heart desires. So it really depends on us. However, we must not forget to trust and thank the Lord for everything.

Beauty around you

There is really so much beauty around us. Our problem is we fail to see what may sometimes be under our nose. Thanks for this reminder from Anne Frank!

The photo is a pink bougainvillea flower.

Trust when you don't understand

Another quote about "trust", from Jerry Bridges. He is really into building "trust" and he does talk sense to me. Yes, God's ways are really beyond our understanding, so just have to learn to put our trust in Him!

The photo is a macro shot of raindrops clinging to the style of a flower.

Trust is an act of the soul

"Trust a vigorous act of the soul...." I like these words from Jerry Bridges. It's so empowering and inspiring. In fact, everything about the words in this quote is empowering.

The photo is a sailboat or "paraw" as it navigates of waters of Boracay during sunset.

diary of your life

"The secret of success is in turning that diary into the best story you possibly can." Oh, I love this quote from Douglas Pagels! It tells us that we can make our own story of success! Isn't that great?

The photo is an early morning scene of the mountains in Cordillera, here in the Philippines.

participate in your dreams

Every new day presents the possibility of realizing our dreams. Thus, Steve Maraboli is so inspiring when he exhorts us to take action on our dreams. It's the only way to make them come true!

The photo is taken through a lamp shade. I just added a layer of sun to achieve this golden effect.

unlock your potential

Winston Churchill is someone who really walks his talk. He applies to himself what he talks about. So he embodies what "continuous effort" can achieve.

The photo is a young man who kept on repeating what he is shown doing here. He just kept on diving, then going back up and diving again. I actually titled this as "I believe I can fly" when I posted this photo in my RedBubble site.

criticism should be gentle

Frank Howard Clark shows his understanding and love for people in this quote. Criticism is something that should "nourish a man's growth" and not destroy "his roots." I like best the line, it should be gentle like rain. 

The photo is a Mimosa flower wet with raindrops.

rain is grace

I love this quote from John Updike. I find it so lyrical. Indeed, "rain is grace." I always love it after the rain, the kind of rain that is not destructive of course.

This photo was taken from our backyard during a rainy day.

the function of prayer

I like this quote from SorenKierkegaard. Just reminds us that when we pray, we are changed.

The photo is a macro shot of a portion of a leaf.

of success and failures

Thomas Edison sure knows what he is talking about when he says that failures are those who gave up too soon. He also has another quote that I like. It's about saying that he knows a 10,000 ways that don't work rather that saying that he failed.

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Thomas A. Edison
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html#r3e9iXOcvtMS3eKd.99

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html#r3e9iXOcvtMS3eKd.99

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html#r3e9iXOcvtMS3eKd.99

The photo is a man practicing on his board a thousand times, maybe? I took this in my favorite island, Boracay.

There is no substitute for hard work.
Thomas A. Edison
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/t/thomas_a_edison.html#r3e9iXOcvtMS3eKd.99

Life is a process

Never give up is what Richard Carlson implies in this quote. There is always room for a new beginning.

The photo used here is a leaf beginning to uncurl.

pray with all your heart

This maxim from Blessed Maria Domenica is really meant for the sisters in her congregation. However, I think that it can also apply to us. We really need to pray all the time even if only for a little bit as long as we take it to heart.

The photo is a bunch of Dianthus flowers.

Build community

I like this reminder from Jean Vanier about building community. We really need to build community wherever we are. It's the only way to live a healthy and happy life.

The photo is a bunch of bougainvillea flower.

create many ripples

This quote from Mother Teresa once again emphasizes the need for interaction even in just small ways, so we can produce change.

The photo shows a boy preparing to "take off".

a flower blooms in adversity

This quote from "Mulan" of Walt Disney Co., is so true and inspiring. Adversity usually hones us and strengthens our character. The same is true for a flower. If it blooms under the most adverse conditions, then it is most beautiful.

The photo is a flower of the mickey mouse plant or Ochna wightiana.

hope for a better world

Jim Henson, the creator of "The Muppets", is such an inspiring person. I love this quote from him. If only we can all share in his hope, then we will leave a better world after us.

This is a sunset scene from my hometown here in the Philippines. The sky was really unbelievable that day!

Stand firm

I find this quote from Francine Rivers as a good reminder for us to trust in the Lord. We must always do all we can but we have to learn to "stand firm in the Lord."

The photo is a half-opened gold mum, standing firm.

riding a bicycle

Albert Einstein is not only a great scientist, he also has a wonderful grasp on life and human behavior.

This man was riding a bicycle along the beach in Boracay, my favorite island here in the Philippines. I could not help but take a shot as I find it rather unusual - a bike along the beach. 

leitmotif

Henri Cartier-Bresson is one of my idols in photography. I just love this quote from him about "the smallest thing can be a great subject." It's because I love taking photos of small things, small details!The smaller, the more challenging for me!

The photo is a wall decor in a restaurant.

beauty is a light in the heart

I love this quote from Kahlil Gibran. I am reminded that true beauty is really goodness in the heart and not something external.

The photo I used here is a yellow gold mum. I love how the early morning light created a luminous effect.

greatest glory

This quote has been attributed both to Ralph Waldo Emerson and to Confucius. I am not sure who is the real author. I just attributed it here to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Anyway, I really like this quote because it's so positive.

This view is along the road to Batangas, here in the Philippines. I took this from the car because I could not ask the driver to stop.