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.