Healthy Mind

My recent travel in the beautiful island of Bohol (Philippines) helped me to understand a significant comparison among two kinds of people. One that carries an electronic gadget and the other reads a novel.

I am not against those who play games on PSPs and IPods. They are cool and I think much more exciting. But let me ask you dear readers, can you weigh the amount of time you play games rather read a book that enhances your creative imagination? In which do you spend time most?

Take a look at these guys I met in the resort where we stayed. And I saw many of the same nationality carry thick books while on travel. I just admire their habit of reading.

How reading uplifts your personal growth:

Reading makes you think well without any aid of visuals.

Reading creates pictures in your head.

Reading ups your analytical thinking.

Reading boosts your thought process.

Reading instill a character in you.

These are the reasons why you'll find books I recommend and currently reading in this blog. I am bookish. Whether I can read it or not for a time in travel, books are my instant companion. If I can't afford to enroll in a seminar, I just invest in good books and write ups in the internet, and downloadable Ebooks as well.

Now, the moment you finish your game in the gadget, think how it would affect your long term goal. For some good reasons, kill time. Play games. Laugh and be merry. But, don't ever ignore that you need to put a value on your self and give value to others.

From Imagination to Vision

In my early 20's, I got involved with a missionary organization. Then, summer in 2001 when one of my imaginations came true. It was my first time to ride an airplane! Whew! And, for first timers like me, I was pushed to sit at the window seat. When the airplane lifted, I felt like my soul left me and stayed in the ground. Some advised me that it would just like riding in a bus but your view would be clouds and sky.

After that experience, I cut the Philippine map from a magazine, posted it in the wall and pinned this little town in Visayas region, Bacolod City. Since that day, I decided to pin all the places where I have been.

Then time came when I imagined myself to travel abroad. I grabbed small Post It pieces and wrote the countries where I wanted to go and pasted them in my passport. The first country I visited was Hong Kong and got to meet Mickey Mouse in Disney and the dolphins in The Ocean Park. (And, let me share you a photo of me, my wife and sister-friend Sophia at Ho Chi Minh Museum, Hanoi, Vietnam.)

It all started in a dream; a desire to travel to enjoy life's beauty. I imagined myself inside the airplane and it happened. But, it took months and years. Patience taught me to understand that what I imagine will take place but it only requires constant believing. It didn't happen overnight because there was a purpose why it has to be at the right time. Today, my vision is to travel around the world to spread Good News. It just keeps me more excited.

Same as you, my dear friend. You have great things in mind. You have dreams. You have a vision for yourself. I have learned that what we imagine may come true. Sometimes, it may not. We can change what we imagine, more often than not. But when you say it's your vision. It's going to happen. After all, your desire to make it happen will push you whatever it takes to fulfill that vision. So, keep your vision alive!