Risk to benefit ratio

How should a husband and father react to a woman who says, "I will not take you from her?" Obviously, the statement gives consent to fool around or continue to do so (whichever the case may be) without any strings attached. Perfect offer, right? To the loving family man, it should not be.

Thankfully, at this point, I could confidently say, "I love my wife and kids more than my ego." Either I am aging or simply getting better at warding off temptations, bottomline: I am learning to conquer an extravaganza once characteristic of my youth. I have to acknowledge that it was not a flawless deflection; the little devil in me still had to evaluate the risks and benefits.

I pray to be just as steadfast when the next hurdle comes.

Giving men the opportunity to fish

The global economic crisis has left a lot of people jobless and without food on the table. Really depressing but the scenario is inevitable. Otherwise, the prophesy would be a farce.

To come to somebody's aid is always good. It gives people hope. However, it is always better to bail-out those who are also helping themselves. Only then will it be truly rewarding, for both.

Ages ago, I was a recipient of an opportunity to make a difference in my life. With the generous guidance of my uncle Andy and aunt Janet, they set the stage for a comfortable future. Words are not enough to thank them.

For years now, I have been striving to pay it forward by lending others a hand. I do not have the means to give away fish, but I try to share the waters with them.

In a couple of weeks, my brother Paolo and I will employ a team of consultants for a long-term project. The group is composed of hardworking individuals, some without work while others with little to speak of.

Facing the Giants

"In his six years of high school football, Coach Grant Taylor has never led his Shiloh Eagles to a winning season. When faced with seemingly insurmountable professional and personal crises, the idea of giving up has never come easier. It's only after an unexpected visitor challenges him to trust in the power of faith that he discovers the strength to persevere." - Facing the Giants

A wonderful and inspiring film. It would be selfish of me not to share it with you. Make time to enjoy it with your friends and families.

Nicole, I thank God for you

Nicole, I thank God for you.
We all thank Him for you.
Your mom and I were very young then.
It seemed like an accident but your were never one.
You are precious gift.
You will always be.

Life is sometimes harsh.
I wish circumstances were more favorable.
You were never at fault; I have been deficient.
I beg for forgiveness.
Calm will come.
We will get there.

Stefanie, your kid sister, yearns for you.
She loves you dearly.
You will always be her big sister.
I was a stranger to my siblings.
I pray that things work well between the two of you.
Love will bind you both.

Dad does not care less.
I am careless.
Dad is naive about relationships.
I did not have a template.
Dad is learning.
I will overcome.

Tomorrow is a new day.
A brighter day, especially for you.
I wish I could walk you through.
Nonetheless, make good of it.
You are allowed to make mistakes.
The blunders will make you a better person.

Nicole, I love you.
I thank God for you.

Lessons from Mr. Bean

My little Stefanie is so fond of Mr. Bean. Being a kid, her attention span is supposed to be short but not when Mr. Bean is clowning around. She simply goes gaga over him. I could only wonder why.

I was never a fan of Mr. Bean. I thought of his humor as off the wall and boringly stupid. Maybe I was unfair to have pre-judged him without much consideration. I have not even sat down in any of his shows.

One day, Stefanie dragged me to watch what she dotingly called, "her favorite;" so there I was, a trying-to-be-supportive dad, about to agonize over the antics of the man and his tiny car. To my surprise, bit by bit, I was being consumed by Mr. Bean. I took a look at my little Stefanie and saw the smile of the happiest kid in town. In no time, we were both laughing silly.

Mr. Bean does not talk much. He speaks mainly through his actions. As it is, my Stefanie loves him. Mr. Bean gives her joy. (I am sure my Nicole would love him too.) What more if the character could articulate through words?

In the real world, a lot of us are so un-Mr. Bean. Instead of holding people in our arms, we drive them away. Many of us use the gift of gab to inflict the deepest of wounds. What beauty does it bring? It is a shame I had to learn from the mum Mr. Bean.

Life is too short not to let people know how much we care. Let us not miss the opportunity in this lifetime. Be someone else's Mr. Bean.