Discover Why Some of the Richest People in the World are not Millionaires, they are Volunteers

Being a volunteer is easier said than done. From the experience I had this last summer camp, I've learned than being a volunteer doesn't end in giving your resources and everything that you have but rather in giving your full self, by rendering your service to the best of your ability. Up to these days, I can still remember those days we used to wake up so early though we've slept for just about an hour or two the night before, when we used to feed our special kids and prepare them for that day's activities, when we used to create our props, our bonding moments with the kids, and everything else. Those ten days of the camp, they're not just common days to do our mundane tasks. I have tasted every bit of it, wake up with a smile painted on everyone's faces, dreamt, and appreciated every moment next to me. Those ten beautiful days of my life with the special children will always be my provision wherever I go. I feel blessed to have witnessed a life- changing experience that not every man is fortunate to see. What I have experienced is now a part of my memories, memories that I'll always be proud and glad to think back and praise God for. The camp is over but my being a volunteer doesn't end there. This is just the beginning to embark on a journey filled with love to share and dreams to come true.

I feel happy knowing there are people who don't know me but have changed my life to some degree. I've never felt this self- fulfillment since I joined PVI Foundation. It's a non- stock, non- profit organization which caters children with special needs: children who are mentally and physically challenged, children with Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, street smarts etc.Since 1979, the foundation has been bringing these children to a ten- day therapeutic summer camp which will enable them to tap their potentials and maximize their abilities by providing them opportunities outside of their home and institutions.

Even the nicest job in the world cannot pay the same reward you earn as a volunteer. Do it today and discover why some of the richest people in the world are not millionaires, they are volunteers.

Silence: Often misinterpreted but never misquoted

If the butterflies no longer need the nectar, will they still stay with the flower?

It's almost 3am and I'm still up trying to make recap of how the previous days had been. I usually hang out with friends but I then I had this antagonistic feeling lately. We usually dine together but I preferred to eat alone yesterday. It rained but it felt good somehow 'coz I was able to feel that the coldness from the outside and not from within. We see each other almost everyday and I've been meaning to tell them how I feel lately but something would always hold me back- a weakness not everybody understands. I've always been quiet when things don't quite go well but I just came to a point when the struggles are so hard that they drown in words, that I'm trying to shut them out for a while. I'm not certain where I got the idea but for the past days, I keep on asking myself, If it weren't because of the favors you do for people, will you still feel loved? From this point in time, I just realized that no matter how many friends you have, you'll feel most lonely especially at the times you need them most. They say that those who wanted to be helped should be the ones to ask for it but what if they're drowning? Will they still be the ones to come close? It's not always the people with worries who should come for help. Sometimes, others should be sensitive enough when to make the first move.

Things I've Learned So Far

I have learned that in life, it's not what happens to people that matters, it's what they do about it.

I have learned that what counts most in life is what you do for others.

I have learned that being hugged by people you love is one of life's greatest pleasures.

I have learned that no one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

I have learned that those who are honest with themselves are the ones who get farther in life.

I have learned that sometimes, the most important lessons in life are the ones you've learned the hard way.

I have learned that it's hard to determine the line between being nice to people and not hurting their feelings and standing up for what you believe in.

I have learned that sometimes, it's easier to react than it is to think.

I have learned that having the opportunity to speak doesn't always give me the privilege to be understood.

I have learned that when a person is angry, he has the right to be angry but that doesn't give him the right to be violent.

I have learned that when people say nasty things behind your back, alway's remember .
that you're a step ahead.

I have learned that love is simple and beautiful. Only our stubborn nature welcomes complexities.

I have learned that you can like everybody if you just try to.

I have learned that sometimes, it's alright not to know the answers. They will come when you least expect them to.

I have learned that tomorrow is never promised and we don't know how many chances we can get.

I have learned that life on earth is temporary. We are prepared for something better if we do not lose hope from all the sufferings in this world.

I have learned that I still have a lot to learn...

My Life So Far

I've been 18 years on this planet. Aside from another age that's been added, nothing else has changed physically. From where I am right now, though I haven't seen much of life yet, I feel blessed and am really grateful. I feel many changes deep within. parang an dame kong napagnilay-nilayan. I reckon I've gone through a deep level of metamorphosis. Napaka-ironic talaga ng buhay and growing up is an oxymoron. When we were younger children, we ask a lot 'bout the ways of the world and when we're grown- ups, when we had known the ways of life, sometimes we wish we hadn’t. We envy children kasi they can sleep for as long as they want, they can indulge themselves in playing, wala silang deadlines na hinahabol, wala pang responsibilities. For the past years, yung diary lang talaga yung naging sole confidant ko, and it gave justice to the word "friend" . Minsan kasi when you're confiding something, they're very swift in giving the best intentional words of advice. While that may be good, there's still something more important and often being set aside. They don't know that listening is more important and often more healing. Even if nothing's said, you'll feel the sympathy when one's really listening. And that's one of the best ingredients of FRIENDSHIP, you never get tired of listening to your friends and know their whereabouts. But I'll be out of my shell for a while that's why I decided to do this blog. When it comes to HAPPINESS, ‘di ko naman alam lahat ng sikreto ‘dun pero for the past duration of my existence, wala pa akong natatandaan na bagay na ginawa ko para sa Diyos na hindi ko ikinaligaya. God has given us blessings and happiness is up to us. Whenever I feel sad, and worse is I don’t know what part of the problem bugs me, naiisip ko na lang na: “’Yaan mo na, mas marami naman yung mga panahong masaya ‘ko eh’. C’mon, I mean. I don’t often come out as strong as what others believe. Honestly, though I rarely show my emotions, inside me’s a person struggling for strength. And yeah, despite this weak heart, I know I’ve a God I can lean on whenever my courage fails. I think I’m contented with who I really am and what I’m made of ‘coz this is what I’ve always decided myself to be. I mean, I laugh when I could, I cry when I should. I don’t pretend. I don’t retaliate. I love my life and myself. I know my dreams and I’m goin’ to be ME. I used to complain ‘bout myself before and how people judge and underestimate me based on their superficiality, but I learned that beauty’s skin deep and I think I’d want to be appreciated for my inner qualities more than the outer ones. You know, even a lifetime’s not enough to thank God. He breathed our life and gave us our loved- ones. In terms of worldly possessions, I’m thanking Him for providing our family with a good fortune. We aren’t rich but we never ran out of food to consume or clothes to wear and we’d never came to thinking of taking advantage over others for our own profit. Marami pa sana ‘kong gust ibahagi but I think ‘this will do for the meantime. Nothing’s as scary as the unknown that’s why I decided to do this blog. I might have an amnesia or an Alzheimer’s disease, at least I’ve something to read on and can say to myself, “Ah…Ganitong klaseng buhay pala ang nagkaroon ako. Salamat sa Kaniya. Salamat talaga.” As for now, gusto ko sanang magwish. I want to become healthy. I want to be strong enough to make a difference while I’m living. Sa family, I hope we could stay together as a family. Sa studies, I pray to have more concentration in spite of all the advertising around me. Sa lovelife naman, I haven’t fallen out of love yet kasi andiyan ang mga mahal ko sa buhay. Pero kung sinoman siya, I’m striving to become a better person to prove that I’m worth the wait. In God’s perfect time, we’ll see each other but for now, I’m happy even in my solitude ( I find inner peace).

**You’ll never really understand what life means until you consider it's purpose.**