Dear future self, honestly …

Posted on March 25, 2013 by Stace

peptalk_header

Dear 99-year-old-and-9-month self:

- Image courtesy of Living by via Tumblr

Let me give you a bargain: I will reduce my original 100-year-old lifespan down by 3 months. In return, please, endow me with your utmost patience for today, for this moment, for being alive and not merely existing in the heyday of this lifetime.

I no longer care for the yesteryears, but I do care to progress. I am always aware that the internal clock keeps ticking, and life is not getting any easier. But I am also aware that every morning when I wake, a new hope is given freely to me. Thank God’s mercy. I’m sure you remember them – the rays of sunshine smiling at you and all, don’t you? Yea, if that’s not the case, you won’t look so youthful with the natural facelifts you’re known for giving yourself (and especially for others).

How the heck did you have such patience? Is it from marathoning?

… or did you succumb yourself to being a lab rat for a lifetime?

I know for sure that both you and I have committed to the written word once in exchange for not committing suicide when we were 21 years old. For all I know that’s the only thing we have in common: Commitment.

But once again, please, bestow upon me just a dash of your measureless patience to not sweat the small stuff.

I was extremely pissed when I subconsciously reacted to my situation earlier. My gym had lousy electric service and, for some reason, they’ve been leaving this problem unfixed for quite some time. Many times throughout my 7-month membership at the club, without any sort of warning, the whole row of treadmill machines (except for the last two at the far right corner) abruptly stops running as the powers completely went off. I usually give these glitches a go, because they usually do whatever technical work they needed to do and I have always been able to restart my runs without further problems.

Today, though, was a biggie. It went off 4 times in total … within just one night! Before I finish my 5-minute warmup, it stopped. Then in my head, I changed my 35-minute workout for the night and shortened it to a 33. The machine started again, and it stopped yet again for after about 3 minutes. The next one, I thought I’d change my perspective to look at it as a blessing. These things happen so that my heart rate increase slowly, gradually, and effortlessly. It’ll be a very steady warmup toward a longer run, where I will be saving the most amount of energy to give out my all at the 35-minute mark. Yet tonight, my longest-running record was only around a 30-minute continuous run with a distance of, as I recall, 3.30-something kilometers – yes, the machine stopped again. It’s frustrating that I can’t recall the exact data. I don’t blame my memory because in this case, it doesn’t mean I have a lousy memory. I also love running and spacing out so much that I don’t really lock my eyes constantly on the running time as I run.

So what happened?

During my drive home, I had an epiphany – what if I simply decide not to blame anyone? After all, I do have a choice to not blame anyone. I don’t have to blame myself or the gym, the workers at the club, the electric service, the lifeless treadmill machines, or anyone, anything else related to my mini disaster today.

It’s not even a disaster. By blaming others or myself, I will be the disaster.

My first reaction was, does this gym really hold the quality it promises on its advertisements? Will my readers believe that I actually made that 30-minute mark, even without me getting the chance to take a picture of it?

But hey, 99-year-old self, you know better than I do. You know that responding is 180-degree different from reacting to life’s beloved little problems.

Sorry for taking your time, but I promise to use my lifetime wisely … now that 3 months are gone from my centenarian life. For everything else other than patience, thank you for just the amount of care and attention you always take to look after me. It’s unbelievable that compared to me, your 23-year-old self, one can describe you holding the kind of perseverance an ultra-marathoner would need to wear, because these long-distancers abode to plod far and long through life’s vicissitudes – they are almost always ready to cross great lengths (and transform mere miles into feats) along their way.

Once again, 99-year-old self, thank you for your time. You are, by far, the best listener I’ve ever met.

Yours faithfully,
& with much love,

STACIA PRISCILLA
25 March 2013

How to live a long and happy life, according to the Scripture

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Stace

Stanley Widjaja liked this post

This post is dedicated to those who believe.

Not so long ago, I received this chain message on BlackBerry Messenger through one of my closest friends. I thought it’d be useful for you if you’re trying to fill your pages in the book of life with true happiness, but can’t find it. Enjoy the written word.

- Image courtesy of lavender-colored glasses via Tumblr

♥ Keep calm and carry on.

(1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

♥ Don’t grieve or worry too much. Stop being sad for too long.

(Nehemiah 8:10 ESV, Romans 12:12 NET, Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 NKJV)

Then he said to them, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.

Everything Has Its Time

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.

The God-Given Task

What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

♥ Be proactive in work – be of service to others.

(Romans 12:11 NKJV)

not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

♥ Put away wrath when it comes: Wrath consumes you, eats your energy up, and has a negative impact on your health.

(Proverbs 19:19 AMP)

A man of great wrath shall suffer the penalty; for if you deliver him [from the consequences], he will [feel free to] cause you to do it again.

♥ If all things can be done in peace, why so tense?

(Proverbs 17:19-20 NKJV)

He who loves transgression loves strife,
And he who exalts his gate seeks destruction.
He who has a deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has a perverse tongue falls into evil.

♥ A malicious and envious heart has adverse effects on your health.

(Psalms 37:1 AMP)

Fret not yourself because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness (that which is not upright or in right standing with God).

♥ Keep an even temper; do not take anger to heart.

(Proverbs 14:29 NET)

The one who is slow to anger has great understanding,
but the one who has a quick temper exalts folly.

♥ Doesn’t matter what others are doing. Do everything with the right response.

(Romans 12:17-21 NIV)

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

♥ The world keeps spinning: When you’re down, do not despair, there will come a time when you will be up. But when you’re up, be careful not to fall.

(2 Corinthians 4:17 NIV)

For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

♥ Face your sufferings with faith in the Lord. Be joyful, because every suffering brings wisdom.

(Genesis 50:20 KJV)

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

♥ Take good care of your spirit.

(1 Timothy 4:8 AMP)

For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.

♥ Don’t feel old too quickly, because you’re younger today than you are tomorrow.

(Proverbs 3:1-7 ESV)

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make straight your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;

- Image courtesy of Peaceful Mind Peaceful Life via Pinterest

How’s everything filling in the pages of your book?

♥

Muchaluva,
Stace.

4. The centenarian

Posted on March 9, 2012 by Stace

VOCABULARY

Learn a new word today. Look for its definition, then write 3 sentences or less with it. In a year, you’re going to pat yourself on the back having learned 365 words into your vocabulary with firm understanding.

Accrue

: to happen or result as a natural growth, addition, etc.

: to be added as a matter of periodic gain or advantage, as interest on money.

Little exertions of daily effort, often in the smallest things, accrue to a lifetime quality of health, wealth, and all the values you hold dear. If bouts of faith is practiced everyday and free-will targets aimed are realistic, the happiness butterfly will take its nesting place that is on your right shoulder. Before you know it, you’re a wise, old man – with a really wide smile.

Muchaluva,
Stace

Social standing and personal autonomy determines longevity

Posted on December 8, 2011 by Stace

TIME Healthland article published yesterday referred to an interesting study on the lifespan of U.S. presidents who died of natural causes and its link with status and stress.

- Image courtesy of Immortal Humans

In the 18th and early 19th centuries, the average lifespan of men is under 40, but these presidents lived for an average of 73 years. Placed under the highest social rank and pressured under a lot of stress, it’s ironic that they preserved better health than the rest of the American population.

The correlation between social status and health remains consistent in scientific literature. Baboons that rank higher in their kingdom fared better over those at the bottom. Similarly, males who are lowest in social standing have high cholesterol and damaging stress hormone levels.

There’s no question about stress. It’s part of life and it’s unavoidable. However, studies have repeatedly shown that people who exert greater control over our jobs is linked with better health and are less susceptible to illnesses.

Interestingly enough, an earlier study published earlier this year concludes that “money leads to autonomy, but it does not add to well-being or happiness.” Researchers at the Victoria University of Wellington found consistent results that shows freedom and autonomy at a societal level are the best predictors of well-being.

Does this mean that all our search to earn a living mean a mere stepping stone toward something bigger: higher social standing, and/or personal success? Certainly, people who value monetary gains above these two are predisposed to poor health.

This brings us back to extrinsic motivation versus intrinsic motivation in life, including the daily tasks, with the latter one involving taking pleasure by the performing the task itself rather than working toward extrinsic outcome or reward, like money and grades. Yet both kinds of motivation requires a certain degree of self-control, which is understood now as a form of emotional intelligence, a potent predictor to personal health and well-being.

Which are you driven by – extrinsic or intrinsic motivation?

♥