Unfailing Love

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read809 views

As Ibn Taymiyyah simply put it, “Don’t depend too much on anyone in this world because even your own shadow leaves you when you are in darkness.” It reminds me that as a People we are unpredictable which in turn can make us untrustworthy. Some situations will cause us to trust no one, including ourselves.

Joy to the World, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King … . What a lovely and powerful Christmas Carol. Christmas is a joyful and beautiful time of the year; it is, as many believe it to be, a time to reconcile with oneself, with others and with God. In Luke 4:18, we learn that Jesus came to set the captives free (both believers and non-believers alike). Christmas season is a time to reflect, to rejoice, to hug someone, to reach out to someone whom we haven’t spoken to in a while. Can we love again past the hurts? Sure we can. Someone did the same for us by dying on the cross to save us all from sin. Another good example is a Mother, whose love for her child is so strong and unfailing. How many times have we brought our Mothers to their knees by our reckless actions? Still, they’ve stood by us, providing for us, keeping us safe and demonstrating their unfailing love for us.

We should love people regardless of what they do or say about us. We should show the same kindness to others as we would like to be shown. I know the hurt of being let down and I am sure that somewhere along the road, I have let a few down too. One thing I hold dear to my heart is the love for Family and even though we don’t often see eye to eye, I love each and everyone of them to pieces. I have lost one too many and I just cannot afford the luxury of holding negative energy or to wallow in the hurts and bitterness. It’s destructive, it’s a drainer and it’s a time waster. I have one brain, one heart and one life which I refuse to poison with futilities.
I love the moment. I enjoy creating good, lasting memories to cherish in my lifetime and to pass on.

God's Unfailing Love ...
God’s Unfailing Love …

As the year 2012 draws to its end, let us all thrive to make these last few days count. Let us look around us and examine ourselves, our lives, our life styles. What did we achieve this year? Where did we go wrong and how did we make it right? This season, let’s make someone happy by reaching out regardless of who was wrong or right. Do not wait until the last minute to regret or condemn; it will be too late then and time, we cannot reset.

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.” – Hebrews 12:15 (NIV)

A Christmas Wish

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read546 views

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and praying that these last few days take us safely into 2013.

From My Family to Yours, Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

A Christmas Prayer
by Helen Steiner Rice  

God make aware that in thy name,
The Holy Christ Child humbly came.
To live on earth and leave behind,
New faith and hope for all mankind…
And make us aware that the Christmas Story,
Is everyone’s promise of eternal glory.

Chocolate: Mood Booster

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read609 views

I love Chocolate and my love for this amazing treat began when I was a teenager and it amplified after the loss of my Sister. It was pretty much one of the few things that kept me sane and moving forward.
I enjoy Dark Chocolate the most (from its high flavonoids compounds, which perform the same task as antioxidants by helping rid our body of toxins to its high level of serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant). I eat it in moderation every now and then, taking the time to really enjoy the taste. It falls in the category of Mood Boosting Foods and it definitely enhances the ‘feel good’ mood.

A study conducted by some scientists claim that Chocolate provide greater health benefits for men than it does for women (read it here). Research shows that drinking cocoa promotes blood flow to the brain and improving Brain functions. They are so many Amazing Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate which you can read here, here and here. Some researchers have found that eating Dark Chocolate can help with skin texture and tone as well as slowing down the aging process. These are some great benefits of Chocolate, especially Dark Chocolate.

One Chocolate brand I’ve come to love in particular is Godiva® Chocolatier, Inc. I mostly enjoy the Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate and Milk Chocolate with Caramel. If you are a coffee lover, consider trying the Godiva® Chocolatier Coffee (French Vanilla, Hazelnut Crème, Chocolate Truffle, and Breakfast Blend) and for a limited time, you could enjoy their seasonal flavors, Cinnamon Gingerbread Truffle and Peppermint Mocha flavored coffees. They have a unique selection for all occasions (personal, business, etc …).

Godiva® Chocolatier.

To name just a few, the following foods are great Mood Boosting Foods: Spinach (high in folic acid), Almonds, Walnuts, Salmon (rich in omega-3, vitamin B12), Whole Grains (rich in selenium), Eggs (rich in amino acids), Lean Meat (rich in protein and vitamin B-12), Banana, Berries (rich in vitamin C), and Yogurt (rich in calcium and contains necessary bacteria for digestion). You can find a complete list here, here and here.

Sweet Sound of Music

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read563 views

Sunshine, cool breeze and the smell of freshly baked cookies in the air. Oh, what a beautiful day!

My Kindergartener returned from his end of year Christmas Party at school and together with his sister, they are having fun in the playroom. We will be having him home exclusively for the next three weeks, moments which I am looking forward to create and treasure. I have completed my morning chores and I have made myself comfortable on the loveseat, all relaxed and worry free. I am blogging and sipping a warm cup of coffee while listening to the sweet sound of Benise (“Spanigh Nights” album). We bought his first four CDs in 2002, while he was performing with a group of friends at the Ontario Mills® Mall. We couldn’t resist his unique style of music.

Benise, “Spanish Nights.”
Benise, Spanish Nights.

The excitement, anticipation and final countdown to Christmas is making everyone here antsy (myself being the antsiest). In just five days we’ll all be opening our gifts; reaping those beautifully wrapped presents which have been carefully and lovingly placed under the white Christmas Tree. To witness the unbridled joy and gratitude on my children’s faces as they contemplate their gifts is, oh, so priceless. In just five days, we will be celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, to the virgin Mary. One of my favorite Holidays to reflect and rejoice.

Where has the time gone, literally? It’s hard to fathom that this year is almost over and that in just twelve days we will be starting a new year (of new beginnings and possibilities). This year has gone by way too fast. In retrospect, I think 2012 has been our best year so far and we can only hope that it takes us safely into 2013.

State of Gratitude

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read655 views

Today was the annual Christmas Program performed by Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade classes. Unfortunately, the bad weather didn’t allow us to take our Kindergartener to the show since it has been cold, cloudy with high winds all last week and it rained all day today. As much as we would have loved to go, we know that it’s not the time for anyone to get sick. I would rather have my loves safe with me at home. At this point in time, we are mostly grateful for the gift of togetherness, for Life and good Health.

"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow." ― Melody Beattie
Gratitude Unlocks the Fullness of Life.

Our day ended peacefully and beautifully with laughter and praises. Like every other night, as I kissed my Children goodnight, I was reminded of Life’s fragility (how any moment and every breath could be our last). My heart still aches as I think of those who can no longer kiss their loved ones goodnight. My continued prayers and well wished go out to all the innocent victims in the World as well as to the families of the offenders.

The pain and sorrow we witness around the World is overwhelming. Here, at home, we pray more, we love more and we laugh more. I hug my children a little bit tighter, I spend a lot more time with them, I worry less and enjoy more. We ceaselessly remind each other how much we love them because without advance notice, life can end abruptly. Our bond is stronger and more special than before.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:7 (NIV)