Health & Home (January - February 2023)

Bows of Gratitude Beginning

With Thanksgiving

The GifT of a Child Whether born into abundance or scarcity, through relative ease or painful struggle, each child—each life—is precious. May the story of Merielle Love (see p. 24), sister of our cover model Miracle Faith, awaken gratefulness in every parent’s heart for their little ones.

Cover photo by The Little Potato

Unless otherwise credited, all photos and graphics are from vecteezy.com, canva.com, and pexels.com.

Life Musings

By Health & Home Staff

Grateful for Today?

No one knows exactly who authored this adage: “Today is a gift. That is why we call it ‘The Present!’ ” But many will agree that there’s truth to this statement.

Living in the present, appreciating everything one has today, is not just the domain of the hedonistic nor of the existentialist. The Bible says, “This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (New King James Version).

Our friends from Hope Channel Philippines* open their treasure house of memories and share the things, great or small, that they are thankful for.

I can only be thankful for everything I have right now, knowing how I struggled and lost everything—my job, finances, possessions, loved ones, and my life (almost)—after being diagnosed with depression during the height of the pandemic.

It’s incredible to see how God replaced everything I lost in a span of two years. And He didn’t just replace them. He also made everything better. Truly He is a God who protects, provides, strengthens, and heals.

Sarah Jane Anadon Host

We are immensely thankful to God Almighty for giving us this 18-week-old little fellow growing in the comfort of his mother’s womb.

My wife and I are so delighted to be given such a wonderful blessing! We can’t wait to see God’s masterpiece, a reminder of His infinite love and power. Words cannot describe the thrill we feel as first- time parents!

Fitz Gerard Yamit Host

It was 7:34 a.m. on my watch. I was running late for my 7:30 class when a boy suddenly waved a hand, smiled, and said, “Good morning, ma’am! You are so pretty today!”

He caused me to pause and smile.

I’m thankful for this child for sparking joy in me. I’m thankful for his life, for he is an inspiration. Through him, I am reminded to remain calm and be a ray of hope to the people around me.

AG Centenice Galvez Host and News Anchor

photos courtesy of interviewees

Our Focus

By DR. DARREN MORTON

Feelings follow our focus. We can hurt our own feelings by what we think about and focus on. As the stoic Roman philosopher Seneca once said, “A man is as miserable as he thinks he is.”

Fortunately, it works positively as well. Ask a new grandparent about their grandchild—if you have plenty of time!—and watch their spirits lift. Again, feelings follow our focus. Sometimes when I give presentations to a group, I ask the audience to share uplifting stories—life’s wins and successes—and invariably the mood in the room lifts.

Look to the positive

The trick for combating negative thinking is to replace negative thoughts with positive ones.1, 2 But this requires us to be intentional. At least a third of our thought flow each day is undirected,3 which means that if we don’t take care to lead it to a positive place, we can easily and unwittingly find ourselves in a negative one. So what positive things should we think about?

There are three questions in particular that can direct us toward positive thinking in relation to the past, present, and future.

Question 1: What am I truly grateful for?

What are three things you are truly grateful for? Don’t just give a trite answer. Pause for a moment, give the question your full attention, and really think about it.

Do the responses come easily or do you struggle? If you were to take the time, how long a list could you compile?

Most of us don’t take the time to think regularly about what we are grateful for. This is to our detriment because expressing gratitude is now known to have many benefits, both mental and physical.4 Faith traditions have been promoting expressing gratitude for millennia, but it is only in the past decade or so that its ability to lift us emotionally has been scientifically documented.

In 2003, researchers from the University of California and Miami conducted several “gratitude experiments” and concluded that consciously focusing on blessings, as compared to burdens, had both emotional and interpersonal benefits.5

A few years later, other researchers reported that when people participated in a “gratitude visit,” which involves writing and delivering a letter of gratitude to someone who had been especially significant to them, the giver’s level of happiness increased and remained elevated for one month afterward.6

Practicing gratitude has now been repeatedly shown to help people of all ages feel more emotionally well.7, 8, 9, 10 Practicing gratitude is now one of the most robust strategies used in positive psychology for increasing happiness.11

models not subjects of article

Count your blessings” is a phrase my mom often used to help me through tough times.

I vividly remember that, as a 7-year-old, bad days could mean going through storms. Some things innately terrify children, and disasters like typhoons rank high.

Gratitude Journaling

By ANGELA M. FLORES

But instead of abandoning me to dread the whirling winds, heavy downpours, and days with no electricity, my mom sat beside me and helped me recognize the things I had and could enjoy. We had a home, a family, books, toys, and resources to share.

The storm was still terrifying, but I was able to shift my focus toward positive action instead of remaining stuck in fear.

Diary keeping

As a child growing up in the 90s (who had no gadgets then), I kept a diary, logging events I found interesting. I incorporated a few other things in my daily writings—poems, short stories, caricatures, wish lists, and gratitude lists.

While the gratitude list was not something I intentionally worked on daily, it was a fun addition to the various things I jotted down. It was the beginning of a habit that my future self would thank my younger self for starting.

The years rolled by, seasons changed, but the writing bug stuck. I’d journal about anything and everything under the sun—time shared with friends; academic accomplishments, which shifted to career wins in a few years; and memorable quotes from books and films.

Those who knew me then would have probably witnessed me embellishing my journal with vibrant colors.

A different kind of storm

During this season, good days were interspersed with not-so-vibrant ones. The storms I went through were no longer literal.

unfortunate events. I started my first year in college on a low note. My siblings and I contracted a viral infection, leading to our hospital confinement. The long road to recovery sapped our physical strength and dampened our spirits.

Shortly after, we discovered that Dad was diagnosed with stage IV cancer.

I did not understand the meaning of the diagnosis at that time. I felt devastated seeing someone I knew to be so healthy and strong getting weaker day by day and shuffling hospitals.

His deteriorating health. Our depleting resources. No good news from the doctors. From a quiet childhood experiencing storms outside, the storms now whirled inside.

Coping by writing

What helped? Still keeping my journaling habit, I became more intentional in writing daily gratitude lists and coupled them with prayer. I remember listing down often how grateful I was for a new day. I frequently listed simple joys—seeing colors, the trees on campus, or a safe and peaceful walk home.

photo courtesy of author

The Mistakes Parents Make With Their Own Parents

By SIMONA CONDRACHI

Ijust got back from the funeral of a 54-year-old mother who left behind a grieving teenager. His father told how the boy wanted to ask his mother for forgiveness, on her deathbed, for all the stubbornness typical of a 17-year-old. But he was already forgiven.

Although my parents are much older and I am long past my teenage years, when I heard this father’s words, a possible separation from my parents quickly crossed my mind along with a strong desire to not have wronged them. Fortunately, I still have time to change something and make this remaining time beneficial for both parties.

Grandparents are grandparents, parents are parents

The most frequent moments of tension between my parents and me arose after I became a mother. Every sweet or chocolate Grandpa gave the grandchildren or every extra minute they were left in front of the TV caused me frustration.

There were occasions when I scolded my parents for not following my child-rearing methods. By using my concern for the children as an excuse and assuming the responsibility of a mother, I was actually punishing my parents—until I understood.

All that grandparents want is to see their grandchildren happy. Their time is getting shorter; happiness must be seen now. So, I’ve decided that as long as my children’s lives aren’t in danger, I won’t make a big deal out of an extra piece of chocolate every now and then.

When it comes to raising our children, many times, as parents, we want to set ourselves apart

By Multiple Authors

The of Teaching JOYS

The five of us who authored this article are, unarguably, not the best in the teaching profession. Neither are our experiences the most ear-catching, heart-rending, nor hair-raising. Many others have sacrificed so much more.

We remember them whose sacrifices were greater because theirs is the deeper joy. Nonetheless, we, whom our students call “Teacher,” share in the honor, pride, and sweetness of joy.

Those who argue with us will do so because they have not been there. But to those who want to take this path, we say, “Come along.” You do not have to be extra smart to begin with. You simply have to be extra-loving. Because as you love, you cannot stop striving to be the best; you cannot stop giving your all.

In your striving, in your giving, you’ll find joy.

By CHERIANNE LOVE C. DURANO

As a single woman and a nurse, I was bothered by persistent acne that I asked advice from my doctor friends. They recommended taking pills to improve my skin condition and to get my hormones checked.

I took the tablets, but I wasn’t able to follow through with the workup—until abnormal bleeding for 2–3 weeks forced me to have laboratory tests in 2012.

The results revealed a shocking discovery: I had an 8 cm endometriotic cyst1 in my left ovary, and it must be removed before it ruptured. I immediately underwent surgery, and the cyst was removed—along with my left ovary and fallopian tube.

I was worried my condition would lead to infertility, but the doctor assured me I still had a healthy ovary and fallopian tube on my right.

Possible breakup

When I had surgery, Jun, my husband now, and I had only been together for a month. Fearing that my condition could later become an issue and cause us a more painful separation, my father advised me to break up with him as early as possible.

photos courtesy of author