No Need to Exercise by Lj T. Salceda

IF…

1. You walk or ride a bike instead of ride/drive a car to work/school/church/grocery and back.
2. You swim in the river or use a tabo (dipper) instead of the shower to bathe.
3. You use the stairs instead of the escalator or elevator to climb up to the 3rd floor.
4. You use bunot (coconut husk) and floor wax or madre de cacao instead of a floor polisher or vacuum cleaner to clean the floor.
5. You use palo-palo (wood used for laundry) when washing your clothes and hang them on the clothes line under the scorching sun instead of using a washing machine and a dryer.
6. You play patintero, siato, agawang-base or luksong-tinik instead of computer games or psp.
7. If you eat right, rest enough, live in a safe, disease-free and perfect world.
   

Well, we don’t, so get you’re butt off and start walking, running and taking good care of your only body!

Although I am not a health buff or a super active person, I do try my very best to incorporate exercise in my weekly, if not daily routine. To the point of being laughed at and even called names like "weirdo", "trying hard", and "may sayad" since I brisk walk at night (after work) by myself or dance alone in my room or pretend that I'm strutting my catwalk.

It is a challenge, YES, but it can be done. Being active or exercising requires a LOT of dedication, commitment and discipline. It’s not an occasional activity or a fad. It is a choice. It is intentional. It is a lifestyle. I doubt if anyone NEVER falters from exercising. Welcome to the club if you struggle! I'm not here to play the guilt trip. I'm here to motivate you that the best time to start or re-start is now.

"For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." - 1 Timothy 4:8 ESV

Dreams

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Dreams
by Lj Salceda

God has always used dreams (in my sleep) to either warn me or tell me something very important. I've proven this time and again.

When I was dating my ex-bf, I always had dreams about him cheating or doing something awful. One time in my dream (more like a nightmare), my ex and I were sitting beside each other on-board a bus, but when he saw an attractive woman sitting in front of us, he left me and sat beside the woman all through out the trip. Another time, I dreamed he kissed a different woman right in front of me. The nerve! There was another dream when he gave his business card and outrightly flirted with another girl while we were on a date. I either woke up fuming or sobbing. :(

I've always been open and honest to my ex, so whenever I would had these dreams I never failed to tell him. And he always reasoned out, it's because I think about him cheating that's why I have those dreams and I believed him. Little did I know my dreams were actually "red flags."

When I was younger I had all sorts of dreams. The ones that stood the most were about me having super powers- I can fly without wings or that I was fighting or running away from monsters or villains. I don't know how or why but most of the time, I can remember even the tiniest part of my dreams such as dialogues, colors, designs, scents and sounds. There are a few times when I can remember 2 or 3 of my dreams in one night/sleep!

I've also noticed that when I dream about "real people or things" they usually happen. Like when I had a dream about one of my uncles who rarely visits us, came over one day and gave me some money. And the very next day it happened! I swear!

I am NOT an expert in dreams and I have no plans of becoming a Joseph (unless it is the Lord's will.) I won't discuss elaborately or even scientifically (not in the position to) or even encourage people to take ALL dreams seriously. Sometimes they are just that- dreams. No more, no less.

However, in my life God has used and still uses dreams to assure me or caution me or convey something urgent or valuable.

Like what happened last Friday. I had another one of those very vivid dreams. In my sleep I remember that we (my fiance and I) got our Notice of Action2 (the approval for our Fiancee Visa Application) on May 13. I even told my fiance- John about it during our chat. Out of excitement, I logged-on to the USCIS website and checked our case status. But to my disappointment, it appeared we were still under Initial Review. No updates or approval yet.

Lo and behold, when I opened my e-mail today I got a message from USCIS saying:

Application Type: I129F , PETITION FOR FIANCE(E) Your Case Status: Post Decision Activity On May 13, 2011, we mailed you a notice that we have approved this I129F PETITION FOR FIANCE(E). Please follow any instructions on the notice.

Friday the 13th in the US, we got our approval! I forgot about the time difference. Lol!

I am aware that there are people who don't believe or put much weight in dreams and I respect them for that. Like what I've said, I'm no expert in dreams and I have no plans of becoming one. Nonetheless, from my experiences, I believe God can use anything even dreams to communicate with us. So don't always discount or shrug off ALL your dreams. They might save your life or the very least avoid some problem/pain in the future.

Thank you Lord and thank you my dear friends for your prayers and greetings. We're now preparing for the next stages, 2-day Medical Exam and Interview for the actual FIANCEE VISA. Mabalos!

Trivia: Some experts say animals like cats and dogs dream in their sleep too.