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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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Reducing Unemployment Vis-à-vis Controlling Inflation: From a Business Student’s POV

“I will work for food.”

I once read the story about this statement from a magazine. A desperate, old man in his fifties wrote this on a cardboard, tied the same with a string, wore it around his neck and boldly started walking weakly on the streets of I-forgot-what-town. True enough, kindhearted individuals went to the rescue.

Undeniably, people from all walks of life, rich or poor, young and old alike are all running after and competing for this so-called job or in more technical sense, employment. Indeed, the above simple yet truly compelling statement should move all of us, more so, the government. Yes, the government should be more focused on reducing unemployment than controlling inflation. Though both play a role in the vicious cycle called poverty, I would say that taking particular attention on the first is inclusive with finding a solution for the second.

Allow me first to briefly discuss some inflation issues. In economics, there are two primary types of inflation, namely, the cost-push inflation and the demand-pull inflation. Cost-push inflation is due to increasing “costs” or “prices” of raw materials of certain products thereby, to assure businesses of positive returns, consequently pushing end products’ prices to soar up. Demand-pull inflation, on the other hand, is caused by more demand of a certain product as against very low supply of the same hereby giving businesses the authority to raise prices. The former shows that business entities are willing to spend more to earn more while the latter displays consumers’ capability and willingness to acquire goods and services and if we are to closely take a look at the two, both in fact, requires the presence of cold cash. Yes money. And this money was, is and will only be found in employment.

Let me present to you three of the reasons why reducing unemployment is more vital than controlling inflation.

First, the government, as they are expected to be and should be, is supposed to be more proactive than reactive. Reducing unemployment will most certainly promote proactivity in a sense that this is what their constituency is always after – security, as far as the availability of money is concerned not just for emergency purposes but for daily use. People are able to provide for themselves. With security comes peace and order in the community which is very much favorable for business entities, encouraging more investors, and stimulating economic growth. Controlling inflation, on the other hand, demonstrates the government’s being reactive, being busy on solving negative economic issues like this than focusing itself on economic development issues. People are worrying and considering inflation as a problem (in fact) because they do not have enough resources – money – to obtain their basic needs which may be due also of their being employed with low compensation – but at least they have income – or they are underemployed which is the same as the previous one or worse, they are unemployed. As for me, I will have to settle with proactivity that government prepares job opportunities than reactivity.

Second, employment is a necessity and inflation is merely a effect of luxury. Indeed, no one would have the guts to deny the very fact that employment is a prime necessity for all living humans on earth. People generate income from employment and with income, people will either choose to spend for their necessities or save (Y = S + E; where Y is income, S is savings, & E is expenditures), with savings come investments, with investments come businesses and employment and so on and so forth. Here is the other side of savings – expenditures. If income earners choose to be luxurious, that is, they choose more E than S, here is where inflation comes in – demand-pull inflation. With so many people having jobs, with them having income and demanding for a certain product or service, inflation is sure to occur, because of people’s choice. But there is still another choice Y – S = E, which means, prioritize necessities more than luxuries. If government chooses to focus more on reducing unemployment, they are encouraging a very good habit of saving, if it is the other way around, the government is promoting an unhealthy economic lifestyle.

Third argument here is this, that reducing unemployment can be considered as the root to which majority of economic problems may be minimized and controlling inflation is actually considered as one of the fruits of an unstable economic system. Let us all face it, much of all the economic crises was, is and will always be caused by the imbalance of demand and supply of money in the economy. With employment there would be enough supply of money that is circulating in the economy, man’s needs are met, businesses are booming, there is an influx of investors. Yes how about inflation? It will only occur when there is more than sufficient money supply in the economy which can easily be siphoned through various fiscal and monetary policies. To solve economic problems, is it not good enough just to trim down dying or dead branches like controlling inflation; it is a must that the government should cut through the source, the root and that is unemployment.

In the end, what matters is that both issues affect the other. They are intimately linked in an invisible bond – we may not see it, but we sure can feel it. And unbridling the unexpected knot of one will certainly cause the other to follow suit. This, however, will not happen in just a snap of our fingers. There is a process, a trough and a peak that will test a country’s leaders – their perseverance and their commitment to serve their people way above themselves.

All these are merely from the point-of-view of an inexperienced yet vigilant business student, more so, a concerned citizen.

Daylinda C. Barba

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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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House Called Home

According to Dictionary.com, a house is defined as “a building in which people live; residence for human beings” and based from the same source, a home is “the place in which one's domestic affections are centered.”

There may seem to be no difference at all between the two but for me, if we are to really analyze them, there really are and the former can transform itself to becoming the latter through no more less than its inhabitants – the people living in it. For me, a house can only become a home if those in it exhibit a home’s homey characteristics than that of a house.

A house will remain a house if its residents are just plain and simple noun – a thing, a structure used only for shelter – a house. It becomes a home when the people in it become adjectives that define, describe and demonstrate how it is inside their house, full of laughter and excitement day in and day out. A house will still be a house if the person in it is passive, neither reacting nor participating just like a house that is silently contemplating its surroundings with nary a care at all. It will become a home when the people it in it are active, they exist, in progress and in motion not just inside the house but as well as in the community where they belong. They go out and share thoughts, experiences and a lot more! Now a person who is limited and static is just like the house he/she is living in – immobile and physically limited. Whereas if he/she treats him/herself as a person with bundles of unlimited possibilities, dynamic and social, his/her house now becomes a home not just for their family but a welcoming pot for guests and visitors.

Why not try to recall Abraham Maslowe’s Hierarchy of Needs: 1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.; 2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc.; 3. Belongingness and Love needs - work group, family, affection, relationships, etc.; 4. Esteem needs - self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc.; 5. Self-Actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences; the house meets only the bottom needs which are the Biological and Physiological, the home on the other and, meets the rest of the four needs up to the topmost need which is Self-Actualization. Still a house’ transformation solely depends on its tenants – the people.

Furthermore, the home is like this theme song from a renowned US family drama TV Series 7th Heaven. Composed by Dan Foliart and performed by Steve Plunkett.

When I see their happy faces smilin' back at me...

I know there's no greater feelin' than the love of family

Where can you go when The world don't treat you right?

The answer is home!!!!!!!!!

That's the one place that you'll find

Lastly, a house is a home where happy and healthy people though may not be related by blood but share a place where their heart shall always be and call themselves a family. They are satisfied and secured knowing that they are in this house they call a home where a powerful, strong and heavenly love from the One True Source emanates from within and shines for others to see, inculcate and emulate. Daylinda C. Barba

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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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GOSPEL OF MY LIFE (2008)

GOSPEL OF MY LIFE

Life is like a book

Everyday has a new page,

With adventures to tell

Lessons to learn

And tales of good deeds to remember

My friends, as I am about to leave this Earth, may this gift I am leaving you behind serve as a memoir for you to remember and keep me within your hearts forever. May you treasure this gift and hope you will also learn from them as I have.

CHAPTER 1 These things I have Lived For…

“What’s my purpose in life?” This question has always been hunting me since I have come to think about my future. Why, indeed am I here?

Now I can only give you five of these things I have lived for.

First is God. My life is my offering to Him that is why I have lived it as purely as I could to be acceptable for him and be called His daughter.

Second, I have lived for my purpose, whatever it could be, I wanted to live for me to discover why I am really here in this earth and I probably did discover it. ;-)

Third, I wanted to live until I reach my shining star, until I reach my goal in life, until I could take hold of my ultimate dream.

Fourth, I have lived for my family and my loved ones for they are my foundation to whom I can always depend on.

Fifth, I have lived for my life. I have lived enjoying my life fully so I may be able to satisfy myself of the love of God for me as His child, as a member of his family. And perhaps I had.

CHAPTER 2 These Things I have Loved in Life…

There are lots of things I have loved in my in my whole life. I love life so much and all the things that goes with it whether good or bad. They are so many to mention but I will tell you some of my favorites.

I loved reading, watching TV, and sleeping. If you did not find me doing the other, I was certainly doing the other. But I am more seen propped with pillows, sitting beside the window, reading. I like Dr. Robin Cook’s science-fiction books. I love Clive Cussler's Dirk Pitt adventures. I also enjoy reading inspirational books and leadership books by Max Lucado. Worth mentioning as well my number one book, my Bible. :)

With regards to food, any was fine just as long as it will not cause me stomachache, allergies and asthma. The list is quite a lot but we can just settle on veggies and fruits.

I loved watching action movies as well as inspirational ones. I specially liked The Matrix Trilogy (Keanu Reeves), Avatar (Sam Worthington & Zoe Saldana), Titanic (Leonardo DiCaprio & Kate Winslet), Tears of the Sun (Bruce Willis), Artificial Intelligence: AI (Haley Joel Osmont), Pay it Forward (Haley Joel Osmont & Helen Hunt), Notting Hill (Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant), Fireproof (Kirk Cameron & Erin Bethea) and a lot more!

Sometimes, when I preferred something serene, I just watched the once-azure sky slowly turning into grey and darker as the evening sky approaches and perhaps listen to the small night sounds drifting from afar or simply listen to music.

I loved silence, too. Believe you me. Aside from the fact that I usually study when everyone had already dozed off to sleep, this is also the time when I had my quite times with God.

There are also times when I preferred to do nothing. Just sit and listen to the night sounds. I loved it when I hear the whooping sound o f the wind and the musical tone of the falling rain. Moreover, I sometimes wonder how life would be without them. So, so…boring. Don't you think so, too?

So there you have it, you now know some of my favorites but there is still one thing more. One should also treasure and love his/her life for it is the greatest gift one could ever give and also receive.

CHAPTER 3 These are My Life’s Achievements…

As young as I am, I wouldn’t probably say that I have achieved much in my life for there are still so many things I long to do. But for the 19 years, I could say that I have achieved more than I expected.

As a daughter, I hope I did all my best for my parents to be happy for I believed that being one of the sources of other people’s happiness is already a great achievement.

Being committed as a student, was also an achievement. Being able to bring glory to one’s school, division and even region is another one. Being a volunteer of Silliman Pathways Youth Group which supports fellow scholars, I can say, was one of my greatest achievement as of now and that being able to lend a helping hand is very satisfying.

Indeed, what an achievement it was to be a blessing to someone else’s life.

CHAPTER 4 These Experiences I have Cherished…

All of life’s experiences, for me, were really worth cherishing (whether they may be good or bad) for both are still essential to each and every being’s existence. I bet these pages will not suffice for the space needed to tell you the experiences I cherished. So please allow me to share only so few of them.

One of those was when I was in grade 6 and won, among all other elementary schools in Dumaguete City, the 5th place in Editorial Writing. The sad part though was I was not able to join the regional due to lack of funds. I felt quite sad about it but it was as if a whole bunch of me was happy to discover my writing skill. And so, I decided to develop it with the aim that, someday, I will reach the national level. It was quite an absurd idea though for a 6th grader.

When I was in high school, I joined journalism workshops and eventually became a staff of our official school paper - THE HORN. And so it was during my 4th year when I became one of Region 7’s three Feature Writers to represent the region to the national level press conference. Truly, I really could not quite imagine how a young mind’s wish was realized. I knew then that if one really aims for something and focuses him/herself to it, and no matter what the obstacles were, are, and will be along the way, he/she will always be able to reach them with God’s abiding grace.

Another one of my experiences was when I was still in high school. I was then a Math Club member and we did an outreach program at one of the Municipality of Valencia’s (a neighboring town southwest of Dumaguete) orphanages. We brought food, clothing and other gifts for the kids.

Upon reaching the place manned by Nuns, the children were also their welcoming us with their innocent smiles. They were jumping, laughing and running around as if it was their first time to be visited. What I saw on my part though was the exact opposite. Hidden behind my smile was my sympathy for the children who were up to 10 years of age and there were also babies! My heart wholly went out for them. My heart was breaking.

There, we had a program and the children also presented their talents. We prayed, we ate, and then we chatted for hours. Upon hearing their stories, I felt a sudden rush of pain, fear and guilt. Pain because of what the children were going through. Fear of what they might become in the future. Guilt because instead of thinking that I am lucky, I sometimes am attacked with discontentment of what I had.

What I learned then was to be content with whatever I had while also working with what I do not have, be happy with it and thank God all the time.

CHAPTER 5 These Sufferings Have Seasoned Me…

Why me? Why do we have to suffer? Why are we experiencing all these hurts and aches? Haven’t you asked the same question yourself? I had. Loads of times. But as I grew up, I came to realize that what I thought about and experienced as a “suffering” was no more than an inch to what others are struggling with.

Let me tell you one that had caused me and my family so much pain- a story from our past.

Before, even when I was still young, I always ( I bet my siblings, too) notice this on-and-off strife of my parents against my father’s siblings. I did not exactly know the reason, perhaps I was too young then. Then came the years of peacefulness. But it was when my Grandma (father’s mother) died on the Christmas day of 2002. I thought, with the loss of our beloved, we will become closer but it did not happen. The next year, Eldest Uncle (Father’s eldest brother) passed away but instead of helping one another, this created a greater distance between his family and ours. Then during the next year, next eldest uncle died.

Those three successive years was such a traumatizing one for our family. Those three years took the biggest chunk of our ties as a family. Those three years triggered our family ties with our father’s side to loosen up fully. I was confused why, during that time of crisis, we happened to become like that—broken apart.

Now, our family has been living with ourselves alone. Though we had no one but each other, we go through each obstacle in life together. Through these hurdles in life, we became stronger and prepared, ready for whatever might lay ahead of us.

So why do we have to suffer? I, with all my heart, believe that God wants us to have stronger faith, to become better and stronger individuals. He wants us to know that He’s always there, that He’s waiting for us to call Him and that His strength is ours to lean on. He wants us to realize that His compassion is ours to receive and even in times of our stability, He is always there. He is preparing our character to receive that gift we have long been waiting to have.

CHAPTER 5 These Lessons Have Taught Me…

In my young and human mind, I just could not quite comprehend why we, humans, were so vulnerable to mistakes and why we could not simply avoid and prevent ourselves from doing so. I will be sharing some of the lessons I have learned through the course of my 19 years of existence in this world.

Before, when I was still a child, I was really such a “kapayason” child meaning I was such a “crybaby” that whenever I was scolded, I cried. Whenever I had a problem that seemed to be out of control, I cried. I sought out everything to crying. But it was one day when my brother asked me what’s the use of my crying when everything’s already been done and could not be changed anymore. He opened my eyes then. “ No use to crying over spilled milk.” Why cry with such simple things? Why cry when you could choose to pray instead?

Crying is neither bad nor is it wrong. Furthermore, I even read somewhere that crying is a gift from God. He gave it for us to have company whenever we are alone, it also cleanses the soul that full recovery and healing may do their part afterwards.

And I guess instead of relying only to crying, why not pray. There, one will have every opportunity to communicate with God.

Another one of my very bad habit was what we call the “manana” habit. In Filipino, the “mamaya na” habit. I always did things at the brink of time. And so it was in my 3rd year high school, we had a project making the basics of cross stitching. Thinking that the deadline’s still hidden behind the pages of the calendar, I dillydallied. Then all of a sudden, here comes the deadline! Cut the long story short, I made the project overnight and was not able to sleep just to finish the project and worse, my father would not allow me to go to school that morning because I had no sleep at all.

So that was it. But God really is good because I was able to finish my project. I learned my lesson. “Do what we have to do now before ‘now’ could be too late.”

Upon reminiscing, I remembered the day I was till about 5 when our Aunt scolded us for playing with her karaoke. Feeling sad and ashamed about it as young as I was, I did not accompany her to church that Sunday as I used to. My mother asked me why and she then told me that carrying a grudge within us is not good and that who’s affected is ourselves alone. I then apologized to my Aunt the next day. Truly what a great feeling knowing we have no hatred within us. Always remember that sulking will cause no good but anxiety and paranoia. Looking back, I realized that though they may be simple, the above are very nice and foundational lessons for a youngster.

CHAPTER 6 These Ideas Have Liberated Me…

What I had noticed is the people’s misconception of the word “liberated”. This word comes from the root word “liberate” which literally means “to set free”. But people, especially teenagers usually associate this term with something we-know-what.

If we are going to take it figuratively, liberate means “to take us out from the dark cave of ignorance” for it’s through these ideas that we are able to see through the dark, see through our close-mindedness, see through our hard-headedness.

Let us take for example our “going to school”. This is a means of liberating and preparing us to the world beyond. The lessons in school are the ideas we need in order to be liberated, to be free from ignorance, innocence, and to, perhaps, help prevent us from sinning.

Our ideas from our values class about good and bad, our principles and formulas in Mathematics and Physics, our knowing about the what’s, why’s, how’s in Science and others are the ideas which sets us free from the grasp of naiveté.

CHAPTER 7 These Convictions I have Lived by…

I had always believed that no matter how big the waves that pushes us back ashore, we should not stop rowing our boat.

One should not get discouraged when things go beyond his/her expectations. But let us remember instead that the greatest glory is net life’s never falling but rising every time we fall.

A smile, too, does help. Welcoming a new day with a smile on our face, love in our hearts and fine thoughts in our minds will surely usher a great day ahead of us. Smile also means happiness but it isn’t found when we seek it ourselves. However, when we give it to others, it will definitely find its way back to whoever gave it.

God never promised us an easy journey in life. He sometimes delays His help to test our faith and energize our prayers. He is always with us though. All we have to do is to hold His hand tightly and He will lead us safely.

So why not focus our minds on things that are beautiful? Life’s too short to waste on worries. Let us think of solutions instead, and not of problems.

Lastly, let us forever engrave in our minds and in our hearts that “Life is a gift from God. What we do with our lives is our gift and offering to Him.”

CHAPTER 8 These Beliefs I have Outgrown…

My friends, why is it that we should not cut our nails or comb our hair at night? Why should we not sweep our house at night? Why should we wear polka dots on New Year’s Day? Why should we step on ashes before entering the house from attending a burial? I still have quite a list of questions in my mind but I might not have enough space. These are just few of the beliefs our folks have passed from one generation to another. I respect our elders. But, with all due respect, for me, they are all but superstitious beliefs with no scientific basis or explanations. Furthermore, as I took a closer look to each one of the above questions I came to ask myself, “Why do we allow our lives to be run by such beliefs?” We should not, for though the future is unknown, we have a Known and an All-Knowing God.

CHAPTER 9 These Insights Have Arrived Through the Course of My Life…

Through the years, I came to realize the truth that God is the Best Lover of all time and of course, the also the Best Disciplinarian of all. He loves us so much that He gave us freewill to do whatever we want to do be it good or bad. He is the best disciplinarian because He allows us to reap the consequences of our actions whether they are good or bad.

Indeed, the world is God’s manifestation of that love. It is a place where He expresses His Love for us and as well as the place where we can do the same. Moreover, man’s nature of being vulnerable to sin should not be a license to doing mistakes. Why not prevent it from happening instead? That way, we would not be able to sin and blame ourselves in the end. Yes, there are circumstances where we are caught in sin’s spell-binding web making things out of control. I had been praying than we always ask God to lead us to the right path.

What is love, by the way? Love is described in so many different ways by so many authors but don’t you know that the shortest definition of love is just found in the Bible? God is Love (1 John 4:8). He is the Greatest Lover of all time.

Another insight I want to share is about prayer. Is it not that it is through prayer that we are able to communicate with God? It is the one and only channel by which we can talk to Him. Prayer, when done sincerely and wholeheartedly, can be so powerful for through prayers, He hears more than we say, He answers more than we ask and gives more than we desire. All He needs is our time.

Last but definitely not the least insight I learned is the truth that Jesus Christ is our only Salvation. He died in the cross and shed His blood so that our sins may be forgiven. The best Rabbi of all time, He’s the bridge that connects us to the Heavenly Father.

CHAPTER 10 These Influences Have Shaped My Life…

My parents had always been the main factor of the development of my well-being. They were the ones who nourished, nurtured and protected me. They were my first teachers and I will never forget the lessons they taught me. That is also why I love them so much that I did everything for them to be happy.

Second in line are my siblings who were my supporters, fans and advisers. They are my collaborators, my mentors and of course, my tormentors. :)

Next are my teachers who greatly added more to what I learned from home. They helped in broadening my knowledge and opening my eyes wide to see the real meaning of life and life beyond school and to live up to it.

In addition, all the people around me most especially my friends, also played a very huge role to my growth as a person and as to who I am now.

Being a wide-reader, books also influenced my life. I read different books with different genres. My number one book is my Bible for it is through it that my life slowly found its meaning. I also love my dictionary for it taught me lots of things I could not imagine. When I read, I always see to it that my dictionary is right beside me for whatever things that need clarifications especially words I hadn’t came across yet.

Truly, reading is a very wonderful habit and I suggest that you start doing it, too. The next time you do, you will be soaring to places you have never been, meeting people you have never met, and watching sceneries you have never seen. I can vouch for this!

CHAPTER 11 These Persons are Enshrined in My Life…

“No man is an island.” Exactly. Humans as we are, we are sociable beings always inclined to be in constant contact with other people. Well, who are these people from whom we learned about such? Yes, the people nearest us. As for me, they are my parents, siblings, friends, teachers and mentors.

But there is still someone who wants to have a relationship and fellowship with us. Jesus Christ. With Him as the center of our lives, everything will always be at bay. With our parents, we will be always assured with their love; with our family, we will always be secured with their protective embrace; with our friends, we will be assured that life is worth living with their caring smiles, with our teachers and mentors, we will always be lead to the right path.

Yes, believe me, get out of your shell and go out to the world that excitedly awaits you.

CHAPTER 12 The End…The Beginning…The Reality…

As a teenager, I still had plans to do, lots of things to accomplish, lots of things I wanted to have, etc. etc.

Yes, I did say that one should be content. Contentment is all about having Jesus Christ in our lives. His SHALOM in our loves. And Jesus also wants us to enjoy live and continue working and offer our everything to Him.

Dream big. Dream for your family, for the orphans, for the street children, for yourself. I had lots of dreams. Yes, I knew, my dreams are still too far beyond for me to reach. I still felt like I am inside my small boat constantly rowing, not knowing where to go with this vast ocean of life. Though I may not know where this life’s current leads me, though I am unaware where this wind will toss me, thought the fog of insufficiency blurs my vision with uncertainty, I believed I did continue on rowing for I knew that God was (for me) and will (for your all) always be here, guiding.

These are just few of the marvelous things, which you can explore upon voyaging through this vast sea we call life.

Bon voyage!

Adios, my friends,

Daylinda C. Barba

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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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This is Me

This is Me:

A Description of Myself, My Personality, Perceived Strengths and Abilities,

Weaknesses or Areas for Development, Vision and Goal in Life.

Submitted by: Daylinda C. Barba

“When someone becomes a Christian he becomes a brand new being inside. He is not the same anymore. A new life has begun.”

- 2 Corinthians 5:17

Indeed, my life has never experienced this kind of adventure since I became a Christian. You see, being able to see certain things or situations that are happening in the light of the Christian perspective and being able to understand that every single thing is placed right where they are for a particular purpose is one of the amazing gifts to a believer. When I became I Christian, constructive and positive changes happened to me.

As an individual, I now have high self-esteem and I don’t consider myself worthless anymore because God revealed to me that no matter how small I may be I am a part of a whole, which will never be complete without me. Truly, I may not be able to do everything like other people but God equipped me with something and I also see others in this light, for they are my brothers and sisters in God’s family. As a daughter and a sibling, God enabled me to become more open to my parents and siblings and as a friend, He transformed me into someone who could sympathize and empathize with others. Furthermore, God enabled me not to bare my emotions easily when I get hurt and endowed me to rather return to my work and individual pursuits than mope around like a lost Cinderella and would rather prefer to work for the greater good. With God, I was able to discover a lot about myself. I can strike friendship in just mere minutes! And God gave me the gift of public speaking that whenever I speak, people really listen to. God strengthened me in such a manner that I am self-sufficient, hence, being able to accomplish things without depending from other people. Through God's grace, I’m able to discipline and control myself especially during stressful situations.

However, there are also certain parts of me that I have been praying to overcome and I know that God is helping me in this endeavor. I need to know how to discern more clearly the difference between my own needs and those of others and that there is a need for me to learn to say no to others for I need to reconcile my self to a lesser role or risk falling a victim to stress. Because of my desire to be right where the action is and be included in the plans of my family or social group, I also easily get pretty upset if I’m left out, something I should minimize in my system. I also need to take a hold of my pride and lessen it so as to avoid hurting others and myself by keeping an open channel for dialogue. Furthermore, I know that God will also help me in shunning away and letting go of my laziness tendencies. Though I’m not given quite a number of household chores to do because of my health condition, I sometimes abuse it as an excuse from doing chores which is really not good. I’ve been praying and doing the best that I can to improve myself and I know in faith that God will not give up on me. I’m doing this not just for myself and my family but for God because I’m offering myself and everything about me as a living sacrifice to Him.

As young as I am, I wouldn’t say that I have achieved much in my life for I know there are still many things God desires for me to do.

I’ve always been hoping and praying for a healthy life with no sickness to hinder me in my pursuit of being a woman of faith. In faith, I know that God will lead me to my graduation day and be able to find a suitable job; save enough resources to build my parents, and my sister’s family each not just a house but a decent home for my two lovely nephews where they can live a normal, healthy, lively, and peaceful childhood for I want them to be spared from what I’ve experienced and if God wills me to, all my days, I’ve also lived for this dream – to build an orphanage, a home for every children deprived of the same. Yes, that’s my vision – to build homes.

Yes, I fully know I need to seek God’s kingdom first and everything will be added unto me. The journey to a thousand miles starts beneath my feet and now in my journey, I’ve always been praying and moving slowly but gradually into eventually reaching for my dreams all for the glory of His name.

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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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15 Ps

Hello dear friends, my apologies. I hope this isn't that super late yet. I got hooked up with academic requirements and I happen to stumble upon this. Imagine, I even forgot that I made it as a note already. Yup, this is just a quick flick of my Jakarta adventure.

You might be wondering about the P. Honestly, I don’t really know why P. Would you help me out?

1. Passport

Despite our incomplete documents, and panic and anxiety attacks, God, with His Mighty hand, caused us to get through the processing even until the seemingly unending waiting time of our passports’ release. God in His unfathomable ways chose to stretch our patience and trust in Him and our boats may be tossed by the waves while He sleeps, but He wakes up before it sinks.

2. Partners

Imagine raising an amount good for a semester’s tuition in just one month by me whose financial status is unstable, yeah I'm still a college student. hehe. But God really showed me that I am indeed His child. He led me to people, to believers, who were more than willing to support His Great Commission and He blessed my team and I with more than enough financial support. Indeed, in our weakness, God is strong; in our deficiency, God is always sufficient; and the more that we feel less of ourselves the more that He becomes more in us.

3. Parents

They and my siblings were all skeptical about HYBRID. They were full of inquiries and doubts and they were all enumerating the pros and cons but more so with the cons obviously talking me out of joining. But even then, God continued to sustain and inspire me despite all the discouragements and hurt I got from my own family. But then I realized that they were only very much concerned about me given my weak health condition. Amazingly, when we finally purchased tickets, God caused their hearts to soften and poured out their moral support for me and kept on checking on me through the whole mission trip.

4. Physical condition

I have always thought that having acute bronchial asthma has always been one of my disadvantages and I felt like it has been imprisoning me ever since. Thankfully, God made me realize then that the same is not a disadvantage but it is otherwise, for it had served as a reminder for me to take extra care of my body more so when we were at Jakarta. Being always offered with food I am restricted to consume and subjected to unending troughs of cigarette smoke, the more that God strengthened my self-control and self-preservation. Yes, my body is my gift and offering to the God Most High and it is most certainly right to offer it at its best condition.

5. Plane

HYBRID gave me the first opportunity to fly and it was not just one flight but four flights! The thought of flying excited yet somehow made me nervous. Excited because it was my first time and nervous, on the other hand, aside from the idea of accident but also of leaving the comforting walls of my home and secured limits of my country. But while flying, God caused my excitement to surpass all my other thoughts and I was so occupied with this miracle of a metal floating and flying in the air amidst the fluffy cottony clouds (I could almost touch them!). It was a one-time big-time experience and God wanted me to witness before my very eyes the wonders of His creations.

6. Philippine immigration

We were held up for a few minutes at the immigration and I was, again, caught up with nervousness and uneasiness. But God reminded me once again and proved to me that He was and is with us every step of the way that despite no official document other than our HYBRID Budget, we were allowed to get through! God replaced my heart’s restlessness with unmistakable calmness as what Psalm 46:10 promised (“Be still and know that I am God. My name will be exalted throughout the nations.”).

7. Place

Jakarta, a place unknown to me yet has been beckoning my feet to set on its inviting shores. Born in a small town, I was fixed dumbfounded with what caught my weary eyes – huge buildings of different designs, wide scary streets, varieties of transportation, big billboards, and a lot more! Thoughts of fear, insufficiencies and uncertainties came rushing through me and the more I thought of how big this place is, the more I became smaller and insignificant. But hey, who is bigger than my God? Absolutely and irrevocably nothing! I should not be shaken for in spite of all the unknowns and uncertainties, I have a Certain, Known and All-Knowing God!

8. Provision

Through the mission trip, I saw before me how God, being the Best Provider, worked in everything. He had shown His favor to my teammates and I through His provisions of food, shelter, finances and a whole lot more. Indeed, no one in need is beyond God’s abounding grace and riches. For He is the vine and we are the branches, if we stay joined in Him, we will be well provided and even more!

9. Protection

Being uprooted from my comfort zone, I felt, literally, super lost then and doubts about safety came pouring in my head every single moment. Will I (we) feel at peace in our hotel? Will I (we) be able to get to and fro our assigned campuses sound, safe, unharmed and complete? Will I (we) be shielded from danger or risks? Indeed, at times, we are caught unaware that we are being attacked at the very heart of the place where we feel most comfortable with, but even then, let us always be assured by this – could there be any safer place for us than in the loving embrace of our Father?

10. People

One of the best gifts I have ever received from the moment I stepped foot from the airport were the paths of different lives God had allowed to cross with mine even just for a while but I know this crossroad will forever be etched in life's rugged map! Through my new-found friends, I have discovered a lot about myself, the world around me and how I could influence the latter while the same influences me in return. All the people, the LPMI staff, my friends - in their simple awesomeness, in their loving and thoughtful ways - have carved a mark in my heart, a mark that’s destined to live through time and beyond.

11. Plan

Yes, God was truly with us all the way. He gifted us with wisdom and discernment in the preparation of everything before actually going to our campus. And what we had planned through Him really paid off. We can never know how far the ripples of our actions would go, so with God’s Divine guidance, better plan them ahead before actually doing them. Eventually, given the consequences of the same, it truly is a great privilege to have freewill to choose whether to allow these consequences to either set us back or push us forward towards either more estrangement or intimacy with God! But, of course, we would be very much willing to wholeheartedly choose the latter.

12. Progress report

It has always been in the team’s system that every night during the session, each of us was encouraged to share what we have accomplished during that particular day in hopes of making others aware of some possible strategies or techniques that could be used to be more effective and efficient the next time. Such, indeed, assisted me in filling my inadequacies and insufficiencies. And I learned so much about team effort and team building. Truly praiseworthy to note how God so easily weaves individual differences together to form part of a mat articulated with a variety of complementary colors and designs that perfectly fit.

13. Perfect timing

Right when God says it is the perfect timing, it really is and I have witnessed it myself. God meant it that we meet our contacts at the right place and at the right time. God meant for their hearts to be prepared – longing, hungry and thirsty – just in time for us to come in and fill the gaps. God willed all those events to happen in His own precious time. Through all those times, God enabled me to ingrain in my mind, heart, and soul to be fully dependent and sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit

14. Power of Prayer

This is the strongest, most potent weapon I have ever used all through my HYBRID Journey. It is water proof, fireproof, shockproof, worry proof, evil proof and more! It is impenetrable, unshakable, indispensable. It is the only one you have when the others seem to fail. It will never ever fail you like what JESUS Christ did for you!

15. Praise God

On our end, all we needed to do then was practice with all our hearts, mind and soul "profound inadequacy, profound dependence and profound humility" to Him who made everything possible even before the beginning until even beyond the very end. Truly, all praises, glory and honor are yours Almighty Father who reigns forever and ever, in JESUS' name, AMEN!

There you go folks! My HYBRID Journey in 15 Ps :D

Please help me with the P. Super thanks! :D

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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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When Love finds you

by Daylinda C. Barba

All my thoughts then were about my being JUST among the six children. Though my mother did her best to attend to our needs 24/7, I felt all alone, that no one really cared about me. I was so small, thin, sickly and so ugly. All my thoughts were always about fear – of being left alone at home again while sitting at a dark corner waiting for someone to arrive, of big, loud and angry voices, of meeting other people, of facing the world thinking that the world will only offer worse than what I was already experiencing. I had such a very low self-esteem and I was love-starved, hungry and thirsty for care and attention. This caused me to be obsessed with high grades. Through them I was noticed and appreciated by other people. So from then on I started doing my best in school for the same reason. But then something hit me hard. I mistook the happiness of other people as my own happiness. I became hungry for more but still I was never fully satisfied. Everything suddenly became pointless.

Through all those years, I always made it certain to hide my true emotions and I kept searching for answers on my own until my friends and I were invited to a (Campus Crusade for Christ) CCC activity one Friday. I discovered then that my friends and I were searching for the same thing – that thing which could fill the hole in each of our heart. Someone prayed over us and that night, I felt an unexpected course of change in me. I sensed that the hollowness was filled by something and, at last, never have I felt perfectly whole! Loneliness departed and was replaced with unmistakable stillness that calmed my restless heart.

It happened on September 15, 2006 when I accepted Jesus Christ to be my personal Lord and Savior. God really intended for me to meet my friends that we may be able to guide and protect each other as what is in Ecclesiastes 4:10. God had sent me not just one but four very special people to be with me and I with them in each of our life’s journey, now with Jesus Christ.

But then barely two months later, something happened that challenged my Christianity. I got hospitalized of a severe asthma attack and then I became a constant visitor of the hospital. Each attack was so severe that I barely had oxygen left causing me such an excruciating pain on my back and chest that I even asked God if only I could stop breathing so that I will be relieved from the terrible pain in every labored breath I took even just for a while. This became an ordinary event in my college life since which brought about my greatest disappointment – the downfall of my grades and my flunking a major subject.

It was as if my childhood days were haunting me again and I even asked God if He truly loved for if He does, why did He take the very thing that fueled my life? I was wallowing in despair and self-pity then until I read Romans 8:28. It reminded me that when I accepted Him, I promised that I would love Him no matter what and my life in its entirety should have been surrendered to Him but it was not what I did for I was being carnal when it came to my studies. I recalled the two circles in the Four Spiritual Laws booklet and realized that everything happened because I depended on my own decisions and not of God’s. Now I came to realize that all those that happened will work for my good because I love Him now with all my heart, strength, mind and soul.

After that, God led me to the answers. My scholarship was still okay, my parents understood my situation and with the last question, 2 Timothy 1:3 is the answer “…and my only purpose in life is to please Him.” I realized that I should not live my life for other people but for God who is my personal Lord and Savior. I should always fix my eyes on Him and not allow the pressures and expectations of other people to get hold of me. Furthermore, I should not depend on grades to be loved by my parents or anybody else. And now, I am in bible study groups of five wonderful girls sharing to them my learnings and spiritual insights.

Indeed, my true worth can only be measured by seeing myself through God, my Creator’s eyes and not other people’s. When He looks at me, He sees unlimited bundles of possibilities and indeed, there is no power greater than love. It is a decision, a choice each of us must make and there is no greater expression of love than giving up our lives for those we deeply love. God demonstrated that great love to us when he gave his only son, Jesus, to die on the cross as penalty for our sins so we could have forgiveness and eternal life. That is what True Love is – gives selflessly and unconditionally even sacrificially. This kind of love can only come from God, the very root of true love. Away from the root, love becomes temporary rather than lasting. This kind of love is freely available. We only need to come and connect with God through His son Jesus Christ, and that love will flow freely in and through our hearts.

I know that God loves me with a forever and a heavenly love. It is a love that goes away beyond any love I could ever imagine or hope for because God Himself is Love.

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dcbarba-blog · 6 years ago

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Ramen at it’s finest. #Thanksgiving #RamenDaisho #Celebration #Birthdays #Ramen

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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God bless the broken road...that led me straight to you. (^_^)

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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pinoytumblr:

ABS-CBN:

MANILA, Philippines - Edith Tiempo, widely acknowledged as the Mother of Philippine Literature, reportedly died on Sunday. She was 92.

She was conferred the National Artist Award for Literature in 1999.

“National Artist for Literature Edith Tiempo passed away at 92,” ABS-CBN Northern Mindanao reporter Rod Bolivar said on microblogging site Twitter on Sunday night.

Together with her husband, Tiempo founded the Silliman National Writers’ Workshop in Dumaguete City.

Some of her works include novels A Blade of Fern, His Native Coast and One, tilting leaves, short story Abide, Joshua and Other Stories, and The Tracks of Babylon and Other Poems, among others.

The world is a lesser place.

“It’s utter sublimation, A feat, this heart’s control Moment to moment To scale all love down To a cupped hand’s size”

—Edith Tiempo, “Bonsai”

(via velvetrobots)

#Pinoy

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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noteasilybent:

the heart feels what the eyes cant see and what the mind will never understand

Super agree...

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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True Love Waits

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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super cool!

#omg

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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kinda worried...

May 28, 2009

hi..here i am again..

i know what you are about to say to me...i've been observing you..

it's my cough..i think it's hurting my throat..ouch...

you drank cold water, which you shouldn't have..

yeah, i know..i think i just have to drink more water at home..

yes, better do that..

hiy..

hmm?

should i go there at the dean's office after? i need to finish my bro's pre-enlistment..

sure, if you want to..

are you sure?

if you want to go, why not? you said so yourself that you have to finish it today, if not, he will be very much delayed..

what about the people?

like who?

the-one-i'm-thinking-right-now..

never mind him..ok?..just do what you have to do..

ok..thanks..'til next time..bye..i love you..

i love you, too...

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dcbarba-blog · 14 years ago

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broken pieces...

May 28, 2009

You were my strength

When I was weak

You were my voice

When i couldn't speak

You were my eyes

When I couldn't see

You saw the best

There was in me

Lifted me up

When I couldn't reach

You gave me faith

'Coz you believe

I'm everything I am

Because you love me

good day!..

how are you?..

feeling much much better inside out..my colds is slowly abating and my emotions are slowly settling..thank You..

you're always welcome..

by the way, i just came from CBA for my brother and my pre-enlisted subjects..

how was it?

well, not quite good because my brother still has to be evaluated before he will be given any subjects and he still has to come back next week..oh my goodness..there will be lots of people by then!..he will be delayed..

don't worry 'bout that..at least you are assured that he will really study here, right?

hiy, something happened at home last night..

i know...and i didn't like what you and the other people did..

i know, that's why i felt terrible..very terrible..

that's why you have to make amends with your father, ok?

yes, i've thought about that last night before i slept..

that's good..

i just don't understand why he has that kind of attitude..i don't like it..

well, simple..he grew up that way..that's why..he was brought up that way..you know, old ways..

yeah, i guess so..but i disagree with it..

�� but you have to understand as well that it's your father who shoulders everything, practically all your family's expenses..he works early in the morning 'til afternoon just so he will be able to meet your needs..and to think that his salary is just like that..and maybe, it's also because of old age..he's old already that's why you have to have more patience and understanding..ok?..

yeah, right..ok..wait, i have another issue to tell you..

ok, what is it?

the people around me..they are slowly changing..

why bother yourself with change? you know we all have to go through such a process..

yeah, i know but its a different kind of change..

change in what sense?

their attitude towards me has changed a lot..i feel like they don't want anything to do with me..they dread my presence..

how so?..

i can feel it..i can sense it..

how many times have feelings been proven wrong? how many times were you wrong with your feelings?

many times..but..

then that is it..child, do not ever rely nor depend on your feelings..

but how about her?..

i've done something but she did not do anything..i even felt like she wanted to get back at me that was why she did not come..what if baby ej's christening was pushed through, would she and he have done the same?..you know what, they are just the same..but of course, they will take each others' side, never mind poor me..

reagan, stop thinking that way..give your friends the benefit of the doubt..you haven't talked to them yet anyway..

i haven't, yes..but i requested for us to talk, she did not reply at all..i don't know with him either..i texted him but he wasn't replying..maybe he changed his number..if so, why did he not tell me?...i'm really hurt..i don't know what's happening to both of them already..i'm just hurt..that's all..

yes, you are hurt and you are afraid..

yes, yes..i'm hurt and i'm afraid that they will not consider me as their friend anymore...

then why don't you do something..

i've done it already..

do it again...

but it wasn't just i who did a mistake..she did something wrong, too..

she doesn't know about that, i think..

yes, because we haven't talked yet..

then i guess you really have to talk before classes start, don't you think?

yeah, i guess so..

will You help me?..will You help me control my emotions?..

of course, definitely..

thank you so much...so so much..

you are welcome, child..

bye for now..i love you..

I love you, too.

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