An Inspirational Story

Jayson was the kind of guy you love to hate. He was always in a good mood and always had something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"

He was a unique classmate of mine because he had several friends who had have him around . The reason his friends wanted to have Jayson around was because of his attitude. He was a natural motivator. If one of his friends was having a bad day, Jayson was there telling a friend how to look on the positive side of the situation.

Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Jayson and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Jayson replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, Jayson, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood. Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life."

"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes it is," Jayson said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people will affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live life." I reflected on what Jayson said. Soon thereafter, I was determined, really to do better in my studies. I lost touch, but often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.

Several years later, I heard that Jayson did something you are never supposed to do. While he was on his way home from school, he saw a man trying to steal something from a girl and the girl was struggling not to give her things. On the back of his mind, he wanted to help the girl from that man so he sidetracked the man. Then the man pulled out a gun from his pocket and shot Jayson. Luckily, Jayson was found relatively quickly and rushed to the local trauma centre. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Jayson was released from the hospital with fragments of the bullets still in his body.

I saw Jayson about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he said, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but did ask him what had gone through his mind as the robbery took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was that I should be attentive and alert," Jayson. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live, or I could choose to die. I chose to live. "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Jayson continued, "The paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the emergency room and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read, 'He's a dead man." I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big, burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Jayson. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes,' I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Bullets!' Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead." Jayson lived thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.

Attitude, after all, is everything.

A PLACE FULL OF MEMORIES

When I'm inside a jeepney, I heard an old lady taking about my grandfather. She said that he was the one who first to set foot on my birthplace. I was shocked of course.
My grandpa was a teacher. He's from Iloilo and went to Mindanao to teach. He became the principal of four schools. Then he met my grand mother. Actually, i have so many questions to ask to him but he's gone already. He was murdered by an unknown thieves.
Even though I haven't talked to him and haven't seen him yet, I know that someday I will get to know him better and ask him the things I'd like to know. Who knows he'll visit me in my dreams..

I know that when people heard the place Cotabato the first thing that comes in their minds is,"isn't that a dangerous place?? I only answer them with a smile. As far as everyone know the place Cotabato was famous because of bombs, killings and other crimes. But for the information of everyone, it's a beautiful place. A place where people help each other to survive. A place where natures are preserved. You can see many kinds of fruits and plants. TUNA CAPITAL OF THE PHILIPPINES is found at General Santos City which is a part of Cotabato. The world's boxing champ is from Cotabato itself. It's not the kind of place to be afraid of, it's the place to be proud of. No matter what other people say, I will continue to change it's image to everyone just to prove that it's a wonderful place to make friends and to enjoy the beauty of nature.

ALARMING ISSUE

Is it summer already? Do you guys change clothes thrice a day?
These few questions comes up on my mind every time I go outside the house. People always brought umbrella with them for protection. When the heat of the sun touches your skin, it feels like it's burning you to pieces. In most cities, most of the people switch on their fans and air conditioners all day even at night, because of hotness.

As studies shown, the ozone layer has becoming thinner and thinner everyday. When this continues to happen, the whole world will experience great floods, hunger and thirst. The large ice caps melts, and the earth will be covered with water, which most people can't survive especially those who cannot swim.

People should be aware of this catastrophe and other calamities. We should lessen this by saving our mother nature and not by destroying it. As early as possible let us warn ourselves to decrease pollution, this can only be done if we cooperate to the laws and programs to save and to preserve our environment.

MY ULTIMATE HERO

A hero is an individual who can serve as an example, that's what others belief. For me a hero are the ones who gave me an opportunity to live in this world. They are my inspiration to continue struggling and to overcome so many difficulties of life. They were the ones who will do everything just for your own good and happiness. Who stays besides you when you feel down and hopeless. They are willing to protect you no matter what.

Heroes were not only the ones who risk their lives for their country and to those who gave fame.
They are my inspiration. They make me proud in so many ways and I will do everything just to make them happy. My ultimate heroes are my NANAY, TATAY and the ALMIGHTY FATHER.

BEST SHARING EVER!!!!

Activity 6


It was August 23, 2010 when we done sharing with our partners. She shared her most unforgettable day when she's in Surigao. I was impressed with her story, I told her God is good all the time. When it was my turn to share, I simply told her,"I don't know how to start". Well, the truth is I forgot the other details of my life.
I thought about one thing. The things that made me stronger here in Iligan even if I'm miles away from my family. I thought it was easy to be far away from home, but it isn't. It's very hard to pretend to be okay. The reason why I'm here was that i made a vow to my Nanay and Tatay to finish my studies and to graduate here at MSU IIT, so that I can help my family and to other people someday. I know I can pass all this obstacles with the support of my parents and with the guidance of the Almighty Father and of course with my determination..

ACTIVITY 5

The story of CARPENTER'S GIFT tells us that no matter how complicated life is there's always someone who's willing to help.

As you observed people these days loved to dwell with others, that's because they cannot swallow their pride and therefore stand on what they believe is right.

Honestly, I've had a situation like this before, someone betrayed me, and the saddest part was they're my friends closest friends. It's hard to handle that kinda situation, and I almost forgot the word forgiveness. But someone lead me to the right way. He opened my eyes to the reality that whatever sin others done to you don't forget to forgive them because pride and hatred couldn't help you. He was right. Now, even people around me try to destroy my well-being, and my personality and even if they love to discriminate me and my family, I won't let my anger control me, instead I will still open my doors to forgive them. As what GOD did.

In relation to the story, if I choose between the fence builder and the bridge builder, I will choose the bridge builder, because being a bridge builder is a better way to make peace and it will lead you to the right way. While a fence builder will only making things more complicated.

The carpenter did the right thing ha made a bridge instead of a fence to make the two brothers learn to forgive each other. As for me, the carpenter of my life is GOD for he showed me the good results of forgiveness.

Let us all remember that, "to err is human; to forgive is divine".

ACTIVITY 4

Education is very important for us to achieve our dreams.

I was inspired by the determination of Hani to study in an international school even if she's poor and doesn't even know how to speak English. This was not a hindrance for her to achieve her dreams, her immense immense courage and great determination helped her.

Many of the youth today don't go to school because of financial problems. there are also some students who love to do unnecessary things like, drinking liquors, smoking and taking drugs instead of focusing onto their studies. They do not think of their parents who worked hard just to send them to school.

As for me, I was really glad that my parents send me to school to continue my studies for me to be able to pursue my dreams. I will not waste this opportunity to do bad things that will make my parents upset. I will do my best to make my promises come true. Because we all know that, "it is not intelligence alone that brings success, but also the drive to succeed, the commitment to work hard, and the courage to believe in yourself."