Work-Life Balance

Being a Father and Husband

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Tue, 10 Sep 2013 01:02:00 +0000

In essence, these are two (2) distinct responsibilities that we married men have to exercised with passion, discipline and commitment. These are really tough roles to balance with and if we let one overdo the other, it may lead unknowingly to chaos, disorder, instability, conflicts and contrasting interests among family members.

A father is the cornerstone of the family. The “Head”, so to speak. He’s the provider, protector, pillar of strength, comforter, teacher, disciplinarian, influencer, litigator, etc. To sum it up, all of his energy, strength and wealth are all focus and intended to his “family”.

My admiration to all the fathers, working doubly hard, sacrificing everything, working overtime and even day-offs just to cope-up with the family’s growing expenditures. He even turned nights into working days just to earn a decent living, depriving himself of the much needed rests and sleeps. Rest days also are not excluded from this “no-rest” struggle in exchange for comfort and improved standard of living.

A Husband is someone that’s committed to support, comfort, share, a lifetime partner and best friend of his better-half — his wife. He must share the responsibilities of family-building with his wife and make sure that family interest and aspirations are all aligned and checked all the time.

This commitment is life-long and not just temporary. Check your Marriage Contract, it’s the only contract that doesn’t have an expiration date .

To conclude, we children should show our gratitude and respect to our fathers, appreciate all their hard work, sacrifices and support that they extended to us so that we can have and live a decent and comfortable life. It’s about time to return back the favor to him — our dearest Father. The time is NOW. Tomorrow may already be late, who knows.

To all the wives, though not all relationships are perfect, not all relationships worked as most of us expected, it is still a “work-in-progress”. Husband and Wife must work it out to have a perfect, lasting and harmonious relationship. It’s not a one-time deal, one-time effort but constant, sustaining struggle to achieve that dreamed relationship.

Read more stories like this by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Images: freedigitalphotos.net

Getting and Staying Healthy

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Sun, 08 Sep 2013 03:45:00 +0000

Getting healthy is not an easy task. One should have to deal with sacrifices and exert efforts to achieve this utmost objective. If you’re not firm enough and don’t have the resolved to achieve it, you’ll easily get lost and sooner you realized that you’re already back in your old ways, bad habits, body-damaging vices, no exercise and unhealthy diets.

Almost as challenging as to getting healthy is staying as healthy as possible. One should sustain the effort, the enthusiasm and the spirit to remain in tip-top shape. Shedding those extra pounds needs tremendous effort, hard work, perseverance and determination.

Exercise

What will be your reason to getting and staying healthy is the fire that keeps you work even harder, more focused and keeping that spirit high on staying as healthy as possible. For me, my motivation is my family. I want to live a little longer. I want to see my children become mature individuals and have their own family. I want to see how good they are in their own way. And that’s every parent’s dream.

Wanna share your motivations in getting and staying healthy? Share them here by leaving a comment.

What Keeps You Motivated?

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 22:59:00 +0000

Motivation as defined by whatismotivation.net can be seen as a strong desire to achieve a certain goal accompanied with the appropriate energy and determination to make it a reality. Some of the motivating factors could be your family, your dream job, house, car, vacation and other aspirations you really wanted in life.

Motivation is what drives you to be the best in what you do. It obviously is the reason that keeps you going each day even if you’re so tired and weary of your daily routine. Even if you’re sick, sleepless and bored still you are obliged to wake-up and do your daily tasks. I remember this famous slogan from a favorite morning drink that says “Para Kanino Ka Bumabangon?” (for whom do you wake up) is really fitting to this post.

Image: tungphoto / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Keeping ourselves motivated is very important. Without it, we might get lost or distracted from our goals or purpose. It has to be checked regularly to keep us aligned with our goals or purpose. So next time you feel really down and helpless, think of the people that depends on you, the things you really wanted to have and all those dreams and I am sure there’s renewed encouragement, hope and strength that gets injected into your bloodstream right then and there.

Read more stories like this by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Working At Home

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 22:10:00 +0000

There are many reasons why one is entertaining the idea of working at home. With the advancement of technology particularly the internet, this whole idea gains a positive reaction both from employees and employers. But as a caution, this kind of work setup does not work to all those who plans to work at the comfort of their pajamas.

Before you engage on the idea of working at home, you may check my list for its Pros and Cons and see if you are really fit to work on this kind of setup.

Pros:

Control of environment – you have control over office furniture and fixtures
More time to spend with family
No commuting is necessary
Savings in wardrobe
Flexibility

Sounds good? Of course it does. The beauty about working at home is that you save money while making money. With no need to commute back and forth, you save the money you would normally spend on things like gas and clothes.

Image: Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Cons:

Mounting personal chores since you have too much free time at home
Lack of human interaction
Nothing is guaranteed

Working at home is now a possibility and a reality. But as I said, it won’t work on everybody wishing to engage on it. If in your judgment, the Pros outweighs the Cons then you are most likely destined to be successful in this kind of work setup. The idea is really tempting but you have to check with care all the angles, all possibilities and situations that might arise should you wish and engage the possibility of working at home.

Read more stories like this by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Outdoor activities

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Simple outdoor games and activities are great for quality family time. Bike rides, long walks, playing in the garden, running in a park or some fun on the swings and slides are just some of your budget-friendly options. The children will absolutely enjoy it and you’ll benefit from the adrenalin rush. For sure it is so much fun. Just make sure everyone in the family participates and has the chance to exercise.

Playing badminton in an open space is what my family likes to do. My 12-year old and 6-year old sons will usually do the initial round. Their mom takes on the winner of their match. When they’re all exhausted and tired, it’s my time to take-up the racket and face whoever wishes to play against me. It’s a nice feeling getting my family stay in shape and spend quality time together in a budget.

It doesn’t have to be expensive nor a body punishment experience to get healthy. There are fun, cost-effective outdoor activities that will help us become fit. Activities that you’ll neither neglect your family nor your fitness. Everyone is busy but there aren’t many more important things than maintaining your health and fitness and spending some quality time with your family.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Do you have other outdoor activities you wish to share? Your precious ideas might be the key or the triggering factor for others to finally get fit and be healthy.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Family Mealtime

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:29:00 +0000

For many families, sit-down meals together have become a thing of the past, with each family member doing their own thing when mealtime comes. This can be attributed to busy work schedules, pressing school works and deadlines or just the hectic chosen lifestyle.

Enjoying a nutritious meal with your family is an excellent, low-cost family-friendly activity. It may be the best time to talk serious matters with your spouse and children. In my own experience, many of our plans and longings were actually conceived on our dining table. Making time for a family meal is likely to result in better nutrition, closer family ties and big savings since the food is more likely to be prepared at home. This could also be the best time to relax, release pressures and worries.

How often do you spend quality mealtime with your family? Gather them over a simple yet healthy meal and share your thoughts and inspirations. Your family might just be waiting for you to initiate such move.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Spending Your Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:16:00 +0000

Who says that Valentine's Day is just for young people only? It is really a total misconception. Fact is, V-Day is for us all — "who loved" and "being loved".

Spending Valentine's Day with special someone or family member(s) purely depends on his or her capacity and availability. Some of us who can afford the luxury may spend this romantic occasion on expensive beaches, hotels, restaurants, bars and other high-living recreations. For the less fortunate and the rational sectors of our society, they just opted to celebrate it in simple ways. Giving flowers, cards, chocolates or just having a simple yet romantic dinner are the most common. There are also others that will just allow this occasion seems like an ordinary day, no celebration at all.

Whatever is your plan for this romantic day is all up to you. I just want to point out that don't let this day passed without you telling your special someone or persons how much you love, how much you care and how important he or she is to you. And that he or she is very special to you.

I don't have the luxury so I am obliged to spend this special day in a very simple way. There is still one thing that I continue to struggle for my very own family and that is how to make every day in our lives a Valentine's Day. It is still a struggle. It is hard but it is achievable.

Do you have other plans on how to spend and celebrate Valentine's Day? Share it to us.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Images: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Of being a “Wife” and a “Mother”

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 01:29:00 +0000

In this post, am going to share poems that best describe these two distinct roles. As you read each poem, have coffee for yourself, sit back and relax.

What’s being a "Wife" ?

A poem by C. Martin from BlueMountain for the "Wife" side of the coin.

“A wife is someone more special than words.
She's love mixed with friendship, and marriage
bonded with hope, thanks, and joy. A wife is
beauty and lasting togetherness, and there
is no one more precious in the world.

A wife is one who inspires some of the most
special moments two people have ever shared.
A wife is a treasured perspective on the past,
a reassuring part of the present, and a million
wishes for all the days that lie ahead.

Image: photostock / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

A wife is a reminder of the blessings that come
from closeness. Sharing everything. Disclosing
dreams. Learning about life together. She's a
hand within your hand. She's so often the only
one who understands. A wife is understanding
and trust enfolded with love. She is a helper and
a guide, and she is a feeling, deep inside, that
makes you realize, each and every day of your life

... that there is no one who could ever be loved
in the way a husband... loves his wife.”

What’s being a "Mother" ?

And here’s the poem from Katherine Nelson Davis for the other side.

"A mother is someone to shelter and guide us,
To love us, whatever we do,
With a warm understanding and infinite patience
And wonderful gentleness, too.

How often a mother means swift reassurance
In soothing our small, childish fears,
How tenderly mothers watch over their children
And treasure them all through the years!

The heart of a mother is full of forgiveness
For any mistake, big or small,
And generous always in helping her family,
Whose needs she has placed above all.

A mother can utter a word of compassion
And make all our cares fall away,
She can brighten a home with the sound of her laughter
And make life delightful and gay.

A mother possesses incredible wisdom
And wonderful insight and skill -
In each human heart is that one special corner
Which only a mother can fill!"

The Challenge

More often, these two words are used and thought interchangeably especially for married individuals. Fact is, it may point to the very same, very important lady in our lives. These roles are clear, specific and distinct to each other. However, many of our dear ladies nowadays are fusing these roles into a collective, super sole role and they functioned or assumed this new role perfectly and without hesitation. Kudos to these ladies.

My challenge to all the married ladies with children: Did you performed these roles righteously? Are you faithful to your husband? Are you the ideal “Mother” to your children? Can you say straight to your husband and children that you are a “Wife” and a “Mother” to them? If indeed you are, my hats off to you. You did a good job!

If you think you aren’t or almost there, please continue to strive, work and aim for it. At the end of the tunnel at least you can say, “I tried my very best” to try to achieve and reach the super role – of being a “Wife” and a “Mother”.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Cebu Celebrates "Sinulog"

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 14:27:00 +0000

Every 3rd Sunday of January, Cebu also known as the "Queen City" of the south, celebrates the feast of Sto. Niño (Holy Child Jesus). The "Sinulog" or the dance ritual performed by the locals is their way of paying homage to the Sto. Niño for all the favors, divine graces, abundance, good health, answered prayers and all the good things that they received and enjoyed.

The "Sinulog" festival is said to be the "Cream of the Crop" of all the festivals in the Philippines. Contingents clad in colorful costumes dance to the rhythm of drums, trumpets and native gongs. Recently, the cultural event has been commercialized as a tourist attraction and instead of traditional street-dancing from locals, it also mean a contest featuring dancing contingents from various parts of the country.

The "Sinulog" is a nine(9) day religious celebration. Activities lined-up on these days include but not limited to the following:

Walk For Jesus
Sinulog sa Kabataan (Cebu City and Cebu Province)
Fluvial Procession
Miss Cebu Pageant/Coronation
Solemn Procession
Grand Street Parade

To all the tourists (local and foreign) out there, please come and visit Cebu and experience the "one of a kind" religious fulfillment. Dance to the beat, feel the rhythm and experienced the gentleness and friendliness of the Cebuanos. Cebu has a lot to offer. Discover them yourselves and cherish the mem'ries. For sure, your "Sinulog" experience will be a great and mem'rable one.

We have a lot of reasons to celebrate "Sinulog". This is our way of saying "Thank You" to the grateful Sto. Niño. I myself have reasons to celebrate "Sinulog" with the rest of my family. I will continue to celebrate "Sinulog" and be his devotee for the rest of my life.

Viva, Pit Señor!

Read more stories like this by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Photos courtesy of Anthony Leuterio.

Let’s Do Our Share To Heal Mother Nature

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 09:27:00 +0000

Typhoon “Sendong” internationally known as “Washi” struck the island of Mindanao particularly in Cagayan De Oro and Iligan and some parts of the Visayas region with so much damage.

The damage was so huge in terms of life loss, properties and infrastructures. It shuttered the dreams and hopes of the people affected and will forever leave a horrifying mark in their lives. It wasn’t the gustiness of “Sendong” that brings havoc to these areas but its unusual rainfall. It triggers flashfloods – the worst for how many decades now that these areas ever experienced.

The day after “Sendong” showed us the might of mother nature, video footages from the country’s leading television networks, live reports from radio stations all over the country presented us the real problem, the clear scenario, the present status of our exploited forests in Mindanao. Illegally cut logs littered around the affected areas.

Mother nature had striked us once again. Flashfloods - because we have no more trees to hold off rainwater. We have never learn our lessons so far. How many more lives to loss, how many more houses and properties to get swallowed by the rampaging water before we do our share to heal mother nature? How many more dreams and hopes get shattered before we collectively act to calm mother nature? My brothers and sisters, the time is now! We should act now!

Our government must enforce the full force of the law. It should flex its muscles and showed “teeth” against these elite, unscrupulous, self-serving wealthy individuals that continue to prey on our forests. Send to jail those modern monsters and immediately implement measures to stop these illegal activities.

Photo courtesy: Wikipedia

Below are the things that I think is my own little way of contributing to the efforts to heal and calm down mother nature:

1. Think “Paper-less” or “No-Paper” At All

- Paper and other related products are made from trees. If you use less or none of these products, this would mean fewer trees to get cut, right? There’s technology, use it. Automate and employ technology whenever feasible.

2. Information Dissemination

- Information is power. Being informed as to the latest news, warnings and advisories coming from authorized government agencies should be a priority. It’s always better to be prepared and vigilant all the time. Reach out to your neighbors and help them become better-informed.

3. Conserve Water

- Water is gold. Water is precious. Be responsible enough when you use water in your daily routine.

4. Reduce Air Pollution

- Take public transport from time to time whenever possible.

5. Segregate and Dispose Garbage Properly

- This is a major problem for every community. Garbage if not properly disposed may clogged-up waterways and drainage systems and will eventually result to flooding and diseases to the surrounding communities.

Do you have other ideas on how to contribute to the efforts on healing and calming down mother earth? Please shared them to us. This is not mine, this is not yours but OUR obligation to mother nature. Let us help one anther to preserve, love and protect mother nature for our generation and the generations to come.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

My New Year's Resolutions

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 05:02:00 +0000

The year 2011 is about to end and absolutely, all of us are pretty much excited about the coming new year. As we bring 2011 to a close, certainly there are things that we want to continue doing and obviously there are also things that we need to improve, adjust or correct. These adjustments are necessary inorder for us to align ourselves on whatever we aspire, envisioned and want to achieve in the coming year.

The succeeding five(5) things top the list for my new year's resolutions:

1. Spend money much wiser
2. More time with my family
3. Cut the drinking habit (beer) by 50%
4. Identify and work on money-making ideas
5. Engaged on health-enduring activities more often

That's it folks. Crossing my fingers for the five(5) things I need to work on for the coming year and God willing, all will be achieved.

Do you have your own list for the things you need to work on for the coming year? If you haven't done so, please do create one. It really helps!

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Lessons Learned From Playing Basketball

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 13:51:00 +0000

I used to play my favorite game of basketball when I was 14. That time, I was not aware of any benefits nor the negative side of playing my favorite ball game. For me and my friends, it was just for mere fun, trying to duplicate the moves of our basketball idols.

It was during these days that I started establishing a lasting and true friendship with some of my closest friends. It was also during these days that we played ball together with my closest friends that I was offered an opportunity to know each of them in detail. Frustrations, failures, problems of any sort, plans, hopes, aspirations and dreams are usually the topics we discussed and shared after every game over a bottle of beer or softdrink.

During these time of our lives that we knew that a special bond between us close friends had started to touched our lives. As we played our favorite ball game, we tend to play cohesively, relaxed, and lots comedies during and after the game because of the trust and support with each other though most of the games we came up as losers (lol!).

Til now as we get older and most are having our own family, we tried to regroup, assemble and play the game we loved. This is the game that binds us. This is the game that for long time we used as avenue to our frustrations, failures, misunderstandings, happiness, dreams, hopes, aspirations and plans.

Sports truly indeed teaches us life lessons as to camaraderie, patience, unselfishness, trust, believing yourself, determination, hardwork and perseverance. You will also learn to accept failures (defeats) and successes (winnings). It is not about winning the game but HOW you play the game.

In your case, what game are you in? Do you have lessons learned from playing your favorite sport? Tell us and kindly share.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

An Early Weekend Morning Jog

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 04:35:00 +0000

Keeping a healthy body is one's responsibility especially for us parents. It's a no joke when one gets hospitalized or sick knowing the monetary burden being involved. Expensive medicines, high consultation and doctors' fees, laboratory fees, transportation, room accommodation and meal expenses among others are the determining factors to high hospital bills. Prevention is truly better than cure so to speak.

Few weeks ago together with my wife Beca, I got the opportunity to do what I preached here, that is to stay healthy. We got up early and prepare for an early weekend morning jog. Our place of destination is the Manila Memorial Park in Liloan, Cebu since some of our friends suggested that it's an ideal place for the planned run. To cut the story short, destination reached and I had a couple of rounds doing the jog. I sweat alot and it was such a nice experience. The place was clean, quiet, lots of greens, secured, lots of joggers, hikers and bikers too both young and old. I swear to myself that it wouldn't be my last to run in MMP but just the beginning. I will surely comeback to do the early weekend morning jog. The place is really good for joggers, hikers and bikers of all ages.

Jogging is an effective, inexpensive way of keeping ourselves healthy. It's a sure stress-buster. It is not an easy routine though. It takes a lot of hardwork, patience and perseverance. Having a sound and healthy body is everyone's dream and aspiration. Live a healthy and longer life for your family. Your family needs you.

Receive more reasons to be inspired by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Show Simple Gratitude To Our Parents

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 04:42:00 +0000

When was the last time have you said "Thank You" to your dear parents? Can you still remember when was the last time you gave a hug or a kiss to them? Our parents really deserve our "Thank You's", our hugs and kisses as we show appreciation to all the sacrifices, the hardships and labor they did for us -- their children.

We owed almost everything to them: our education, the values and our well-being in general. Above all, for submitting themselves to the challenge of being "responsible" parents. As a father, I know how hard it is to be on this role. Nurturing a son or a daughter is not a joke especially at this time of crisis. It really requires full commitment and resolved. If you get lost, your family, your kids are in the losing end.

Examine yourself. What you are now is because of your parents' sacrifices, hardships, support (monetarily and spiritually) and being "responsible". It is just time to let them feel our "Thank You's", for the things they'd done for us. It is just time that we will express and let them feel our gratitude and appreciation.

After all, money can't buy or replace the happiness or joy brought about by showing these simple gestures of gratitude to our parents. Do it now. We may not know what will happen to us tomorrow or in the future. Remember, "Life is too short". Tomorrow may already be late.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

You: Successful Or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 02:01:00 +0000

Are you successful? Do you consider yourself being one? Find out from this transcript whether you are indeed one of the "successfuls" or just pretending to be one as we examined ourselves against each of the four(4) determining barometers: Family, Work, Spiritual and Social aspects of our lives.

In this modern time, one will be considered as "successful" when all of these four(4) determining factors are well-balanced or in-sync with each other.

Family — How can you be "successful" if in spite of your rise in the corporate ladder, you become the CEO perhaps of the company you're working at and thus acquiring so much wealth, fame and glamour, it is your family that suffers? Your children may be in drugs, gang groups or any other forms of vices because of the lack of parental guidance. You're always late in coming home because of company meetings and other company-related activities. You often have misunderstandings with your partner because you don't have the time for each other. In short, you mishandled your family and thus bound to breaking them up. How sad, right?

Religious Life — How can you be "successful" if despite all the comforts of this life, it is your spiritual self that suffers? Are you a believer of "Life after death"? Take the lead. It's your responsibility.

A Good Provider — How can you be "successful" if you just stay at home, doing nothing to feed, educate, clothe and provide them with decent home? You need to be a good provider. Don't leave this responsibility to other shoulders. This is your own responsibility. But don't immersed yourself too much on this one, remember our first scenario.

Social Responsibility — How can you be "successful" if despite acquiring decent wealth, having a happy and supportive family and a very sound, healthy spiritual life, you don't belong to a social community to mingle with? "No man is an island", we need social interaction. We need to grow as a person in our community. We need to be involved in such community-building programs. We should play an integral part in our community where we live.

Summary — To be "successful" in this journey called "Life", we must ensure that these four(4) factors are all covered and that they are in-sync. Having to devote yourself to one or two or three of these factors will definitely caused you some troubles, problems and miseries. Just keep these factors checked, balanced and in-sync and rest assured that you have a very fulfilled, contented, happy and enjoyable journey. You still have the time. It's never been too late.

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.

Leisure Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Rey Villarosa) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 01:42:00 +0000

Are you thinking of ways on how to spend some quality time with your family without breaking up your wallet? One way is to go for a leisure walk.

Spending quality time each day with your spouse and children is very satisfying and fulfilling. It is an opportunity for you to connect with your kids and know about what's going on in their lives, their studies, their plans and aspirations. This may be the best time for you to impart to your children the one of the many parental advices that your kids will treasure for in their lives. This also may the time that you teach your kids to communicate with you straight, honest and open.

It may also be the best time to talk with your spouse regarding family matters. Remember, constant couple communication is a MUST for a sound marriage. This way, you're showing to your partner that he/she is important to you and to the family.

Walking as a unit is a fun way of keeping your family fit and healthy. It releases stress and fatigue for a day's work.

To keep the walk exciting, take new routes and locations but safe to keep everyone interested and excited. You and your family deserve a break. Who knows, you may be starting a family tradition - a habit that your kids will pass on to their children.

When bedtime comes, you can say to yourself that you'd dispatched your job excellently as a parent and a partner. Remember, "The family that walks together, stays forever".

Learn more life lessons by subscribing to Work-Life Balance.