Pinoy In CNN Heroes

CNN has started its campaign of CNN Heroes that features selfless ordinary folks doing big things for society. Early in the running is one of our own, Efren Penaflorida. His story is very inspiring, and somehow it made me feel how little our lives seem when we don't do something important for others.

Pushcart classes help break gang chain

CAVITE CITY, Philippines (CNN) -- At 16, Rhandolf Fajardo reflects on his former life as a gang member.
Efren Peñaflorida's Dynamic Teen Company offers Filipino youth an alternative to gangs through education.

"My gang mates were the most influential thing in my life," says Fajardo, who joined a gang when he was in sixth grade. "We were pressured to join."

He's not alone. In the Philippines, teenage membership in urban gangs has surged to an estimated 130,000 in the past 10 years, according to the Preda Foundation, a local human rights charity.

"I thought I'd get stuck in that situation and that my life would never improve," recalls Fajardo. "I would probably be in jail right now, most likely a drug addict -- if I hadn't met Efren."

When the voting starts, please vote if you think his personal crusade deserves merit.

Just when most of us are at our desks, complaining about everyday life and bad politics, some people are actually in the streets doing something to make society better.

Too Old For Christmas

Don't you have that yearly feeling that, when Christmas season comes around, you don't get excited about the holidays anymore than when you were younger? Does it have something to do with age? Or maybe times are getting tougher? Or do we get too busy with our careers we don't have time to slow down and feel the holidays anymore?

After all, what's an adult to look forward to when there are no more toys being opened on Christmas eve, no more going from street to street caroling for small bills and change into our pockets, no more "Mamamasko po" and Santa Clauses dressed like ninongs and ninangs, lolos and lolas, titos and titas, no more being taken out by parents for small outings and carnival rides...

Boring... the price of being an adult. But, hey, if you're feeling that way, then you must be an adult.

And you might just be onto the biggest reality check of your life... That is: Christmas is for kids!

Yep, no need to worry then. It's your turn to wear Santa's hat and make the kids around you feel the season of giving. Your turn to give and share, and make it your business that they have fun throughout the season. Make your kids, nephews and nieces feel special. 'Cause you know, one day too, that they'll be missing that feeling the same way we adults do.

Spread love and happiness... Have a wonderful Christmas, folks!

Gratitude Journal

A little bit late for a Thanksgiving thought, but better late than never...

Belated Happy Thanksgiving to folks in the US. I was just wondering whether this holiday is exclusive to the North Americans. Wouldn't it be a nice idea to have an International Thanksgiving Holiday? For one, I'd be thankful that I wouldn't have to go to work.

But seriously, having a personal thanksgiving habit I think is good for the soul. I once watched an episode in Oprah as she talked about the idea of having a gratitude journal. The idea is simple: get something to write on, and everyday find at least three things you are grateful for, then write it down. They don't have to be something spectacular; sometimes it's the small things we take for granted that would make up the list. The point in the exercise is being able to see, in spite of the daily stress, what good things you've received for the day. It gives us a chance to realize that we're actually more fortunate than others; that it's just that we're too tired and distracted with worry that we fail to see the nice things done for us, and around us.

Sadly I don't practice what I'm preaching here, but I think I should start setting aside some time for it (probably like every Mondays, or every first day of the month). A good time would be during the commute to the office. What's in it for us? A happier, more grateful and positive disposition no less. And I bet the person I say thanks to would also appreciate it.

Let me start a quick one:

1. I'm grateful for my industrious wife for the best homekeeping work ever. I virtually don't have to do a thing at home!
2. My pretty daughters who dance my stress away.
3. My parents and family for an always wacky and feastful get-together.

There, that felt good! Try it out some time... if you're not too busy.

Oh, and in case you feel you're way behind financially, you bet you are! Check this out.

In our daily lives, we must see that it is not happiness that makes us grateful, but gratefulness that makes us happy. --Albert Clarke

Thank you for reading.