WORRYING HAS NEVER HELPED ANYONE

 

By Mindanao Daily News -July 25, 20260223

Worrying does not solve problems, but practical steps like focusing on what you can control, deep breathing, and writing down your thoughts can help you feel better. Research shows that most of the things we worry about never actually happen. 

The truth is, obviously I have problems too. Everyone does.

“Our fatigue is often caused not by work, but by worry, frustration and resentment.” said already author Dale Carnegie. Then proceed to improve on the worst.” Carnegie believed that by accepting the worst-case scenario, one can find peace. Once you’ve mentally prepared for the worst, any other outcome is a pleasant surprise. This perspective shift can drastically reduce the weight of worry.

“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” says a  Swedish Proverb.

Some feelings of worry can be healthy, pushing us to find solutions to real and present problems. However, chronic worry, even about things out of our control, can severely impact our mental health.

The German poet Rainer Maria Rilke put it well: “Life is not even close to being as logically consistent as our worries; it has many more unexpected ideas and many more facts than we do.” Worrying is pointless not only because it rarely makes things better, but also because you’re rarely ever worried about the right thing!

We hardly count our blessings. We enjoy counting our crosses. Instead of gains, we count our losses. We don’t have to do all that counting – computers do it for us. Information is easily had.

Facebook to and fro, back and forth, there and back – how many posts and comments have been posted already with sadness, loneliness, boredom strikes, problems, worries … .

Just remember this: Opportunity doesn’t just knock – it jiggles the door-knob. and “your social media online-friend” – the warrior is with you day and night, at every corner, following your every step. Complaining and grumbling are good excuses, right?

Seniors may experience more anxiety-inducing situations than younger adults, and they may not have as many resources for support. Some people may notice that their anxious thoughts get stronger or more frequent with age, but anxiety is a treatable mental health disorder.

Is social media bad for us? Four billion people, around 50% of the world’s population, use online social media – and we’re spending an average of two hours every day sharing, liking, tweeting and updating on these platforms, according to some reports. That breaks down to around half a million tweets and Snapchat photos shared every minute. Stress, mood, anxiety, depression, sleep (or better non-sleep), self-esteem – Overall, social media’s effects on well-being are ambiguous, according to a paper written last year by researchers from the Netherlands. However, they suggested there is clearer evidence for the impact on one group of people: social media has a more negative effect on the well-being of those who are more socially isolated.

The whole world is an awful place filled with dreadful and horrible negativism. Yes, I confess, I’m also surrounded by many worriers who put their fears into me. Politicians, i.e., many times love to search for some grave alarm that will cause individuals to abandon their separate concerns and act in concert, so that politicians can wield the baton. Calls to fatal struggles and fights are forever being sounded.

The overbearing person, who tyrannizes the weak, who wants to domineer and to bluster, is simply nothing else than a worrier, who claims to be a friend. But he isn’t. Really not! The bullying of fellow citizens by means of dread and fright has been going on since Paleolithic times. The night wolf is eating the moon. Give me silver and I’ll make him spit out.

Well, when will we start counting our courage and not our fears, or enjoy instead of our woe? Worrying itself is pointless.Of course, no society has achieved perfect rules of law, never-ending education or unique responsible governments. Let’s seek out the worries but avoid the warriors, because they try to avoid liberty.

Worry, that sense of insecurity, unease, and fear over what negative events may happen – as unrealistic as these concerns may be – is one of the most unpleasant emotions that you can experience as a human being. It is also one of the most common. While everyone has worried at some point, many people suffer from chronic worrying in the form of anxiety. In Australia alone, 2 million people will suffer from anxiety in any one year.

If you worry often, you’re far from alone. In fact, it may comfort you to know that many of us tend to worry about the same issues. All of those anxieties and stressors that may plague your life also affect a huge chunk of the rest of the world as well.

Melanie Greenberg, Ph.D., is a practicing psychologist, author, speaker, and life/business coach, with more than 20 years of experience as a clinician, professor, and researcher. She says:” One of the most helpful things you can do instead of worrying is problem-solving. Problem-solving means defining the problem in a way that you can do something about it (e.g., “How do I prepare for a possible loss of income?” or “How can I learn to accept that my ex has moved on?”). Once you have a defined problem, you can generate some possible solutions and think through the likely consequences of each (e.g., “What is most likely to happen if I do X?”). Finally, you can implement your favorite solution, whether it involves taking action, discussing the situation, finding out more information, or working to accept something you cannot change”.

The problem is, it doesn’t work. Thinking about all the things that could go wrong doesn’t make life any more predictable. You may feel safer when you’re worrying, but it’s just an illusion. Focusing on worst-case scenarios will only keep you from enjoying the good things you have in the present.

Take a mindful relaxation break. If your worries and negative thought patterns feel inescapable, it may be time to switch up your routine. 

If you are still worrying right now about something, try to read Jeremiah 29:10-14 or Revelation 21:1-8, just to mention these two. It works.

THE GOOD OLD DAYS

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 Mindanao Daily News

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July 21, 2026

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The phrase “good old days” is a nostalgic idiom used to describe a bygone period in someone’s life that they remember as being simpler, happier, and generally better than the present. It reflects a psychological tendency to fondly romanticize the past while viewing the present or future more negatively.

People often use this expression because of rosy retrospection—a cognitive bias where individuals recall the emotional states of past events more positively than they actually were at the time. Unpleasant memories fade, leaving behind a polished, idealized version of history that provides emotional comfort.

This sentiment frequently highlights a perceived loss of innocence or a yearning for a world with fewer modern distractions (e.g., lamenting the rise of digital technology or fast-paced modern life).

Good old days – commonly stylized as “good ol’ days” – is a cliché in popular culture used to reference a time considered by the speaker to be better than the current era. It is a form of nostalgia that can reflect homesickness or yearning for long-gone moments.

Is it correct to say “good old days”? If you talk about the good old days, you mean a time in the past when you believed life was better: I wish my grandma would stop going on about the good old days.

Why does it feel like everything was better in the past?

We have a tendency to rehearse and dwell on the good things that happened, we retell them a lot more often, and so we reinforce the good memories. Moreover, we tend to remember the great songs or cars or football players from the ‘old days’ and forget all the bad ones.”

When people refer to the good old days, they are referring to a time in the past when they think that life was better than it is now. He remembers the good old days when you could leave your door open at night.

Rosy retrospection refers to our tendency to recall the past more fondly than the present, all else being equal. It is a cognitive bias that runs parallel with the concept of nostalgia, though the latter does not always directly imply a biased recollection.

Human nature makes us remember more of our youth, it was delicious and it lasted a long time. So that’s my explanation of why people think the past was better….and also why the older we get the faster time moves for us.

I grew up old school in a time with no technology, or very little that is. I thought life was perfect when I grew up.

Our social network was our neighborhood friends and our school. We weren’t so narcissistic that we posted everything we think and do on the internet. No Internet yet.

And we played Sports rather than video games. That to me is the most important thing. Things were simpler then, yes. But in a way better.

But I’m not foolish enough to think that technology hasn’t given us a plethora of opportunities and things that we didn’t have before. I’m always amazed that I can ask my smartphone anything in the recorded history of mankind , and get an answer! So cool. Science and medical advancements through technology have astounded us. So in this aspect technology has been a tremendous influence. But unfortunately the internet has morphed into a social media platform more than an educational platform.

Bad Days

 

By Mindanao Daily News -July 20, 2026055

Having a rough one? Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and remember: it is just a bad day, not a bad life. Even your worst days only have twenty-four hours.

Change your surroundings: Take a short walk. In Davao City, you can head to a calm spot like the People’s Park on Palma Gil St, or grab a quiet cup of coffee at Blue Hat Cafe or Kanto Coffee along Marfori to get a change of scenery. Practice a quick “brain dump”: Write down what went wrong, then focus on what you can control next.

Turn off social media for a few hours and avoid Daniel Powter’s classic “Bad Day” song on YouTube if you need a break from feeling overly sentimental.On Reddit, opinions are mixed regarding whether days can be “bad” objectively or if it’s just about your mindset. Regardless of the philosophy, it is completely normal to feel frustrated. Take things one hour at a time!

A bad day means things aren’t going well for you on that particular day or maybe that week. Maybe you got demoted or fired. Maybe your dog died. Maybe the doctor gave you bad news.

People have a bad day because they are stressed out. Overwhelming situations, such as a heavy workload or personal issues, can lead to stress and anxiety, resulting in a bad day. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, it is critical to take a break and prioritize tasks. Sleep deprivation can also contribute to a bad day.

Well, one of my expatriate friends here in the Philippines admired the “Five Tibetans Monks”. I mean – not the personalities… . Every morning, my friend does these exercises entitled “Five Tibetans Monks”. Since my friend started with that, he hasn’t become sick any more. He also felt mentally balanced. I can’t guarantee it. He kept on swearing it to me. SoutheastAsians & Pacific Islanders

Another (German) friend, meanwhile 85 years “young” can’t enjoy his breakfast without first jogging for an hour or even more starting at 5 a.m. If he’s not able to practice it, he becomes moody, intolerable, aggressive and frustrated. Bad days…!

Others have to swim three times a day. Good for those, who have a swimming pool or live near a beach or sea shore.

I love a glass of red wine (don’t get me wrong: I said ONE glass!), a good book (whatever that means for you, my dear reader!), and relaxing (old!) classical music. So, each one of us is looking for his or her special ways of being comfortable.

But, some of our dear fellow creatures can’t really get some peace. They heave a sigh and utter a groan all day long! The Five Tibetans Monks have been blurred. Jogging is unhealthy; green tea is putting out and forces ill-feeling; swimming in a pool supports logical ring worms! Heaven forbid!

I’m sure, my red wine is never digestible and instead reading a good book while listening to relaxing music weighs heavily upon our minds. 

A couple of years ago I met an expatriate who loved to swing a pendulum to and fro. Billy occupied himself with astrology and the esoteric. I will never forget one of his first questions regarding my birth time. He warned me immediately: “Days followed by full moon periods are very bad for you!” This was something new for me. To be honest, I really don’t care about such stuff. Sorry! I messed up with Billy. Sayang! He was a really good friend.

I travelled a lot. I stayed in more than 80 countries. I experienced in some Western countries that travel agencies recommended trips to Mexico for “Leos” or to Turkey for “Capricorns”.  I went to both countries and didn’t feel anything wrong or bad. I estimated roughly, which dramatic  mis-judgments, accidents, and sickness outbreaks or losses have happened in my life during days followed by full moon periods. 

Having a bad day means experiencing a stretch of time where you are dealing with emotional discomfort, mental stress, or a series of unfortunate events. It is a temporary negative state characterized by frustration, sadness, or a general feeling that things are simply not going your way.

What day is today?  I always write most of my columns for this daily and my websites on Sundays. It’s really a great day.  Joking apart: allow me to quote Th. Campell (Lochiel’s Warning), “Coming events cast their shadows before”. Bad days for most places on this globe and its people right now. “Mourning becomes Elektra!” –  as E.O. Neill entitled his drama stage play… .But, we should never stop praying for peace!

HAPPY MOMENTS

 

Happy moments are the little sparks of joy that light up our lives. Whether it’s the quiet peace of waking up to the perfect cup of coffee, the thrill of sharing inside jokes with friends, or finally curling up with a good book, these everyday treasures are what make life beautiful.

We all chase happiness in life.

But as we may already know: happiness, per se, is not permanent.

Certain moments can bring happiness.

And the more of those moments we have in our days, the better our life generally is.

There is one perception we have to change about happiness.

We should never chase it.

We find happiness. And we make happiness.

I truly believe that our life is more content if we enjoy simple moments of happiness.

In this article, I wanted to list a couple of simple moments of happiness that many of us may experience.

Some may be funny. Others may resonate with you a lot.

One thing is for sure: many of these do not require a lot of money.

In fact, most of those don’t need money at all.

What they require is for you to be more present and more mindful in your life.

To appreciate these tiny moments that contain more happiness than you might think.

So here comes my list of simple moments of tiny happiness that we may find in our daily lives:

When you find that song you’ve been looking for a long time

A few calm minutes of watching the sunset

The first kiss at the end of a wonderful date

Waking up next to someone you are in love with

Sitting on a plane and looking outside of the window during take-off

The moment you walk outside from an airport terminal at your destination

The first bite of a food you’ve been craving for a long time.

The first free breath through your nose after being cold

Stopping at a highway rest area on a dewy dawn after a long night of driving

The first dip in the sea on a vacation

When you get food unstuck from your teeth

How do you express happiness at work? A smile, a nod of approval, or even a high-five can all communicate your happiness to others. Non-verbal cues like these can complement your words and help reinforce your message. Additionally, showing gratitude and acknowledging the contributions of others can also convey your happiness.

Expressing happiness professionally can be as simple as using the right words and phrases. When you want to say you are happy professionally, there are several ways to do so effectively. One way is to use positive and enthusiastic language. For example, instead of simply saying “I’m happy,” you can say “I’m absolutely thrilled!” or “I couldn’t be happier about this!” These phrases convey a genuine sense of joy and enthusiasm.

Another way to express happiness professionally is through body language. A smile, a nod of approval, or even a high-five can all communicate your happiness to others. Non-verbal cues like these can complement your words and help reinforce your message.

Additionally, showing gratitude and acknowledging the contributions of others can also convey your happiness. When someone helps you or achieves success, express your appreciation and congratulate them. This not only shows your own happiness but also fosters a positive and supportive work environment.

From time to time I love silence. I love quietness. – Do you observe that we live in a really frightful, loud world? At every corner of our daily life are innumerable chances of being covered up with sometimes unbearable din and noise. The loud outcry gives me the needle. We don’t have nerves of steel forever.

I am not really a fan of going out at night. If you ask me how to spend a lovely evening after a hectic and stressful and, especially, noisy day – plain and simple.

The nicest occurrence is the silence, the intimate taciturnity, which can even “weld” people or partners together. It might sound just like an idiomatic expression, but believe me; not being forced to talk is great! No, I don’t mean that we have nothing to say to each other any more – or, he or she won’t listen to a special reason… . I am talking about a deep understanding between people, who are together and are able to share time in quiet and silent happiness.

After a long and strenuous day, it is a real big comfort to sit and lean back, read all the (old!) newspapers and magazines from the last days and weeks while enjoying a glass of wine and a handful of peanuts. A crossword puzzle is easier to solve while having a “silent” radio program in the background, instead of a “roars to hell” television show.

Try it. It’s indeed relaxing after traffic woes, the heat and dust of the day, telephones’ ringing, machine rattling, meetings and never ending discussions. Why should we talk right now?

Feeling safe and secure, inseparable, indestructible with peace in our minds and our surroundings, this is what we really mean to each other, understanding without words. At home, somewhere in the garden, at a beach – there are many wonderful places. And, suddenly out of the blue from the bottom of our heart and from the depth of comfort and ease, we might be able to speak about things, which couldn’t be discussed earlier. A good talk grows – but without compulsion or constraint or obligation, desperate or being forced.

Try it, and it might feel like walking hand-in-hand on a lonely sand beach, such as “once upon a time” with our first partner. And, unexpectedly: we become silent again AND thankful for it.

We really seldom take a break. We spend too much time in this terrible and frightful loud world…

BLESSINGS

 

We pray for blessings…

We pray for peace…

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep…

We pray for healing, for prosperity…

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering…

We pray for wisdom…

“Blessings” is a song by American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter Laura Story from her 2011 album Blessings. It was released on February 21, 2011, as the lead single. The song became Story’s first Hot Christian Songs No. 1, staying there for four weeks. It lasted 34 weeks on the overall chart.

Laura Story married her partner Martin; two years later he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Story learned that despite his life-threatening illness, they saw how God never intended for people to provide for themselves and that instead of walking alone they would need to rely on Jesus’s help. Blessings was written to describe how God will allow things that are not immediately understood to happen, but from a different perspective they are a means of spiritual growth. The song is also about how sometimes material possessions are not what God wants for believers, and it lends the idea about how character, along with what is in someone’s heart, is ultimately more important.

The song inspired me to write this column. At my age I think about all my blessings. Blessings are really not only money… .

Blessings in the Bible suggest an intimate relationship between the blesser and the blessed. A blessing from God marks an intimate relationship between God and man, serving as proof that he finds himself in God’s favor.

The phrase ‘blessings be upon you’ is correct and usable in written English. It is a traditional phrase often used in religious texts, and can also be used as a standard blessing phrase in casual conversations. For example, you might say, “May blessings be upon you and your family” when wishing a friend well.

Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.

The wonderful gift that Christ gave us is too wonderful to keep to ourselves. We can touch the lives of others this Thanksgiving by sharing the love of Jesus through a meal, a place at our table, and giving selflessly. Politics(Right)

I am blessed because I am living in the Philippines together with my family. No doubts. No fears!

I LOVE MY LIFE!

 

“Love my life” is a phrase expressing profound personal fulfillment, gratitude, and happiness. It means actively embracing your circumstances, finding joy in everyday moments rather than waiting for perfection, and practicing self-acceptance. Saying “you’re the love of my life” can be done in many ways depending on the vibe you want. You can go the direct route, use creative alternatives, or express it casually through meaningful actions.

If you want to be completely clear and romantic, there are several timeless ways to express exactly how you feel.

Sometimes, we feel our life is turning miserably. Especially now. Living with the big “C”! Our negativism doesn’t allow us to keep our eyes, ears – and, most important! – our minds, hearts and souls opened. We’re reaching our breaking point. Me and you!

Research shows that men tend to fall in love faster and more often than women. Studies reveal that men often develop feelings within a month of meeting someone, while women typically take longer. However, once women do fall in love, they tend to experience it more intensely and with deeper commitment

This breaking point can be the prelude to our strongest moment. Can be! Must not! But try it! Despite the virus! But if yes, then it is when we reach our breaking point,  we discover our real strength. Allow me to ask you, my dear readers: “What happens to you or with you when you reach your breaking point?” Do you face it or do you run away? I’ll be giving you a very simple answer: If you face it – you break it. If you run away (and/or close your ears, eyes and mouth) – it breaks you!

Are you in love with life? No? Why not? Sure, in my previous column at this corner, I stated that it’s okay if you feel bad. But many have taken this as a general instruction.

Everyday – a dull reality! Many of us will answer this question with a big YES! Actually, we do like to cover a newborn day already with a grey veil.But, each day has a new face, but sometimes we don’t have the strength to watch its countenance. Of course, not every day has adventures and highlights. Would be really too easy!

Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that, at the same time, seemed especially desolating and painful with a particular satisfaction. Indeed, everything I have learned, everything that has truly enhanced and enlightened my existence, has been through affliction and not through happiness.

If it ever were to be possible to eliminate affliction from your earthly existence, the result would not be to make life delectable, but to make it too banal and trivial to be endurable.

By observation, we can feel that many of us need help to manage our everyday life. We need something that would keep us going as we journey through life. Many times we can also learn from other people and their experiences.

And here is one more thing: Affection is the humblest love – it gives itself no airs. It lives with humble and private things: soft slippers, old clothes, old jokes, and the thump of a sleepy dog’s tail on the kitchen floor. The glory of affection, the disposition of mind, the good will and tender attachment, that can unite those who are not “made for one and another”! .

For me life has been a thing of ups and downs in approximately equal measure. I don’t have something sensational to report every day about my progress. Often, I wonder if fulfillment in life is necessarily tied to change for the better. But one thing is for sure: I keep staying in love with life. Maybe you can feel my great optimism …. .

A BETTER CALLING IN MY LIFE?

 

Finding a better calling in life is about aligning your daily actions with your unique passions and strengths. It is a personal journey of trial and error that transitions a career into a meaningful purpose.

What is a calling? Your life's calling is what makes you feel that life is meaningful. It helps you live a purposeful life. Callings look different for everybody. Some people, for example, want to help others as part of their calling.

It's important to understand that a calling is not limited to a specific job or career, but it's a deeper sense of purpose that encompasses all aspects of life. It's not just about what we do to make a living, but rather it's about who we are and what we're meant to do in this world.

God’s calling on your life is a personal, evolving invitation to partner with Him. It generally spans two parts: your primary calling (to know Him and follow Jesus) and your secondary calling (using your unique gifts, passions, and everyday circumstances to love and serve others). 

Have you ever felt a sense of purpose or direction in your life that you couldn't quite explain? Some people refer to this feeling as a “calling.” It's a sense that there is something you were meant to do or become, a mission or a destiny that is unique to you.

Career is a rapid motion. A course of action. Sure! A professional conduct in life. Even a progress through life. Here we are! That means, a careerist is one, who rushes widely and makes his own personal advancement as well as his (or her) own aim in life!

What can we do, if "career doubts" won't go away? First allow me to quote my bible, especially Jude (Watching out! Sounding an alarm!), who writes in the style of a teacher who is watching a freight train bear down on his student's driver. Yes, bells ring out: "Be merciful to those who doubt." (Jude 2:22).

What does my calling in life mean? Your calling can be thought of as the urge to share your gifts with the world. When you express your gifts for the sake of others, you often experience the joy of being fully alive.

A true calling is a career or walk of life that a person feels compelled or meant to do. Finding meaning in life is something people often spend a lot of time contemplating. Or some individuals may feel the passion so strong that they know quickly in their heart what they were born to do.

"The way that people pick up careers is incredibly  primitive," said Nicholas Lore, founder of the Rockport Institute, a career coaching firm, and author of "The Pathfinder". Strong tobacco, indeed. That's why so many people are indeed dissatisfied with their jobs.

Believe me, I always thought about a true calling for myself. Sure, people, whose careers aren't the fight fit, often  feel like impostors, as Professor Robert I. Sutton, an organizational psychologist at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said. Very, very well said, Sir.

Notice dreams and signs. Prioritize creative expression. Think about what you used to love. Notice what feels good. Turn down the distractions.Pay attention to what keeps coming back. Try new things regularly.

How about you, my dear reader of this column? Are you also placing too high a value on the external rewards of a job, like money, prestige and power? Of course, for many of us (most?). These things are indeed important. Hold on, please! The work you do and the skills  your opportunity  requires and the value of your work are really more vital to fulfillment. Paper work, or not... . You think, you find a better career fit? Go ahead - but don't expect that this is your life's career!

I waited for my "better calling" (what a terrible term!) experiencing many even better and wonderful moments in life. I also experienced that several professional things I did in the past had not been very much compatible with me. But I stored many valuable experiences.

Today, I am what I am. And, I am proud of it. Almost 73. A retiree with still so many opportunities in the Philippines.

FISH AND OCEAN

 

Religion and music belong together like fishes and the ocean – like light and life, like a voice and ears… .

Fish are the backbone of ocean life. They range from tiny reef fish to giant predators. Fish keep the sea healthy by balancing food chains and maintaining habitats. Sadly, overfishing and warming waters threaten these vital creatures.

Why fish are important for the health of our planet.

Fish play important roles in the health of our ecosystem. Despite this, many people believe them to be boring, when the truth is fish are feeling, smart, and complicated beings.

Given their ability to feel both physical and emotional pain, it’s not a far stretch to say that fish suffer. Little causes so much suffering to so many fish as fishing, including the recreational variety.

We know that fish suffer when they’re caught because they try frantically to get away, a classic sign of pain. As they pull against the hook stabbing through the flesh of their mouth, the injury gets worse.

But the pain doesn’t end there. Eventually they’ll likely be reeled out of the water and into a boat where they immediately start to suffocate, unable to breath without water. Everything down to their organs and blood flow are impacted by the stress of being taken out of the water.

In the entire universe, we humans  are probably the only beings capable of creating and listening to music. The ability to hear is one of the specific gifts that our Creator gave us. Our fragile blue planet is surrounded by a thin layer of gases only a few kilometers high. Only this atmosphere is the reason why sound waves can spread through the air. Everything behind this atmosphere is ruled by the sheer endless vacuum of outer space, where galaxies and stars explode and implode in impenetrable silence. 

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According to the biblical narrative, the world began when God broke through thies deadly quiet: “And God said: Let there be light!” (Genesis 1:1). God spoke – and light and life resulted from his audible voice. Because life was created by the word. That is why it is in the nature of every person to listen. Like a parabolic mirror, our souls are created to listen to the eternal space of the hereafter, to try and sense whether a word, a sound or a voice is trying to reach us from there, in order to fill us with a meaning.

It’s nothing new that I love music. And, I know that Filipinos also love big tunes with great words and beautiful melodies, especially when it comes to classical music.