Motivational Monday: Mis Padres

Pope Francis offers his take* on how home influences our faith [my commentary in brackets]:

“Faith opens a ‘window’ to the presence and working of the Spirit. It shows us that, like happiness, holiness is always tied to little gestures.

‘Whoever gives you a cup of water in my name will not go unrewarded,’ Jesus says (Mark 9:41).

“These little gestures are those we learn at home, in the family; they get lost amid all the other things we do, yet they do make each day different. They are the quiet things done by mothers and grandmothers, by fathers and grandfathers, by children, by brothers and sisters. They are little signs of tenderness, affection, and compassion.

• “Like the warm supper we look forward to at night [my mom‘s homecooking], the early meal awaiting someone who gets up early to go to work [my dad‘s coffee].

“Homely gestures.

• “Like a blessing before we go to bed [blessing my honorary GODdaughter Maggie at bedtime, as her family does], or a hug after we return from a hard day’s work.

“Love is shown by little things, by attention to small daily signs that make us feel at home. Faith grows when it is lived and shaped by love. That is why our families, our homes, are true domestic churches. They are the right place for faith to become life and life to grow in faith.”

*Pope Francis in the U.S.: Words of Mercy and Hope (2015), Daughters of St. Paul, pp. 22-23 ~ as said at the Closing Mass of the Eighth World Meeting of Families, Benjamin Franklin Parkway, Philadelphia, PA, Sunday, September 27, 2015.

^– I actually used this passage as my pre-brunch prayer of grace with my parents today! –^

Bearing in mind these homely gestures, let’s also consider our cultures and upbringings…

Have you ever wondered why your parents act the way they do then realize that you’re turning out more like them as you grow up?

Wong Fu was right on point:

Have you eaten yet? = Priceless ♥love♥

Speaking of family …

Happy 17th Birthday to Rey-Rey, my beloved GODdaughter Reyanna mañana!

Fitness Friday: Go By the Book

My favorite YouTube📺 fitness gurus have been featured for living by and writing✒️ wonderful work, from their blogs📓 to their books📖 ~ highly recommended by this well-read👓 workout fanatic! 

Loyal viewers📺 are in for a treat to become their readers📖

All three of these publications📚 include exercise routines, nutritious recipes and lifestyle advice. Here’s how each are unique:

📕Sarah Dussault (2013), a.k.a. Sarah Fit, aims to get you back into your best 👙shape.

📗Cassey Ho (2015) of Blogilates tracks a whole year’s worth as 🍀seasons🌺 🍁change❄️.

📘Katrina Scott and Karena Dawn (2015) of Tone It Up challenge their community for four📅 weeks!

Currently, I’m in that triple-F ~ 👊fit, 🐯fierce and 💋fabulous ~ mode for 28 days ~ so I say the mantra💭 of the day🌞 with every rep! 💪

Bibliography

• Dussault, S. (2013). Get skinny again!: The right exercises to get back your dream body and the secrets to living a fit life. Salem, MA: Page Street. 👙

• Ho, C. (2015). Hot body year round: The POP Pilates plan to get slim, eat clean, and live happy through every season. NY: Harmony. 🔥

• Scott, K., & Dawn, K. (2015). 28 days to fit, fierce, and fabulous: Create the beautiful body and mind of your dreams. NY: Rodale. ✌️

Soul Saturday: Pride and Heritage

Fresh Off the Boat = Fresh On Point!

Throwback: I sport my red adidas track suit while my †GODdaughter† & I pose w/my ♥Double A–Team♥ @ the ♪piano♫ 5y ago!

 As an Asian Gen-Y, I absolutely agree with the points addressed by the main character of this season’s new ABC sitcom, Fresh Off the Boat! I can totally relate to Eddie for the following reasons:

• We both sport T-shirts with black heroes ~ to celebrate Black History Month, here are my share

Ray Lewis: Super Bowl XLVII Champ of the Baltimore Ravens

Dallas Mavericks: NBA Finals Champions 2011!

Old School: Grant Hill played for Coach K in *Team USA*

•  We both look up to Shaq ~ who is a fellow Ph.D.

• We jam out to rap
• We dig video games
• We have a diverse bunch of friends
• Our names start with E