Spending Time Outdoor is Beneficial

            BY Vic Odarve

Everyone knows why spending time outdoor is beneficial – it can reduce stress levels, rejuvenate mind and body, and be more productive. Thus, we can relax and feel the earth rotating its axis!

Nature is a great reducer on our stress levels arising from the stressors of daily city life…traffic, financial woes, and life events that pound us down — like a death, family tragedy, inevitable disaster, etc. These events are out of our control and can cause tremendous struggle and pain for a period. But God, the creator of heaven and earth, endowed us with the works of thy hands…the great Mother Nature where a simple visit and meditation for a moment give us the feeling of bliss that will unplug the burden in our mind and body from performing our repetitive tasks. It undoubtedly helps unwind upon seeing the scenic landscapes that beholden our eyes… pristine rivers and lakes, beaches, mountains, birds, and wild animals! By appreciating the works of thy great hands and relaxing our mind and body it lowers stress hormone levels.

The Village of Mayana

Moreover, spending time with nature will rejuvenate our mind and body. Since our body is at rest, it provides our brain the downtime it needs to recharge- something more easily achieved in nature’s serene environment. Capturing the sunrise in the mountain alone gives you a feeling of satisfaction. The colors are so unique; it makes you instantly forget everything. The great outdoors humbly offers a welcome change of pace and chance to recharge. The natural landscape – breathtaking scenery and plenty of mountainous terrains – makes it a prime location for a trail running.

Research showed that the fresh air we breathe comfortably improves blood pressure and act as a natural antidepressant by increasing the release and metabolism of serotonin in parts of the brain that control cognitive function and mood. Thus, a feeling of rejuvenation…relieving the stressors that look like a buffalo pulling at our back in our routine activities!

It is surprising for us to know that the connections with our dear Mother Nature will keep us more productive, live longer, and keep us healthy. Studies showed that when people reported for work after spending some time in nature from vacation, they return with more creativity and able to deal the problems about the family and the routine work effectively.

Living on this habitable planet is beautiful but when we are involved in activities that feel like we are struggling in pain, it is sensible to give some ample time to unwind with our Mother Nature. It is free of charge. Sometimes it is best to escape the city crowds: hit the outdoors and explore the breathtaking landscapes.

The psalmist and the prophets invite us to spend some time with Nature. The Bible puts it,

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12.

 No wonder that spending time with the Great Outdoor is relaxing. Visit and relax, please!

 Watch the video below, "Tigulang na Bisan Unsaon". See at You Tube " https;//Balak Bol-anon".

                          

                                         Video link

https://youtu.be/oGoJP5tdV6Q

              https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5kFbYndPWG5-PrjCZF4SRA

 

 

 

Life is a Struggle

         By Vic Odarve

Life is a struggle whether one is poor, rich, and powerful. Poor people, which constitute the largest segment of the world’s population, have to struggle in order to meet both ends …foods, shelter, and education. Wealthy and the bigwigs of society have to fight drugs, alcohol, relationship, sickness, and many more. World leaders, too, powerful as they look to be, have to struggle for the survival of their leadership due to political adversaries, deteriorating economy, and failed foreign policy. Whatever the colors and society, people must have to struggle in order to survive and prosper!

         Life in rural areas

According to a UN expert, nearly one-fifth of the world population or 1.4 billion people cannot fulfill the most basic needs every day. A few decades back poverty is concentrated in rural areas in most developing countries, but a recent study showed that urban poverty is also increasing as fast as cities are growing. These areas are refugees of drug addicts, criminals, and many epidemics that ravage a nation wholesome environments. Inadequate access to safe water, poor sanitation, overcrowding, and insecure residential status make poor people’s life miserable!

Life struggle does not spare the rich and famous. Although not on basic needs, they suffer in life lingering sickness, drugs, alcohol, relationships, and scandals. Singer Celine Dion is struggling in pain trying to make the best of last Christmas with cancer-stricken husband Rene, who is now battling throat cancer for the last two years. Steve Jobs, the founder of Apple, had reached the pinnacle of success in the business world but ended his life struggling with pancreatic cancer in 2011.  A few years back, the singer-actor Chan, son of Jackie Chan pleaded guilty in a Beijing court for providing a venue for drug users and was sentenced to six months in jail. Life is a struggle, poor and rich alike!

President Rody Duterte

History always reminds us that in order to survive and sustain their autocratic governance leaders have to struggle to stay in power. In countries like Russia, North Korea, and China, the leaders have to consolidate their power with super-wealthy backers, torture political opponents in jail at a moment’s notice, and maintain secret agents. At home, for example, Duterte also struggles over his foreign policy in China and the United States, a problem on metro manila’s traffic, and EJK’s over the war on drugs. These problems are causing the political oppositions to go against the president, promote jeepney’s strike, and various human rights demonstrations. As always in the history of world leaders, their lives are also in deep trouble and struggling in pain.

In the academic world, both professors and students struggle to learn and adopt the new technology the world has to offer. In order to shorten the academic years for a college degree, most colleges and universities adopted the 3 terms period per year schooling.

My Engineering Students-African University

Thus, professors, as well as the students, have to cope up with the completion of the syllabi for the given time frame…like feeling a huge rhinoceros are running after them at their backs. It is the modern world coupled with modern gadgets and inventions that imparting knowledge to our students become faster and easier. But we have to struggle so as not to be left behind.

Whether we like it or not, there is no way to avoid the struggles in life. And in every struggle, there is heartbreak, emotional trauma, and setback. But all these things can make people stronger and better.

Believe it or not, the human struggle ends when life ends.

 Video link

https://youtu.be/pY9C18Nx85Q 

https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5kFbYndPWG5-PrjCZF4SRA

or click the left upper icon of my picture for more poems.

 

Drink Moderately, Please!

     By Vic Odarve

While doctors confirmed that alcoholic drinks have benefits to human health, they often have a precautionary warning to the users… drink moderately. Research shows that moderate drinking does have health benefits physically and mentally; drinking in groups promotes enjoyment and friendship, but if taken excessively, alcohol destroys lives. Drink moderately, please!

            Wines for all occasions

In order to have some substantial health benefits from alcoholic beverages, one must have a moderate alcohol consumption. The study shows that a moderate intake can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease, protect against erectile dysfunction, helps prevent against the common cold, and in the process may lengthen your life.  Moderate amounts of alcohol raise levels of ‘good’ cholesterol, which are associated with greater protection against heart disease; reduced the chances of erectile dysfunction by 25 to 30 percent. Further research indicates that moderate drinkers were 23 percent less likely to develop cognitive impairment or Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia. A stunning health benefits!

               Old folks at home during fiesta

Since time immemorial, humans have been enthralled by alcohol.  Alcoholic drinks go hand in hand with many important celebrations such as birthdays, vacations, and anniversaries. The wine has been used as all sorts of stabilizing social purposes; promote social interaction, and become a part of the modern lifestyle. Few pleasures in life are more satisfying and memorable than sharing a splendid bottle of wine or cocktail around a dinner table filled with friends. It is a hallmark of almost all of the get-together party and other sorts of gathering; hence drinking wine facilitates social bonding. A word of caution, ”drink moderately”, in order to enjoy with your friends and loved ones.

Drinking beer during the birthday party

An alcoholic excess has also meant appalling human wretchedness… alcohol has long shown us to be destructive. Excessive alcohol intake may destroy your life. There is an increased risk of developing diseases such as liver damage (cirrhosis), damage to the pancreas, certain cancers, heart problems, sexual problems and other conditions. Sometimes heavy drinkers strain a longtime friendship when friends decide to socialize with you less often because you misbehave when got drunk; or behave in an antisocial way. A dark side of people who often gets drunk!

In general, the more you drink, the greater the risk. Even the Scripture condemned heavy drinkers of alcoholic beverages. Noah became drunk; the result was immorality and family trouble. Lot was so drunk that he did not know what he was doing; this also led to immorality. Genesis 9:20-38.

Drink moderately, please!

you tube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPOe6bTj35Q&t=272s

or click my circular picture icon upper left at you tube for more poems.

https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5kFbYndPWG5-PrjCZF4SRA

High School Reunions; a Centrifugal Force of Modern Life

           By   Vic  Odarve

High school reunions are actually a centrifugal force of our modern life. It is a get-together affair that takes a whole new meaning as we get older, a gathering to reminisce and to relive the fun and feel that we had experienced in high school, and a rare chance to spend some moments with our classmates who were a part of the story of our life. With all indications, high school reunions are like a centrifugal force pulling our classmates to meet together.

Central Visayan College, Jagna, Bohol Batch ’73

Yes, time passes differently as we get older and class reunion takes a whole new meaning. As the person’s age is over 60 years, we are merely aging, physically and mentally. In our long struggle with time, the get-together affair seems to be a clock to stop the aging process. The excitement and renewed camaraderie that could result from attending the reunion may bring us to back in time. Singing at videoke, story-telling of the bygone days, and going to the beach together may put the time to a standstill. Of course, some of our classmates are older than you would like them to be, and you, too, realize that you are also in your advancing age and appearance.

The gathering allows us to reminisce and relive those thrilling days of our high school days. It is joyful to reunite with the girls and boys with whom you shared the first love and first lusts. Some also retold stories about our teachers who were good, and a handful of teachers we never forget. We never forget the teachers known for having a scary stage persona during classroom lessons. But to the more serious classmates during our high school, they never forget those teachers that pulled them from the depths of abysmal academic achievement into one of the top-performing students.

Picnic time, Batch ’73

The reunions also offer us a rare chance to spend a moment with our classmates after many years of not seeing with each other. It is just a way of revisiting your friends that you have lost track after graduating in high school. Meeting them is more significant in our life simply because they were part of our life story and we were a part of theirs. This is the time to know that some were already gone while others are still living. The usual practice of giving a souvenir such as T-shirt simply a memento that once upon a time we have to share some moments with our high school classmates.

Although in our modern times we have several social media such as Facebook to find our high school classmates’ whereabouts at our fingertips, reunions are more powerful to reconnect, relive our memories, and see our classmates face to face. Nowadays, high school reunions are enjoying a resurgence in popularity.

Reunion is indeed a centrifugal force uniting our classmates. As our life is a journey, spending time in a reunion is a moment to cherish before we will finally reunite with the Holy One sitting on the throne.

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eboY-Pe7G0M        or 

https://studio.youtube.com/channel/UC5kFbYndPWG5-PrjCZF4SRA