Month: August 2018

I wrote the above epigram (quote) two years ago. But I must confess that “the preacher did not practice what he preached” on this particular issue. I fell short of my ideals especially in the areas of food, drinks and rest. There must be a game plan in order to put this principle into good use. And so to redeem myself from this blunder, I came up with a strategy that will guide me in implementing my wellness principle. I call it: ”myRule of 8 for Wellness and Health”

Sleep Deprived: Anyone?

I’d been sleep-deprived for a long time due to demands of work. In addition to my regular workload, I have many things I wanted to do and I sacrifice sleep in order to do the other things. However, I found out that the quality and quantity of work done by someone who is lacking sleep sometimes become mediocre and substandard. And for a perfectionist that I am, I beat myself for a lousy performance. As a result, I’m doubly stressed and that’s not good for my health.

Frustrated with my inability to focus, I decided one night to go to bed earlier than usual. I slept at 9 PM, to my wife’s surprise! She couldn’t believe I was heading to bed early. “Are you okay?” She thought I was sick. “Im good, I just want to sleep early tonight.” I responded with a yawn. ”Very good! I’d rather see you go to bed early than stay late tinkering with those stuff.” She quipped with a grin.

For an exhausted body like mine, I didn’t have to count sheep in order to sleep. Before long, I was in deep, sound slumber. For the first time in many moons, I had multiple dreams. I’ve probably had REM (rapid eye movement) all through my sleep. I woke up few minutes before the alarm sounded at 5 AM, which meant that I wasn’t forced to wake up. I got out of bed feeling refreshed, invigorated, and restored. I never had this feeling in a long while.

What a difference an eight hour of sleep made!

Unlike the usual mornings, that day I felt very good;

happy rather grumpy;

invigorated rather than weary;

motivated rather than disheartened.

That beautiful morning, I did not drag my feet to work. On the contrary, I had a very positive outlook. I was very willing and ready to roll my sleeves and go to work.

Consequently, my day was very fulfilling with a lot of things done with excellence.

Eight hour of sleep is essential to good health. This fact is supported by scientific research.

Duhh!!!

Isn’t that a common wisdom, but we always foolishly ignore?

I therefore resolve as it is hereby resolved that I will go to bed early and sleep for eight hours every night.

Rule #1: Get 8 hours of sleep everyday!

I hereby challenge you, my reader to consider this to be your wellness habit. If you’re not sleeping 8 hours, it’s about time to be kind to yourself. Resolve to sleep for 8 hours tonight!!! And every night thereafter. You deserve it. See for yourself the benefits of this good practice.

Well, as much as I wanted to share my other Rule of 8 for Wellness and Health, I checked my watch and it says ”time to go to bed.”

Watch for the continuation of this series. Night, night!!! Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

“Let’s set this issue straight once and for all!

I can’t take it anymore!

Enough is enough!

You’ve known me for a long time and you don’t even know my name!”

Can you believe it? Even some of my closest relatives and friends aren’t sure how to pronounce my name correctly.

I’m called many ways and therefore many names. Usually, I just smile or laugh at them when they mispronounce my very short name. But deep inside, I feel some kind of resentment and frustration. Actually, I’m annoyed!

How do you think I should feel when a close relative calls me “Hell”? I’m sure they don’t really mean what it meant. They are simply unaware.

Some even called me

Jill

or

Gill

or

Gel

Arrrrrrghhh!!!

I remember when I graduated from seminary. During the rehearsal, I approached the Provost who was assigned to call the graduates. I said : “Madam, although my name starts with a ”G” it is actually pronounced with an ”H” Hil. She made a note to remind herself. Guess what? During the actual graduation she read my name ”Jill Valenzuela”

I almost did not want to go on stage when she called me. I did not let this small mistake spoil my big moment. But I felt like half of my face was frowning and half was smiling.

I always find myself lecturing people on how to pronounce my name correctly. “My name is spelled with a “G” but it is pronounced with an H sound “- Hil.

But many seemed oblivious to my explanation. They still call me “Gill”. Until one day I made a decision. “Let “Gill” be my American name from now on”. Since then I respond to “Gil” without being annoyed. I tolerate this amongst the white and non-Filipinos. But I have zero tolerance among the Filipinos. I don’t give them any excuse for mispronouncing my name. After all, my name is very native. My parents took it from a Tagalog calendar. “Your name was one of the suggested names for a boy born on the first of September”, my mother explained to me.

So, let us set it straight.

My name is Gil- pronounced

Heal

Or

Heel

NOT Hill

NOT Gill

Is that clear?

My friend, you seemed very confused!

Don’t worry I forgive you. Mispronouncing my name is not really a big sin!

After all,

“What’s in a name?” Shakespeare said!

“Call a rose another name and it will smell the same.”

Have a nice day!