Silence makes you stronger.

Silence does not make you less person. It makes you stronger, and better. According to Lao Tzu, it is a source of great strength.

I used to think that silence is boring, that silence is actually a waste of time. As a youth leader, I am used to joining lots of gatherings. Our weekends were always filled with outdoor activities. In our ministry, we usually had events and formation for the youth. When my weekend is empty, I feel unproductive.

However, as I grow older (and hopefully wiser), I’ve realized the importance of silence. When I say silence, what I mean is the opportunity to stay still, reflect, and meditate.

For me, silence is important when slowing down and recharging.

In silence, I remember my unvisited thoughts. I can recall the little things that I need to do (the things that I keep on forgetting). I remember the things I need to organize in my room, the books I need to cover, the notes I have to keep, and the emails I need to read.

In silence, I can think of new ideas, stories, and my strategies to execute all these projects. My Paghilom book is actually a product of my silence. I’ve also noticed that I am most product when I am away from social media. I can write more posts and content after uninstalling Facebook on my phone.

As an educator, giving my students silence is also important in the learning process. It is an opportunity for them to think, brainstorm, and analyze the facts given to them. After asking a question, I give them some time to process their ideas. When they’re ready, they can answer the question easily. This is applicable to my foreign and local students.

I strongly believe that silence makes you stronger than before. It is not quitting but it is more of recharging. Through silence, you can also build a deeper relationship with God. Listening to His words is best done in silence.

When was the last time that you were silent? I hope you find time to be quiet in the midst of the hustle and bustle of life.

You are your own hero.

You are your own hero. Nobody can fully save you except for yourself. Christian-ly speaking, God has already saved us. So, this time, it’s really our responsibility to take care of ourselves.

You may have a lot of good friends, but at the end of the day, you decide what to do in life. Yes, your friends may say jokes, or may make you laugh, but it is still up to you whether you laugh or not.

You may have a supportive family. That means, they help you and cheer for you to achieve your dreams. However, if you do not help yourself, nothing really happens. It is really you who get to work first.

You may have close friends who’ll give you a lot of referrals, opinions, and suggestions, but if you do not act. Nothing really happens.

Most of the time, we are always alone.

Our thoughts linger in our head. Our plans are always in our mind. This alone time is actually an opportunity to look at the bigger picture. It isn’t lonely time. It is certainly a time when you can talk to yourself, dig deeper, and know what you really want without being influenced by some.

When you feel helpless, know that you have the power to change your perspective. You can turn your pain to power. You can change your lost to gains. May you find the power to save yourself, always.

Again, you are your own hero.

Coffee Rush Binangonan Review

If you need a place for good coffee and stunning view away from the city, you should visit Coffee Rush in Binangonan. It is situated on top of a hill in Rizal. You should visit this coffee shop in Rizal if you’re craving for coffee, pastries, and fresh air.

It’s me in my natural disposition.

I assume you have read my post about the best coffee shops in Rizal. I have to update this list because Coffee Rush is not yet included there.

I’ve first encountered Coffee Rush in their small kiosk in Eastwood, Quezon City. Ever since, I’ve been a fan of their Spanish Latte, whether it’s hot or iced. In QC, they also offer the popular strawberry cake from Baguio. As of this writing, that branch is already closed.

Maybe, they’ve closed that branch because of the bigger and wider branch in Rizal. It is near ArtSector Gallery and Chimney Cafe which is the first overlooking café in Eastridge. So, if you’ve been there, you already know how to go to Coffee Rush.

It is my second time to visit the place in Rizal before convincing myself to actually write a lengthy review about it. Here are the reasons why you should really go here.

1. I love their coffee. Love is an understatement to be honest. They offer unforgettable coffee lattes. I’ve tried their Mocha and Spanish Latte. Both are great.

2. You would love their pastries, too. It is mouth-watering. You would also great find lots of pastries that are not usually offered in other shops.

3. Their all-day breakfast are all yummy. From their sisig to bangus meals, their silog-like meals are something to try here.

4. They have invested on a spacious area. If you need to have your alone time, go here. If you need time to spend quality kwentuhan with your friends, bring them here, too.

5. I seldom write about coffee shops because I make sure that I have tried them before recommending. So, if you are still reading up to this part, please, try their coffee.

Aside from their food, you would also love the view. You would see Laguna Lake and the refreshing view of the countryside. The air is really fresh despite the number of private cars going. There is enough parking, by the way. You just need to keep your receipt and show it to the guard upon exit.

You can easily search their location on Waze. If you want to avoid lines and crowd, go there in the morning. If you want to enjoy the city lights, maybe spend more time lining up outside the shop before entering.

Here are some of my photos from the coffee shop. I am not a good photographer so I think my writing will suffice. Hehe. Also, it is my tenth year of somehow writing blogs. Happy to be consistently writing and updating here. I still have a lot of pending blogs about my recent coffee shop reviews.

Do you have other recommendations? Let me know in the chat box.