@SenecaAusten

@SenecaAusten 7 April 2022

The question that keeps me preoccupied these past days was “You don’t have the confidence to succeed? Do you have the confidence to fail then?

@SenecaAusten 19 March 2022

Roronoa Zoro: The Pirate Hunter One thing I would like to share about myself is I love Anime and Manhua. When I love the Anime or Manhua, I would rewatched or reread it over and over again until I such time where I can memorize everything that will happen and the words they would say. Crazy isn’t it? Haha. But the reason why I would rewatched those anime is because of the character’s attitude and personality. Sure their story are great but I am more drawn to the character. And so, I would like to give a review to one of my favorite character and ultimate crush, **Ronoroa Zoro.** The Pirate Hunter Ronoroa Zoro is a fictional character in the Anime named One Piece. He is a green haired swordman. Zoro is uniquely known as an expert of Santōryū (Three Sword Style), where he wields a third sword with his mouth in combat. Throughout the series, his primary sword is Wado Ichimonji, one of the World's 21 great swords that he inherited from a childhood friend Kuina, and is frequently the sword that he wields in his mouth, while the other two swords frequently change over time and get better. He was the first crew member of the Straw hat pirates. Luffy (the captain) first met him in East Blue. Zoro was in a tight spot as he was scheduled to be executed by the marines because he punched the son of a marine captain. Luffy saved him under one condition, that Zoro will join Luffy’s crew. Zoro agreed for one reason, that he will become the world’s greatest swordsman. This is the start of their journey as pirates. Zoro’s Character **No sense of direction** Zoro is terrible with directions. He would always get lost even in the most important battles in the series. I think Zoro is quite insecure about this character of his because whenever he gets lost, he would always blame it to things or someone. For this this reason, he would sometimes get into fights and one of his enemy is Sanji. They would always fight verbally and physically. **Loyalty** His loyalty to Luffy is incomparable. In Alabasta arc, they met a marine who is very determined to capture them, specifically Luffy. Zoro did like this man. But when Luffy ordered him to saved the marine, zoro saved him. In Thriller Bark, when Luffy was unconscious after fighting one of the shibukai Gecko Moria, another shibukai arrived in the island and planned to capture Luffy. Because of the resistance of Luffy’s crew and other pirates, the shibukai blew up the whole place, but zoro survived the explosion. Zoro knew that he could not defeat the enemy and so he beg that instead of taking Luffy, the shibukai would take his head. There are other instances where he displayed his loyalty but i will leave them up to you to discover. **Compassionate** Zoro may be seen as someone who is very strict, stern and dangerous but deep down he his compassionate. He wouldn’t cut a woman or children. However in Punk Hazard, he cut a woman because that woman was chasing the people he must protect and hurting the children. That enemy also tried to kill the woman who looked like his childhood friend Kuina. In closing I believe that there are still a lot to say about Zoro but this characters are the one’s that highlights him. I am most amazed by his loyalty. Luffy is not a genius and serious captain but Zoro trusted him and is always loyal to him. This may be a fictional story but I believe that we can get some lessons from this. For example loyalty. In real life, it’s hard to trust and be faithful to someone who constantly disappoints us. But **loyalty is a decision** my friends. Zoro decided to trust Luffy regardless of his childish character. How about you? What have you decided? Share your thoughts in the comment box below. Lead Image Source: Drawn by Jeriel Maglangit

@SenecaAusten 11 March 2022

More Precious than Rubies Have you realize that you are more precious than gold? Or any treasure in that matter? Have you taken the time to ponder about how you were created? How your eyes were formed and the other parts of your body? Plague by doubts You must have had a hard time accepting words like “you are more precious than gold or rubies”. Maybe because you were not very accustomed to hearing it or these words sounds awkward. The reason for this is, maybe, growing up you were sometimes called pathetic, ugly, crazy, idiot, careless, stupid and more. Others would used these words to describe and bully you. Some may also used these words as part of their jokes. You may also laughed at it but deep inside, you were hurt or unknowingly accepted that description of you. And so you grew up behaving like that. How sad that would be! That you would end up living your life exactly what others perceived you to be. A person who doesn’t know his/her identity. Promise Secured ***“She is more precious than rubies, and all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.” - Proverbs 3:15*** You may be skeptical in reading, hearing or listening to this verse, but this is the Truth. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. No matter what and where your origins were, you are loved and is being sought out by God. What are the things that you hold more dearly today? Phone? Laptop? Work? Money? Animals? Relationships? Dear Friends, **You are more valuable than these earthly possessions**. Heaven and earth may pass away but You, God and His Word will remain forever. In Closing Always remind yourself that you hold more value than money, work, etc. However, you also must see others as precious. You must not be quick to get angry but listen to the other person. You must refrain from giving false information of someone because that would tarnish that person’s integrity. Knowing that you are precious, doesn’t mean that you have to regard others as inferior to you. Rather, realizing that you know who you are and what you’re capable of, you would treat and regard others more highly than yourself. Knowing the truth my dear friends, leads you to humility. God bless you! Lead Image Source: Canva

@SenecaAusten 9 March 2022

The Lesser Light in the Night The Moon and the stars. Have you ever wonder how these matter gives light at night? I’m sure science has had enough explanation about that but let me share how I understood it. Moon The moon doesn’t actually emit light like the sun. Rather it reflects the light that is being emitted by the sun. Amazing isn’t it? Haha. I was literally amazed when I found out about it because from childhood, I always thought that the moon emits light like the sun. And that it would follow me wherever I go. Amazingly, our planet earth is more brighter than the moon. This is because the amount of incident light that in being reflected depends on the materials present, atmosphere and the roughness of the object. The moon are so rocky that it reflects light poorly. Additionally, since the moon is rotating around the earth, the amount of light that is being reflected by the moon differs from each angle. This is the reason why we have different phases of the moon. For example, we have new moon, full moon and etc. Surprisingly, these phases is the reason why our seas and oceans have high and low tides. During high tides, the gravity of the moon pulls the oceans towards it. On the other hand, during low tides the Earth itself is pulled slightly toward the moon, creating high tides on the opposite side of the planet. (Earth Tides, n.d) Stars Stars are mostly made of hydrogen and helium. The continuous combination reaction of hydrogen creates helium. This reaction is called Nuclear Fusion and this reaction produces heat and light. At the center of our solar system, we have a star - the Sun, which gives light to our planet. However, stars are not limited to the sun alone. We have other existing stars in our neighborhood and we can see billions and even trillions of it! At ancient times, even until now, these astronomical bodies entails the times and seasons of our planet. In Scripture, when God created the universe, He made the sun, moon and stars for them to indicate signs and seasons, for days and years. It would boil down to How Amazing and Powerful our God. Even before science perceived it, He already designed it perfectly. Truly Amazing! Lead Image Source: brenoanp from pexels. Retrieved from https://www.pexels.com/@brenoanp-442535 References Earth tides, n.d. Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.org/media/earths-tides/

@SenecaAusten 9 March 2022

In all things, acknowledge God!

@SenecaAusten 9 March 2022

Gratefulness in the midst of betrayal Have you ever felt betrayed by your friends, family and work? If you are, then you must have been in such pain that you were unable to fully live your life or do your work effectively. However, the gravity of pain differs from person to person, the journey of the person and the reason of the action. I have been in one of those time when I felt I have been betrayed by my friends. Those so called friends whom I trusted for many years. I have shared to them my highlights and lowlights in life. But little did I know that those victories and defeats were the source of their talks. When I found out from someone about their actions, I was speechless. Honestly, I don’t know how to react. I was angry and hurt. Extremely hurt. I was thinking of distancing myself from them by studying or working outside the country. I was apply for international scholarship and work abroad. I was desperate. But after days of waiting and thinking, God made me realize that He allows things to happen simply because He has a reason. My thoughts revolved around that inspiration and I came to the conclusion that I am whom God created I am. I knew that those decisions that I have made were affirmed by God. So I don’t have to defend it to others but trust Him who is faithful. I have forgiven them but I still feel hurt whenever I remember those painful words. Another lesson I have learned that the best and worst part of our body is our tongue. It can, at the same time, utter a blessing and a curse. So I have to be mindful of what I say and how to say it. However, another trial came that made me see betrayal at a different angle. This time, I was the one who betrayed God’s trust. I personally believed that God is faithful in providing for my needs. But not until recently. I was anxious of the thought of not being able to pay the bills on time so I took this matter on my own hands. I joined one online platform, borrowed money, and invested it in that platform. In my mind, “Yes, I’m gonna be rich!”. But after 6 days, I was scammed. I was scammed! I thought that I would never be one of those people who were scammed but I did! I cried. Every time that I think about it, I would cry. Oh dear self! How foolish of you! Frustrated by myself, I went to ask God for help. I went knowing that I don’t deserve His mercy, comfort and help. And God made me realized through His Word that I was unable to trust Him in this matter. But you see, God is truly loving and merciful. He is our Abba Father who disciplines His children. I never like disciplines but as long it glorifies God, so be it. I acknowledged my mistake before God and faced the consequences of my actions and payed my debt. Life Lesson • Our tongue is the best and worst part of our body. • Forgiveness doesn’t mean that we have to forget what they have done but through time we will be able to process it, be healed from it and fully forget about it. • We can be forgiven from our mistakes but we are not free to face the consequences. • In all things acknowledged God’s sovereign Will. It was not an easy journey but I was grateful to God because He help me realized my mistakes and learn from it. Lead Image Source: Oleg Magni from pexels https://www.pexels.com/@oleg-magni

@SenecaAusten 26 November 2021

Droplets of Faith What makes people to take one step of faith? Where did they put their trust as they journey through life? How can they be so confident in life? Life’s worries are sometimes overbearing and frightening. For example, An undecided hiker taking an unknown trail alone. A man leaving his family for work. An impatient man and a worried woman saying “Yes” to marriage. A five years jobless girl applying for work. An anxious son or daughter leaving for college. And more… People have their own share of experiences where they made a decision for the sake of others and themselves. They took a step not knowing what would happen to them, to their friends and family. Doesn’t it sometimes cause anxiety to someone who is worried? Fear to someone who’s not used to taking risk? But there were people who look beyond their fears and anxiety and saw hope. They went further in life because they believed that there is Someone looking after them. Someone who encourages them to keep on persevering because it will be worth it. Someone who provides guidance to an unknown road. Someone who promises to protect those whom they love. Someone who is constantly faithful and just. Someone who unconditionally loves them even when they fail. Isn’t it encouraging? That’s what motivates the undecided hiker to go on hiking. He knows that there is someone who will be with him in the journey. It gave the man the assurance that his family will be okay because Someone is looking after them. It brings hope to the married couple that even in their differences, there is Someone who will help them in their marriage. It gives courage to the jobless girl who’s aware that she’s incompetent in some areas but as long as this Someone will open the door, she will be given a chance to train and develop the skills needed for the opportunity. Lastly it gives excitement to the son or daughter on their first step to a university because they knew that this Someone will lead them to genuine friends. Life may be full of uncertainties but having Someone whom you can genuinely put your trust upon is something that gives hope, assurance and peace. And this Someone is God Himself. The Almighty God who reigns over all. He is always there guiding, loving and protecting us. May all of us be reassured that there is someone who promises to be with us ALWAYS! Blessings! Lead Image Source: Photo by **Sitthan Kutty** from **Pexels** https://www.pexels.com/@sitthan-kutty-322985?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photography-of-wet-leaves-913807/?utm_content=attributionCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pexels