Author: mitch.e

Mitch founded Chocolate Chimney year 2009 that made artisanal and decorated cakes and cookies loved by Filipinos. She was a young entrepreneur when SM-SVI invited her to consign with them and paved way to her business putting up 5 stalls in prime SM Supermarket branches in Manila. She is also passionate about Endometriosis, Adenomyosis, Family and Health. Received Certification in Nutrition and Health from Wageningen University, Introduction to Psychology, Managing Emotions from Yale Center of Emotional Intelligence, and Emotional and Social Intelligence by UC Davis. Currently studying Graphic Design under California Institute of Arts as her first love - Art <3 사랑
Posted in life, psychology

What are the benefits of having Good friends

Posted on by mitch.e

Do you know that there are benefits of having good friends?

Having supportive people around you, includes family, partners, colleagues. These good friends can have a major impact in your life, health and overall well-being according to Mayo clinic.

Benefits of Friendship

  • Increase your sense of belonging and purpose
  • Boost your happiness and reduce your stress
  • Improve your self confidence and self worth
  • Help you cope traumas such as divorce, serious illness, job loss or death of a loved one
  • Encourage you to have healthy lifestyle or habit
  • Promote personal development

Good friends are good for your health. Friends can help you celebrate good times and provide support during bad times. Friends prevent isolation and loneliness and give you a chance to offer needed companionship, too.

Mayo clinic

People with strong social connections have reduced risk of many health problems. Studies found that older adults who have good friends and social support are likely to live longer.

Among all the benefits of having meaningful relationships, Emotional support is significant. They listen to your problems, can validate your feelings, and can help distract you when you’re sad or upset.

In one of the lessons I had, Professor Jonah Berger of Wharton University said, ” people are 36% more likely to quit smoking if a friend quits.”

Your friends can support your choices and even promote the right ones. They can cheer you on, motivate you like gym buddies or yoga partners.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Sense of belongingness comes in third on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Caring about others makes life more meaningful. Your self worth increases, knowing you have a support system can help you feel more secure in your own life.

On the other hand, unhealthy or toxic friendships can cause stress and bring you down. Choose your companions and avoid toxic people; gossiper, unkind or rude, manipulative, selfish, etc.

Pexels.com

Bottom line, good friends are important in your life. Strong friendships will continue to strengthen you, make you healthier and help you have a brighter outlook.

❤

Posted in life

Small Businesses Vs. Corporations

Posted on by mitch.e

It’s not easy running a small business, I know this from experience. A Small Business owner myself, this post aims to motivate and inspire dreamers. Standing proud for thriving through the hurdles of Covid-19 pandemic and super typhoon Odette.

There are numerous challenges to overcome even before you can open the store. Application of permits, approval and paperworks that felt like forever.

Pexels.com

Yes, it is almost impossible to compete against massive corporations. With current economic situations and opening of tourism slightly favoring big companies. They have the resources, manpower, budget, warehouse, etc.

Though it seems like we don’t stand a chance, there are also advantages of small businesses according to Forbes.com

  • Custom Approach

Small businesses can offer a more personalized and customized service. That something large companies cannot do. It would be a waste of time (for them) to cater to individuals instead of dealing with consumers as a whole.

Being one of the pioneers in cake customization business, I remember famous bakeshops used to offer basic birthday cakes, clients are asked to choose from cake designs that are – basic and generic.

  • Flexibility and Less Bureaucracy

Big companies have complex internal structures, they follow a heirarchy. Approval and response processes can take a lot of time in a large organization. While small businesses can be flexible in dealing with customers. Adding a personal touch to everything, treating each other as family.

  • Creativity

Just like with flexibility, they have an edge in creativity. Having decision-making in their hands, creativity can flourish. There’s more ‘relaxed’ room to design, create and improve. No added pressure from meeting monthly quotas, etc.

  • Level of Care

Small businesses provide an individual level of care and involvement. For them service is on a personal level. Not from a corporate standpoint. Everyone is treated like a family. They have the ability to provide a one-on-one, personalized experience that clients value the most.

  • Adaptability

Business is all about people and small businesses have the advantage of knowing each and every client really well. The ability to be flexible and adapt to day-to-day needs of customers, invention of new products and services, and so on.

  • Passion with Purpose

Small businesses are well appreciated in social media like Instagram. They are trailblazers, supporting and igniting people using their passion with a purpose. There’s no shortage of passion as they continue to stay motivated by fueling their shops with personal connections to customers.

  • Speed and Agility

Aprroval and decision-making processes are faster in a small business. When a client needs help right a way, they can respond in small but special ways when big corporations are too busy.

  • One-on-One Magic

That advantage to connect one-on-one with customers is what small businesses have. I ventured into franchising from a large convenient store chain and noticed the complex nature of their structure. An ordeal when trying to sort out things with them, I didn’t feel we were connected and that our intentions are for the business alone.

Learning from experience and seeing through it all, small businesses can maximize these advantages competing against astronomical companies. Having the right and loyal people communicating to clients gives your store a personal touch.

❤

Posted in faith, life, motivational, prayer

How to be content with your life

Posted on by mitch.e

For those who’ve been following me in IG, one chronic side effect of my treatment or symptom management is depression. It can also be brought by endometriosis (and adenomyosis) either way am 😦

We’ve all had this feeling before – sadness, dark cloud above your head, low days, lonelines… I cannot describe this state in the most positive way possible, an overall feeling of doom, zero inspiration and motivation.

Truth is no one could completely grasp one’s feelings and emotional well being. Help starts with you. It takes massive effort yes, but it’s worth the try…

Please remember that – your current state is not forever, this (too) shall pass.

How to be content with your life?

  1. Change your perspective – the easiest way to be content with your life is adjusting your perspective. Instead of being stuck with the past or obsessing over the future, focus on Living in the Present.
  2. Be Grateful for what you have – though our life may be miserable today but try thinking of the things you have and how lucky you are compare to other people. This also includes – to stop comparing yourself with others. As the old saying goes – “the grass is greener on the other side” – the things we don’t have seem better than the things we have. This is the biggest obstacle in achieving happiness. Because there will always be someone who is happier, healthier, richer than you. But why look? If it’s only going to make you more miserable and unhappy.
  3. Appreciate the little things – Every detail in your life counts. We may take for granted this little things because we are too focused on the negative. Daily reflection, write a journal, a walk outside for some fresh air. Making a habit of reflecting will help you think rationally when a problem arises and will keep you from being blind-sided by problems that are lurking in your life.

One thing that really helps me is – FAITH. I can’t imagine myself being in the center of these all without Jesus. To be able to believe in something greater than us is the most effective coping mechanism for people who are suffering.

Yes it’s okay not to feel okay, if you need to cry then do it…

David Spiegel, MD, the medical director of the Center for Integrative Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine, reminds us that “Happiness is not the absence of sadness.”

Let me share these beautiful songs… Allow Jesus to be with you, to cry with you and feel with you…

Happy are the people who are sad now,

God will come near to help them.

Matthew 5:4 Easy

I will be still and

know You are God.

Posted in kdrama

Poong the Joseon Psychiatrist

Posted on by mitch.e

Oh how we love charming and funny dramas like this one! Korean dramas are expanding their theme from the usual lovey-dovey romance or conflict to more deep & relevant topics like psychology.

When the legendary Royal physician Yoo Se Poong (Kim Min Jae) was expelled from the royal court, he moves to a quaint and beautiful Gyesu village. There he meets Kye Ji han (Kim SangKyung) that will help him transform to a doctor who heals hearts.

Watch or stream it in Viu, Netflix and original network is TvN.

❤

Posted in Kdrama

Alchemy of Souls: Light and Shadow

Posted on by mitch.e

Season 2 of Alchemy of Souls dubbed as “Light and Shadow” premiered last December of 2022. At that time I was still finishing Dodo-Solsol-Lala-Sol also starring Lee Jae-Wook & I decided to wait for more episodes of season 2 to air.

According to Nielsen Korea, the season two premiere accumulated an average nationwide rating of 6.7%. A higher rating than that of season one, which premiered to a nationwide average of 5.2%. Season two episode two later received an even higher rating of 7.7 per cent, after it saw a substantial rise in viewership.

Alchemy of Souls – is one of the period pieces fused with fantasy and folklore. Many got captivated by season 1 as it ended with tragedy and mystery.

Season 1 / TVN

Like previous drama reviews, I avoid lengthy posts and prefer to point out the best in every series. I’m sure you’d agree, actors here have stunning visuals and exceptionally good-looking 😉

The genius of AOS is that they didn’t use actor heavyweights, the acclaimed writers – Hong sisters (Hong Jung-eun and Miran) presented a captivating storyline paired with carefully concocted visual effects to impress viewers worldwide.

Season 2 / TVN

Currently in episode 6 and I can’t help but to pity Yul again as another heartache is about to happen… 💔

Finished with this drama and ending is just superb! Happy ending for everyone.

사랑 💕

Posted in prayer

New Year’s Prayer

Posted on by mitch.e

Prayer for the New Year

Dear God,

Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you’ve allowed into our lives this past year, the good and the hard things that have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every day.

We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year. We ask that you will guide our decisions and turn our hearts to deeply desire you above all else.

We ask for your wisdom, strength, and power to be constantly present within us. We pray you would make us strong and courageous for the road ahead.
We pray for your protection over our families and friends. We ask for your hand to cover us and keep us distanced from the enemy’s evil intent; that you would be a barrier to surround us, that we’d be safe in your hands. We pray that you would give us discernment and insight beyond our years, to understand your will, hear your voice, and know your ways.

Amen

– Debbie McDaniel (revised)
Posted in faith, prayer

Worry Ends where Prayer Begins

Posted on by mitch.e

This year has been the most difficult for me. The emotional impact of endometriosis is so immense and it’s more debilitating than physical pain. 

Perhaps I’m in no position to render advice, and this may appear to you as superficial and ordinary. But I know God can touch us in many ways than we can imagine. He reaches out to us even if we fail to remember Him. 

God remembered us when we were down, His love never quits. – Psalm 136:23

When we hold on to worry, we give it life. Jesus told us these exact words…

Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:34

Do you know that God doesn’t want us to carry our burdens? He asks us to lay them down at the foot of the cross. He wants us to surrender our heavy loads to him. Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Come to me all who are weary and burdened,and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

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Posted in life

Endometriosis 2022 update

Posted on by mitch.e

More than a decade ago, I was first diagnosed with endometriosis and then adenomyosis. Two similar medical terms, both are giving pain and suffering to millions of women worldwide.

Endometriosis is often equated with period pain but it is much more than period pain. It’s a chronic condition and many lack awareness and resources to help them with this disease.

A term was coined – “endowarrior”. Many organizations are built to raise awareness and spread word about endometriosis. And help fellow sufferers in their journey.

There’s power in weakness / pain – a life motto that I cling to. A decade long of this indescribable pain and suffering. Resounding symptoms of pain, stomach upset, bloatedness, body weakness and recently low mood. My last ultrasound revealed progressive adenomyosis and adenomyoma, reoccuring hydrosalpinx and ovarian cysts.

An endometriosis journey can be described as trailing down a long dark road without any maps, tools, or light to help guide the way. A journey without being understood or heard. At least, that has been my experience.

– Marisol Velez

Proud of our endo-community in Instagram, endowarriors give each other support and advices. After 10 years of TTC (trying to conceive) and enormous amount of pain, I’ve decided to just have everything removed. Yes, one tough decision that endowarriors go through… 😦

Posted in Kdrama

Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol (K-drama)

Posted on by mitch.e

While waiting for season 2 of Alchemy of Souls, I was recommended to watch this after Because this is my first life. Both Korean dramas starred our favorite couple – Lee JaeWook and Jung So-min (but separately).

I like Jung Somin character in Because this is my first life, however this post is dedicated to Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol starring no less than Lee JaeWook.

KBS

Why you’ll love this K-drama?

  • super funny
  • dog named “mimi” is the cutest
  • the positivity of Rara is contagious
  • unique kind of fairy tale

This drama revolves around RaRa (Go Ara) who is the heiress of RaRa cosmetics. Like what I said – she is an optimistic talented lady who sees the best in people and in every situation. Her positivity is contagious and brings good vibes everytime. Tragic events happened during her wedding ceremony and meets Sunwoo Joon (Lee JaeWook) a good looking warm-hearted man who is the complete opposite of Rara.

Fond of her beautiful curls which remind me of mine and her bubbly character that’s like no other.

Eventually they developed feelings for each other as things become complicated.

Watch or binge it in streaming sites like Netflix.

KBS

More photos of Mimi ❤

Posted in News Media

OpenLine New Media Forum Cebu

Posted on by mitch.e

OpenLine News Media Forum is a new program by MyTV Cebu Philippines that airs every Tuesday morning and can be livestreamed via social media channels like Facebook, YouTube and their website.

The host/moderators are veteran broadcast journalist Erik Espina and captivating Andrea Patena-Matheu. This show tackles current and relevant issues in the Philippines.

OpenLine News Media Forum is where all lines are open. Journalists, media and even viewers can participate by posting their questions and suggestions in the comment section.