After 20 years, Yahoo Messenger is finally shutting down

I am being sentimental. Twenty years of service and Yahoo Messenger is shutting down. After the death of Friendster, it is the next casualty of the evolution in messaging platform. The news came as a crashing blow but there was really nothing surprising about it. With the increasing number of Facebook messenger users, it was bound to happen.

The 20-year-old app finally capitulated to the competition and will bid its goodbye to the virtual world of technology on July 17, 2018. It will be a sad farewell to one of the pioneers in this platform which paved way for the improvement of communications of friends and families all over the world. I believe that the rise in popularity of emoticons in Internet forums could be attributed to Yahoo Messenger. After all, who could forget the smiley that used to greet us in opening the app?

It is therefore with a sad heart that I remember the five unforgettable features of Yahoo Messenger.

1. The BUZZ- The ‘buzz’ button that shakes the window message whenever you press it is on top of the list. There’s this feeling of urgency and excitement whenever you hear that ‘buzz’ sound combined with the moving box. Facebook messenger doesn’t have this and I doubt if it could replicate this YM’s feature.

2. The ‘OPENING SMILEY’- The opening smiley is a welcome respite from a long day of work and you’re trying to get in touch with your friends and family. Well, it becomes a sad emoticon whenever the log in is not successful. Again, current communication platforms do not have this feature.

3. The YAHOO MUSIC- This feature allows you to choose different music by theme or genre. I remember working long hours while listening to jazz and country music. You could even show your contacts what music you were listening to! 

4. The STATUS- Long before Facebook asked you ‘what’s on your mind?’, YM already allowed its users to let your contacts know about your day and whether you’re available or not. It also has the option to keep your availability hidden by showing that you’re offline even though you're technically NOT.

5. The Emoticons- Yahoo Messenger has it all. From celebration, daily greetings, to sad emotions. And it definitely deserves a sad emoticon right now.

Yahoo Messenger was my first taste of modern instant communication. It’s a cliché’ but it’s the truth nonetheless that not everything has a happy ending, and not everything has an ending. Some things just kind of dribble away or cut off abruptly. Yahoo Messenger might be joining its virtual friends in Technology heaven but the memories will be left forever in the hearts of its loyal users.

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Why You Should Be Proud as an Introvert

I was in first grade when my teacher brought me in a room full of kids rehearsing for a dance. Apparently, she was expecting me to join them and prepare for the End of the Year program. I was standing at the corner for more than an hour just staring at them much to her chagrin.

When I was in high school, a teacher told me that my younger sister has better ‘Public Relations’ and she advised me to mingle more with my schoolmates. In my last year of high school, I won as president of the school government organization. How did I do it? My sister campaigned for me in the entire school.

Growing up, I could not understand why speaking came naturally for my younger sister and whenever we’re with a group of people, she fits in perfectly. I, on the other hand, stayed quiet and never initiated a conversation.

I hated delivering speeches or being at the limelight. Still, I won awards for public speaking and even became president of Public Speaking Society back in college. However, it takes a lot of mind conditioning before I could do it.

One day, I stumbled upon the word that best describes me- an introvert. I used to think that it was sort of a deficiency but through the years, a deeper part of myself made me realized it is not.

I am an introvert and it’s perfectly fine if I didn’t like speeches or initiating conversations. It’s not because I could not do it. Discernment comes first- should I say it or not?

I am an introvert and it’s definitely okay if I don’t prefer working in a group. It’s not because I could not do it but I thrive more working by myself.

It’s okay if you don’t see me mingling me with the horde of unknowns. Believe me, I enjoy the company of friends but I’d rather spend some quiet time ‘observing the world.’

I am an introvert and it’s probably not the best thing knowing that I live in an extroverted society but I gather my energy from within and I am focused on inward turning than seeking out external stimulation. The world of an introvert is just more meaningful, more peaceful, and closer to the unknown utopia.

Yes, it’s okay to be an introvert. As Ghandi puts it, “Speak only if it improves upon the silence.”

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Nails In The Fence - Inspiration Peak

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper. His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, he must hammer a nail into the back of the fence. The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.    Over the next few weeks, as he learned to control his anger, the number of nails hammered daily dwindled down. He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence. 

          

Finally, the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.

The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand and led him to the fence. He said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.  The fence will never be the same.  When you say things in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.  It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there." A verbal wound is as bad as a physical one.

The Truth About Suicide

Missed hugs.
Missed kisses.
Missed words.
Missed kindness.
Missed life.

The picture was still vivid which seemed like it just happened yesterday. Blood from a slashed wrist as a result of attempted suicide by a family member. In between sobs and painful words, she expressed her desires to end her suffering. Yet, I could not understand. I don’t think I ever did or I ever will. And there the problem lies, the lack of understanding.

Suicide is a very sensitive topic that no one wants to discuss, but it is a prevalent problem that needs to be addressed. A recent study shows that over the last 30 years the suicide rate in young people has more than tripled.

What drives a person to end his/ her life? It is easy to make judgment that the problem that precipitates it is probably so mundane. However, I always believe that people who were driven to end their lives were lost in the abyss of confusion, pain and anger in an unfathomable depth.

It is REALLY a sad situation.

A person might have everything including success, fame and wealth- Kate Spade, Robin Williams, Anthony Bourdain, to name the few- but nobody is spared from the sad reality of suicide.

According to the WorldHealth Organization (WHO), an approximate of one million people die from suicide, which represents global mortality rate of 16 people per 100, 000 or one death every 40 seconds. It is predicted that by 2020 the rate of death will increase to one every 20 seconds.

That ‘family member’ who tried to end her life several times surpassed that period of struggles in her life. She got a degree and faced the demons that plagued her for so long but I am still at a loss of completely understanding the battles she fought.

Although the truth remains that 90 percent of people who commit suicide have a mental illness at the time of their death, we can still make a difference by being a sincere listener, offering a gesture of humanity, and giving a gentle smile. We don’t know what each person is going through and a small act of kindness might save a life.

Farewell to the beautiful souls who perished during the times when their hearts were clouded with sadness and despair.

If you or a person you know is thinking about suicide, here's a number you can call:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255
Available 24 hours everyday

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Kris Aquino vs Mocha Uson

Two topics that are highly profitable in the world of blogging but I don’t normally write about- religion and politics. The current trend suggests that people nowadays are so divisive that they do not engage in intellectual discourse. When your views differ and you express it either in social media or personal discussion, it would mean losing your friends and family.

Photo Source: https://www.dailypedia.net/2018/06/netizens-react-on-kris-aquino-vs-mocha-uson-social-media-war/ 

However, the much discussed Kris Aquino-Mocha Uson fiasco goes deeper than politics. The fallacy is not lost on the way perspectives are taken in both sides. The two do not enjoy a highly respected past- Kris with her controversial relationships and Uson with her provocative dancing and singing jobs while grabbing private parts of men. But, who cares about the past? Apparently not Uson since she does not fare as well either at the present proliferating fake news which spreads faster than the worst epidemic in the world.

What is the truth?
In a time of universal deceit- telling the truth is a revolutionary act. Was the kiss accosted to the late Ninoy Aquino bears the same malice or intent the current president gave to the OFW? By using the old video of Aquino moments before he was shot death, did Uson show the real picture of the comparison? The truth of your answer of course will set you free.

What is just?
No matter who or what you support, I believe in supporting first what is just and fair. Was it fair to use an old video of the person who could not defend himself anymore since he’s dead? Your answer would show how fair and just you are.

What is the real discourse?
The real discourse is not the personalities involved. It is the callous disregard of the dead person who could not defend himself. It is the illogical comparison of two situations bearing no similarities at all. It is the abuse of position since Uson is a government employee paid for by the taxes of the Filipinos. 

“But you can't make people listen. They have to come round in their own time, wondering what happened and why the world blew up around them. It can't last.”
― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

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