Saturday, March 14, 2020

Life in the time of corona virus

Life in the time of corona virus:

The global pandemic has spread like wildfire. With the figures rising in every country, we can't deny the fear and uncertainty that lurks in the minds of everyone. But this challenging time also holds lessons and realizations for us to ponder over.

1. Simple and basic things matter.
It's quite ironic how even the simplest and basic things matter more than ever now. Washing your hands, which seems an elementary concept, has never been so important. And it takes a pandemic for us to realize that. Thus, it is also time for us to ask: what are the basic and simple things which I already know but I seemingly neglect?

2. Health, family and safety are more important than anything else.
With travel plans, occasions and get-togethers on hold and cancelled, we start to shift our priorities to what truly matters most . Travels, gatherings and celebrations can wait, but the safety of our family, friends and loved ones hold paramount. We might have lost money along the way, but then again, life is priceless. We can earn back that money anyway. Peace of mind is something that money can't buy and that one is what matters more now.

3. There is beauty and peace in staying at home.
At the moment, social distancing and staying at home are the safest things to do. For others, it may seem like a house-arrest, especially at this day and age where everything seems to be fast-paced. We live in an era where we we have to go out and to explore (and sometimes so we can have IG worthy stories or photos). Perhaps, this is life teaching us to slow down. Maybe this is the rest our body has been needing for quite sometime. This time is an opportunity to reconnect with our family, and to finally spend time and eat together, which maybe some of us have not done for so long.

4. In times of crisis, our true character is revealed.
Our selfless or selfish nature will show in this global pandemic. And with what is happening around the world, it is time to reflect, who am I among the two? Sadly, there are people who live for their self-serving interests. But there are also compassionate people, who think of others welfare first more than their own. I hope we take time to show our gratitude and appreciation to this people. They are the epitome of altruism and a source of hope, that we never run out of kindness in this world. And with this, we should ask: "In what way can I help someone/others (the world, my country, my fellowmen) today?"

5. Life is fleeting and nothing is certain.
We never know what the future holds. With this, I hope we are reminded to value our loved ones more and to cherish our life on Earth. This is the best time to reflect on our actions and go back to our purpose. And even with life being uncertain and transitory, it should not stop us from doing good and from keeping our faith in God and in humanity alive.

More than ever, this is the time when everyone should unite. The virus may bring fear, paranoia and wariness, but our greatest weapon is not any antidote or vaccine, but our solidarity and optimism that we can survive this challenge, no matter how grueling it may seem.

Wednesday, February 5, 2020

Your wedding, your choice, your happiness

Your wedding, your choice, your happiness
Some insights on weddings

We all have different visions of how we want our wedding to be. Some want a laid-back and intimate wedding; while others would opt for a grander one. Regardless of your choice, it actually boils down to a couple's decision and preference, so there is really no point in comparing (or arguing) which one is best. What works for one couple, may not actually work for others. Besides, not all couples have the same economic background, life principles and goals, so any couple's choice as to the type of wedding they want, should definitely be respected.

For at the end of the day, all weddings are beautiful, no matter how big or small, simple or grand it may be. A wedding is a start of a couple's lifetime together, a brave decision they both made. And when two people become one through marriage, vowing to love each other through thick and thin, good or bad, richer or poorer, till death do them part... nothing is as beautiful (and sacred) as that.

You may choose to have a civil wedding or an intimate one at church because that will make you happy, then by all means go for it. Or you may opt to have it in a cathedral, with top of the line suppliers, for it gives you immense satisfaction to invest on nothing but the best for a once in a lifetime event, then follow your heart's desires.As long as you don't break the bank and know you have worked hard for it, then go ahead give yourself the wedding you truly deserve. Through it all, love is what binds marriage, love is what makes any marriage worth the effort, and love is all that really matters when a couple decides to tie the knot.

That being said, all weddings are beautiful, memorable and worth-treasuring. A union between two people inlove is a gift, and no matter what type of wedding that is, it is meant to be celebrated. In a world full of uncertainty and the unknown, people who choose a lifetime commitment are highly laudable. And when married couples look back at their wedding day, it will always put a smile on their face. That happiness brought about by their wedding day, is all that truly matters.

Your wedding, your choice, your happiness- own it. Whatever will bring your heart peace and contentment, follow it. A wedding only happens once, so you have to make sure that your wedding day is all that you ever dreamed of and truly wanted, not what or how others wanted it to be. Let that vision come to life and let that vision become reality.  When you made that wedding happen, your heart will know that you made the right choice and it will truly give you great joy. Believe that no matter what kind of wedding you opt to have, your union is blessed by God and you are on to an exciting and thrilling beginning on your journey to forever with the one you love.

Monday, January 20, 2020

3 decades, 3 lessons


  • 3 decades, 3 lessons


When I was younger, I used to dread reaching my thirties. I would always ask myself that when I am 30 years old, "Will I be good enough, successful? Will I reach my goals?"  Now that I finally reached this age, I realized it is something I should not fear, but instead, should welcome wholeheartedly. Your 30s is the time to fully embrace maturity and the wisdom that comes with it. With this, here are some valuable insights I gained over my life's  three decades.

1. Where you are is where exactly you should be
- Our life is a product of our choices and decisions, so wherever we are right now is where we are meant to be. Many times we will be bothered by our "what ifs." Instead on dwelling on things that can't be undone, focus on what is. What can you do to make things better at the moment? We should refocus our energy on the present because it is entirely pointless to mope over our past or regrets. Remember, each brand new day is an opportunity to turn dreams into reality, regrets to learning experiences. Believe that where you are is due to divine appointment, not by accident.

2.  Always find the beauty in things.
- The world is already filled with toxicity and negativity, and we don't need more of that. Our reactions to circumstances can make or break us, so it is wise to practice using "the pause button". Admittedly, this is still challenging for me, but if I am confronted with problems, I try to ask myself: "Will stressing over this matter in months or years? If not, I will just let it go." Life is always full of good things. And sometimes we ignore our "blessings" and pay much attention to the "burdens". So whatever and whoever it is that makes you happy, dwell on that. Spend time with your family and loved ones, travel, pursue your hobbies - the possibilities are endless. Life is beautiful and there is always something worthy to celebrate. As they say, live, laugh, love. And don't forget to thank the Almighty at the end of the day, for all the blessings -big or small.

3. Be gentle with yourself, but be open for growth.
- Most of the time, we are our own worst critic. And we are most unforgiving of our own faults. Mistakes and failures are normal occurences in life and it is through these that we grow. Why should you be harsh and keep all the blame to yourself? You can always brush off the dirt on your knees and stand up after every fall. Tap yourself and say, "it's alright. I can do better next time." Take it easy, but do not be complacent. Cry if you must for a day or two, but know when to stop.
You will see that after every fall, there is a stronger, wiser and tougher you. Take it to heart that you can always transform mistaked and failures as learning experiences, and all it takes is a heart that is open to forgive and to take risks and chances for oneself.

It might have taken some time before I learned these things and the journey had not been easy. At 30, I am still a work in progress, my life is not perfect, but that is okay. I thank God for the 30 fruitful years and what lies ahead, though still uncertain, I place it in the palm of God's hands.

I'm 30 and I'm loving it! Cheers to more decades to come!   ♥️

Saturday, November 30, 2019

How I found my one true love

There is no magic or secret formula to finding one's true love. It is a puzzle piece that remains a mystery, thus baffling many. But despite this, one thing remains true, love comes when you least expect it, and praying for it truly works wonders. With that, allow me to share our love story.

Sam and I had been colleagues when I worked at a publishing company last 2014-2017. I remember meeting Sam for the first time at the swimming pool when my officemates and I went for a dip in the pool during our company team building. He was very quiet and I knew back then that he was the shy type. He seemed to be quite loved by everyone, and I remember rushing to him out concern for he had a little "accident" during one of the games. We would have little encounters at the office after that, him being part of the IT team. From time to time, I would ask his help on technical matters, bump into him and have small talks over lunch (sometimes even giving him my rice 😂). We never really got a chance to be very close for quite a long time because I work on-field most of the time, but I remember being one of those who will pair him off with someone from another department. Sometimes we will jokingly tease him by telling him we will use his computer to send an email to the girl we are teasing him with, and all these Sam will just reply with a shy smile. With his kind nature, he never really showed remonstrations nor fought back. But all those time, I have established that he is really the good boy next door type and is hardworking and dedicated to work.

We started to get a little closer after our team building in 2016. Our theme was "Hunger Games," and each team has to send two representatives to be the muse and the escort. I, being the young one in the team, had really no choice but to be the muse. I knew Sam was one of my teammates, so I begged him to be my partner, so I will not end up being paired with a stranger (or someone from a different area). Being the shy type that he was, I remember it was not easy to convince him, but eventually he gave in. We had an interpretative dance to the song of "Chandelier" and to our delight, our team won.

After that, I noticed some of our officemates had been teasing us. I thought then that it was because of the team building, and knowing how quiet and shy type Sam is, I just shrugged the idea off. I mean, yes he is likeable, but how will he even like me? For me, he is "torpe" and geek. He barely even speaks to me, so him pursuing me is something that never crossed my mind.

Things started to change a little bit though little by little. There were already little instances when we would exchange random messages over text message and I can clearly remember him teasing me and I ended up smiling while queing at the uv express terminal as I exchange messages with him. That perhaps is the beginning of something, as I was quite happy that he started to warm up towards me. After that, I remember telling an officemate, that Sam's girlfriend in the future will be very lucky, for I can clearly see then that he is a good man.

Fast forward to 2017, I decided that it was time to leave that company for I accepted a job offer abroad. That was the year when I decided to leave everything to God- my career, my lovelife, my future. Never did I thought that I was in for a big surprise that year. With the support of our officemates, Sam finally gathered the courage to accompany me home, which I initially thought was just an act of kindness when he heard about a certain incident on my way home. I introduced him to my mom as a concerned officemate, but after that night, when I thanked him for the company, he said, "next time again, if there is still a chance." I felt then that maybe, there is something different so I said yes.

The rest as they say, is history. That was the start of our usual exchange of messages, till we had our first date on valentines Day 2017. The biggest revelation he had during our courtship days was  when he told me he had been praying and gathering his courage to finally pursue me for all those years. He finally confessed that he likes me since 2014.

Our love story is three years in the making, but I would say that the three years of waiting is a beautiful journey of self-discovery for me. During those times, I had been hurt countless times, up to the point that I almost gave up on my chances in love. But I persevered, I prayed, I trusted and surrendered my life's plans to the Lord. And when my heart is finally at peace knowing that God knows what is best for me, that is when He reveals who my one true love is.

I have never been any happier and content since then, knowing that Sam is my answered prayer. Our love story may not be perfect nor easy, especially we had been in a long distance relationship for two years now, but a love story that is orchestrated by God will truly stand all adversities. So if by any chance you have doubts and questions as to who is meant for you, just pray unceasingly and keep trusting God's divine plan, for His plans are always better than you can ever imagine.

Whenever I see Sam, I am reminded how the Lord has been good to me, for after a long wait, He has finally blessed me with the love I deserve. It is a love so true and beautiful which happened when the Lord most willed it, in His perfect time. Every day, I thank the Lord for this wondrous blessing, a good and kindhearted man, whose love for me is genuine that I could not ask for more. Sam is truly worth the wait and my heart is overjoyed.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Looking back, moving forward

Five years ago, I confessed my feelings to a dear friend. The answer wasn't exactly what I wanted it to be. We were only 23 by then, probably too young for him to commit himself; thus telling me back then he was not ready. At some point, I guess, I waited too long for him. It was a constant struggle of letting go, accepting, and feeling the same feelings again and again. How do you move forward if you just can't let go of the strong feelings you have for someone? In my case, I thought there will be no finality to this lingering question. Until one day, through a surprising twist of fate, everything changed.

Holding on too long to that love probably helped me realize I deserved better. Though I told myself that so many times back then, I somehow clung to the glimmer of hope because he was still unattached. However, when the waiting seems endless and futile, you eventually tell yourself to stop the foolishness, for it will lead you nowhere. I guess, there will really be that someone you love too much, but then cannot love you back. But even if it hurts, excruciatingly hurts at that, reality is something you have to swallow and accept, for you to get by. 

Looking back, I knew I never regretted that unrequited love. It's funny, but I learned that I am capable of loving deeply because of that person. Even if that love caused me pain, knowing that it's one sided, somehow, at the back of my mind, I knew there will come a day that a love that's meant for me will come my way, too. It may have taken a long while, but that love finally came, and it is everything I could ask for. The love I have always prayed and dreamed of is here to stay. 

Fast forward to 2019, I must say both of us are living happy lives. I learned he just got married, and though there is a tinge of hurt, knowing that up to the end he never really liked me, my heart is sincerely happy for him. He may not have chosen me or may never have loved me a bit at all, but at the end, it no longer matters. I thought I will harbor ill-feelings for him because of that one-sided love, instead, I learned to finally forgive myself and to truly wish him well. At the end of the day, we both have found the love of our life and are more than content, what more can I wish for? 

And at this point, I can only look back at the past wistfully but with smile, at the same time. Through it all, God has been truly good to me. He lead me to someone who will love me wholeheartedly and made me feel that I am truly worth it. There is no point being stuck with the pains of the past, and each day I choose to move forward, as I thank the Lord for blessing me the love I rightfully deserve. 

Monday, November 11, 2019

The Vow 2019

Whenever I look at you, I am reminded of God's love and faithfulness. You are my living testament, that God answers our heartfelt and fervent prayers.

Indeed, this love of ours is a beautiful gift worth keeping. When God writes your love story, no one and nothing can ever stop what He has planned. Not even distance can come between us, for it is the work of His wondrous and powerful hands that bring us closer than ever, binding us even stronger. So every day, just thinking of you, makes me pray and whisper these words with love, gratitude, and contentment: "I thank God for the gift of you."

Our 2 years as a couple has not been easy, but it was through love and trust that we survived. We are here today because of our strong commitment to be loyal to one another at all costs. With that, I thank you, for standing by me, for choosing me everyday, and for loving me and even my imperfections. I have always been a dreamer, but you have been the anchor to my boat, that is why I continue to sail on life with purpose. Even if sometimes, I see myself as a lowly caterpillar hiding in her cocoon when times get tough, you always see the butterfly in me. I will always treasure and cherish this beautiful and self-less love of yours, because it is one in a million.

With this, I vow to be your forever cheerleader and to support your every dream. I vow to be the wind beneath your wings, because I am that number one person who believes in your gifts and potentials. I vow to hold your hand and be your safe place, when all else in life turns gray. And from this day forward, your dream is my dream, your pain is my pain, and your happiness is my happiness. My love, with you and I together, there is nothing we cannot conquer. With God on our side and with our love for each other aflame, we will journey through life and make wonderful memories together, with the children God will bless us in the near future.

I love you and I always will. My heart is giddy with excitement and happiness, knowing that, the Lord has blessed me with a good-hearted man, whom I will be spending eternity with. You are worth the wait, and I am forever yours.


Monday, April 15, 2019

the beauty of waiting

There is beauty in waiting, and I thank God for all those years that he made me wait.

As human beings, it is but normal to be impatient and frustrated when things don't go as planned.

But what virtue does God want us to develop as we wait? What is the purpose for our life "delays?" Or maybe it's only us who thinks it's a delay. Probably, God knows that at the moment, that is for the best.

Waiting is not just a test of patience, but is meant to develop our character. A person's true character is not revealed when he has the best things in life. In fact, it can be seen when he has nothing, or is striving and working hard to achieve something. What a person does as he wait tells so much of how he/she is.

Do you see nothing but life's imperfections and missing pieces as you wait? Or are you the type who does something meaningful while waiting. Which one would you rather be? Would you be sulking, complaining, or ranting? Or woud you rather be working, exploring, and trusting on life's timing as you wait?

While it is easy to answer that we will try to be productive as we wait, in reality, it's not as easy as it seems though. There will be days when we will be caught in despair of not knowing what our future holds. It feels like you were stuck in the middle of the unknown, and you are clueless of what tomorrow will bring. But then again, it is just a phase. We could choose to wallow over that sadness, or move on. And when you do, there is no way to go but forward, as we strive to live life with purpose and meaning each day.

Living each day doing what you love does not seem like waiting at all. Instead, it's more like trusting and hoping for the best, wherever life leads you. Doing things with zeal and passion, whatever that may be, allows us to seize the moment and to be fully present in life. And before you know it, time had passed, until you barely realize that you are no longer waiting. For at the end, you are rather fulfilled and happy, that all the good things life grants and blesses you with are just a bonus.

May this song by John Waller inspire us to embrace the beauty of waiting. We may not see it right now, but God sees our good works and gives what is due for his humble and faithful servant.

I will move ahead, bold and confident
Taking every step in obedience
While I'm waiting
I will serve You
While I'm waiting
I will worship
While I'm waiting
I will not faint
I'll be running the race
Even while I wait...