Minutes to go and we'll be welcoming year 2014! Time flies super fast. Last time I checked, I was just starting my planner January of 2013, and now a brand new year is for us to behold.
This year has been a year full of laughs, tears, discoveries and so much more. I also had my fair share of stressful and relaxing moments. A balance of those laugh-till-your-belly-hurts type of honks and an eye-wrenching-cryfest-you-don't-want-to go-anywhere-the-morning-after type of real life drama.
I'll be jumping the bandwagon of countdown this year. The idea has been dangling over my head for quite a while and it's nice to be reminded what this year has taught me.
NEW YEAR: All about looking back and looking forward at the same time. Lessons countdown starting in 3..2..1..
TOMORROW MIGHT BE TOO LATE
Have you done at least one thing that put a smile in God's face? Asked Kuya Joshua when our team visited Sakahang Lilok. My reaction was like: Oh goodness, 2013 is going away and I can't think of any absolute thing he's asking.
Then a scene flashed back in my mind. Every sem break, I have this habit of sharing JESUS to my students. Long story short, 2 months after our last encounter, one of my students died. And she's only 18. I honestly am lost for words, but at the same time relieved that I didn't waste that opportunity to share something that has an eternal impact.
Number 2: NO IS AN ANSWER.
If you're like me, I only have one determinant for an answer. And that is YES. This year, I've been on a career cross road. I'm not sure whether to stay or go. This is a make or break part and I don't have any idea what the future holds. Then a thought hit me: Why not ask the One who holds the future?
Looking back, I thank the LORD for his NO answer. I stayed and I'm glad I did.
Number 3: PRESSURE WON'T KILL YOU, UNLESS YOU LET IT IN.
Think of a boat and that deep blue sea. The boat will float effortlessly UNTIL water comes into it. I guess all of us have pressures one way or the other, challenge is: Will that pressure work for us or sap the life out of us?
I'm now mastering the art of staying calm and shooing every negative vibe as possible. I'm being careful now on what to listen, decreasing my social media time, nurturing my relationships and taking conscious effort to live healthy.
Number 4: DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. AND DO IT OFTEN.
And you know traveling is on top of my list! I also discovered that immense joy of giving away a piece of your time, talent and treasure to the less fortunate ones. I can't carve a right set of words to express how light the feeling is - but yeah, the feeling is euphoric.
This year, I have also unraveled a path to passive income through investments (hence, this blog's money series has been born). It's risky, of course, but is there's such a thing as risk-free? This brings me to my next point...
Number 5: LIFE IS SHORT, SO TRY SOMETHING NEW EVERYDAY
Do you know why children are generally happy than adults? It's because they are willing to try something new without so much biases. They can make friends, eat weird food, dance like crazy - and laugh at themselves when they goofed up!
Being analytical and OC combined, I've learned this lesson the hard way. I want things in simplest form. Yes or No. Black or White. Stop or Go. But the thing is, there are so many things we cannot control, and when we try to get absolute answers all the time - we end up digging our own emotional graves.
Whew. Been there. Done that. It's okay. Now, I've learned that sometimes, you just have to try, enjoy the journey and don't think too much crap. Don't let life pass you by. Enjoy what you can. Accept what you can't change. Be genuinely happy. There's no other way but to TRY.
Cheers to 2014! -CMK
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