Don’t Just Count Them…Write Them Down

This is not a Starbucks ad. These are my blessings notebooks. In December of 2007, I started writing my blessings everyday. Sure, I would count them before that…only when I am reminded by other people, when I feel bad and need a quick fix, when I literally read “Count your blessings” on a car sticker.  But seriously, there’s an entire different feeling when you make it a habit as (first) you allot time for it, (second) you write them down, (third) you do it everyday.  It’s as simple as that.

Honestly, I started doing this because I was undergoing my quarter life crisis—a time when I doubted myself: Have I accomplished enough for my age? Am I successful for my age? Am I worthy? Hah! Those were the days (which I laugh about now) and having read articles and books on how to stay positive…it hit me: BE GRATEFUL.

So for three years now, I’ve learned these.

1. It’s a habit you need to develop.  It’s when you do it repeatedly that you get the point. I mean, at first, I would only acknowledge the “big” blessings that would come my way such as a bonus at work, a concert we did, a party I attended, a birthday surprise. But then as I continue to think about how blessed I am day by day, I started taking note of the SMALLEST and MOST TRIVIAL of things. Smallest such as a “free mint candy from an officemate” or “a really long hard tummy-aching laugh” or “finding a parking slot in 30 seconds”.  The most trivial of things like a “good and loving family” or “fun and supportive friends” or “having quality education”.  And so from the biggest most obvious blessings to the simplest taken-for-granted things…I wrote them all.
2. The ratio of positive-happy-awesome-days to low-energy-bad-vibes days is 360:5.  Of course I still have those tremendously miserable days where a series of unfortunate events coupled with Murphy’s law happens.  But with my blessings notebook, I realized that it’s ok to have those ^%$!*@ days because out of 365 days, 360 brought me smiles, laughter, peace and fun.  So who cares? The five days don’t matter after all.
3. This ritual makes me a better person everyday. I never thought that this is an exercise for your mind to focus on positive things instead of making a big fuss out of an issue.  As I take on this journal journey, it has become so effortless to switch your mind on to the brighter side of things.  Logging my blessings have brought me benefits more than expected.

So I challenge myself now to magnify this blessings journal even more by committing to my FIFTH GOAL this year…TO FILL UP THE ENTIRE SPACE ALLOTED EACH DAY WITH BLESSINGS BIG AND SMALL.

Now start writing yours. If you start a blessings journal after reading this, you allow me to be a blessing too.  I thank you for that; and I might as well end up writing your name on my journal today.

I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder.  ~G.K. Chesterton

Something New Every Year

I've told you about pursuing breakthroughs instead of resolutions. I've told you that it would be about WRITING and RUNNING for me this year. I want something new every year and this time I want to share with you that since the 2006 World Tour of UP Concert Chorus, I have made a set of TWIN GOALS:

TRAVEL TO AT LEAST ONE NEW LOCAL DESTINATION

and

CONQUER AT LEAST ONE NEW COUNTRY EVERY YEAR

So far this is what I have accomplished for the past 4 years:

2007: North Shore Zambales

2008: Banaue and Sagada, Mountain Province

2009: Misibis Bay, Albay and Davao

2010: Bondoc Peninsula, Quezon and Bantayan Island, Cebu and Taal, Batangas

2006: Italy, Germany, Scotland, England, New Zealand

2007: Japan

2008: France, Spain, Macau

2009: Singapore

2010: Korea

2007: Surfing at Zambales

2008: Banawe with Tin

2008: Travel Retreat in Sagada with Tin

2009: Discovery Bay Misibis, Albay with Kaich, Jael and Macy

2009: Samal Island, Davao

2010: Pueblo Por La Playa, Quezon with Heroic XXX

2010: Hike to Taal Volcano with Tere, Tin, Andrea and Mica

2006: Venice, Italy

2006: Olympia Stadion (Home of 2006 FIFA), Berlin, Germany

2006: Aberdeen, Scotland with Joy, Kaich, Anna, Airis, Glady and Eman

2006: London, England

2006: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Tauranga, New Zealand

with Monique and Ma'am Ena

2007: Japan with family: Solo, Ate Carmela, Kiko

2008: Eiffel Tower, Paris, France with family: Kiko, Mommy, Tita Miriam

2008: Madrid, Spain with Tita Miriam and Mommy 

2008: Macau (Starcom Trip) with Jemelle

2009: My emo moment in Singapore Botanic Gardens

2010: Starcom Trip to Korea

Having been to different places here and abroad have made me realize how beautiful the world is.  I realized that although technology has made the world smaller, the world is still so big having a whole lot of places to visit, a whole set of things to be inspired with--new experiences altogether.  It brings such a natural high to step on new grounds, to learn new things, to experience new culture, to taste new cuisine, to learn a new word or two (if not a new language), to be overwhelmed by history and most of all, to talk to different kinds of people. Amazing. Fascinating.

As I was sipping my coffee at the Louvre Museum back in 2008, I told my uncle, Tito Tony, that I’m overwhelmed by the number of people visiting the grandness of Louvre everyday.  The long line outside looked like a string of ants from afar. I realized that we are just a speck in this world, too irrelevant to be focusing on problems, negatives and non-essentials.  The world is oh so so so beautiful, I wish everyone would grasp it that way everyday.

I wonder what awe the world will bring me this year.  I haven’t planned for anything local and international yet.  For now, I’m just going to sit and wait for what surprises 2011 will bring me.

25 Things Learned Before Hitting 25

I've been learning a lot from my twenty-something single girlfriends and one of them is turning a year older from being a quarterlifer (as she coined it) exactly 10 months from now.  Here's another note from my fashion girlfriend, Tiffy, which she wrote as she turned 25 last year:

25 Things That I Learned Before I Hit 25

by Tiffany Chloe Santos on Tuesday, November 9, 2010 at 9:21am

1. Always take pictures. Each memory counts. Plus it’ll be fun laughing at those pictures 4 years after
2. One round is never really just one round. Just like 5 minutes is never 5 minutes.
3. Travel. Enjoy the music. You’ll never fall out of love with the beach + music. (it helps in keeping your sanity)
4. Exercise. You’re not getting any younger and thinner plus high cholesterol isn’t fun
5. Take things one step at a time. Just breathe.
6. Get out of your comfort zone every once in a while. Taking a risk is healthy
7. Always try to learn something new. It keeps your mind sharp and you’ll get rid of boredom. Attend a class or read books.
8. Go on self-dates from time to time. Being alone doesn’t always mean you’re lonely
9. Tiwala. Believe in yourself.
10. Meet new people. You’ll learn a thing or two by having random conversations with random people.
11. Being one of the boys has its perks but having set of girlfriends is different (plus you can’t have mani pedi sessions with the boys ie arch and iking haha).
12. Count your blessings but do not count your mishaps.
13. Pray. Always.
14. Fall in love. You can be stubborn once. But thrice is just too much
15. Don’t send drunk texts you’ll surely regret it the next day
16. Tell what your heart feels. But do not always tell what your mind thinks.
17. Don’t take things too seriously. Laugh at your mistakes
18. Don’t overanalyze.
19. Quit the drama. Life is too short for that.
20. Everything is just a matter of perspective
21. There is no age limit when it comes to chasing dreams. You can never be too young or too old for that
22. No expectations = zero frustrations. Expectations will only kill you.
23. He’s just not that into you.
24. In all things: “Kung gusto may paraan. Kung ayaw may dahilan”
25. Always say thank you. Find 5 things each day to say thank you for.

***tagged people who i wanted thank and has helped me learn a thing or two before i officially become a member of the quarterlifers :)

Count your 2010 Blessings, Learnings and Milestones

As I have mentioned in Day 1, one of the things this blog will be about is SHARING...and today, I want to share what my very good friend Tin sent me before 2010 ended.  Let me and Tin share this with you... that you may pick up a thing or two...

Big Learnings and Milestones for 2010

By Tin Te

1.      I’ve learned that when we plan for something, in our minds it is already perfect and enough.  But when God joins in our plans, what happens is something far grander than we could have imagined and planned.  This does not mean that you will just be passive in waiting and receiving.  However, this means that you have to let God know what you want.  Shoot for the stars.  Declare what you really want and mean it like you deserve it.  Then by some miraculous twist, God will pave the way for you… so easy and clear that you will be so certain it is for you.

2.      When I started the year 2010, my mantra was having and breathing abundance in my life.  And that’s what I exactly got this year.  I’ve been through times of scraping bottom that I didn’t have any peace of mind at all.  Now I know why some people end their lives because of their financial problems.  During my crisis, I turned to God and my family.  I used to have a program of being independent and not asking for financial support from family.  But God pushed me to my lowest that only my family saved me.  The story did not end there.  He gave me a new career in Singapore.  Something I have not planned nor hoped for.  And I am so happy with where I am right now.  Not to mention, it’s been so financially-rewarding.

3.      If there was another way to describe my 2010 it would be “trying… doing… giving up… and standing up again.”  There were a lot of moments this year when I was already beyond given up because I have already given up.  Yet for some reason, with all blindness, grasping to nothing and without ever thinking, I suddenly stood up and do the finish quickly.  That’s when I learned that when you have nothing, you give everything.  Sometimes, when you have nothing to lose anymore, all the more you are risk-taking and aggressive.  Maybe God puts big elephants down our paths… to let the hero in us shine through.

4.      This year, I have also proven that thoughts become things or to think is to create.  Before, I thought this line is just another cliché or another brainwash thing.  But after what I’ve been through, I really know that to think is to create.  However, we have to be cautious with our thoughts because it can become so powerful, we can create both the positive and negative.  I also realized that our subconscious is so powerful.  Our everyday self-talk, which is sometimes negative, impacts negatively on our attitudes and actions.  This year, I think I have strengthened the power of my mind.  Although I still need a lot of meditating and positive thinking, I think it’s a big achievement where I am right now.

5.      This year, I also had the chance to open my heart.  It was a rollercoaster for me as stakes were high and I am never a believer of “like” = relationship.  For me, love is the only reason.  So I loved, got broken-hearted and healed slowly.  This was as short as a rollercoaster ride but there were golden learnings from this.  First, I’ve learned that each of us deserves to settle for nothing less than butterflies.  We all have that someone for us but we never really know unless we try.  Second, to love is to risk getting hurt.  When we daydream about finding love, we are just sitting comfortably and waiting.  But the hard part is when we do find love.  Sometimes we panic, put our walls up so high or run for our lives.  I’ve learned that to be open to love, you really have to be open to the risk of getting hurt and rejected.  The rewards will be tremendous, whether it is consummated or not.  Lastly, I’ve learned something precious about myself… that I’m capable of loving.  And loving genuinely and unconditionally at that.  I am a loving and lovable person, and that has made me fall in love with myself more.

6.      People come and go in our lives.  I do believe that people come into our lives for a reason and for a special unique role.  I’m sad to have lost friends this year.  The new great friends I’ve gotten this year can never replace those that I’ve lost.  I’m just like that. I value friends and I value each role they play into my life.  I realized that I fight so hard for friendship and it takes me a long time to give up and let go.  But when it is not worth it anymore, everything I had with that friend just slips away.  At the back of my mind, there’s only hope left… hope that someday, we will have a chance again.

7.      I’ve learned that the people we spend more time and energy with have a great impact in how we live our lives.  So I just have a simple learning here - - choose the people that will surround you.  Choose the people who love (sometimes tough love is we need), support, respect and trust you.  Choose positive people, those that will inspire you and make you a better person.  Sure, there are low points for them but make sure that they don’t live in negativity.  It won’t be long before they suck you in their black hole.  Be with people who you look up to and are better than you (sometimes just perception) and you will also grow in positivity.

8.      They say that happiness is a choice.  But more than that, I believe that happiness is also a responsibility.  Other people say that happiness is difficult to achieve.  What I’ve learned from this year is that happiness starts from having peace of mind and completion in all aspects of my lives.  That was the hard and most uncomfortable part.  But once you’ve done it, life becomes easy.  This year, I can say that I am very happy with my life in general.  Sure there were down, sad, angry and disappointed moments.  But those remained purely as emotions.  They never dictated my happiness.  Once I’ve learned the difference, it was easy for me to be happy every day.  I said that happiness is a responsibility because you really have to initiate and play an active part in it.  Here are some simple things which helped me become happier everyday:

a.      I kept a blessings journal and write at least 5 blessings a day.  Of course this was hard on bad days.  But this forced me to get the lighter side from each situation.

b.      I planned for events, activities or bonding sessions that will surely excite me.  The feelings of looking forward to something and being happy when that day comes make me happy longer.

c.       I find joy in little and mundane things.  Sometimes when we’re too caught up with everyday stress at work, we forget the little things which we can joy from.  This can range from spending 10 minutes with a baby/kid or just keeping in touch with a friend.  I really commit to finding joy at least once a week to increase my happiness.  After a while, it just becomes natural.

9.      I’ve known myself to be a leaper.  A person who does big steps rather than baby steps.  I am quick and impulsive… ready, shoot and aim kind of person.  I am impatient but idealistic.  For most of my life, I have been doing this.  But this year, I’ve also learned the art of baby steps.  Of course this was hard because I wanted quick results and instant gratification.  But sometimes, some things need baby steps.  In this way, I was more confident, more supported (yes, we all need to be supported) and more appreciative.  And when everything seems dark and murky, you will just have to do baby steps your way to the light at the end of the tunnel.

10.  Lastly, I’ve learned that it is important to get out of your comfort zone.  The way to do it is to continuously facing your fears.  The thing that you are very afraid of is the next thing you should be doing.  Another effective way to extend your comfort zone is to just act on it, fail and act on it again.   This way, you are quick to detach on failures and let go of negativity.  Another way is to do a lot of breakthroughs, things you haven’t done before or imagined doing.  Believe me, you will feel invincible afterwards.  All these are of course uncomfortable.  But the rewards are heavenly. 

If you are reading this, it means that you are very very very close to my heart.  I want to thank you for being a big part of my 2010.  You are my blessing. 

Cheers to 2011! Welcome the LOVE BOAT!             J

The Dream Marathon

There were two subjects I didn't look forward to growing up, English and PE.  Other than my perception that I cannot write, I also know for a fact that I AM ASTHMATIC.  I grew up having been called "asthma girl" or "hika girl" cause at the slightest physical efforts I exert, I have to grasp for air while listening to the wheezing and whoozing of my lungs.  99% of my absences were due to asthma attacks.  It's as if my bag has an unlimited supply of excuse letters ready to be presented to my PE teacher the day after I'm absent. If you've read my mind...yes... I grew up believing that I CAN NEVER DO SPORTS.  As simple and as concrete as that. I believed that since I was in Grade One (when I first had my attack)... until last September.


Last September, I signed up for The Bull Runner's Dream Marathon.  TBR Dream Marathon is a 22-week training program for people who haven't done a marathon in their entire life.  I said "people" and not "runners" because the Dream Marathon is also for those who never ran a day in their lives but would like to pursue finishing a Marathon within 5 months.  THAT'S ME!!! And my running girl friend, Trish Ealdama, who never ran a day before this program too. And another running girl friend, Jed Quiambao, who is one of my running idols.  We are guided from the day we registered until we run 42.195 kms of our first marathon and cross the finish line.


The 22-week program is beginner friendly.  I am enjoying the whirlwind of:
- A Weekly Program developed by James Michael Lafferty (Coach Jim)
- Bull Sessions (Free Running Clinics)
- Bull Circles (Free Running Talks)
- Weight Management Coaching (Free also)


I look forward to the Race Day as:
- TBR says it's going to be a "personal and intimate" marathon
- it will be in Nuvali so that means running along a scenic route
- we will have Dream Chasers, experienced marathoners and volunteers who will run with us
- there will be a Dream Mobile, a bus that will travel along our route with family and friends onboard cheering for us;
plus other perks and freebies.


If you're feeling inspired already to do the same feat for your feet, I'm sure there will be a 3rd Dream Marathon.  You may also want to get yourself more excited by checking this out:
http://thebullrunner.com/2010/09/16/2nd-tbr-dream-marathon-register-now/


I already see myself with my finisher shirt, medal and most importantly, the statement and emotional involvement that I finally did it.


Lastly, I want to quote Coach Jim, the Dream Marathon Coach:


...soon, you shall all join that exclusive club, that 99.9% of people NEVER join.......you'll be able to say, "I am a marathoner".


Three months from now, I won't just be able to say that I CAN DO SPORTS...or I CAN RUN but I will also be able to say that I AM A MARATHONER.

Resolutions turned Breakthroughs

New Year's Eve has always been a mix of Medianoche, fireworks and a set of resolutions.  Every year, I hear the top one being to lose weight or to get in shape.  I'm actually one of those who would declare the same resolution but for this year, I'll try something new.

Instead of resolutions, I'll have BREAKTHROUGHS...
to do something I haven't done,
to learn something new,
to go beyond my comfort zone and
to defy a self-limiting belief.

So for 2011, I have two! In fact, the first one is this blog...yup, the inspiration for starting this blog is to defy that self-limitation that I CAN'T WRITE.  I've always hated English classes, having to write those formal and informal themes.  I'd rather solve math problems the entire day cause with Math, the answer is absolute...very objective, never subjective.  In writing, I feel it's so subjective and I'd feel bad getting a not-so-high grade on my essays.  At the back of my mind, how can my teacher grade something personal...I only wrote down my thoughts on paper?!?  Growing up, I've been stuck with this perception that I AM NOT A GOOD WRITER.  I would always admire those who can write long articles in our school magazine and know that I CAN NEVER be one of them.

But for this year, I AM GOING TO WRITE regardless of what people think of my writing skills.  I am going to write because there wouldn't be grades, just a purpose.  I am going to write to share my thoughts and learnings that would hopefully inspire others. I am going to write.  And by the end of this year, finally, I'd be able to say that I AM A WRITER.

Tomorrow, I'll tell you my 2nd breakthrough.

Give thanks that life is... just as it is

A Note from the Universe:
Girls, the new year starts, so now's a great time to: 

1. Wipe the slate clean. 
2. Focus upon what you really want.
3. Chart your course. 

Right? 

Well... only if you want to risk having to repeat these steps for the same wishes next year! Maybe this is splitting hairs, but here's an adventurous alternative: 

1. Give thanks that life is... just as it is (and that it's been... just as it's been). Because of it, you're now "READY." 

2. Define what you want in terms of the end result. Don't worry about the hows, or even the course. KNOW that what you want is ALREADY yours in spirit, by divine LAW, just focus on the certainty of this ownership, understand it, claim it, and "it will be on earth, as it is in heaven (spirit)." 

3. LET THE UNIVERSE show you the way via your impulses and instincts that appear as you take inspired action. Don't worry that your first steps seem silly or futile. And if you don't know what to do, do anything! Go! Get busy! Do not insist on intermediary successes, only upon the end result. 

2011 is going to be your year (it already is),
    The Universe
http://www.tut.com/resources/notes/