In Time.🌻

I've been posting pictures of weddings I attended, both on my Facebook wall and MyDay, and it's inevitable to get replies like, "ikaw kailan?", "susunod ka na ba Lou?". While I love weddings and I'm dreaming of being in that moment one day, it is not something I can force myself to. 

The society has made us believe that the best route to a fulfilled life is to study, graduate, find a job, find a boyfriend, get married, have kids, and settle. While this flow of live events is true for most of us, and it’s inspiring to see my friends and relatives actually are taking this route, this is not the only path for everyone. Some would take the road less travelled while others would take a leap of faith to get out of their shell. There may be detours and delays and that’s okay. Just because everyone says so, doesn't mean you would actually conform and settle.

At each season of our lives, we are there for a reason and a purpose. Cliché as it sounds, but we gotta honor our own pace and timeline. Few people know my breadwinner duties while growing up in a broken family and how my adulthood was pretty much spent in helping them. But friends, there's also so much growth happening around me now and I’m taking it one at a time. I am loving my season and I'm also respecting the season of the person I'm hoping and praying to marry one day.

So sa mga nagtatanong kung kailan, "in God's time" ;) Keep going and growing through life and we'll get there. Saka bukod sa busy ako, paunahin muna natin yung ate ko. Try nyo din 'to pakinggan: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2sEVyTTWqkSHzOwBWyPz2y?si=2RETIzTETlOFQYgA8Po4cw

Photo not related to caption. just adding some vibrant yellow on everyone's feed while letting my words out. But did you know that sunflowers symbolize unwavering faith and unconditional love?

27 and thinking out loud

Working from home, I was able to save time, money and energy from traveling. Though our house is not always conducive to a work-from-home setting, I'm still thankful that I still have a job. I just need to adapt. 

This year, I became less interested of things. Dala na din siguro na laging nasa bahay lang. While some are tempted in buying a lot online, I only bought books, skin care products, and home essentials. No clothes, cosmetics, nor gadgets. Anyway, that's not the point of this blog.

Before turning into this age, I took a big leap in my career and started working with P&A Grant Thornton. I’ve always wanted to work in an auditing firm, but I was rejected twice after graduation in 2014. Maybe because I don't have a license, nor was active to any org during college, nor did well on interviews, nor have a meaningful experience yet that time, I don’t know. So I set aside that desire and worked with private companies. Seven years later, I got an offer. It took me seven years to finally get in here. But it made me realize that sometimes, delays and detours are fortunate. The waiting and preparing process was very worthwhile. It was a wonderful journey working with Masaito Homes and DMCI Homes- which are the organizations that shaped me to a professional I am today. My new beginning also made me realize na bata pa ako (medyo, hahaha) and it’s never too late to start over. But what I really wanted to share in this blog are the sentiments and realizations of a woman that just turned 27:

1. That a fulfilled dream is the starting point of a new, bigger, bolder dream.

2. That God makes everything beautiful in its time. Kaya kung hindi pa beautiful, hindi pa time.

3.  That we should embrace negativities because our greatest lessons come out of pain, every problem is purpose-driven, and all breakouts eventually lead to breakthroughs.

4. That tears are prayers too.

5. That's it's okay to outgrow people as you age and retain the real ones.

6. That we should always do what makes us happy, but don't hurt people.

No lengthy blog as these points are pretty much self explanatory. Ngayong 27 na ako, gusto ko na lang maging masaya. Broad goal, yes, but I have big God.

Thank you everyone,

To reboot, relax and rediscover

Every year, I write a reflection for myself, but it's only this year that I decided to post it online. Well, not all of my friends know that I write and have a blog, but the fact that I'm posting something here means I'm sharing a part of me to the public. It feels completely ingrained in me that I keep this practice. For someone who is introspective and overthinker everyday (hahaha), writing makes me feel additionally connected to the world and it really relaxes my psyche.

2020 was one of the hardest years, not just of my life, but of a lot of people. Ang daming planong di nangyari, lakad na di natuloy, at oportunidad na nagsara. I wasn't even able to visit my family in the province nor travel at least once. Parang all of a sudden, nag-pause lahat. I'm sure I'm not alone in this sentiment. Many of my friends lost their jobs, their businesses, their loved ones, nalungkot talaga ako para sa kanila. Some of my colleagues have fallen on hard times due to the industry going to halt and shifting completely. From layoffs and furloughs to paycuts and pay freezes, not to mention figuring out how to juggle remote work and daily lives during the pandemic, 2020 has changed professional life in profound ways. Yet, I'm so wildly grateful for my favors, and it's something I always keep at the forefront of my mind. I am healthy, my family is healthy, we eat three times a day, we don't have to change our lifestyle, and we have a job. Bottom-line, considering all that has happened, 2020 forced me to slow down and cherish the things and persons I have at the moment. 

I close another year filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be here at all. I know a lot of people shouting that they hate 2020, but I still say thank you 2020, and thank you Lord.

Thank you Lord that in this situation, I got to spend more time with you and know that you are always in control. This season is also a master class in getting to know myself more, being resourceful, and gaining deeper knowledge and roots in which I came from. With soil seeped in faith, I grew in ways I never knew possible. I am grateful to have pushed beyond fear to allow integrity to flourish and lead amongst so much darkness and despair.

Onwards then, to 2021. Here's hoping life is most uphill, the books are mostly good, these days are mostly bright, and our time spent mostly amongst friends (when it's safe again). Thank you Lord for making  a difficult year bearable.

To reboot, relax, and rediscover...

I wanted to make my first blog for 2021 a little bit inspirational so I used some of my vacation leaves carried over from last year to take a break, go somewhere peaceful, and write. I also started writing this intentionally a day before Valentines day to promote self-love to every single women out there. Pero joke lang. It just so happened that February 13th is a Saturday and I am treating myself a mocha latte, resting here in a cafe, writing this blog.

New year's resolution never went out of style. I want to be specific so I listed down the areas of my life I want to focus on this year.

1. Career

I want to believe that I am one of those few that are blessed to have the ideal work-life balance, a great relationship with the boss and co-workers, and a company that embraces wellness (di nga lang malaki ang sweldo hahaha, you really can't have it all at once). No job nor employer will ever be perfect. But if the positives outweighs the negatives, then you're ahead of many.

This year, I resolve to focus on my career. I will empty my cup to fill with more learnings and leadership. I will take risk in getting out of my comfort zone and not hesitating to grab an opportunity should it knocked. I resolve that every day and every pay day, I'll remember that God owns it all. He is the giver and provider of all things, and the very reason why I earn.  

When I watched the Korean drama series Itaweon Class, the protagonist, Park Sae-royi once said "I go on a run after work in this neighborhood everyday and then I'll wake up the next day and work at the pub like any other day. Your like might seem boring and repetitive. But no one really knows what could happen tomorrow. Not a single day was predictable for me. Some days were tough and some days were sad. But something fun always come along every once in a while." Madami din talagang napupulot sa mga K-drama ehh. Sometimes I feel that I'm gonna work for the rest of my life and its gonna be too tiring, but I w as reminded that working is part of my journey to becoming a better person.

2. Family/Home

It's not easy thing to grow in a broken family, with two younger brothers to guide and support in behalf of our father. But still, my family is my home, my every reason, my life. During the pandemic, I appreciated them more. 

I have friends working abroad who weren't able to go home due to travel restrictions. They haven't seen their families for over a year and no once can tell when the lockdown will be lifted for them to return to Philippines. It saddens me, even it's the story of other family. So I resolve to make the time spent with my family a quality time. 

3. Ministry

I read in another blog that "committing to our faith in Christ is the basis of our existence and commitment to God will reinforce our other commitments." Our personal commitment to God is an ongoing process. It involves honestly assessing our direction in life. 

Before the lockdown, going to church on every Sunday is sometimes hard, lalo sa tulad ko na nagcocommute papuntang kapilya. But my Sundays are my rest and my charging station so I can go on a week of working again. It's really such a big shift to temporarily not go to physical church during the outbreak of COVID-19. But I resolve that no virus will stop me from my ministry.  

I miss my friends in the church. Thanks to the prevalence of technology, we can still gather even just virtually. The bible says "as iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other". 

This year, I resolve to be a committed leader to my Vgroup. This resolution involves a lot of sacrifices but I see the long-term result. Kaya even at my busiest and loneliest day, I commit to make time for the Lord and for my sisters in Christ. By grace, kakayanin. Proverbs 16:3 says “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” I will make a commitment today and follow through that  long-term commitment for a start of a more meaningful camaraderie.

4. Self.

I put this part on the last since, actually and as always, what I want is always the least priority. Ewan ko ba, ganun yata talaga pag breadwinner, yung satisfaction mo ay nasa kasiyahan ng iba. This morning, I caught myself staring blankly at the empty seat in front of me, which I wish is a business partner, a client, or a boyfriend enjoying the coffee with me. Sometimes, I can't help but compare my achievements to those who are of my age or same batch during college. At 26, yung iba may business na, may sariling bahay, may sasakyan, or manager na. Yung iba, ikinasal na din and they are financially (and spiritually) stable to raise a family. But then I shook myself out of that momentary bout and just opened my bible to have my daily devotion. It says in Habakkuk 2:3 that "If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay." At that moment, I was reminded that I am exactly where God wants me to be. He reminded me kung anong mindset and heart content ba dapat meron ako at this season of my life, and that is panghawakan ko ang timing Niya.

This year, I commit to love my self and not hinder my self in anything that is about to come. I resolve to make time for, and not be too hard on, myself. Time - this thing is very essential, lalo na pag single ka. Like habang nagkakape ako, sobrang naappreciate ko yung time ko mag-isa at gusto ko sanang i-capture to, kaso wala naman akong kasama. I have two option though, either magpapicture ako sa staff, or I'll just set my phone timer. Nag-rely na naman ako sa time and I chose the latter.

I want to thrive. I want to grow. But growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment. I must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow, and persist in growing.

I pray that whatever I do, I glorify God.

But I can't just pray like it depends on God.  I also have to work like it depends on me. If we want God to do the supernatural, we've got to do the natural. So again, reboot, relax and rediscover.

Xo,

Quarantine Book Reviews

It's been a while since I wrote my last blog post and I just had a feeling that I should write again. There are not many happenings in my life so this time, my topic is about nothing more than my favorite things within the four corners of our house: MY BOOKS.

I started writing this during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) due to the outbreak of COVID-19. A lot of people are sharing (or ranting, rather) on social media that they're getting fat coz they do nothing but to sleep and eat at home; that they're so bored; that they badly wanna return to their normal work setting because the 'feels' of doing tasks at your work table is far different from when you are at the comfort of your room; that they miss their friends and their regular gimmicks; and the long list goes on.

Well, guys, I feel you. While there are disadvantages that this ECQ bring, please remember that we are not locked at home, but we are SAFE at home. Though we can only do limited things at home, let's just look at the positive side of everything and find ways to be productive. Ako, my time was pretty much spent with watching movies with my siblings, cooking meals, crocheting bags, playing the piano and learning a new piece (not really a musician tho), and most of all, reading books.

Why read?

For some, reading books is a boring thing to do. It takes a lot of time and the whole thought of the story cannot be grasped unless you finish the whole book. 

Yet, for me, books are amazing. Reading is a timeless form of information and entertainment. While there are a lot of people who might not enjoy reading as much as I do, let me share to you four reasons why I love to read:

1. It makes my imagination go wider!
When we read, we not only look at those letters written inside the book. Those words we are immersed in and the characters we come across are simulated, causing us to picture out what is described in the book. Little did we know, reading is already bringing joy to our lives. I'm not really an avid reader of fantasy books. But when I read Harry Potter, it became my favorite. Magic is beautiful. I imagined all sort of things! It allows me to explore a different world without moving my feet. At some point, gusto ko na din maging witch. LOL.

Sometimes, the days can be stressful and worrisome, but when I lay down at night and curl up with a good book, it lifts my spirits along with that stress and worry.

2. It sharpens my mind and aids in my focus.
I always prefer a quiet and empty place whenever I read. This is to avoid distractions and keep my focus on the book alone. But as time went by, I managed to read in public transportation, in the office during the break time, or in the sala while my brothers are watching YouTube videos. Our minds can be thinking about a lot of things all the time. Reading at least a little each day improves our focus and memory function. It stimulates the brain. Just like physical exercise, reading is a form of mental exercise that pushes our memory and focus to the limits.

Every time I buy books, I always make a goal to finish at least one book per month. That would be 12 books in a year. I, sometimes, can read one book per week. Achieving this goal means my brain has exercised enough. Consider what happens when we work out. Muscles grow and become much stronger. Reading books works much the same way for our minds. 

3. It expands my vocabulary and strengthens my writing and speaking abilities.
This actually happened without me even realizing it. Reaching this part of my blog, I can't believe I've written this much! 

When I read books, especially English ones, I used to encounter a few words I don't quite understand. This confusion led me to searching that word's meaning and that definition remains in my mind. When we went to Singapore, though I'm not as fluent in English as someone who lives in an English-speaking country, I was comfortable communicating with the people. I think, one of the reasons why I can converse well is because I read a lot.

4. It disconnects me from social media and makes me more productive.
It's easy to enjoy reading when we're merely doing it for pleasure. Since madami akong time, pinili kong gamitin yung time na to sa pagbabasa. Less stress, more knowledge, more entertainment, more relaxation.

I'm gonna share about my book collection and five of my favorites:

Book Reviews

1. HARRY POTTER (☆9/10)

I was just a baby when the first book of Harry Potter was published and released to public. Moreover, I was only five when its first movie was premiered. I never knew Harry Potter until 2011, when its last and final movie was aired and everyone I know got hyped-up about it. 

I am more of a book reader than a movie watcher. When my officemate gave me a copy of Harry Potter E-book, she encouraged me to read it. So I did. I loved the first book! When I won a VIP Pass to the Big Bad Wolf Book Sale last February 2020, I bought a set of it. It has seven books and was published by different publishers all over the world. Mine was published by Bloomsbury. I got my set for Php3,900.00, 15% off from its original price in the market.

Harry Potter is an English half-blood wizard and was the only child of James and Lily Potter. He grew up in the world of muggles (non-magic folks), unaware of his powers, until his 11th birthday. He began attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardy and was sorted into Gryffindor House where he met his friends Ron and Hermione. The books showed his journey through the wizarding world and defeat of dark powers. Teka, bakit ba ini-introduce ko pa, kilala naman ng lahat si Harry Potter?

Anyway, sa haba ba naman ng lockdown, hindi ko pa ba matatapos yung pitong libro? While writing this blog, I'm already in the 12th chapter of the 7th book. So far, yung 3rd book ang favorite ko.

I also watched the movie every after I read the book. But there were some omitted scenes, though not that material to the main twist of the story. Of course, it's impossible to fit a 600+ paged book in a 2-hour movie, I understand, but I expected a lot. Hehehehe. It's amazing to see those words that you read turn into visual characters. But I suggest that you read first the book before watching the movie. Minsan lang, pag nauuna yung movie, di ko masyadong naiintindihan dahil ang bibilis nilang magsalita at and arte ng accent nila. Hehehe.

My review? This is an awesome fantasy. Medyo matagal-tagal siguro bago ako maka-getover dito. Nakakahanga din ang lawak ng isipan ni J.K. Rowling, lalo sa mga characters na binuo nya. Parang at some point in my life, ginusto kong maging isang witch at makapasok din sa Hogwartz. Iniisip ko din na mag-tour sa Japan after this pandemic, bisitahin and Universal Studios doon at magfeeling witch for a day. 

2. THE LITTLE PRINCE (☆8/10)

The Little Prince is an inspirational book in a child's approach. I've read this book more than a couple of times and it's so good! Hindi ako nagsasawa. The book is just short and concise one, with big fonts and colorful illustrations. The story opens with a pilot stranded in the desert and wakes up to find a tiny prince standing before him. I would recommend this book to people who like adventure stories because the prince travels to all the different magical places. Everyone should read it and learn how growing up doesn’t mean forgetting that we were once kids.

One of my favorite characters in the fox- the way he was spilling wisdom to the prince. The fox is someone we have in our life, someone we love without them asking, but because they are there, making us see the beauty of the world.

This book has different publishers, mine is Egmont; 01 edition (7 Sept. 2017) You can actually finish reading this one in an hour or two.

3. AT FIRST SIGHT (☆8/10)

I like novels. Pero if you're a Sparks' books' reader, matatanong mo na "hindi ba pwedeng mabuhay naman yung bida sa huli?". But this book has the best twist and good endings sa lahat ng pinatay nya lol (for me ha). 

As for the reading experience, there was always something going on to keep you interested. But as soon as you could be happy again it would turn depressing all over again. Sobrang roller-coaster at depressing yung pinagdaanan ng characters, mapapabuntong-hininga ka na lang minsan. Can't give more about the story kasi baka ma-spoil, but this is recommended!

4. ALL YOUR PERFECTS (☆9/10)

Very beautifully written that I ended up shedding a bucket of tears! This book gave me all the feels. Sobrang realistic ng love story, hindi open ang ending, at madami talagang matututunan - not only in handling a relationship but also loving one's self.

The book flips back and forth between the past and the present to understand the characters (Quinn and Graham) and their relationship better. Walang chapter na boring and finishing one chapter would make you eager to read the next one. Worth reading and rereading!

I got this book from National Bookstore during my birthday. There are a lot of books on sale so I was fortunate enough to score this one for P250.00 only. I'm gonna share below some of the pages from the book na hinighlight ko talaga dahil sobra kong damang-dama!

5. YOU CAN, YOU WILL

The reason why I put this in the last part of my blog is many people tend to ignore a post about God, faith, or bible. While these things do not interest the many, I believe that these are still the most relevant and significant.

We all need encouragement in this life. This book allowed me to pause and examine my thoughts, words, and actions. We all need someone or something that will spur us on in the direction of our dreams and goals. That's what I've dedicated this blog to encouraging you and helping you to see yourself the way God sees you so that you can embrace all that He has for you! This one's a good read, halos i-highligh ko bawat page sa dami ng words of wisdom and quotable quotes.

End of book review.ヅ

Albeit the fake and/ or disheartening news all over the television and/ or social media feed, let's still go back to the Word and rest our hearts on the truths of Jesus. I encourage everyone who might read this to start a habit of reading, kasi very helpful talaga sa panahong ito... para di tayo nabobother or nag-ooverthink about our future. Hehe.

There are other books that I read aside from those that I mentioned above but it will be too many to share them all. I finished writing everything on this blog today, May 5, so here's another entry. Hope you learned something from this post.

Xo,

An Open Letter to J

July 28, 2020

Hi J!

A month after our last conversation, I though about you. There were words that formed in my mind but I know I can't say these to you in person. So I wrote these in my blog with a little hope that one day, you'll be able to read them.

I remember every detail of you: what you love (mountains), when's your birthday (April 16th), what's your hobby (reading), what you do (risk underwriting, but you're heart is in teaching), where you grew up (Bulacan), etc. Believe me when I say that I also remember every detail of us: where we met (PUP), where we had our first milktea (ChaTime), first meal out (at Trinoma) and a lot more! I enjoyed my moments with you. It was for a short period of time, but everything was wonderful.

Being with you, I feel all sorts of emotions. Not the kind that romantic movies bring, but the kind when I hug my pillow after a long stressful day. Resting. Reassuring. Whenever you chat, or write, your words are gem. You used to say that you are not good at things like that. But I can say that you are....because you are trying. It's not every day that you get to receive a (love) letter. I'm kilig! ;) Days went by and we started to spend most of our time apart than face-to-face. We began to rarely talk even online. Wala ka sa bansa. Tapos busy tayo pareho.  

So ano nga bang nagyari sa atin?

I kinda hoped na nagkaroon pa sana tayo noon ng time kilalanin ang isa't isa. There are a lot of things that I want to share about my life, so your perspective of me will not be limited only on how you met me in PUP. I wished we had went to church together, or went ice skating, or visited a museum, and things like that. Sana din, mas nakilala kita. But our lives kinda drifted apart. That's when I realized that....

Today is not the best time. Your existence overwhelmed me, pero hindi ito ang pagkakataon para sa ating dalawa. I can't offer anything more than what we have now and our duties as bread winners call us desperately.

I know that you know my priorities as well. There are deeper and personal reasons na sana nai-share ko sayo before, hindi lang tayo binigyan ng pagkakataon (or should I say, di ko ginrab ang pagkakataon dahil I was too pre-occupied by my priorities). 

J, I hurt you. So many times that it also bothered me and made me pray to God about it. I prayed for your healing. Indeed, there is no easy way of turning a person down, but I hope you understand the reason why I did it. With that, I am so sorry.

I hope, in the end, you'll take my answer as a blessed NO - an answer of redirection, not a pure rejection. I hope you'll get over that feeling that was rushing that night. 

God works in ways we cannot fathom. Maybe God is steering you away from the wrong person because he's about to introduce you to the kind that will motivate you to hone your faith. God will not end a chapter of your life and leave the next page empty. I pray that one day, you'll have that woman of your dreams and prayers. 

Who knows, baka di mo pa sya nakikilala, baka nakasalubong mo na sya, baka katabi mo na, o baka...

ako pa din pala, timing lang talaga.

Xo,

REST.

This is me, maximizing my break time in the office by taking a good and deep nap.
Photo taken by my friend/ office mate during a weekday on December;
I got this from her IG story.

I am writing this blog because, finally, I can.

I was having my devotion yesterday and while doing so, the words that I read hit me hard. I decided to share them. I believe this is very relevant as all of us looked forward to this time of the year when we take a break from what we regularly do and spend some time with our love ones. Words in this blog are not purely mine, but also from the devotional materials that I used.

REST.

November - December 2019

 - I started a new audit project, which is also my last project for 2019. I used to do field work once to twice a week. Not easy of course, I'm not at the comfort of my seat. I have to carry my laptop, commute...well, not just the regular convenience and work scenario. Hirap pa pag umuulan tapos rush hour.

 - I have to stay longer in the office, two to three times a week, for the choir rehearsals (I am part of the corporate choir) since we will be singing in a lot of Christmas parties of our company this December.

 - Our department joined the decor competition in the office, we only do our decor after office hours. We stayed late to make a giant Christmas card and an explanation about such. We go home not earlier than 10PM. Then I have to wake up 5AM the following day for work.

 - I am part of the church music team line-up, twice a month. I have to study songs, memorize them, arrange keys, and lead the group. Rehearsals are every Saturday afternoon, and I sing in two worship services the following day.

 - Christmas parties! Seven in the office, four in the church, one in the family.

 - I joined two marathons: a 10KM and a 16KM run, two consecutive weeks. I wake up early on Saturdays to jog and prepare.
 - And the long list goes on...

Some events happen on the same day.

At some point in December, I got so tired.

When all these things were done, nasabi ko talaga sa sarili ko na "finally,  bakasyon na, makakapagpahinga na ako".

Too often we think that rest means we should be lazy. It means we can totally chill out at home and do absolutely nothing. While there may be an element of that in our restful times, that is not the whole story.

1. Rest is about recovery.

It is knowing when we are drained, exhausted, and need to breathe deeply for a while. It is knowing our limits and how we are handling the demands of daily lives. In order for our bodies to fully recover, we must receive abundant rest, which includes sleeping well at night.

It's hard to do multiple things at a time or simultaneously. As much as we want to be equally good in everything that we do, our body just can't. We have limited energy. Pag pagod ka na, magpahinga ka na. Kasi kung hindi, meron at merong masasakripisyo. 

Last December 1, a Sunday, and I have a marathon at 3AM, churchmates gathering at 11AM, and worship service and church duties at 3PM and 5PM, and a Christmas party at 7PM. Wala pa akong matinong tulog that week. Tapos that Sunday, I have to wake up 1AM to be on time at the marathon venue. I did well in my marathon naman but I got tired and my efficiency was dramatically reducing. Gusto ko yung mga ginagawa ko. All the things that I have to attend, I was eager to go to, kahit pagod ako. Pero di na ako naka-attend sa VG, minamalat na sko during the worship service, and half-awake na ako during the Christmas party. I wasn't able to give my best. Tapos sa mga sumunod na araw, hindi na ako productive sa trabaho.

Nagkaron ako ng mga "sana pala..." thoughts.

I realized that when you're tired, continuing is not very smart.

2. Rest is about refreshment.

It is learning what energizes us and what doesn't. It is choosing to incorporate activities that will bring refreshing times to our spirits. If we continue doing things that deplete us wen we be finding things that fill us, refreshment will never come. We must make more deposits into this bucket than withdrawals during our times of rest.

I though that being productive is being able to do a lot of things in a day. Pero sa dami ng ganap ko sa buhay, lagi akong pagod at bagsak na sa bahay. I wasn't able to do my daily devotions. Justifying my act by "sobrang busy ko lang talaga", naging excuse ko yung mga bagay-bagay to set aside my devotion, which is very very wrong.

3. Rest is about renewal.

It is experiencing a deep renewal in all parts of our lives. It is spending time with God so that we are spiritually made new.

While we may love to do certain things that refreshes us mentally we need our spirits refreshed by spending time with God each day. 

As vacation approached, I went back to my usual routine. I do my daily devotions again. And my devotion speak a lot to me.

I realized, it's okay to say NO.

It's okay to take a rest.

It's okay to do one thing at a time, one day at a time. Kung pagud na pagod ka na at pwede mo naman gawin mamaya, bukas, next week, next time, next month, o next year, you may do so. Ang difference lang naman nila, eh TIMING But always ask God's intervention in your decision.

4. Fill Up To Pour Out

The reason we need rest is because we have been working or exerting energy in some way. And just because we learn how to rest and may feel rested, doesn't mean we will stay that way. We rest and get rest so that we can work again. There is a beautiful ebb and flow of working and resting; and being filled up so that we can pour out.

Meditating on God's word and disconnecting from things that distract us are practices that fill us back up, we find rest as we do these daily. Just like our physical bodies need ample hours each night to recover, our spirits do as well. We can't have a strong vibrant spirits without investing in them.

We wake up each day with a certain amount of mental, emotional, and physical energy. When we have poured out everything we have to give, we must rest. When we are in this state, there is less of us to get in the way of His work in our lives.

Lean in, be still, and rest. Don't be too hard on yourself, magpahinga ka din. This is the most opportune and appropriate time to be filled up with God's spirit.

Xo,

Wear it!

Last weekend, we went to the beach and during our free time, we played by the shore and took some photos. I told my friend to take photos of me from afar or from a different angle para di ako magmukang hubadera at hindi lang kasi talaga ako confident sa katawan ko lol. I went through great lengths to edit photos to make a "payat" me and hide my eczema scars but my friend told me to embrace my reality and that there's nothing to be ashamed of. I was so conscious about what people would say if those photos are posted online but she told me "you know, you would still gain the respect you deserve, regardless of what you wear or do not wear, simply because they know what kind of person you are".

Ang ending, syempre ito lang din ipopost ko hahaha. Hintayin ko na lang mga magta-tag sakin. No, really, I just want to say that no one is flawless and there is no image we have to be. Just celebrate your short legs, your stretchmarks, your flabs, your chubby cheeks etc. Love yourself coz God made you perfect.

Also, it's your character that multiplies your beauty. ;)

xo,

Lou