2020 may be a forgettable year but still, “Thank you”

I had been planning to meet 2021 with the words, “GOOD RIDDANCE, 2020!”

After all, what was there to remember of 2020? The Taal Volcano eruption in January, followed by COVID-19 cases showing up in the Philippines leading to a March lockdown, devastating typhoons, floods, and earthquakes. It seemed like all possible disasters that could happen to the Philippines all decided to show up in 2020. Personally, I have lost track of days. I have not stepped out of my house since March 15. All I know of what is going on in Metro Manila is from the internet and TV. Our world has been turned upside down.

But life also changed (for the better, I think) because of the pandemic. My life became simpler.

  • We had more time as a family to bond because thankfully, my kids’ employers were able to arrange work-from-home schedules. It’s the best of both worlds for us. They get to work from the safety of home; I get to see and talk to them every day!
  • A major change for me was to finally refuse to dye my hair. It began when the salon in my neighborhood closed down. Being locked down, there was no burning need anymore for me to keep on coloring my hair every few weeks. My thinning hair became thicker without chemicals on it. My hair is now a natural silver. My niece says I should say ‘platinum’ (haha, it sounds more sophisticated). I am just waiting a few more months till it is safer for me to visit a proper salon so that the remaining length that still has color can finally be chopped off and I get a great hairstyle in all my platinum glory. I have joined a global Facebook group of women growing out our gray hair. It is a very supportive and loving group. What a journey this is!
  • I have had more time to declutter. Major decluttering! I found a recycling center that schedules pickups of whatever I do not need at home anymore (paper, boxes, glass bottles, damaged appliances, used furniture, and even the ecobricks I make. It’s amazing how decluttering actually makes me feel a positive shift in energy around the home. The less stuff at home, the more space for fresh air to circulate.
  • A big realization also was the amount of money I have saved just by attending online media events. I used to have a car and driver at my disposal each time I went out. I had to take care of the driver’s meals as well as parking fees. Not to mention the depreciation of the car and gasoline expenses. Now that blogger events have moved online, those expenses are gone. Plus, I no longer have travel time. How wonderful to be able to sleep in longer, wear little to no makeup, and still be able to attend the media event.
  • I have been able to attend weekday Masses more frequently. This Sunday-only kind of Mass-goer discovered several online Masses, including The Manila Cathedral masses. The Mass has become extra special for me and I derive a lot of inspiration from the homilies.

There is really truth to the saying that in every situation, including what we think is bad, there are silver linings and there is always a reason. I look at my silver linings for 2020 and say “Thank you, 2020! Thank you, Lord!”…because now I see what is more important. Right on top is my family’s health. This trumps everything else that I may have “lost” by being locked down.

I do not know what 2021 will bring but I am hopeful. Here’s something a friend posted on her Facebook account. It resonated so strongly with me so I asked permission from her to share it here. Let me know how this strikes you.

Happy New Year! May 2021 be so much more healthy, peaceful, and kinder to us all.

Reminders for Senior Citizens

It is not every day that I come across nuggets of wisdom worth sharing. This one is from an ex-officemate, Jimmy Cabangis. In his Facebook post on our group page, he credits his guru, Andy Ferreria. Whether this is originally Jimmy’s or his guru’s does not matter. If you are a senior citizen or nearing that age, read on and internalize the words.

What do you think of the advice? Please share your thoughts in the comment box below.

 


Reminders for Senior Citizens…

1. It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

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Ladies: Always live from your true selves

I was ecstatic when El Gamma Penumbra won the first Asia’s Got Talent. It was a moment of pride for the Philippines.

But I got caught up in another story — the story of how Gerphil Flores, who placed third in this same show, was once rejected in the local version of the talent show, Pilipinas Got Talent, five years ago. Two lady judges told her that she was better off using her voice to sing pop songs rather than her classical choices. As a result, she was eliminated. Gerphil (known then as Fame) stood her ground and told the judges that it was what she did well, that she was hopeful that her kind of singing (a cross-over combining pop with classical singing) would catch on with the young people.

Gerphil Flores (from her Facebook profile pic album)
Gerphil Flores (from her Facebook profile pic album)

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Starting a Goal and Gratitude Jar

I had been thinking for a while about how to usher in 2015. I wanted something that would make next year even more meaningful and have more purpose. And I wanted it to be centered on gratitude.

Gratitude quote 1

Isn’t that so true? We wrack our brains sometimes thinking of what to be thankful for and yet if we really became aware and mindful, we’d see the little blessings that come our way each day.

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A Mother’s Right to Bury her Child is Sacred

She is accused of many crimes,  among them kidnapping, murder and attempted homicide. Her last name (Rosal) rings familiar in all areas of society.  After all, she is the daughter of the late Gregorio “Ka Roger” Rosal, known as the New People’s Army (NPA) spokesperson. Last March 27, on orders of a court in Quezon, Andrea Rosal was arrested in Caloocan City.

Andrea Rosal was pregnant and close to full term, was placed in a tiny cell with several other women inmates, and not given ample medical attention (a contention by some human rights groups). She prematurely gave birth to Diona Andrea Rosal but 2 days after, Baby Diona passed away due to “persistent pulmonary hypertension”.

Andrea Rosal with daughter
Andrea Rosal with Baby Diona Andrea (photo from Free Andrea Rosal Movement)

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Another Chapter in my Life Journey: Speaking and Social Business Consulting

“Life always has different chapters. You just can’t be in the same chapter forever. You’ll get stuck.” ~ @WilzKanadi

This quote jumped out at me as I was checking my Twitter timeline. I did not exactly think of my life in terms of chapters but when I look back, I can indeed see the “chapters” and how they have led me to where I am now and what I will be doing down the road.

Life has no limitations
(photo courtesy of “Inspire Positive Soul Sensations” on Facebook)

Chapter 1 – The Driven Life of a Type A Person

In this article, it says “Type A personalities experience a constant sense of urgency: Type A people seem to be in a constant struggle against the clock.  Often, they quickly become impatient with delays and unproductive time, schedule commitments too tightly, and try to do more than one thing at a time, such as reading while eating or watching television.

That pretty much summed me up during my growing up and early corporate years. I lead a very academic- and career-oriented life. Graduating at the top of my class in high school and college were the fruits of that labor. I was just as driven when I joined SGV (over 15 years) where I was exposed to financial audits, research, lectures and training, computer audits and IT consultancy.

In between projects abroad and local work, I also took a 2-year hiatus and went to Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania where I earned my MBA degree under a scholarship from SGV.

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