Find the joy.

May and June had been pretty tough months for me. The week after Pinatubo, I was down with the flu
so I was absent for a number of days. I haven't been that sick in years and with my low pain tolerance to boot, the flu was excruciating, killing me. Went back to work with loads of tasks piled up and it seemed my job has completely taken over my life. I feel very unorganized and overwhelmed with my chores, up until today, my desk folders are in a messy array. My birthday passed and I celebrated it with a guiltless shopping spree which really brought my 'savings' to the brink. I'm also having a hard time with my faith. I'm a Catholic by heart and I want to stay that way forever but it's been really difficult for me. I'm mentally, physically, emotionally, financially and spiritually drained these days. Such exhaustion kept me away from this happiness project of mine. And I'm always nearly in tears and breakdown. Is this depression? What keeps me is hope. It helps that I hold on to my St. Jude prayer that I keep in my pocket. I was reading the verses the other day and I was crying afterwards.

I'm in a confused state now. But one thing is clear, I want to be happy and continue this project.
Ok, not even over-the-top happy. To be "at peace" will do. So here's what I'll work on..

Mental - Stop thinking to much. I'm a time freak, worrywart which heightens my stress level all the time.
Physical - Start exercising again. Take the vitamins everyday. Don't forget the flu shots and have my tests scheduled.
Emotional - Deal with relationships maturely. Don't waste time and others' time, feelings and efforts.
Financial - Start saving again and stop shopping! Budget, Ayen, b-u-d-g-e-t!!!
Spiritual - Pray always. Things will get better. And I'm really serious about attending the HESL retreat.
Educational - Learn a new skill. Save up for driving lessons and try cooking.

Need to work on my attitude starting today. The bright side is I still have July-December.
This is a start.

Side note: Is it just me or I looked happier and healthier when I welcomed 22 than when I turned 21?

Life Lessons for March 2012

I sure am one lazy blogger. Well, I have not much updates to supply anyway since 2 planned March getaways were canceled due to fortuitous events, or in Oblicon lingo, "force majeure".

Read on for my monthly dose of lessons learned.

61. What does not kill you will make you stronger. (Fighting!)
62. Thick (but approachable) face, Dark (but kind) heart.
63. Pay it forward.
64. Never let you past dictate to you who you are but let it be a part of who you will become.
65. From buying something to choosing friends, from tasks to be done to having fun, quality over quantity.
66. Love your job, love your boss, love your team.
67. Learn from other people's mistakes. You can't make them all yourself.

68. What I never had, I never miss.
69. Give yourself a break after a long day's work. Some me time to relax, refresh and recharge to face curve balls ahead.
70. Never let the fear of striking out keeps you from playing the game.
71. The only perspective is to really be there.
72. Breathe. It calms the mind.
73. No matter how good or bad the situation is, it will change.
74. Happiness comes from within. Love yourself for who or what you are.

75. Envy is a waste of time. You already have what you need. (Noted!)
76. What you can measure, you can manage.
77. Be better than before, better than others and better than expected! (Company motto FTW)
78. Live without apology. Own your life.
79. Seek first to understand, then to be understood.
80. Before feeling inferior about others doing something useful and valuable, realize that you are doing something useful and valuable too.
81. Knowing the enemy is winning half the battle. (Art of War)
82. When making decisions, always use your reason. But consider your heart for heart has reason even reason could not understand. (Overheard)
83. Don's speculate. You need evidence before you come up with conclusions. Ask, research and study first. (Morning lesson)
84. You don't have to agree on everything. Voice out your opinions when you have to.
85. Sometimes you really have to do things you are not comfortable doing. Pero ganyan sa business, walang personalan.
86. You try, you fail. You try, you fail. But, the real failure is when you stop trying.

87. If it's a broken part, replace it. If it's a broken arm then brace it. If it's a broken heart then face it. (Details in the Fabric)
88. Hope is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective; a lot of hope is dangerous. (Hunger Games)
89. Embrace your weaknesses and turn them into strengths.
90. It's okay to be happy. For as long as you don't trample others' feelings to get happiness.
91. Be spontaneous. When a planned getaway is cancelled *ahem*, there's another adventure waiting for you. Go and be game.

Life Lessons for February 2012

Work ate up most of my time this month. Hence, the long overdue blog update.

I have so many moments to share, but for now, let me give you my February batch of life lessons. Read on.

32. Go out of your comfort zone. Say hello to technology.

33. Don't say yes to everything. Learn how to turn down and say no when you have to. You're neither a doormat nor a robot.

34. Be approachable, considerate & helpful to your officemates. A happy working environment lessens the stress.

35. Do it yourself.

36. Don't let your mind stop you from having a good time. -Jason Mraz

37. When do you stop asking questions? Once you get the answer.

38. Never settle for "Okay lang" and "Pwede na". You're born to have the best, do your best and be the best.

39. Pay attention to details. Always double check and re-check.

40. Find fulfillment from your job and use it as a motivation to keep going.

41. Act with confidence and maturity.

42. One of the highest (but usually taken for granted) forms of respect is listening. Listen.

43. During (rare) family time, really be there. Forget about work, turn off the internet *coughs*, answer the SMS later.

44. Stuff you can splurge on? Comfy shoes, reliable umbrella, and the like.

45. "Be Love" <3

46. Surround yourself with happy people, good stuff, and a positive environment. Shoo away negativity - -you don't need any.

47. Instead of labeling people as difficult, think of them as different.

48. You are investing the best years of your life to your current job. Make it a good investment.

49. Don't just think out of the box. Try thinking without the box.

50. Keep the faith.

51. Never lose that yearning for learning. Otherwise, you'll become a dinosaur.

52. The person who is nice to you, but not nice to the waiter, is not a nice person.

53. Learn how to say NO.

54. The magic is within you. There ain't no crystal ball.

55. Don't take yourself too seriously. No one else does.

56. "When you want something, the best person to depend on is yourself." (Loved this quote I read somewhere)

57. Make time for your friends. Through ups and down, they'll be there for you, keeping you sane.

58. Pay yourself FIRST.

59. Manage expectations and address them beforehand.

60. People who do not say what they want, don't give themselves a chance to get what they really want.

Life Lessons for January 2012

I was inspired by random twitter accounts which provide tips/lessons and by "God Never Blinks" so since the year started, I made it a point to write down one lesson, no matter how basic or shallow, that I learn each day.

It's amazing I gained so much wisdom from the past 31 days alone. What more can a lifetime offer?

Oh well, below are my gained wisdom from January 2012. Read on.

1. Welcome each day as an opportunity to learn, to love, to share, to prosper, to grow, to shine.

2. There is no substitute to preparation. Overprepare, then go with the flow.

3. Fear is a great indication that you are on the threshold of growth.

4. There’s a time and place for hardheadedness. Wearing wedges to the MRT will kill you.

5. Don’t prolong things you can finish doing in a minute. Do it today, do it now.

6. Count your blessings. You’ll be surprised you have so much.

7 Work smart in the office. Then, enjoy your weekend.

8. Travel. Adventure is out there!

9. We first make our habits then our habits make us.

10. Take down notes, make a list, set the alarm. You won’t remember everything.

11. Be sensitive and considerate. Enough.

12. Take control of your happiness and inner peace.

Never wait for someone or something to make it happen for you.

13. Keep in touch with family and friends. They’re your number one source of love support, inspiration and happiness.

14. Never deprive yourself from food and sleep. Basta bawal magtipid sa pagkain.

15. Make anything you do a stepping stone in achieving your dreams.

16. Work to learn, not just to earn. Fruits of hard work will follow.

17. Say please, Thank you or Sorry when you have to. And sincerely.

18. Be self-motivated. No managers or supervisors should be pushing you to do things and

act now other than yourself.

19. Get busy living.

20. Maintain a cheery, positive attitude especially in the workplace. You'll never know.

21. Work on that stage fright. You got nothing to lose, so relax.

22. Have patience with kids(e.g. cousins). They can be noisy, naughty and all over the place but they're kids.

Like what do you expect?

23. Never blame others with what is happening in your life. You are in control.

24. Rest. Good health is important. You can't live an awesome existence with colds and a weak of a system.

25. Never assume. Wait before a go before you go.

26. You lose nothing by asking.

27. Finish what you started before moving on to the next task.

28. Never stop learning. Ask questions, read, try Google, don't stop until you get the answer.

29. Listen. learn how to.

30. Drink lots of water. Everyday.

31. Work smart. Productive is a go, Workaholic is a no.