Three weeks ago, my talented classmate from college, Andi, commented on my LinkedIn post where I shared my first blog. She asked to 'collab' with me, and I have never felt more legit!
I’m glad I immediately said yes because now, I’m sitting in our apartment while listening to ‘Fix You’ by Coldplay, contemplating all the things I am thankful for.
For starters, I want to thank Andi for this lovely challenge! It has been pretty chaotic and I sure could use some time to just reflect on the blessings that I have. It will not magically make my worries go away, but it's good for me to know that despite my problems--I'm still in a position to help. Does it make any sense?
I’m sure that you, who is reading this now, are also having a rough time. Maybe that’s why you’re reading this now, to look for a bit of positivity?
Well, I’ll go get started then.
1. My job and colleagues
I am grateful and humbled to hold a permanent role in Coles. Even before this pandemic, I still feel butterflies in my stomach with the realisation of how blessed I am to land this job only after a month of job search.
The people I worked with and knew me well, would know how passionate I am in the things I do. I have to care about my job in order for me to do well; it can’t just be about the money and title. And so, I’m also thankful to my colleagues who continue to motivate and hold me to a high standard. It is in seeing them caring about their job, that I found more reasons to believe in the importance of what I do. You know who you are—thank you so much.
Of course, I am also thankful that I am able to give a bit back to my family in the Philippines because of my job. They deserve all the best, and it makes me happy that I can somehow help out.
2. The front liners
In times like this, I learned to cherish everything that makes me smile. From witty memes, funny anecdotes, to stories that restore my faith in humanity. And so, I’m thankful for all the workers who not only carry on with their responsibilities, but also puts their heart in what they do.
To all the doctors, nurses, teachers, supermarket staff, street cleaners, food deliverers, and trustworthy government leaders & workers, policemen, please keep going beyond… PLUS ULTRA. 😉
Sincerely wanting to help and giving your 101% to help others are beyond your job description. Malasakit cannot be taught in school. Thank you so much for being a source of hope.
3. My friends
One of the perks of being a social butterfly is being friends with the most interesting people. My friends sure know how to have fun! After hanging out with anyone of them, I would often go home with a smile plastered across my face. I usually end up losing my voice from all the laughing too. God knows how much I miss them all.
Most of my friends would tease me whenever I give emotional and heartfelt birthday messages—‘lakas maka-artista ng greeting,’ they said. I only do that because I want them to know how much they truly meant to me.
So to my friends who patiently listened, clapped back at my haters, called me crazy and yelled at my face when I said I can’t do it or that I’m unworthy—thank you all so much. I know I have a reputation of being a ‘strong’ woman, but I am only managing to be like this because of the great friends I have.
We may not be in touch all the time, but I am always here for you. I will never be too busy for whatever it is that you want to talk to me about. Let me return the favour to you for being such an amazing friend.
I wish you all nothing but happiness and success. You deserve nothing but the best, anyone who tells you or makes you otherwise is an idiot.
4. My family
As with all Asian families, my family (that includes extended relatives, of course) have a lot of interesting characteristics that make me love them even more. Living here in Melbourne for a year made me long for the energy in our home.
I miss all the noises in our home—my dad’s loud and surprise sneeze, my mom cooking in the kitchen then calling us all to eat, my lola’s ‘ah-hmm-hmm’ (she makes that sound when she thinks you’re not making any sense), my Tita Gina calling me ‘Panyaaang!’ whenever I pass by her sari-sari store, Tita Des and Tito Bengie’s chatter about a series/movie they just watched, the bugoys happily chanting ‘Ate Pep! Ate Pep!’ when they see me coming, Shiro’s (our dog) bark when he wants attention—I could go on and on, but I’m afraid I’ll end up booking a flight to the Philippines. You get the point right? I miss them.
To my family who I miss so much, you folks loved me before I could even offer anything other than entertainment and/or annoyance of being the makulit and talkative kid. The core of who I am is because of how you all raised me. Thank you.
While for the bugoys—Lalie, Kiko, and James—thank you for bringing me joy. If ever you are now reading this as a teenager, I want you to know how happy I am with every hugs and kisses you give me; even if it’s virtual. Just listening to your voice memos and re-watching your videos in my phone gives me a warm feeling. But if ever you grow up to be ‘chick boy,’ please be prepared because I will not hold back at calling you out.
Lastly, for the teenagers and semi-adults of the family, I’m grateful to be given the opportunity of seeing you all do your part in becoming better humans. Success and money can always take a backseat; the important thing is to stay true to your values, principles, and beliefs—trust me, everything else will follow. Thank you for trusting me with your stories. I want you to know that you can always count on me for anything. Secret lang natin yun.
5. My love, my husband
I’ve told you this countless times and I’m telling you again—I could not ask for a better husband. Thank you, my love, for everything that you are.
Now that we’re both working from home, I have a whole lot of reasons to be grateful that I have you like:
a) reminding me to drink water and even bringing it to me when I’m in the middle of writing an email because you know there’s a huge chance I’ll forget
b) buying my comfort food in our grocery runs just because my face lit up when I saw it on the shelf
c) your random hugs and kisses whenever I did something you somehow found adorable
You take such good care of me, that I don’t even need to say anything for you to know that I’m not okay. I am blessed to have a husband who, not only looks after me, but also grows with me—thank you so much, my love.
We thank each other every day even for the littlest of things, but I can never thank you enough for being you. I love you so much.
6. Guidance from God
Ever since I started making huge changes in my life, I clung to God even tighter. I found it comforting and humbling to know that there’s something bigger than me and my problems. I am forever indebted to God for His guidance.
Recently, a ghost from my past reached out to me again and accused me of ~things~. Human as I am, I was tempted to clap back. Then, Father Jerry Orbos said this in one of his mass, “don’t let the goodness of your character be ruined because of the bad things.” It struck me hard.
I’m not the best Catholic in the world, not even close. But despite my flaws and shortcomings—God finds a way to squeeze me in His busy schedule. I honestly sometimes doubt if the tiny voice in my head was really Him, but I sure know that whenever I listen to it, it leads me to a better path. Heck, it led me here.
Thank you Lord for always giving me the nudge I need. You always find a way to step in at the perfect time.
Thank you for making me feel your presence in the form of all the good people you surrounded me with. I owe everything that I have to You.
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There you have it, that’s my gratitude list! How about you? What are the things you are thankful for? Spread some love and share them, will you? Share this post and put in the caption the things you are thankful for. It doesn’t have to have an explanation, just a simple list will do!
But let’s not leave it at that. Once we’ve acknowledged all the things we are grateful for, we should do something to let them know that we treasure and cherish them. So give back, return the love & kindness, and try your best to be a blessing to the people around you. One step(h) at a time. 😉