Once upon a time, I used to be able to write every day, without caring a whit about what other people might, could, and would say about my work. Because of that, I was also able to release new stories every month - sometimes, more than one novella-length story per month even!
Those days were long gone, and so much had changed and happened since then.
I'm proud to say, however, that I'm slowly, steadily, and determinedly finding my way back to my best self. I release Truly, Madly, Deeply during the last week of May. It's about 50,000 words for long, and it's something I'm SUPER proud of. The book dealt with a lot of serious issues, though, so a part of me was thinking it might take me a few months just to work on my next book.
Thankfully, that was not the case of all.
With the grace of God, I was able to finish another book - The Billionaire Rancher's Unwanted Wife - last Sunday, or less than a month since my last book! And surprisingly, it also ended up about 25,000 words long, which is a good enough length for me. I was kinda worried, actually, that the story - since it was meant to be this quick, sweet, feel-good read - wouldn't even get past the 20K mark.
So yeah, I'm really, really happy right now, and I know I owe it all to God.
I also know this doesn't mean everything would be smooth-sailing from here on, but even so, I'll still continue trying my best to work past my doubts and insecurities and just keep writing what I love, in the hopes that my stories will make other people smile, laugh, and just remember that we still have every reason to dream and hope, with God's grace.
Those days were long gone, and so much had changed and happened since then.
I'm proud to say, however, that I'm slowly, steadily, and determinedly finding my way back to my best self. I release Truly, Madly, Deeply during the last week of May. It's about 50,000 words for long, and it's something I'm SUPER proud of. The book dealt with a lot of serious issues, though, so a part of me was thinking it might take me a few months just to work on my next book.
Thankfully, that was not the case of all.
With the grace of God, I was able to finish another book - The Billionaire Rancher's Unwanted Wife - last Sunday, or less than a month since my last book! And surprisingly, it also ended up about 25,000 words long, which is a good enough length for me. I was kinda worried, actually, that the story - since it was meant to be this quick, sweet, feel-good read - wouldn't even get past the 20K mark.
So yeah, I'm really, really happy right now, and I know I owe it all to God.
I also know this doesn't mean everything would be smooth-sailing from here on, but even so, I'll still continue trying my best to work past my doubts and insecurities and just keep writing what I love, in the hopes that my stories will make other people smile, laugh, and just remember that we still have every reason to dream and hope, with God's grace.
Last Saturday, my family and I were able to attend mass (anticipated) at Trinoma's newly built and beautifully designed chapel. We arrived a little late, so I'm afraid I didn't get to check our celebrant's name. But we did get to listen to all the readings and the homily, and it's this that I want to share in this post.
1. The amount you give may sometimes reflect the amount or value you've placed on the blessings you've received from God.
This was basically a gentle reminder for us to acknowledge just how much we've been blessed by God. We always take things for granted, but if we just take the time to really consider how much God has given us, it's certain to motivate us to share more. It's like what my stepmom always like to say: God is always happy to fill our pockets (the bigger the pocket, the better even!), but how can he do that if we're too afraid or selfish to share His blessings with others?
2. The two most important days in a person's life is - firstly and understandably - the day s/he was born and - more importantly - the day that person discovers his or her reason for being born.
We've come into existence to spread the word of God, but as to how we can best serve our purpose in life...I personally believe that's where our true calling or passion comes in. With the Internet leaving us so easily vulnerable to being a target of social pressure, bullying, and all other forms of negativity, it's become all the more important for people to truly take the time to figure out what they want to do in life.
I'd like to think that I've already somewhat figured the role God wants me to take in this world. In spite of this, however, my life is far from perfect. A lot of things still happen and seemed design to make me doubt my purpose and my ability to fulfill it.
In the end, however, I can only trust God to keep me from giving up.
3. Culturally speaking, Filipinos - when attending a party - make sure to enjoy the food prepared for them as a sign of respect, and they rarely leave a gathering empty-handed (hello, take out!).
Why is it then that, during the greatest celebration of all - a.k.a. the Holy Mass - many of us refuse to partake of what's being offered (we're not just speaking of communion here, but also the act of absorbing the priest's homily? And when the mass ends, there are even more of us who prefer to leave empty-handed, i.e. we refuse to use what we've learned from Mass and share it with others.
It's my first time to hear this type of analogy, but I think it's very much apt, and it's definitely given me food for thought (pun intended). ;)
1. The amount you give may sometimes reflect the amount or value you've placed on the blessings you've received from God.
This was basically a gentle reminder for us to acknowledge just how much we've been blessed by God. We always take things for granted, but if we just take the time to really consider how much God has given us, it's certain to motivate us to share more. It's like what my stepmom always like to say: God is always happy to fill our pockets (the bigger the pocket, the better even!), but how can he do that if we're too afraid or selfish to share His blessings with others?
2. The two most important days in a person's life is - firstly and understandably - the day s/he was born and - more importantly - the day that person discovers his or her reason for being born.
We've come into existence to spread the word of God, but as to how we can best serve our purpose in life...I personally believe that's where our true calling or passion comes in. With the Internet leaving us so easily vulnerable to being a target of social pressure, bullying, and all other forms of negativity, it's become all the more important for people to truly take the time to figure out what they want to do in life.
I'd like to think that I've already somewhat figured the role God wants me to take in this world. In spite of this, however, my life is far from perfect. A lot of things still happen and seemed design to make me doubt my purpose and my ability to fulfill it.
In the end, however, I can only trust God to keep me from giving up.
3. Culturally speaking, Filipinos - when attending a party - make sure to enjoy the food prepared for them as a sign of respect, and they rarely leave a gathering empty-handed (hello, take out!).
Why is it then that, during the greatest celebration of all - a.k.a. the Holy Mass - many of us refuse to partake of what's being offered (we're not just speaking of communion here, but also the act of absorbing the priest's homily? And when the mass ends, there are even more of us who prefer to leave empty-handed, i.e. we refuse to use what we've learned from Mass and share it with others.
It's my first time to hear this type of analogy, but I think it's very much apt, and it's definitely given me food for thought (pun intended). ;)