2014 is about to end and I really can't be happier. Sometimes, I marvel at how much my life has changed. Sometimes, I deliberately seek to remind myself that at the end of the day, it's the simpler things in life that mean the most. I used to be really, really BROKE. I used to feel really insecure about how most of my peers earn more than I do. There were a lot of times I was tempted to give up writing and just suck it up, find a day job, and finally earn steady income. But...I'm really glad I didn't give up. I wouldn't be where I am now if I hadn't persisted in doing what I love.
Used to be, I told myself that when I become successful (this basically means earning enough not to have to worry about whether I can pay my bills every month), I'd buy this and that and this and that. I'll always be wearing designer stuff (that I bought and not something my parents paid for) and do the coolest stuff and yada, yada, yada BUT...
It's weird, really, but now that I finally have more than one peso in my bank account, I no longer want those things. Somehow, I find myself treasuring the stuff that people gave me more than anything else.
Used to be, I told myself that when I become successful (this basically means earning enough not to have to worry about whether I can pay my bills every month), I'd buy this and that and this and that. I'll always be wearing designer stuff (that I bought and not something my parents paid for) and do the coolest stuff and yada, yada, yada BUT...
It's weird, really, but now that I finally have more than one peso in my bank account, I no longer want those things. Somehow, I find myself treasuring the stuff that people gave me more than anything else.
For instance, in my bag you'll see that the notebook I'm using to jot down notes and outline on the go is the one that the travel agency gave me (and my co-tourists) for our Holy Land trip. It's really nothing fancy, I don't think it costs more than $1, but I really like the thought that went behind it, which is why I've kept it and continued using it to this day (err, yes, it means I was too busy marveling at the sights to take down notes during the trip haha).
The ballpen (Ben 10! nyahahaha), on the other hand, is something my mom bought...at 168, I think? I forgot exactly where but I'm pretty sure it's not at all expensive. But I appreciate the fact that my mom bought it for me (actually each of my siblings has one, too haha) so that's what I'm using now.
So yeah, stuff like that totally makes me happy. And what makes me even happier? Shopping for other people! I used to love to shop, but these days what truly makes me happy is being able to buy stuff for the people I love.
When I think about the times that I used to have nothing and the times that I can now give something to the people I love...I just find myself so full with gratitude. I'm so thankful to God that He's made me less and less materialistic and I can only pray that I will remain in this path. I pray that I'll be able to improve in my work and thus be able to share my blessings with not just my loved ones but other people, too.
If you had asked me the same time last year if I could imagine living the life that I'm living now, I'd have told you NO. That's how much life has changed for me. That's how much life can change for YOU. Just work hard and believe in God.
The ballpen (Ben 10! nyahahaha), on the other hand, is something my mom bought...at 168, I think? I forgot exactly where but I'm pretty sure it's not at all expensive. But I appreciate the fact that my mom bought it for me (actually each of my siblings has one, too haha) so that's what I'm using now.
So yeah, stuff like that totally makes me happy. And what makes me even happier? Shopping for other people! I used to love to shop, but these days what truly makes me happy is being able to buy stuff for the people I love.
When I think about the times that I used to have nothing and the times that I can now give something to the people I love...I just find myself so full with gratitude. I'm so thankful to God that He's made me less and less materialistic and I can only pray that I will remain in this path. I pray that I'll be able to improve in my work and thus be able to share my blessings with not just my loved ones but other people, too.
If you had asked me the same time last year if I could imagine living the life that I'm living now, I'd have told you NO. That's how much life has changed for me. That's how much life can change for YOU. Just work hard and believe in God.
Matthew 21:22 And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."