Life Lessons Gratitude Affirmations For A Joyful Life + Download Cards 2:49 AM Gratitude Affirmations for a Joyful Life + Download Cards Transformative moments often come in small packages. Think about it, a small act of kindness, a word of encouragement, or even a smile can make a difference in someone's day. And practicing gratitude and affirmations daily can have a powerful impact on your life. What is True Gratitude? Expressing genuine gratitude means appreciating what one has in its simplest form. It is recognizing and appreciating something's value beyond its monetary worth. It comes from within, affirming the goodness and warmth that flows from the heart. Gratitude is an emotional response but also a choice one makes. The Purpose and Power of Gratitude What is the purpose of gratitude? At first glance, gratitude's purpose is to acknowledge others' kindness. While this is true, gratitude's role doesn't stop there. Gratitude is known to have psychological, physical, and social benefits. Benefits of GratitudePsychologically, gratitude helps foster a positive outlook on life.Physically, gratitude helps reduce stress and foster better sleep.Socially, gratitude promotes a sense of community and mutual support. As a practice, gratitude isn't just about recognizing good deeds or positive outcomes; it's about recognizing the good in the world. This broad perspective can help open the mind and heart to acknowledge the interconnections that bind us all. Recognizing and harnessing the power of gratitude can be a transformative practice, and one way to do this is through gratitude affirmations. These affirmations are simple, direct, positive statements encouraging a deep appreciation for the blessings and abundance in life. Exploring the Practice of Affirmation and Gratitude Embarking on the journey of affirmation and gratitude can be an enlightening experience. Affirmations involve repeating positive statements to oneself, reinforcing self-belief and positivity. Gratitude, on the other hand, involves acknowledging and appreciating the positive aspects and blessings in life. They foster a positive mindset and a deeper connection with oneself and the world.Gfycat Difference Between Gratitude and Affirmation Are gratitude and affirmation the same? Though they share commonalities, they are distinct practices. Gratitude is a reaction, a feeling of appreciation in response to receiving a benefit.Affirmations are declarations that something is true. When used together, they form a powerful combo. Gratitude affirmations, a hybrid of the two, are positive statements expressing thankfulness. Gratitude Affirmations Before Sleep Nighttime is a crucial period for rest and rejuvenation, and incorporating gratitude affirmations before sleep can positively impact mental well-being. How do you express affirmations? You say them out loud and repeat them in your head (We know how powerful repeating words are). Here are a few examples: "I am thankful for the comfort of my bed and the peace of this night." "As I fall asleep, I release the day's events with gratitude." "I am grateful for the rest that recharges me." "My dreams are filled with positivity because I end my day with gratitude." "I sleep peacefully, knowing I have lived this day with gratitude." These gratitude affirmations are used in meditation to bring serenity and peace before bedtime. They ensure a restful sleep and a positive start to the next day. Best Gratitude Affirmations The beauty of affirmations is their simplicity and their power. Here's a list of some of the best gratitude affirmations that can act as catalysts for a positive mindset shift: "I am grateful for every moment that led me to this point." "I appreciate the love and abundance in my life." "I am open to the abundance of the universe." "Every day, I appreciate my life more than before." "Gratitude brings me into alignment with the universe." Giphy Morning Gratitude Affirmations: I wake up today with an open heart and a grateful mind." "As I start this day, I am thankful for the good health and strength I possess." "With the morning sun, I embrace the endless opportunities I am grateful for." "I begin my day with gratitude, welcoming joy, and abundance." "As I open my eyes, I am deeply thankful for another day to create, love, and grow." Gratitude Affirmations and Intentions "I am grateful for this moment and everything it offers." "My heart is filled with joy and thankfulness." "I am grateful for my past, present, and future." "Every day, I'm thankful for my journey and where it's leading me." "I am grateful for the potential and opportunities each new day brings." Gratitude Affirmations for Family "I am deeply grateful for the love and support of my family." "My family is my strength, for which I am truly thankful." "I am blessed with a wonderful family I appreciate daily.""I am deeply grateful for the joy and comfort my family brings." "I am thankful for the unbreakable bonds with my family." Gratitude Affirmations for Friends "I am so grateful for the incredible friends in my life." "I am thankful for the joy and happiness my friends bring me." "I am deeply grateful for the laughter and companionship of my friends." "For the support and understanding of my friends, I am truly thankful." "I am grateful for every moment shared with my friends." Tenor Gratitude Affirmations for Health "I am grateful for the health and vitality that flow through me." "I appreciate the strength and well-being of my body." "I am deeply thankful for the healing and restoration in my body." "I am grateful for my health that allows me to live life to the fullest." "For the energy and wellness I feel, I am truly grateful." Gratitude Affirmations for Job "I am grateful for the opportunity and growth my job offers." "I appreciate my job for providing me with a steady income." "I am thankful for my job's challenges and successes." "For the satisfaction and purpose my job gives me, I am deeply grateful." "I am grateful for the collaborations and experiences in my job." Gratitude Affirmations for Manifesting "I am grateful as I know everything I desire is within my reach." "I appreciate the universe for aligning me with my dreams." "I am grateful for the energy of abundance flowing to me." "I am deeply thankful for the manifestation of my dreams." "With gratitude, I welcome the manifestation of my intentions." Gratitude Affirmations for Money "I am thankful for the financial stability and freedom I enjoy." "I appreciate every opportunity for wealth that comes my way." "I am deeply grateful for the money I can save and invest." "I am grateful for the money I have to support my loved ones." "I am thankful for the money that allows me to enjoy life's pleasures." Gratitude Affirmations for Abundance "I am open to the flow of abundance in all areas of my life." "I am grateful for my wealth and the wealth on its way." "I acknowledge the abundance around me and attract more of it with my gratitude." "I am thankful for the limitless, overflowing deluge of my abundance." "With a grateful heart, I invite wealth, prosperity, and abundance into my life." Gratitude Affirmations for Relationships "I am deeply grateful for the love and companionship I receive." "I appreciate the relationships that enrich my life." "I am thankful for the understanding and empathy in my relationships." "I am grateful for the bond and shared experiences in my relationships." "I appreciate the trust and honesty in my relationships." TenorGratitude Affirmations for Self Love "I am grateful for my journey of self-love and acceptance." "I appreciate my strength and resilience." "I am thankful for the love and kindness I give myself." "I am grateful for the unique qualities that make me who I am." "I appreciate the growth and wisdom I gain through self-love." Gratitude Affirmations for Success "I am thankful for the successes and achievements in my life." "I appreciate every milestone and accomplishment." "I am deeply grateful for the opportunities that lead to my success." "I am thankful for the motivation and persistence that drive my success." "I am truly grateful for the journey and achieving my goals." Gratitude Affirmations for Work "I am grateful for the productive and fulfilling work I do." "I appreciate the progress and development in my career." "I am thankful for the motivation and inspiration in my work." "I am grateful for the opportunities and experiences my work offers." "I am truly grateful for the recognition and accomplishment in my work." These grateful affirmations align the mind and heart to the frequency of gratitude. When these words are said with intention, they can profoundly transform perception and attitude. Gratitude and Affirmation Video Here are my personal favorite gratitude affirmations from Yoga with Kassandra. I follow along with this video after a good morning stretch. It sets the tone of the day beautifully. Why is Gratitude Affirmation Important? Gratitude affirmation is not merely a feel-good practice. It's essential to cultivate an attitude of appreciation and positivity. Benefits of Gratitude Affirmation: Improved mental health. Fostering stronger relationships Increased happinessBetter outlook on life Takeaway Genuine gratitude is more than just saying "thank you." It's an appreciation that comes from the heart, a profound acknowledgment of the good things in life, and a recognition that these blessings come from something bigger than oneself. A beautiful transformation happens in the quest to discover and understand affirmations and gratitude.Embracing these practices makes shifting focus from challenges to blessings and negativity to positivity easier. Embrace the journey with the best gratitude affirmations and notice how your daily practice influences you in surprising and profound ways. Don't Forget Your FREE Gratitude Affirmation Cards! Get your Gratitude Affirmation Cards! It has 30 powerful gratitude affirmations quotes and a daily gratitude and affirmation journal. It also comes with a 30-Day Positivity Challenge to guide and assist you in this journey of positivity and gratitude. Begin the journey today.DOWNLOAD THE PRINTABLE GRATITUDE AND AFFIRMATION CARDS.pdfHeader image: Lookstudio
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 4 9:24 PM Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom. -Marcel Proust Get your grateful hearts ready! Monday is here! Monday Gratitude List 4 1. I'm grateful for people like Jon Morrow. I've been benefiting a lot because of his generosity in sharing his blogging knowledge and experiences. 2. Writing keeps me sane. The world plus PMS (!) can be really really tough. Thank God writing is so therapeutic. 3. Reaping the goodness that I sow. What goes around comes around. So I make sure that I plant as many good seeds as I can. You'll never know what's going to get you someday. 4. The Word that guides me when everything seems blurry. It's like a lighthouse on a dark stormy night. 5. I am grateful for the supportive and encouraging messages I get from friends and strangers alike. Words are so powerful. It can do wonders. What are you most grateful for today? Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Fashion & Style Simple Things To Do To Improve Your Life Right Now 6:00 AM You may have written down the things you need to leave in the past for a lighter life journey (like I did). But how about things you need to do and bring with you? Here's a list of some simple things to do to improve your life right now. Simple Things To Do To Improve Your Life Right Now Be grateful Bring gratitude with you. I've always been a believer of the power of gratitude. It makes you a blessing magnet. Gratitude fills your heart with joy and makes you ready to receive more. It is a product of abundance mentality and changes it your perspective on life. The more grateful you are, the more you attract the things you are grateful for. That's how the universe works. (Thanks to Bo Sanchez for this wonderful idea) Be teachable Bring your openness to learning and willingness to be taught. If you believe you know everything then you stop growing. Be humble enough to know that you need other people to teach you, that each person you meet has a lesson for you to learn, that you don't know everything. Because seriously, you don't. Be an eternal student. Learn from your mistakes, learn from other people's stories and examples, learn from the expert, learn from children, learn from animals, learn from the past. Use what you have learned in making better decisions, in improving your skills and thus increasing your career value, in avoiding detours by hanging out with the wrong people and being in the wrong situations, and in speeding up your way to a better life. Be more optimistic Bring your humor and optimism. Author Elbert Hubbard said it best, "Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." Cut yourself some slack. Don't be too hard on yourself (a lesson I needed to learn). Learn to laugh at yourself and your boo boos. Nobody's perfect anyway. Everyone has tripped and slipped---alone or in front of a crowd. I have. Everyone has had a fashion flop history (except maybe for some like Selena Gomez and Audrey Hepburn who can't go wrong with fashion). Everyone has a flaw. You may not be perfect but you are made exactly as God intended you to be. Always remember that things work out even when you think they don't. If your life is on a detour, it is God's redirection, and not His rejection Always look at the bright side. Never lose your sense of wonder. Be more trusting Bring your faith and trust. You may not see where your path takes you. You may be struggling for so long, trying so hard, working double and you are tired and discouraged because it seems nothing is happening. Your life feels like running on a treadmill. You're exhausted but you're still stuck. But you look around and everyone around you seems to be moving forward. Like in a marathon. I know that feeling so much. Have a little faith. Never compare your story with theirs. God has a different plan for you. "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him." (1 Corinthians 2:9) Things will not always go your way but it always works for the best. Trust the process. Trust God's plans no matter how difficult it may seem. Remember who you are Bring your value wherever you go. Remember who you are. Never shortchange yourself. You are worth more than gold. You're worth every drop of blood and sweat of God's only Son. You are the apple of God's eyes. "The Lord will rejoice over you with gladness, He will renew you in His love." (Zephaniah 3:17) Keep your standards high. Have non-negotiables. "Never apologize for having high standards. People who really want to be in your life will rise up to meet them." (Ziad K. Abdelnour) In short, don't allow other people to treat you like crap. It's not about arrogance. It's staying true to who you are. It's about self-respect and self-love. It's about knowing you are meant to live an abundant life. Are you ready to improve your life right now? It's not that complicated. As for me, I'll be bringing a pocketful of sunshine, a heart full of hope and gratitude, and an expectant mindset. I'll also be bringing my water-resistant elegant black Zaful satchel perfect for anywhere, and my red Roman numerals Quartz watch to remind me that every minute spent on earth is precious. Simple fashion for a look that never goes out of style. What are you doing and bringing to improve your life? Satchel bag and wrist watch from Zaful Photos by Carlo Vicente Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Guest Blogger 3 Tips To Make Life Stress Free 5:00 AM Getting stress out of your life takes more than prayer alone. You must take action to make changes and stop doing whatever is causing the stress. You can learn to calm down in the way you handle things. -Joyce Meyer Stress is a potential threat to our emotional and physical health. But how do you make your life stress-free when every aspect seems exposed to it? Here are some tips that can help you avoid stress, relieve anxiety, and be worry-free. 3 Tips To Make Life Stress Free 1. Things You Should Keep Close: Stress Diary A stress diary is very effective in managing stress. You can jot down the date, time, and what you were doing, and what type of feelings engulfed you during the stressful episode. Give ratings to each episode and analyze them after some time to understand the triggers of stress. By doing so, you can easily identify what causes stress in your life and maintain distance from them. HouseplantHouseplants are a natural healer and reliever for stress. Research has shown that simply looking at greenery can reduce stress. Another Washington research proved that when stressed-out people entered a room with many plants, their blood pressure levels dropped by four points. Keeping houseplants like Jasmine, Peace Lily, English Ivy, and Lavender, etc. can help you live a stress-free life. Grateful List Keeping a list of things that you are grateful for can always help you feel happy about your life. Include the little things like your family, meal, job, etc., that you are grateful for in life. Every time you feel stress cropping up, take a look at your grateful list. Soothing Playlist A playlist with soothing songs should always be on the phone, iPod, or computer all the time. It is believed that classical music can slow the pulse rate, lower blood pressure, and lead to a sufficient reduction in the secretion of stress hormones. Listening to such songs or any other songs that you like can increase dopamine and reduce the stress in life.Natural stress-relieversNature offers amazing stress-relievers. Oil extracts from lavender, chamomile, bergamot, neroli, sandalwood, orange, and jasmine are used in supplements, tea, creams, and even candles to help promote sleep and relaxation.There's also CBD oil that has been shown to alleviate depression and reduce stress. When it comes to choosing CBD products, choose the one with the highest standards in quality backed by customer feedback like Blessed CBD so you're sure to get the benefits you need.2. Things You Should START Doing Owning Up To The Mistakes One of the biggest stimulators of stress in working people is, knowing that you’ve done a mistake and anticipating what’ll happen when the boss finds out. The stress generated by this can hamper the state of mind and reflect in work as well. Owning up to the mistake as soon as possible can help you beat the stress. Agreed, the problem won’t be solved, but the prolonged period of stress would be over soon. Living In The Moment Overthinking and over-analyzing every little situation, be it what happened in the past or what may happen because of present actions, is also a cause of stress. Avoid this stress by starting to live in the moment. What happened in the past taught you the lesson it was supposed to and you certainly cannot change what’s about to happen in the future. So stop worrying and start living in the moment. Physical Activity Physical activities are a huge stress buster. Not just physical exercises and work out but simple walks, dance moves, outdoor games, aerobics, swimming, yoga, etc., are also a great way to live a stress-free life. Don’t think of it as a burden but enjoy the physical activity to achieve the best results. Saying ‘No’ Saying ‘yes’ to everything can stress out everyone. Learn to say ‘NO’ to things you don’t like doing. Everyone has certain limits and trying to do things out of the bounds can lead to unnecessary stress. Start saying ‘no’ to the things that you don’t like and are not obliged to do. 3. Things You Should STOP Doing OveranalyzingThe first thing that anyone trying to have a stress-free life should stop doing is overanalyzing things. Overanalyzing things that haven’t happened yet can cause a lot of stress. Remember, ‘today you have today’s energy, tomorrow you have tomorrow’s energy, so why to waste today’s energy on tomorrow’s issues. Stop predicting the future and start dealing with things as they come to say goodbye to stress. Being with people who have a problem for every solution Negative people tend to spread negativity and make life stressful. People who critique everything you do or say or those who always sing out their woes would always make you stressed. Stop surrounding yourself with such negative people out of obligations or courtesy. Find people with whom you can connect and feel happy. Choosing perfection over uniqueness One of the biggest stress creators in life is trying to be perfect or achieve perfection. No one can be perfect so stop stressing out. Setting reasonable standards for oneself can help in avoiding a lot of stress. Keep your aim high but do not set your standards so high that they become a cause of stress in life. Wasting energy on holding past grudges None but the person who holds on to grudges suffers the most. One might feel that holding grudges and anger against someone might be troubling them but in reality, it is you who suffer when you hold on to any grudges. Take off any grudges as soon as possible. Forgive. Life is too short to be wasted in stress.“Remember, most of your stress comes from the way you respond, not the way life is. Adjust your attitude, and all that extra stress is gone.” Follow the tips listed above to help make your life stress-free. About the Author: Ankit Gupta manages ExporteresIndia.com, a leading B2B portal in India. Even after having a lot of responsibilities on his shoulder, Ankit still manages to live a stress-free life. He has jotted down his mantra for a stress-free life in this write-up. You can follow Ankit on his LinkedIn and Facebook handles to read other insightful blogs written by him.
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 8:45 PM Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance. -Eckhart Tolle Monday Gratitude List Normally, people are grumpy on a Monday. It's the start of another pandemonium; Manic Monday. As for me, I choose to start my week with a grateful heart. Gratitude changes your outlook. Gratitude makes you appreciate even what others consider as insignificant things. Gratitude opens your eyes to blessings and makes you anticipate for greater things. Gratitude makes everything seems possible. Here's my Monday gratitude list: 1. I just ventured into a new microbusiness last week. Already, orders are pouring in! My cup overflows! Update: My online dealer shop Human Nature Lucky Shop is now open! So you can order from me wherever you are! 2. If I can only be in two places at once. My weekends are always full of invites for meet ups, reunions and trips. A beautiful dilemma. 3. Having the privilege to attend the happiest gathering of the faithful. Every Sunday, I go to The Feast to celebrate the Holy Mass and listen to life-changing, motivational, inspirational and hilarious talks on life, health, relationships and money. Practical teachings for practical individuals who want to live a phenomenal life. By the way, everybody's welcome to attend. 4. Every time I check my blogger dashboard, I'm grateful to see the number of page views from different traffic sources. I started blogging for my own pleasure, as a coping mechanism, and as a portfolio for my virtual assistant part-time job. Then I started sharing about my own failures, my mishaps and the lessons I've learned. The emails I received from strangers from across the globe are just overwhelming. Sure, there are people who criticize my work from my grammar to my opinions, but they're nothing compared to the "thank you" messages I get. Believe it or not, I also get emails asking for my advice! I don't think I'm qualified enough to do so as I know I have so much to learn myself. But, if sharing my two cents worth can make a difference to other people's lives, I'll do it anytime! 5. God's plans for my life that are yet to be revealed. People are losing hope and faith everyday. I'm just increasing mine every time. God has always been faithful to me even when I was not. I've ran away and fell a thousand times, but He has never stopped chasing me and picking me up. How can I say no to a love so great and faithful and true? What's on your gratitude list? Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Listicle Monday Gratitude List 5 10:17 PM Mon in French means "my". I declare that Monday is my day. My day to start being grateful for many things. Monday Gratitude List 5 1. My ads finally got approved! What took me so long? I was hesitant because I was thinking small. Blogging is just a hobby, I often say. Then I thought, why not profit from this thing I take pleasure in doing? So I applied for ads and after 20 days of proof that my site is often visited by people from different places, my ads finally got approved. Thank you, God! 2. Yesterday it was raining really hard and the wind was really strong. After fighting the weather with our frail umbrella, my friend and I gave in, closed it and walked in the rain. It's been a long time since I've enjoyed walking in the rain. I forgot how magical it feels. 3. Finally feeling better after almost a week of discomfort. Fever, headache, pain I couldn't quite locate where. A woman's body can get really weird sometimes. Glad it's over. 4. My business is really really really doing well. Thanks to my loyal customers who not only buy the products but also endorse them to others. I'm happy whenever they tell me how happy and satisfied they are. Profit, pleasure, purpose. Value for money! 5. Slept in last weekend. I also watched (for the nth time) one of my favorite comfort movies; Julie & Julia. I love how two lives from different generations seems to be so interconnected. I love how two women made a dent in the world by just being who they are and doing what they love, being perfectly imperfect in their roles. Most of all, I love how perfect their husbands are. Makes me hopeful that indeed Good Men Still Exist. What are you grateful for today? Join the Grateful LinkUp. Get the InLinkz code here. Hey, did you find this post helpful or entertaining? Please go ahead and share. Share buttons on the left and at the bottom of the article. Big thanks! Subscribe to About Life And Love by Email
Lux Thinking Aloud Life Lately: Update On My Personal Journey 8:15 AM Life lately has been a whirlwind of change, growth, challenges, and grateful chaos. Key Takeaways: Update on My Life Lately I moved to America after years of pandemic separation from my husband, navigating the exhausting immigration process and emotional goodbyes.The transition brought healthier habits, daily park walks, and a happiness my husband notices radiating from me.I expanded my career into SEO work that challenges and excites me while learning to navigate the evolution of AI-driven search.Typhoon Tino devastated the Philippines, affecting my family and exposing government corruption that diverts flood-control funds.Despite the chaos of major life changes, I'm reading more non-fiction and planning to launch digital products before year's end.Life lately has been equal parts bliss and anxiety: new adventure, new experiences, new place, new people, new challenges. I haven't shared anything personal here in a while. It's been intentional because I don't want to overshare. But I'm returning to why I started this blog: to make people feel less alone by sharing my own journey.So here we go. Life Lately: Crossing Oceans for Love I've moved to a new continent. I finally joined my husband in America after years of separation due to the pandemic. The process was torturous. Mountains of paperwork to comply with US law. Endless waiting. Eye-watering expenses. Detours at every turn. Then came the move itself: selling and donating belongings, cleaning, packing. If you've moved cross-country or internationally, you know the insane time and energy it demands. I went through all of it.Love That Survived the DistanceLong distance wasn't a walk in the park. Being apart from your spouse is hard, especially when communication becomes a daily challenge. Our marriage was tested repeatedly.But I'm grateful for my husband, for who he is and how he loves. I never once doubted his loyalty during those years apart. Having God at the center of our relationship made all the difference. Grieving What I Left Behind I had to let go of so many things I loved because I couldn't bring them with me. Confession: I cried when it hit me that I had to sell my work desk and office chair; my home, more than my bed, ever was. It felt like a small thing, but I realized I needed to grieve that loss. That desk witnessed everything: work wins and breakdowns, video calls, late-night series binges during my depression. That desk and chair saw me through it all. Saying goodbye felt like losing an old, trusted friend. I just hope the new buyer appreciates them as much as I did.I grieved for the life I learned to love. My routines, my independence, my solitude. Living alone in that house is one of the most peaceful and best times of my life. Life Lately: Everything Feels Brand New Life here is completely different from my home country. I'm now thousands of feet above sea level, where it's colder (for a tropical girl), but I love it. We've built a routine I genuinely enjoy. The quiet mornings are so peaceful. The view from our window takes my breath away. Our life is simple but deeply satisfying. I appreciate how much cleaner it is here, how we see wildlife on our morning walks. It makes me treasure what I have now, knowing what I lacked before. And hey, my new desk and chair aren't half bad! Life Lately: Healthier and Happier Than Ever I may be in my 40s, but I feel healthier than ever. I'm in my hiking era (that's me in the heading image!).I'm more conscious about food choices, I work out regularly, and my husband and I enjoy daily park walks. He's even commented that I seem happier now than before. Expanding My Career At the start of this year, I chose "expand" as my word of the year. I've expanded into a new role that I genuinely enjoy. I'm diving deep into SEO (search engine optimization), continuously learning because Google keeps evolving. Especially with AI reshaping everything. But I love what I do. Challenges excite me. Typhoons Hit Home This month, Typhoon Tino (international name Kalmaegi) slammed the Philippines. My family was affected. Some had to be rescued and evacuated as floodwaters kept rising. Only a couple of days after, Typhoon Uwan (Fung-wong) struck, this time mostly affecting the northern part. Thankfully, they're safe along with our dogs. No serious damage. No major injuries or illnesses. But for those terrifying hours when the power went out and signals became unstable, I could barely breathe from worry.And this happened only four weeks after they were hit by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake. The Philippines: A Country Robbed Corruption has been normalized in the Philippines for as long as I can remember. But recent events exposed the ugly truth: The Philippines isn't a poor country. It's been robbed. Congressmen, senators, and officials pocket trillions meant for flood control projects while living lavish lifestyles they flaunt online. People die every year from flooding because of substandard or completely ghost projects. Then, when calamities hit, these politicians parade around distributing relief goods with their faces plastered on every package. As if they spent their own money instead of taxpayer funds.I don't get it. How do you stomach watching the news—your fellow citizens sitting on rooftops, fearing for their lives as water keeps rising, waiting for rescue, starving and freezing, some desperately trying to revive their loved one—while you sit comfortably in your mansion? How do you sleep at night knowing you could've saved them if only you'd put the money where it was supposed to go? The disaster could've been avoided if only you had built proper drainage instead of buying your wives' and children's Hermes bags and diamonds. Yes, Filipinos are resilient. Something I'm actually proud of. But it's time to stop romanticizing resilience. It's time to demand accountability from people who left us no choice but to survive when we should've been thriving.I hope those responsible face justice. But since the majority are complicit, I doubt it'll happen soon. Typhoon Donations AcceptedIf you see our government asking for donations, don't send them!They'll likely pocket the money for another Rolls-Royce, foreign property, or private jet while their people sit in hours of traffic on broken roads with no proper transportation system.Instead, I highly recommend the trusted NGO Angat Buhay Foundation. Every penny you send reaches typhoon victims. Or send it to me. I'll forward it directly to our church that accepts evacuees, or to my sister, who can buy the goods and deliver them personally.Here's where you can send help: Reading Recap I've been slow with reading this year because of the big move and all the changes. But I'm proud I finished a non-fiction book, and I'm currently reading another (with more on my TBR). That's huge for someone who can devour fiction in a day but struggles to focus on non-fiction for an hour. What does enjoying life lately mean?It means finding joy in the present moment despite chaos and challenges. Enjoyment doesn't require everything to be sorted out; it's choosing gratitude for what's good even when other parts feel messy or uncertain. It's finding joy in both the big and the small moments.Life Lately: Chaotic but BlessedDespite the challenges — my family's situation, my country's corruption, all the upheaval — I still feel blessed and grateful for everything I have.How about you? How's your life been lately? I hope you're always well, my friend.
.jpg "FREE Gratitude Affirmation Card")
