Lux Thinking Aloud Gratitude List 11:22 PM It's like everything is moving in slow motion. Days are dragging. Cases of COV ID-19 is rising. On the bright side, at least people are still recovering. We're still in qu arantine. How's your life in the time of c oronavirus? Here's my l ockdown diary day 2. Gratitude List Today, let me say how grateful I am for these things: My husband who makes sure everything we need are provided. Who risks his life to go out and get our basic necessities. Now I'm more aware of God's grace. I thought little of how it is grace that we still get to come home safely every time we leave the house. Anything could happen. There could be an accident. There could be crime. We could get infected by a deadly virus. But we're protected. I thank God every time my husband comes home safely after going to the stores. I am still working, thus earning, without leaving the house. I thank God I'm an introvert. My heart has always been set to working without interacting with the crowd. 😛 Technology is such a gift. I get to chat with my family and friends. I get the latest news. If I have a question about this virus, the information is just one click away. Everyone in my circle are healthy and safe so far. There are still government officials who are doing their job. There is still hope. The word of God. I make it a point to listen to an inspirational talk before I end my day. I also play worship songs while I'm working. Yes, I still get tempted to check the news and I get discouraged. But I find strength and hope in God's promises. Currently listening I am guilty of reading the news and even the comment section every day (which I promised I won't do this year). It's so toxic. It gets me down. It's demotivating. So here's what I listen to to uplift my spirit: 1. Hits Up will surely appeal to the millennial and Gen Z. They've got cool, hip praise songs. This is what I play while I go about my day. 2. Short but powerful talks by my favorite spiritual author and speaker Bro Bo Sanchez. Uplifting and inspirational. 3. Quaretreat by Bro Arun Gogna and his wife Lallaine Gogna. It helps me find the good and the quiet in this qu arantine. It could get crazy and loud outside (or online). So a quiet retreat is what we need. I know it's easier to look at the horrible things during this crisis. I still do! Hey, I'm a work in progress too. But every day there is still reason to be thankful. When it gets a little too loud, too toxic and too heavy, pause. Turn off your gadget. Tune in to God. Hang in there. We're in this together. Pray without ceasing. Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. -1 Thessalonians 5:17-18 Your turn List down 5 things you are thankful for in the comment. What are you listening to or watching to help you stay hopeful during this time?
How-To 6 Thoughtful and Creative Ways To Say Thank You 7:09 PM 6 Thoughtful and Creative Ways To Say Thank You We should say thank you more often. Gratitude releases the happy hormones dopamine and serotonin, giving us that light, calm, and pleasant feeling.Sometimes, we are overwhelmed with gratefulness that a simple thank you doesn’t seem enough to express how we really feel.Here are six thoughtful and creative ways to say thank you when words are inadequate. 6 Thoughtful and Creative Ways To Say Thank You 1. Write a poem It doesn’t matter if you’re a gifted writer or you’ve never tried to make anything rhyme before.Writing a poem to express your feelings is a creative way to say thank you. The time you spent writing and the effort and emotions you poured into it will be appreciated. It's a beautiful gift that the receiver can keep forever. 2. Give a giftGiving a gift is another thoughtful way to say thank you. A bonus point to you if Gift is the recipient's love language. Any gift will do, but it will be excellent if you know what the other person would love.If they love entertainment, buy them tickets at ticketsales.com. Let them unwind and have fun with their choice of amusement. Find great deals and give them tickets for concerts (if you know they love Latin music, you could consider giving them Grupo Firme tickets) or tickets for theater plays, sports, and other events.Or put together a gift basket with their favorites. Books, DVDs, goodies, a bottle of wine, a bouquet of flowers, anything they love can be a wonderful and creative thank you gift. 3. Write a letter to say thank youAn oldie but a goodie, writing letters would be a heartwarming gift. You can also buy a thank you card and mail it to them. There is something intimate and poetic in written letters. 4. Create a video If you're not too big with words but have the eyes and creativity to make a video, that's another great way to say thank you.Create a video from unpacking the gift to using it and sharing how much you love it. You can create a slide show, a short film, or an animated video using apps online. With all the tools available on the internet right now, the only limit is your imagination. 5. Invite them out for a mealFood is everybody's love language. Eating good food is a universal favorite. So, to show your thoughtfulness and gratitude, take them out and let them choose where they want to dine. It will also be your chance to catch up.6. Pay it forwardSometimes, we'd receive an anonymous gift or be shown kindness by a stranger. But, unfortunately, we wouldn't get the chance to thank them. Or they simply will not accept anything in return (God bless their hearts!). If that's the case, pay them back by paying it forward. Help a stranger, volunteer your time to community work or shelters, donate, or plant a tree in their name. Now that's a gift that will keep on giving. How to say thank you in different languagesFilipino = Salamat (Thank you very much = Maraming salamat)Hawaiian = MahaloTurkish = Teşekkür ederim (Thank you very much = Çok teşekkürler)Spanish = Gracias (Thank you very much = Muchas gracias)Danish = Tak Italian = GrazieFrench = MerciKorean = GamsahabnidaGerman = DankeArabic = ShukraanJapanese = ArigatoIndonesian = Terima kasihThai = Khàawp-KhunPortuguese = ObrigadoHindi/Indian = DhanyavaadChinese = XièxièSaying thank you may seem an ordinary act we take for granted, but thankfulness is impactful.Here's why you should say thank you more often.What are the thoughtful and creative ways you've done to say thank you? Share it in the comments below.
Life Lessons Finding Silver Linings: 6 Key Lessons From Getting Sick 4:15 PM Sometimes, it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways. -Proverbs 20:30 Have you ever gotten so sick that it forced you to hit the pause button on life? While getting sick is no fun, offer valuable life lessons we might have missed. A wake-up call. This is precisely what happened to me recently. Here are 6 key takeaways from my experience that resonate with you. 1. The Power of the PauseI was running myself ragged. Chasing clients, burning the candle at both ends – I neglected the most important thing: my well-being. Getting sick was my body's way of saying, "Slow down!" It was a much-needed reminder to take a break, breathe, and trust that things would work out. 2. Health is Indeed WealthBeing sick forced me to put everything on hold, and while it was initially frustrating, it also offered valuable perspective. The money I earned paled compared to the cost of regaining my health. This experience solidified the importance of prioritizing our well-being – good health is the foundation for everything else in life. 3. The Value of ConnectionI consider myself a happy introvert, cherishing my alone time. However, being sick was a powerful reminder that we all need connection. The support and care I received during this challenging time were invaluable. It highlighted the importance of fostering strong relationships and appreciating the people who have our backs.Giphy 4. The Importance of HumilitySickness strips us of our sense of control and forces us to be humble. I was forced to ask for help, a humbling reminder that we can't do everything alone. It's okay to lean on others and seek support when needed. 5. Cultivating EmpathyBefore getting sick, I'd always offer well wishes to those who were unwell. However, experiencing illness firsthand amplified my empathy for others in similar situations. It fostered a deeper understanding of their challenges and the importance of genuine support.6. Gratitude for the Simple ThingsSickness can make us appreciate the simple things we often take for granted. During my recovery, I felt a surge of gratitude for things like waking up without discomfort, having a supportive family, and enjoying a job I love. These everyday blessings are genuinely worth cherishing. Key Lessons From Getting SickGetting sick is certainly not ideal, but it can sometimes be a catalyst for positive change. These life lessons learned from illness have helped me appreciate life more deeply, prioritize my well-being, and cultivate stronger connections.Your TurnWhat about you? Have you ever had an experience that forced you to slow down and re-evaluate your priorities? Share your insights in the comments below.
Books Bo Sanchez's The Abundance Formula 5:15 AM You must get good at one of two things: Planting in the spring or begging in the fall. -Jim Rohn You'd think there's a magic formula behind abundance. Or a complex scheme. Turns out, it's really simple. I learned this from the book The Abundance Formula by Bo Sanchez. Just remember these 4 numbers: 100, 10, 20, 70. Earn 100% Give back 10% Invest 20% Spend 70% Understanding Your Spending HabitMoney is also about psychology and emotions. It’s hard to restrain from buying when you keep on justifying it, right? "It’s on sale.""I deserve this."You will never run out of excuses when you purchase something. And that's what usually stops you from living an abundant life.How Can I Be Abundant in Life? Financial abundance, as suggested in the book The Abundance Formula, is simple. 1. Earn 100%. Give your all in what you do because the universe will always pay you back for what you give. 2. Tithe 10%. Ask any successful businessmen - who are not religious, and they will tell you that giving back to the universe is a huge part of success. It’s the law of attraction, the law of reciprocity, the law of the harvest. When you give, you create a vacuum that the universe will fill up again. That’s just the way the universe works. Giphy 3. Invest 20%. There are many kinds of investments: paper assets, properties, and businesses. If you're no expert like me (math and I have a complicated relationship), do your research and see which investment suits your lifestyle best. Or join the Truly Rich Club. They give you financial - and spiritual advice. They tell you what companies to invest in, when to buy, or what to sell. (This post contains affiliate links, so we'd get a commission if you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. Thank you!)VSGIF 4. Spend 70%. Spend what’s left after tithing and investing. Live only within or below your means, and you’ll never run out of cash again. Giphy What does it mean to live life abundantly? The meaning of abundant life is not confined to having more material things. Abundant life isn't about living in excess, it's about: Fulfilling your potential. Growing, learning, and using your gifts. Meaningful connections. Building deep, loving relationships. Gratitude and joy. Savoring the good, big and small. Purpose and contribution. Giving back, making a difference.The Secret to Living AbundantlyAbundance is a feeling, not a material possession. It's about richness of spirit, depth of connection, and the joy of living a life true to yourself. So, tune into your own symphony, play your unique notes, and create a life overflowing with abundance.What are the characteristics of abundant life?An abundant life isn't easily defined, as it has different meanings for different people. However, there are some common characteristics that tend to paint a picture of richness and fullness:Inner QualitiesPurpose and Meaning: A sense of direction and a guiding force that fuels passion and motivation. Joy and Gratitude: An appreciation for the good, big and small, leading to a deep sense of happiness and contentment. Resilience and Growth: The ability to bounce back from challenges and continuously learn and evolve. Peace and Calmness: An inner serenity allowing clear thinking and emotional stability. Love and Connection: Deep and meaningful relationships that provide support, belonging, and shared joy.External ManifestationsContribution and Impact: Making a positive difference in the world, however big or small. Health and Well-being: Physically and mentally thriving, feeling energized and able to pursue your passions. Creativity and Expression: Utilizing your talents and abilities to bring something unique to the world. Financial Security: Having enough resources to meet your needs and pursue your goals without undue stress. Adventure and Exploration: Stepping outside your comfort zone and embracing new experiences to broaden your horizons. What constitutes an abundant life will vary greatly from person to person, so focus on identifying what truly matters to you and cultivating those qualities and experiences that bring you meaning and joy.Remember, the characteristics of an abundant life are a guide, not a rulebook. Embrace the journey and create your own definition of a life lived to the fullest.Bo Sanchez's The Abundance Formula TakeawayAfter reading books on money management, attending seminars, and applying what I learned, I realized that the road to abundance may be long, meandering, and even lonely (not everyone is determined to get out of the rat race), but seeing your money grow is fulfilling.Because it's not about accumulating material things. It's being able to do what you like, give to those in need, and have a sense of freedom.Can you say you're living abundantly at the moment? What's your secret?
Lux Thinking Aloud Happy Thanksgiving And Things I'm Thankful For 5:24 PM Happy Thanksgiving And Things I'm Thankful For Happy Thanksgiving! We don't really celebrate Thanksgiving here, but I'm working for a US-based company so it's a holiday for me too. Since it is the time for shouting out words of gratitude, let me share my Thank Yous with you. Thank you: Faithful readers To you who willingly waste a few seconds of your time to read my brain farts. You reaffirm my purpose. You make me realize that what I do here matters. Your kind comments and love mails are enough to assure me that the platform I chose to help make the world a better place in my own little way so to speak, is perfect. via Google images Passionate bloggers of blogs I follow Your posts either motivate me, make me laugh, make me think, and make me want to share my own stories too. Your thoughts can change a life so don't stop sharing. I love browsing through your pages because it's worth the time. Keep on posting relevant and heartwarming stories. Keep on using the internet for the good. Keep on inspiring people. via Google images Friends old and new For sticking around and putting up with my mood swings, melancholic tendencies and crazy moments. For listening to my ideas whether it be trivial or profound. For sharing a portion of your lives with me. For the love irreplaceable and overwhelming. More travel and more fun! More stories and hugs! Thank you, friends! Family near and far As you grow older, you appreciate more the value of family. Them people put in your life by fate who whether they like it or not are stuck with you 'til the end of time because of the DNA you share. Haha! No matter where I am, my heart will always be with you. I will always find my way back home. We may not be perfect but we are all we've got---and thank God for that! Light of Jesus Family You have been my family outside my family. The flock I chose to grow my spiritual muscle with. I will always be proud to be one of you. It's not every day you find people with genuine love for God and hearts of service without the pretentious, all righteous, judgmental, hypocritical air in them. You love God and you love people without the hang ups of religiosity. That's all that really matters! via Google images Bashers, critics and all you vampires Your words may have wounded me, but it sure made me stronger and pushed me to do better. Thanks for teaching me to be more understanding and compassionate, for testing my patience and making me appreciate my life more. Thank you for being the chisel that has helped form me into the beautiful being that I am today. via Google images Teachers, mentors, and beautiful souls You are too many to mention, some of you may not even know I exist! But your passion is so strong I can feel it in the air. Your beautiful life stories, your never-say-die spirit, your example that's worth emulating are my inspiration to put a dent in the world too. Thank you for being brave enough to step out, step up and share your encouraging stories to the world. via Google images My Unbeatable Team My greatest and favorite intercessors. Our Holy Mother, St. Michael the Archangel, St. Joseph, St. Padre Pio, St. Pope John Paul II and my Guardian Angel. Many may not believe in you but I thank God for sending you to help me always. I have learned that relationships are our greatest treasures and living our purpose is the most powerful driving force in life. I have learned that gratitude is the key to open the door to endless possibilities and blessings. So everyday I give my thanks to the universe for blessing me this much and for blessing me more in the future. Thank you especially God for loving me this much, for dying to give me life unworthy and flawed as I may be. I can never repay Your perfect love for me. Here I am, I am yours. Make do of my imperfect love. What are you most thankful for? 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 Photo credit: Google images
Lux Thinking Aloud Thank You For Being Here: Thanksgiving Message 3:38 PM Thank You For Being Here Thanksgiving Message It's been a while since I wrote something personal here. Not a life hack, love advice, or raving over my current book obsession. Not thinking about SEO or engagement. Just a raw, straight-from-the-heart message. Since it's time to express gratitude, let me give you my Thanksgiving message: thank you for being here. Especially if you've been around before I even took blogging seriously.To my OG readers, thank you for staying.I started writing because I'm too much of an introvert to talk about my feelings and thoughts. So, if you've been here since 2011, you've seen me pour my broken heart out over breakups, friendships that drifted apart, or generally over how messed up the world has become. But you didn't leave. As I evolved into a more mindful writer (yeah, I don't rant so much about life online anymore 😄), you stayed. My shift in interests and topics of choice might have given you a whiplash over the years, but you stayed. I'm eternally grateful for that. You're the real MVP. I consider you my friend, albeit online, so know that you're more than welcome to message me if you want to talk about life. To my new visitors, thank you for being here.You could've been doing something else with your time, but you chose to spend it reading my thoughts and sharing my experiences with me. Time is one of the most incredible things you could give someone, and I thank you for giving me a little bit of yours. I hope you stay!To my clients, thank you for your trust.Thank you for making this girl's dream come true: getting paid by doing what I love. Writing for your brand gives me purpose and pleasure. Your business has supported my passion, allowing me to maintain this website...and buy as many books as my storage can hold. To my favorite authors, thank you for sharing your world with me.I've been to many places. And lived multiple exciting lives thanks to the beautiful books you've written. Your mind is a treasure trove. Thank you for introducing me to those unforgettable characters and allowing me to visit those charming places that could only exist in your imagination. They could've stayed in your brilliant minds, but you chose to share them with the world. Thank you for being so generous.To my naysayers, thank you for inspiring me.Thank you for telling me, "You're not a writer, and you'll never be one." Your comments surely have fueled me to learn more and be better at what I do. I am truly, sincerely, genuinely touched by the amount of time and energy you spend thinking and talking about me. You're one of the reasons I keep going. Thanks for keeping me grounded.To my amazing husband, thank you for being the best.I knew you were the one from when you told me you read my blog to get to know me more. 😅Marriage may be a roller coaster ride, but I'm beyond grateful you're the one I'm riding this crazy life with. I couldn't ask for a better partner. You never made me doubt or second-guess our marriage. I sleep better knowing that you always have my back. Thank you for showing me how to be unequivocally loved, accepted, appreciated, and celebrated by simply being myself.To myself, thank you for not giving up!Don't get weirded out if I address myself here. Because I give myself a pep talk and hype myself up all the time (studies show that it's actually healthy). So, allow me to write this Thanksgiving message:Dear Self,Oh, the battles we've been through the past few years! But look at you still standing. Still fighting. Still finding joy and beauty in your every day.Thank you for being strong and kind and for not losing your humor and sense of wonder. You are magnificent. You got this!Thanksgiving MessageMy life is not perfect, but my heart is filled with gratitude. Who or what are you thankful for the most this year?
Faith Waiting 12:32 AM If there's a level in the waiting game, I'd say I'm at Expert by now. I've waited for God's answers to my prayers for a long time. He's tested my patience, increased my faith and pruned me during that long waiting period. And now I find myself waiting again. Waiting I think we are always waiting for something at certain times. We wait for our water to boil so we can enjoy our tea or cereal. We wait for our flights. (Oh, traveling! I forgot how that feels. 😅) We wait for a client's reply if a project is a go or a no. We wait for a movie to premier after watching several trailers online. We wait for our food delivery to arrive and hope it comes before we turn into a hangry (hungry + angry) monster. We wait for this p andemic to be finally over. I don't know about you but sometimes I feel sick and tired of hearing about the news. Bad news after bad news after bad news. Every. Single. Day.2020 is really kicking all our asses. What have you been waiting for lately? Joyful are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! -Proverbs 8:34 The waiting period is not exactly a joyful phase. Especially when you're not sure if the answer you've been waiting for is what you're going to receive. Aristotle said: Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet. When I was discerning if marriage was for me, I stayed single for a long time. I kissed dating goodbye. That's a title of a book I haven't read it. I heard it's good.[Click here if you want to order I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris.] I enjoyed every me-time I have. Oh, I had ample back then. Yes, I was happy. But there were long, lonely, cold nights too. Gfycat When I was waiting for my life after graduation to start, I was reviewing for the board exam. There were a lot of terms and formulas to memorize. I have no idea how I passed it. I'd say only by God's grace. 🤣 But the waiting period between after the exam until it was announced was filled with tension. It wasn't particularly joyful. This q uarantine period is fine. Because I'm working from home for years now, quarantine is not new to me. All these things going on around the world though are getting to me as the days go by. It's different knowing you're staying home because you want to and staying home because you're forced to. We humans love our freedom, don't we? Pinterest So this l ockdown has somehow messed up my mental health. There was a time when I had to disconnect from the world. As much as I wanted to be in the know of what's happening, I needed to step back.I had to take refuge in God's presence like never before. I had to desperately search for things to keep my mind off the crisis. I felt like a fish out of water hopelessly trying to breathe. Thankfully, distancing from the news and social media helped. See the simple therapies I found on my previous entries. Day 20: Unproductive Day 16: Lover Day 14: Self-growth Day 9: Hustle Day 7: Simple Life Day 6: Friends and Chosen Day 5: Disconnect Day 2: Gratitude List The whole world is waiting with bated breath for when we can all finally step out of the house, hug each other again and enjoy our freedom. When will that be? I don't know. It's not easy waiting alone. But knowing we're in this together makes it a little better. Your turn How long do you think this quarantine will last? What do you do while waiting for something? May contain affiliate link.
Lux Thinking Aloud My Big Day Is Coming! 5:12 PM My big day is coming! Every time I turn a year older, I look back and thank the Lord for a year of blessings and think about the lessons I've learned. That's the advantage of being a December celebrant. You get to celebrate your birthday and review the year that was since another year is about to start. I'll be posting about them birthday lessons and gratitude list in my next posts. My big day is coming and although that means I'm getting older (!), my heart is bursting with joy. What's your birthday wish for me? :) photo credit 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 Celebrating My Fantastic 36th Year On Earth 11:29 AM The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes. -Frank Lloyd Wright Just finished celebrating my fantastic 36th year on earth. It’s my last birthday as a single woman. Time flies when you’re having fun. Wasn’t it only yesterday I was reveling in my single journey, embracing the ups and downs, feeling the joy and pain of being “set apart” in a world cruel to someone choosing to walk alone? A bit dramatic, isn’t it? But that’s based on my experience. I’ve loved my single life. Every part of it---the good, the bad, and the ugly. I love the me-time, the quiet, the independence, and the freedom, even when I feel empty sometimes. Because that’s when I felt God’s presence the most. That’s when I’m most desperate for Him. Fantastic 36th Year on Earth Eating kindly This year I’ve decided to take baby steps towards eating kindly. However, I’m not a vegan yet. I'm a pescovegetarian. The reason being where I currently am, food choices for vegans are minimal. But I started because every time I eat meat, I can’t help thinking that what I am eating used to be alive and, if given a choice, I would not want to die just so I can eat. He’d instead be playing on the grass, eating, sleeping, and enjoying life. Not to be confined in a dirty, uncomfortable cage with little room for moving, enduring heat, getting tortured, and eventually killed in who knows what way. In the words of Jessica Chastain: “I don’t want to torture anything. … it’s about trying to live a life where I’m not contributing to the cruelty in the world. … While on this planet, I want everyone I meet to know that I am grateful they are here.” Nutritional and environmental reasons also pushed me to change my food choices---and lifestyle in general. I’m on my way to eating purely plant-based. I’ll get there someday soon. This year, I decided to eat kindly, which is fantastic! More travels I discovered my love for traveling when I was still single. It’s one of the things I wanted to do for myself: to find joy and be in awe as often as possible. To discover new places and experience new things. This year, that didn’t change. I am thankful for a fiance who loves traveling and seeing nature. And who stays in control, takes care of everything from planning to packing, and oversees everything that’s needed. That’s something you must strive to find, my dear single friends. Someone who lets you be independent but whom you can also always depend on. I’ve traveled both for leisure and business this year. Both I’ve enjoyed and am thankful for. Gift of romantic relationship I was single for six years before I met my fiance. Six years of no dating, no flirting, no emotional involvement. Six years of pruning, healing, spending time with friends, serving, working, and traveling. Most of all, it’s been a long journey of making peace with myself. It wasn’t easy. It was so loud outside. People judge and laugh at my choices. Well-meaning friends pressured me to settle with apparently just anyone they thought was “okay” for me. Thankfully, there is calmness inside me. Despite my doubts and fears, everything will work out in the end. I was so tired of kissing frogs that I was willing to forego dating for as long as the next one I kiss is the actual prince. I couldn’t help but marvel at God’s greatness. Although we are not perfect, He finds someone who is perfectly imperfect for us. And no matter how different we are, we fit just right like puzzle pieces to create a beautiful picture. When I was still single, I would take note of the things I wanted and did not want for my future husband. Sometimes I’ll be watching a movie, and when I love the spouse in the film, I’d whisper a prayer to God and say, “Please give me a husband like that, Lord.” Sometimes it happens when reading a book or even in real life. I’m very observant. If I see someone acting like a jerk, I’d say, “I’d rather stay single for life than be with someone like that.” This was when I decided that if I could not get married someday, I’d be okay with it. I’ll just keep traveling and enjoying life as it is. Somehow in my heart, I knew I was leading in this direction. Knowing that you’ll be happy to stay single and ready should there be a shift in the universe is such a wonderful feeling. 😉 God has plans for us far better than we have imagined. His generosity is boundless. I will forever be grateful to Him for finally giving me the gift of a romantic relationship. All worth the wait and the heartaches. “Adulting” at its finest One of the many Save-the-date templates I tested I’ve never felt more “adult” in my life than I have this year. What could be more mature, serious, and adult than planning for a wedding and paying bills? I can’t (and don’t want to) delve into details. But so far, this year has been the most stressful, busiest, challenging, and overwhelming time in my adult life. By the way, I’m selling my property. So if you’re interested, just shoot me a message. 😏 The gift of uncertainty Just because I’m thirty-six now doesn’t mean I have figured out everything about life. My future is still uncertain. I have plans and goals, but obviously, in my past, God has proven that His will is stronger and far more beautiful. Yes, there are still times when I doubt and worry. There are still times when the enemy seems to be winning in discouraging me. I want to always know what’s next. But I guess that’s the beauty of the future. You can create it today. I don’t know where I’ll be in the next year. I’m not sure how I will spend 2019, to be honest. All I can do is work on the things I can control and let go of the things I cannot. Allow God to do the impossible, as that’s His expertise. I can only hold on to His promises, remember the times He’s been faithful to me even when I wasn’t, and keep praying. I’m thankful that in all these uncertainties, there are two specific things in my life: That God will be there is already there, preparing everything I need, and that I have an excellent partner holding my hand as we’re facing the unknown together. That’s why my 36th is fantastic! How about you? How’s life been so far? Other birthday posts: Post-birthday Reflections Another Year Older And Hopefully Wiser My Birthday Gratitude List Life So Far This 2016 My Big Day Is Coming! Birthday Life Lessons