2011 Year in Review: Endless Possibilities

There are a lot of things to be grateful for in the year 2011. My life has been ups and downs this year but I have struggled to persevere and endure the not-so-good happenings that brought sadness and tears. 

However, I have also experienced the wonderful living brought by the blessings that came along the way of my journey. Life, as I define it is indeed balanced: you win some and you lose some.

Being a winner in life would take lots of courage and determination. I have been able to conquer my fears and doubts to be able to climb up, if not on the top at least one step higher. I made it to become the person that I am today because of my willingness to change. I succeed in changing my beliefs, perceptions, and negative thoughts about myself knowing that "I can if I will".

2011 has been so memorable to me as I recall the past events that made me smile for joy and tears for sorrow. Whatever those circumstances may be, it will be a thing of the past and will never be backed.

REFLECTION

I started the year 2011 with a new year celebration with my family. This is a very memorable event for us, being together to welcome the beginning of the year. It was fun to have a meal on media noche; playing with some firecrackers and watching fireworks which are common activities on the new year.

We have welcomed the new year with gratitude for all the blessings that we have received for the past year and for the hope of attracting abundance for the new year. Gratitude is a very important virtue to practice for receiving more prosperity in life. I am grateful and feel blessed.

It is a nice feeling to become reunited with loved ones and to express love and affection. The beginning of the year was so bright and a good start to do things by the goal I have set.

THE BIRTH

We have also welcomed the new year with the birth of our youngest family member, Szymon Prince. He brought so much joy and blessing to the family. This young boy is the source of inspiration and happiness to his parents and siblings.

GRATITUDE

I have been blessed to become part of BE Life and I have gained deeper knowledge and wisdom about different aspects of life. I have met wonderful people who are my superiors, mentors, and colleagues who inspire me.

I have become more insightful and learned to accept my higher purpose. Along this path, I have met like-minded people and serving people to live their greatest life. I thank everyone who has touched my life and in return, I will continue to do the things which bring fulfillment to other people.

Thanks to my Spiritual mentors, my colleagues, my family, and friends for the support that they have shown to me for this year. Their presence is highly valued and appreciated.

OPPORTUNITY

For this year, I had the opportunity to travel and work abroad with my colleagues. This time, we will be serving different people of various backgrounds, creeds, and spiritual beliefs. This is a challenge that I have accepted and will be doing my best to bring about positive results to the people I have met and served.

I have learned to be more optimistic. The power of positive thinking is really true and it has made a difference in my life. There were moments of fear and doubt, but whenever they arise, I shift my thoughts to be positive and be on the right track.

I have learned "The Secret" to endless possibilities. The three words: Ask-Believe-Receive, to attract things that I want. We deserve to become abundant and that comes when we change our way of thinking. I have done it before and "The Secret" will be passed on to my loved ones and everyone who may need it.

It feels good to have a self-inventory of the whole years' experience. I have several questions about inventory this year. Questions like; did I make any progress on personal development? did I make a difference in someone's life? did I grow in spiritual maturity? and so much more to ask. On deeper reflection, I have found the answer to these questions and will continue to inventory myself each year for new personal development.

LIFE'S LIKE THAT

This year is not just happiness but a moment of grief to unexpected happenings. Life may be full of uncertainties and twists, and we have learned to accept it no matter how hurtful it may seem. This way, we learn to be strong and courageous.

THE LESSON

In life, one of the most important things above all is to take everything as a life lesson, may it be positive or negative. We take it as a challenge to live and fight for. It is also important to become a blessing to other people. I have been blessed and you may be blessed, so it is not a tough job to share it with people who mean so much to us. Sharing would depend on how we define it, but the question of how can we become a blessing to others is a challenge to ponder and take an action.

What a wonderful year 2011!

© 2011 Del Cusay

Christmas in Our Hearts: A Wonderful Beginning

I love to celebrate Christmas with my family since childhood. Christmas would mean so many things to me when I was a kid; full of wonderful imaginations like believing in Santa Claus, and the gift to be received from him. As a kid, I had a meaningful experience during this season. For me this is the season to gather together as a family; having a meal together on Christmas eve or we call it Noche Buena. Full of surprises like games, food, gifts, and others.

Through the years, things have changed rapidly. Beliefs on Santa Claus have changed; consecutive years celebrating Christmas not being together as a complete family; not much gift received and had given, and no games, no parties, and just enough food for Noche Buena (Christmas eve).

Every Christmas celebration is unique. We had several Christmas parties at school, parties with a group of friends, and an exclusive celebration with the family.

Although the Christmas season has its uniqueness and extravagance, I have always remembered the real essence of celebrating Christmas. To give, to share, to love one another—virtues that were instilled in my mind.

Celebrating Christmas is beyond values and virtues. More than the party, the gifts and the food is the time to remember the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christian, we have attended mass on Christmas eve to commemorate His birth and to pray for blessings and abundance.

Moreover, Christmas is a good opportunity to be reunited with loved ones, to heal broken hearts, to forgive. This is in preparation to open our hearts for receiving much greater blessings for the coming of a new year. A more fulfilled life comes after an open heart— a heart that is giving and loving. Likewise, success is just short-lived and is never measured by how many material things we possess.

A fulfilled person is more than being happy. It can be measured as to how you're living your life. How many people have you helped and transformed their lives? What sacrifices have you done for the benefit of the many?— these are some of the spiritual practices of a fulfilled individual with Christ-like virtues.

This Christmas, although I will not be able to celebrate it with my family, still I feel being connected with them. I don't have to feel lonely in a foreign land knowing that they are living a good life; a life that is content and with a sense of fulfillment.

I may be far away but the spirit of Christmas is still there. There is no reason to be homesick or to be sad, but there is always a reason to smile and celebrate it with people who are closer and dear to us.

This Christmas, above all and on a deeper perspective is about Jesus Christ. Hence, we still have to remember how to share indiscriminately, give heartily and love unconditionally.

Christmas as celebrated all over the world, would remind us to live with our responsibility beyond what we call being Christian, and the virtues it has taught us should be practiced the whole year-round, and that Christmas, regardless of race, creed and religion, or spiritual affiliation will always be in our hearts forever.


© 2011 Del Cusay