Christmas in Our Hearts 2018: A New Milestone, Self-Renewal and New Beginning

What a year it has been! A recollection of beautiful memories and sad realities. This year 2018, brought a different view and meaning of life; self-restraint and taking control of emotions to a higher level. Now it's time to look back and reminisce on the year that was and my thoughts on how I fair with my plans and decisions.

The previous year 2017, may have been the most challenging ever. Christmas in Our Hearts 2017: The Unexpected Reality would have hit a punch and destruction, but have received a warm embrace and affection from a loving family back home. However, 2018 gave me a new beginning and hope, and I will fight and survive.

I have been more positive all through these years since I have learned to elevate my higher consciousness, but losing oneself along the way also loses the power once established. There are miracles, as I believe, whereas uncertainties would have to be defeated.

Patience, tolerance, and perseverance can mean a lot for higher aspirations. It may not be easy, but it can be embedded in consciousness and applied in business and life.

Personal Development

Since 2011 I have written and shared several personal development stories and quotations. This year I have compiled some quotable quotes from my writings.

• The Road Ahead. I started to share my personal quotes about my life experiences and the wisdom gained through the years. Whenever I get inspired and motivated, I capture whatever beautiful scene lifts my spirit. The Road Ahead is still under construction, with no shortcuts to the best destination.

• The Crossroads. There are setbacks along the journey, and I must feel the agony. My sufferings would have helped me to look back on what I have done and have to pay back. The Crossroads would remind me about the right road and learn not to take the wrong "U" turn. 

• Soulful Sunday. There is something so beautiful about Sunday morning upon waking up. A certain feeling of joy in the heart awakens a blissful spirit. Soulful Sunday is about my reflections and thoughts about significant events impacting my life. 

Those subjects above serve as a GPS, a personal guide for self-mastery and renewal. I gently lift my soul for healing and reconciliation whenever I feel crushed and defeated.

A New Milestone

I said before that when the door closes, another opportunity knocks. In the third quarter of 2018, I acted on my dream to develop and execute my entrepreneurial plans. It may not be prestigious or grandiose, but pushing through and breaking the barriers made me the first step. With my previous corporate experiences, I have developed my dealings with people through customer service and customer experience.

My first venture will succeed and eventually take it to the next level. With the people who tirelessly and continuously support me on my back, I will focus and finish what I have started. It always feels good to create and learn something new. It even challenges us on how to keep it running and moving forward and reaching its peak. 

In this venture, there's no place for giving up, and there's always a will to keep moving. Having more patience and dedication would fuel it to success. 

The World of Entrepreneurship is overwhelming. To have planted a seed and nourished it to grow would be more challenging. We keep on improving and finding ways to make our dreams bound to materialize. It May have been a thousand miles away from expected reality and may take years to cultivate and harvest, but it could be more rewarding and fulfilling. 

A New Beginning 

Before the year ends, some events may have shaken us. 

• Death. A loved one may have gone, but the memories will remain in our hearts. It may be an absence of life, but a beginning of a new incredible journey in the afterlife. It's not about saying goodbye until we see each other again. We give respect and gratitude, honor for a life well-lived, and will forever cherish the meaningful days shared. 

• Birth. A new beginning may be a rebirth or new birth. Just before the celebration of Christ's birth, we welcomed the birth of my nephew,  Matthew, which name means "Gift from God," an angel of God. 

• Hope. When all else fails, one thing that gives us confidence and courage is hoping for something out of or beyond our control. We can never have it all. However, we can achieve our best realities when we hope for the best. We can constantly strengthen our willpower to reach greater heights and let gratitude pave the way to the more meaningful and successful life we ever wanted. Our hopes and dreams are fueled by our passion, desire, and commitment to live our best lives. 

Relationships

Opportunities are endless, and the year 2018 created a tsunami-like reality. Creating health awareness inspires people to commit to a healthier living in an environment with lesser stress and not away from home.

• Family. The source of inspiration and motivation to move on is the family. They support us in our goals and make our dreams come true. I take pride in my family and will forever be grateful for their love. 

• Friends. We cherish the great memories from old and new friends for meaningful friendships. They may not have been connected for years, but pleasant memories connect the gap. We cherish those who have not forgotten us and keep those who remain. There are connections we have to cut and others we would have to build. 

Before the year ends, assessing what life has been and what opportunities we have fought for is a good feeling. There's no perfect year; either we win some or lose some. The battle will always be there as we become more fierce than ever. We will remain grounded in our realities and connected with our families and communities.

As the year passes, our world becomes more significant, and our responsibility will become more outstanding. We will surely win in the game of life with faith in God and other Divine beings.

The Christmas season is closer to my heart, and I never fail to give a reflection since 2011, when I started blogging. This is the season of renewal and recollection. A season of love and a celebration of love and life. 

© 2018 Del Cusay

Devotion to The Miraculous Medal

I grew up in a family significantly devoted to the Miraculous Medal. The Holy Mary: Mother of God in France, revealed the precious medal on November 29, 1830. I remember this devotion to be celebrated by my family annually every 10th day of November -- initially every 27th day of November in celebration of my father's actual birthday; however, it was moved to the 10th of November in the early years of the devotion.

Our relatives, mostly the elderly, are among those who venerate and pray religiously while singing praises of hymn and thanksgiving to glorify Mary: Mother of Christ. They help us through prayers to worship Mary and Jesus and to pray for our intention. The Miraculous Medal of Mary never failed to hear our prayers through her intercession. It is through prayers that healing will happen. Recovery of our body, mind, and spirit. Holistic spiritual healing is granted through the promises of the Miraculous Medal. 

I am a living witness of the miracles of the religious medal of Mary. Our family may have experienced a lot of struggles and unending challenges, but we have remained strong and positive through the years. We have overcome obstacles and trials that would have broken us. However, prayer is a potent weapon to overcome defeat.

I also remember just before graduation when we were given a booklet of the Miraculous Medal by our teacher, who is also a devotee. The prayers helped me overcome doubts and negativity and helped me to pass the board exam with positivity. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mary through his son Jesus Christ our God, we remain prayerful for graces and blessings in our life.

It's been 3 decades already that we are annually celebrating our devotion to the Miraculous Medal, which will continue for years to come. The Blessed Mary never fails to hear us when we ask for her intercession. We glorify her name and give her the highest veneration as the mother of Christ - our Lord and our savior. Just like her message to all of us: "Oh, Mary! Conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee."

Blessed Mother Mary, pray for us. Amen.

When September Ends: Timeless Wishes

There's nothing more to be excited about than hearing Christmas songs in the Philippines. That moment is genuinely awaited by many: the month of September. Perhaps there is something so special about the beginning of the "Ber" month season. This is when we feel loving, caring, and somewhat excited about the remaining few months before the year ends. We may still need to achieve some of our goals, but it's never too late.

What makes September so unique for me is that this is the month that I was born; this is my birth month, and the same as with the person who has given birth to me; my loving mother. We both celebrate our birthday in September, and it's always a fantastic month, like the autumn season. We feel the positive vibe and are more excited about what comes next. 

This month, I feel vital energy in my goals and desires. I am more motivated to execute my ideas and plan into action. This may be a tiring month based on actual experience, but in the end, it is fulfilling. Nothing in life comes easy, and when we aspire for success, we have to sweat it out to fuel our passion and desires. Some tasks may always be challenging, and that needs patience and tolerance. It is when we persevere that we reap the best rewards after that. We trust the system and are guided to do what is just. Then, we feel relieved and grateful for the challenges we have survived. 

It may have been a fantasy, but the time has come to take action on the dream that was put on 'hold' for the longest time. No matter how long it would be, I still take the initiative to live on my dreams and make them 'alive'; otherwise, they will still be a dream and not reality. Wake me up when September ends because this month may be full of make-believe ideas turning into action. Here comes October, the first month of the last quarter. This is it! And may the Divine guides inspire and bless the venture I am now into. May this be the fulfillment of my most awaited heart's desire. 

© 2018 Del Cusay