My golf balls and pebbles in 2012

Photo credit: Temprell's Facebook 

I was inspired by a Facebook post of Temprell about a "lecture" of a philosophy professor on golf balls, pebbles and sand. The story went something like this. One fine day, a professor presented an empty jar to his class. He filled the jar with golf balls then pebbles then sand then beer and for every item, he asked his class if the jar was full. The class was clueless as to what he was up to until he explained, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things—-your family, your children, your health, your friends and your favorite passions—-and if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house and your car.. The sand is everything else—-the small stuff."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness...Take care of the golf balls first—-the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand," he added.

I have written these 30 awesome things that I received, experienced and created this 2012 long before I read Temprell's post, but I found the content to be parallel to each other - at least in terms of setting priorities right.

And I purposely wrote 30 things in this list on the year I reached the third decade of my life. Yes, just as everyone was scared of the end-of-the-world frenzy, I was listing 30 awesome things that made this year 30licious (theme of my birthday celebration, which will be posted later) and fulfilling.

Golf balls
1. We were transferred to a room of our own
2. Celebrated Noly's Dirty Thirty, 30th birthday party
3. Met with Hugh and Ate Mai, my nephew and cousin respectively who are now based in Hong Kong
4. Celebrated Nanay's and Lara's birthday in Nuvali and Tagaytay
5. More "us" time that resulted in a happier, healthier and better marriage
6. The waiting time for the baby taught me to be more patient
7. Realization that life is indeed beautiful and there's nothing to be scared about it if we just trust God and His "design"
8. Ability to cook more dishes
9. Time to do more writing, reading and reflection
10. More friends at work
11. Christmas greetings from family, friends and ex-colleagues
12. Resources that Noly and I have to be able to help our family
13. Good health, sound mind
14. Feeling of gratitude because of the simplicity and serenity of our lives
15. Zeal for life despite the odds
16. Saw and experienced the Underground River, one of the 7 Nature Wonders of the World
17. Learned to be more hospitable because of the industry I am in
18. Hope brought about by the new management at the resort

Pebbles
1. Became my company's Service Champion for 3rd quarter of 2012 (Employee of the Quarter)
2. Bought Chrissy, our Toyota Altis
3. Settled our real estate tax
4. Tried my hand on stock market (and will continue)
5. Sold backpacks (and now added belt bags)
6. Went to Hong Kong
7. Went to Macau
8. Won a garnet stone in a jewellery factory in Hong Kong
9. Received many Christmas gifts from unexpected sources
10. Career opportunities in spite of my constant rantings
11. Met more priests because of my work
12. Expanded my network of career professionals

Do you have anything similar in this list? I would love to hear in the comments.

What will happen to the world on December 21, 2012?

Photo credit: www.watchdocumentary.tv

No one knows if it’s truly the world’s end. Not even Nostradamus nor NASA as written in 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4 (NIV) “For you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”

But it’s not about whether the world will end on a certain date.

I guess the more apt question would be: How have we lived our lives before 12-21-12 to make us ready for it - in case the world really ends?

The homily this morning on Day 6 of simbang gabi taught us the value of extra-ordinary service and loving presence to our loved ones, perhaps two inexpensive and essential gifts that most of us find difficult to give. We have a lot of things to accomplish when we are swamped with our (worldly) desires, – career success, money and fame – and unfortunately our family, friends and loved ones become the least of our priority. It happened to me. Or maybe, it is still my dilemma.

But thanks to Mary, Mother of God, who, when she was pregnant to Jesus Christ, was still able to visit Elizabeth, mother of St. John the Baptist, in her pregnancy.

Thanks to the late Department of Interior and Local Government, Jesse Robredo, who, in the midst of success and public service, was still a great father to his children and husband to his wife, Atty. Leni Robredo.

Thanks to the late Rodante "Bogs" Aquino, my father, who shared with me valuable lessons in life including the importance of generosity. He may not have been a wealthy man when he died, but his wealth lied on the quality of life he lived with a huge amount of friends and mourners that showed up in his death.

They have touched my life in so many ways and I thank them for reminding me of my capacity to provide these valuable gifts of service and presence to others.

I do not know either if the world will end today. But one thing is for sure, if we will live our lives to the fullest as in the examples of Mother Mary, Sec. Robredo and Mr. Bogs Aquino; and share our best selves to people, we will not be concerned if the world will end today, tomorrow or whenever. 

I am just curious. How have you lived your life before 12-21-12? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

Are you pregnant yet?

Are you pregnant yet?

This question from people has been nagging me since I joined my husband in November 2011, about 8 months past.

It's been a standard greeting of people whenever I'm home for vacation or whenever I'm in touch with them online.

Whenever I say no, there are further whys thrown at me which I find more difficult to answer.

I am lying if I'd say I'm not affected. I've been longing for a baby, my single wish in my prayers; and getting jealous to mommies who enjoy mommyhood already. After all, that's my ultimate goal when I decided to join my husband in Palawan and be away from home again.

But all I can do now is to patiently wait and have faith that we're in the right direction. As what Mr. Francis Kong posted on his Facebook, "Progress has less to do with speed and more to do with direction. Do not be impatient. Many wrong life decisions are made simply because one could not wait. As long as you are in the right direction, be patient, be diligent, be excellent and enjoy the scenery along the way."

Can you relate to this post? Feel free to comment or share your stories of pain and how God has relieved you with His answers. In my case, Mr. Kong's advice has been used.

Photo source:

Flickriver: David Sledge's favorite photos

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