As the title says, it’s a new year… well almost. considering it is still Dec. 30.
It’s that time of year again to watch fireworks, eat Media Noche, and most importantly to have family gatherings. But let us not forget the dreaded “New Year’s Resolution” which, let’s admit it, never even gets done at the end of the year.
I love celebrating New Year in the Philippines. I tried spending it in San Francisco and it made me miss and appreciate Philippines more. Nothing against SF but it’s sooo quiet! You hear a few fireworks here and there but it seems like it’s not a big deal!
In the Philippines, New Year means a fresh new start, a time to forget what happened in the past and learn from mistakes. It means saying goodbye to everything- regrets, happiness, old loves, etc. It means… HOPE, like there is still a brighter future that we can anticipate. Especially now, after the tragedy that struck Cagayan de Oro and Iligan a few days before Christmas. (BTW, Thank you for all the people that helped and donated!)
Since it means a new start, I’ll try to give a small New Year’s Resolution.
- Do better in school. - Now this may seem hard, but it really isn’t. I just had the wrong inspiration for it. I learned this the hard way. I tried to compete with my classmates, but it ended up in disappointing myself. I always strived to have a higher grade than others instead of concentrating to have a higher grade than my last exam. If I concentrate on getting a higher grade than my last exam rather than that of the grade of my classmates I’d actually feel better, no disappointment and it improves me.
REMEMBER: Never compete with others but compete with yourself.
- Never judge too quickly. - Did you ever try to look at a person and suddenly a scenario comes to mind, like where the person lives, what’s his economic status, etc? I did and it totally blew my mind! Not because I ended up right, but because my guess was the total opposite! And when you judge them before you actually get to know them, you treat them differently. And it hurts.
REMEMBER: “Judgement prevents us from seeing the good that lies beyond appearances.” - Wayne Dyer
- Take off the mask. - Do you know that everyone wears a mask everyday of their lives? Unless taken off. Example: I’m texting/chatting with someone and they ask me ‘Are you ok?’ and I answer ‘I’m fine’ with a smiley, but I’m actually not? Yes, I know that’s called a lie but it’s also called a mask. In where I slip it on as to not reveal what I really feel, so people see what I want them to see, not what I actually am. Sometimes, I know it’s there but sometimes I forget that it’s slowly slipping down my forehead until it’s actually in place because it makes me feel better and… safer. I never was an open person, I liked keeping things to myself even when I’m in pain. I use it to please other people. But I should remember to be myself, to please not other people but HIM alone.
REMEMBER: Be the real you and don’t worry about those who judge you because most of the time they don’t really matter.
If I can follow this (which I really will) I’m sure my New Year’s resolution will be done before the year ends.
Belated Merry Christmas and Advance Happy New Year, everyone!!
