The Incredible Year That Was (A Birthday Post)

Just recently, I shared a quote with some close friends of mine about gratitude. It said: “Remember the days you prayed for the things you have now.” I must admit that this quote really spoke to me.

It’s one of the timeliest messages I came across as I just celebrated my birthday last Friday (November 27th). My birthday happens to fall on Thanksgiving week (and last year it was on Thanksgiving Day itself!) which is a really nice coincidence as it is also a good reminder for me to look back at what life has thrown at me and given me the past 365 days. Whatever it is, good or bad, big or small, I am thankful for the lessons learned, the experience gained, the wisdom obtained, and the grace received through it all.

I am a year older today yes, but maybe many more wiser because of the multitude of things I experienced and learned from. Truly, this last year has been nothing short of incredible for me.

I’ve heard and read so many times how useful and beneficial it is to have a Gratitude Journal, a place where we can write things down — things that we are most thankful for. Apparently, all we need is just five minutes daily to rewire our brain and to unleash everything great in our life; and this all starts with gratitude! Once we start becoming aware of the positive things in our life, we fight off the brain’s natural tendency to scan for and spot the negatives! As a result, we end up training our brain to be more positive and thus we also end up becoming happier. (Now, who doesn’t want that?!)

So here’s a quick snapshot of what’s in my Gratitude Journal. If someone asks me today what am I really most thankful for, these are the three things I would tell you that are up my list :

1. Work

This is the year I dared and became something I’ve always wanted to be: an entrepreneur. It may have taken me some time to explore this side of me, but since I made this commitment just last June (yes barely a year old!) — the blood, sweat, and tears I’ve had… I realized are all worth it.  I continue to pursue this new career of mine with passion and know in my heart that this is an opportunity not to be wasted.

I was able to put up Grace Home, launched and hosted Grace Home trunk shows — not just once, but twice (in June and November), joined a couple of exciting bazaars and fairs (Spectrum 1 and 2, CURA V’s La Botanique, Momzilla, and Philippine Tatler Homes Luxe Living Trunk Show), and was met with such wonderful support and feedback.

This is also the year that I made bigger strides with The Spoiled Mummy blog, beginning with the rebranding and redesign that was implemented just a couple of months ago.

2. Travel

No matter how many times I get to travel, I cannot ever take this opportunity for granted. And this year’s trips have been such amazing experiences — as I went to places that I could only imagine and dream about before.

I am especially grateful to have gone to Turkey (where I explored the rich and colorful city of Istanbul, went back through time and history in Ephesus and rode the hot air balloon and soared above the caves of Cappadocia).  And for those of you who follow me on Instagram, I’m sure you know that just most recently, I went to see the magnificent fjords and the amazing Northern Lights of beautiful Norway (which I have yet to write about — soon).

3. Family

So many beautiful things to be thankful for indeed, but still nothing beats how grateful I am to have my little family. My family who is supportive of me and all that I do. My family who is very patient and understanding of my busy schedule and stressful days. My family who loves me unconditionally and endlessly despite my many flaws and shortcomings.

As I always say, they are all I need to be happy and complete. My children inspire me with their sincerity of intention and purity of heart. I will not be where I am now if they didn’t accept and love me for who I am. I know I am truly and wonderfully blessed because I have them. Never a day goes by that I am not grateful to Him up there, to our Lord Almighty God, the Creator of all, the Provider of all good things, for them.

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What are you most grateful for? Share your thoughts with me here!