OFTEN we forget how far we have come. We get so entangled with our daily concerns that our view of the world becomes myopic. I understand how these things happen to all of us, how we fall short of appreciating the things that got us to where we are now, but I still think that we should make the effort to remember and reflect our journey.
When was the last time you leafed through your family pictures? And I mean pictures of you, your parents and siblings! When was the last time you reminisced about elementary and high school days or got in touch with your friends way back then, and the ones in college too? Do you remember your first crush and smiled because life was so sweet and innocent then? Hahaha.
Sometimes I bump into my first crush at the grocery and marvel at the thought after all these years (41 to be exact) I still see him around! I chuckle at how I used to find him so cute and how I still do!!! Hahaha. Yesterday, I thanked my high school bff Bebong for staying friends with me through thick and thin; told her how much I love her and how I appreciate our friendship.
It is not all happy, when we recall our life path. There are sad that we wish we never had to “read” through but well, that just wasn’t possible. It’s these sore points mixed with healing and acceptance that build our character, toughen us and make us better people. I would cry for hours recalling days spent with my sister who passed on last February and the fact that I will never see her again reduces me to tears.
But life is like that. Good and bad. Sad and happy. The trick is to shine when it’s sunny and learn to dance in the rain when it’s gloomy. It may take a while to get into the swing of things but making the effort to do so will be worth it. And it feels good to be reminded how much you have accomplished given the difficulties that you have gone through, right? It may be bittersweet but in the end you realize that you are stronger than you think and tougher too!
You have risen through debilitating times and carried yourself through some disheartening instances when it would have been easier to quit. But you didn’t because you are still here, another year done, and another feather in your cap. You truly deserve a pat on the back (and that extra cup of rice)!
Happy Sunday!