It’s almost 3AM, Philippine time, on the first day of the new year and this is the first time, in a long time, that I am able to breathe, relax and write down my thoughts… I hope this is a good sign… sort of like saying that the new year will bring me more relaxed moments to just be. *crossing my fingers*

Anyway, the house is now all cleaned up, quiet and dark after a whole day of preparation — running errands, picking up groceries and slaving away in the kitchen so we can all have a feast come media noche. And hurrah! Indeed, we were able to fill our dining table with yummy dishes that I think will last for another week just like our Noche Buena did last Christmas which lasted until New Year’s Eve. Hihihi! We feel so blessed! No more cooking the rest of the week, yey! I’m sure a lot of you can relate. 

Our Media Noche

Celebrating New Year’s Eve

Our Christmas Noche Buena

All the dishes we prepared for the new year, including a few leftovers from last Christmas, are now tucked inside the fridge. Tuz is already asleep as well as my mom, my brother and my two nephews who have been vacationing with us since before Christmas and Mahal is here lying beside me reading a magazine I asked him to read (yep, a celebrity magazine, hihihi).

It’s 2017! I can’t believe it. Time really flies so fast! Wasn’t it just yesterday when Tuz was just a tiny baby sleeping and crying every 2-4 hours? Now he’s walking all around the house and asking everyone (especially his grandma) to run after him! We are so lucky to witness his growth and development every step of the way each passing day being full-time work-from-home parents and all. Not all parents have the privilege to take care of their kids 24/7, 365 days of the year (my mom didn’t) and we are grateful that we are able to do so. Though it can be tiring and can come with its own set of anxieties and stresses, it’s still all worth it and we wouldn’t change it for the world. And every now and then, life surprises us with more blessings. Like several days after Tuz’s 13th month birthday and Mahal and I’s 28th monthsary which we didn’t have the time to celebrate anymore (coz I think I forgot with all the workload I needed to finish— damn epidural, my memory hasn’t been the same since after I gave birth), Mahal gifted me with a Japanese dinner and my very own Macbook Air! I wasn’t expecting it! Especially since he already bought a Macbook Pro last November which I thought was OURS. But he wanted me to have my own!  I am so grateful! Especially since I know that he can be such a frugal person too. I am speechless. Having a Macbook has been on my list since forever! 

 

Speaking of good things, I’d like more good, if not better things, this new year. And I’m not just talking about material things. I mean more love, more forgiveness, more understanding, more peace and more positive vibes! And I’m sure you do too, right? So before we hit the ground running when the holiday festivities are over (which I surmise will be sometime after Three Kings due to the very long Christmas season here in the Philippines, hehehe) let’s ask ourselves these three questions first which I’ve learned from Marie Forleo, one of my virtual mentors. The lessons we’ll get from answering these three questions will help us live a better life as we all embark on our respective adventures this 2017. Are you ready? These questions are:

1. What’s one thing you did in 2016 that you’re proud of?

2. What’s one mistake you made in 2016 and the lesson you’ve learned?
3. What’s one story you’re willing to let go on or before 2017?

So let me answer these questions first and then you do yours, aight?

 

One thing I did in 2016 that I’m proud of

For the first question, for me, the one thing that I did the past year that I’m proud of is the fact that I was able to not just survive my first year of motherhood but thrive in it too. I actually enjoy being a mom! And every moment that I am not holding Tuz because I have to work or have to do chores, my heart aches for him even if he’s just there in front of me, or around the house with his daddy. I am proud of the fact that I was able to fulfill my role well as a mother, something that I never thought I could do before.

 

One mistake I made in 2016 and the lesson I’ve learned

For the second question, the one mistake I made was to trust someone even if my gut feel already told me not to. I already had a negative feeling about this person since before and yet I chose to ignore that feeling and gave this person the benefit of the doubt instead. Well, never again. I should always, always trust the “yellow alerts” in my life, that feeling deep in my gut because that is God’s voice telling me something important that I should heed.

 

One story I’m willing to let go on or before 2017

For the third question, it’s all about the story of past relationships. I’ve already removed certain people in my life because of their toxic effect on my well-being. I have hypertension and anything or anyone that causes my blood pressure to  shoot up, or causes me severe stress and anxiety, I let go. We only have one life to live and I don’t intend to waste any more precious minutes trying to understand them when they wouldn’t even spend one minute trying to understand me.

I am happy with the few genuine friends I have in my life and as one of them told me (Jayme), I should forgive and let go. I’ve already learned the lessons I needed to learn from them and it’s now time to make new beginnings and adventures. No more beating myself up over failed relationships.

How about you?

2016, despite its many blessings, I must admit, has been a challenging year with so many first-time experiences, stresses, risks and toxins. Though we have plans on what we want to accomplish and do this new year, I do not yet really know what 2017 will hold for me and my family. But I have a deep faith in God and in His infinite goodness. I believe He is the source of all our supplies whether it be financial, physiological, mental, physical or emotional. I believe that all our needs and wants are met at every point of moment, space and time. And on this first day of the year, I am already saying THANK YOU, God! Thank you, universe! Thank you for all the answered prayers this 2017.

So goodbye 2016. You can now leave me in peace. Hello 2017! Bring it on! Let’s be merry, abundant and prosperous this year. HAPPY NEW YEAR, everyone!!!