Be Kind

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle."  -- Plato

I've been spending a great deal of time with friends, recently -- a lot more than usual. When I'm not out with them, I'm on the phone with them. My cousin said that I was suddenly becoming very 'clingy'. But she also thought this to be a huge improvement in my social life, and duefully congratulated me for hanging out more. Apparently for her, I don't go out enough.

I've been going through plenty of emotional ups and downs. Must be one of the reasons why I like to surround myself with people all the time. And as my friends and I sat and swapped stories over drinks one evening, I looked around the table and noticed something. I wasn't the only one going through a bumpy ride, almost everyone was. And then I think about the others who weren't around the table, and I realize. They had issues, too! And it's funny, everyone was smiling and laughing as if they didn't have a care in the world, much like what I was doing. And I thought to myself, we are a dysfunctional bunch!

It's a pretty obvious realization. It's a fact, a simple truth. Of course everyone has problems! We wouldn't be actually living if we didn't. We know it, but we're so caught up with our own emotions and worries, we forget that we're not alone. (And that the world does not revolve around us.) It's a good way of keeping things in perspective, I guess. No matter how bad you're getting it, there will always be someone who is getting it even worse. Everyone has their own struggles, everyone has battles to be won. And it kinda makes you feel better in a way. It makes you feel that it's completely normal, that you're normal, and because it is such a natural occurrence, everything's going to be ok in the end. 

Letting Go

Hands up.

Some things are just beyond my control.

Whatever will happen, will happen.

Come what may.

I am surrendering everything to the world. I think I've done all that is humanly possibly under the circumstances given me. Reason is my ally today. When emotions are at play, and human relationships are on the line, the mind is the best weapon. So long as the mind is in the right state. And mine is pretty darn straight, thankfully! Mind over heart. Mind over matter. A strong will isn't bad to have either. Right now, I am neither expecting nor wanting. I hope but only for the best. I am letting go -- of all the what if's, what could be's, what shouldn't be's, and all the feelings that came with them. I let my heart soar just a little higher for a while, let my imagination run wild, and let the walls down for just a tiny bit. Now, it's time to plant my feet back on the ground.

The whole day today, I let all emotions wash all over me. They won't be ignored any longer. They came ever so slowly. Very subtle at first, and then they came crashing. Funny how I'm feeling everything at the same time, yet I am numb to the core. Confused, but clear on my purpose. Sad but grateful. Stung, but strong. Hurt, but in control. Eager to go forward, but content to swim with memories, to linger in the present.

I have complete faith in the future. Faith will be another ally, my protection against uncertainty. I will find what I am looking for, and it will find me. Whatever form it will take, I do not know. Again, I hope only for the best. And when it does find me, I hope I am ready. Ready and willing to let life and destiny run its course.

Weekly Love

I believe that gratitude is the fastest link to happiness. It makes you feel positive. contented. peaceful. And it enhances the feeling of love. Jason Mraz sings about gratitude all the time. Which is one of the many reasons I love him so much :)

On the other hand, constant wanting does nothing but produce stress. Stress doesn't necessarily have to be bad. Some forms of stress are good for you. Good or bad though, it's stress all the same.

Janine's Weekly Love project allows you to de-stress by taking notice of everyday "moments of love." Moments like these can be found in the most unlikely places, in the most mundane of things. As such, they go by unnoticed. If we slowed down though, we'd see plenty, and we'd feel a lot happier. The perfect way to handle stress. (And I know I don't handle stress very well)

Here's my list of my moments of love. I am grateful for..

..Social media. It makes communicating with friends abroad so very easy.

..Reliable internet connection at home and at the office. Can't imagine life without it.

..Long but immensely satisfying conversations with friends. It's like high school all over again.

..Friends, both new and old. Life is so much better with friends!

Weekly Love happens every Friday. Join the party over at www.lovedreamact.blogspot.ch

LaBoracay!

I've been to Boracay a few times in my life, but never on May 1st, where they say the parties are out of this world! As much as I love to party, I've never felt inclined to go. And the thought of a crowded beach, (because it WILL be crowded on May) tuned me off instantly! That was until this year. For some reason, I wanted to go. Maybe because of the age thing. I figured I wasn't getting any younger, why not try everything out now! So.. I packed my bags (and bikinis) and headed out to Bora with my lovely cousins.

And I was pleasantly surprised :)

The party scene in Boracay on Labor Day weekend did not disappoint! What with happy hour starting at 2pm, eye candy patrolling its shores ALL the time, and Bora's blood-pumping, skin-tight, beer-raining beach parties, who wouldn't enjoy? It leaves you wanting more! By the time I got back, I was already considering returning the next year!

Plus, I met a bunch of new people, met new friends, and reunited with old ones. I certainly found a lot of them there!

So there you go. Laboracay. I highly recommend it. Everyone should experience it at least once in their lives!