2011 Year in Review: Endless Possibilities

There are many things to be grateful for in the year 2011. My life has been ups and downs this year, but I have struggled to persevere and endure the not-so-good happenings that brought sadness and tears. 

However, I have also experienced the excellent living brought by the blessings that came along the way of my journey. Life, as I define it is indeed balanced: you win some, and you lose some.

Being a winner in life would take lots of courage and determination. I have been able to conquer my fears and doubts to be able to climb up, if not on the top, at least one step higher. I made it to become the person that I am today because of my willingness to change. I succeed in changing my beliefs, perceptions, and negative thoughts about myself, knowing that "I can if I will."

2011 has been so memorable as I recall the past events that made me smile for joy and tears for sorrow. Whatever those circumstances, it will be a thing of the past and will never be backed.

REFLECTION

I started the year 2011 with a new year celebration with my family. This event is very memorable for us, being together to welcome the beginning of the year. It was fun to have a meal on media noche, play with some firecrackers, and watch fireworks which are everyday activities in the new year.

We have welcomed the new year with gratitude for all the blessings we have received for the past year and the hope of attracting abundance for the new year. Gratitude is an essential virtue to practice to receive more prosperity in life. I am grateful and feel blessed.

It is a nice feeling to reunite with loved ones and express love and affection. The beginning of the year was so bright and an excellent start to doing things by my goal.

THE BIRTH

We have also welcomed the new year with the birth of our youngest family member, Szymon Prince. He brought so much joy and blessing to the family. This young boy is the source of inspiration and happiness to his parents and siblings.

GRATITUDE

I have been blessed to become part of BE Life and have gained more profound knowledge and wisdom about different aspects of life. I have met wonderful people who are my superiors, mentors, and colleagues who inspire me.

I have become more insightful and learned to accept my higher purpose. Along this path, I have met like-minded people and served people to live their most extraordinary life. I thank everyone who has touched my life; in return, I will continue to do the things that bring fulfillment to others.

Thanks to my Spiritual mentors, colleagues, family, and friends for the support they have shown me this year. Their presence is highly valued and appreciated.

OPPORTUNITY

This year, I had the opportunity to travel and work abroad with my colleagues. This time, we will serve people of various backgrounds, creeds, and spiritual beliefs. This is a challenge that I have accepted, and I will be doing my best to bring about positive results to the people I have met and served.

I have learned to be more optimistic. The power of positive thinking is valid and has made a difference in my life. There were moments of fear and doubt, but I shifted my thoughts to be positive and on the right track whenever they arose.

I have learned "The Secret" to endless possibilities. The three words: Ask-Believe-Receive, to attract things that I want. We deserve to become abundant, which comes when we change our thinking. I have done it before, and "The Secret" will be passed on to my loved ones and everyone who may need it.

It feels good to have a self-inventory of whole years' of experience. I have several questions about inventory this year. Questions like; did I make any progress on personal development? Did I make a difference in someone's life? Did I grow in spiritual maturity? And so much more to ask. On deeper reflection, I have found the answer to these questions and will continue to inventory myself each year for new personal development.

LIFE'S LIKE THAT

This year is not just happiness but a moment of grief to unexpected happenings. Life may be full of uncertainties and twists, and we have learned to accept it no matter how hurtful it may seem. This way, we know to be strong and courageous.

THE LESSON

In life, one of the most important things is to take everything as a life lesson, whether positive or negative. We take it as a challenge to live and fight for. It is also essential to become a blessing to other people. I have been blessed, and you may be blessed, so it is not a tough job to share it with people who mean so much to us. Sharing depends on how we define it, but the question of how we can become a blessing to others is a challenge to ponder and take action.

What an incredible year 2011!

© 2011 Del Cusay

Christmas in Our Hearts: A Wonderful Beginning

I have loved to celebrate Christmas with my family since childhood. Christmas would mean so many things to me when I was a kid, full of beautiful imaginations, like believing in Santa Claus and the gift to be received from him. As a kid, I had a meaningful experience during this season. For me, this is the season to gather as a family, having a meal together on Christmas eve or Noche Buena. Full of surprises like games, food, gifts, and others.

Through the years, things have changed rapidly. Beliefs in Santa Claus have changed; consecutive years celebrating Christmas not being together as a complete family, not many gifts received and given, and no games, no parties, and just enough food for Noche Buena (Christmas eve).

Every Christmas celebration is unique. We had several Christmas parties at school, parties with friends, and an exclusive celebration with the family.

Although the Christmas season has uniqueness and extravagance, I have always remembered the real essence of celebrating Christmas. To give, to share, to love one another—virtues that were instilled in my mind.

Celebrating Christmas is beyond values and virtues. More than the party, the gifts, and the food is the time to remember the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

As Christians, we have attended mass on Christmas eve to commemorate His birth and to pray for blessings and abundance.

Moreover, Christmas is an excellent opportunity to reunite with loved ones, heal broken hearts, and forgive. This is in preparation to open our hearts to receiving many more incredible blessings for the coming of a new year. A more fulfilled life comes after an open heart— a giving and loving heart. Likewise, success is short-lived and never measured by how many material things we possess.

A fulfilled person is more than being happy. It can be measured as to how you're living your life. How many people have you helped and transformed their lives? What sacrifices have you made for the benefit of the many?— these are some spiritual practices of a fulfilled individual with Christ-like virtues.

This Christmas, although I will not be able to celebrate it with my family, I still feel connected with them. I don't have to feel lonely in a foreign land, knowing they live a good, content life with a sense of fulfillment.

I may be far away, but the spirit of Christmas is still there. There is no reason to be homesick or sad, but there is always a reason to smile and celebrate with people closer and dear to us.

This Christmas, above all and from a deeper perspective, is about Jesus Christ. Hence, we must remember how to share indiscriminately, give heartily and love unconditionally.

Christmas, as celebrated all over the world, would remind us to live with our responsibility beyond what we call being Christian, and the virtues it has taught us should be practiced the whole year round, and that Christmas, regardless of race, creed, and religion, or spiritual affiliation will always be in our hearts forever.


© 2011 Del Cusay