𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹: 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗘𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗱𝗲

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙨𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖. 𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙩𝙝𝙙𝙖𝙮 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙧𝙤𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙥 𝙖𝙬𝙖𝙮 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙘𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚, 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙛𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙩, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣𝙙𝙪𝙡𝙜𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙤𝙡𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙫𝙖𝙨𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙩 𝙡𝙖𝙣𝙙. 

I just celebrating my birthday. It's this time when I feel grateful for another year added to life. The time when I take a pause and introspect about what my life has been and what kind of life lies ahead.

Since it's a long weekend, we planned to have a getaway and discover a provincial park about a two-and-a-half-hour travel from home. It's a 3-day fun in the sun for healing and rejuvenation. 

We stayed at Coldspring Campground in Manning Park. It's a peaceful campsite that's near the river just a few steps from where we set up our tent and camping essentials.

Manning Park covers a little more than 83 thousand hectares with 5 Campgrounds and more than 400 campsites.  It's one of the most popular all-season destinations in British Columbia, Canada.

We visited some of the wonderful tourist spots like the Cascade Lookout, with a higher elevation offering 360-degree views of the Cascade Mountains between Canada and the US border.

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The mountain views are breathtaking, with evergreen trees in its surroundings. You can see eagles soaring high, squirrels hopping, and birds chirping. It's worth the time on the summit and have fun in the sun.

The exhilarating 15-minute journey to reach the summit was awesome. That's why I always love the peak since it feels like being victorious. In there, we feel good and we develop a higher vision of what more we can accomplish in life.

Our Soulful Sunday moment was spent in Lightning Park near Manning Park Resort. It's a go-to spot for families to enjoy the vibrant ambiance and the gleaming waters of the lake.

Favorite water activities in summer include kayaking, stand-up paddling, fishing, and swimming. Adjacent is the Skyview and Lightning Lake campground which is a 5-minute drive away from where we stay in Coldspring Campground. 

We set up a beach shade canopy and chairs and spent some time facing the lake while overseeing different water activities that people enjoy. 

The summer heat was intense and it was a good way to get a refreshing breeze off the lake while breathing out all worries and aches and getting revitalized.

Back at our campsite, we enjoy grilling fish and sweet corn for dinner. This is something not to miss while camping. 

To warm up on a cool evening, it feels good to be around a bonfire, watching the firewood get burned until the fire is out. We had some s'mores while sharing light stories. 

Just before we ended the night and headed on to our sleeping tent, we had a great time stargazing and being awed by other celestial bodies. It's my first time here to see a flashing meteor timely for a birthday wish. 

That was a memorable birthday celebration. I enjoyed being outdoors and in nature. I love the camping vibe and had the fun moments for making summer memories.

Life is good and we always enjoy it and celebrate it. We gaze for the stars, dream it, and live it.

©️ 2024 Del Cusay

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗲 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯: 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗽𝗲

𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙖𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨? 𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙞𝙚𝙫𝙚 𝙥𝙚𝙖𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙙? 𝘼𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙙𝙤 𝙬𝙚 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙝𝙤𝙥𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚𝙨?

Our bigger world begins with us. When we discover more about ourselves, we realize our potential and how we can significantly impact the outside world while eliminating our fears and doubts. 

It begins when we question who we are and what we can do to make a difference and lasting impact on other people's lives and the community we live. 

As we celebrate the year of the water rabbit according to the Chinese animal sign, we have a moment for introspection for our greatest rediscovery and restart of our lives. 

The rabbit sign signifies springtime or rebirth, just as we would want to start a new world of living and experience. 

The rabbit is a gentle animal that commands peace and harmony. Like us, we would want to avoid hostility and violence in our thoughts and intentions. 

I do my yearly introspection during the Lunar New Year, and it's a great time to make changes in ourselves if we want to unblock the path leading to peace and prosperity. 

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2013: A New Beginning

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2017: An Auspicious Celebration

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2018: Prosperity and Abundance

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2019: Luck, Prosperity, and Faith

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2020: Love, Peace, and Harmony 

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022: Desire and Destiny 

We hope for a better life this year of the water rabbit. We keep on hoping for better days ahead. And we are hoping for the best decisions that will guide our path. 

As we are hopeful for the best year ahead, we also take action to fulfill our highest hopes and dreams despite the uncertainties. Our energy would bring us to a higher level of consciousness and allow us to live the best life we deserve -- living our life ahead of its time. 

©️ 2023 Del Cusay

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗸𝘆 𝗚𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗹𝗮 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗵

𝙄𝙩'𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙧𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙗𝙮 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚. 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙩'𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙎𝙚𝙖 𝙩𝙤 𝙎𝙠𝙮 𝙂𝙤𝙣𝙙𝙤𝙡𝙖 𝙝𝙖𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙤𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙞𝙩𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙟𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙞𝙘 𝙧𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙝𝙞𝙜𝙝 𝙪𝙥 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙠𝙮. 

This outdoor destination is one of the best places to visit in British Columbia. The breathtaking sea view from the sky and on top of the mountain is worth the experience. It's exhilarating and truly spectacular. 

Let's explore this stunningly beautiful destination in Squamish, an hour's drive from North Vancouver, passing through the scenic sea-to-sky highway. 

From the base station, The Sea to Sky Gondola is a 10-minute/ 2 km ride to the summit. You'll see the forested mountain and the beautiful turquoise waters of the sea (Howe Sound) as you ascend to a higher elevation until reaching the summit lodge, which offers the most spectacular view of the surrounding mountain, the valley, and the sea. 

On the summit lodge, there are restaurants and cafes for refreshments extended to the outdoor patio and viewing deck offering a view of the magnificent snow-capped mountains. 

The adventure never stops as you get to experience the surrounding trail network passing through the 100-meter Sky Pilot Suspension Bridge. We walked through the most accessible trail (Spirit) and the best trail (Panorama), leading to the Chief Overlook Viewing Platform, where you can capture the best shots of the snow-capped mountain as a backdrop. 

Other trails take longer to explore, but you'll always be aware since all trails lead and end at the summit lodge viewing deck. The courses are for beginners and intermediates, so it's a family-friendly hiking experience with viewing areas and platforms for picture-taking to capture memorable moments. 

Sea to Sky Gondola is an all-year-round adventure. It's best in any season, whether on a hot, dry summer or a snowy and chilly winter. The nature trail and the viewing platforms are alluring and worth revisiting in a different season. 

The land of the Squamish First Nation is home to the Sea to Sky Gondola. They protect and preserve the beauty of their heritage and share it with everyone. It's not just about fun and adventure but learning about indigenous people's culture, their early beginnings, and evolution as a First Nation. 

Sea to Sky Gondola is one of the most incredible adventures of a lifetime in British Columbia. It's a place to go and chill, an adventure by nature with a thrill. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗚𝗲𝘁𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘀𝘁

 

𝙎𝙪𝙢𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙖 𝙞𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙮𝙚𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙚𝙖, 𝙨𝙖𝙣𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙪𝙣 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖 𝙜𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙩 𝙚𝙨𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙖𝙙𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙖 𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙠𝙚𝙣𝙙. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙩𝙞𝙢𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙡𝙤𝙧𝙚 𝘽𝙧𝙞𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝘾𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙖'𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙨𝙩-𝙠𝙚𝙥𝙩 𝙨𝙚𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙩— 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙪𝙣𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚 𝘾𝙤𝙖𝙨𝙩. 

This regional district is part of mainland British Columbia and accessible only by ferry and seaplane. It has an island vibe with several small towns that offers many activities to enjoy and hidden gems to explore. 

After a 40-minute BC ferry ride from Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver, the road trip starts from the southern coast of Gibsons until we reach the heart of the Sunshine Coast— the district municipality of Sechelt. 

It's lovely weather to start the three-day birthday holiday. A warm sunny day that brightens up everyone's day. And our first stop is the sandy shore of Davis bay in Sechelt. Its coastline offers a respite from a warm and dry summer. The sea breeze, the horizon, and the island views are perfect for a day of unwinding. We're beachin' and watching people surfin'.

As I reach another milestone, the beach is an ideal place to rejuvenate and plan for another year of discovery and adventure. The previous year may have been full of challenges, but I was able to surpass the trials along the way. And for this birthday celebration, all I want is a fresh start, to breathe in and out in front of the sea and release the obstacles behind. 

If the sea is a powerful extractor of what's pulling us from getting what we want, I must release all the unwanted and feel a more revitalized and renewed being. It feels good! And if that heals, then I must make it a birthday tradition to go to the sea, walk on the sand and bathe in the sun. 

The Sunshine Coast may be a laid-back culture, but it's a vibrant community and a paradise to many, especially among outdoor enthusiasts. There are many things to do, from water sports like paddle boarding, kayaking, boating, fishing, scuba diving, and kite surfing: to inland activities like hiking, camping, golfing, and mountain climbing. It's an endless adventure.  

There needs to be more than the three-day birthday holiday in Sunshine Coast to try the exciting activities the place has to offer, but I hope to come back to explore and discover more kept secrets of a paradise worth revisiting.

A road trip on a coastal highway, hiking on a forested trail, camping on a creekside, and a scenic walk on a waterfront park. These activities made my day. The best birthday on holiday. Sunshine Coast adventure all the way. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Summer Camping in Logan Lake

 
What makes me appreciate life most is finding time to travel long distances and create beautiful memories. It's when I learn new things, gain new perspectives about a place, and ponder on things that add value to living. 

It was my first long travel to British Columbia, Canada, at the beginning of summer. It's a new season full of fun under the sun. It's the season of discovery and adventure as we transition from excellent to warm.

It took us 3 hours from Vancouver to reach the charming town of Logan Lake in the heart of the Highland Valley in the Thompson Okanagan region.

It was once a quiet town reserved for the miners and their families but now houses thousands of residents who enjoy the serenity of nature and for the visitors to spend time away from the hustle of their busy city life.

Logan lake offers many activities during the summer season. Visitors may enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, kayaking, biking, and hiking. It's an ideal time to unwind, take a deep breath, and appreciate the lake's natural beauty and nature. 

Camping at Mile High Resort in Logan Lake was an incredible experience to escape from reality away from the city. Lush forests with breathtaking views of the lake surround it.  

The deluxe log cabin offers a comfortable and relaxing vibe while hearing the sound of nature and watching the galaxies and the bright stars. Stargazing is just mesmerizing. It's an incredible experience to look up into the night sky and wishes upon a star. 

What makes this summer season memorable are the stories, smiles, and laughter shared in a pristine setting. A romantic destination perfect for a weekend getaway where imagination sparks and ideas are born.

This summer getaway is genuinely unforgettable. Logan lake is a great camping destination, and the Mile High Resort experience is worth reminiscing about on holiday vacation.

©️ Del Cusay

The Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery in Langley

 

The summer season in Canada is fast approaching, but the cool temperate climate prevails just before the end of spring.

In Langley, British Columbia, farm tourism draws many families for a weekend of pure fun and relaxation in a naturally beautiful outdoor setting and al-fresco dining.

Many family-owned and operated farm destinations exist in Langley and the Fraser Valley. Still, I got fascinated with the countryside ambiance of the Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery.

The Berry Farm is a 200-acre property open to serve the public in 1974. Since then, they have enjoyed their bountiful harvest and served it to their guests and visitors. 

Just half an hour's travel from home, we had our breakfast having their famous waffle with fresh strawberry toppings and cream. That's a fresh-picked strawberry in their field, and we had our own U-picked experience in the vast area.

Depending on the season, they also produce other berries like blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, which their loyal customers patronize for the best culinary offering and U-picked experiences.

The beautifully landscaped lawn and garden are perfect for a great outdoor dining experience, with a raspberry field on a backdrop adding up to the berry farm vibe.

Then fresh strawberry picking followed, which was a wonderful experience since their berries were sweet and delicious. We carefully picked the big and riped strawberries for takeaway. Parents and their little kids enjoy picking experiences, and everyone seems happy to touch the soil and the earth-grounding experience.

The Krause Berry Farms has over a hundred products they produce on the farm and sell in their home and garden market. They have a bakery where they make freshly-baked products like berry custard pies and cookies. 

Fresh berry waffles are served in their waffle bar indoors, which you can enjoy in their garden or a patio for a beautiful outdoor ambiance.  

The best farm experience happens when the owner cares a lot about making sustainable farming be enjoyed and shared with the public. The Krause Berry Farms have been producing crops sustainably and supporting and serving communities for several years, making them influential and a leader in the farm tourism industry.

A great week starts with envigorating thoughts, nourished by healthy food and enriched with a soulful experience. That's the way we do it as we journey to the valley at the Krause Berry Farms and Estate Winery.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

The Birchwood Dairy Farm in Abbotsford

The weekend has never been this fun in a valley and a farm. That's how we spend time unwinding in the beautiful and relaxing ambiance of the Birchwood Dairy Farm. 

 

In Abbotsford, British Columbia, there are many farm destinations to choose from since its location is on the fertile land of the Fraser Valley and where Agri-tourism is promoted and becoming a lifestyle.

The Krahn family owns the farm, who's been in the dairy farm business for several decades in the Fraser Valley and managing the 22 acres of the farm, taking care of hundreds of cows and producing dairy milk and other dairy products.

What makes this dairy farm a favorite destination is its gourmet ice cream that's rich and creamy from the fresh milk produced by their happy and healthy cows. There are about 50 flavors to choose from, including maple walnut, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, and cookies and cream, which we've bought in a cone and taken home in a liter bucket. That's a relief during sunny and warmer days just before the summer begins.

The dairy farm is also a favorite stop among partners and families who want to explore more and learn about how dairy milk and products and produced on the farm. It's also a popular stop among cyclists, motorcyclists, and students on an educational tours. This dairy farm is family-friendly and just for anyone who's into 

uncrowded, fresh air, and a great view of a natural environment.

I've learned that Canadian livestock is free from growth hormones, and antibiotics and other medications are strictly regulated. At Birchwood dairy farm, they take good care of their cows, are always healthy, and produce the tastiest and creamiest milk. That makes their gourmet ice cream one of the best premium-quality I've ever tasted.

For a brief period, exposure to the dairy farm gives a perspective on how they ethically raise the cows, how they produce dairy products and how it's being sold and patronized by people who know the real taste of a quality dairy product. 

At Birchwood dairy farm, we see happy families, playful young kids, and everyone who radiates the calm and positive energy the dairy farm brings. It's on my farm destination lists, and I'll always be happy to return and create beautiful memories to cherish and reminisce.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

The Tulip Festival in Chilliwack

It's Springtime in Canada, and other flowers take their turns to bloom just when the cherry blossoms start to fall off.

It's time to see the 30 colorful varieties of tulips and other flowers like daffodils and Hyacinths for this year's re-opening of British Columbia's largest flower festival.

The Tulip Festival in Chilliwack is the largest flower festival in British Columbia and Western Canada. It's this time of the year when millions of bulbs of Tulips are blooming on a 20-acre flower farm. 

It's the 16th year of the Tulip Festival in Chilliwack. It attacks tens of thousands of people from the lower mainland and nearby cities to witness the beautiful blossoming of tulips similar to the famous tulip farms in the Netherlands.

The Dutch-inspired tulip farm has features like a windmill, a chapel, a swing, and benches for a great photo opportunity. It's a perfect place for families and couples for a romantic walk surrounded by a magnificent mountains backdrop.

In times when people are starting to live normally again, a visit to a Tulip farm uplifts the mood and makes one appreciate the natural wonders while seeing each other's faces and smiles without barriers.

Life is more beautiful when people bloom like a flower, radiating purity, serenity, and positivity. When life seems blue, these flowers remind us that we can stand tall, create abundance, and experience pure joy and peace in our hearts. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Fitness Goals in Fleetwood

Fitness continues from Manila to Surrey, British Columbia. Back home in the Philippines, I used to do a lot of fitness exercises on the streets of BGC on a cool morning and even on warm summer days.

How could I step out for an outdoor walk on a rainy week here in British Columbia? Yes, it rains a lot in BC, but the weather seems favorable as I expect a sunny day perfect for an afternoon stroll in the neighborhood.

Fitness goals could be challenging when stuck at home on gloomy and rainy winter days, but whenever I woke up with the rays of sunlight, I must enjoy the outdoors. 

It's cold outside even when it's sunny, with a daytime high of 10 degrees. However, the winter season is about to end, and the best of spring is coming on the 20th of March.

Walking on the residential streets of Fleetwood on a cold afternoon is an excellent activity as I aim to become more physically fit. No sweat, but it makes me feel warm in less than an hour. That's already about half of my 6000 daily steps target. It feels good to get moving and see the beautiful neighborhood around.

We travel to places occasionally, and we try different global cuisine that suits the palate. Metro Vancouver has diverse food choices, and we couldn't resist the best Asian cuisine. However, this could be a challenge to my fitness goals as I increase caloric intake resulting in weight gain.

That's the reason why I need to burn calories and unwanted fats. I need to walk. I need to run. I need to climb. And I need to jump up high. I'm glad to start my fitness journey here in Fleetwood by simply taking a stroll. Having a long walk in a day makes me feel energized and revitalized.

In the coming days and weeks, I'll be able to discover more places in Fleetwood where I can fully achieve my fitness goals. The quietness of the site and the simplicity of living is ideal for a healthy mind and body. This is where I have always wanted to be. And here I am, about to live my most extraordinary life.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

A Thousand Miles of Dreams

Chasing for a dream above the sky is truly a magical moment. We soar high to achieve our goals and plan our next life chapter, even in the most uncertain times.

Life is meaningful when getting ready to launch life's best shot. The processes we've been through and the sacrifices we've made make us wiser and braver.

As I embark on my next journey, I remember the good things and those memories that have contributed to where I'm heading. 

Life has its fair share of bittersweet happenings, but we learned to be driven by our life purpose. We do not stop, but we continue the desires of our hearts. We become unstoppable. We become limitless.

In our aspiration for a better life, we have to cross beyond borders and see what lies ahead. Because only when we face our fears and doubts that we become fierce. We become fearless. 

As I begin a new life chapter, I am grateful for the love and support of my loved ones. People who are dear to me and close to my heart. They inspire me and help me achieve my deepest desires. 

Looking forward, I'll take the road ahead with caution and limits. I'll be taking the crossroads with certainty and ability. Because, in the end, I believe in a mighty spirit within me. With a thousand miles of dreams, be guided by the Almighty.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Heart's Desire: The Lens of Gratitude

One of the most unforgettable statements I heard is, "Not all days are good, but there's something good every day. 

That statement was shared by an Elementary public school teacher during their In-Service training back in 2014. I was there to give a talk about "Living Your Greatest Life," and that statement complements the subject of my discussion.

Yes, life may be full of uncertainties. Full of ups and downs. Full of doubts. And full of miseries. However, when we reflect on our life, there are many things to be grateful for. 

We may not celebrate Thanksgiving daily, but there's always a reason to step back and see life from a new perspective. And that's through the lens of gratitude.

Feeling grateful for life begins when we recognize all the blessings we've received in any form and any way. As we live each day with a grateful heart, we attract new opportunities and great chances. We also create miracles, and we destroy obstacles. That's the power of gratitude we shouldn't take for granted.

• Heart's Desire 2016: Living a Fantastic Life

• Heart's Desire 2017: Living a Humanitarian Life

• Heart's Desire 2019: Evolution of Love

In times of sorrow and when we're on our lower emotions, expressing gratitude lets us redirect our attention to a more positive mindset. It recalibrates our feelings to the ones that make us compassionate, understanding, altruistic, and loving.

The lens of gratitude is always on us. We experience falling, but we can rise to fight again. We believe in ourselves that we can break barriers and live a fearless life as we begin.

With gratitude, we open our hearts to extraordinary living. We learn to be more forgiving. We know to give more than what we receive. And we learn to share even a little of what we can afford to give.

With gratitude, we become more loving. We learn to give even at times we have nothing. We open our hearts even sometimes we are hurting. We just offer, we just share, we just love, and we just care.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Celebrating Chinese New Year 2022: Desire and Destiny

What's your ultimate desire that you want to get fulfilled? Is it wanting to be loved? Is it about maximizing your potential and performance? Is it about discovering your true self? Or is it about living your most extraordinary life?

Our deepest desires always come from our connection to our souls. Our soul's purpose makes us feel more alive, and we want to live what we're destined to be. To be who we are is when we ask the fundamentals of "Who am I?" and "What's my heart's desire?" 

As we celebrate the Chinese New Year 2022, we also welcome the deepest desires of our hearts. We tend to be more loving and caring when we have an open heart. We become more compassionate and altruistic. We give even a little of what we have and share the abundance we've received.

That's the critical message for this year's welcome of the Year of the Tiger. It's not only about being fierce and strong like a tiger but also about the soft quality of being dependable and altruistic. 

As I celebrate the Chinese New Year each year, I spend some quiet time contemplating and reflecting on my soulful desires and destiny. How will I improve this year, and what will I become? These questions trigger some actions for the fulfillment of my aspirations.

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2013: A New Beginning

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2017: An Auspicious Celebration

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2018: Prosperity and Abundance

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2019: Luck, Prosperity, and Faith

• Celebrating Chinese New Year 2020: Love, Peace, and Harmony
  

In this year of the Water Tiger, everything might still be uncertain. But in this world of uncertainty, we can create our desired path and destined future. That's one thing we can be sure about. 

We create our world and live it with our rules and policy. We make a bigger world where we can set our intentions and fulfill our missions. We create our ultimate destiny and desire a living legacy. 

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

Sunday's Best at the Farm

How do you live your best life? Life coaches commonly ask this question to assess our present and future life.

To live our best life is about enriching our lives with pleasant and beautiful memories. As we journey in life, we're bound to experience ups and downs, but what matters is how we live with a more positive energy despite the odds.

Sunday is always the most peaceful time to experience being alive. This is the moment of healing and rejuvenation as we take a break. And this is made possible as we live in a natural environment ideal for the body, mind, and soul.

Visiting the farm on the weekend is pure joy. We feel more relaxed and grounded. This is where we can meditate or have some pure thinking time. This is the place where ideas and plans happen. 

We live in a world where noise and chaos would deplete our energy. However, we can always find a place to unwind and get energized fast. We need to regain our vitality and live healthy life.

Since we're in the 3rd year of the pandemic, it's great to be closer to nature. Farm visits and gardening are healthy physical activities that make one happy. And that's the essence of living. We want to be happy and to radiate happiness to others.

Yes, life is so short in this uncertain time. So, we live each day with a positive spirit to achieve our highest hopes and dreams. With determination and Divine blessing and guidance, nothing is impossible. We can always make things happen in His time.

©️ 2022 Del Cusay

2021 Year in Review: Reunited in Love

It's been a year of surprises, meaningful experiences, and creating lasting memories. That's how I would describe the happenings in the year 2021. 

This is the year we fought hard to survive life's challenging moments. We've been breaking the walls that set boundaries. We've defied restrictions that set limitations. 

We've welcomed the year with a positive spirit that things will improve. And the first quarter of 2021 was a fulfillment of dreams and wishes. There were moments of fantasy-like experiences. Tears in our eyes, smiles, and moments of laughter make a rollercoaster of emotions.

A Great Family Bond

Family is love. That's how I feel at the beginning of the year 2021. A warm feeling that opens the heart and radiates light to everyone. 

Family is always there to guide and help along the way. Their overwhelming response and attention are something I would be grateful for. I wouldn't be able to accomplish things alone, and with them by my side, it makes me feel relieved. I'm glad they're always there to the rescue when things aren't going well.

This year is extra special as I enter another chapter of my life. This may be the beginning of a more challenging life ahead. However, I look forward to more beautiful days as I envision what comes next and what lies ahead.

Lessons from the Pandemic

Covid-19 didn't hinder grand plans for this year. We've become more resilient and had increased willpower to push through what we have in mind. 

We celebrated birthdays and special occasions in a simple yet meaningful way. We traveled to places even on a short distance to spend time relaxing and unwinding. We spent our Soulful Sunday moments contemplating what life's about. 

Life shouldn't stop us from doing what we love despite our challenges. We've learned to adapt to the new normal and accept that Covid-19 will be part of our existence.

In mid-2021, we've done our part by being inoculated with the Covid-19 vaccine. It's a way of protecting our health, loved ones, and other people. It's wise to stay healthy in times of pandemic. We can't afford to die and dare to survive this global health threat.

Christmas in our Hearts

I'm thankful to have celebrated Christmas with my family in my hometown. We may not be a complete family, but we feel connected. 

Christmas time brings us joy as we celebrate the remaining days of the year. This is when we're in a lighter mood as we look forward to a brighter new year. 

This year's Christmas may not be the brightest, but we can bring smiles and joy to other people who visit our home. This is our way of sharing something to give back for the blessings received. There are so many sad events this year, so it's good to bring back the smiles on each other's faces.

My "Year in Review" is about looking back on the good things that have happened for the entire year. I'm grateful for all the life lessons, opportunities, and experiences that improved me. 

There are sorrowful moments, but I've learned to let go and move on. What's important is I've gained valuable insights for enlightenment and personal development. 

My gratitude to the Divine for the power, love, and light. I've made it this year and hoping for the best as I welcome the new year with higher hopes and aspirations. And I also look forward to another year full of inspiration.

©️ 2021 Del Cusay

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👉 Year in Review 2020: Overcoming Great Odds