For the year 2008

Some of the things to do to start the new year right:

1. Lessen, if not totally stop, swearing. (true only to obviously vulgar languages and when in an irate state - it usually sounds meant when mad)
2. Lessen, if not totally stop, all forms of violent acts. i.e. slapping, pinching and punching.
3. Excel in any task asssigned at work.
4. Get rid of laziness and will-do-that-later habit.
5. Stop buying shoes, instead concentrate on blouses, shirts, skirts and dresses, a whole lotta dresses. hehe
6. Save, save, save. Reach the agreed-upon amount before 2008 ends.
7. Maintain a gym schedule AFTER you finally finish the first 5-day conditioning!
8. Own at least one bright-colored bag - preferably YELLOW or RED.
9. Learn and master a new dish.
10. Get your plans for moving out of the country in the works! You should at least be able to start something next year.
11. Do not look for compliments from others, look for it from yourself.
12. Let go of negative emotions and memories that will not only hinder you from enjoying life but will let you live in fear.
13. Always look on the brighter side of things regardless how cruel the sitch can be.
14. When enraged, count to 10 before saying or doing anything. Sometimes, you can't take back what has already been said and done no matter how you apologize.
15. Enjoy life. You only get one shot at life so make the most out of it. Do not live with What-ifs and regrets, they only make you bitter. Live with i-did-my-best-and-gave-it-my-all. Live with passion and gusto, it's the only way you can enjoy life.

The movies..

I recently watched a movie and laughed at myself as I went out of the movie theater with tearstains on my face, hanky and probably a little on my shirt. It's amazing how these love stories can touch your hearts and move you to tears.

Provided the plot gives you everything you should expect: denouement (as pointed out by my friend complete with research and all), climax, whatever-terms-theathers-use and the lines that also help give it an edge, you cannot help but connect to a character in one way or another. It's probaby the reason why these kind of movies are made, to make us see the everyday emotions in a brighter light.

You laugh as you see them do funny antics.
You gush and you sigh as they are about to fall into this crazy thing we call love.
Then, you cry as you watch the character go through a painstaking ache as result of falling in love.
You cry as you watch them try to survive.
And yet,when the happy ending is about to unfold, you still cry.
Why is that?

As I was watching a hilarious comedy series that has become a fave, my question was finally answered.

We all want those happy endings for ourselves which is why we still cry at the end of every movie.
We wish that somehow, we could be them so we can be as happy as they are.
We want to be those characters, wearing that smile of contentment and humming that tune of bliss.

But when you think about it, our lives are like movies.
We have all the criteria that the theater has come up with.
These problems, emotional and otherwise, are the conflicts.
These conflicts are just plot points in this little story of ours.
How we fight, how we start anew and how we get back up is the climax.
And we can still have those happy endings.
Not exactly right now or maybe not in the near future but we'll get there.
With a little patience and a whole lot of faith.

So you see? Our life is like the movies.
Maybe not as famous as those advertised, maybe not shown in neon signs for everyone to see and maybe even not with a power cast for the roles. Each of our movie may not grab the emmy's or the golden globe, but it still rocks.
After all, we are the STARS of our own shows.

Of friends and broken hearts...

It's true when they say there's no one you can run to whenever you have love life crisis except your friends. There's no one else who'll share those moments with you except your friends who have either supported or protested to your love life which has gone from rough to chaotic;from recent to nonexistent.

Your friends share your grief and they get the burden of listening to you rant about what a jerk this guy is one minute and raving about how much you still love him despite all the next. They get to be the shoulders you cry on and the light amidst the darkness that befell upon you (dramatically put). When the rest of the world is out and about celebrating, you sulk in one corner of your room, wallowing in self-pity. Most often than not, your friends sulk with you.

It's this amazing kinship and camaraderie that makes broken hearts easier to mend.

Sure, the pain will be there. You can't escape from that no matter how hard you try to. But you've got friends who'll help you.
It won't be easy and memories will haunt you. But you've got friends who'll help you create new, beautiful ones.
There will be times when your self esteem will be pulled down to the lowest of low. But you've got friends who'll remind you of how great you are, of your worth and what you can offer the world.
Depression will cause havoc. But you've got friends who'll cheer you up and'll show you the wonderful things this world can still give.

They're the ones who'll make you see that moving on is a process, it doesn't happen overnight.
It's also a struggle, between hoping and losing all hope.
They'll show you that in time, you will see the reason beyond all this and why this had to happen.
They'll also tell you that in time, our hearts will learn on its own.
They'll be there, on the sidelines yet ready to play if the need arises, cheering and rooting for you to pull through.

And soon enough you will see that life does not end there.
There's still so much to see and so much you can do.

We can get hurt and we can grieve,
but we shouldn't let it get the best of us.
It's only our hearts they broke, we still have our spirit and our whole being.
We shouldn't let a broken heart break that too.

Christmas: as it goes by in a blur..

It's that time of the year when houses are lit, windows are adorned and colorful decorations are abundantly visible. The malls are reeking from the look and feel of this season. Every kid is excited with the promise of gifts this month brings. Those more mature are usually seen with big worried looks on their faces as skins cringe from pouting and brows meet in the middle from confusion. The list could go on. As all this happen around you, you can't help feel the same way - giddy, excited and worried. But somehow, something is amiss.

Will this Christmas be like any other traditional celebrations you have?
Will the same problems arise due to this Christmas rush?
Will it be as happy as it was a year ago?
Or will it be a lonely one as you find comfort in your solitude?

We can just hope that this season can help those who badly need it not just for those who have no earthly possessions and basic necessities but also for those who lost the power to believe. For those who has forgotten who they are and what they're worth. For those who're finding it hard to pick up the pieces and start anew. For those who have lived in sorrow, in pain and in fear. For those who have loved and got hurt and for those who are afraid to love.

The beauty that this season brings lie not on the gifts wrapped in fancy wrappers, not on the delectable dishes prepared and not on the decorations that flourish in the night.
The beauty this season brings lie on a new gleam of hope as you watch the world's colorful display and somehow a sense of encouragement for those who are trying to rebuild thier lives.

Amidst all this that'll probably pass by in a blur, there is promise hidden behind fancy adornments, colorfully-wrapped gifts and satisfying feasts.
A promise that something way beyond our imaginations is bound to happen.
Something we never prayed for yet something we need.
Something we might not have hoped - Something wonderful.