Counting My Blessings in 2013

Credits: content.time.com

As I close this year 2013, I am still overwhelmed by how things have turned like soaring waves and tossed me through the crests and troughs of Life's challenges.

I may not have as much cash as I had last 2012 but I definitely had ten times the blessings, and right now, I list down the few of these that meant so much to me in 2013:

• The Heavenly Father's protection over my Mama and family (my eight dogs included) throughout 2013 amidst the unbelievable devastation, natural and man-made, that swept Visayas and the Philippines
• Discernment to find genuine friends from the haystack of artifice and fair-weather relationships
• God's wisdom to help me find the answers to perennial and difficult questions
• More quality time spent with my family despite the physical distance --- For the first time, I was able to go home four times within one year
• More time to reflect and write --- For this blog alone, I had more posts this year than my total number of posts from 2006 (when I first started) up to 2010; I also got back the job which allowed me to brain-storm and write more, rather than stare at MS Excel grids and numbers
• Good health throughout 2013 for my family and me --- Nothing is as precious as good health especially for my dear Mama; when I remember the illnesses that plagued me throughout 2012 including a worse allergy that stripped out my nails last August 2012, how can I not be grateful?
• Finding opportunities to give back in my own little way
• Experiencing good food, good travels and good quality
• Second chances, and learning more about life being short and precious
• Peace of mind --- At the end of every day, I can say 'Thank you Father for giving me a chance today.' I carry no heavy load of worries, pains and heartaches as I review the day that has passed and as I prepare myself for another chance tomorrow.

God bless us all in 2014! All the best!