While I was blog surfing one night, I came across a beautiful badge at Mike's site, Rambling Stuff AKA Golch Central.
Curious about it, I tried to learn more and found myself at Jennifer's site, Dust Bunny Hostage, where she explained how her little Diva Daughter, 12 years of age, dreams of declaring a Positive Day when she becomes President in 2032. One commenter suggested that instead of waiting for 2032, Diva Daughter should pick a date now for all of the Bloggosphere to celebrate. In her blog, Jennifer wrote:
On July 31, 2009, I would be humbled and blessed if you would participate in the day envisioned by Diva Daughter. It would be an opportunity to show that young people do indeed have a voice and that they can make a difference... Then on July 31, share the things in your life that are positive. Count your blessings. Tell us why you are thankful. CHOOSE to "accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative."
I thought this was awesome so here I am participating in this momentous event... the
Bloggosphere's Positive Day! July has really been a turbulent month for me. For weeks, I was a nervous wreck and total darkness covered me again. It was one of the hardest struggles I had to hurdle. It's been so long since the last time I have been in a very dark place.
Ending the month on a positive note is indeed the best way to cope. I need to remind myself that my blessings far outweigh and outnumber the setbacks I have encountered.
1. In my post
"Let Light Shine Out of Darkness...", I wrote about the wonders of gratitude at a time when you can't see anything but darkness. My heart is filled with joy now at the thought of my 3 children who have shown me what it is like to love, hope and trust again.
"We have learned to count our blessings. At first, it was just the beautiful yellow butterfly... the food on our table... until we were able to see the greater blessings again. Each day was a miracle in itself.
And when my youngest daughter led a prayer before our meal one night by saying: "Thank you Lord for not allowing Mommy to go out with Daddy that evening... Thank you for letting her stay with us..." and the two gave a resounding "AMEN", I was dumbfounded. I couldn't help but smile and think that I must have done something right to deserve these three amazing children.
Ours is a story of hope and faith. Everything happens for a reason. You just have to trust that things always get better. After all, being happy (again) is a matter of choice."
2. In my post
"Sunshine In My Heart", no setback is ever too daunting. I counted the most important people who make my life worth living everyday.
"Each morning, I wake up to the sound of my kids' busy banters as they prepare for another day in school. I don't even have to bother waking them up. They need no prodding to do what they have to do.
I have my parents who, despite their frail health and other serious concerns, never fail to check on me and my kids. I guess in their eyes I never stopped being their little girl.
I should not forget my bro ('tol) and sis (li'l sis) who, despite the distance between us, have remained close to me. Waking up to their messages in my inbox or cellphone saying "Sis, what do the kids need?" or "Sis, musta na?" ("how are you doing?") always warm my heart.
I have a job that people dream of (if only for the glamor of it) - in a workplace where each one is treated like family .
I have friends (the BFFs) who have stayed with me through thick and thin, rain or shine, come hell or high water. Isn't it amazing that, instead of drifting apart, we (including husbands and kids now) were able to create a much stronger bond through all those 20 years of friendship?
And yes, after a big storm in my life, the sun found its way back and is finally here to stay. Little did I know back then that sunshine would warm my soul again."
3. Yes, I may have lost one important person (James) in my life but I still have many who love me just as much. In
"Endings Always Bring New Beginnings", learning to love myself again is the best gift I gave to myself.
"Moving on does not mean that I have not loved him enough. It was a decision not to get stuck in the past. When James entered my life, there was no guarantee at all how long he would stay. So instead of wallowing in self pity, I focused on how fortunate I was to have experienced James' unconditional and unfailing love in all of 22 years of my life.
Now I am able to laugh again. I have rebuilt my life and my strength. The blessings have taken a new meaning simply because I have learned to fully appreciate, enjoy and share them with others. And best of all, I have learned to love myself again."
4. In the blogging world, I found friends who truly matter.
They are people who have taught me that distance is not a hindrance to any friendship. These are friends whom I may not even have the chance in this lifetime to meet personally but have managed to touch my life (and my heart) just the same. They believed in me and have motivated me to continue doing what I have started here. Their blogs (and advices) have inspired me and fostered my own personal/spiritual growth. Thank you so much
Kat, Janet,
Susan,
Mother Maitri and
Kara. Thanks to
Sandee and
Mike for their regular comments in both of my blogs. OMG, how can I forget? Thank you
Bingkee for your special friendship.
On this note, let me end this long post with a quote from Og Mandino:
"Count your blessings. Once you realize how valuable you are and how much you have going for you, the smiles will return, the sun will break out, the music will play, and you will finally be able to move forward to the life that God intended for you with grace, strength, courage and confidence."
a pocketful of sunshine to everyone!!!
Blessings to all
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