Like normal people living in a digital world, I guess I am starting to have "separation anxiety" with my phone. It's almost two weeks without power so I cannot use my phone like the way I used to on a normal workweek. On top of that, the signal is really bad, and I cannot seem to contact people and relatives from the place where we are currently temporarily taking refuge from the sun.
Today's Tuesday and it has been a week and five days since our house was destroyed by the supertyphoon. We lost a lot of things. It's not just us. Countless Cebuanos have lost homes and livelihood as well. Some are in the verge of losing their minds. To be honest, the past few days have been too much to bear, but then our mind is set: "we have to survive". Though it's difficult, we have to face every obstacle with a brave spirit, or else how will we survive, right?
It has been my practice to be mindful about being grateful when things are not going well. Last year during the countless lockdowns and quarantines, I pushed myself to keep a Gratitude Journal and to start counting what I have instead of focusing on what I lack. And believe me, it's transformative. The more I was grateful of the little things (like my bed, my morning coffee, our house, the potable drinking water, my books, my good health, and so much more), the more I was given. The less I complain, the more I found myself thankful of every single miracle I get to enjoy. It's what got me through the lockdowns. As an extrovert, I always love to go out and meet friends, that's why the lockdown was hard on me because I was just in the house for months on end. But the single little act of being thankful kept me at my feet, humbled me, and made me get through the anxiety of staying at home for so long a time.
Recently, as a typhoon victim, I truly find it hard to be thankful. First, my body and mind are both exhausted and restless. I cannot think straight and clear, as there are so many errands to do with so little time. Second, when I think about the damages of our home and the money it takes to rebuild it, I am left with deep sadness I cannot explain. Third, the valuables I worked so hard for, like my laptop I just got last December 2019, my headset and online teaching stuff, some expensive books and bags were soaked in rainwater and it's depressing to think about all of them. Fourth, all of the plans I have set for Christmas break have massively changed for the worse, because we do not have our own home now and we have to adjust and be quick on our feet at any time. Fifth, when I see my parents look downhearted these days: it's hard to watch and it's breaking my heart.
As we went back from the city after running errands, to the provincial area where we have temporarily relocated, I was in awe at the majestic sunset I have witnessed last weekend. It reminded me of the quote I wrote not so long ago:
Sunsets are reminders that endings are achingly magical and necessary to propel us into fresh beginnings.
I'm a firm believer of "everything happens for a reason", even though I've watched Ted Talks about how we all have lived with this "lie", I still believe in it. I do.
Maybe this all happened because The Universe wants a fresh beginning for all of us for next year. It's preparing us for something "better".
Maybe we lost a lot because there are a lot to be given to us in the coming new year.
Maybe we are suffering now because next year we will be celebrating grandly.
Maybe the only way to appreciate happiness is to go through series of worries and sorrows, so that when all of this darkness is over, the joy is sweetest.
What's keeping me going (and sane) these days is my grateful heart: being intentional about thanksgiving, for everything that I have. By focusing on what I have instead of what I lack, I am filled with so much love and gratitude, and I slowly realize what miracle it is to be alive and healthy and safe.
My family and I are safe and healthy. We have a temporary roof on our head (our evacuation place--my sister's house). We have food on our table three times a day. We are healthy, we're not in the hospital. To think about it, we are blessed, truly.
"Some days are easy, some days are hard. One day you're up on cloud nine, the next day you're more than six feet under the ground in despair. Life is like that. There's balance. You cannot be happy all the time. Accept that and move forward." --Jong
‘Til the next post, hivers! Remember that you are loved beyond borders and beyond time & space. Okay? Okay. 💛❤️
Ciao for now! 🤗🥰
This original article is written by Jong, the blogger behind writetowander.com. All photos are hers, too.
PS, Thank you so much for the support on my previous post.🙇♀️🙏
Hive-llo, everyone! Welcome to Jong's little buzz-y corner in Hive. Jong believes that every person she meets can teach her a thing or two (or three, or more) about life. She shares her love for life here-- the captivating beauty of life! To be more specific, but not necessarily in this order, she's interested in: wisdom, love, poetry, single life, books, travel, health&fitness, fashion, gratitude, unspoken hurts, heartbreaks and healing. Lastly, she loves Jesus.
Do you like her content? Make sure to upvote, then! Drop some love by leaving a comment-- she really appreciates listening to your thoughts! 💛 Feel free to reblog if her post resonated with you. Kindly follow her to not miss a post! Happy hiving, loves! 💛
