It’s been a long January for me. My new work set-up is more complicated than I thought. With field work required 80% of the time, I practically live inside airplanes, cars and hotels. My only wish was to go home on a weekend and sleep.
Today, after over sleeping, I woke up with tons of SMS messages in my cell phone. That’s when I remembered that it’s not another day for me. I am one year older.
I always have mixed feelings days before my birthday - happy but sad. Just the thought that another year has passed is more than a blessing to me. But just the mere thought that I am a year older is also like a penalty, which brought me splurging on another LV bag!
Looking back I can see that I did not live my life to the fullest: so many wasted days of worrying and wallowing in self pity; so many hours squandered in procrastination and laziness; so many opportunities lost for not using my talent to the fullest. I could have painted more, I could have read more, I could have laughed more.
Yet, despite the negative things I saw, blessings outweigh my frustrations. Last year I learned valuable lessons from my ordeal with difficult people. I came to know who my real friends are and I am truly glad they are many. Despite the stress and pressure, I was blessed with good health, a supportive top management and a loving family. It wasn’t that bad after all.
Looking closer at this present time, I could see that I am loved and blessed. My son gave me a graceful and lucky fish called Arowana. My cat gave me a funny pose while sleeping. My mama cooked me a very delicious noodle dish and my best friend, together with her family, dropped by this morning just to greet me personally.
Today, after over sleeping, I woke up with tons of SMS messages in my cell phone. That’s when I remembered that it’s not another day for me. I am one year older.
I always have mixed feelings days before my birthday - happy but sad. Just the thought that another year has passed is more than a blessing to me. But just the mere thought that I am a year older is also like a penalty, which brought me splurging on another LV bag!
Looking back I can see that I did not live my life to the fullest: so many wasted days of worrying and wallowing in self pity; so many hours squandered in procrastination and laziness; so many opportunities lost for not using my talent to the fullest. I could have painted more, I could have read more, I could have laughed more.
Yet, despite the negative things I saw, blessings outweigh my frustrations. Last year I learned valuable lessons from my ordeal with difficult people. I came to know who my real friends are and I am truly glad they are many. Despite the stress and pressure, I was blessed with good health, a supportive top management and a loving family. It wasn’t that bad after all.
Looking closer at this present time, I could see that I am loved and blessed. My son gave me a graceful and lucky fish called Arowana. My cat gave me a funny pose while sleeping. My mama cooked me a very delicious noodle dish and my best friend, together with her family, dropped by this morning just to greet me personally.
Three days ago, I saw the most amazing dusk while sitting inside the car. In haste I took pictures, one inside the car behind the heavy tint, and one outside, with the roof of the car reflecting it like a river. Yesterday, while taking my flight home, the clouds were so beautiful I can’t help but take a picture. I got the message. God was reminding me that even in the most ordinary days, blessings and beauty abound. I just have to open my heart to see it. I should always count my blessings.
13 comments:
your pictures are beatiful!! I love the one at dusk reflecting off the roof! and the one from the plane makes me want to get over my fear of flying heights and fly.
A BIG Happy birthday to you :-)
The photo taken outside of the car, well that car is reflecting like water. It's wonderful.
It is easy to forget how blessed we are. But feeling regret is a human emotion, and I am tending to think that there is a lesson to be learned in each and every one of them.
Have a great day!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for the BIG greetings. I couldn't agree more to you. We tend to take our blessings for granted. You are also right that we learn from what we regret about.
Happy Birthday!
Your photographs are wonderful. It's an amazing feeling looking down on the clouds! Kitty made me smile and your fish is lovely. :)
Hi Lesley,
Thank you very much!
Glad to have you back online! I was worried about you!
Happy Birthday!
Beautiflu pictures, as always. Our lives are always blessed in so many ways, sometimes when we least expect it.
thank you for your comment on my blog ( i couldnt figre out home to message to you lol i'm new to this site) Anyhow, Yes your words hold very true. Another thing i have found that has helpped me beyond words is a song by casting crowns "praise you in this storm" it says: I thought by now God, that you would have reached down & wiped away our tears, stepped in & saved the day But once again, I say Amen and it's still raining as the thunder rolls, I barely hear you whisper through the rain "I'm with you" and as your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God that gives and takes away I will praise you in this storm and I will lift my hands, for you are who you are no matter where I am. Every tear I've cried you hold in your hands, you never left my side and though my heart is torn I will praise you in this storm. I remember when I stumbled in the wind, you heard my cry, you raised me up again, my strength is almost gone, how can i carry on if i cant find you, As the thunder rolls I barely hear you whisper through the rain "I'm with you" .... sorry I know kinda long and unrelated to your post lol. But I wanted to share that with you. Casting Crowns have a lot of amazing songs
Great photos and thoughts. I too need to take time off to "smell the roses" and try not fret about things I cannot change.
All the best in the new year and keep up the great work. And Happy Birthday and may you have many pleasant (and on-time) travels!
From the Traveling Chemist!!
Hi Ron,
Thanks for your greetings. I'm sorry if I made you worry about my long absence. I'm just so busy with travel and work. Even if you won't see me regularly posting, I always do some catching up with your posts when I have time.
Hi Traveling Chemist,
Thanks also for your greetings. I truly need those pleasant and on-time travels.
Hi Victim NO MORE,
Thanks for your message and for dropping by again. I invite you to read the blogs of my friends here. Their posts are so refreshing to read.
Thanks for the beautiful post. You reminded me that it's so important to love and be loved by those special people (and creatures!) around us and to pay attention to that love. I try to remember to count my blessings too but had forgotten that the last couple of days. Thanks for reminding me.
By the way, we have very similar looking cats! I love the teeth sticking out in your photo, that's too cute.
What a great post! Even those of us who KNOW we are blessed, need a reminder from time to time. Many thanks for doing that for me today. Bless you. -D2
How lucky are we when we open our eyes to see.
Have a great day and may you always be blessed with peace and love.
Annie
Happy "belated" Birthday!!! It sounds like you had some very special moments on your special day! I'm glad!!
Your photos are lovely ... and thank you for the reminder that there are wonderful moments all around us ... we just have to look.
I hope the next year is your best one yet!
Small Footprints
http://reducefootprints.blogspot.com
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