2019 has been a tough year. It was indeed a roller coaster ride. During the first quarter of the year, my husband and I took chances in braving the unknown being back home here in the Philippines after more than a decade of living in Abu Dhabi. Some might have called it unplanned and impulsive, but for us, it is a leap of faith. And for that, we don’t owe anyone an explanation. 

I personally struggled with the changes that we’ve encountered along the way — lifestyle, finances, relationships. And while slowly coping with all these transitions, I also have to deal with health condition of my parents consecutively.

2019 was like life lessons compressed in a year and gave you no choice but to just swallow it all. That year greatly took toll on me, my faith, my marriage, and family. Nevertheless, 2019 is a year to be grateful for.

Funny how the past year made me realize how weak and strong I could be. Not realizing that it was just a training ground of what was about to come for the year 2020.

2020 – The year the world stood still. So, here we are in the middle of a global pandemic caused by virus called COVID-19. The entire world appears to have stopped. Holidays and celebrations has been cancelled. World economies have come crashing down; whole industries have been shuttered. Transportation stopped; Education system has been challenged; Scarcity of food, medicines, hospital beds, respirators, testing kits and even medical attendants. And yet some people hoards these since they can afford it. Face mask and shields becomes a necessity. We are locked down of our homes to at least be safe from this virus. And yes, the whole world is affected because over a million of people are dying. 

Top Pharmaceutical companies and scientists are still in the raise to find cure. And even after months of this ordeal, we are all still in a cliffhanger.

I’ve seen how this year literally stopped. Surreal how in a blink of an eye everything turns upside down. Yet everyone tries to survive. At the end if the day, we find ways to somehow see something positive out of this chaos. 

Pollution has declined, bodies of water becomes clearer, the air seems cleaner, people seemed to prioritize their health, and the best part was people sharing a piece of goodness to everyone. Thus, our situation also unmasked people’s true identity. Some took advantage of the situation and grab every opportunity to benefit from the lowness of others. 

I’m grateful of 2019 for the chance to make me somehow stronger to face this year. I am thankful for the business opportunities we got, for the job that my husband was blessed with, for our health, and our finances. I am grateful for knowing who are genuine friends and family who took time and effort in simply being there for me during my weakest.

2019 taught me to be strong, not by pushing my limits but to pause for a while and reflect. 2020 finely tested everything that I’ve claimed to learn from 2019. 

This year, I’ve learned that there will be times that things don’t always turned out the way we planned. My patience has also been stretched and very much tested this year. I’ve also learned that only few people will stay by your side when they realize that they will not or no longer benefit from you. I’ve learned that you cannot please anyone so just be true to yourself. I’ve realized not to just accept ‘sorry’ but a changed attitude. And I also realized to cut off connections to people that sucks life out me. 

Teachings and learnings of good and bad has been tough for the past 2 consecutive years now. Some survives and some may not get lucky. Perhaps moving forward beyond the pandemic, is the only way that will help us all return from edge of the abyss. 

Survival of the fittest indeed! God bless everyone. 

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