The funny thing about writing a reflection of 2018, is that I have been doing the exact same thing for the last few years but they always ended up as drafts in my account. 2018 holds a special place in my heart because exactly 10 years ago, the biggest change in my life (at least back then) happened. My whole family moved to the Philippines. If my life was a book, that would be the turning point for the protagonist because it placed her in a completely foreign environment. It was sink or swim; she got out as a manta ray : ) So no matter what, I am determined to really get this post out before the last day of 2018. Here it goes:

As I’m calibrating my ukulele, I realized just how off tune it is because it has “travelled” with me a few times and I haven’t played it in months. This got me thinking, perhaps I am like that ukulele too. As I travel from here to there, twice a month, perhaps I am off tune and off balanced as well and all I really need is recalibration to sound right, to sound like me again. I think a year end reflection serves this purpose perfectly.

1. Be your authentic self. Because no one can be better at being you, than yourself. In a world of cookie cutters, don’t ever stop being genuine.
2. What you want may not come in the form you’ve expected. But whatever life sends your way, trust that it is for the better.
3. Worry less. Worrying doesn’t stop things from happening so to worry is to suffer twice! If something is bound to happen, it will regardless of whether you worried or not!
4. Everything that happens in life is what you make of it. Good or bad days, you can always get out better.
5. Thrive on challenges. Failures merely show areas of growth! Conquer one mountain at a time and never stop climbing. (Disclaimer: er nope I don’t actually hike)
6. Do not let one failure define you. It is after all just a blip in your fruitful life.
7. Keep your family and friends close. Nothing else matters more than that.

Wishing everyone who finished reading this a wonderful 2019, where you brace every day with gratitude in your heart, courage in your pocket, a sparkle in your hand and a smile on your face.