Recap. Review. Reflection. Whatever.
Blogs are expected to post a year-end entry or a reflection of the year that was, it seems. There are also some that look forward to the things that the new year will bring. The “one word” that will hopefully be the guidance to achieve goals. Shall I do a recap, review, or reflection? Or that “one-word”?
Honestly, I do not know.
Last year, I was reading a book called The One Year Love Language Minute Devotional by Gary Chapman. This was on top of the other books I was reading to complete my 2017 reading challenge on Goodreads. It had become a yearly thing for me since 2014. The challenge has been helping me read more books.
This Christian book helped me to be more mindful of my thoughts and actions towards my loved ones, especially my husband. I am in the process of learning about our and my children’s love languages.
In-between moments
When I try to remember something, the details are sometimes hazy or at times the big picture is blurry. That may be the result of a distracted mind.
While an activity is going on, ten other things that I need to do are racing on my mind. I am not in the moment. Should I freeze this happening with a camera and maybe post it on Instagram? Or should I look closely and bank it into my unreliable memory?
I am torn. It is accurately called a ‘tension of opposites’.
“The tension of opposites:
Life is a series of pulls back and forth. You want to do one thing, but you are bound to do something else. Something hurts you, yet you know it shouldn’t. You take certain things for granted, even when you know you should never take anything for granted.A tension of opposites, like a pull on a rubber band. And most of us live somewhere in the middle.”
― Morrie Schwartz
Do you agree? Do you, like me, feel torn between decisions? Moments?
Therefore, I decided to take a few snaps, and then put away my phone most of the time. Those few snaps I uploaded to Instagram to somehow have a record of the year’s
highlights.
- I completed a project! It’s my Joyful Days planner insert booklet. Even if I did not sell any, I felt accomplished for beginning and ending something. 😀
- My hubby and I brought the children to Kidzania for the first time in 2017. We returned there several times after. I took the photo below in the Urban Garden section of Kidzania Manila. Everyone grows, not just the children, but also parents alongside them.
- Summer came and the littlest one got a summer activity. It was ballet, as she wished. She also achieved second place in the school honor roll. I pray my kids won’t stop learning!
- The day after my birthday, our family and our relatives flew to Balesin Island for a holiday. It was scorching and we got roasted.
photo by photographer hubby 🙂
- In the latter part of May, it was my first time to travel sans children. It felt like Rix and I were on a honeymoon. With eight other people, though. 🙂 It was actually a tour of South Africa.
- In July, I joined the #worldwatercolormonth challenge on Instagram. Sadly, I was not able to complete it. 🙁 These were what I came up with.
- Also in July, my eldest turned ten. Shucks! How time flies! I wish they could still be small and uncomplicated.
Realizations
- Health must be prioritized. Rix and I went back to the gym… And trying to regularly go. We also enrolled in swimming class, copying our children. 😆
- Family moments are important. It’s also fun to experience things together. Especially new things, like joining a LEGO Monthly Mini Build, and
visiting a new place.
- I enjoy my alone time with my life partner. If we’re not exercising together, we were trying out new restaurants together. 😛
- More than any recap, review or reflection, the “re-” word that matters to me the most is ‘relationship’. I think my one word for the year 2018 is probably maybe ‘appreciation’. To get any appreciation, I must also be grateful and appreciative.
Lastly, and I know this is super late, let me wish you a happy and meaningful new year ahead. 😎
How was your 2017 and what were you grateful for?
