WALKING INTO 2021 WITH PLANS, AMBITION AND A GRATEFUL HEART

I feel like I’d be lying if I said that the past year has ‘ruined’ my life. No matter how many terrible things happened in 2020, there were still a multitude of blessings that came my way. Yes, my plans were thwarted and my trips have come to a sudden halt. Then again, God’s timing is never off…and He simply way preparing me for something so much bigger than myself. So in 2021, I intend to walk forward with plans, ambitions and an ever-so grateful heart.

It’s true, life as we know it has simply changed. The global pandemic that we find ourselves in has simply made most people’s life quite miserable. I know that not everyone is fortunate enough to have a roof over the heads, food for every day and the comfort in knowing that you are safe in the middle of the virus that we’re all combatting world-wide. So these are things that I’ll never take for granted. I also want to take this time to remind everybody to donate to food banks or to any charity of your choice if you have the means to do so. A few dollars is nothing to everyone who’s earning steadily; but to others, it simply is everything. So please donate whenever you can.

Before I go super off topic, I wanted to share a few goals and aspirations that I have with all of you. Naturally, I can’t publicly publish everything that’s been happening in my life. So I’m trying to take each day one step at a time. As we say in Spanish, “Poco a poco.”

The past year has been a great year for me, albeit all the non-stop craziness that happened along with it. It was the year when I finally got a full-time job, I got to be with my family, and I got to enjoy the simple pleasures that came along with being at home 24/7! Obviously, there were times when I wanted to get out there again because I was bored or I was a bit anxious for the days to come. However, the good outweighed the bad. So I carried on. Forward.

In 2021, I plan on moving even further. There are so many plans that I have for myself and for Following Paraluman. I have a feeling that this will finally be the year that I’ll get to set up my shop…maybe even fall in love? No pressure on the latter though! Heh! Although, I really do feel like this year is meant to be celebrated and that all our hard work will eventually be rewarded. This is something that really keeps me going every single day. The thought that I get to share my thoughts and my art to all of you is reason enough to publicly publish them in the first place! So I’ll keep on doing it. Again, forward.

I’d like to list down five goals that I have for 2021. This is just to keep me motivated and for accountability purposes. Hey, if I’ve published it online, it means that I really have to do it…right? Heh. Still, I’d like to make it public in order to (maybe) inspire others in doing their things as well. So here goes:

1. I am going to set up my shop in 2021.
2. I am going to finish writing my children’s book (and maybe even publish it) in 2021.
3. I am going to be fluent in Spanish in 2021.
4. I am going somewhere I’ve never been to in 2021.
5. I am going to stop smoking in 2021.

There are so many things that I want to do, but like I said above, poco a poco.

Honestly, life is crazy and there are so many things that need to be done. However, the thought that I’ve got a solid foundation in my family, myself and in God has to be the reasons that keep me going. There are so many mantras that people say on a daily basis. Don’t get me wrong, mantras aren’t bad. However, the Scripture is made available to us for a reason. One of these reasons is to use it in our daily lives. So every single day, I mutter three verses before I even get out of bed. These are Psalm 118:24, Philippians 1:21 and Luke 1:45. Naturally, the verses change depending on my mood that day. Although, these three are some of my favourites. So I start my day with it.

Lest I forget, I wanted to share a few portraits of Dante and I. We took these photos in line with the print giveaway that I hosted on social media. It coincided that it was also Christmas, so these are our holiday photos:

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Life has a funny way of teaching us the lessons that we need to learn. Then again, God will always have our backs no matter where life takes us. So talk to Him. I know it probably sounds too ‘cheesy’ or maybe even ‘lame’, but it simply is the truth. This can be the year that God shows you some of His miracles, but you really need to welcome it and be open to its endless possibilities. So what’s holding you back?

Anyway, I’d love to hear about your plans, goals and what-not this 2021. Let’s connect, talk and encourage one another in achieving our dreams this year. After all, sometimes all we need is that one ‘push’.

Oh, if you’re also from the Philippines (or anywhere around the world), I’d like to take this opportunity to introduce my charity of choice to all of you. I’ve pledged to do a monthly donation to UNICEF Philippines since 2020 and the work that they’re doing to children all around the country (and the world!) is amazing and super inspiring. If you’d like to pledge as a monthly or a one-time donor, I’d be completely grateful. You can donate and check out UNICEF Philippines by CLICKING HERE.

Well, I might’ve done enough blabbering for now. So I’ll leave you with one of my favourite New Year quotation from one of my favourite writers, Neil Gaiman:

“May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you’re wonderful, and don’t forget to make some art — write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself.”

I hope 2021 will be great for all of us. Maybe I’ll see you on the road soon? For now, be safe, have fun and don’t forget to work hard in order to achieve your resolutions this year. Blessings!

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

John 1:14 NIV