Do not rush love: relationships are not as easy as you think

When she was in high school she gets jealous of her friends in a relationship.

It looks fun. To have someone to hold hands, cuddle or kiss.

It looks wonderful. To love someone not inside your family nor circle of friends.

It looks magical. To create a world with that someone.

She fantasized herself in a perfect relationship.

All butterflies in her stomach.

Everything would be amazing.

But then that teenager self grew.

She saw the world.

She witnessed relationships succeed and failed.

She got scared. To be hurt and left crying.

It took time before she dared to share her heart behind the walls she built.

The first time was not love but an experience.

An experience of letting her certain self entertain someone who is uncertain.

Certain that her first relationship will be her last for everything.

It turned out it was not. At least in her case.

She fought because she wanted that first to be the last.

Even if the feelings was not growing or the love was not existing she kept fighting.

But then it came to an end.

She moved on.

She got into an enchanting relationship where she felt like a princess.

Was it easy?

It was but not always.

In all relationships there will always be ups and downs.

But at the end of the day you both decide to choose each other.

It was an eye-opener that letting someone get in your life is not easy.

It is about learning and relearning yourself and your partner.

One thing she would tell her high school self.

To not rush a relationship nor love.

It is a process.

It has a fair share of happiness and sadness.

A combination of emotions you will have to deal with.

And her takeaway would be to fall in love to someone who will make things easier.

Life is already complicated, do not complicate it more.

Halaman

Isang bagay na may buhay

May paa at kamay

Ngunit hindi gumagalaw

Kahit nasasaktan ay hindi umaaray

Mukhang madali ang kanyang paghinga araw-araw

Hinihiling nga natin maging kagaya nya minsan

Nabubuhay na walang pakiramdam

Ngunit kung ating pagmamasdan

Katulad ng lahat ng may buhay

Sila din ay may pinagdadaanan

Sa lupa ang umangat ay kanilang kailangan

Kumuha ng sinag ng araw

Kumuha ng tubig sa kailaliman

Kumuha ng nutrisyong kinakailangan

Kumuha ng hangin sa kapaligiran

Magtrabaho sa araw o gabi man

Huminga at magpahinga madalas or minsanan

Hindi tumitigil upang lumago at patuloy na mabuhay

Para sa kung saan sila nakalaan

Kahit pagsubok at nandyan

Lahat ay gagawin upang lumaban para sa kinabukasan.

Excuses are the enemy of growth: Be stronger than your strongest excuses

Do you always find yourself breaking a habit after 4 days of consistently doing it because you tell yourself that you can do it tomorrow because you did a great job for being consistent for 4days?

Rewarding yourself is not bad but think about it again. Are you rewarding yourself or you are making an excuse to avoid the task?

Our brain has the tendency to avoid things that are not comfortable and that is when we create excuses to justify the escape.

Escaping the hard task looks fun for the brain and going back to your comfort zone is tempting for your soul that does not want discomfort. However, these are both enemy of growth.

Nope. You do not need to go to a difficult situation. You do not need to immerse yourself in a new culture. You need to face what is in front of you that will help you to become the person you wanted to be.

Look at the plants around you. They do not move but they keep growing. It is not easy but that’s how they survive. Try to find a newly planted seeds in the ground and observe them for a couple of days. They push themselves to go up and see the light. After seeing the light, they do not stop there. They try to adjust their resources, shifting hormones or proteins to adjust to the situation. They work a lot but we only see their growth and development for the benefit of other organisms. And it is so beautiful.

Imagine being a plant today. They do not make excuses. They try their best to keep growing and developing for what they are made for. And may you be strong enough to fight your strongest excuses for your own growth and development.

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Death and breakup are two different things

I saw this reel saying that death and breakup are the same.

They are not.

I have been in both, and losing someone because of death is way different.

Yes, the two may have some similarities.

Both are painful.

Both are losing someone forever.

Both are leaving you alone in the dark.

Both are uncertain about the healing time.

But someone leaving you because of breakup is never the same as due to death.

You lose a person because you are not destined for each other with a breakup.

You lose a person in flesh permanently with death.

Death will not allow you to see that person again.

Death will not allow you to say things you wanted to say.

Death will not allow you to ask forgiveness.

Death will not allow you to hug nor hold that person’s hand again.

Breakup will still give you chances that death will take from you forever.

Sadness and pain from death and breakup may have the same intensity and both are valid.

But death is not equal to breakup.

Why am I created by mistake?

This not a story of an accidental baby.

Nor the reason why you think there’s nothing going right about your life.

This was just a random unsolicited thought about why some lives are long and others are short.

I was listening to this radio station of a story of a mom who waited 5 years to get a child.

She got one but the kid died after his second birthday.

So, I thought, why the kid had a short-lived life?

Maybe there was an error when he was created?

Prematurely released from the production and had to be returned for fixing?

Who knows?

It was just a thought.

That, we are designed for something.

Short or long journey, we have to go back but leave something for the next people.

Something great we take for granted.

Something you are the only capable one to do.

Something amazing even you don’t realize.

But yeah, we are all in a mission.

We live for a reason.

January book: The Secret History by Donna Tart (Thoughts and quotes I like).

I decided (as paladesisyon) that I will give my thoughts and quotes I like about the book I aim to finish each month. For January, I read The Secret History by Donna Tart. Below are my thoughts, expressions and quotable quotes.

I was like where was Vermont?

This can’t happen in real life.

Oh, wait! What?

Did they kill him?

No way!

OMG! He’s alive!

Or not?

I had a nightmare the night I was reading the part that they were trying to find him.

14 fun activities to do on Feb 14!

This coming February 14 what are you planning to do alone or with someone? If you haven’t found out, here are some ideas you can start with or include in your plan.

1. Watch a movie in the cinema

Classic date night in the cinema for me never gets old. You spend time focusing on the same thing is intimate and builds connection. Make sure that whoever you are with agrees with the movie you will watch.

2. Dine in a restaurant

Another classic one. Try out a tasting menu. Or a fancy steak house. But again checkout your companion cos you don’t wanna bring your vegan or vegetarian data in an all-you-can-eat Samgyupsal restaurant.

3. Attend a concert

Do you have a band or orchestra you enjoy listening to? Then you might find where they are performing in two weeks and reserve your tickets. Be together until midnight with the type of music you both enjoy.

4. Walk around the park

A date does not necessarily about spending too much. Knowing the person you wanna take on this kind of activity is vital. You can spend your time roaming around checking out stuff in the park making sure you do not complain having painful legs at the end of the day.

5. Street food crawling

I love street food and if you take me to one I will consider that a sweet gesture on a date. It is cheap but I love these food. However, if your date is not a fan of this kind of food then consider other activities on this list.

6. Shopping

Nothing is wrong in retail therapy as long as it is still within your ‘wants’ budget. Window shopping may be therapeutic to others and may also be the root cause of your stress so communicate your intention when doing this kind of activity alone or with someone.

7. Play arcade games

Video games, basketball, or car racing. Name it and most big arcades have it. An hour won’t be enough and therefore you have more time to spend with that person enjoying different games and getting a price if you are lucky enough to hit a jackpot to get that big teddy!

8. See a theater play

It may be boring or worth each other’s time. The key is to ask your date to honestly tell you if he/she want to see a play cos you will need time before that play to book your tickets and you don’t wanna bore your date after that day of the play.

9. Cook food and do a picnic

Cooking our meals is cheap but can give someone the impression of you making an effort to cook especially if you cooked that person’s favorite food because you gave attention to what they say or do. Checkout the picnic area and bring food that is appropriate in the place.

10. Trekking

This one is kinda intense if you consider like trekking the highest mountains! LOL. But why not if both of you agreed go for it and then you can spend the night camping there if the place allows. Plan to bring the needed stuff before doing this one.

11. Do bar hopping

But, do not get too drunk especially if it is your first date. It may be a turn off to your date. Bar hopping gives the both of you varieties of bar ambiance. Sometimes some bars may have fun games or a live band and lucky you if you get to those bars!

12. Camping

Whether at the foot of the mountain, by the beach or lake, camping is something that will allow you to know your person better. This is spending the night with the resources available and enjoying the company you have while dealing on whatever challenge that may arise in the camp.

13. Try out all the rides in an amusement park

Age is just a number. Unleash your inner child by spending the day in an amusement park and trying out all the available rides. Your date may be scared of the rollercoaster but may want to try it with you and that gives you an idea of the trust that person has in you.

14. Spend the day in a museum

I like going to historical museum but my friend easily gets bored in there so talk to your date if they want to go there if they said yes you may need to reserve your tickets. This can create conversations that may arise while looking around the things that interest you both.

The key in all the above-mentioned activities would be to communicate the plans you have. Surprises are fun if you know very well who you gonna surprise. But, knowing that both of you enjoy the activities you are planning will result to a more successful Valentine’s date!

14 flowers to give this Valentine’s (and their scientific names to impress your date)

Valentine’s day is in two weeks time! Have you thought of any flowers to give your special someone? Here are some of the flowers you can give them and their scientific names:

1. Rose (Rosa sp.)

2. Tulip (Tulipa sp.)

3. Dahlia (Dahlia pinnata)

4. Orchid (Order Orchidaceae)

5. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)

6. Lily Stargazer (Lilium sp.)

7. Daffodil (Narcissus pseudonarcissus)

8. Carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus)

9. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

10. Gumamela (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)

11. Daisy (Bellis perennis)

12. Iris (Iris sp.)

13. Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)

14. Geranium (Pelargonium sp.)

You can also mix and match these flowers or get a mixture of this into a bouquet. Or, if you are on a budget, try out paper flowers with a personalized note in there. Surely, someone special in your hear will appreciate the flower you gave them as long as you make them feel loved.

14 Places to Take Your Date this Valentine’s Day

Love season is just sitting around the corner. Have you ever thought where to bring your date, bf, gf, mom, dad, sibling or yourself (cos *insert Miley Cyrus’ Flowers* I can date myself)? Here are some places where you can bring that special someone:

1. Park

2. Beach

3. Mountain

4. Cinema

5. Restaurant

6. Cave

7. Amusement Park

8. February Fair

9. Concert

10. Light Show

11. Zoo

12. Arcade

13. Botanical Garden

14. Lake

Or, if you are both home buddies, you can set your date night at home with home-made food watching TV or playing video games!

To the person you are becoming…

Be patient.

Every year some of us make a list of New Year’s Resolutions.

Things we wanna change ourselves for the better.

You may or may not achieve those things this year.

Or maybe not even next year on your 2025 New Year’s Resolutions.

But, as long as you are making an effort towards that goal, it will happen.

You will become the person you could not stop imagining.

Consistency, commitment, and discipline.

Easy to know these words but harder to apply in real life.

We often developed these things we wanted to change in ourselves.

And, not overnight you will become a different person.

It will take time.

And knowing that you are doing it for your good, you will be good.

Be patient.

There will be times you will have to restart again.

Or unmotivated days when you could not find reasons behind your efforts.

Thinking that I was ok before so why do these changes?

Remember why you even started.

It’s not gonna be easy.

But, it will be worth it.

Be patient to the person you are becoming.

Especially, if you haven’t been that person before.