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TO SUM IT ALL UP: THE GOOD LIFE FOR ME

When I think about what the good life is, here are the thoughts that come to mind:

Perfect balance between work and living; practical productivity and productivity for the heart and soul.

Having a clear purpose, whatever it may be at the time

Finding happiness and passion whatever stage in life I might be in

Being self-aware and knowing who I am

Being deeply connected and one with nature, living as natural and harmonious with creation as I could

Having a healthy relationship with stress and tensions in life

Having healthy intimate relationships and healthy networks

Mental health and good habits

Finally, I remember what our parish priest in the province said when he talked about my terminal grandmother. “Kapag dumating ang oras na kukunin na si Inang saatin ng Diyos, kampante ako at alam na alam ko, gabundok na ang kayamanan na inipon niya sa oras niya dito sa lupa na naghihintay sakanya sa langit.” My lola is cherished by many including me because she’s the most selfless, loving, faithful, strong, and Godly person that I know. That’s what I feel like the good life is; it’s living a genuine life full of growth,  love, passion, and kindness that flows within yourself and overflows to others in the time you spent living.

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SLIGHT STORYTIME: PASSION or PRAGMATISM?

In life, I’ve realized that one should not see things in black and white. There is always a gray area, and between two sides, there will always be a golden mean, the perfect middle ground that’s most appropriate, beneficial, and aligned with one’s values. 

STORYTIME: One of my most major defining moments / challenges was when I transferred from UST-SHS to ADMU for college. I was a wreck in first year. I could not find it in me, no matter how hard I tried, to love ADMU, click with its culture, and be happy in it as much as I loved UST. In fact, the only thing that kept me going in first year was the hope that I’d be able to transfer back in second year. I tried to transfer back, but clearly, the universe and God had other plans for me. 

A lot of people may find it so discombobulating, but (until now really) the reality of my life and my being is that UST will always be home to me the way ADMU can never be. I find comfort in the fact that now, I have been able to come to terms and be at peace with that, and still at the same time be able to find the much-deserved appreciation for ADMU and ability to find my passions within it now. I was able to join an org, discover an advocacy I turned out to be really passionate about and close to. I also grew immensely, in ways I am truly so proud about. 

Sometimes, what we want and what we think we are made to be might not always be the most ideal and practical in the long run. I acknowledge that ADMU gave me an education and a necessary maturity in the face of the real world and adult life that staying in UST would have hindered. Passion is a great thing, striving and being determined to get what we want and what makes us happy are all so good. However, passions can change and what we think we want can change. There should always be a balance in priority between chasing your passion and happiness, staying true to yourself, while also being realistic and adult about making choices that would change the course of your life. 

Another thing that I realized is that as long as you stay true to yourself and prioritize your growth, you can find multiple passions and even multiple ways to help and live out your passion.

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SOCIAL CAPITAL and RELATIONSHIPS

Recently, I’ve learned a lot about building relationships and social networks. Personally, I think I’m more of a closer since I know I’m not a very social person, I’m mostly introverted, and I keep to myself more than a lot of people I know. I’m not a very “out there” person and I’m content and happy nourishing relationships that I truly care about and I have deep love for. Upon thinking about it further, I realized that this attentiveness to a handful of deeper relationships is also the thing that pushes me to broker a lot of connections; loving and caring for relationships leads to more connection and involvement with others as that’s really a part of it. Here are some of my reminders-to-self and to-do’s from here on out. 

Introversion does not equate to isolation! Playing to your strengths and staying true to who you are is key to a genuine, wholesome, and healthy networks.

But also, put yourself out there more. Join orgs, apply to internships, join social gatherings in order to discover other relationships worth building and also to discover yourself more.

Networking isn’t cheap and sleazy unless you make it cheap and sleazy. Just remember to be more purposeful and intentional with all your social activities. As just a bonus, how will you be able to mutually benefit from the relationship?

Strong and weak ties are both important.

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MY SOCIAL MAP

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HABITS, HABITS, HABITS

Big and small daily habits I’d like to work on:

Make my bed first thing in the morning

Not touch my phone at least 30 mins after waking up

Eat healthier food

Be more consistent with workouts

Clean apartment more frequently

Make time for genuine me time at least once a week

Learn/try something new at least once every two weeks

Start my day with thanksgiving and appreciation

Regular relationship check-ins and real dates with my boyfriend

Go out with friends more

Say “I love you” to my parents more

Stick to an earlier study schedule

Pray more consistently before bed