Time to Count My Blessings

By end-2012, I aimed to lose weight by jogging and posted this online. I decided this is something I should do for myself as I never liked being told I was fat by concerned family and friends. I never asked to have companions in this purpose-driven activity as I am used to doing a number of things alone. I found it a pleasant surprise to learn that two good friends aim for the same thing also. At one point, another friend joined me in this worthwhile activity. She also asked for the e-books of the novels I have. She affirmed that I am leading a good life.

This brings me to another privilege I enjoy regularly, a relaxed Saturday night spent watching movies with good friends. Exchanging life stories and ideas over a delicious dinner caps the night perfectly.

Exchanging details of the different facets of my life is something I do with different friends. At my age, with all the technologies available, a good old-fashioned number of hours spent talking with good friends over the landline is still time well-spent. Good friends who have known me since grade school and throughout most of my adult life keep me grounded and introduce me to the dimensions of my personality.

One of these dimensions is that I am the kind of person who enjoy blessings as they come. I never really desire for much. I would have been happy to spend my birthday with family and friends at home. The occasional traveling I do with friends show me how small I am in this world. That said, it is noteworthy that this is my third time to visit this part of the world in 5 years' time and my first time to spend my birthday abroad with my mother as company.

Let it not be said that I had my down time as well. It has been 10 months since I last sang with my group. A big part I miss is the exchange of banters with dear friends bound by the love for music.

So now, my after-office energy is literally spent jogging. I didn't even feel I was exerting effort toward achieving my goal as I truly enjoy this. I was actually surprised to see the results through my clothes that now fit better though I now eat better too. The few "idle" hours I have fly by watching teleseryes, reading e-books and playing e-games.

Thank you dear Lord for these 3 wonderful weeks spent with my mother. I am the blest and privileged one. Thank you Lord for my wonderful family and friends who continue to care for me in spite and because of my imperfections. Thank you for my current employment. The people I work for and work with constantly mold me. The challenges and opportunities the work present keep me on my toes. Thank you for my past jobs which continue to open doors for me. Thank you, Lord, for addressing my immediate needs even before I become aware of them. Thank you for not granting all of my heart's desires at once. They give me something to aim for and make life challenging and fulfilling.