As The Year 2011 is About to End

As Year 2011 is About to End

-Frances Carmille Alpuerto-

Gratitude—it is basically what life is all about. It is the greatest expression of love and is often times, forgotten. Saying “thank you” nowadays is taken for granted. People fail to acknowledge and give appreciation to the little things they have received. Often times, those little things get unnoticed and what is ironic is that those things are the ones who occupy a big space in one’s heart.

Looking back, (they say there is no point in looking back because it is done) I remember those times wherein I failed to say thank you to those people who have made a great impact in my life. Yes, honestly speaking, I recognized their big help yet I failed in expressing it. My elementary teachers, classmates and friends, they are important factors who built my foundation in my education. I can still remember the joy in going to school every schooldays because I am looking forward in seeing my classmates. We learned together, play like we were little kids and cried over little things. An elementary year is basically all about learning the art of enjoying your studies but at the same time, it is also the most important one because as what I have said, it is the foundation of our education.

There came my high school years. Ahhhh, the sweetest plate life offered me. It is truly a perfect amalgamation of colors and the most thrilling part when you are riding in a roller coaster. When people asked me how I would describe my high school years, I smiled and said, “Who and what I am now is because of my high school years.” I am truly indebted to the various experiences in this stage of my life. Everything I have learned during lower school was refreshed but there were many new things being introduced to me. If you ask me now what those lessons I can still recall were, I am afraid I might fail you! But, ask me what I have learned about life, I can give you tons of answers. That is why, my high school years is very memorable to me.

Have you tried cramming in studying and at the same time cramming in fulfilling your responsibilities? Did you ever laugh at your terror teacher’s jokes just because he/she wants you to laugh with his/her joke? Can you still remember those times wherein you said “I am now very tired” yet you keep on going? If you give me a chance to answer my questions, then I do not know when this story will end. And I guess you too, have a lot to share. That is the beauty of life; our different stories will keep us going most especially if we treasure those stories and learn from our experiences. 

Friends, 2011 is about to end. Have you thanked everyone who made a huge contribution in your life? Someone who was once a stranger but now, is a great friend of yours? Or how about an experience that challenged your faith but you were able to overcome it and in result, it even made you a stronger person? How time really flies so fast. I can still remember how we celebrated our New Year 2011 and now, what were are looking forward to be is another new year filled with joy and abundant blessings. Every New Year springs a new hope in our hearts that no matter how tough a situation could be, we are always armed with our greatest weapon, and that is our big faith in God.  Every happening is not a coincidence. They all happen for a reason. A reason which we will not know for now, a reason which will be revealed to us at the right time God planned it to come.

Truly, there is more to come in our lives. Our God is a God of abundance and we will never ever defeat Him in goodness just as He can never be outdone in His generosity. I pray that each one of us will grow and walk in the path of light God desired for us. God is always present. God is always watching us. God always loves us. Be blessed! :)