Thrivin Soul

Hello, Feb. Just thought of listing my favorites from the past month. Here goes…

1. MAKEUP

Never, in my entire lifetime, have I imagined that I’d learn to love makeup. Simply saying that makes me cringe in myself. Haha. But recently, I’ve been learning to put them on and I actually enjoyed it! It started when I had to learn how to draw some eyebrows for my mom. When she was in chemotherapy, all her hairs were gone. Including her eyebrows. So I ordered an eyebrow pencil for her. But it was frustrating because I didn’t even know how to draw one (my mom doesn’t know too — I guess the apple indeed doesn’t fall far from the tree). So, in my downtime, I would try it on my face. I’d watch YouTube tutorials for beginners. And boom, I (kinda) learned how to draw her eyebrows. The next thing I know, I was already buying eyeshadows, eyeliner pencil, mascara, and all other paraphernalia that I wouldn’t have ever thought of buying years ago. Lol. For a total beginner like myself, I think I’ve outdone myself just by putting on some foundation. Haha.

2. BOOKS

I vowed at the beginning of the year to read and finish more books this year. So far, I’ve been reading 2 books at a time, and I’m nowhere near finishing either of them. But to be fair, I’ve actually disciplined myself not to buy more books until I finish the unfinished ones. So there’s that.

The 2 books that I’ve been enjoying by far are Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss and Can’t Hurt Me by David Goggins. Both of which are from personal experiences. But the first one talks more about how to negotiate as this is written by a former FBI agent who’s on the top of his game during his service. I love that whatever he learned in negotiation during a hostage crisis can also be applied in whatever aspect of life — even in casual conversation. I’m trying to apply the techniques in my daily life as much as I could. By the end of this year, who knows, I might be a good addition to the FBI. Lol. The second book by David Goggins (who by the way is a record-holder of the most pull-ups in 24 hours) is a story about his life and how he had overcome the adversities, from living with an abusive father down to facing prejudice of being a black American. I’m not even halfway through but I’m already greatly inspired by his willpower at such a young age.

3. BANANA SMOOTHIE

Been making banana smoothie during the later part of January to add to my diet. My goodness, it’s so hard to gain back the pounds that I lost last year because of mental struggles which affected my health. But it’s fine. I’m learning to be patient with my progress. I saw this video so I made one myself and damn, I gained almost 1kg in a week. Mind you, that’s a great achievement for someone like me who’s got a fast metabolism. So far, I’m loving the extra calories. I hope and pray that I’ll be consistent with this and also in my… workout. Well, that’s a totally different evil altogether.

4. ZACK TABUDLO PLAYLIST

Finally, you know those days when you don't feel like listening to new songs because you found a playlist that you'd like to abuse. Yup, this is one of those times. And the lucky playlist is from Zack Tabudlo. But seriously though, last month I was just listening to his songs nonstop. It's been a vibe. I wonder if I'll find some new playlist or still stick to my old ones this month. Let's see if I surprise myself.

How about you, care to share your favorite things from last month? xx

No Comments

It’s the first day of 2022 and what better way to start the year than having some 2021 review with our lives.

So, I’m starting this favorites blog (I mean, not that you care) to track my hobbies and some things that keep me sane this year. I know I’m pretty inconsistent.

Here are the top things that I have been enjoying for the past year (actually just for the past months haha):

1. Skillshare

I paid a subscription to skillshare this year just ‘cause I want to hone my skills and learn new things. The top classes that I’ve enrolled in are those from Thomas Frank, Nathaniel Drew, and Ali Abdaal. Most of which are about productivity and organization which I suck at. Others are about content creation like editing videos and how to kind of unleash your creative side. I’m learning a lot and it sure gets overwhelming at times but for the most part, I’m really enjoying it.

2. Final Cut Pro X

I’ve been using Final Cut Pro X since the start of the year. Although I haven’t purchased the whole thing, I’m taking advantage of the free trial for 90 days. Which I can reinstall over and over again. I don’t know if it’s a bug or Apple intentionally leaves that option. Either way, I hope it stays this way until I can finally afford to buy it. Lol

So, I compiled all my 2021 footage. And I realized how all this time, I was just at home due to a work-from-home setup. Not that I’m complaining. I’m grateful to have a job during this uncertain time. However, watching the raw videos, I felt how different this year was from last year. Of course, every year is different. But to be honest, this year has been such a stretch for me. I guess that’s just life. And we have to deal with it. Thank God, I have these videos to reflect on.

3. Film Photography

Months ago, I bought 2 film cameras. One disposable point-and-shoot camera and one mechanical camera. I know, I know. I jumped on the bandwagon. But I wouldn’t have to if it’s not something that really sparks my interest. It just felt so nostalgic. Don’t we all want to go back to that feeling of being a child when life was so simple? I think film does just that. It instantly takes you on a trip down memory lane. Not to mention, the intentionality in every shot that you take makes that still more precious. I guess that’s why our photographs back then have that certain attachment. Or maybe that’s just me. Anyways, it was just recently that I started to use the mechanical camera. I just finished all the shots from the point-and-shoot before I decided to try my luck in a manual one. Damn, it’s fun so far but I don’t know how long I can wait to see the outcome of my film rolls.

4. Books

Like physical books. It was last year when I decided to purchase kindle books because it was more convenient and I was thinking of helping save trees by not buying physical books. But was I naive? I don’t know. Haha. Regardless, this year I just went right back to purchasing physical books. I guess the experience is irreplaceable. Anyways, I read about maybe 10 books in total, most of which are unfinished. What a sucker. This year, I wanna commit to reading (and finishing!) more books.

So, those are the top things that I deeply enjoyed this year in between moments of just making lectures about calculus. What are yours? I’d love to know them. Have a blast this 2022 xx

No Comments

I guess it’s safe to say that 2020 has been a difficult year — as individuals and as a society for the most part.

Started the year watching fireworks at Taipei 101 with friends from school. Went to nearby tourist spots weeks after that. Then, went back home for about a week. I’d say that week was probably the most jam-packed week by far. There was never a day that I didn’t meet with people or have some important errands in between.

In hindsight, I couldn’t even imagine how I squeezed everything in that week. I spent time with my family, stayed for almost 2 days in a monastery to clear my mind for a while, invested in a real estate, gave another shot into my then failing relationship (and the only thing that reminds me of that encounter was a photo of his hand beside the salad that we bought from the restaurant), visited my university, and other things I couldn’t recall.

I thought I started it right. I had a blast from that Taipei trip. I was able to see my family. My finances were improving. My relationship with my then-boyfriend had a silver lining. We were both convinced we’re going to make it right. The first quarter of the year was a complete turnaround from that 2019 heartbreak.

But then covid happened. It’s as if everything was put on hold. The virus survived more than that relationship. Wow. On top of that, I had to extend for one more semester because my research has been greatly affected by the pandemic.

But that’s just me. Ironically, one major lesson I learned from all of this is: it’s not all about me. It’s not even about me. I learned that we can only control so much. And 2020 had for sure made us realize that we are not in control. We are not invincible.

All of our plans were ruined. We all had to adjust to the new normal. But it was also a year full of realizations, don’t you think? We lost 2 of my uncles. My dad’s brother and his brother-in-law. I wasn’t there to mourn with my family and relatives. It was a tough time. But I guess we all learned to surrender to God what was beyond our control. And to maximize the time to act upon the things we can.

This year has taught us to see what really matters in life — quality relationships, helping others, appreciating what we have, and just being there. Well, maybe not physically but in spirit.

As cliche as it, I hope we can leave the negativity behind. And pack all of those learnings from 2020 and bring them with us in 2021. Holding on to God’s promise in Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

No Comments

Lately, I find myself complaining passively and actively especially about my thesis. And I realize that it's been piling up until I noticed that I overlooked the blessings that God has given me. So I prayed to God on how I can practice gratitude again. And indeed He gave me an answer -- journaling.

I've been doing it on and off for years. It's just recently that I wrote on a regular basis. One, because the majority of the Christian vloggers and preachers that I follow on Youtube suggest journaling for devotion and/or gratitude writing. Two, I just personally love writing down random thoughts and ideas these days because I consume so many books and videos more than my brain can handle sometimes.

What I also appreciate about journaling especially in my times of doubt and ungratefulness is that whenever I read my past journals of gratitude or prayer or just some random subtle but happy thoughts, it's always as if my past self is writing my present self on how to be grateful; on how to appreciate the simplest of things even (and perhaps especially) in times of failure.

I'd also like to believe that while I was writing these journals, God is revealing to me a message. And reading them again today, it's a gentle reminder from Jesus that I can put my perspective back to Him.

Here's one of the journals that I wrote over a week ago that gave me hope today:

Dear Lord, thank you for reminding me today that sometimes it's not in the loud and big moments that I can feel and see your miracles and presence. Instead, it's in those quiet and subtle things. In my quiet times with you everyday, I am reminded by Your great love for me. Because more often that not, I distant myself when things get difficult when all the more I should be holding on to you more than ever -- when things don't make sense. And my thesis doesn't make sense now, Lord. But I'm grateful for the progress. Help me to hold on to you no matter what the circumstance. Remind me everyday of what's trivial and what's essential. Romans 12:1-2 "So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us, I appeal to you: offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to His service and pleasing to Him. This is the true worship that you should offer. Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God -- what is good and is pleasing to Him and is perfect."

No Comments

This line from Jefferson Bethke has blown me away. I’ve been binge-watching his videos about Christianity on youtube and in one of his videos entitled Counterfeit Gods (please please watch it), he mentioned that we all worship a certain god – material possession, sexual desires, a person, standards of society – which ultimately dictates our actions.

It made so much sense and resonated with me (and hopefully in you as well) because at some point in my life, I slowly put my worth and my identity in my past relationship. I thought I had solid faith and values but I found myself in compromising situations. I invested too much too soon and in no time, the relationship became my source of validation. Even the thought of losing it made me wallow in tears. I knew that our relationship wasn’t leading me closer to Jesus because we would allow ourselves to be tempted, to give room for sins, to entertain our lust for each other; yet I ignored these signs. Because I was naïve enough to think that loving each other is having lust for each other. And maybe that is partly true. But it doesn’t have to be the entirety of it. Because now I know that true and pure love frees you from sin. True love protects you from them. True love will never ever compromise your values.

For years, I have held on to the belief that sex should be inside the covenant of marriage. That it is safest in the context of marriage. But I had some gray areas to the things lesser than sex. I assumed they were “okay” – the kissing, the necking, petting, cuddling, and other sexual foreplay. But I knew deep down in my heart that they were sinful because I let the lust controlled me. I lusted for my partner. I allowed him to lust over me. I allowed the disrespect both from him and from myself. And it took me so much strength to detach myself from the relationship, and even after the breakup, I struggled with these thoughts and desires.

I anchored my worth to it that’s why it was so hard for me to let go even though I knew we weren’t glorifying the Lord in that relationship. Just like the human’s addiction to alcohol, pornography, masturbation, material possession, power, or whatever it is – if we make these our gods, they will own us. Our actions, our belief system, our lives. Perhaps they provide us with fleeting ‘satisfaction’ but never a true and lasting one. Because these things are broken, imperfect and sinful. These gods never took nails in their hands and feet and died for us. They did not redeem us nor gave us an everlasting grace, mercy, and love. But Jesus did. And He still does. He is the only One who can fill that void inside us.

We live in a time where premarital sex has become the norm and socially acceptable. It’s getting harder and harder to talk about it with your group of friends because either you are deemed as “judgmental” or they simply make fun of you. But if we truly understand that our worth is in Christ, we will no longer be a slave of sexual immorality, or the society’s standards or any false god – and it will not be hard to show real compassion for our brothers and sisters who are also struggling in this area.

We can reflect on the story of a woman who committed adultery. Jesus challenged the people and said, “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.” And told the woman that He did not condemn her and said, “Go and sin no more.”

There is so much grace from God. And I have witnessed it in my life and the lives of the people around me. Now, I gave up those false gods. Does it mean I’m free from temptation? Does it mean I’m perfect and do not sin anymore? No. But I’m no longer a slave to them. Because I know my worth. I know my identity. And it is in Christ.

And you are too, my brothers and sisters. Don’t let these false gods own you. Jesus does not and will not condemn you. He sees you with loving and merciful eyes. He waits for you to return to Him like the father who waited with open arms for his prodigal son.

Photo source

No Comments

POPULAR POSTS

Podcast

Soundcloud

Blog Archive