2014: Part 2 - Of Moving On, Going Forward & There's So Many Things To Do

Now, here's the second part of my Year 2014 post. In this part, I will briefly talk about my assessment of 2013, my aspirations, my goals, and other equally important things that my neuron would allow.

ASSESSMENT  

If I'd be putting a score in my last year's performance - in a scale of 1 is to 10, I feel like giving myself around 7.5. I'd say there's a petty disappointment running in my head as it is not even at par from my target of at least 8.5 to 9. Far from the guy in me who is used to be competitive in almost all areas of life - school, work, and other significant activities.

Apparently, there are highs of high and lows of low last year. At some point, I fail to deliver when expectations are set a bar higher. But I won't fret as it had brought me clear-cut realizations. Gone are the days of regrets. Gone are the unhealthy thoughts brought about by non-deliverance of some tasks. And negativity has been permanently blocked in my life's tunnel. A forced entry of pessimism in my life's tunnel will be quickly trapped by the air of positivity that is continuously and will continue to blow in its door. In short, optimism will rule-out the cynical elements that would try to distract me.

RESOLUTIONS - NOT

It's an ordinary thought that many of us - at the onset of new year - hurry to think and write down our new set of resolutions.. Some would still recall a failed attempt in the past year. While some others are beaming with sparkling smile as they have achieved -if not all- but at least the major part of their last year's resolutions.  

Yours truly is different. I don't normally set those new year's resolutions for quite a few years now. Why? Simply - because I'm such a failure in most parts. And I hate to admit that I'm not a religious follower of a tall order my resolutions had. Consistency is one of my weakest links. So, the resolutions that I have made is to not have a set of them. I'd rather keep it to myself and work silently than telling family members or close friends that I'd do this, do that for a change. It's painful but it's true. 

On the contrary, I will just lay down some "boxed long ago" aspirations that I will start to work out this 2014. It does not necessarily mean that I should finish these tasks before 2014 end, but rather 2014 will be my jump-off year as I work on these things. It's hard to set deadlines - though I know putting up a timetable is critically important - yet, I will just give a leeway for myself while working hard on it. 

Photography

There are many things I want to do - both personal and community-wise. There is this pending dream of doing photography - be it landscape photography or nature photography. I have always been fascinated with nature and its beauty. This deep desire to capture moments in nature is due maybe to my being a poetry lover. I do compose prose and poetry - though at a halt now. But along with photography, I'd want to explore the beauty of words and apply them in my nature's canvass.

Traveling 

Then, there's travel - going far-off places that are yet to be discovered, places where tranquility can still be felt - witnessing unspoiled nature's beauty away from the hustle and bustle of a city life. Traveling has been one of the high priority dreams I want to achieve. Unfortunately it has taken a back seat momentarily. Nursing a young toddler is the main reason why my wife and I put this high priority thing down into a low-prio ones. In my assessment, I guess we can have the luxury of traveling in the year 2016. The additional delay is reasonable especially now that we're expecting our second baby that is due to come around July or August this year. Bragging aside, I had a fair share in my travel book. I have been in several places already - both locally and internationally. But the thing that keeps me chasing travel itinerary is - more than just reaching a target destination - by knowing more about the historical past of a certain place and if given a chance immerse into the culture of locals living in it. 

Writing Book/Books

Writing my own book is another on my to-do list. This desire to publish a book arouse when I was in college - that has been triggered when I was exposed to blogging four years ago. I want to write a book focusing about my family. I just feel the need to keep a memorabilia to the generations to come after us - in such a way that they can have some reference of their ancestors and blood lineage. There are more books I want to write - an autobiography maybe or one that focuses on social advocacy. I'm hype-up to start chronicling community stories - those that can uplift one's desire to do good. Those topics that can be a driving force for the younger generations to work hard and reach for their dreams.

Social Work 

Social work - this area occupies a special place in my heart. I have been involved in various social organizations focusing on improving a human life, helping a child reach a dream, and giving out assistance to those who are in dire needs. Two of the vivid social endeavors that I belong to is K2A - which is short for Kasimanwa Ko Association headed by my kumpareng Erwin Relox and the one with my other kumpareng Arcie Mallari - Silid Aralan Inc. These two men are worthy of emulation in terms of their community involvement. I'm passively working with them as I'm away and not in the battle ground. What I do is just helping through donations. I feel like I want to level up my commitment with them this 2014 and to show them that I can be one badass to lean on as well. 

Stock Markets - Diversifying My Funds

Now that I'm a step higher with my stock market exposure, I want to study more on how to diversify my funds. With all the financial and stock market tools and utilities online that can aid me as I do my further study, I know that a smile at the end of the horizon is waiting for me. Definitely, patience is the name of the game in this kind of thing. Plus equipping myself with the seasoned financial market news and advices. Associating myself with the right people in the industry, I definitely know that I can go places with this small beginning I started last year. Knowing Bo Sanchez and his team from TRC who are ready to help me out, I pretty sure that I'm in good hand. 

More Involvement In My Spiritual Community

More works for my spiritual community. I feel the need to step up as our small unit was upgraded by the National Council to become "One Chapter". This means I need to get involve more and do some double work along with other leaders. We're a bit apprehensive with this change but I know when we put God to work in our midst, impossible becomes possible.  

Above are big ideas that may require big tasks. And accomplishing them requires a big heart in me that is willing to go beyond my capacity, if needed. With all of these rallying in my head, I know life isn't a game, nor a race with anyone to be won. And it is not even a sprint run that I need to win or achieve. There will be moments of triumphs and moments of " try again". It is not about how much I can conquer, accomplish or do. But it is about putting my heart into it and doing it with beaming passion. 

With all being said, I think I'm one step moving ahead in a straight-forward path.