Thankful Heart!

We do not realize the blessings that we have unless we see how others are coping with less.

 

Chill

Sometimes I can feel highly stressed about deadlines piling up, but I verbally and literally remind myself that "done is better than perfect!"

 

When you have a bad day...

There are days that anything you say will be misinterpreted and met with negative comments.   

There are days when anything you do will be considered a threat.  Then again, you have the choice to succumb to the negativity or to consider it as a learning opportunity.

A friend gave me solid advice:  

Don't take it personally. It's human nature. People generally don't want to be told what they should or shouldn't do. The recipient might have interpreted your suggestion as you thinking that they haven't thought of that, or they are not doing their jobs right. This quality is more the rule than the exception though.

Nevertheless, there are proper ways to communicate.  We need to promote non-violent communication, because we do 't really know what the other person is going through.

Atty Augusto W. Go and the University of Cebu

This is the first time I met with Atty Augusto W. Go, the patriarch of the University of Cebu (UC).  During the time that Lola Sising set up The Share A Child Movement, he was one of the benefactors, allowing poor but deserving children to complete their education.  Many of our current scholars are also scholars of UC.

Following the heels of Lola Sising's birth anniversary last January 9, 2025.  She would have been 107 years old... I took a selfie with Atty AWG telling him proudly that I am the granddaughter of Atty Esperanza Valenzona and I took over The Share A Child Movement, Inc until it closed down in 2022.  He still knows Atty Valenzona.  He still remembers the Share A Child Movement!

Honoris Causa

Dr Gerardo M. Aquino, Jr, MD, MHA, CEO VI is now also PhD.  He was awarded with a PhD in Business Management, honoris causa.

I have been contemplating on taking on the challenge of writing a historical research on the impact of Dr Aquino on VSMMC this past 2 decades of his tenure as medical center chief.  This should be done BEFORE his retirement, while he is still available for interviews.

47th

It's my 47th birthday today and I wish to hide from the world.  I feel that I don't want to have the spotlight focused on me.

I think that I have my priorities in check:

PEOPLE.  I think I have done my best to let people important to me know that they are cherished and valued: my family, my direct support group, my work team creating enabling environments for patients and stakeholders, my co-workers, my friends and my patients.

PLACE.  From this quarter's Philhealth share, I spent on building a loft bed which I spent YEARS planning until I was ready to implement.

PROTECTION.  I also put aside sufficient budget to get new tires for Rosebud 2.0 to ensure our continued safety during road trips and family adventures.  It cost a lot, but I feel it is a worthy investment.

PURPOSE.  Today I remember my father who died at 47 years old.  He didn't grow old because he died young.  I am honored to have lived as "young" as my dad.  I remember when his co-workers would post "SMOKING IS HAZARDOUS TO YOUR HEALTH" he would add "BITCHING ABOUT" at the beginning of the statement to warn those nagging him to quit smoking.  When he was diagnosed with lung cancer, he quit smoking cold turkey.

I am honored to have lived 47 years with purpose and maximally utilizing my skills and talents to help other people, reaching goals and walking the untrodden path.  Trailblazing!

STAY IN MY LANE

I have been reflecting on what will happen in 2025, and how my life will change.  I always make lists because I don't want to forget or miss anything.  I have a daily "to-do" list, although I hardly complete the tasks on my list...  This time, I think I will make a lists of how I will change my lifestyle for 2025.

1.  STAY ON MY LANE.  I am usually assigned tasks to trouble-shoot problems areas.  In the past, this has spread me thinly to the point that I am not as efficient as I could have been.  My boss had announced during the budget proposal hearing this past month that I would be relieved of being the division chief of the Professional Allied Health Services so that I could focus on research.  This I will do, and on this I will focus.

2.  HEALTH AND WELLNESS.  I have always tried to promote health and wellness because this is MY weakness.  I wake up with severe arthritis, especially on my left hand so much so that I feel like a child again doing "close open, close open" exercises.  I need to watch my diet and exercise regularly to lose excess body weight.  I also deal with menopausal symptoms like hot flushes, so I need to focus on preventing other long term complications from menopause.

3.  QUALITY FAMILY TIME.  Realizing that I am dispensable at work, I need to focus on the people that really matter to me.  Family is forever.  Despite the quarrels and disagreements, family stick together.  Relationships need to be nurtured, so family time needs to be regarded as sacred.

4.  MENTAL HEALTH.  I have always used work as crutch to battle loneliness and depression.  Although I do enjoy one-on-one discussions with friends, colleagues and co-workers, I need to develop new coping skills in order to develop other aspects of my life, like my private practice, my hobbies and recreational activities.

5.  RETIREMENT.  I will reach midlife in a few years.  I need to streamline my investments and make wiser decisions on resource management.  It is true that being single and alone allows us to achieve more in terms of work, but when we grow old, we will be alone and highly dependent on others to take care of us.