Thank you 2021, Welcome 2022!

And just like that another year has zipped by. We're still in a pandemic and COVID-19 cases are once again rising after a few weeks of promising public health stats across the board.  Still, there's a lot to be grateful for, and I believe its better for one's mental health to have a sense of gratitude always. 

And so, here are the things I am grateful for. 

1. More and more people are getting the vaccine and booster.

2. I've gotten a better understanding of our spiritual life's journey and our purpose in the physical world.

3. I have a steady job which pays well enough that it allows me to support my family.

4. Nobody in my immediate family (close contacts) got seriously sick despite the fact that most of them have co-morbidities.

5. My brother who is working abroad, and his wife who is in Bulacan, survived COVID.

6. Amidst the pandemic, my youngest brother's food business which he runs with his wife is thriving and getting traction.

5. My project team is doing great and we have achieved several milestones.

6. I've managed living with 5 dogs in the house.

7. I've finally been able to go out of town with my family and visit dear friends outside NCR.

8. Some of my friends and colleagues who did get sick with COVID (some severely so) have survived.

9. Eisen, my  Lab, is now 13 years and 7 months - deaf, weak in the hind legs, and with occasional health scares, he still is my most faithful companion.

Elections is coming up in 2022, face to face classes in UP will probably not be happening yet, and we're back in Alert Level 3. I think the antidote to dread and despair in the coming year is to focus on our original mission, which is to love one another, and, instead of criticizing others, look inwardly and strive to be a better person.