Everyday Happiness

Today, my BDJ Spark Your Magic workbook assigned to me this journaling prompt:

“When was the last time you laughed out loud? What was it about? Who were you with? Were you alone or with a good friend?”

I last laughed out loud while watching the Magulo Na Bacarros weekly vlog. I am a regular listener of the Wake Up With Jim and Saab podcast, so their vlog has also become a part of my routine.

I adore Saab Magalona and Jim Bacarro’s two sons Pancho and Vito. Their laughter and playtime makes me so happy. I feel like their playmate whenever I watch their vlog. I usually do so by myself while crocheting at home.

I look forward to each vlog episode because I remember the innocence of childhood and how awesome it is to be happy with the simplest joys. I hope to regain the ability to be glad with life’s everyday surprises!

I am so excited for Monday’s vlog episode!

A Mindful Exercise

Today, I was assigned to perform A Mindful Exercise on my BDJ Spark Your Magic Workbook.

Here was the assignment:

”Exercise is defined as a process carried out with effort in order to achieve a specific purpose of sustaining or improving health. There are no shortcuts in exercising. This is work that needs to be done to unleash your magic. List what you can do to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health…and commit to them.”

And here are my answers:

Health

• Drink 8 glasses of water everyday

• Get 6-8 hours of sleep every night

• Workout everyday

Heart

• Read the Bible everyday

• Use a gratitude journal

• Journal everyday

Mind

• Post blog entries at least once a week

• Listen to at least one podcast episode each day

• Crochet everyday

• Talk to my partner more about current events

• Commute once a week

I have been practicing most of these already, so I am off to a good start! It is understandable that there should be room for allowances due to the pandemic. However, I am determined to commit to practicing all of these for my own good!

Here’s to a more mindful way of living!

5 Things that I’m Good At

Today, I picked this card for my BDJ Dare To Be Creative deck:

Make a list of 5 things that you’re really good at

”What do you do and give so effortlessly? Think of what other people ask you help for.”

Here are the 5 things that I’m really good at:

1. I am good at writing

2. I am good at playing the flute by ear

3. I am good at taking photographs

4. I am good at crochet

5. I excel at cardio, especially Zumba

And here are ten more things that I’m really good at:

1. I am good at identifying local businesses to support and promote

2. I am a good and fair product tester

3. I am a good singer

4. I am a good foodie in the sense that I am effective in sharing restaurants and delicious dishes

5. I am a good and effective brand ambassador

6. I am good in public speaking

7. I am good in building and following routine

8. I am good in giving gifts to people I know well

9. I am a talented commuter!

10. I am good at walking

Bonus: People ask me to pray for them, so that makes me a good intercessor!

I can do all these, and more!

Recalibrate

Today’s theme on my BDJ Spark Your Magic workbook is Recalibrate.

”There are so many things that are out of our hands right now, but focusing on the things you can control, no matter how small, can reassure you and inspire you to take action.”

Here are the categories that map out my life at the moment:

What’s not working in my life:

• Job hunting during the pandemic has been unsuccessful so far because recruiters say that I am overqualified.

• Living within my means has been doable, but challenging.

• Controlling my temper has been a slow work in progress.

How if would look like if they were:

• I would have a job that I am qualified and appropriately paid for.

• I can have more savings if I continue to live within my means.

• Controlling my temper has led to more harmonious relationships with the people around me.

What I can do to bridge the gap:

• I can continue blogging and maintaining my Human Nature Online Store.

• I can plan my expenses ahead of time.

• I have been controlling my temper through daily journaling. I will carry on with this practice as it has been helping me a lot.

I am really grateful that I am more self-aware thanks to journaling. My partner has also been very supportive and has been patiently listening to me whenever I share my struggles and plans to improve. I am fortunate to have a support system that allows me to work on myself without judgement during the pandemic.

I am constantly improving myself. I know that this does not happen overnight. The goal is to attain progress, not perfection. The key to achieving positive change is to work on myself, one day at a time.

I have many blessings in my life. I have my blog, my Human Nature Online Store (please support!), and a wonderful life. I can move forward and improve because I believe that I have everything I need to have everything I want!

Center of Magic

I am still working on my Spark Your Magic workbook. Today, I was asked to identify my “Center of Magic”:

• What are your talents?- I can write prose, blog, sing, play the flute, drive an automatic car, host events, run an online shop, and influence people.

• What job or task are yo really good at?- I am a skilled communicator. I am an effective public speaker and a prolific writer.

• What good deed are you most proud of?- I have been a World Vision sponsor for the past fourteen years.

I really enjoy journaling with the Spark Your Magic workbook because I get to identify my strengths and weaknesses. Lately, the pandemic has been feeling like a dark, heavy cloud above my head, so I feel the need to explore new ways to learn and grow each day. Who knew that journaling would open up my heart and spark the habit of writing everyday? In fact, this habit has even let me complete my book manuscript!

Great things start from small wins. I just joined a journaling workshop last month, and now, I am journaling on a daily basis. It has helped me process old wounds and look forward to each new day.

I am so excited to see where this journaling habit will lead me to!

My Top Three Songs

Today, I picked this card from my BDJ Dare to Be Creative deck. I was asked to ”‘make a playlist and fill it with the soundtrack of your life! What are your top three songs?”.

Here are my Top Three Songs, as evidenced by how frequently I listen to them every single day:

1. Across the Universe by The Beatles- This song was also a favorite of my late father’s. It reminds me of how short life is and how my life stays the same, even in an ever-evolving universe.
   

2. Winter from The Four Seasons Allegro con Molto by Antonio Vivaldi- This has been my go-to song whenever I need to motivate myself. I love how it wakes me up and energizes me.
   

3. Everlong by The Foo Fighters- This is the love song that has captured my hopelessly romantic heart. Fun fact: three ex-boyfriends of mine have dedicated this song to me. While I no longer have feelings for them, the song still moves me to keep on believing in true love.
   

Just like that iconic line in Across The Universe points out, “nothing’s gonna change my world”. Of course, from my point of view, life is constantly changing, but in the universal scheme of things, I remain to be a human being, a mere speck of cosmic dust.

I will always find that humbling.