There’s no stopping time.
We’re now saying good bye to September and hello to October. And we know, of course, that pretty soon we’ll be saying hello to December and the Christmas season soon.
The month of September was kind of bittersweet for me.
I learned that two of my friends passed away due to cancer. Knowing about their deaths reminded me of how life had been when I was still based in Cebu where these friendships were born. But such is life, such is time. We can not hold it, control it. It only ultimately belongs to our Creator (Psalm 31:15). We grieve the loss but the reality also reminds us of the brevity of life. And how we need to be living purposeful lives on this earth.
September also marks the birthday month of my husband Daryl as well as several family members (my brother, sister-in-law, aunt and several cousins) as well as friends. My husband received several cakes (!!) for his birthday 🙂 This year, he was actually in Surigao a good part of his birthday (he came home just before evening) for a training event with the Agusan High National High School Science Department where he currently serves as OIC Department Head.
Birthdays remind me that life is to be celebrated and lived well and yes, lived with purpose.
This month, I also had the opportunity to be one of the speakers for a seminar on Capability Building for ABSNET Members on Psychological Intervention. I spoke about Caring for Carers, drawing from my academic training in Psychology and my hands-on experience in the past in Cebu and Thailand where I directly worked with street kids and kids/youth in the slums. Venue for the seminar was at the Watergate Hotel in Butuan City.
And so I say good bye to September, hoarding the new experiences and insights gained along with a thankful heart and a resolution to continue pursuing a purposeful life. May you pursue such a life, too.
