A Year of Gratitude: Reflecting on 2025

As the year draws to a close, I want to take a moment to look back and appreciate the wins I've achieved, as well as the learnings I'll carry with me into the new year. I'm posting this ahead of Christmas so I can focus on other things—I'll be going on vacation back to our hometown where there's little to no internet connection, which is why I'm writing this now.

This year was a roller coaster, a test, a lesson, and most of all, a blessing.
It was a roller coaster because it brought both ups and downs. A test because it taught me to stay prepared and keep a sharp mind. A lesson because the challenges I faced were filled with insights—both big and small. And a blessing because it opened doors of opportunity and allowed me to continue providing for the people who depend on me.

Here are some of the things that went really well for me this year:

1. ✏️ Supported my siblings through another year of education - Just as I did last year, I've been able to continue supporting my siblings through college, and I'm incredibly proud that they've reached their third year. This is a big deal for me and my family because we struggled financially when I was going through college. Now that I'm able to help, I wanted to ease that burden. By shouldering the allowance and expenses for my siblings, I've been able to make things significantly easier for my parents—and that means the world to me.
2. ⬆️ Leveled up in my career - I got promoted this November, and it's one of the things I've been praying for all year. I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and challenge. I'm also proud to say that all those hours of grinding and doing work that sometimes went unnoticed have finally paid off.
3. 🏠 Moved into a more comfortable apartment with my partner - We feel incredibly fortunate to have found a spacious rental with so much room for what we're paying. Given its size, we could have easily paid twice the amount if it were located in the city. This has been one of the best things to happen to us this year. We now have a home where we can comfortably host guests, and the owners are genuinely nice and welcoming. Plus, the location is both accessible and secure, which gives us peace of mind.
4. 🖥️ Improved and upgraded my workstation - Buying things for myself has always been challenging since a portion of my earnings goes toward supporting my siblings. It's been this way since I got my first job after college. But this year, I was able to save enough to upgrade my workstation with a standing desk and mesh chair. Even better, I was also able to buy equipment for my partner's workstation. I see this as an investment in both of us, especially since we work from home. Having ergonomic equipment that reduces long-term health issues feels like a real win.
5. 🪪 Applied for and received my passport - This was one of my partner's and my goals from last year that we hadn't managed to make time for. We challenged ourselves to finally allot time to process and apply for our passports before the year ended. After navigating all the unknowns and compromises, we finally claimed them in Cebu during the first week of December. This is one of our "basin diay"—even though we don't really need it at the moment, we agreed it's good to have. When opportunities come knocking, we want to be prepared.

Lessons I'm Carrying Forward

• Pair patience with persistence - This year, I had many things I wanted to achieve and accomplish. There were countless times when I was shown that it wasn't the right time for certain things. I struggled to process and accept those signals that said "not yet." So instead, even when the signs weren't clear, I kept doing what needed to be done and used my free time to pursue things I wanted. I learned that boredom and disinterest easily creep in when you complain too much. The lesson? Be patient. If it's not time yet, redirect your energy elsewhere.
• In our lowest moments, we feel God's presence most clearly - This is a simple yet often overlooked truth that I think everyone experiences. When I receive blessings, it's easy to say "thank God for this," but the deep emotion and closeness to God aren't always there—I still feel somewhat distant. It's in the moments when I'm down and feeling helpless that I truly feel God's presence and guidance. And that's beautiful. I'm not saying we need to be sad all the time to feel close to God. Rather, I'm recognizing how those desperate moments can transform our perspective and guide our actions afterward. It reminds me of this quote from The Legend of Korra. I've come to accept that this is one of God's ways of guiding us. It proves that God is speaking to us—we just need to listen.
• Never make decisions when emotions are running high - I've made many poor decisions this year—from choosing the wrong words in a conversation to saying yes to something simply because I was happy in the moment. It was only when I paid closer attention that I noticed these mistakes. They can take many forms: a heated argument, or committing to a family event when you're not truly available. The impact becomes apparent when you end up hurting others or putting yourself in an uncomfortable position. The key lesson? Give yourself time to reflect before making a decision—not the kind where you're choosing your next meal, but the kind where you're committing your time, money, or attention to something important. Write it down, take a walk, and come back to it when you're thinking clearly. Bad timing isn't always what ruins your day; more often, it's bad decisions.
• Focus on what truly adds value - I picked up this lesson rather late this year, but I'm committed to mastering it. There are so many distractions in our lives, especially with technology and the internet—it's incredibly easy to lose focus. I've been battling the urge to procrastinate and waste time scrolling through social media. Instead, I've challenged myself to read books, complete online courses that will give me crucial skills at work, and even tackle menial tasks like doing my own laundry and checking things off my list. Starting is often the hardest part of anything—but I think what's even harder is identifying which things are truly "valuable" to you, and then actually doing them.
• Health truly is wealth - This is another simple yet often overlooked lesson. This year, I've met and talked with many people who shared their experiences with me. What I've observed, especially with older people, is how their health conditions limit what they can do. Many have dietary restrictions that constrain their daily lives. Even more striking, I witnessed a colleague having to leave his role and resign because his health was affecting his performance. These experiences have reinforced for me that health truly is wealth.
• Social and family connections are noise—but essential noise - This ties into my earlier lesson about focusing on what's valuable. As Filipinos, our families often ask and expect much from us. Some people view this as a toxic trait, and I'd agree when it reaches a suffocating level. But for me personally, it's an essential noise. It reminds me that my family acknowledges who I've become and wants me to be part of the good things happening in their lives. I left my parents' home long ago, but their visits and our lunches together—with meals cooked from vegetables they've grown back home—transport me back to when I was just a boy. They remind me that whether I fail or succeed in life, my family is always looking out for me. And for that, I'm deeply grateful.

A Note of Thanks

Aside from the good things that have happened and the blessings I've received this year, I want to thank the people—whose names are too many to mention or even recall—who have helped me achieve all these great things. None of this would have been possible if I were alone. I owe my success to the people around me who supported me every step of the way.

Regardless of the challenges we've faced this year, I hope that whoever reads this will also take time to count their blessings and be thankful for the experiences and learnings they've accumulated throughout the year.

Happy holidays, and I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year. 🎅🎄🦌🎆❄️

Here is a picture of my family during my brother Ian's graduation this year. Me being on the left-most side in the photo.