Words are powerful. For this year’s faith goals, I will be intentional in combining the power of words (by speaking and writing), actions, and timing to accomplish them one day at a time.I’m activating my faith and declaring that my 2016 will be A Year of Bounty. The journey goes on. 2015 gave me hands-on lessons about life and faith itself, traveling and living in one city to another, meeting new people and simply put, immersion to Chinese life, business, and culture.Why China? I’d like to relocate here someday, and that’s why! I don’t want to get into details of lessons and stories—of tragedies, comedies, and fairy tales—but would rather keep them for now. “One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple,” as my old buddy Kerouac puts. I will write about them at the proper time.
To jumpstart my 2016, I want to share publicly my goals as a reminder and to push myself along the way. After reading the Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, I learned the importance of building healthy habits to make things happen. He quoted William James and wrote, “All our life, so far as it has definite form, is but a mass of habits - practical, emotional, and intellectual - systematically organized for our weal or woe, and bearing us irresistibly toward our destiny, whatever the latter may be.”Change must start within, and as a Christian, I believe with the help of my Creator, it’s possible. Real change happens when we intentionally take action - a small one that will produce a snowball effect, in the long run, to accomplish that “one thing” one beautiful day at a time.This 2016, I will:
RUN
I will join two marathons and run for 5KM and 10KM. I already registered for Clark Animo Marathon 2016 earlier today. What should I do to accomplish it: Make running as my main cardio exercise. Today, a good 5KM run to kickstart my year.
SKYDIVE
I plan to do it on March as a birthday gift to myself. I heard Skydive Greater VIGAN will open two months from now.How can I afford it: Save a portion of my income starting January because it’s quite expensive - around $500 USD.
INVEST
I will invest a small portion of my profits on the stock market and crowd capital. After reading Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki, I discovered the importance of being financially literate and good stewardship of finances.What should I do to accomplish it: Read two books per month on investment, crowdfunding, equity, stock markets, etc.
LIVE AND STUDY IN CHINA
I’ve stayed in one city to another, from tier 1 to tier 2 last year. I think I know where to stay for the mean time to learn the Chinese language for real and do what I MUST do (clue: I’m talking about my calling here). Read Elle Luna’s “The Crossroads of Should and Must,” to know the difference between a job, career and calling and find and follow your passion.What should I do to accomplish it: Save a portion of my income to pay for the enrollment, get the TEFL certificate offered by the Chinese government as a backup plan to teach English, and of course, work as a writer and copywriter remotely to build a sustainable living condition as an expat.
TRAVEL WITH FAMILY
I plan to treat my parents this year and travel with them around the Philippines. I want to bless them because it’s their 30th year anniversary on Jun 5, 2016.How can I afford it: From extra writing gigs.
ACTS 11:24 FOR REAL
This is quite a tricky goal. I don’t have any control of my destiny, let alone, my love life. However, this 7th goal is a way of activating my faith that I will meet the one. Who, how, where, when, I don’t know. The love stories we read and watch are written by scriptwriters - humans - but I want my love story to be written by God. What to do: PRAY. That He will find me. Happy New Year everyone!Wishing you all a bountiful year ahead.May the “force” be with you.
