2017 - Karla

Photo by Lester Victoriano

Put God first. It's that simple. Being a self-confessed control freak, this was always such a struggle for me. But let me tell you, I fully and totally surrendered my life to Him a couple of months ago and everything has been beautiful. It's AMAZING what God can do with your life with you hand it over to Him. Give it a try. You'll never look back.
Always make time to do the things you love. You might not be in a job that you love or a company that you hoped to work for. And that's okay. Just make sure to allot time for yourself and the things you enjoy doing. Love to travel? Book a trip. Like taking pictures? Take a photography class. It's important to do things that make you happy. It's important that you too, are happy.
Tell your Mom that you love her. Okay, I may be biased here since I'm obsessed with my Mom but remember that our parents have always been there for us. Whether it be financially or emotionally, your Mom or your Dad has put their life on hold in order to raise you to live out your own life. Don't forget to stop and say 'I love you.' Life is short and we need to make the most of it.
Be kind. It never hurts to be kind to those around you. Kindness is infectious and if more people were kinder to one another, things would be a whole lot better.
Prayer works. No, God is not some genie who grants you your every wish (although He does answer our prayers, that's for sure!) but whenever you feel down or hopeless, PRAY. And whenever you're happy or elated, PRAY. If there's one thing I've learned it's that prayer is so comforting, and I'm always more at peace whenever I'm praying. Try it.
Eat that donut. Get that extra rice. Have another scoop of ice cream! Everything in moderation but never scrimp on your food and never deprive yourself of a meal. Again, life is short, so enjoy the food!
Stop comparing. Boy does this feel good! Talk about a topic I bring up all the time on this blog and on my YouTube channel but it's true. The less time you spend comparing yourself to those around you, the more time you have to improve yourself and be happy with your own life.
Get a French Bulldog. They're the best dogs in the entire world. LOL BUT IT'S TRUE I LOVE YOU FOREVER SCHUBLIG! #CrazyDogLady4Lyf
Try new things. I was so scared to start my YouTube channel. I kept thinking it was out of my comfort zone so I wouldn't enjoy it and everyone would hate it but I'm so glad I did it anyway. Now, not only am I having so much fun creating content and replying to comments, but I'm also learning new things about editing videos and camera work. It's amazing what you can accomplish when you step out of your comfort zone.
Say sorry. It's not about who was right or who was being stupid at the time. Swallowing your pride and saying sorry may not be the most fun thing to do, but learning to say sorry in order to move on from a fight instead of prolong it has been such a life changer for me. Life is short. Be at peace with those around you.
Take care of your money, but don't be stingy. I admit, I can be kuripot at times, but for the right reasons. When I started working, I would spend my money on whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, without really thinking about saving majority of it. I wanted new things, cool things, all the "uso" things. Now that I'm working to help pay for house stuff (more on that in a different entry) I have realized the importance of saving and the importance of practical purchases. Don't get me wrong, I still shop, I still travel and I still treat myself to a coffee every once in a while but I've never enjoyed saving up as much as I do now. It feels good to know that your hardwork helps pay the bills and helps your family. It is so much more rewarding than a new bag or killer shoes. And you can quote me on that.
Be good to people, even if they aren't good to you. There's this amazing book called How to Hug a Porcupine that I read a couple of years ago and it stuck with me. Remember that you should always be good to people, but don't be a pushover. Assert yourself and your opinions and views but never be rude or mean. Unkind people are unhappy people. Do you want to be unhappy?
Shut out the negativity. Tune out the hate. People will always have something bad to say about you, your family, your work or your life. It's how it is- not everyone will get along and not everyone will agree with one another. But don't let the hate and the bashing get to you or stop you from becoming the best person that you can be. Social media has become such an incredible platform for goodness and for hate. Choose to stay on goodness' side. Don't listen anymore. Stop checking their pages. Don't read the comments. Stop replying to the haters. You'll be glad you did.
Smile more. Ugh I can't believe I'm officially in my late 20's (~~SO CLOSE TO 30 WHAT IS GOING ON?!~~) and I haven't smiled enough. Funny how by just physically willing yourself to smile, you start to feel more positive about everything. Remember what we learned in school? It takes less muscles to smile than it does to frown. So why exert more muscles right? Haha! Smile more, life may not be good to you right now, but it will be. Life's good. Life's a gift. And God is just.
It's not always about you. The world does not and will never revolve around you. So if things don't go your way it isn't the end of the world. It's a chance for you to push yourself and deal with things differently. There are so many more pressing issues the world needs to concern itself with (global warming, unjust killings, crime, pollution, poverty, lack of education are just to name a few) don't you think your problems are a bit smaller than that?
Slow down and take your time. Being someone who loves to multitask and do five million things all at once (~~naks, 5 million talaga?~~) I've learned that at times it's good to just slow down, and take your time in all things. When I started slowing down with my work and everything that I had on my plate, I realized that I was doing things ten time better than I would've if I continued at my rushed pace. You may not get things done as quick, but you'll not only be less stressed, but the output will be significantly better. That doesn't mean you should procrastinate though! Don't delay your work! Haha
Look good, for YOU. It's funny but as I've been getting older, I haven't been wearing much makeup. From spending 45 minutes a day to "put on my face," lately I haven't been doing much except eyebrows #KilayIsLife and powder. But on the days where I'm not feeling too pretty, or I don't feel too good about myself, I make a little more effort and do things I know will make me feel more confident. I plan a cute outfit, I put on more makeup and I spritz on one of my favorite perfumes. For who, you ask? For me. Never change how you look for someone else- look good for yourself and for God. You are God's best. Look the part. :)
Read a good book. Lately, I've been allotting time in my day (usually at night, before bed) to sit down and read a book. I don't look at social media before bed anymore and instead I immerse myself in whatever I'm reading. Not only am I more relaxed and ready for bed, but I get time for myself, and that's important especially with a crazy work schedule. So if you love to read, make time, spend time with yourself and a book.
Nurture your friendships. The older you get, the more you realize which friendships are worth hanging on to. Nurture those relationships. It's not about having a barkada or having tons of friends at parties and events. It's about knowing in your heart which friends truly care, love and look after you. Life isn't a popularity contest. It's about bringing each other up and growing in love and in life. :)
Travel. I used to just spend my money on shopping and clothes. But now, I save up for trips with my family and friends. Getting out of the country (or even just Metro Manila) is so refreshing and good for the soul. I love traveling to new places, eating delicious food and immersing myself in a different culture. What's so great about traveling as well are all the stories you have and the memories you share with those people. It's great to sit down and look back at funny moments from trips. (Hey Trin, remember our tour bus in Vietnam? Mama, shall we La Villa again? HAHA)
Collect memories, not things. Sounds very similar to #20 but hear me out. Why hoard on things that gather dust when you can hoard on great memories and fun times? Remember that when all is said and done, you can't bring any of your material things with you. So enjoy yourself and your family and friends. Live for the moments and treasure all the memories.
Be in the moment. Put that phone down. Exit Instagram. If you're at a party, concert or gathering, BE THERE. We spend too much time on our phones as it is, don't let life pass you by cause you're too busy "doing it for the gram." And your phone isn't the only culprit. Your thoughts as well. Don't be at a function thinking about work or all of the things you have to do. Live life in the present, and enjoy yourself.
Laugh more and be silly. There's plenty of time to be serious about things. But only a few times where you can really let loose and have a giggle. Be silly. Take it from me, I am the weirdest, strangest and silliest person you'll ever meet. And I promised myself a long time ago that no matter how old I got, I wouldn't let go of my quirks. I love being me and I love making people laugh. You wanna know what's truly cool? Being YOU. :D
Give back. One of the many things I learned in CCF is about giving back and being generous. Yes, life is hard and things are expensive. We don't earn enough and we constantly have to make sure things fit in our budgets. But you know what? When you can, give back. Whether it be a donation, tithes or using some of your time to help someone else, there is a different kind of joy and fulfilment when you help someone else. And remember, letting go and giving to others just leaves more room in your life for more of God's blessings. Talk about a HUGE plus!
Don't be afraid to ask for help. We're all learning and we've all got a long way to go. Don't be too proud to ask for help from someone who can actually teach you new things. We can all learn from each other and benefit from each other's knowledge and life experiences.
Faith changes everything. I'm not here to preach or sound like a saint. But having Faith makes things easier. It's about recognizing that we can't control anything, but God can. Faith is the assurance of things unseen and holding on to God's promises for our lives. So whatever it is you're going through, have Faith. God is moving. And He loves you.
Always Love. When all else fails, LOVE. Love God. Love your life. Love your family. Love your friends. Love yourself. There is nothing stronger in this world (aside from God) than LOVE.

xx, karla

Hey you.

Yes you.

The one who feels like nothing is going right. Nothing makes sense.

How everything is a mess. You're a mess. Life's tough and you can't deal. This letter is for you.

And I guess it's for me too. I think I need to write this and read this too.

I know exactly how you feel. I feel it too. I've felt it before, I'm feeling it right now, and I know I'll feel it in the future. Life is tough. It's always been and it will always be. If life were easy then nothing would be worth it.

I recently learned at service that life isn't supposed to be easy. It isn't supposed to be fair. The world owes you nothing. Absolutely nothing. If you think it does, then you're in for a whole lot of disappointment.

Everyone, everywhere, is struggling. We all have our own problems and our own issues. No one's life is perfect- no matter how "perfect" it looks. We all have our own personal demons... and that's alright. That's how we grow. This letter is for you to realize that not only are you not alone in your struggle, but that at the end of the day, it too will pass.

Patience is key. As horribly cliche as that sounds, it's true. And it's definitely something I struggle with. I want things now. I want immediate results. I want the pain to go away. I want the blessings. I want the opportunities. I want the whole nine yards and then some. Now. Now. Now. But funnily enough, that's not how it works.

But don't be discouraged. This letter isn't here to tell you that things will never go your way or that you'll never get that breakthrough. You have to remember that our God is a God that loves us, cares for us, and wants what is best for us. Sometimes a "no" in our eyes is a "Not Yet" in God's.

Photo from Faith Inspiration on Tumblr

A certain blessing we're praying for may not necessarily be a "no" but an "I've got something better" from our Father. Whenever I feel frustrated, sad, jealous or bitter, I always remember that God gave us His only Son in order to save us from sin. What won't He give us?

And then the comparisons and jealousy creep in.

"But how come they have it so easy?"

"They're not even that good of a person and yet they're so blessed."

"I'm so much better than them and yet here I am struggling."

"I've been struggling for so long. It's just not going to happen for me."

"It always comes so easy for them!"

Sound familiar? Yeah, I've said those things too. I still do. But what good will it do to compare ourselves to others? We'll just end up feeling miserable about everything. That's why we need to HOPE in the LORD.

Photo from lyrics at your disposal on Tumblr

Romans 8:24-25 "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently."

I love that line: "Who hopes for what they already have?" It's so true. So painfully true. I recently learned at my small group discussion (Praise God I now have a Bible Study group of fantastic Christian women!) that God has already mapped out our lives, He's planned everything down to the last little detail. Everything has been placed and will continue to be placed according to His grand plan. We just have to trust Him.

Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."

But... I'm not strong enough to go on. I can't go on.

Isaiah 41:10 "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

I'm not going to tell you that once you read your Bible God will speak to you, no. There are days when I pray and read and do my quiet time and I'm still met with silence. But another thing I learned is that silence doesn't mean God doesn't care- it means God is WORKING.

Yes, He's working.

Photo from Faith Inspiration on Tumblr

So whenever you feel down, frustrated, angry or sad, open up your Bible. Download the app and read off of your phone. God is available anytime, anywhere. Read scripture. Reflect. Buy a devotional. Or simply pray. Start with a prayer every morning and every evening. And it doesn't even have to be a structured, perfect prayer. No. Talk to God. Speak to Him. Speak to Him as if you were both hanging at a coffee shop. Tell Him what's bothering you. Enumerate your problems and frustrations. And at the end of the prayer, lift them up to Him. Let Him handle it.

There's only so much we can do in our very limited human capacity. But we have to remember that God is all knowing and He is perfect. Creator of all. He can handle our problems. No sweat, no biggie. So lift them up to Him. And have faith.

Take it from me, darling. Things do get better eventually. Sometimes it takes longer than expected, longer than you would've liked, but it does get better. And you get stronger.

The storm will pass. Believe it will.

He left us with a promise:

Hello everyone! Thank you for visiting my blog again. I thought I'd share with you all today a little skin and skincare update. The last entry I did of my skincare routine was back in 2016 and my skin has changed so much since then. So here's a little back story before we get on to the actual routine.

A couple of months ago, I started having a small breakout on my forehead. I wasn't getting any acne or pimples but I was getting these tiny white bumps that just wouldn't go away. I put zit cream, toothpaste and I would keep my toner-soaked cotton pad on the area for a minute but nothing seemed to work. The original bumps didn't go away either and instead they started multiplying. And quickly. I was getting stressed and frustrated because I don't normally have skin issues (~~touch wood~~) I get the occasional zit or two (or three or four lol) around that "special" time of the month but other than that my skin is sensitive, but normally quite clear. The bumps then started traveling down my face and started "hanging out" by my cheekbones... on both sides! At first I thought it was my makeup so I stopped putting on products but they still wouldn't go away. I became super insecure and sad because they were just getting worse with each day. I wouldn't even take any pictures of myself and if I were in a picture, I made sure I had makeup on and I was positioned far away from the camera (which is why I don't have any "before" pictures to show you)

I then decided to finally see my dermatologist in Belo Connecticut. I had been going to Belo for a couple of years now for my back (I used to have bad back breakouts because of my old shampoo and laundry detergent) and for my laser hair removal. I scheduled an appointment and met with my derma and Cherry, the wonderful lady who used to treat my back. After a normal facial with peeling (and lots of pricking) my derma told me that my skin type had changed. Apparently I was no longer just "dry" but my T-Zone became oily as I got older. She recommended a new skincare regimen that consisted of purely Belo Prescriptive Products. Although pricey, I was ready to make sure that I not only never had to go through pricking again (because, ouch!!!) but that I would never get those pesky bumps on my face again. So I bought all the products and I've been happy ever since.

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