advocacy

"Paper, rock, scissors"
Client: one.org
CD: Karen Vasquez

yummy!

"Healthy + sweets = 100% delicious treats"
Client: San Fo Treats (caramel apples)
CD: Karen Vasquez

“Being idealistic is good because it gives you the capacity to dream and the ability to make a change. Yet it can also be horrible, for it takes you away from the real world…”

Leaving the Bad Habits Behind

How many new years have passed, that we made countless lists of resolutions to change about ourselves? Most of our lists consist from facing our weight problems by exercise and eating the right foods, trying not to be late for work, not being judgmental to other people, not to splurge too much on shoes and clothes, etc etc etc. And have we been consistent with our resolutions all throughout the year? I admit I am only able to carry out my list during the first few months or to be more honest weeks.

Like others, I am making my own list of New Year resolutions again, but I will call mine my “upshot list” because these are the conclusion that I “must” achieve when the year ends and not just a promise to myself. I am not going to write down my upshot list, I’m just going to keep a mental list since I am more likely to forget or take it for granted once it is jotted down. Yes I’m kinda weird. Generally my upshot list was about leaving my bad habits behind. 2007 was a bittersweet year for me. I have received a handful of blessings and faced several changes in my life. This year was also a year of firsts for me since I entered a new phase of my life. I confess that despite the good things that has been coming my way still I wasn’t contented. Like any normal human being I wanted what is on the other side of the fence. Then as if struck by lightning I woke up one morning and realized how bad I am for being ungrateful. Added by an article I read in the newspaper, it says that “we are responsible for our own contentment”. There it was plain and simple yet it hit me straight in the head. It made me contemplate how I’ve been on the past year. I have everything just what I needed but I am wanting more. It’s like I am into rush of getting and opening my Christmas gift and it wasn’t even Christmas yet.

It is easy to make a reel of upshot lists but it takes a lot of efforts and discipline to fulfill one. I am not making one just for a new me this year but because I badly needed one. This year I must take things slow, think a thousand times and never let my emotions carry me. I have to act quickly and do a lot to make my time worthwhile. Simply put it this way, savor what is on the table but still hope for that big roasted turkey.

Welcome 2008!

Another year to come
A new day to behold
A new life to unfold

Another chance for us to live
and let live once more

Welcome 2008!