Dear 2023 Jhun,
I don't know how you are or where you will be when this letter finds you. I just hope that you are somewhere that you wanted to be. Somewhere that you are meant to be.
I'm seriously curious about the path that you chose. Why did you choose it?
As I'm writing this, Dare You to Move by Switchfoot suddenly played and I got goosebumps all over. It's like the universe is daring us to move forward. Asking us the question "What happens next?"
So tell me, what happened?
What are the places you've been to? Are you still in the same workplace as before? Made any new friends? I hope this time around, you wouldn't wait for another 6 years again just to tell me your story.
Just remember, wherever the wind blows us, it is because it is where we're meant to be. We were put there because it is where we will make a difference.
Yours,
2022 Jhun
*****
Dear 2023 Jhun,
Where do I start with the story?
I just find it a little bit unnerving when I read your letter because it all seemed so ominous, especially after everything that happened this year.
Let's see.
Let's try to answer first the question from the Switchfoot's song, Dare You to Move:
"What happens next?"
What happened was some time early this year, I felt restless at work. Seeing how nothing is changing with all the wrong things that are happening in the workplace, I ended up being frustrated and just mad at everything. I became grumpy, always in a bad mood when I interact with the stupid people at work - but never with my patients, because I love them - I just get feral on those dirty cheats. I cannot make myself interact nicely with them anymore - I snarl at them like a lion aiming for the kill. It's like everytime I go to work, I always prepare for battle, unlike before, when I can still talk with them without showing any emotion. Especially around the month of August, I never had a moment's peace. I cannot sleep well. I cannot think straight. Add to that some of the dramas happening at home. I honestly had nowhere else to go. I just got tired of everything. I finally snapped.
Honestly, I still wanted to fight for everything for the sake of my patients. But it took a toll on me and I was not getting any better. I know myself. The person that I became that time was not who I really am. I can be that person when needed but not forever. I felt myself changing, but not for the better.
So I prayed for clarity and asked for a sign.
And that sign came in the form of social media post by an international NGO that I've been wanting to work with since forever. They're suddenly hiring for a nurse for their project here in the Philippines. So I tried to give myself a nudge to just try sending out my application without expecting for anything. It felt like I was just sending it out to the void just for the heck of it, just to get it out of my system. I even mentioned it to my bestie so she can nag at me until I submit it. Hehe.
Days passed and I didn't hear anything from them. So I let it go, thinking that that was it. Even though while I was waiting, I still get signs that it's for me. Alot of signs that I can't honestly ignore. But I only hope half-heartedly, since the other half of me wants to stay.
Come September, I decided to fly out to Iloilo to celebrate the said bestie's birthday with her. It's another one of those spontaneous decisions that I made only because I was so stressed out. And I'm so grateful for her because she was always there to guide and nudge me in the right direction whenever I'm lost. Then, lo and behold, on the morning of her birthday, I got a message that I have a schedule for an interview when I get back.
The interview went well. I even felt confident that I did good. But, given that this is me that we're talking about and this is my dream organization to work with, I still tried to keep my hopes level on the ground. Because at the back of my mind, I still believe that extraordinary things never happen to me.
Then, the email came that told me that I got it. I found it so unbelievable that I even reloaded my email account just to make sure that it's real. And it stayed.
So a couple of months later, here I am in the place where I wanted to be; where I finally felt that I am meant to be. Where I know that I can make a difference. :)
That's how I found myself settling in a new place just before this soul battering year ends.
On a lighter note, I definitely made new friends at the new work place - surprise! But still kept the ones that came before.
Places that I've been to? Well I visited Singapore with friends and spent days walking around and trying out the local cuisines - which for me is the best part. Up to this day, I still think about the Singapore Hokkien Mee. Thinking about it makes me want to book the next flight going there. I've also mentioned that I went to Iloilo for bestie's birthday adn we also did the same thing - just walking around and eating as many local dishes as we can. She even made me walk for miles just for the Pansit Molo, but in the end it was worth it.
So there you go. I hope you're proud of the decisions that I've made in navigating this course that we call life.
Yours,
2022 Jhun
*****
Dear 2024 Jhun,
Hey there!
So it's been a routine of ours to include the song that is currently playing while writing this.
And that song is...
Christmas Tree by V
I don't know why but this song never fails to make me feel all bubbly inside.
Anyways, let's move on.
So my dear, year older self, I hope you finally found the purpose that you were looking for. I'm so so curious. Did the plan for deployment for the emergency response to Gaza push through? Were you a part of it? I wish you were. and if you did, please just make it home safe because you still have stories to tell.
If it didn't push through, how did you spend your year then? I hope you still touch lives and make someone's day a little better. Never forget to be good no matter what evil life throws at you. But keep on fighting for what is right because whatever you do, it makes a difference. You may feel hopeless at times, but keep on holding on. Tomorrow will always be better, even if it takes a hundred tomorrows before it does. Tomorrow is gonna be better - never forget that.
Tell me your stories. Share the places that you've visited - I hope it's a lot.
P.S. Just a nagging thought that crept out of the back of my mind -
Keep yourself open to possibilities, whatever those possibilities may be. Life happens when you keep yourself open. (It even sounds like a song lyric - not sure if it actually is. Haha!)
2023 Jhun
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Letter from 2022 Me to 2023 Me
Dear 2023 Rhio,
Hey! How's life lately?
I really hope you are doing well and fine and that all is better for you than what we are currently in right now. I hope you get the groove and still find time for yourself despite your busy schedule. 😄
So, anything new? Or something new, lately? Or where have you been? I can't wait to for you tell all your stories and adventures and everything in-between. 😉 Remember, that I'm just right here for you always.
Anyways, I won't keep this long. But I'll be praying and hoping that you just go with the flow and see where life takes you this year. Be open and receptive to God's abundant blessings in your life and always be grateful no matter what the circumstance. He will be with You in every step of the way, no matter what decision you will be making. If ever love comes around, don't shut your doors entirely. Have the window open, take a peek and if you like what you see, then maybe give it a chance? But if love is not yet coming, just keep on doing you - travel the world, make plans, reach your goals and the list goes on. 😉
So, cheers to 2023 🍷🍷🍷and all the beautiful possibilities that comes with it! Embrace this wonderful life with that much vigor as it ought to be. Throw your hands up in the air from time to time and dance to the beat of your own heart. Feel your emotions but don't dwell on it too much. Pray unceasingly even if at times you don't know what to ask or what to say, just pray. He listens not to your words but to your heart and soul. I'm also wishing you and our family, friends and loved ones good health. And of course, may God always guide you in all the things that you do, protect and keep you safe from harm, and that He blesses you with everything that you need and surprise you with your heart's desires. All love, happiness, success, abundance, prosperity and joy in all your days and in all ways! And may the fates be on our sides, hopefully, this time. Hahaha.
I love you!!!
And to ask you again...
- what would you do if you can do anything at the moment? -
Peace, love, light and happiness,
2022 Rhio
:) ☀ ♥
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Letter from 2023 Me to 2022 Me
Dear 2022 Rhio,
Hey there!
Almost forgot to write back to you, but good thing the Universe made sure to remind us through Yang. 😅
Let me tell you what... we went places this year! Started our year with an invitation from T and K of going to Osaka, Japan.. and from there, we found ourselves saying yes to going to Davao for the PLP Convention which was also a full circle moment from us... then going to Bohol with our Ate C and then back to Japan again, but this time in Tokyo with our CB friends. Oh, we also went to Gigantes Island, thanks to T and K as well. These trips were indeed memorable ones, except for that Davao trip with a bad and an eye-rolling traumatic experience for us. 😡 Funny also, because of these travels, we had to persevere in resolving cases so that our leave applications will be approved 😅 Yang also surprised us on our birthday by coming here and God granting one of my wishes to have staycation on our birthday. We even brought Yang during one of our court hearings and saw us work live in action. Hahaha.😄 Of course, we should not forget that we finally have our driver's license. Hihihi. 😁
Indeed, this year we somehow find ourselves going with the flow and rolling with the punches. There were moments when it seems that the days were long, and there are times when the days are quite short to fully lived in it or at least do what we needed to do.
Also, that one news we found out.. which I think, finally and fully closed a chapter in our lives. Finally, the answer to our many questions then and which turned to be God's protection all along. God is indeed in every detail of our lives. And no matter how cliche it sounds, it never fails to amaze me how it is so true in our lives. Because there can be no greater mastermind than God himself who helped us score some TSwift tickets and just recently, being accepted to the online program instead of the onsite, which is more beneficial for us. Don't you think?
That's why right now, I'm just feeling grateful for everything especially to God who helped us made through this year. Just a few more days, before we celebrate and unfold another year.
I hope that this gets to you in some way, and made you feel that everything will be alright. There were times when may be lukewarm in our faith, but we do know that we do our best to fight this off by saying a prayer of thanks in all things that we do.
2023 is definitely one unforgettable year!
I love you 2022 Rhio! I'm always here for you, remember that.
Hugssssss!
Peace, love, light, and happiness,
2023 Rhio
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Letter to 2024 Me from 2023 Me
Dear 2024 Rhio,
Hey!
How are you? I hope you are happy where you are right now and I hope you are feeling and doing better than your best. 😊
I don't know exactly what to say but perhaps, anything new? Stories to tell? New adventures you did? Places you went to? Things you did for the first time? Did you fall in love? Or at least feel more and live more than we did? Or did we continued going with the flow?
Whatever we do this year, I hope you do it for you and Him. I hope you find your purpose and what it is that you really wanted to with your life. But, no pressure okay? I want us to live our life to the fullest and with the best that we can. I really pray that we achieve our goals, whether big or small, and that whatever choices we make this year... will be steps towards what and where we're meant to be, eventually.
We are not closing doors to anything, but God knows our hearts more than we can ever understand it. The word "ready" is currently in our minds as I write this... but I can't seem to place it in a cohesive and coherent sentence. So whatever it is, and I hope and pray that it is good... that God more than prepared us to be "ready" for it.
So, cheers to 2024 🍷🍷🍷and to all the beautiful possibilities it brings!!! I wish and pray that God and the Universe continue to bless us, our families, friends, and loved ones with good health always. And that this 2024 brings us sunshine especially on dark days, love, good fortune, prosperity, abundance, success in our endeavors, joy, and happiness, in all our days and in all ways!!! God is with us and will be in every step of our way, always guiding us to do the next right thing, and most importantly, to protect and keep us safe from harm and all things bad and evil. May God also continue to bless with everything we need and surprise us with the desires of our hearts. And may the fates continue to be on our side. 😊🙏
I love you!!!!
And to ask you again...
- what would you do if you can do anything at the moment? -
Peace, love, light and happiness,
2023 Rhio
:) ☀ ♥
