Written by Jennifer C. ILano  from the Philippines

2014 In hindsight.

She is not sure what to write.  All she knows is that she wanted to do a piece on inspiration; a heartwarming story. So what she writes is a story of her own – being inspired and being driven to never give up no matter what the odds are.

The beginning of 2014 was sort of mundane. It had been a routine. At least it was for the last five years Job -wise. Her train commute, the good and the bad days, grabbing a quick or a relaxing breakfast at McDonald’s, putting up with petty and lame excuses, her maxed out patience to the test, engaged discussions about syntax and the semantics of a foreign language and her delightful camaraderie over lunch and even after dinner with her colleagues. The daily grind and yet it was simple and light. Up and down and down you go. Cest la vie!

And then it happened. She had suddenly found herself no longer a part of the working force. No it was not something she was prepared for. Yes she did entertain thoughts of branching out, spreading her wings and exploring other options but she was totally caught off guard.  So now what? She didn’t have a blueprint and no plans whatsoever. She had fear of the unknown and starting over. She tried hard to keep it together. A fortyish single lady never had it coming her way.

Embarrassed and wrapped in her lowest, she kept herself busy.   In 2012 she made that bold move with her sister. They left their home of more than two decades and found themselves downsized. Somehow with her routine she never really got the time to clean, organize and de-clutter. Ergo, organizing and de-cluttering were her first pet projects.  And gradually, she successfully did it! In fact perhaps she could make a career out of it.  Again now what? She loves to read. She adores the movies. With all her time in the world she could just do either on a whim. And again life is good. She made the most of her free time. No stress, no pressure, no time to beat. It was as if she was rebuilding her life slowly. Again no plans, just throwing caution to the wind. She’s free, exuberant and being positive under the circumstances.

Suddenly more movies, more books and more time with family and reconnecting with old friends, but she still needed to let the voices in her head drown out. She needed to escape and yet be guided. Being a devout Roman Catholic and a Marian devotee, she really did keep it together. Thank God!

She had to disappear for a while (so to speak) among peering eyes and maybe people who always question and judge. It was a long, struggling and unrelenting step. Perhaps God planned this thing for her after all. She was in this place, in order to reflect on things, to realize and discover more things about her persona; about herself.

She did try to veer away from her passion for teaching but destiny has its way of catching up on her. So now she’s back at it but still has bigger and bolder visions of her future and success.  Now as she got into the holiday spirit she delves into more Christmas movies. Christmas is that time of year when you just want to watch a good Christmas movie. To date she must have watched more than twenty yuletide movies and still counting.  Most of them are inspiring, heartwarming, heartfelt and touching flicks about love, family, friends, dogs, second chances and being real. She has learned a thing or two especially about the recent big word she just mentioned earlier in her writing.

What is success?   “Living your passion every day, helping people and enjoying life”

Do what you love and the money will follow. Successful people attract money. Its not money that makes you a success.  “So looking back it may have been a tough and challenging year yet she has learned and grown to have more faith, hope and love.