Growing up in a small town in the Philippines, I grew up as a school-home-school kid. I seldom go out or socialize. If ever I do, it will be with a small group of cousins.

This same pattern went on until I was in college and I would say up to now.

My life revolves around the home then work and home again. I am not a social butterfly.

At first, I wanted to be a nun. I would wrap a towel around my head and pretend to be a nun. Then, it changed to wanting to be in a beauty pageant…

Never in my life was the idea of writing or being a photographer in my mind. I never realized the joy of writing and being behind a camera until later.

I am also not driven by the thoughts of money, fame, achievements and being popular. I am happy in my own little world.

I’ve realized a long time ago that I am wired differently and happy and content with who I was and who I am now.

As much as I’m happy and celebrate others, I am celebrating myself for not pretending to be the same as everyone else.

In this fast paced and competitive world, I am this laid back, underachieving, contented soul who takes pride in being simply who I am.

At other times, I asked myself if I don’t want to do better. If I don’t want more. If this is really all I wanted.

There are many times too that I’ve prayed and prayed for God to help me do better, for me to accomplish something that I can be proud of, for me to find my purpose. I told Him, surely this isn’t all you want me to do (and be)?

But at the end of each day, I found more peace and comfort in not having all these supposed to be “better things” that I ask God to give me.

So…today, I am going to be that soul that will tell you, that – perhaps, when we seem to not find our purpose or we seem to be lacking in accomplishments and at times we wish we can do better…

Maybe, instead of stepping out of that comfort zone…

We just need to sit still, embrace everything that is within and forget about being in a crossroad.

After all, God didn’t say we can’t bloom where we are planted, right?

And you know what else, I don’t think I need to choose between turning to the left or right or if I need to keep going straight. I think I’m serving my purpose….right here, right now…. where I am at.

I’m fairly satisfied with that!

**** I would like to thank each and everyone of you for joining me here at CharinaWrites and following me in my journey. New Year is almost upon us and I pray that the coming year will bring us many blessings of good health, joy, peace of mind, contentment as well as answers and forgiveness on unsolved issues in our lives and relationships. ****

Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year! See you all next year!

God bless,