Declutter That Mind

I will always carry the thought of being the female version of my first love. As I watched his life unfold, I saw reflections of myself in him—not because I adored him deeply, but because his character mirrored mine so closely, except for the brilliance of his mind. That realization made me admire him even more. But love, in its mystery, often pairs opposites—two different souls fitting together like puzzle pieces. He got married last year, and last month they celebrate their anniversary with their first child. They look so perfect together that I sometimes wonder how God so clearly meant them for each other… and not for me. Perhaps this feeling of being stuck, unsatisfied, comes from my lingering attachment to the past. To the first person whose presence made my heart dance, whose footsteps painted my dreams with vibrant color. Seventeen years have passed since I began following his example, still in awe of how God crafted him so uniquely, and how he responded with grace and service. ...

  Back in school, we learned a lot about weather changes and natural disasters. Living in the Philippines, I grew up knowing that our country is one of the most vulnerable places when it comes to typhoons, earthquakes, and floods. Disasters are so common here that it felt like no month or semester passed without a drill. Fire drills, earthquake drills, typhoon drills—you name it. We practiced where to go and what to do when disaster hits. Storms might be predictable. Earthquakes? Not at all. And while we prepare as best we can, the truth is no one is ever truly exempt. Disasters don’t pick favorites. So the question isn’t really “Why do disasters keep challenging us?” It’s “Who suffers the most when they do?” Recently, the third typhoon of the year hit the Philippines, bringing intense rain to many provinces—including my hometown in Metro Cebu. Floodwaters surged through the streets, sweeping away cars and entering shops. Schools suspended classes, but that didn’t stop traffic fro...

 God, Coffee, and a Cute Stranger I’ll Never Forget It’s the third Saturday of July 2025. Waking up early on weekends was never my cup of tea, but I made a promise to myself — to start showing up, especially to invitations and meaningful gatherings. So despite the gloomy weather, I dragged myself out of bed and straight into a freezing 6:00 AM shower. I’m telling you, the water felt like -10 degrees — I tested it with my fingers! I spent more than 30 minutes trying to negotiate with the icy stream, both mentally and physically. The night before, I had already mapped out my Saturday plans. I’ve come to love this kind of routine, mostly because I make it feel like I’m living in one of those K-dramas or romantic western films. There’s something comforting about creating my own little main character moments — filling the void of being alone, and intentionally steering clear of love’s messy trap. I admit it: my walls were built thick and high, brick by brick from disappointments I’ve ha...