Remember!
If you ever watched Star Trek II: Wrath of Khan (the original, not the JJ Abrams remake), Spock transferred his katra to Dr. McCoy and told him to “remember” just before he died. Thus, it paved the way for Spock to return in the next movie: Star Trek III – The Search for Spock.
If you are not into scifi, perhaps you might be into A Christmas Carol, a family favorite film during Christmas time. There are many different versions so pick the ones with your favorite actors. Dickens was a genius because two English words became forever associate with miserly and miserable old men: “Bah humbug!” and of course, Scrooge. Yet, people gloss over his first name: Ebenezer. Ebenezer is actually a stone, not a person from the Old Testament. It was a memorial stone set up by the prophet Samuel; it is somewhat fitting because memory through the Ghost of Christmas Past plays a role.
But even movie spoilers. I would like to take this time to challenge my readers to remember what happened this past year in 2016. I don’t mean the nation, although that is is important. I mean in your personal life. Consider the following questions:
- What have you really achieved this year? By this time, your New Year’s resolutions from January are long forgotten. But at the same time, new plans and goals arose.
- What have you learned about yourself? Did you find that you are perhaps more generous (or selfish) than before? Or loving (or angrier)?
- What have you learned about your friends, your children, and your spouse? Have you gotten closer with a particular someone? Or grown part? Gotten married? Divorced? Have newborn children?
- If you are a Christian, are you closer to God? Or the opposite? Be honest!
So here is a list for me:
- I finally graduated with my Master’s degree in Library and Information Science after 5 years. I was working full time and went to school part time. Hence the length.
- I went to the Philippines for the first time! You can read my three posts here: part 1, Night in Manila, and why I went.
- For the fifth year in a row, I participated in the National Novel Writing Month‘s challenge to create a 50000 word novel in 30 days. Contestants spend all of November and validate beginning on Nov 20. You do not have to finish the plot lines; you just have to write 50K. I know. I wrote one in 2014 that ended up as a 100K manuscript; I made the word count that year and was finally happy with the resolution 3 months later.
- This year, my parents celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary. To celebrate, I made a movie for them.
- Unfortunately, I had some sudden health problems in early Nov which was not fun. What I learned was that it could be much worse. Take this woman at my church. Call her “J”. “J” has stage 4 cancer in many organs. It’s heartbreaking to see her health fail over the years and yet her faith in Jesus Christ never wavered. She inspires many people, including her family and church family.
- I watched a very, very contentious presidential election in 2016. I watched several people lose sleep and peace of mind because they did not like the results. I learned how to orient their hearts and mind towards peace and rest again.
- Lastly, I quit Facebook. No, I am not going back. FB advertisers and recruiters, the answer is No. Yes, I’ll miss updates from my friends and family 3000 miles away on the east coast and 10000 miles away overseas, but I will not miss the endless political debates that go nowhere. Or the personal attacks. Or news stories that are more depressing and causes loss of sleep. Or replaying old conversations in my head. In the 4 weeks since, I find myself with more time to do other productive things.
There are still 18 more days left in this year. Who knows what else will happen?
amicusveritae 