Countless Blessings We Take for Granted

Blessings come in many ways. Most often, we fail to recognize it because it seems to come naturally. As we wake up each morning, we thank the Lord for giving us today so we may continue our life’s journey. There is a saying that if you are no longer in this world, then your mission has been fulfilled. But since you are still reading this (pinch yourself!) you still have a mission in life. The simple things like having food on the table, having a job, the gift of family and friends are already our daily blessings.

Let me share with you some of the countless blessings, which I have realized only very recently, I have taken for granted.

Whenever I see the map of the Philippines, I would always take a second glance to remind me of the various places I’ve been to. My previous job brought me traveling to most towns and cities around the country. Based in Manila, I traversed from Laoag up North to GenSan via Cotabato City & Koronadal down South.

I feel so blessed and fortunate to have a job that would take me to most places in the country. Work as you travel, as they say. But at company’s expense of course! I know there must be a lot of others who have already been around the world but have never seen the splendor of Mt. Matutum in Polomolok, South Cotabato or the rustic Cagsawa Ruins in Albay or experienced a foggy morning in Malaybalay, Bukidnon.

Another blessing also may be the fact that since the Philippines is an archipelago and Negros Island is in the middle, we find it convenient to travel to other major cities by plane. So, most of us may get the first time experience of a plane ride by College. Or if you belong to the upper income bracket, you may get it earlier. Come to think of it, our first airplane ride was as a family. We were living in Iloilo City when our Dad got promoted and we relocated to Davao. Being in high school and my three brothers were in grade school, we were really excited about moving and being in a new place. Having been to six different schools in three cities even proved to be a greater blessing!

Sometimes, we fail to appreciate how fortunate we are who come from Negros. If you will just observe the view as the plane touches down in the new Bacolod-Silay Airport, coming from the South, one could see a vast plain land amidst some low hills. Sugar cane fields abound. What you can see is all green. Further down East, lay the majestic Kanlaon Volcano, whose crater can be seen on any clear day. Our land is very suitable for root crops, vegetables and other fruit bearing trees.

We are so blessed with people who invented the computers, cellphones, microwaves for having made our life easier. Can you imagine life today without those?

At the end of the day, before you sleep, you reach for your cellphone to send your goodnight message to your textmate. Don’t fail to mention that we should be thankful for all the blessings that we received today. May we use these blessings to inspire others and to glorify the Almighty. Just make sure you have a Load! Another blessing for the day --- thanks for the inventor of pasa load.