It scares me every time I woke up on my birthday. I feel like time flies so fast, and I can’t stop it as I keep getting older and older each year. But today, I am so thankful to be given another year to live. That means God still has a lot of plans for me that I should continue to work on. This morning I sat down and had a date with Him. I poured out all of the things that I feel grateful for these past 26 years. I’m thankful for everyone that’s in my life right now. What would I be without them? Each one of them shaped me the way I am right now. I’m also grateful for all the challenges and struggles I’ve been through this year. They humbled me, taught me, made me work harder, and made me see things from different perspectives.

Aside from my long gratitude lists, this year, I would like to write a letter to myself. These are constant reminders and the things that I wanna work on until next year, and hopefully, when I reread this on my next birthday, I’m able to say, ‘I did these!’.

1. Loving the unloving.
From an earthly point of view, it’s a wasted life. I feel like this might be the hardest thing to do. It takes a lot of courage to humble myself down and be genuine to those who are unloving. But hey, nothing is impossible. I know I’ll be a better version of myself if I can challenge myself to something uncomfortable to do.

2. Rise Up.
I will encounter lots of difficulties, hurts, and disappointments. But amid my downfall, it doesn’t mean that God is turning his back on me. Just because I feel rejected,
Just because I feel like my work has taken two steps back,
Just because a friend betrayed me,
Just because I’m being gossiped about,
I can always find strength.
So remember to rise up from those hurtful moments.
Rise up from that current downfall.

3. Take Courage and Do it
Remember to stay confident. I want to remain authentic, courageous, risky, and real. I have to live in faith, not fear. Even though it might look hard now, if I hold my head high, I can take the courage to go through these obstacles and disappointment.

4. Don’t stop evolving.
Life is about growing and evolving to a newer version of ourselves every day. I should stay away from things that hinder me from growing mentally, spiritually, and emotionally. One small change at a time. Let whoever think whatever, just keep getting better.

5. I wasn’t built overnight.
The Olivia today is a result of hard work, discipline, perseverance, sacrifice, learning, and experience. So please never stop doing these things that always make me happy.

Lastly, thank you for being you 🙂

xx,
Olivia