‘29’

Tomorrow I’ll be 29. I can’t help feeling nostalgic at the moment. Looking back, I’m convinced I’ve been so blessed.

Last year, I spent my birthday with fellow faculty member in a lunch gathering which was also a semester-ending tradition. I was surprised with scrapbooks, flowers and letters from my students. I had a romantic dinner with my boyfriend. Then, when I was alone, I made my wishes.

It’s amazing how all my wishes have been answered in more ways than I had expected. I had wished for my income to double, and now I’m receiving five times more than what I was getting a year ago—and it’s net income. I asked for a trip abroad and, well, I have been to three countries. I also expressed my desire to pursue my master’s degree for free, and I’ve been granted a scholarship abroad.

This time I’m excited to make even more wishes. But before I do that, I’m going to do some self-examination to discern the things I must demand from myself to continue enjoying this phenomenal life. I’ve listed four resolutions.

First, I resolve to be grateful. “We cannot have anything new into our lives unless we are thankful of what we already have,” Rev. Fr. Michael Beckwith says. In the past, I focused more on things I wanted in my life. I’ve realized that the more I’m grateful, the more blessings pour into my life. Bo Sanchez said that God loves us so much that we will never run out of blessings, and yet we are so lacking in gratitude. Saying “thank you” opens the door for more blessings.

Second, I resolve to always have a positive mental attitude. I believe that being optimistic has been a key factor that has brought me to where I’m now. In the past, there were times I allowed pessimism to take hold of me. So this year, I’ve resolved to be positive in all situations. I know there will be events and circumstances beyond my control, but I’ll keep in mind that I will always have control of the way I respond to each of them. Jack Canfield (co-author of “Chicken Soup for the Soul”) said that “Event plus Response equals Outcome.” I want to think positively and unlearn the negative things in my mind. I always believe that others can read our mind. There are so many ways we allow others to know what we think and feel—e.g., through the tone of our voice, our facial expressions, our body gestures, and even our posture. So I should allow them to read only my positive thoughts and emotions. According to Esther Hicks, what we think will affect what we feel, which will ultimately account for what manifests. There are some people who think by “default,” as if they don’t have any control of their thoughts. And more often than not these things we think by default are negative things. So, if we want only good things to manifest in our lives, a positive mental attitude will serve as a good start.

Third, I resolve to acquire the habit of going the extra mile. I know that if I want to succeed, I must be willing to do more than what is expected of me. It is by going the extra mile that you get to be noticed, which in turn opens the gateway to success. There were times I just did what was asked of me, probably even less. I did not feel good inside. It’s not about impressing other people. It’s actually about getting a sense of self-fulfillment. When I knew I could have done better and did not do so, I felt terrible inside. It’s a feeling of disappointment. So henceforth, I’ll give my best to every task that comes my way.

Fourth, I resolve to do things with enthusiasm. According to Napoleon Hill, the most successful lawyers are not necessarily those who are most knowledgeable with the legal profession but those who know how to influence the courts and jurists with beliefs in their cases and who have great capacity to express themselves with enthusiasm. This is because enthusiasm is contagious. It engages the attention of others to respond in the same spirit of enthusiasm. I can say that sometimes we are not in the mood, but we can really control our moods so that it will work in our favor.

These are my resolutions. I make a short list of resolutions every year, and I do it on my birthday and not on New Year’s Day. I look back, make resolutions then make wishes.

Yes, I’m turning 29, my last year in the life-journey of twenty-something. It’s time to make wishes, and I’ll make as many as I want!

Marie Joy M. Payumo, 28, is a lawyer staying, for the time being, in Australia.