Wishing you a quieter 2012

I had a week off from work. A rarity for me.

With so much time in my hands, my husband Orange and I headed to Baguio to spend Christmas with my Mama Elaine.

For the first time in almost 20 years of driving experience, I drove from Manila to Baguio straight. I had my husband recuperate from the onslaught of fever. I planned to drive part of the North Luzon Expressway, then perhaps the SCTEX, but ended up driving through the small streets of Tarlac City, to Moncada, to Rosales in Pangasinan... Taking a pitstop in Sison, Pangasinan for my favorite nilagang mais. Before I knew it, I was already at the junction of Pangasinan towards La Union. Should we pass Marcos highway or Kennon Road? I took the road on the left  Marcos Highway. And finally, we reached Baguio. I loved the weather at 12 degrees!

Our break in Baguio was time well-spent with my family, doing chitchat by the fireplace and goofing around for family pictures.

It is sentimental to re-experience the Simbang Gabi in Baguio, the anticipation of the parol being drawn by a string to the altar of the Baguio Cathedral.

Baguio managed to awake the sloth in me, getting up at 10 a.m. When did that last happen?

“Sayang sa oras.” I always have the urge to do something than simply staying put. This restlessness may have been inherited from the women in our family. Headstrong and workaholic. Always harried, not knowing how to “chillax.”

The long overdue trip to Baguio was a welcome change.

Having more leave days in my hands, we decided to take a last minute trip for New Year’s. By last minute, I mean, we booked a flight at noon, and left the same day! Somehow, the free time made me plunge into a bout of spontaneity.

In the plane, I came across the book The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle. I’ve only read a few pages of the introduction: Most of us define the real world as something physical and has very little to do with the divine. What defines us?

Having a good family and a fulfilling career define me. In as much as I wish to deny it, these are the areas that complete my day. Where is the divine, our God, in the picture? Often, we let society define our concept of self. We define ourselves. I am what I do. I find meaning in public service.

“Do not resist,” said an inner voice to author Tolle.

This hit me, though I have not read the entire book. Was this compulsion to do something some form of resistance?

This Christmas season sent us into a “doing” mood  finishing that Christmas list, delivering the presents and attending all the parties (and bingeing) and going to our family reunions in the province. Add in last night’s festivities.

It was a noisy year-ender for 2011.

Turn to 2012. Start the year with resolutions. Again, there’s more stuff to do.

I wish you a quieter 2012. A year of contentment, a sense of having enough. May you continue “doing” good work, but not forgetting your sense of being. For it is in being  the silence  that we are able to commune with God, and thus, find meaning.

Happy New Year!

(E-mail me at [email protected].)