“Don’t look back—you’re not going that way.” —Mary Engelbreit

Deep down, we all have the ability to create a life we truly love. It may prove to be a daily challenge, to continuously find the purposeful balance needed to have a sincerely fulfilled life. However, the growth we experience through this process is truly worth the struggle.

There are some nuggets of insight that I keep close to my heart as I navigate my new journey through single waters: to live with compassion, to lead with love, and to speak with wisdom, truth and honesty. This is the summer of possibility.

After a year of intensive healing therapy, I am pleased to find my heart, body and soul all in alignment. I know it is time for something new. Some painful decisions had to be made but thankfully, their exit has created room for new energies to emerge, untouched by toxicity.

When something is no longer meant for you, it hurts more to hold onto it than to let go. After going through all the emotions, I deliberately changed my mindset to instead look forward to all the new memories to come. I guess I could say I am launching myself forward step by step, to make my vision of a happy life a reality.

It was not easy. At first, I wanted to expedite this new chapter so that I wouldn’t be idle, nor waste any time. I was getting impatient, and tried too hard to control everything that only God can handle. While determination and clear vision are key factors in developing a new life, it is also important to practice patience. I had to release all the things out of my control. Let go, and let God.

With clearer boundaries and firm goals, I can now envision a bright new path ahead of me. Above all, it seems that it is vital to remain in the moment, and to always be connected to our true and authentic selves. It is a daily practice. We have to be constantly aware of who we are as limitless beings, so that we become the highest expression of God’s gift. We should not be pulled down by the fear, anxiety, jealousy, or pain that is inflicted by others. Life is too precious to waste on all that negativity.

Devastatingly sad news

Last month, while I was still celebrating the Easter holidays with my family in Australia, I received the devastatingly sad news of the untimely passing of my super close friend Cris Abad Santos Albert. I arrived home the day after the beautiful Fila Philippines tribute event, #CelebrateCris, was held.

Just like Cris and her love of beautiful settings, the venue was stunningly decorated with pink and white flowers, and the staging looked like a Fila party. Guests donned vibrant-colored clothes and shared wonderful memories.

There was a concert of heavenly songs to serenade Cris’ generous soul and to bring comfort to those who loved her most. The concert was led by Cris’ sister, actress Ana Abad Santos, and featured artists such as Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Kiara Takahashi, Jay Gonzaga, Adrian Lindayag and Gigi de Lana, among others. Joyfully honoring Cris for the love she plentifully gave, family and guests sang along to the upbeat tune of “Seasons of Love.” In between performances, family and close friends also delivered messages of love.

Cris’ children Carlo and Bela Albert shared so many wonderful stories about their beloved mother who, apart from being the most loving and caring family member, was also a well-known business magnate, humanitarian and a patroness of the arts.

In her 20-year tenure as a great leader of the Fila organization, she opened 340 stores, entered 280 department stores, with over a million shoe designs. As the Fila chief executive officer for over 30 years, she propelled the business to great heights, and still never forgot to share her blessings.

Apart from supporting Red Charity Gala for several years, Cris also made enormous contributions to Operation Compassion, an nongovernmental organization founded by Cris and her husband Butch Albert. This humanitarian initiative focuses on rebuilding the homes of victims of natural disasters and facilitating the adoption of the abandoned children. They have successfully built 5,000 transitional homes and 40 self- sustaining communities.

At the memorial, Carlo and Bela shared that they will continue the legacy that their mother left behind. Bela will now head one of her mom’s foundations, iFoster Foundation, to help find homes for orphans and abandoned kids.

 

I personally shared so many incredibly happy memories and amazing travels with Cris. Her daughter Bela and my daughter Athena Valdes are even closer to each other than Cris and I were. Her passing has made me realize that living in the present is more important than worrying about the future or giving attention to others who do not matter.

Mindfulness is a practice. It’s how we purposely focus our attention on the present moment—the here and now—and accept it without judgment. We need to have deeper understandings of all our strengths, vulnerabilities, passions and ideas, so that we can let go of the things that don’t serve us, and gain calmness and inner peace.

Retail therapy

And if all that doesn’t work, there is always retail therapy! My shopping fix for any home needs is Wilcon Depot, the country’s leading home improvement and construction supply retailer.

Wilcon Depot Gapan recently opened, its 75th store located at Purok Proper II, Sto. Cristo Norte, Gapan City. This serves as the second store in Nueva Ecija after the company’s first entry into the province with the opening of Wilcon Depot Cabanatuan in 2017.

The new store opening is part of the retail giant’s ongoing #FlyingHighTo100 store expansion campaign. Being 25 stores away from its goal to have 100 stores by 2025, barring any unexpected external factors, Wilcon will continuously bring big ideas to more local homeowners and builders and provide an unparalleled home shopping experience.

Wilcon Depot president and CEO Lorraine Belo-Cincochan, Wilcon Depot senior executive vice president-chief operating officer Rosemarie Bosch-Ong and the other industry partners were present at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Wilcon continues to provide the best home shopping experience to help build and improve every Filipino’s dream of a more sustainable and comfortable life.

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