Happy are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of God.
– Matthew 5:3

I used to disregard this bible verse. I felt it was disempowering. Why would I want to be poor in spirit?

But at The Feast last week (Oct 9), Bo shared an empowering interpretation of the verse above. “Poor in spirit” meant “desperate” … “desperate for God”. When we’re desperate for God like we are desperate for air when we’re drowning — this is the desperation that helps us recognize how much we need our God.

I prayed that day. I prayed that I acknowledge how desperate I am for my God. I prayed that I find courage to face my fears. I prayed that for courage to make the changes necessary to turn my life around.

And, this weekend while visiting my parents in Baguio, I made some tough decisions to make major changes in my life. Specifically I made decisions about changing the way I manage my mindset, my dreams, my finances, my time and my energy.

My starting point: Gratitude

I am blessed! And it’s funny that I used to downplay or completely disregard my blessings.

Now, I have made a decision to celebrate every blessing! I want to develop this into a habit. Thus, I am committing myself to writing a Gratitude Journal entry each and every day for the next 30 days (October 16 to November 16, 2011).

Why do I want to be even more grateful?

I am reminding myself of my worthiness. Sometimes I’m told that feeling worthy or being worthy is just a decision. Probably.

In the meantime, my goal is simple. Rejoice in my blessings that my blessings may grow. I simply want to acknowledge my blessings, to rejoice in it. Knowing that what I focus on will expand.

Thus I continue rejoicing in my blessings:

• I am thankful for my existence. I am put in this world by our good Lord because I am worthy! He has a purpose for me. I do not need to question my existence. :-) I am loved by our good Lord no matter what. (Tonight, without fail, I will upload this to my blog, knowing and trusting in the Lord that this is a turning point for me. I shall finish this! On with our journey!)
• I am thankful for all my experiences in my 36 years. I have full trust in the Lord that all I have gone through in life all build up to achieving my purpose in life which is to teach.
• I am thankful for my family, my parents, my siblings. Their nurturing and unconditional love has been the foundation of the kind of person I am.
• I am thankful for the organizations, institutions (and the friends I met along the way) that helped establish my beliefs in life: SPED, Philippine Science, UP, UPSCA, Pahinungod, Cuyo, AIM, Intel and PSI.
• I am thankful for my mentors: Captain Bobby Lim, Bo Sanchez, my parents Tony and Flor, my siblings Kelmer, Atchi Liza, Keric.
• I am thankful for my best friend: Jorey who has inspired me in many ways, though we are apart.
• I am thankful for my two former relationships. I have loved, lost and learned from you. And these have prepared me for a lifelong relationship with Rezza.
• I am thankful for Rezza – my life-partner, the one with whom I will serve the Lord for the rest of my life.
• I am thankful for all the blessings that our good Lord has given me, and will give me.
  I live that I may serve my Lord and my purpose.

Gratitude = Great Attitude!

edWIN “Ka Edong” Soriano
www.edwinsoriano.com