I saw a few Facebook posts from friends sharing their life highlights and lessons in the past decade. These posts inspired me to also go down memory lane and look back at what happened in my life in the past decade.

I could not help but be amazed and grateful to God for all that has transpired in the past decade.

Let me share some of the big changes, milestones, wins and blessings that happened to me and my family in the past ten years.

MILESTONES/MAJOR CHANGES

I gave birth to two more babies. From a family of three, we became a family of five.

We sold one of our condominium units which was part of our first home.

We turned one of our condominium units which was part of our first home into a rental property.

We sold our Toyota Vios and bought a Toyota Innova.

We moved into our new home, house and lot, this time, in our dream location, which is walking distance to a Catholic church.

I breastfed three kids for at least two years each. I breastfed the youngest for five years! I also weaned him last year. I even wrote and published a book to document this milestone! You can check it out here.

I transitioned from a stay-at-home mom to a work-at-home mom. Read more about my transition experience in my Amazon bestselling and award-winning book.

I became a freelance contributing writer to local and global publications.

I homeschooled one child. Then, two. Then, three!

I became a mompreneur.

I conducted countless training and workshops for my clients.

I spoke at public workshops, conferences and summits, including global summits.

I had more radio and teleradyo guestings.

I had my own website. Now, I have two! Thanks to my husband who made my websites. My other website is about my consulting and coaching business.

I was able to create and launch my first online course called iHOPE wherein I help parents become more hands-on with their children while pursuing their career, finance or personal goals.

I ventured into coaching also so I can help more people. You can read more about my short-term coaching packages here.

The house of my family of origin got fully paid!

We got our accreditation for homeschooling in the past years when the two older kids passed the PEPT in 2019.

We transitioned from independent homeschoolers to homeschooling with a provider in 2019.

I finished and published a total of 6 BOOKS in 10 years!

I had 3 Amazon Bestsellers!

I won in the Cardinal Sin Book Awards 2 times (2 consecutive years) for 2 of my books!

I got to launch a book at the Manila International Book Fair for the first time in 2018! The book I launched was my first printed children’s book.

I became a children’s book author. I now have 2 children’s books.

I started an advocacy on education and the environment called Isay Goes to Schools wherein we donate copies of my children’s book Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay to poor children. We have donated a thousand copies so far in just around a year!

I became an award-winning blogger by winning at the Catholic Mass Media Awards through this blog!

I remained married to the same man! It’s easier to get married compared to remaining married to that same person! We celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary in December 2019.

I did all these while raising 3 kids, 3 boys!!!

TOP 10 LESSONS

Then, shortly after I was able to remember all these milestones, major changes and developments, wins and blessings, I was reminded by God that all these external blessings and favors were made possible by my rich and strong interior life.

My biggest blessings, I believe, were my faith and the grace to be obedient and faithful to God, the gift of discernment, courage and persistence. I believe that I would not be able to experience or achieve these milestones if God had not been my anchor or constant in my life. He has always been the source of direction and inspiration in my life. He gives me the strength to carry on amid challenges and pain. He makes the impossible possible in my life.

Thus, I give back all the glory and praise to my God who is the source of all good things and people in my life.

Through it all, these are the lessons I’d like to share with others which are also my advice to those who want to be successful or achieve great things in life:

1. Be humble and remember that you need a God.
2. Ask God for guidance and direction in your life. Make Him also your anchor in life.
3. Be faithful to your prayer time with God. When you are faithful and you have a close relationship with God, you will easily recognize His voice even in this noisy world. You will know what God wants you to do, what dreams and goals He wants you to pursue and achieve and where He wants you to go.
4. Strive for excellence. Do your best to work on your dreams and goals but leave room for God. He will fill in the gaps.
5. Plan but let God surprise you as well.
6. Rely on God for strength and sustenance. You cannot do great things on your own.
7. Be clear on your priorities. Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all things will be given to you eventually.
8. Success is empty without a family and friends to celebrate it with. So, don’t go pursuing or chasing your dreams and goals at the expense of your family.
9. God is faithful. You can always rely on Him for help, provision and deliverance.
10. God never changes. His Word is always reliable and true.

How about you? Did you also reflect on what had been the major developments, changes and milestones in your life in the past decade? What lessons did you learn from them? Feel free to share it in the comments section. I’d love to read them.