Charmed
By Angelica Bautista Viloria
January 8, 2001

The fire-breathing dragon will have left in a few weeks. In the Philippines, it might be just as well as we have all felt the scorching heat enough. The Abu Sayyaf and Mindanao hostilities episode. The sharp drop in the value of the peso. Juetengate and the impeachment proceedings. The Payatas tragedy where people got buried in trash. Bombings in the malls and on the LRT. You name it, it all happened in the year 2000. The fireworks and the firecrackers at the start of the year, were no match for the events which were to unfold before our very eyes.

Last New Year's Eve was not as noisy. People all around Manila shared the impression that the firecrackers started too near midnight and ended too quickly. Maybe people were finally saving their money. Or didn't want to spend New Year in the hospital with firecracker burns and wounds. Finally, we seem to be getting the idea. If that is any indication, I hope the year 2001 turns out to be more peaceful, quieter, and boring. I'm sure we can all use a little less excitement in the coming days.

As the dragon leaves us, the snake will slither in, hopefully, bringing a cure to all our present sicknesses. May it not poison or sting us further as we still scramble to heal our burns. Keep in mind, the animal can be charmed.

As we start the new year, I wish every single individual peace, good health, time with family and friends, and faith which grows from day to day. Let us remember that we are all rich and prosperous by virtue of being a child of God. "So then, you are no longer a slave but a child. And since you are his child, God will give you all that he has for his children." (Galatians 4:7)

So, face 2001 with hope and a positive attitude. We can only do right if we keep in mind every single day: "And whatever you do in word and deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17) Not too easy to do when you're frustrated with things around you, but not impossible either.

Have a charmed year everyone!

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Charmed
Written January 8, 2001
Copyright © 2001 by Angelica Bautista Viloria of http://www.viloria.com