Chloney Culpa

18/08/2025

On my way back to the city story

I stopped by an ATM near the bus station.
Around 6 people were ahead of me on the line.

I glanced at the bus parking at the station.
In my mind, I can still make it.
But people using the machines were taking time.
I was in a hurry and there were other atms around yet I stayed. I'm too lazy to walk.

The result, I didn't make it to the bus on time.

The point?

Reaching our goals depends heavily on how much effort we're willing to put into it. Despite how many opportunities show up, if we are unwilling to do the work, nothing happens. It's on us.

17/08/2025

What made me start saving

Story time.

During my first job, wala akong savings.
A day before sweldo, nag iisip na ako saan igagastos yung pera. I'll buy this and that.

Maybe because I'm still living with my parents back then. Hindi ako mababahala kung makapos sa pera kasi wala naman akong binabayarang rent and food.

Hanggang sa 2nd job ko, ganun parin sige gastos.
But this time, it's different. I'm living on my own.

Ito pala yung sinasabi na living paycheck
to paycheck. Yung sweldo, pambayad lng
sa mga bills tapos wala pa akong savings habits.

Then biglang nag pandemic.
So, naghanap ako extra income.
Nag sign up ako then may pinadalang free e-book.
"Rich Dad, Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki.

Sabi dun sa libro, "pay yourself first".

Sinunod ko yun.

Every payday, nagtatabi ako for myself.
Whatever is left, yun ang pinagkakasya ko.

Is it easy?
No! A lot of times, I say no to myself.
Natutunan ko yung delayed gratification.
It's okay i-set aside yung wants ko for now
kasi what I'm doing will be for myself, my future.

Ngayon, hindi pa naman ganun kalaki yung ipon but hindi na gaya ng dati na wala talagang nadudukot kapag kinakapos.

Tama nga kasabihan,
"it's not about how much you earn but of how much you keep of the money you earn"

14/08/2025

I joined a rally once.
But that was my first and last.

Back story.
It was my first year in college.
I was full of curiosity how it feels like to be there.
To be the voice. I wanted to be part of it,
and so I joined.

But as I was there out in the street,
a realization struck me.

If serving the people is my goal
then, I don't think it's the best way to go.

The point?

Service can be of any forms.
You just got to choose which you think
creates a lasting impact.

13/08/2025

A short story on how God answered my prayer.

Way back in college,
I was an average student.
While others get an almost perfect score
I barely get a passing score.

One time, there's a math exam I need to pass desperately. I was already graduating that time
so, failing is not an option.

I studied hard.
But most importantly, I prayed harder.
So during the exam, I was confident not because I prepared but because I already prayed for it.

But as soon as I received the test papers,
I experienced a mental block.
The more I tensed as I heard my classmates flipping the pages of their test paper.
I was just staring at my blank blue book.
Until I gathered my senses and started answering, hoping for "effort points".

Time's up!

I immediately returned to my boarding house after the exam. My heart felt heavy, so I took a shower.
I'm fond of playing random music in my playlist.
Loud music in the air to ease my burden.

"I felt betrayed".
"Feeling ko iniwan ako ng Panginoon."
I prayed for it pero bakit ganun yung resulta.

Then suddenly,
"Blessings" by Laury Story played.

"We cry in anger when we cannot feel you near.
We doubt your goodness, we doubt your love
as if every promise from your word is not enough."

It hit me hard like it was personally written for me.
I felt sorry and that's when I starting sobbing.
Burden released, just as that.

Result time!
Nobody passed the test.
And I got the lowest score, I think 🙃

So, we were given a chance to retake the exam.
And you know what, I passed.
My score? More than what I prayed for.

The point?

God has a strange way of answering our prayers.
It's a lesson on faith. When we pray, we pray all in. No doubts. God answers, He really does.

12/08/2025

We often view goodbyes as lonely.
When in fact, saying goodbye to something means a new hello to something else.

Saying goodbye to your job
means a new opportunity somewhere else.
Saying goodbye to your old habits
means a better you in the making.
Saying goodbye to your limiting belief
means welcoming the best version of you.

The point?

Goodbyes are necessary.
There may be struggles in the process
but on a brighter side, better things are coming.

11/08/2025

Building the best version of yourself requires learning and unlearning.

Constant changing.

Just like how a caterpillar turns into a butterfly.
It goes through a "metamorphosis".

To be better,
we have to say goodbye to our old selves.
It won't be easy. Change is scary but so is staying the same.

10/08/2025

I used to think peace is expensive.
Millions in the bank. A mansion. Luxury cars.
Until I get to sit outside our home one afternoon.

Simply enjoying the book.
Simply enjoying the breeze.
Simply enjoying the slow life.

I don't have millions in the bank.
I don't have a mansion.
I don't have luxury cars.
But I've never been more at peace.

All it took was a chair, a book, and nature.

10/08/2025

When we pray,
some of our requests are answered right away
while others take time.

With the delay,
we feel anxious believing we're off track.
We view delays as a form of punishment.

Well in fact,
it's a time for transformation.
God will never handle us things we're not capable of managing. If we can't be trusted in small things, how much more in massive things.

We are being prepared to receive the blessing.

We are exactly where we need to be
because in God's timeline we're exactly on time.

Blessed Sunday everyone ❤️

09/08/2025

Many people are shifting to a healthy lifestyle.
From processed foods to whole and healthy foods.
From sedentary life to an active life.

The goal?
To look good and feel good.

The thing is, a healthy lifestyle doesn't just focus on the physical - also mental.

The ideologies we choose to listen to,
the philosophies we choose to adhere to,
and the values we choose to live up to.

At the end of the day,
it's not just about how you look
but how you think and act.

09/08/2025

My first plane ride was during my high school days.
It was sponsored. My first travel abroad was also sponsored by my employer, all expenses paid.

Travelling for free is a privilege.

But being able to fund your travel with your hard-earned money hits differently.

That sense of fulfillment,
from walang wala to kaya na.
Malayo pa pero malayo na.

08/08/2025

Roses have thorns yet people love it.
In fact, many consider it as their favorite flower.
Despite the thorns, its beauty still radiates.

The point?

We often hide parts of us that we think is ugly.
Without realizing that it's a part of who we are.
The flaws and the scars are what makes us human.

Just like the rose, we aren't perfect.
Behind its beauty lies its thorns.
But did it stop being beautiful?
No.

07/08/2025