Seven years ago as a college sophomore I was a big ‘ate’ (sister) for a class of freshmen. In one of those classes, I met a talented charming young man. I recently heard some news about him that makes me so proud that I was a little part of the success path he is on now.

This got me thinking…what is it really that I am most proud of?

I know it’s not my accomplishments…I worked hard and someone else acknowledged it… yeah it’s great but I could do without. It isn’t the trials I’ve transcended…yes I come from a challenging past. Who doesn’t? I’m more annoyed at the world that a past such as mine exists… It also isn’t the money I’ve made or what I’ve bought or enjoyed because of it.

I am most proud of two things.

The first is my creations – my poems, my art, my music, my words. I am proud of it’s imperfections because they are my self expressions, they are beautiful and mine regardless of other people

The second thing I am proud of are the success of the people I have met and had a chance to engage with – people who I’ve had the chance to be fully present to: friends from high school and college, fellow Ateneo Glee Club members, students and mentees, clients, officemates – people who in someway or another I have contributed to in words, action, skill, or simply good will.

What am I least proud of? Predictably it is the opposite. It is the times when I keep myself in and do not express myself and it is the times that I hold back from giving to others my whole presence.