Breaking and Entering

It was a year before yesterday that our house was broken into and some of our valuables were stolen. And it might just be the first time I'm writing about it.

So the bulk of the items taken were mine -- a couple laptops, a digital camera, a few thousand pesos, and a cellphone. Those were just mine.

But it wasn't the act of losing those stuff that affected me. It was the idea that strangers entered our house without us knowing. We were all sleeping and our doors were unlocked! Thank God we were all safe and it was more than a blessing that none of us woke up or the situation could have gotten worse. But I would be lying that for a week weeks/months I was scared to go out, scared to come home early in the morning, scared as I sleep. I was slightly traumatized but things are better no.

We've lived in the house for more than 30 years now and this has never happened. We live right next to the guard house of the subdivision gate and for a second we blamed their lack of security or their negligence. But it was more of a wake up call that we have to be more alert and actively secure our place whenever we sleep or go out.

Optimism vs Realism

I'm usually a glass-half-full kind of girl. I've always mouthed positive cliches to my friends whenever they were down. Not that I've ever been down myself. I have, several times, but I learned to look at the bright side of things. And it has worked out well for me.

But this thing about my being single -- I've been positive most of the time. I tell myself that hey, I'm 32 years old. I'm not bad-looking. I'm smart and I don't think I have an awful personality. I've been telling myself over the years that my time will come.

But there are a few instances I've had my doubts. I could hope and pray and be optimistic. But what if it's God's plan for me to be single forever? My priest friend semi-scolded me and said I should remain optimistic. But up to what point can you be optimistic? Should I leave some room in my heart to be okay if I turn out to be alone?

If I should always be optimistic, I can't expect to pray I win the lottery and be positive I'm going to win. So should I limit my hopes?

Or is my analogy all skewed?