Describe yourself in one word ..
By Hazel Vee
@epiffanie (11326)
Australia
April 25, 2018 9:03am CST
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I cooked three different dishes this evening after the little girl got picked up. I was feeling a bit tired and wondered why.. lol .. I keep forgetting that I am 62 years old and can no longer do the things I used to do 5 years or so ago ..
When I am physically doing a job, my mind is busy doing some thinking not related to the job I'm doing. Then, I thought, why am I doing this and still managed to be present in the moment..It's called multitasking ..I've done it for 50 years. How long am I still able to do this?..
So, I asked myself if I could describe myself in one word, what is it? The first thing that came to my mind is "HARDWORKING" .. Of course I could describe myself as "passionate" , "curious" , "creative", "freethinker" and so on .. But hardworking is more applicable to me..
It is the hard work that got me out of poverty.. No it's not because I married a white man with money .. I did not marry for convenience. I don't rely on my husband to support me financially.. I am not afraid to work even if I didn't like the job like cooking, cleaning the house, and driving .. I do them because they must be done.. Designing and dressmaking is not the most easy job but I do it and fortunately through this job I satisfied my creativity...
But I knew that without hard work, being creative alone will not get me out of poverty.. I knew since I was ten years old and with no hope of attaining higher education, that the only thing that could get me out of poverty is hard work..
There's a scripture I read in the bible that says, "Faith without works is dead" . I know that there is a more spiritual meaning to it but I applied it to my life literally and it worked .. 
I had a strong faith that I will not grow old poor in this world.. I deserve better..And I knew that only me can better myself..
What about you? Describe yourself in one word..
Bess
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Photo was taken in 2010.. I wanted to experience planting rice .. One of the most memorable experiences I have ever had .. I am very grateful for it. I have more respect and appreciation for the rice farmers..They don't get that much respect over there in the Philippines ..Rice farming job is considered lowly over there .. That is the sad reality ..
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I had a strong faith that I will not grow old poor in this world.. I deserve better..And I knew that only me can better myself..
What about you? Describe yourself in one word..
Bess
...........................................
Photo was taken in 2010.. I wanted to experience planting rice .. One of the most memorable experiences I have ever had .. I am very grateful for it. I have more respect and appreciation for the rice farmers..They don't get that much respect over there in the Philippines ..Rice farming job is considered lowly over there .. That is the sad reality ..
..12 people like this
15 responses
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Apr 18
Oh how lovely! Thanks @marina .. that is also one thing that I aimed to be .. a gentle person ..
.. that is also one thing that I aimed to be .. a gentle person ..1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
25 Apr 18
Crazy. Not a lunatic though. But I'm someone who don't conform to the norm. I'm someone who would do unusual things .Things that made me authentic and different from others. I think that's why I am where I am now.
3 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Apr 18
It is wonderful that you have recognised and is validating your authentic self at young age.. We all have our authentic sides that make us different from one another..It's just that not everyone of us get that big break in life to be where we want to be..
2 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Apr 18
yes that is really sad isn't it? that we don't put the rice farmers on high esteem.. so because of that, not many young people these days want to learn farming..
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
25 Apr 18
It is hard to chose one word, but like you I would have to say I am hardworking also, seems that is all I do and I am feeling my age. I was a teen when I said I would not grow up to be poor, and I most certainly did not marry money.
I guess I would be "determined."
3 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Apr 18
thanks Andrea.. .. determination is a huge part of being a hard worker ..
.. determination is a huge part of being a hard worker ..2 people like this
@BearArtistLady (5417)
• United States
25 Apr 18
I've been following your posts and you sound like you need a hug!
Why, may I ask, are you so sad?
Why, may I ask, are you so sad?1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109857)
• Los Angeles, California
25 Apr 18
@BearArtistLady Life in general, failed hopes and simply old age.
@BearArtistLady (5417)
• United States
26 Apr 18
@JohnRoberts As long as you are still breathing you haven't failed in your hopes. As for old age, you're only as old as you allow yourself to feel. Today I could allow myself to feel like I'm 200 years old. My legs, knees and ankles hurt so bad that trying to sit, lay or walk comfortably is impossible. Yet I still stumble on, stubbornly. I worked at the antique shop yesterday and was walking constantly for 3.5 hours. The most time I got to sit was when I went to the bathroom. So, I know why my legs hurt so badly. I also could add to my list of feeling sad and sorry for myself that I lost my home, clothes, car, business supplies (I design and make teddy bears) and the worst of all my beloved companion animals to fire. It has been a slow uphill climb and I'm only about an eighth of the way up that mountain called grief, but I am slowly crawling up that mountain. Yes, I've got failed hopes, and I'm not as young as I used to be (my legs are really reminding me of it today!!!
They're telling me that I'm a really OLD fart that stinks bad! ) but as long as there is air in these lungs and my heart still beats there is still hope living in my body.
I saw in your profile that you live in Los Angeles. You're not too far away from me. If you plan to come through Paso Robles let me know and maybe we can meet. I have an artist made teddy bear that is signed and dated for you and it's name is "Hope". It's one of my creations.
So much for the lecture, you still need a hug!
They're telling me that I'm a really OLD fart that stinks bad! ) but as long as there is air in these lungs and my heart still beats there is still hope living in my body.
I saw in your profile that you live in Los Angeles. You're not too far away from me. If you plan to come through Paso Robles let me know and maybe we can meet. I have an artist made teddy bear that is signed and dated for you and it's name is "Hope". It's one of my creations.
So much for the lecture, you still need a hug! 2 people like this
@Hannihar (129576)
• Israel
25 Apr 18
@epiffanie
I was thinking about the one word to describe while reading yours. I guess I could say I am determined is a good word to describe me. Thank you for that post.
2 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Apr 18
That's great! .. Determination gets us a long way .. please continue to be determined .. 
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6134)
• United Kingdom
3 May 18
Slowidious.
I used to be fastidious, but age is taking it's toll. 
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6134)
• United Kingdom
9 May 18
@epiffanie Probably because I made it up.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6134)
• United Kingdom
11 May 18
@epiffanie I would do but another word that defines me is "lazy" 
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
9 May 18
First time I came across that word "slowidious" .. I guess it means the opposite of fastidious ..
1 person likes this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
1 May 18
Happy. Most of the time I feel happy. I tried to ignore things which made me unhappy.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
28 May 18
That's fantastic .. To be able to feel happy makes life a lot more easier ..
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
26 Apr 18
I admire your love for work; even trying to experience how it feels to plant rice! Yes, we can really appreciate the hardships of farmers trying to produce food for everyone, yet they still remain poor!
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
27 Apr 18
When I was young living in the province, feeling hungry most of the time , I wanted to plant and harvest rice because I observed that those who do, never go without .. I was not allowed to .. That's why I was really happy to be able to experience it ..
@BearArtistLady (5417)
• United States
25 Apr 18
Unfortunately jobs that "higher ups" wouldn't do are considered lowly. Even in the United States there are jobs that are considered lowly simply because people wouldn't do them. In my area working in the vineyards is considered lowly and the people that work the vineyards are called "wet backs". I hate that term!!! Each person should be respected for the job that they do, as each job is something that keeps our world functioning.
As for me, I would have to use two words, that is hard worker. I cook, clean and do chores for the man that I am staying with since my house burned down in October of last year. I am creative too, I design and make teddy bears to augment my meager disability income. I also design and create my own clothes. I help our local rescue groups with cats that have been so badly abused that they are terrified of humans. I work with them until they are able to trust and love again. I get them rehabilitated to the point that they are able to be adopted into new homes. I haven't been able to do that since I lost my own home but once I am able to have my own home again I will again work with the kitties. I do as much work as possible each day working through the physical pain that my last job left me in. I try hard not to let myself be described as "pain" filled because it is so negative and it actually makes the pain worse.
You have done great things with your life! You're just 3 years younger than me and have accomplished a lot, I do have one question if you don't mind. Is love included in your list? Without love for others and joy from that love the rest has little meaning. While I lost everything in the fire that destroyed my home and took my animals from me, I still have the love of a wonderful man and his family and my friends; and I have love for him, his family and my friends that have reached out and are helping me every way they can. Don't forget to have love in your list.
2 people like this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
30 Apr 18
Thank you so much @BearArtistLady .. for sharing your thoughts .. I enjoyed reading your comment ..
Yes .. Love is the reason why I do the things I do ..
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
25 Apr 18
Unfortunately, farmers are the ones who feed people but for some reason, they are thought to be low. Just sad.
The word would be SIMPLE. I know I have used that many times in my discussions but that is what I have always aimed for. From the time I was a toddler up to now, my father had always instilled in us to live in simplicity and with that I learned to be grateful and happy. I learned to appreciate and be contented.
1 person likes this
@epiffanie (11326)
• Australia
28 May 18
You know, it is not that easy to be simple in this world .. So if you achieved that, you are blessed .. Simplicity brings peace .. That's what most people in this world don't realise ..
1 person likes this
@mlgen1037 (29886)
• Manila, Philippines
28 May 18
@epiffanie Thank you, Bess. I am trying to achieve that in my life because I do not want to have much except love and peace. That is all I long for.
1 person likes this
