It’s time for the annual spring cleaning. I like to think of it as a metaphorical cleansing of the soul. It reminds me of a scene from Bruce Almighty, where Bruce, after granting everyone’s prayers and creating chaos, turns to God (Morgan Freeman) for help. Instead of fixing everything for Bruce, God hands him a mop and says, "No matter how filthy something gets, you can always clean it right up." Bruce protests, saying he simply gave people what they wanted. To which God replies, "But since when do people have a clue about what they want?... Everybody wants me to do everything for them. The truth is, what they don't realize is they have the power. If you want to see a miracle, be the miracle."
We have always had the power within us to change our own lives, no matter how messy things get. A little help from friends doesn’t hurt either.
When I look at the division in this country, I’m not surprised by how absurd it all is. The mess we’re in stems from leaders who care more about their bottom line than saving humanity—leaders who see sacrificing groups of people as acceptable because it doesn’t directly affect them. But I refuse to be part of that negativity. Instead, I ask: How do we bring light back into the world? Not in the way of an electrician, but by being the miracle ourselves. Now more than ever, we need people to step up. We need to be the heroes of our own stories, not the villains in someone else’s.
Lately, I’ve been reading books where the protagonist discovers old love letters, and it’s made me realize how much romance has changed. We used to take time to craft letters filled with longing and poetry. Now, it’s just: "Hey, what are you doing?" instead of "I’ve been waiting with bated breath for your text. It has been a fortnight, and I cannot sleep without dreaming of you." Maybe we should all channel our inner Jane Austen and write poetry to woo people instead of relying on modern dating tactics.
There’s constant discourse about how dating in 2025 is a disaster. Reality dating shows, particularly those where engagements end over political differences, only reinforce how problematic our dating culture has become. Yet, sapphic dating seems to move at a different pace—lesbians are notorious for moving fast in relationships. My friends and family have even advised me that maybe I shouldn’t be dating right now… or ever. Should I be concerned?
Here’s my love poem to my social media fam:
It’s okay to not be okay,
But it’s never okay to be cruel.
Kindness costs nothing, yet it is priceless.
Be good. Be just. Be true.
I’ll love you across oceans and time,
Through seasons of sorrow and joy.
You are seen. You are heard.
You matter.
Stand for justice, speak for the silent,
Lift each other up when the world pushes down.
We are stronger when we stand together.
We are brighter when we refuse to dim our light.
If we ever get it together,
I’ll buy you a beer.
We can sit under the stars,
And wonder how we ever made it this far.
But for now, keep going.
Keep believing.
Keep fighting for what is right.
And whatever you do…
Don’t be a dick.
Lenten Reflection:
Lent is a time of cleansing, both spiritually and emotionally. Just as we declutter our homes, we must also declutter our hearts—removing bitterness, resentment, and despair, replacing them with faith, kindness, and hope. Like Jesus cleansing the temple, we must clear out what is not serving us, making room for renewal.
As we reflect this Lent, here are some questions to ask ourselves:
What clutter am I holding onto in my heart that I need to let go of?
Where in my life do I need to seek healing and reconciliation?
How can I be a light to those around me?
What small act of kindness can I do today that might make a difference in someone’s life?
Scripture for the Third Sunday of Lent:
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” — John 4:13-14
May we all seek the kind of renewal that does not fade, and may we strive to be the miracle we wish to see in the world.
Take care of yourselves. And take care of each other. 💜
📖 Read my Lenten Reflections: flanneldiaries.com (link in bio).
Proverbs 16:24 – “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
My friends love giving me dating advice because, let’s be honest—I’m not great at it.
One time, I told a friend how terrible I am at giving compliments. I assume whoever my partner is should already know they’re beautiful, hot, sexy, etc. I mean, I wouldn’t be with them if I found them hideous, right?
Looks aren’t everything, though. Real attraction comes from the inside out. Kindness? Hot. Compassion? Sexy. A great sense of humor? Irresistible. You can be stunning on the outside, but if you’re mean and cruel? That’s a hard pass for me.
I’m blunt. Too honest, sometimes. And I hate tired, overused lines. My delivery? Needs work.
My friend asked for an example:
Me: You look good.
Them: No, I don’t, Vangie. I don’t even have any makeup on.
Me: Well, at least you don’t look like sh*t.
Them: Another classic Vangie compliment.
Me: You should’ve just said, “thank you.”
End scene.
So yeah, my friends think I need help.
Another attempt:
Friend: Do these pants make my butt look big?
Me: Blame it on the pants.
Friend: Blame it on the pants? 😂😂
Me: No?
Listen, I try.
The Weight of Words & Unsolicited Advice
I don’t know why my friends feel the need to give me unsolicited advice. But honestly? It’s always nice to laugh and just talk about life.
We go from the mundane (golf, dating, daily annoyances) to the serious (jobs, finances, politics).
We talk about how our president is crashing the stock market while the broligarchs only care about protecting the wealthy 1%. Meanwhile, the middle class is being crushed, and we’re spiraling towards fascism. People are just trying to survive—paying their bills, keeping their jobs, holding onto any social safety nets.
And yet, this country forgets its own history. Reparations were never given to the descendants of the enslaved. Black communities continue to be marginalized and oppressed. And we wonder why our nation is drowning in wicked karma.
It’s exhausting to fight for your right to simply exist.
Lenten Reflection: The Power of Words
Ephesians 4:29 – “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
My love language isn’t words of affirmation—it’s acts of service. But I know that words matter.
🔹 They have the power to build or break.
🔹 They carry weight, whether we intend them to or not.
🔹 They shape how we see ourselves and the world.
I’m trying to get better at compliments because I know they matter. I’ll never say something I don’t mean—but I can be more intentional with my words.
Maybe that’s part of this Lenten journey—learning to speak life into others, even when it doesn’t come naturally.
Take care of yourselves. And take care of each other. 💜
📖 Read my Lenten Reflections: flanneldiaries.com (link in bio).
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
I am a deeply spiritual person. Working in the community, I’ve often kept my religious beliefs to myself to remain unbiased and inclusive. But faith has always been part of me.
If you’re Filipino, being raised Catholic is pretty standard. Nearly 79% of the Philippines is Catholic, a legacy of 333 years of Spanish colonization. Growing up, I felt guilt for everything, which really messes with you as a child. I always wondered why we had to go to church every Sunday when my dad just fell asleep during Mass.
I did everything a “good Catholic” was supposed to do and appreciated the values I was taught. But I also saw the hypocrisy. Catholic hypocrisy is no bueno. So when I hit puberty and came to terms with my queerness, I started questioning my Catholic-ness.
Still, I was curious enough to explore other religions and spiritualities. Believing in an omniscient, omnipotent being was ingrained in me—it wasn’t something I could easily abandon. And even now, I still find meaning in the practices I grew up with, especially Lent.
Fish Fridays? Yeah, I still do that too. One year, I even did a tour of the best fish fries in town. No regrets.
Interconnection: From Easter to Passover to Politics
Easter is the Super Bowl for many Christians—the moment when Zombie Jesus rises, and Christianity is born. But Easter is also about spring, renewal, and the harvest.
Pagans celebrated the equinox, a time when light and dark were equal before the days grew longer. Jesus was Jewish, so the Last Supper was actually a Passover meal.
Everything is interconnected. Yet, we often act as if we have no impact on each other. We can’t pretend we’re separate when our state and local governments are already warning us about the trickle-down effects of federal policies.
I still pray. I pray a lot.
I pray for the safety and well-being of my friends and family. I pray for the earth to heal. I pray that we all will be okay during this hostile government takeover. I pray that God gives me strength and clarity to be my best self every day. I pray for justice and peace for those who have been lied to and betrayed. I pray for my ancestors.
A Prayer for Today
Psalm 34:18 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Prayer: Lord, when I open my eyes each day, help me to feel Your presence. Help me to keep in step with Your Spirit and be counseled by Your word. My heart aches, and I am worn out from crying. Please help me rise out of my hurt and sorrow. Amen.
Faith in Action: A Call to Justice
My faith is not separate from my work—it fuels it.
I believe if Jesus were alive today, he’d be a social justice warrior. When the work gets hard and exhausting, I return to Micah 6:8: “And what does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
When life feels heavy, I remind myself to trust the process.
🔹 We cannot control everything.
🔹 We cannot control other people.
🔹 We can only control ourselves and our actions.
And sometimes, the best thing we can do is let go and trust.
Take care of yourselves. And take care of each other.
📖 Read my Lenten Reflections: flanneldiaries.com (link in bio).