Happy Christmas! You may not consider this article a gift, but reminiscing about 2016 might just help you see things different, and yes, better.

After the hype of the sumptuous dinner, it's time to look back at the things that happened this year. It's not all bad though. Let's revisit the reasons why 2016 seemed to have been one long crazy, rollercoaster Monday.

The year revisionism reigned.

Pardon us for being all political, but the unusual happened this 2016. First, there was the election of the long-time Davao City mayor Rodrigo Duterte as president of the Philippines last May 10. It was then followed by the winning of the leave vote in a referendum in Britain last June 23, paving the exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Brexit).

Then just recently, the shocking victory of Republican Donald Trump against Democrats’ bet Hillary Clinton. Whether these wins would prove to be wins for humanity, the next few years will tell. Maybe, this is the year when we should be more than citizens of our country, but be more citizens of the world.

The year love died.

Hearts broke all over the world when one of the most high-profile marriages ended with Angelina Jolie-Pitt filing for divorce against husband Brad Pitt. Yup, no more Brangelina. However, theirs is only one of the many separations that happened this year. Some of the notable couples that uncoupled are Coldplay vocalist Chris Martin and singer-actress Gwyneth Paltrow (11 years together); actress Drew Barrymore and husband Will Kopelman (5 years together); and “A Walk to Remember” star Mandy Moore and husband Ryan Adams (6 years together). Maybe, 2016 was not the year love died, but was the year that these people found themselves and realize that being together is not what they really need.

The year we said hello to great movies.

One of the best heroines in the history of romantic comedies is an upsize woman with an even bigger heart: Bridget Jones. 2016 gave us the third movie in the Bridget Jones franchise. Marvel's Doctor Strange also came to the big screen which served a refreshing sight of Benedict Cumberbatch in his glorious costume. This year we also opened our hearts to a new, lovable Disney princess. Moana of Mototui is definitely included in our list of powerful ladies whose strength rekindles our belief that we don’t always need a Prince Charming or a knight-in-shining-armor. Maybe this is the year we realized that there’s more to stories than getting the prince. 

The year we said goodbye to inspiring people.

From astronomy to literature, we bid adieu to great people with notable contributions to their respective fields. With heavy hearts we wept for the loss of astronaut John Glenn, boxer Muhammad Ali, author Harper Lee, Brady Bunch actress Florence Henderson, singers David Bowie and Prince, and actor Alan Rickman. Maybe this wasn’t the year we said goodbye, but the year we remember how awesome the world is because they were here.

The year we became part of your reading list. 

Hooray for strong women! This year you let us into your daily reading habits. We’d like to believe that we’re starting to share an outlook in life one story at a time and we hope to continue to do so. Maybe this is the year that is the start of an amazing relationship between us and share stories for the upsized life we all deserve.

Looking back is always a good thing. 2016 may not be one of our best years, but looking back and thinking how important it is to see things from several perspectives may just change how we view this year. Let’s remember this year, not with bitterness, but with the thought of more good things to come.

Cheers to positivity and to you!