ARMY Glow Up 2025: Block Prints

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Reading Right Now: "Life Lessons" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler

After reading a young adult book and a non-fiction book last month, I am back to my BTS Inspired Reading List which is my ongoing ARMY Glow Up Goal 2025. I am currently reading "Life Lessons" by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross and David Kessler— a book that Min Yoongi has read. Besides, it's MinMarch. My simple way to honor our genius PD-Nim!

From the very first pages, I can already connect its contents to BTS songs. Here are quotes I copied from the book.

• “No one can tell us what lessons to learn in life; the journey is ours to take.” This reminds me of Persona—Namjoon’s introspective exploration of identity.

• “We will learn that we are not alone, seeing instead that we are all connected.” A perfect echo of Lights from Map of the Soul: Journey.

• “At the end of life, they (the dying) become more genuine, more honest, more themselves—just like children and infants.” This reminds me of Inner Child—V’s song about embracing his authentic self, faults and all.

• “The key lesson of life: to find our authentic selves, and to see the authenticity in others.” Isn't this the core message of the Love Yourself albums? That by learning to love oneself, the discovery or reclamation of the "real me" is possible, thus, the capacity to look at others more kindly and capable of loving themselves, too.

• “We all have a negative side or a potential for negativity: denying it is the most negative thing to do.” This makes me think of What If… by J-Hope, where he confronts self-doubt and conflicting thoughts about himself and the music industry, as well as Moonlight by SUGA, a raw monologue on mental struggles and personal malaise. I am in the chapter on Authenticity, that's why! What I appreciate is, that reading this part of the book and reckoning BTS' songs, albums and music along the way brings me back to acts of compassion and of forgiving—toward myself and others. BTS' message of love and healing continues to inspire me in every season of my life. I am excited to uncover more connections between its lessons and BTS’ music. But I have to stop as my vision blurs from tears from the last paragraph on page 49:

"Who we are means honoring the integrity of our human selves. That sometimes includes those dark parts of our beings that we often try to hide. We think sometimes we're only drawn to the good, but we're actually drawn to the authentic. We like people who are real more than those who hide their true selves under layers of artificial niceties."

Cue in Magic Shop!

Kuwentong Bangtan: Tita Mars on Growth, Resilience and Our ARMY Glow Up Journey

My ARMY chingu, Tita Mars Atienza, writer and life coach, had a Kuwentuhan Sonyeondan session with our small band of Tita ARMYs to celebrate SOPE Season. Inspired by Jhope's desire to continue learning and Suga's grit and resilience, we gathered on Gmeet one Saturday night to listen to Tita Mars walk us through stories of SOPE. Needless to say, we were moved to look at our own journeys of change and growth, and discover the hidden strength we bring fort at every step and every turn. 

Taking off from that meaningful session, here is an interview with Tita Mars that lay bare the value of growth, learning and resilience from the lens of BTS and ARMY life. Through this brief interview, we hope we are able to open doors of possibilities to glow up - ARMY or otherwise.

1. Icebreaker Reflection: During the icebreaker, we had a chance to laugh and share a bit of ourselves. How do you think small activities like these contribute to building resilience in everyday life?

Laughter and shared moments, no matter how small, remind us that resilience isn’t just about pushing through the hard times. It’s also about creating space for joy, connection, and lightness. I think about how Suga and J-Hope approach their craft: Suga, with his quiet introspection, finds healing through music, while J-Hope’s vibrant energy turns even struggles into something hopeful. Their balance of playfulness and discipline teaches us that resilience isn’t just about endurance; it’s about how we pause and recharge. When we engage in small, lighthearted activities like the icebreaker that we did, we build emotional muscle memory. This teaches ourselves that even in difficult times, there’s always space for laughter, creativity, and community. 

2. Resilience and Reinvention: You talked about resilience and reinvention in our session. Can you share a personal experience where reinvention helped you overcome a significant challenge, and what lessons can we apply from your journey?

Reinvention for me is an act of courage. It’s choosing to meet ourselves again and again, even when life forces us into unfamiliar territory. One of my biggest reinventions came when I moved - and left - my place of healing, Cebu. It was terrifying, and there were moments when I questioned everything. But just like Suga, who transitioned from underground rapper to global artist by embracing every phase of his evolution, I realized that growth requires shedding old versions of ourselves. Reinvention isn’t about abandoning who we were. Moreover, it’s about allowing ourselves to expand. 

The lesson? Growth is uncomfortable, but staying stagnant is even more painful. Instead of fearing reinvention, we should ask: Who am I becomng? What new possibilities open up when I trust myself? 

3. Call to Action – Resilience Pledge: The resilience pledge was a powerful way to conclude the session. How can we ensure that the commitment we made today translates into long-term actions, even when we face setbacks?

Making a pledge is easy when we feel inspired, but true resilience is about showing up even when motivation fades. Just like how J-Hope dedicated to his craft by practicing endlessly to perfect every move, we need daily habits that reinforce our commitment:  

Anchor our pledge to something tangible. Write it down, create a vision board, or set reminders on our phones. Make it real. 

Find your hype squad/ fan club/ advocates.Whether it’s friends, a community, or a mentor, let's surround ourselves with people who uplift us and remind us of our why. 

Embrace setbacks as part of the journey. Just like artists who refine their work through trial and error, we, too, evolve through our missteps.

If you’re ready to take your resilience to the next level, I invite you to join my Women Empowerment Retreat at Villa Viram, Tagaytay on March 29. It’s an immersive experience designed to help you reclaim your power, reconnect with your authentic self, and build a life rooted in confidence, joy, and purpose. Because resilience isn’t just about surviving; it’s about thriving. And we all deserve that. 

Secure your spot via: https://forms.gle/G26NJqaBCf9tcTMi9

Get to know Tita Mars:

Through her book, Becoming Sheroes: Stories of Heartstrong Women

Through this Author Interview: Marissa Atienza

ARMY Month Day 10: A New ARMY Glow Up Goal

So. I was hospitalized for four days at the Makati Medical Center due to acute pancreatitis, GERD and, after an endoscopy, gastritis. 

My Tita ARMY friend Abby, rushed me to the Emergency Room at around 6.45 PM just when ARMYs and Makatizens were trooping One Ayala. I left my wares to Tita Teena Ordono and her daughter who sold them till Day 3, Sunday July 8, 2024. Tita Shawie and Tita Poochie, friends from Titas of BTS fanbase packed my stuff and what remained from my merch. I was scared. I was frustrated. I was graced by friendship of Tita ARMYs. 

Indeed, this is one Pearl ARMY Festa to remember! 

 I am on the road to recovery, having seen my doctor this week for a follow up checkup. My lab results are unremarkable save for the cyst and polyps in my liver and stomach. Needless to say, my body is growing old and it needs a different kind of care. This leads me know to take a course towards changes in eating habits, managing stress and time and, saying NO. 

Since this medical adventure happened on ARMY Festa weekend, I commit to a new ARMY Glow UP goal!

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ARMY Glow Up Goal: Upskilling on Pottery Handbuilding Techniques

 

@titazeeh7

This Moonchild planter is my first. The slight crack is only at the surface since the bottom remains unbroken. I combined handbuilding techniques for this planter.

♬ moonchild - RM

Kuwentong Bangtan: Dear Seokjin

Dear Seokjin,

In two weeks’ time, you have fulfilled your military duties. We can’t wait to welcome you back. A lot of things have changed in the fandom. This has been really tough for me. My ARMY daughter, along with friends in Titas of BTS try our best to become better ARMYs for BTS through the #ARMYGlowUp2025 campaign. Whew. It’s not easy. But, we soldier on. And in the difficulties, we discover new things about ourselves and the importance of sisterhood, friendship and community.

You know what, while you’re on military service, we have projects big and small.

Last May 4, our small tribe of Southietas spent a weekend of rest and recreation at Tita Mona’s farm in Cavite. We called it our AGU Weekend of Rest and Recreation. It is inspired by you and Namjoon. It was a “me” time with ARMY Friends in a place where a river flows through a deep ravine and trees grow in abundance. We had a bonfire just like what you and your brothers did in episodes of Run BTS and ITS. We wrote letters to our biases and roasted hotdogs and made smores. We shared one soju as our night cap and left the empty bottle on the shelf of used up wine bottles. Just like what Yoongi and his guest would do in Suchwita.

What’s more, we sat through a talk and mini-workshop on Tetramap with Tita Lynnette as lead facilitator. Our aim was to better  understand ourselves, our goals and where we want to take them. For some of us who have gained confidence and covered enough ground on our AGUs, making the Tetramap is a tool to check in on our AGU journey.

But really, thinking about it now, that session has healed me of a consistent sense of unease and frustration.  It made me strengthen my resolve to persist. It made me understand that each person has a nature we cannot change. And we must not. We can only accept and love them as they are. If this becomes too difficult and compromising, then letting go is an inevitable reality. What remains are the good things one can take away from loving. Live life with no regrets. Life goes on.

We left the farm more relaxed and light hearted. And yes, I speak for the group (like my bias). In time, each Southieta who was there shall speak too, in her own unique and natural way. Like water that holds the community together. Like earth that is firm and dependable. Like air that is sure and logical. Like fire that lights and ignites our passions.

We will speak ourselves the way we know how because, we are slowly but surely learning to love ourselves. Kahit mahirap 💜

Salamat, Seokjin! Hinihintay ka namin!

#ARMYGlowUp2025 #AGU_Recreation #AGU_Relations