"Oh, The Places You'll Go!" is the title of the book written by Dr. Suess that was given to me by my friend, Chiko Lara. At age 30, it was interesting that a children's book can catapult me into reaching for the stars. The book is actually about the reader. It talks about the road towards achieving your dreams. How incredible it can be. How fulfilling it will be. How it will complete you as a human being... a spiritual being.
The book will stretch your imagination and convince you that it's not over yet. Today is an opportunity that you shouldn't waste. But as the story progresses it also shows a picture of reality. That in life, yes, there are failures. There is a moment to sulk and absorb all the pain and misery. That there is a waiting moment. And the waiting moment can go on and on and on. But this pause is also a time to gather your thoughts and search within yourself. To understand who you are, what dreams to run after and how you will reach them.
Sorry mate but this blog is not really about that book. The reason why I write this is to share about the start of my journey. It is about why I am reaching for the stars.
As a young man I had this belief that I will go places. That I will meet people in high places, travel everywhere and make a huge impact to society. It was prophesied to me anyway. And since I was naive and a simpleton, I easily believed it as true. I had no reservations. Until I reached my "waiting moment". To put it simply, it is where all my dreams were shattered. I was a 30 year old bum living with my parents. Did I mention single? (Are you now picturing Ted Mosby from How I Met your Mother?) In a different angle, I was a hopeless prince with two slaves (OK more like two maids... and I'm not talking about my parents). Oh boy, I have reached another dead end. Will my life only revolve around my dad? Will I forever hide behind my father's shadow? (More on this next time.)
When the skies begin to clear up and things look brighter, I now see a crossroad instead of a dead end. This time committing suicide is no longer an option. (Isn't that what people think of when they reach the end of their ropes?) Others would just go insane. I choose neither. I choose.... ice cream. Yup, that smooth vanilla flavored cheap ice cream on top of a brittle cone from Mini Stop. Cheap and delicious. And after finishing my comfort food I decide to help revive a 50 year old orphanage and turn it into a streetkids center. And then I join Philippine Idol and think of nothing but victory! And then I establish a preschool that is out of this world. A creative school. And then I decide to sing and shout in the streets and campaign for a Presidential candidate (who won by the way). And then very recently... I decide to go back to school (and live in Europe for a year). Yes, the decisions I've made after a storm. The dreams I have fulfilled because I stubbornly believed that I will go places. Because it was prophesied. Because it shall happen.
I am not sure how to end this blog. As much as I want to keep it short, I couldn't. Thank you for that one person who is still reluctantly finishing this blog. Either you are a speed-reader or an obsessive compulsive. I salute you either way. I guess I have to end by saying that there are many small courages acts I have done in my life. But the ones that really made an impact in my life and to other people are the bold steps I have done - bordering insanity. You know that crazy decision that gave you sleepless nights or made your body shake uncontrollably and your mind soar to great heights... That is a clear sign that you are fulfilling your destiny. When I felt like I was having fever during my interview with this French lady in ESSCA School of Business, I knew at that point I was making history. I wonder how Noynoy Aquino felt when there was a clamor for him to run for President... Oh The Places You'll Go!
Haha! I did not reluctantly finish this blog nemen! I was riveted! I'm thinking you were sent my way because we are exactly at that same crossroads, but you're quicker to the draw than me... because I'm needing more than a nudge. Konti na lang sasampalin na yata ako ng kung sino man nagdala sa atin dito! Dilly-dally seems to be my middle name... Some specifics are different, but much of our situation is similar! Down to the soft vanilla ice cream cone from Mini Stop that is the dessert of choice that I used to share with my best friend back when he was doing his residency in PGH and I was trying to finish my master's in human development psychology from DLSU. Aaah... me and my comfort food (another tale altogether!)! And you already have this blog. I have known for quite some time now that I must begin writing mine, but I have not gotten around to doing it. Still, I've made some drastic decisions like starting over with my master's, but majoring in Counseling, which is my passion. Finally starting to do photography and dabbling in new media, while doing volunteer and development work with Pinoy Power and other groups. Writing na lang talaga, which may be the well from which all the others can spring eternal! It's the one thing that I had always been doing since my early years, but never realized until recently that I had a gift for.
ReplyDeleteAs for being single at 32? Naku! Pang-mahabang-habang inuman yan! But that's the least of my troubles now, sa totoo lang, biological clock notwithstanding!
I'm writing here to say that you are not alone in this struggle, the metamorphosis towards becoming your own person, a version of your self who's whole, joyful & creative, free but full of love, open but fulfilled, whose roots go deep in the earth while the wings soar in the sky and the eyes always see the world as if for the first time! My lesson for the past week has been: to just persist, you know when you're on the right path!