Living a dream is the desire of many. As a child, I did have my wildest dreams. I dreamed of having a lot of friends when I entered primary school, experiencing prom at my high school, taking a culinary course at college, becoming a famous chef, and having a huge restaurant and a big house with lots of money. That was my wildest dream when I was a child. However, most of it did not happen. When I started primary school, I was bullied and barely had friends. I did manage to have friends, but all of them transferred to other schools, leaving me alone. During high school, I was so excited to finally experience prom, but then the pandemic came and prom was canceled. I felt like the world was so distant to me. I was so envious of those who have an easy life and hated those who don’t know how to appreciate it.
Then I was just living by surviving every day while hoping that it would be my last day. Depression and identity crisis came to me during my rebellious phase as a teenager. My dreams slowly faded until I finally stopped hoping that they would come true someday. At my lowest during the pandemic, I lay in my room in the darkness. I had two options: to give up or to fight for one last time. The following day, I was invited to a youth camp. So I agreed to join since I wanted to distract myself, but it somehow changed my perspective on life. I realized that I’m seeing black and white, aiming for my dreams and giving up after they failed. Now I see that life is colorful, full of ups and downs with twists and turns. I have opened my eyes to the fact that even though I may not achieve what I seek, I have been directed to a better path all these years. I was so busy looking at the success of others that I was too blinded to see mine.
As I entered college, I still wasn’t able to enter my dream university and course, but God directed me to the place where I was supposed to be. I have faced a lot of challenges and entered new opportunities in life. I enjoyed college a lot, despite all the hardships and challenges. I wasn’t even expecting to enter a new chapter in my life when I met my loved one. I also have wonderful friends with whom I can grow spiritually and who are supportive.
Even in my wildest dreams, I did not imagine that I would encounter a lot of surprises in my life. I was saved and retrieved from the darkness and in hopelessness; now I must say life must be celebrated as it was a gift for us by God. We may be lost or stuck, but He always finds us. We may encounter challenges, but we must surrender our worries, doubts, and fears, for whatever we are praying will be given to us in such ways. I want to share this message: I once wanted to live a dream, but I was taught how to live it.
