On Dream
I always thought that chasing your dream is a form of self-actualization in Maslow’s hierarchy. Thus, only the privileged few are able to have the option to chase their dream. If you are poor, you are lucky to have a job. It is necessary that you work to get out from poverty. Then, I found people like the starving artists — painters on the side of the road. They are poor yet they keep being a painter. Some have other jobs to survive. There are some doctors who choose to serve people in remote islands until they are old. There are other people that strive to have a good job, marry, build a family and retire. Some are ambitious to be wealthy with fame and fortune and power. For so long, I wonder which one is the right thing for me.
My parents are not rich. So, their definition of success is a good job with enough payment, a big house, a car and land big enough for farming. Then I understand, we have our own version of what is right. Cliche as it is, we have our own path. We are characters in a story that God writes. For me, it is not self-actualization, it is a calling, a soul mission if you want to call it. Some of us have it, some not. I have been extremely happy in jobs that have little payment because it is in line with my passion and calling. I have the heart of an artist. The fact that I am an idealist breaks my heart truly.
Now, I believe it is within God’s will that we choose something. Even every leaf that falls is within the permission of God’s will. Sometimes, it is not logical to do what is right. I learn to have faith. Of course, I have my fear. I do not want to be poor or sick or alone. Yet, I learn to let go. I do not know if my path will lead me to wealth, happiness, comfort and power. I learnt there was a difference between wealth and abundance. A farmer might not be wealthy, but feels abundance. I feel the richness of life in warm rice, a slice of bread, a cup of coffee in the morning and a simple dish. I see abundance in the beauty of morning dew — God’s gift in the morning. I have tried to garden and raised cows. Yet, I know I am incredibly lucky that I never starve. I still have my family and friends. So, if you ask me whether or not I am blessed, yes I am incredibly blessed.
A Soul Calling
Sometimes, your heart bursts out with joy on how easy it is
A painting, a business, a book or a song and music you hear the universe whispers
Sometimes, it is hard work and arduous discipline
You doubt yourself, you walk and get knocked down
Then You ran
Ultimately, we toil to get closer to God
Like a bird, the sky seduces you
You learn to fly by jumping off a cliff
We are all travelers here
You hear the same song from childhood
Softly, you take part of the orchestra
We are moved by God’s symphony
And we answer
