Changed Forever

Let me tell you about someone I once knew.

She was a shy, introverted and an average city office girl. All along she thought she was fulfilling her dreams, but she got it wrong. It was not her “real” dream after all.
She was just chasing the wind.
She was blinded by the world.
She was trapped in a worldly race without a trace of escape.

Then something happened.

She quit from her job.
She was now working for no one.
She thought she was going after her “real” dream then.

But she got lost on the way.
And greatly confused.

She decided to go back to her roots – to her parents’ home.

There, in her solitude, she was reminded of a truth.
She was struck by sadness.

Bitterness.

Brokenness.

Hopelessness.

She thought she had let go of the pain.
She thought she had moved on.
She thought she had truly forgiven her for that one mistake.
She thought that she could erase the stain in her heart.

Wrong. She was always wrong.
The pain has always been there. That permanent stain in her heart could never be erased.

In desperation she called out to the One she often ignored. And He never failed her.
He was able to give her the answers she longed for. He’s always been there for her, but this little girl was too busy to hear Him.

She decided to embrace the pain. Now, she had truly forgiven her.
Now, she can face her everyday with love, not resentment nor deceit.
She decided to paint a masterpiece over the stain.
She decided that she will live her life to the fullest.

After all, she realized, she was living her second life. She was saved by Him from never existing from the very beginning. If only she realized that truth sooner.

But only He knows the perfect time for everything.
And now, He gave this little girl her “real” dream.

She was out to conquer her weaknesses. She had gone out of her own prison shell. She had gone out of her comfort zone. She dared to move and do new things, go to places she’d never been to before.

She’s growing.
She’s trying to love.

I hope He is proud of this little girl. This simple, little girl who I once knew very well. But now, I can hardly recognize her. She was a changed person forever.

Not surprisingly, that little girl was me.

 

God bless us!

A Leap of Faith

I had doubts when I started this blog. Even up to now.

It was my first time; I’m no English major and I rarely write anything before. I struggle with words. I struggle with ideas, I still struggle with what to write.

I started this blog for the sake of my coffee shop business. Really. I thought this will help me “publicize, promote, market” my business. Going back, my very first post was about the “first creation” of my proposed business. I personally thought that it was quite terrible, my writing was so ordinary and boring. (But I still hope you’ll disagree with my statement.)

I’ve written several posts and writing for me, became interesting. I became fascinated with playing with words, ideas and it somehow unlocked my “creativity” in writing. It was not all about business anymore; I write more now aiming to share. Through my previous posts, I was able to share my thoughts and experiences about my journey into coffee, coffee making, and finally being a barista. (Well, still with a side mission to “promote” my business.)

I was able to rekindle the excitement and pleasure I felt when I was just starting to be a certified barista through my writing. Notice that it was only after a week of my barista training that I’ve written about it. I know of people who tend to write things down at the time they’ve experienced it. In this way, accurate and really descriptive details are readily captured. But it was not the case for me.

Recollections were still easy after a week, but some details appeared quite blurry to me. Although the details were not accurate, the emotions I’ve had during that time stood clearly still. Even now, when I would visit my own site and read my own posts, I still get “that feeling”. That feeling of excitement, pleasure, nervousness even worry.

I’m really glad I wrote everything in this blog in the best way I can. I’m grateful I took a leap of faith. Although I’m less than a beginner, I’m glad I took courage out of my innermost pocket and let it out through writing most intentionally.

Let me thank you, a reader, a follower, a fellow “aspiring writer/blogger”, a professional writer/blogger (who I strive hard to become one) and everyone who happen to stumble into this site. Your views, likes and follows were like added gifts for me.

Christmas day is closing in. May we have a very blessed Christmas. Most importantly, remembering the reason for this season. The birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

God bless us!

Searching for a Goldmine

Last Wednesday, November 26, 2014, I went out looking for a ‘goldmine’.

The day before, I got back from the city to my hometown. Since I haven’t enrolled for another barista class (advanced level), I decided to go back home to look for a profitable location, a.k.a the ‘goldmine’.

My brother ought to help me look for a location while I was in the coffee academy, however, he got sick. Nevertheless, he told me he saw some “Space for Rent” in the Old Albay District. Initially, I went out to ‘evaluate’ a coffee shop around the area; I found out that the ‘space’ was directly across the coffee shop I was visiting. I thought it wouldn’t be a suitable location.

After trying out their ‘Pili Cappuccino’ at Php 105,  I went on a few kilometer walk along my former university. (I may write about the ‘evaluation’ some other time.)

I intended to set up my coffee shop near my Alma mater. I remembered there were some good spots along the highway, some corner streets. However, disappointments were what I found.

The ‘really good’ spots were already taken. A famous line of convenience store had already claimed the area. The corner streets I thought of were also taken. There were a lot of business establishments already. I continued walking, hoping to find a spot; I was already at my college campus (Daraga Campus, which by the way was a bit far from the university’s main campus) when I stopped. I knew that the area beyond was already saturated as well.

I went home sad and disappointed; however I was not disheartened. I believe one day, I will chance upon a ‘goldmine’. The ‘goldmine’ that will enable me to bless my family, my friends and many people as much as I can.

“God will not always answer your prayers the way you want. He will always answer them in the best possible or impossible way.”

When I read those while I was browsing through my newsfeed, I realized I was rushing things; there’s still a lot of time to search. It doesn’t have to stop here. I may have failed this time, but I’ll keep on trying. There is still a lot of time to plan things. I asked God to bless my plans, bless my business.

Soon, I will find my ‘goldmine’.

God bless us!