This could be one of my most exciting blog entry. Did this few months back... I wrote down on a notebook 12 of my biggest dreams for 12 days. It's not that I limit them to just 12, I actually have hundreds to thousands, but I am very firm with these 12 that I intend to make them happen. They are not mere wishes. They are part of my soul, they are part of my plans. . . my life.
(These are not in particular order of importance.)
1. HOME
My favorite pastime? Imagining my dream house. In my mind, I have already conceptualized the design, both exterior and interior. Sometimes, I want it to be big and spacious. On second thought, I'll be grateful to have a tiny yet beautiful house. Robert Kayosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad (a great book by the way), mentioned in his book that the common big mistakes of most people is believing that their house is their big asset. Because it is not, it's actually a big liability. Well... It's true that as people's wealth grows, their wants also change... Bigger, and for them, better.
So anyway, I plan to move in my dream house when my youngest child turns 7. So maybe that's 10-15 years after my wedding. Why? Because, (1) the house that I imagine to own is not designed for kids, (2) I want to know the number and the sharing of rooms, and (3) I want my kids to choose the design of their rooms.
The design of our home is a combination of tropical and modern eclectic style. The structure is made up of bricks and tiles, with wooden frames and furniture. You know, the type of beach rest house that we usually see. And that's exactly what I want, a vacation house. My family doesn't have to be away just to have a vacation. We can stay at home and make everyday a vacation, a 'staycation'.
I want the kitchen, the dining, and the living area be built outdoor. I'm in love with outdoor setting. It's more relaxing and intimate, and most often, it is where fun and good memories take place (I'll be having an outdoor wedding, by the way).
I couldn't put into words what I have built in my mind, so here, to help me with, I found these photos from houzz.com.
Living room.
Our restroom.
It has to be like those I see from resorts and spas. Elegant. Classic. Told you, I'm a lover of the outdoors, and shower room is no exception.
Kids'.
Like I've said, I'm not sure of the number of rooms yet and if it's a single or double room.
Media room.
NO television set on all bedrooms. I want our bedroom to be just our bedroom. I don't want any of us to lock up ourselves in our rooms and watch our favorite TV program there. So here, we have our entertainment room where we all watch together.
Dining
This is definitely outdoors. This is also where we conduct our life group weekly.
Okay enough of that. I still have a lot of concepts to work on. I'm excited. This home is one of the many things that drive me to be the best. By the way, this home is built near our church.
Yup. A big van. For many long years, this was originally imagined to be a 4x4 truck. A red one to be specific. There was this movie when I was in highschool, uhm, of course I forgot the title, where the leading man drives that cool 4x4 truck. I imagined myself driving that truck. Whew! But this is not a soul dream. My motive was not right, I want it simply because it looks cool on me. But can my friends, I mean all my friends get to ride in that small seating capacity?
So there I have it. A van. Maybe a mini coaster? Where all my friends, life group, and all those I want to bring to church could take a ride. I so want that! Of course, the color has to change as well. Red just wont look good in a big van. White is better, I think. I could have the interior be customized as well, so it will be convenient for long trips.
I pray that I'll receive this very soon.
3. GROWING INVESTMENT
Recently, I developed an interest towards money. Don't get me wrong. Money is not evil. It only is if it is used for selfish desires. But if your greatest desire is to help, how could that be evil?
I thank the Lord for allowing me to discover how to grow my wealth (will make a separate post). With all those books, articles, and power talks, I was able to capture what wealthy people do. They buy assets. Not liabilities. They say that if something puts additional money in your pocket, then that is an asset. But if you just take out money from your pocket, that is a liability. So rich people buy investments.
So as part of my monthly budget, I am alloting atleast 5k to fund my growing investments. Currently, I started to own shares on both First Philippine Holdings and SM Prime Holdings. And the profit is fantastic! I'm planning to buy more shares from atleast 10 (yes, ten) big companies in the coming years.
I also plan to invest in a mutual fund soon. Then let it grow for like 10, 20 or 30 years and enjoy my retirement as I share my riches to the poor, to my dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
From these assets, I could build my businesses and charity foundation. With my growing investments and with what it can do to my dreams, I am more motivated to work harder. Anytime soon, I'll be earning more than what I do today to fast track the growth of my investments.
3. COFFEE SHOP
I've been to a number of coffee shops. It's not that I'm a coffee lover. Actually, there came a time when I was prohibited to drink coffee because of my body reaction to it. I couldn't sleep (of course), palpitations became worse, and I experience difficulty in breathing. So I stopped drinking coffee. But I didn't stop going to coffee shops. I think that's what people look for, a place, not a coffee.
The coffee shop that I own (yes I imagine it happening NOW) has a very welcoming ambiance. It looks like a study place, a meeting place, hang-out place, eye-ball date place, breakup place, everything! The design is carefully done, because if the place is good, customers will keep on coming back. It is built near a university.
Oh, I'm excited! I need to find a good architect. And nice crews. But before they can get the job, they should be willing to join our bible study at least once a week. I'm gonna love my employees and treat them as my disciples. I'll be the best employer they'll ever know.
So there, The Coffee Shop - I think it's a good name, I think.
Public speaking. That's what I love. I love voicing out my ideas and opinions. Back in college, I used to be the reporter in every group project. I think it's one of my strengths. So when I encountered God, I readily want to share to everyone His Love. I became a leader of 40+ youths, and I remember speaking infront of them telling them how great our God is.
Each time I listen to preachings, I imagine myself standing there... I think I'll be one of the good preachers and pretty, too. Hoho. I also want to have my own radio or/and TV program. I'll let the whole world know about my Savior.
I'm now part of the Catalyst ministry (young professionals). When I was still part of the youth ministry, I get to preach in small groups. That's what I want God to do again in my new ministry. Maybe soon. Bigger group. Hundreds. Thousands.
6. HOME FOR STREET CHILDREN
I can't remember how I developed my passion for children. Ever since, I love kids. Later as I tell you my dreams, you'd see how desperate I am to become a good mother.
A home for street children. This is what I want. To love them, to care for them, and to guide them. I need a huge lot for this foundation, with spacious building, playground, classrooms, and bed rooms. This will be their home.
Children here are happy and feel so much love. I have volunteers from church who work with me. We teach kids basic school studies, and of course, we let them know about God. They are our precious gifts from God. They give us a reason to live and wake up each day. My own kids also work for this foundation. I praise God for this.
This is what I want to happen. And I believe God is and will always be Our Great Provider. As my money grows, and so is my burden for the poor.
7. BE AN INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT ATTENDANT
Etihad, Asiana or Emirates...These are my top 3 airlines of choice. Right now, I am working in a local airline in the Philippines. I love my job. But I have to get a high-paying employer/airline so I can fast track my soul dreams. I guess it's not at all wrong to always seek for a better job.
Here's the future scenario:
I am a flight attendant of a 5-star world class airline. Through the years, I got promoted as a purser, the highest in rank. My salary ranges from 120,000 to 150,000 pesos a month. My employer provides free board and lodging, and means of transportation. I only buy food so I save a lot (10% of my salary is for my tithes, 30% for my family, 15% for my expenses, 5% for emergency fund, and 40% for my retirement fund). I plan to work for 5 years only. Then settle with my family in my home country and put some business
How good does that sound? :)
8. WIN MY WHOLE FAMILY TO CHRIST
See, these dreams are in no particular order. Because I would definitely put this above all else. What a great reward this could be.
Ever since I became a Christian, I imagine my family serving in one church (His Life City Church). My mom's an usherette, dad as a gate keeper, my sister part of tne worship team, and my brother works for the creative media team.
Every Sunday, I imagine us going to church from 1st celebration up to 3rd. I enjoy watching my whole family serving God. Our cousins would join as too. Our relationship with one another became stronger. God is truly working among our lives. This has been my greatest dream. I pray that not only my immediate family members will get to have a personal relationship with Jesus, but my entire family. May Jesus Christ be the center of our family, forever and ever.
Can I hear an 'Amen' for that? Great.
9. HAVE MY OWN FAMILY: a loving husband and beautiful kids
I just turned 23. My cut-off age for getting married is 24. If I get married before December 2014, I'm still 24 on that year. So to this date, I still have 2 years to prepare. Enough time to get engaged. (And I'm gonna read this again.)
A loving and faithful husband, a hardworking man, and a very spiritual person... This is the man I'll marry. It's important to have someone who knows that Jesus is the center of our lives. We'll raise our children as servants of God.
I imagine us living a very simple life, yet living in God's abundant grace. We get to enjoy God's blessing by also being an extension of His blessing to our neighbors.
As I have said, we'll move to our dream house after 10-15 years. Our real home. Aside from the reasons stated previously, I want our children to experience a simple life. We want them to play the traditional games, to taste simple foods, wear simple clothes, be with simple playmates. This way they will be able to sympathize with other people and at the same time learn how to appreciate simple things. Our family is their most treasured thing on earth.
10. OWN A RESORT
I love parties. Actually, I love organizing a party. And I always consider a great resort as a perfect venue for special occasions. There's something about the water that brings relationships closer (in my cheesy opinion).
I dream of having a private resort in the city. Guests rent this place to hold parties, wedding, reunion, debut, etc. It's the most wanted place in the city. In here, we do not have what we call high or low season, because every month is a peak season for us. It's one of my busiest business.
Inside the paradise, there's a big hall and a villa which they can rent overnight or an a day stay. Everything is still designed outdoors except the guests bedroom. There is nothing unique about my resort, but the atmosphere is what makes it beautiful. It's not their typical resort, it's like a home.
I plan to own not just one resort. I dream to have another luxurious type where members can come and enjoy anytime they wish.
I can be an event coordinator, too! Oh! I'm excited!
11. OWN A DORMITORY
I stayed in a dormitory, too, when I was in college. It's a good business. I remember how we searched for a perfect dormitory that suits our needs and budget.
I plan to have it built along the vicinity of the university where we studied. It's a 4 storey building exclusively for female borders. It's safe, well-guarded, and with complete amenities.
The first floor is the common area where tenants can watch TV, iron their clothes, get free drinking water, eat, and study. Second floor consists of three executive rooms. Well, it's not really an executive type. But they are more spacious than the rest, and are almost fully furnished.
Second and third floors have four regular rooms per floor good for 2-3 persons. Each room also has its own bathroom.
I let my caretaker and her family stay in the first floor. They have a small room which they can use for free. Her husband serves as our security guard. Ate caretaker gets extra pay for laundry service.
I love this business. We conduct life groups here every Fridays.
Ok. Cut. My mind is somewhere in 2020s.
12. OWN A DAY CARE CENTER
I love kids so much. Sometimes, it suddenly pops up in my mind to just adopt a child. I can live without a lover, but not without a child. That's how I romanticize parenting. :)
- - -
So here are my soul dreams. The ones that keep me moving. I know, God has given me these dreams because He intends to fulfill them.
"Believe what you can write [on paper], you can write them down on reality."
