No, I’m not that envious. But yes, I haven’t been to places in as much as other people have – in as much as (itago natin sa pangalang) “Richie”, a friend of mine had.
I could probably term him “Richie Rich” – that kid who could afford almost everything. He’s my age yet he’s travelled the world. Yes, not just the Philippines, but probably a significant percentage of the globe.
He used to be our job hopper high school classmate (he’s batch salutatorian by the way) until he settled with one manufacturing company. I guess he found his soul there, or at least tried to make things work (like in a relationship).
In any one’s life, one will have that one Richie friend – that person one will get envious of for all his achievements, travels, successes and even just plain gadgets; that person one will always look up to and ask during ‘me’ time, how does he do that? Or geez, why can I just not be like him?
Sometimes we dwell too much with the life of Richie – forgetting we have bountiful blessings in our lives to also be so much thankful for: family, friends, a simple yet happy career, a sometimes confusing yet going strong lovelife, a blissful home and a healthy body. We forget that behind our unattained dreams and yet aspirations are blessings bestowed upon us and
our families without us even asking. The life of Richie is just one in a million, so 999,999 of the population is going through the same things we do.
The life of Richie in tumbler, photobucket and instagram photos are everything we would have ever wanted for ourselves, but never got the chance (well at least, not yet). Richie has travelled almost every island in the Philippines. He has travelled A-Z places in the Philippines – some of which: Albay-Bicol, Bacolod, Baguio, Balesin Island, Basco-Batanes, Benguet, Boracay, Bukidnon, Cagayan De Oro, Calaguas, Cebu, Davao, Dumaguete, Dipolog, Iligan, Ilocos, Iloilo, Masbate, Metro Manila, Misibis Bay, Negros Oriental, Oslob-Cebu, Pagudpod, Palawan, Pampanga, Sagada, Tagaytay, Vigan and Zambales. He is diverse in his travels: climbing mountains, swimming oceans, celebrating festivals, appreciating plays and musicals, loitering at small-time gigs, partying at posh bars, visiting art museums and a lot more. And there are also his international travels: Australia, California, Cambodia, Canada, China, Delaware, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Kuala Lumpur, Korea, Las Vegas, London, Los Angeles, Maryland, Myanmar, New York, Paris-France, Philadelphia, Scotland, Singapore, Venice, Vietnam and Washington, among others.
Nope, he isn’t a businessman nor a son of a business tycoon. He is a 27-year-old who is working in the Philippines and knows how to live life. He is our epitome of a YOLO, a forever young, a Carpe Diem, a make the best out of your life, a worklife balance – basically, it’s the life of Richie that we want for ourselves. Browsing through Richie’s photos and photos of airport pre-departure area, exotic beaches, unknown ruins and temples, legendary landmarks and famous tourist destinations make us dream for ourselves. Actually, we spend a lot of time contemplating more on Richie’s life than ours (well, I do. ΓΌ). We focus on what we don’t have rather than cherish what we have.
A presiding priest in one of the Sunday masses at Greenbelt Chapel, Makati once said “count your blessings, not what’s missing.” So today and forward, why don’t we start being grateful for the things and people in our lives? Why don’t we look deeply and realize that we may have more than what Richie has; that there’s more to our lives than what we think as seemingly boring and no-adventure kind of lives? Why don’t we start thanking Him for the everyday life, for the daily blessings, for the beautiful surprises, the enriching challenges, the victorious successes, the unexpected disappointments, the unwanted sorrows, the peaceful bliss, the wealthy health, the simple joys and the contagious laughters?
Let us treasure the now and move forward to the future – no more self-pity and inferiorities. And with our wholehearted appreciation of our lives, choose and begin to be Richie – living the dream; living the life. We must learn that everything in life is a choice. We can do everything Richie did. We can travel the world, buy fancy clothes, party until forever and seize everyday of our lives. What we need to do is earn and save – earn courage and confidence and save for the now and the future, wait for the seat sale – wait for the right time; gauge for the right season and plan for the future, book the tickets make use of that courage and confidence and start walking the talk, pack our pretty travel bags and travel the world experience the fun, excitement and adventure we’ve always wanted for ourselves. Let’s live and enjoy, the beauty of LIFE.
See you around the globe Richies!
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