I HAVE to admit, 2018 so far has been quite challenging. I say challenging in the sense that the events that have transpired from day one of 2018 have tested me in ways that I have never expected. It constantly pushes me to put my best foot forward and aspire to prove to myself (among others), that I am capable of doing things that I doubted I could do. Have you ever experienced having dreams and aspirations that you have never really acted on because you don’t really believe you could? Well, I have those. Lots of it. I know we all have these tucked inside our hearts and minds. Maybe we will not always admit to it but YOU know that this is true! These are “just dreams” that we believe will stay that way forever, as dreams. It will remain to be secret fantasies that we could only daydream about because they are what dreams are made of and will likely stay that way. That was what I thought too. But I was wrong.
It all started on December 23 when I got word that the painting I submitted for the call for artworks from the Museum of Modern Art learning community had been accepted as part of a digital exhibit. Imagine my shock when I got word! It was one of those things that you would wish could happen to you but do not really expect to actually happen. I certainly did not think that it would happen to me! These are what MY dreams were made of and I was okay with them remaining as such! Till now I still cannot believe that I was there at the MoMA in New York for the welcome reception last January. I must have done something good to deserve such a once in a lifetime opportunity!
Fast forward to the present time. Last Friday, I had my first solo exhibit at the Art Portal Gallery of Contemporary Art here in Davao City. It was an awesome experience seeing your works on the walls of a gallery! I have to say, it was an out of body experience! Who would have thought, right? It was one artistic endeavor that I had always evaded simply because I felt I could not do it. But I dreamed one day I would. Now, I have and it was awesome! I shake my head and chuckle to myself whenever I realize that I had done it, finally, after five years of creative bliss! I have finally claimed being an artist!
Dreaming and hoping for things is great. I spent a lot of time planning out the scenarios in my head and would always find myself smiling when I did. It was a fantasy that gave me joy and hope that one day, MAYBE, I’d muster enough strength to actually try and do it! We all have aspirations like these; I call them my asa-ka-pa list; connoting yes, the near impossibility of achieving it in this lifetime!
BUT I DID! The dreams and hopes came true because I ran after them, the best way I knew how. Contrary to what others may think, sometimes achieving big dreams need not be a grand task; sometimes it begins with taking the first step towards it, despite all doubts and fear. To make things happen, you have to run after it, no matter how small your efforts may seem. The sense of fulfilment that you get for just trying is amazing! It gave me a sense of achievement knowing that I actually tried to accomplish it. It really is better to have taken one small step to a goal rather than just standing around waiting for it to (maybe) happen to you! There are a lot of realizations that come with the journey that can only make you a better person in the end. The journey towards it teaches you so many lessons which will allow you to fully realize your potential as you work towards your aspirations in life! It certainly teaches you more about yourself and the things that you can do beyond what you thought was possible! All of us have so much potential to become way more better than we could even dream of becoming! We only have to decide to be brave enough to take one bold step towards it and not be afraid to fail. After all, no matter what the outcome, the life lessons that come with it will always help us deal with life’s challenges better. It will help us see the world at a much wider picture, opening is to more possibilities that we could ever think was out there for us to explore!
Don’t be too scared to live out your dreams and aspirations. Work at it at the pace that you feel most comfortable it. Yes there is a bit of discomfort and yes there may be a lot of (self) doubt and fears but just the same, take small steps towards your goal. It is true what they say that it is not the destination, but the journey that counts. It is what makes our lives richer, better lived and more purpose-full. So take that step now and realize how much life can be more beautiful than it already is!
Happy Sunday Everyone! :)