It was all good after the long rough, ride. Right?

Hello there. How are you guys doing? Last day of the work week. How was your week so far? Did the week go as planned? Are we finally getting near our goals?

“Are we there yet?”

One of the lines Donkey, from Shrek, keeps asking Shrek on their way to the Kingdom of Far, Far, Far, Far Away (I think I over far-ed). I had to re-watch the short clip of their travel just because I missed seeing Donkey.

I remember asking the same question when we were going to our accommodation near the Oslob Whale Shark Watching from a day of having fun in Kawasan Falls. But of course I was not as annoying as Donkey. I made sure. For some reason, although I think the Ceres Bus just goes around the Island (I could be wrong), the ride took longer than I anticipated. Or was I just a little too impatient then?

But it was all good after the long ride, right? We did want a place near our next stop to rest a bit and we did get there.

I also asked the same question on our way to the Mt. Pinatubo crater. The four by four ride was a little extra fun for me. The rough ride had me laughing because I always had the feeling I was going to fall off the jeep. Which in turn made my friend who was in front of me laughing as well because she thought it was funny that I find it funny.

The jeep can only take us to a certain point then the long trek starts from that point on. We were all happy and energetic friends when we started out. Halfway through the trek, we already want to throw rocks at the guide who keeps telling us “few more minutes”.  And when we have covered three quarters of the way, none of us were already talking to each other. The heat of the sun and the exhaustion was slowly creeping in on us. The same thing happened on the way back but we started not talking to each other at one fourth mark on the way down – much earlier than when we were going up to the crater. We were all walking lost in our own thoughts. Stabbing the ground with our make-shift cane for support. And as much as I was laughing going to the jump off point earlier, I was knocked out tired on the way back that no rough road ride could ever wake me up.

But it was all good, right? We did want to, after all, reach that destination.

We all have itineraries set when we travel. Me and my friends sit down and really talk about the nitty-gritty of our travels so all of us can say we were able to hit the places each of us would not want to miss.  Some hump in that planning can lead to expenses we may not be ready for. It will be costly. The adjustments needed will also be disappointing. It may be that one place where I would want to go to will no longer be a possible hit.

When I started journaling, and learning to pray for my plans and all that, I was set to hit my target: to have lots of money. Kidding. Well, partly. It was to get good-paying job and be able to buy what I want, yada yada yada.

Everything was smooth ride until prayers get answered with No, right?

The humps on the way were maddening. The breaking was totally grounding. But little did I know that the pinball experience was a leading to an appreciative life – not entirely focused on just myself, the money I will have, and the dreams I can make come true for myself.

My first job was not the ideal one. I remember complaining about it with my younger brother who told me to linger a bit and adjust. Yet it was that one job that exposed me to traveling. And I never NOT WANT travel after. The next work I accepted were then all in line with possibility of travel included and it seems that it is one prayer that is honored.

I walked the path I did not want only to be led to the sceneries and experiences I never thought I would have loved on the way to the destination.

So am I there, yet?  Still far. Unless magic happens and tomorrow I become an instant gazillionaire. But I think paper chasing will forever be part of us. And with this platform helping, I am getting reminded at how God is sustaining us, anyway. It is a matter of proper stewardship with what we are currently given with.

Besides, this right here and now, you reading this, this whole craze about crypto are all part of the sceneries and experiences I am enjoying on the way. This surprisingly active and interactive, creative community is fun.

Rough patch in your plan? Maybe you are just being led to a different path where you will be learning a lot more, loving a lot more, laughing a lot more and living more. Sharing your life. Sharing your experiences. Sharing your life's lessons.

Take a pause.

Look around. Talk to the traveler next to you. Learn from them. Share some laughter.

Just keep going forward. We'll get there. Hang loose.

Are you there yet?

~~~~

© Pichi28

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