Plan everything, except your future.

How do I see myself five, ten or fifteen years from now?

Having spent a good part of my day chatting with Tatay Ronald, the industry's well-renowned production designer caused me to ponder on this puzzling question. Fourteen years ago, it didn't even cross his mind that he'd come where he was right now. Popular. Highly-invested. Accomplished.

Probably everything that needs some ticking off in my life-trajectory planner. Whenever I daydream on what my life and career path will be several years from now, I uncannily do it backwards. Starting from being accomplished, I picture every occasion, project, breakthroughs, and achievements that I could possibly do or initiate which would eventually lead me to move a step higher from the ranks. Sweat, dedication, assiduousness and faith were likely to be the basic cornerstones of my rise.

For some reason, I get good with all these future projections whenever I do them backwards. However, each time I try to plan my life one day at a time, the thought of doing it brings me nowhere. I often get stuck to the present. Terrifying as it is, being on my shoe almost made me believe that underneath my detailed plans and verbal assurances of what I am to be years from now, I am one lost soul. But the question is why? Why can't I lucidly see where I'm going from where I'm standing right now?

Since I've succumbed to this weird habit of mine, it fazes me why I can't do it the right way.

Although I've already had an opportunity to have a chatter with other worthy and seasoned professionals since four months ago, something about Tatay Ronald's comforting gaze, natural charm and humbling words caught my attention and directed me towards the answer I have long been searching for.

You cannot plan life.

In his business, he may be able to plan what he would have his craftsmen do according to their acquired projects. He may be able to budget his overhead cost depending on mere estimates. Or fully expend his last earnings to a couple of materials while having reusability in mind, but he can never, ever be certain how long will he be thriving in the trade. One of the many disparaging commitments of a capitalist world like ours.

Something that goes for all of us as well. WE can never be sure nor secured on the next turn of the table. Much as we intend to tightly hold on our possessions and status, somewhere, sometime, something will always change.

I was so close to trashing down every dream that I've permanently written in my head when he mumbled those. They were so right, I cannot even reason against them.

Although he wasn't God for me to fully believe in, but something in him was too compelling that If he were selling something to, I would have bought whatever it was in an instant. Having perhaps sensed my confusion, he went on explaining that "not having a plan" should not be taken as it is. That's the time I was able to let go of the breath I held longer than usual.

Not having a plan is not, not having a dream.

He underlined those words vividly during the conversation. THANK GOD!

It's virtually more of not being absolutely ruled by these ambitions. For in his words, "these ambitions will lead you to lose your vigor, your humanity and often, yourself." After doing so, you lose sight of the prize and everything else you once had along the way.

Remember your spirit, keep it. No matter how much driven you are, if you haven't had a single fun on the side, the moment you reach the top you only come to realize that success only panders to a part of yourself. Something else matters, it's called life.

There. Those were the perfect reasons why I cannot list down my ambition in a forward manner. Yes, I have my goals, but obviously I'm far from being insanely consumed by the thought of reaching them. Which is good by the way. Very good.

Everyday is a dream to fulfill. Live it.


He impeccably concluded our conversation on that subject with those words, as we then moved on to a political issue that recently rattled the country.

That guy's a genius! I feel like I found a lolo in him. Someone experienced with the ways of the world.