What is your ideal life?

As we get older our perspective in life changes. Our dreams, our aspirations, our wants are formed according to our present needs. Our concept of our ideal life 10 years ago can greatly change 10 years from now. There is nothing wrong with knowing what we want and aiming for it, as long as we walk through the road that will take us to our destination without hurting others. We must consciously try to be a positive influence and spread happiness to all the people we meet along the way.

Nikki Coseteng, former senator, president and CEO of Diliman Preparatory School

1. Zero hypocrisy and pretension; 2. Being loved for what you are; 3. Doing what you want to do, rather than what you have to do; 4. Allocating more quality time for family and friends; 5. Living in a well-designed and planned architecturally and environmentally pleasing, inspiring, and safe cities and communities with zero noise and visual pollution; 6. Freedom to become the best of what you want to be by having more open opportunities for self-fulfillment and advancement; 7. Zero mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and other pests; 8. Having enough friends, resources and time to make a difference in people’s lives; 9. See the world.

Paul Henson, TV executive producer, journalist, ABS-CBN News

My ideal life: lots of laughter, food and pleasant conversation in the company of family and friends; lots of time and money to travel; a meaningful career shared with passionate colleagues who are like second family to me; consistently new seasons of Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Outsourced, Top Chef, ANTM and Project Runway; all the Torta de los Reyes (a.k.a. chocolate sans rival) and tocino del cielo to eat without having to worry about sugar and fat; a special someone to share life’s joys, heartaches and triumphs with; and a fruitful prayer life and spirituality in communion with the Lord. With one or two exceptions on the checklist, I consider my life now to be ideal! God generously provides all that we need, and He is more than enough. All that is required of us is to live in devotion and gratitude to Him!

Janelle So, Kababayan LA TV host

My ideal life is having a career that makes a difference in other people’s lives; being a wife to a good man, providing him the support he needs in all his endeavors; and raising God-loving kids...a life that’s simple, peaceful and with not too many complications. Society puts too much emphasis on personal growth and enrichment and accomplishments. But at the end of the day, life is only meaningful when lived for others.

Cookie Feria, minister and consul general, Philippine Embassy Madrid

My ideal life is to live in a nice 500-sqm. shabby-chic cottage on a farm in Negros. I’d plant vegetables, fruit trees and garden plants, raise cows and chickens and maybe have a few horses, goats and carabaos. I’d also have a fishpen where I can raise freshwater fish. I’d work on my farm all day, and at night, get on FB, Google and Skype to keep up with the world and my son. Oh, and I would set up a livelihood training program for the women of the farm and teach them everything, from how to read and write to how to make organic French-quality goat cheese. Now that is my ideal life!

Alex Araneta, CEO,  Inspire Leadership Consultancy

My ideal life is when I’m doing the very thing God wants me to do, when I can help make other people’s lives better and when I am assured of my wife and children’s love and support.

Sharon Tan,  Foremost Farms Inc.

Enjoying what I do and being part of my children’s growth. Balancing life spiritually, emotionally, intellectually and physically and living the essence of a spiritual life.

Janet Nepales, member,  Hollywood Foreign Press Association

My ideal life is free from illness and abundant with peace of mind. My ideal life is simple, healthy and filled with love and joy. I am at peace with my God, my fellowmen and myself. That, for me, is nirvana.

Mike Huang, special assistant to the  president, Stores Specialists Inc.

My ideal life would be a life wherein I fulfill all the different roles that I play: as a husband, a father, a businessman, a Catholic and a friend.