I had a dream

After living a more reflective and intentional lifestyle for the last 22 years, and after a near hit from a cardio vascular condition that resulted in a double Angioplasty 11 months ago, I feel with some certainty that things happen for a purpose and not just a matter of coincidence. Had I not “casually” mentioned to an attending physician that I’ve been experiencing shortness of breath in spite of the asthma medicine she had prescribed, the doctor would not have suggested and I would not have considered seeing a cardiologist. Because I “happened” to be at the clinic and a cardiologist was there that day, things happened leading to the discovery of 2 serious blocks.

Things happen for a reason, some good, and some bad. Our choice, yes our “choice” to consider them as purpose driven instead of mere events determines if those things or events become catalysts or beginnings of a new adventure or a change of direction. These directional catalysts can come in the form of an event, a person or persons, or things coming to us or at us. What makes them directional catalysts is that they are related to a concern or present situation.

Recently I found myself drawn to our rest house in Lipa City because work needed to be done with our “home-made” backyard swimming pool. In reality it used to be a literal fish tank from a past hobby that we converted to a kids pool that after several years of annual repainting became such a pain that we decided to tile with cheap factory overruns. The re-tiling turned into one wall being extended, that led to a small deck being added, and to 2 toilets being added under the deck to maximize the space, etc., etc.

It was during several weeks spent in Lipa, that I came face to face with the curse of CSI or Coconut Scale Insects, knowing the enemy, writing about the enemy and meeting so many people effectively or ineffectively engaged or involved in the battle. In two weeks, I learned more about the problem as well as the people who’ve dedicated their lives and businesses to the coconut tree. In the coming days I will continue to write about the CSI problem and the industry not because I happen to own 24 ancient trees, but because the Lord has caused me to be at a time and place where my work as a journalist could contribute to educating and motivating key people to realize the problem and to take action. This is what I meant by no coincidence.

Two weeks ago, I was invited by BMeg feeds to join them at the “Backyard Hog Raisers Convention.” What was suppose to be a simple co-hosting and outing became a learning and relearning experience that prodded me to make a serious effort to find a replacement for my four aging sows that I acquired as piglets from Congressman Dong Mendoza of Batangas in exchange for a Great Dane puppy. The BMeg “thing” slowly grew into a search for replacements and then a prodding to sit down with the experts to determine how big an operation and what type of a backyard operation does it take to at least earn a living or have a respectable business. To be honest, in the back of my mind, I was muttering how I go through this reflection annually but nothing ever really happens!

But 2 nights ago, as I mulled over the idea of a “serious backyard piggery,” the Lord reminded me of a dream, a dream I had for many years starting in college when I became a failed student of Veterinary Medicine at UP Diliman. I constantly daydreamed of building and having my own “Integrated Farm” in a one-hectare property, which was the buzz in agri-business in those days. I dreamt of a piggery, draining to a tilapia and catfish pond, that served as a catch basin for rows of chicken cages as well as a habitat for a few ducks and orchids hanging overhead in the high humidity but cool environment. I imagined it would earn a P100,000 a month and it would make me a millionaire in no time. Maybe that’s why I labeled it “ a dream.”

Sadly “other things” happen that distracts us or derails us from our dreams and destiny. My life went on the slightly wild and sad side and then veered back to the God-side 22 years ago when I became a “Born-again” Christian. Each year, since then I’ve started on a prayer list, prayer request and pray for God’s leading. Call it coincidence if it’ll make you happy but January of this year during our annual 5-day fast, I received a “word” to reclaim our abandoned faith goals or in the case of today’s topic, the dreams we left on the side of the road when faster trips came along. 

Talk about great timing! Today I consider myself more teachable, mature and able to source the necessary materials to pursue the dream. I even have my own place that I inherited as the site for the “dream farm.” In God’s perfect timing there are also a lot of new technologies and techniques that have resolved material handling, probiotics and efficiency issues that were just being discovered 37 years ago. I’ve also reached a point in life when I know that success is not measured in terms of cash in the bank or number of heads or hectares of land. Nowadays, it’s no longer about becoming millionaires, it’s about success and excellence whether you are small or whether you are gigantic, and above all that you are happy “Living the Dream.”

In my case, it has been agricultural and material directions. In your case it can be health issues, it could be financial in nature or things may be happening related to your relational or moral concerns. Try not to brush off people reaching out to you, don’t curse the heavens when things don’t work, it may just be possible that God’s been sending you messengers, creating situations, or calling your attention to who, what, where and when God wants you to move. It’s not a coincidence. It’s his plan.

God bless you and have a happy weekend.