Life brings us to the place of our dreams. That's the beginning of a beautiful journey ahead. We dream it, we believe it, and we live it.
We manifest and hold on to that dream; we bring our intentions to life, and it starts with a single with— a single step.
Life may bring us to several places in our lifetime. Some destinations may still need to be planned, but opportunities and destiny take us there.
In 2016, after a thousand-mile journey abroad, life brought me to a lovely place known as the city of love—Iloilo City, Philippines.
I hold a special place in my heart, having lived there for a year, from mid-2002 until mid-2003. It's where I embarked on my college journey in a city epitomizing the region's higher education. The city's charm, with its century-old churches and meticulously preserved ancestral houses, was a sight to behold—a beauty that transcends time.
True to its moniker, the city lives up to the expectation of being the 'City of Love.' But it's not just the name; it's the warmth and love of the people that truly make it a place that captivates the soul.
13 years after I left, I came back to live and practice my profession by working in a medical center near the esplanade, where I used to spend some morning strolls and sunset viewing. I have seen the city's growth as it embraced modern infrastructure development while preserving its old heritage. Now, the city is a fusion of the ancient and contemporary world. It has a more charming vibe among the developing cities in the Philippines.
That journey to the 'City of Love' brought memories to cherish for a lifetime, until one day, another journey began to another place; to the country's capital region of Metro Manila, back to the site where I started to work and discover places and the world.
Today, our world may have stopped. Life may have led me back to my greater comfort and security, to my birthplace, and to be with my family — my loved ones. This return to my roots, where I was born and raised, has brought me peace and stability during these uncertain times.
The thousand-mile journey brought meaning to life but also took me away from my family. Now, a journey of a thousand miles includes a 'home sweet home' closer to my family. Home, where I find comfort, security, and love, is not just a physical location but a feeling of belonging and connection.
Life is good to return to their loving and warm embrace during this crisis, where uncertainty unfolds. I was far away from them for years, searching for a living, but now I am living with them, searching for meaning.
Now, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Wherever we are in this world, no matter how far the distance we've been, we'll always return to the most special place in our hearts-our home, where our family resides. It is the love and warmth of our family that makes any journey, no matter how long or difficult, worthwhile.
Life will always protect and comfort us, leading us back, even after a thousand-mile journey and beyond.
© 2020 Del Cusay