“If not now, then when?”
I resonated so much with this question which was part of R’Bonney Gabriel’s answer during the Top 5 Q and A round of Miss Universe 2022, where she eventually won the most coveted title.
You see, I liked to ask the very same question to myself ever since.
I have always believed that no one is too young or too old to achieve one’s dream and it’s never too late to start all over again.
I know. Easier said than done. Agree, if we focus on conforming to the ridiculous standards and timelines of the people around us and the society in general.
However, truth be told, we have a choice. To follow our hearts. Make our dreams come true. And become the person we are meant to be: our own #bestmeever , regardless of our age, of what we have been through (or going through at present), and despite the uncertainty of what lies ahead.
One of the lessons I learned through the years was that life is too short to just settle and let the opportunities you want just pass you by. I can’t imagine myself having a bunch of what could have been that would have haunted me every single day for the rest of my life.
And now at 43, I decided that it was time to embark on a new adventure and tick off another item on my bucket list:
To finally have my own weekly column in a newspaper.
A space where I can share my innermost thoughts about life in general, my coaching expertise, inspiring stories and a whole lot of motivation to help all my readers embrace their next chapter, no matter how that may look like for them.
While I have my dear angels to thank for this wonderful opportunity (thank you partner Jaemie Quinto and Sir Charlie Manalo), I would also like to give myself the credit that is due: for finally allowing myself to go for what truly makes me feel happy, complete and fulfilled.
Much like how I have allowed myself through the years, if I may say, because I wanted to make the most of this life I was given.
At 25, I decided to become an entrepreneur and put up my own advertising agency because I wanted to become my own boss after spending only 5 years in the corporate world;
At 34, I started teaching Antigravity Fitness and Aerial Yoga while teaching undergraduate and graduate classes in DLSU and Ateneo because I wanted to do something different after getting burned out from my highly demanding marketing and advertising job then;
At 35, I finished my Masters which took me 10 years to do so because I walked out on my adviser during my 5th year of schooling and never came back until I was forced to do so (I was teaching graduate school and a Master’s degree was a major CHED requirement);
At 36, I published my first book under the #bestmeever series, which eventually became my first certified best seller;
At 37, I decided to give up my marketing and advertising hat and embark on a career that allowed me to live my purpose as I started from scratch once more: life coaching.
At 38, I started co-hosting on air when I accidentally got discovered by Tere Gonzales, who was then hosting for Radyo Inquirer 990AM after guesting on her show;
At 40, I started writing for Coaching World, the official blog of the largest and most prestigious organization for professional coaches globally: the International Coaching Federation;
At 41, I won my first coaching award and had my first international best seller.
And now at 43, my journey towards my own #bestmeever continues.
What I am trying to say here is that never let your age define what you can still be.
So much like how I will end my column weekly, I would like to leave you these questions for your reflection:
What’s next for you?
What can help you embark on your next chapter easier?
And whatever your answers may be, keep going, keep growing.
You’re on your way to becoming your own #bestmeever .
I am excited for you.
Because if not now, then when?
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