“Waking up each day, Living my Life as if it is my Last”

I was running, running so fast I almost tripped. Then, when I was about to be caught, my eyes were
opened as I was trying to catch my breath, and I saw the white ceiling from my bedroom. I realized that
it was just a silly dream. After gathering my thoughts, I was wondering why I dreamt of running away
from something or someone, although I forgot what or who it was. Unable to remember it, I dismissed
the dream completely and continued my day’s work.

Suddenly, I remembered a face, like mine but it was filled with emotions of regret, resentment, and
misery. I realized that it was the face of the person I was running away from in the dream. Then all my
senses came together, and I got goosebumps as I have concluded that I was running away from another
version of me who was obviously unhappy with how her life turned out. I ran away because I know that I
do not want to end up regretting the choices I made, nor do I want to be filled with pent up anger and
misery towards anyone which would ultimately make my life miserable. Upon knowing what my dream
was, a part of me wants to make sure I do not end up like that scary version of myself.

Maybe, I had that dream so I would be reminded that while I am alive, well and capable, I should make
good use of my skills and talents while finding ways in honing them. I should do things that I want and
am able to do right now so when I look back, regret would not come knocking on my door like an enemy
willing to haunt me for the rest of my days.

Growing up, I did not have a lot of playmates aside from my cousin who was two years younger than I
am. So, I was not exposed to many people to interact with and I became accustomed to being alone, or
with only a few people as possible. Well, that changed when I decided to run for a student council role
as a sophomore in Junior High. Slowly I began to learn how to interact with others, especially my peers,
and my social skills improved over time. When I began to open up to people, I realized that it was
satisfying and that I have learned a lot of things just by doing so. One important lesson I learned from it
was, being a person who accept others at face value and hear them out without any prejudiced opinion
at the back of my mind.

Why am I narrating my dreams and realizations about it? Well because of three things in particular. First,
I wake up each morning and choose to live life as if it is my last because I do not want to regret not
doing so in the first place. I do not want to look back and want to turn back the time to many instances
in my life wherein I cower and did not take risks, risks that would have contributed to my growth and
happiness. I want to live in the now, without completely disregarding the lessons from the past and the
promises of the future. Secondly, I decided to welcome people at face value because it would be unfair
and too judgmental of me to assume that they are what I see them as and not what they truly are. Many
have become mortal enemies because they have misunderstood each other, and they opted not to see
each other objectively. I do not want to add up to those who are filled with resentment because of the
unwillingness to understand another’s soul, really, it only adds up to another drama, one I am not willing
to take part of. Lastly, I choose to wake up each day because I have a duty to live my life and fulfill my
purpose at the best of my abilities. I am given a life, and it would be selfish to take it for granted and
waste it on things that do not hold any meaning. My purpose is to influence others with goodness and
leave a legacy which would be useful to others that come after me.

“One has fulfilled his purpose and his life’s mission when one has decided to wake up each day and live
his life to the fullest, without holding back.” We wake up for different kinds of reasons, from the
simplest to the most complex. But one I am sure about, there is definitely a well-grounded reason for
why we decide to give ourselves another day to live life as joyous and meaningful as we can possibly
live.

-S.A.