More than ten years ago, I was in a dilemma.
I envisioned a family “together,” but I didn’t know how to get there.
It sucks not to know “HOW,” right?
But I didn’t allow not knowing “HOW” block me from achieving my goal. Instead, I did these three simplest mindsets that made my dreams come true!
1. I EMBRACED MY WHY FULLY.
I focused on the positive reasons why I deserve what I want. Instead of focusing on what I do not want to happen, I zeroed in on what and why I want it to happen now!
I detached myself from the HOW because my reasons WHY were far more important than how to get there. My mind was telling me the HOW was easy if my mind is ready.
2. I LOVED AND BECAME GRATEFUL FOR WHAT I HAVE.
I knew what I wanted, but since I had no hold of the future, I just decided to love and become more grateful for my present.
Instead of cursing and complaining about things that are not happening well with my present, I loved it and thanked God for it more and more!
I enjoyed every minute I had with family, relatives, childhood friends, teacher-friends, and our community, Ang Pamilya Ng Panginoon. I made the most of my time building relationships with them, knowing at the back of my mind, I have memories to cherish when I leave (even if I did not have any idea how it will happen!) I loved my present and was thankful to God for everything!
3. I DID WHAT I COULD WITHIN MY CONTROL.
Since I did not know how my dreams would come to reality, I could only do what I could.
I thought it makes no sense to worry or feel anxious about my future when it’s all in God’s hands. So, instead of begging God over and over about my dreams, I thanked Him for making it come true, even if it hasn’t happened yet.
I thought and spoke about my dreams. I kept my vision high. And I acted like it was coming very soon!
The first thing I did was to buy a suitcase. My friends saw me at the mall and asked me why I purchased the luggage. I told them I would be traveling soon! Then, my kids and I went to get passports. My aunt was in the house and asked where we had been. I told her the same. We will be traveling soon.
I cut out photos of America and posted it on our bedroom walls. I thought seeing my vision every day would make it more real for me!
Every time our household helper would ask where I was going (even if I was only running errands), my reply was always, “To America, join me?”
IT HAPPENED!
And then, believe it. God, with His infinite wisdom and miracles, worked its way to its fruition, like magic! I started not knowing HOW, heck, I did not even have money! I had no savings, nothing! I merely followed His lead the whole time, and He told me where to go, what to do, what to think. I did not resist. I did not doubt. I did not complain. I just put everything into His hands, and it happened.
I think I will live my life sharing my story to all. It has been more than ten years, and it still amazes me how He made my dream come true for our family.
But that was my story. You, too, have your own words to share!
I hope, in times of anxiety and worry, we’ll go back to our magical experiences to uplift our spirits and continue to believe!
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Very inspiring, gemma!!!
Thanks Lui!!! Miss you!!
This story of yours maam Gemma is so inspiring and relatable to me that it has already been my vision that im teaching in in NM classroom and im already buying ukay2 clothing to be worn when i get there.. Hahahaha!
So inspiring!I kept my vision high. I spoke about my dreams. I thought about it. I acted like it was coming very soon! This line governs my self now.
We all live our lives full of uncertainties simply because we dont have control over it and only God can able to transpire things and happenings in its correct position. Just like our dreams. We have dreams because we wanted to have the best for ourselves and our family but its not easy to transpire to dreams into realities in just a snap of our fingers. We have to work hard for those dreams, we have to make sacrifices, we have to believe, we have to embrace the struggles that comes along the way just to make those dreams come true. And above all we need to have a strong faith in our Jehovah Jireh since he alone can help us make the impossible possible. And I know God will make things happen to those who deserves it.
Just like this dream to teach in the US of A, I continue to keep my hopes high that any day come July 2019 I will set my foot on the land of the free and the home brave ( yes, I have this LLS for the past few months now) ofcourse, coupled with hardwork, preparation and unceasing prayers I know and I beleieve in my heart that the so called “one day” will be replaced with “today is the day” the moment I fly, on my way to NM. God willing.
This is actually right, I remembered the sayings in my bookmark that goes like this ” Worry is like a rocking chair, it keeps you busy but does not bring you anywhere”. I always put in mind and heart that thr Lord is a loving father and a good provider. He’ll set everything for me. I just work hard in silence and offer everything to the Lord, and I feel better than I expect.
Ma’am Gemma, this is superb! I appreciate this blog so much. I honestly have the same thought, I was once dreaming of going somewhere that I my help is really needed i never thought that the USA would caught my attention, here I am taking risk and doing things for the glory of God—I find satisfaction though. The mindset which impacted me is the “be grateful for what you have”, yes we are to be grateful even in small things and even in bad times. God is always making His ways for us to really have the life He has prepared for. Jeremiah 29:11 stated that God’s plan for our lives is to give us HOPE and a FUTURE and I believe that this is the start of that promise. He is indeed a faithful God. He is that amazing! 😊
Your story resonates. It is true that you are what you think you will be. While waiting as everything fałls into place, these mindsets are useful. The most striking is the idea of being grateful of the present situations for not everybody is like that. When one sees the good in everything, it attracts blessings and positivity.😀
We may never know what the future holds, the good news is if you know who holds the future you will never worry. Our dreams and deepest desires are seen by God and He is the only one who are capable of granting it to us. Nothing is impossible to God. Be grateful of what you have and always think that in everything you do or you are going to do, it will give Him glory.
This is very inspiring. With this, I come to ask myself also if I have done the things which I can control? Thank you for giving me something to think about as I work for the fulfillment of my dreams (my family’s dreams).
It is true, the struggle is real and tangible.. Only God whom we can rely all the time will help us, overcome problems and make us successful. It is indeed a wonderful sharing Maam Gemma, thank you so much. It is very inspiring.
#Real talk
Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision and purpose.
Be brave enough to live the life of your dreams according to your vision amd purpose.
I agree with your statement maam on deciding to love and to be greatful on what you have at present. It’s true that we don’t a hold on what the future may bring, what’s important is we cherish what we have right now especially our family and loved ones.
For our present will be a part of our future, and our future will not be if not of our past.
Love it!
I love the positivity, Ma’am Gemma. This Blog opened my eyes, to believe in my goals, claiming it before it happens. When you believe and pray for it, everything will follow. I so love how you stand for what you want to happen, cherish and love what you have, and finally do something to make your dream happen. And your blog is an inspiration.
What a great mindsets, i did what i could within my control. What a great story. I saw myself in it. Just believe in ourself, be positive and think of a grest things to happen in your life with God’s grace and guidance.
I really love these three mindsets.
That was very amazing and inspiring, Ma’am Gemma. As I go on with the process, I was somehow like you. My colleagues and friends knew that I am doing something to achieve that goal. At the end of the day, I would always tell my self that by all means, I have to get it or I will be in an embarrassing situation. i think that’s where faith comes in. I barely have nothing, no extra money, but I do have the courage to work on this dream and faith that God is and will always be with me.
It is really inspiring to me. I’ll go for it.
I hope, in times of anxiety and worry, we’ll go back to our magical experiences to uplift our spirits and continue to believe!
Thank you, ma’am Gemma for your story has truly served its purpose. You’ve ignited that burning faith in me that soon I’ll be sharing my story too.
Very inspiring! Thank You so much for this, ma’am Gemma.
God Bless You! 🙏🙌
God always make a memorial of His provision so that we continue to believe in His mercy.
Thank you for sharing your story, Maam Gemma. It inspires me to simply believe that miracles do happen and that God works in a very mysterious way.
Ten years still reverberates to me as it reminds me that it’s been about that time I left the country to travel as a tourist with the thought of applying as a teacher as soon as I land on my first Asian nation destination. Having to pass through the immigration booth and be told that I am not allowed to travel for a certain reason. That crushed my excitement and dream. The first 30 minutes was a panic because of what I had heard. I stopped, calmed down, prayed for direction. The other side of me said I am going home to comply with the requirements no matter what the cost and delay. So I did inquire to buy a ticket back home. Then another gentle prod from the Lord though I wasn’t really sure if it was Him prompted me to queue up again in another line. This time the officer told me what to do although she said that it was not the proper way to do so as to get me through the immigration gate. That was the most unexpected response from the most dreaded part of the airport before every one could secure a flight. So my international teaching career started from that red sea moment I will never forget. Getting a no answer doesn’t mean no, it may mean take the other option.
These past few days, I’ve been down with the events happening around me. After reading this article, I was able to appreciate and take things at my own pace and I don’t need to rush. Thank you for sharing some words of wisdom. I feel better.
This is truly inspiring. When I was in college, the US dream came only in random thoughts. But now I am working in it 🙏
Thank you ma’am Gemma for sharing your story to us. It gives me inspiration to do better and believe that everything has a purpose.
This is what inspiration is, knowing that other people were also in our shoes before. For someone who succeeded and is trying to also help others, I thank you, ma’am. Thank you for sharing with us one of your success stories, you inspire people like me who are very much hopeful to follow in your footsteps. Like you, I believe that God has plans for us and that I am here because of him.
You are in inspiration Mam Gemma!😊 Reading your story inspired me that I too can make it someday. Your story is an affirmation that someday our goals and our dreams will come true in God’s perfect time. I believe that God has put us here for a reason,it is to build us and prepare us for our future.
Your words give me comfort and encouragement.
It is my Why that keeps me going.
It is God’s blessings that make me feel loved and cared for.
I know that through His grace, I can do something, and I will do it!
As I read your blog, Ma’am Gemma, It gave me encouragement to continue to pursue my dreams or goals in life. That I should not afraid to try a new chapter of my career and that is teaching in the USA. By God’s guidance, I know that this will happen in reality when I will pray harder. I will tell myself that I can do it!
“I knew what I wanted, but since I had no hold of the future, I just decided to love and become more grateful for my present.” This line struck me the most.
Very inspiring indeed! Thank you for sharing your story, Ms. Gemma.
Thank you for inspiring me to reach my goals. You are a blessing to all of us aspiring teacher applicants Ma’am Gemma. I know, it will also happen to me in God’s perfect time.
Wow, super inspiring story. Thank you Ma’am Gemma for the inspiration it gives me more determination to pursue.
If there is a will, there is a way!
God has a nice way how to put everything together and make things beautiful in the end. Sometimes, miracles do happen. It is only by Him that we have hopes and they will come to fruition. God has all the answers.
I’ve seen myself in your story Ma’am Gemma. I know that there is no assurance that I will be hire as a teacher in the USA but I need to believe that I can no matter how hard the process. I need to believe in myself and just have the right mindset in achieving my goal. And the o
most important is putting God first in everything I do.
Thank you for such a simple and awe-inspiring story. It’s good to know that there are people who still believe in themself and what God can do for us. To put one’s faith into action. Sometimes we do forget and we worry forgetting that it’s God that holds our future in his hand and we should trust him to direct us. Thank you. This is truly inspiring and encouraging. Much appreciated.
It was a very inspiring story. Just be positive in everything you do and put God in the center and everything will gonna be okay. Just trust the process and dont lose hope. In time I know, God will give what my heart desire. Praying Always. Thank you Maam Gemma for this opportunity.
Indeed a very inspiring testimony of one’s experience, it truly encourages anyone. Thanking God for allowing me to know you for I was inpired and pursued to reach my dreams and never let negativity drag you down. In everything that we do we should not forget to give thanks to our Almighty father, for we are who we are today because of his plan for us.
Very inspiring! I’m sure those things really motivated a lot of your
blog readers.
On order to succeed, we always have to keep our eyes on the goal and mind-setting is always important to keep our focus on the end goal.
All the three comment are realistic for me. Because every comment is related to my life for some extent.
Teary eyed after I read this blog from Maam Gemma. I never expect I can relate on the process she went through. Yes, focus is very important in achieving my dream/goal. Not knowing the how, I just patiently wait for God’s perfect timing with my determination and faith to God.
Wooow! I love the flow of the mindsets you used to achieve your goals. Very inspiring!