Why I Don’t Believe In Luck But Feel Excited About Dreams That Are Just Waiting To Happen

Luck is said to be bad or good fortune attributed to chance or accident.  While it had been fun talking about “good luck charms” while I was growing up, I realized that I don’t really believe in luck.  Or at least I’ve learned to truly understand that all the good things that have fallen into place in my life have always been defined as blessings and gifts from the Lord…that they didn’t occur because of a stroke of luck.

I (have worked and continue to) quietly work hard for every dream in my heart.  But I do believe and trust in God and His mighty ways even more in everything that I do. Thinking about it now, everything that has happened in my life, all the things that have fallen into place…all these wonderful, fateful events that have come into play have been (to borrow a phrase from my Kuya Tan) “giftwrapped moments.”

I do believe that God knows each and every one of us like the back of His hand, that the blueprint of each of our lives has already been mapped out and foreseen by the Great Architect and Mighty Creator.

Some people have been blessed to do have known what they wanted to do from the get-go, and have been given plenty of opportunities to live out the life they have always dreamed of.  Others, they experience this revelation later in life, but still get to enjoy the ride nonetheless.  In both cases, they are still blessed to have tasted that experience, of living out dreams.

I can never take credit for any wonderful thing that I have achieved, because I know that while I did work hard for fulfilled dreams, ultimately it is because God decided it would all happen, and since He did, I was able to revel in the moment and have something to take with me after all was over and done.

I find that the best and most unforgettable moments in my life did not happen by chance.  It was always a series of wonderful events that happened in quick succession, often a surprise.  And like with most surprises, it has been more of a delight.

Some people say there are those who are just at the right place and the right time, that’s why they’re able to reap the fruit of success…Some are crabs who go as far as saying that there are so many more talented people, but there are few who have the “connections” to get to where they want to be, instead of just acknowledging that the ones with the opportunities worked hard and paid their dues while being blessed at the same time.

My standards of success have long been altered and I have a definite idea of what success is to me. It’s very personal and very spiritual, just as the whole journey has been.

Now that I am a mom, I am excited to share all I know with my child, tell her stories about wonderful and extraordinary experiences, encourage and support her interests.  More importantly, I am raring to be able to instill in her (with the help of my beloved husband and the rest of our family) the value of trusting and completely believing in the power of Jesus and prayer and faith.

I am humbled when I think about all the good things I’ve gone through…I have nothing to boast about but how God has been so wonderful and how He has paved the way for such special things to happen in my life…Ang galing talaga ni God.

I’ve never had to shell out a single cent to do a recording, and the experience of recording two albums released in the Philippine market (one with my old band Sipol, our album’s name was “Unplug and Play” released in 2004, and another with my band WINK*, our album was fittingly called “Wholehearted”) will stay with me forever.  Being able to collaborate with and learn from the best musicians in the industry has been such a joy and a great learning opportunity.  To have excellent key people in the industry to believe and trust in my humble abilities has been such a motivation and encouragement I will always be thankful for.  All these and so many more simple yet life-changing moments have happened.  All these have brought about life lessons worth more than gold.

For the Lord to continue to open doors for me even while I focus on being a wife and a mother is more than I ever hoped for or dreamed, especially since these open doors almost always involve the things I love doing or passions I’ve always indulged in…like music, writing, communicating, and creative work.

I think luck has nothing to do with being able to enjoy living out one’s plans or dreams.  I think it has everything to do with faith.  And to have faith, it follows that you have to be fearless.

Whether it was a dream that I didn’t even know I had, or a project that was going to snowball into more projects to be blessings to others, God has always been at the beginning and end of these.

No, I have not been lucky.  Because of His mighty power and faithfulness, I am grateful to say I have been blessed.

It has not always been easy, but then again, all things worthwhile are never easy.

It’s all about faith, and trust, and surrender.  And paying one’s dues by working hard.  And knowing that it isn’t about you.

I can only pray for the same kind of blessing to be upon all those I love and even all those I don’t love.

God knows what He is doing, no matter where we are in life, and I am happy that He is always in control.

*Lord, I pray you’ll continue to help me trust in you completely, and let you take the helm in every single thing I do.  I surrender to you every desire in my heart, every hope, every plan.  Thank you for the dreams you’ve made come true in my life, and for the very dreams that are in the process of coming to pass.  You leave me in awe. Guide me to be fearless, and fortify me with the things I need to know so I can pass on this learning and trust to my child.  Thank you for the dreams you are placing in my heart.  I know you will teach me and steer me in the right paths to achieve them, like you always have, in Jesus’ mighty name. Amen.

I’d like to share this verse to all my loved ones and dear friends.  It has encouraged me, and I pray it will do the same for you:

Psalm 23:6 “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”