Scarred but interesting

“I’m a little broken and perhaps a bit damaged but these make me an interesting person."

That’s a line I love telling people. If there’s one thing inevitable about being a risk-taker like myself, it’s getting scarred. And like any soldier who has survived several wars, I’m packed with stories to tell my grandchildren.

I’ve got battle scars to show that I’m living the life of an adventurer.

I’ve gambled on my college education by taking a ‘fun course’ in advertising. You see, back in my days, people usually take up sure-way-to-success courses like accounting, engineering and business but like a good general, I choose my battles wisely. I can’t do long division to save my life but I can whip up a good jingle that can rival Lito Camo’s wit and to-date, I’m very proud of what I’ve accomplished.

I’ve fallen in and out of love several times but not once have I not given relationships my 110% percent. Whenever I’m with someone, I look at that person and tell myself, “Oh, he’s THE ONE!” I’m currently above batting average. So far, there have been five THE ONES.

I never turn down a good adventure: Spelunking and caving in Sagada, sans the proper gear? CHECK. Spontaneous long drives to Tagaytay? CHECK. Riding the scariest roller-coasters despite my fear of heights? CHECK. Making myself look like an idiot for the sake of a good laugh? DOUBLE, no, TRIPLE CHECK. I love doing things on the fly. If you invite me to travel to a certain place and my calendar is empty and my pocket is full, chances are I’ll go with you. Sometimes it's best not to think about doing things. You just do.  Later this year, I’ll be off to my solo NY sojourn. I’ve no itinerary, but what I do have is a list of things that I’ve never done before and the plan is to have every item crossed out by the end of the trip – Watch out for my blog posts this December!

I think of myself as a wanderer, a free spirit who is always taking a bite out of this big world. This does not mean I don’t have any direction in life though. Goodness knows I’ve plans from A-Z. I just don’t like boxing myself to limited possibilities since the only time anyone should box themselves is when they’re about to be buried 6-feet under.

I’ve written this post in a way that it paints a pretty picture of my life but I’ve purposely omitted the obstacles that I had to go through to be as happy as I am today. Why? Well, I just want to illustrate how anyone can forget about the hardships that they had to go through when they’ve achieved the satisfaction of accomplishing exactly what they want to do. Yes, the battles may leave you with scars but those eventually become remembrance of sweet victory. But first things first, you need to take those risks that you're scared of doing. Go ahead, live some. Mark Twain best explained this, "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

I live by those words and I believe everyone should. At the rate that I'm going, I don't think I'll be the kind to look back at her life with regrets. I mean, what else could I possibly regret? :)

And oh, about the heartaches? I have not given up. I've jumped into the ocean one too many times only to find sharks (and shokoys). Sometimes I get a little exhausted but Miss Piggy's wisdom brings me hope. According to her, "Only time can heal your broken heart. Just as only time can heal his broken arms and legs."

Kidding.

My life’s not perfect but I’m happy.  Yes, I could be happier but this does not stop me from smiling... and taking risks.