Soul Path Insights

I started planning my life when I was just 11 years old. As the youngest child in a college-educated family, it was expected that I would follow in the footsteps of my parents and older sisters. I envisioned myself excelling in school, attending the best college or university in the city, graduating, and becoming a nurse. I had heard that nurses could find jobs overseas, and like my second sister, who landed a job in Australia as an accountant, I too planned to follow a similar path. Little did I know that God had other plans for my life. I ended up bypassing a degree and moving to America shortly after starting my first semester in college.

While I was still a sophomore high school student, my Dad announced that we were moving to California. My parents were to move first, and I was to join them after graduating from high school. My father wanted me to finish high school first before joining them. I graduated and thought it would take some time for my immigration papers to be processed. However, at the start of my second semester in college, my parents gave me the green light to drop out, fly to Manila for a visa interview at the American embassy, and then head to California. I flew overseas by myself, even needing a permit to fly alone as a minor. The flight attendants were my point of contact for assistance. I was excited about the move but also saddened to leave my oldest sister, extended family, and friends behind. It was tough, but I looked forward to reuniting with my parents, especially my Mom, with whom I had a close bond.

The point is, I had meticulously planned my life, but it took an unexpected turn when I moved to America, bypassing nursing school. Honestly, I never wanted to attend nursing school because I get weak at the sight of blood. Still, I wanted to finish college and earn a degree. Without a degree, I would be the only one in my family without one—a notion that seemed inconceivable. However, my parents couldn’t afford to send me to college. I had to come up with a solution to fund my education. The military offered an answer. A TV ad informed me that they could fund my college if I committed four years to them. I thought, “What’s four years but a drop in the bucket?” My parents were initially reluctant about their daughter being shipped off to who-knows-where, but I managed to persuade them. My Dad, a retired lawyer, was so impressed with my persuasive skills that he said I should have been a lawyer. And so, in the spring of 1994, I headed off to Navy boot camp.

Life Lessons Corner

1. Plan Ahead: This is always a great skill, especially in the workplace and in managing finances.
2. Be Flexible: Sometimes your life plans don’t always turn out as you envisioned. Be willing to go with the flow.
3. Be Resourceful: Find solutions to your problems. There are multiple solutions to a problem. Think outside the box and brainstorm.
4. Have Confidence in Yourself: Even if you’re flying alone, trust in your abilities.
5. Go at Your Own Pace: We are all walking our own individual paths. Sometimes there are life lessons we have to learn along the way. We don’t have to walk the same path as others.

I have learned numerous life lessons from my transition experience. I will share more on this blog. My hope is that you, dear reader, find bits of wisdom in my experiences to help you navigate your own journey.

© 2024 Amelie Chambord