Could it be the heat of the Sun? Could it be the increase in oil prices? Whatever the reason, a lot of people seem to be depressed lately.

Three weeks ago I was chatting with a friend from Canada. He seems to be depressed. He says he's got a lot of plans in his mind, but can't seem to push himself to start at something. He got so depressed he took vodka for his morning snack. And he was feeling so dizzy when we were chatting. He complains his life is getting nowhere.

Last weekend, one of my close buddies, perhaps one of my best guy friends, sent me a text message inquiring about the religious organization I got involved with years ago. He says he's interested in joining SFC because he feels a certain spiritual thirst...like he's being called for something religious.

Yesterday, as I was having lunch, I got a text from a young friend. She asked me if I already knew what I wanted to do in my life. And my reply was "Nope". And she asked me if I was not worried about the fact that I am in my quarterlife and I still don't know what to do with my life. And I said that I'm not worried. She can't seem to believe my response and so she asked me if I had any long term plans. [If she asked me that question last year or two years ago, the answer may have been different.]

The truth is, I am not worried anymore...

I really don't know if that is good or bad --> that I don't think about those things or formulate long term plans. It's just that I think the more we belabor ourselves with thinking about the who what where and why's of our lives...we forget to LIVE IT.

I used to be that way --> worrying about my future, my career, my prestige, my ego, my finances. I used to spend hours bitching, moaning and whining (BMW) with my friends...thinking about life...my purpose, my goals...setting up milestone measures, timelines, and even computing for 5-year financial projection for myself.

So why? What happened to me? Why am I suddenly like this when it comes to my attitude about my life and my future?

I'll use the same analogy as the one I put in my speech 6 years ago. LIFE IS LIKE A VOYAGE. I am the captain and I set out my navigation plan.

When I graduated at 19, I knew I wanted to be an Economist... concretely help in nation-building and study law at the same time. I'd graduate from law school at 23...and if I get lucky, take my oath as a lawyer at 24.

True enough I got a job offer to be a Senior Economic Development Specialist for the Office of the President for Mindanao. I worked there for a month til my grandfolks asked me to reconsider the job offer from this multi-national company.

Now joining a multi-national company was NEVER part of my plan. But my grandparents worried that if I became too deeply involved with this policy-making job, I'd be sent to depressed areas like Sulu and Basilan...they didn't want their 19 year old to go to dangerous places like that. They told me that I should just go to that MNC, finish the 18 month contract, and if I'm not happy, I can always go back to being an economist.

I, the captain, first set out to journey towards becoming a policy maker and a lawyer, but I saw in the general MAP, another shore that seems to be enticing. And so I decided to change my course and move into a different direction as I float along the ocean of life.

Navigating through life as a management trainee and management associate was not easy. I encountered so many storms, and it was difficult to steer the ship. I incurred damages, emotionally and physically (I became "malnourished" by the excessive lifestyle)...I got bombarded by canons from pirates, in the form of certain office personalities and policies that brought me down and hampered my fast acceleration in this company. Add to that the heavy burden caused by problems at home and matters of the heart. But I was persistent in reaching my goal...and so I kept on steering with all my might, my talent, my energy.

But I have reached that shore I set to sail upon. I have already achieved my goals in this company faster that I had anticipated. Now that I've seen this NEW WORLD I've been trying to hard to reach...I wonder why I am not jumping for joy, why I am not ecstatic...I am neither sad nor happy.

Could I have been sailing to that wrong shore for the past six years?

Then I realized there is a God. And he tells me:

"Yo kid! I've been observing you for years...trying to tell you've got the wrong map in hand, and you're sailing towards the wrong island. But you seem to be enjoying taking hold of the wheel. You seem to take pleasure in the storm. And so I let you be...."

"Now if I may...I am holding the right map for this ship representing the path to your final destination...would you mind if I take the wheel from here?"

And my answer:"Oh my God! I am so sorry. So stupid of me to take the wheel from you...to plan my life...take control as if I do have control. I am so sorry, I didn't notice you were with me in the voyage, all along..."

"But you're right, I enjoyed steering the wheel for a while,I learned a lot about my own capabilities.I learned a lot about the ocean of life..."

"But I am tired and I need to rest.And so Lord, I will take that offer of yours.Please take the wheel...I am letting you steer the course of my life."

"But I will not lay around unproductive, Lord.If it's alright, may I be your first mate?"

And then God said:"Sure! Just listen to my instructions"

"...and perhaps every once in a while I'll let you hold the wheel. But just remember, even if I let you take control at times, I am still the captain of this ship"

So there, I let go. I stopped planning. I stopped battling the storms. I stopped steering my ship. Now I got to relax...I LET GO...

AND YOU KNOW WHAT GUYS? THE SHIP SEEMS TO BE SAILING SMOOTHER NOW....