“If only I could turn back the time, I would have planned my life as early as possible rather than procrastinate.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have taken the necessary actions in executing my plans rather than allowing Mr. Fear and Mr. Doubt become an obstacle to reach for my dreams.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have spend my time improving myself rather than criticizing others.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have listened to the advices of the people who already made it rather than pay attention to people who have not proven anything in their life.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have spend my time reading financial literacy books and spend more time with successful people rather than waste my time doing worthless things and being with unsuccessful people.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have become an entrepreneur and have been living my desired lifestyle rather than being an employee working on someone else’s dreams.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have acquired both financial and time freedom rather than financial and time restrictions.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have retired young and rich rather than retire old and broke.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have become part of the solution to our country’s problem rather than become an additional problem.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have made things happen for myself, for my family, for my community, and for my country rather than just watch and let things happen.”

“If only I could turn back the time, I would have left a legacy in this world and be remembered that I have lived my purpose.”

Do you envision yourself five years, ten years, twenty years, or fifty years from now sitting in your rocking chair overlooking the window and saying all these stuff?

Take a look at it, with just one regret, it leads to the greatest remorse of your entire life.

Regrets are the brakes on the wheels of progress. People just let time pass them and then realize that it was already too late to do the things that needed to be done.

Remember this, you do not have the power to turn back the time but what you hold in your hands today is the time which can shape your future.

The greatest waste in the world is the difference between what we are and what we could become. – Ben Herbster

Why dare go to places you are not familiar with? Why waste time exploring when you are already in a state where things are established? Why take risk and give up your security? Why attempt to do more when you have already achieved something for yourself?

Some people don’t have the guts to go to places that are unknown to them – afraid that they might get lost or go astray. Isn’t it exciting to be lost and discover more places? Actually, it is in being lost that you will eventually know your direction.

The world is vast for you to just stay in one corner. You have to go out and explore it. Take the opportunity to learn new things. It is in learning new things that you become competent. Some people think that they already know all things. Come on people, wake up! You are daydreaming! If you are not yet successful and haven’t experienced both financial and time freedom, you still have a lot of learning and exploring to do.

Taking a risk is a deadly act to do for others who are ignorant. Definitely! You are unaware of the things which are happening in your surroundings because you are just standing in one spot, afraid to go out and find out new things. These people searches for things that would make them feel somewhat secured. You act like a child. You already passed that stage or maybe you still haven’t. But I tell you, Grow up!

Fear is what hinders some people to continue their journey. They allow it to stop them to do the things they want to do with their life. They permit it to bring an end to their own dreams. They let their dreams drift away in an instant.

Fear of getting out in your comfort zone pays an ultimate price not just for your own self but for other people as well – people that is so valuable to you. You are placed here on earth not only to consider your own well-being but also to contribute something to others. Don’t feel contented yet if you haven’t added value to a person’s life. So you have to do more to become more and eventually give more.

Take this into account that every time you feel afraid to go out and explore, you are risking your dreams and your purpose in life.

A holy man was having a conversation with the Lord one day and said, ‘Lord, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.’

The Lord led the holy man to two doors. He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in. In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man’s mouth water. The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished. They were holding spoons with very long handles that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful. But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering. The Lord said, ‘You have seen Hell.

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one. There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man’s mouth water. The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, ‘I don’t understand. It is simple,’ said the Lord. ‘It requires but one skill. You see, they have learned to feed each other. The greedy think only of themselves.’

A simple story but has a profound meaning. Let me share to you my own interpretation of the story:

1. Large pot of stew on a large round table.

• God promised us an abundant life. He already offered us all His resources. But only a few take notice and receive it. While almost all of the people whine like a little kid on why they acquire less of the things they need in life.

2. Spoon with very long handles strapped to the arms

• Each and every one of us is unique and we are given certain talents, skills and abilities. It is merely up to us if we will use it only for our own self or share it to others as well.

We are given the freedom to choose the path to take. Both places overflow with blessings. But are you the person who uses your own talents for your own survival and benefit or are you the person who uses your own talents and share it to the world? Are you only working so hard for yourself or are you working smart and share what you have to others? Are you only serving yourself or are you serving others first in order to be served?

Nothing great can be accomplished without team effort. Remember that each of us is an important thread in another person’s life. We are woven together for a reason and we are only required one skill and that is to learn to feed each other.

Will you still continue to let greed and selfish desire creep inside you and create the atmosphere of Hell or will you choose to start contributing to others to create the atmosphere of Heaven?