I’ve spent most years of my life asking people ‘why are you here? What is your purpose?’ Because I always felt I missed something; unlike most of the people living here, I don’t have big reasons why I came here. But like many others, I have plenty of reasons to be thankful for Dubai and all the life lessons living here have taught me.
It was around early 2011 when my older sister told me she had her heartbroken. She broke up with her boyfriend of 7 years and wanted someone to be with her in Dubai. That was all.
Way back then, I was 21, it was just less than a year after I graduated from college. That time I was having a good career in Makati. I was just starting to enjoy my freedom from school and home. But I had no choice. (I guess) So I grabbed the opportunity even if I didn’t like it.
Before I came here, I only had 2 goals; first is to stay here for a maximum of 2 years, and to buy a car. None of them happened.
Now, I don’t have a lot to share about how my Dubai life started. Instead, I will just share the 5 five things Dubai taught me. In my almost 9 years of staying here, these are what I have come to learn and realize.
Dubai taught me to Dream.
Whenever I recall how my dream was so small, “just to have my own car” I find myself wondering where I am now if I didn’t go to Dubai. Dubai opened my eyes to a different reality. I realized that my thoughts, feelings, actions, and plans will not just have an impact on me or my loved ones, but also, for the world. YES, you read that right- for the world. From the little girl who only dreamt of having her own car; my plans and goals now are to have my own Company & Charity years from now.
Dubai taught me that nothing is IMPOSSIBLE as long as you believe and put your plans into action.
Dubai taught me what “real friends” are.
When I was still in the Philippines and even during my first three years in Dubai, my life was all about studying/working on weekdays and partying on weekends. I thought everybody was my friend. It wasn’t long, however, when I found out that not everyone who lifted a bottle or glass with me was willing to lift me up as well when I was down.
The more years I added to my life, the lesser my friends became. That’s totally okay though. I have learned that friends are not the ones who party with you when life is all bright and shiny, rather, they are the ones who will also sit with you when your days are at its darkest.
Dubai taught me what money can do to people
They say money exposes a person’s true character. My experience taught me just that. I was invited by one of my so-called friends to buy a condominium unit in the Philippines. My friend was to act as my agent, and all I needed to do was pay for the property through her and she’ll take care of the rest. Two years later, I found that not a single centavo was deposited as payment for the property. My money was gone. Lesson learned. Friendship over.
My second big loss involving money happened less than 2 years ago. I entrusted the funds of my Micro Finance business to one of my friends in the Philippines. You thought by now I would have learned my lesson, right? Everything went smoothly in the beginning, only to find out later that the funds were being funneled to pay for personal expenses and released to borrowers who didn’t pass the criteria. Again, the rest is history.
Both experiences were painful, not just emotionally but financially. Yet I didn’t regret it that much because it taught me a HUGE lesson. Talk about charging to experience.
On a lighter note, I also met people here in Dubai who taught me that money is not the source of all evils especially if it is handed to good people because they use it to good things. Here in Dubai, I know people who helped other Filipinos in managing their finances without asking for anything in return. They just want to help because they were once in need of help too. I know people who do charity every year both in the Philippines and in Dubai. I know social entrepreneurs who are not just doing their business but also helping people through their businesses.
In other words, Dubai taught me that money can either make you evil or good. You get to choose what you wanted to be based on how you will use your money.
Dubai taught me that health is IMPORTANT
Living in a place where everything, including food is INSTANT, we need to be extra conscious about our health. It’s probably one of the reasons why the government mandates health insurance upon visa application. It’s just too important for us to not have it. Drink plenty of water, eat healthy food, and exercise as much as possible. Let’s all take good care of ourselves.
Life insurance is a good investment too.
Dubai taught me not just to exist but to LIVE –
Here in Dubai, I learned the importance of ‘getting a life.’ I started enrolling in different courses, joining organizations, learning how to invest well and started investing as well. I started traveling and enjoying my life.
Life is too short to be too little.
More than making money, I learned enough to invest in experience and collect memories because sooner or later whether we like it or not; our time in Dubai will be over for good and so as long as we are here, let’s all make the best out the kind of life we have and can have, only here in Dubai.
Thank you, Dubai for continuously teaching me a lot of things and letting me experience the world inside you. Thank you, Dubai for being my second home.
