The year was 2002 and I was a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Buang La Union, Philippines I was well into my path of self discovery and experiencing a spiritual awakening when I discovered the power of the changing of the tide. I had walked about 5 KM from my host family’s house up the beach stopping at a resort to have a snack when I sat peacefully on the seawall watching the waves ebb and flow when I noticed that one of the banka(fishing) boats was coming in and that the crew would struggle to get it to shore so I jumped of the seawall and met the boat a sit came in and the filipino crew seemed frightened at first as they weren’t used to getting help from a stranger but I told them I can help I am pretty strong I lifted the front of the boat and with a few pulls and help from the crew we \u00a0brought the boat to shore. The fishermen paid me with an offering of their catch which I brought to my host family to cook. As I reflect back on this moment I am reminded that GOD will put is where we are meant to be so as to be of service and value to others. \u00a0Through out the next several months while I served in The U.S. Peace Corps I would have many encounters that would revolve around the change of the tide. \u00a0There would be days when I realized that walking back to the host family’s home would be challenging because of high tide and having to dodge waves. It was in these moments that I learned that \u00a0you can either wait \u00a0for the high tide to pass or you can adjust accordingly.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Many a night while in The Philippines this would be my view on my way from The Regional Rehabilitation Center For Youth where I taught Math, English, and Livelihood Skills to the at-risk youth assigned to the center. I would sit on the chair by the water realizing just how grateful I was as not everyone gets to fulfill a dream of traveling to another country and helping other people excel. As I watched the tide come in an out I began to realize that the water represented a flow of life and at anytime that tide can change. \u00a0As I became more and more aware of the power of the tide and the vibrational forces of nature i became more productive as I kept myself centered and grounded.<\/p>\n
As I at on a seawall one afternoon in the twilight hour at Bali-Hi Resort I came up with the idea to teach swimming to the residents of the barangay and I had \u00a0the resort agree to allow me to use the resort. The first class went well people came and I was able to explain my credentials and show them some basics. Things were going great and I got sick and had to go to Manila and that was when the tide changed as I had to early terminate my service due to the medical issues I was having. \u00a0The Peace Corps Sent a representative to get my stuff from the host family and tell the resort that I was going home. I was sad but understood the impact that I had made and saw just how the experience had impacted me. I boarded a plane to come home in February 2002 and as I traveled I remembered one of the \u00a0lessons that The U.S. Peace Corps Teaches and that is to be of service and value in all you do. I arrived home and was surprised that my mom, who has since passed away a sshe was called home to GOD on July 5, 2012, was waiting at the airport for me. I arrived home and went to bed and the next day had one of the best conversations with my Mom as I explained why I joined the U.S. Peace Corps and the lessons I had learned. It was at that moment that I began to get a grasp of the spiritual awakening process and the lessons that I am still learning. In the last 13 years I have learned that the tide will change in your life and it is up to you to follow the messages sent from GOD so that you can adjust accordingly.<\/p>\n
Bauang, La Union will always have a special place in my heart a sit provided lessons that have allowed me to grow personally and professionally. \u00a0Find that which will enhance your life so that you can change with the tide. Stay Positive!!!<\/p>\n
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