It was a typical busy morning at NAIA Terminal, and I sat in the departure lounge, waiting to board the plane bound for Cebu City. That’s when I first met Elias. He sat across from me, calm and unassuming, with a presence that suggested he had lived a full life but didn’t need to show it.
We struck up a conversation, as strangers often do when they share a common destination. In a short span of time, Elias, as eloquent as he was, talked about his retail business, his lifestyle, and the many places he’d traveled. He was neither a preacher nor a motivational speaker, but from the outside, his life seemed perfect. However, there was something in his voice that made me wonder if there was more to his story. Before the departure gate opened, we had forged an instant friendship.
During my stay in Cebu City, we ran into each other a few more times. Our talks deepened, and we started discussing more personal and philosophical. Elias shared how, at one point, he had been consumed by the desire for success—the kind that meant more money, bigger houses, and nicer things. He had followed the popular “law of attraction” philosophy, which promises that if you think positively, you can attract everything you want. So, Elias focused on wealth and possessions, believing that they would bring him happiness.
At first, it seemed to work. Opportunities came, and his wealth grew. But as Elias looked at the growing collection of things around him, he felt a strange emptiness. His fancy car, once a source of pride, now felt like a burden. The mansion, although impressive, felt more like a house than a home. Even the vacations that once excited him started to feel more like obligations than enjoyable experiences.
One day, Elias had a conversation with his friend Sarah, who lived a simpler life. Sarah didn’t have the newest gadgets or the trendiest clothes, but there was something about her—something that radiated peace. She wasn’t chasing after anything, yet she seemed to have everything she needed. Curious, Elias asked her how she found joy without constantly striving for the next big thing.
Sarah smiled and replied, “I used to think happiness was about having more—more money, more things. I thought if I just had this or that, I’d be happy. But the more I gained, the less satisfied I felt. I realized life isn’t about what you own. It’s about the relationships you build, the moments you cherish, and the peace you find within yourself. Things come and go, but the things that truly matter are the ones you nurture in your heart.”
Elias was struck by her words. He had spent so much of his life thinking that his worth was tied to what he owned. But now, he saw that Sarah’s simple wisdom held the truth. The pursuit of more didn’t seem like the answer anymore.
Elias came to understand that true peace wasn’t found in the things he had, but in the life he was choosing to live. He no longer measured success by wealth but by love, kindness, and meaningful connections. He realized that no matter how much we accumulate, we can’t take possessions with us. What remains is the impact we have on others, the love we share, and the experiences we create.
One day, Elias said something that stuck with me: “You can fill your life with things, but eventually, they lose their value. True wealth isn’t what you own; it’s how you live. Success isn’t about what you show off—it’s about the relationships and purpose that give life meaning.”
And so, I found a lesson in Elias’ experience—a life that was fuller and richer, not because of material possessions, but because of love, purpose, and the connections he made. His story is a reminder to us: true richness in life isn’t measured by what we acquire, but by the love we give, the people we cherish, and the lives we touch. (Contact: [email protected])
