I observe from the behavior of past and present Filipino workers in Korea that it seems that they are already contented with their jobs and present status. Few really have that bigger dream of achieving financial freedom and working industriously and persistently to reach that dream.

Thus when I see an employee behaving fulfilled in life although he is doing his work well, I see an employee whose life is starting to deteriorate. For a feeling of fulfillment means reaching one’s target, one’s destination or as others “say resting on one’s laurels”.

I do not want to name names but if you will look at the lives of Filipinos who became world champions or even just national celebrities, you will find fine examples of how the feeling of total fulfillment once they reach their peaks affected their lives later on. You will discover that each of them sacrificed a lot to reach the highest points in their career. You will also discover that those who sacrificed more after reaching their pinnacles have stayed much longer in the limelight.

Look at our national sports heroes, Manny Pacquiao, Efren “Bata” Reyes, Paeng Nepomuceno and other PBA stars such as Jaworski, Fernandez, Patrimonio, etc. Do you think they could have reached financial freedom, if after winning a trophy or a crown, they did not continue with their grueling workouts and controlled diets?

On the other hand, look at those celebrities whose lives were spent on wining, dining and even drugs after achieving popularity. Where are they now?

In life, not all can be nationally prominent, but individually one can be a champion or a hero. As an OFW, one is already a hero. But achieving this status should not mean feeling smug or self fulfilled in life. You must stay persistent in achieving your own financial freedom.

Because as long as you depend on your salary to satisfy your needs and wants and your dependents, you should still strive persistently to achieve your bigger dream or else even just a single unfortunate twist in the operation of the company where your working or in the local laws may bring you and your loved ones crashing back to a life of poverty.

I am addressing this message specially those whose majority of their incomes, aside from buying food and other basic commodities, are spent on non-income generating goods such as cellphones, appliances, furniture even houses and save nothing for the future like insurance or income-generating activities. You are leaving yourselves and your loved ones open to local or global economic upheaval. Those who are now in the Philippines after voluntarily leaving or being forcefully ejected from Korea realize too late the truth even wisdom of my advice.

Those who spent most of their incomes on goods are now reselling them at bargain prices while those who have saved but not enough are deeply worried on when they can come back to Korea. But those who have earlier started their own micro but self-sustaining businesses are now enjoying their lives with their loved ones.

Keep it etched in your minds, that while we have not yet reached retirement age and achieved financial freedom, we must dream, strive and be persistent in reaching a brighter future not only for ourselves but for our loved ones.

Also remember that anyone who thinks he has reached his highest level and rested on it is bound to fail.