The Carabao Man

Each one of us comes from a different spot in life.  We all have experiences that can leave an impression on somebody we meet.  I met him after the meeting in Bohol.  I had just spent an hour or so talking about my life and sharing some stories with everybody.  My whole purpose was to give hope and dreams to those present who may be faltering and might just need a hand up.  Everything begins with dreams, does it not?  So there I was after the meeting taking pictures with everybody and enjoying the moment. It's pleasant to be loved and appreciated.  I had not noticed him standing off to the side with his family patiently waiting without saying a word.  He was the last in line to take pictures with me.  Somebody introduced us and I tried to get his name but he didn't speak english and apparently neither did his wife or children.  So, we took pictures and smiled.  Somebody explained a bit about this man though.  That's when I realized how precious dreams really are and how deeply we can affect the lives of people around us as we build business and help each other change their lives.  

This man is a farmer.  He lives several hours outside of town in the countryside and rarely comes into town.  He lives off the land without most of the comforts that we city folk have grown accustomed to.  One day he was introduced to a business opportunity and was invited to attend a meeting.  He came not knowing anything.  At the conclusion of the meeting he made a choice.  He went back home and discussed things with his wife.  A short while later they sold their carabao for cash so they could start their new business adventure.  To most people that would seem like no big deal, right?  What do we care about one carabao?  But to a farmer who's very survival relies on that animal to plow the fields, carry the produce, pull the wagons and other labor around the farm, the carabao is life itself.  Without a working carabao the farmer can not til the land and instead finds himself out of work almost.  When I heard this farmer sold his carabao I was shocked to see so much faith portrayed in one man.  It takes a true leap of faith to sell your survival and venture into something new and unknown.  But this is not all.  The business costs were higher than the money he received for his carabao.  He had to borrow more money from friends and family too.  This kind of faith is pretty rare in us city folks, right?  We might give up a night on the town or perhaps not get cable tv for a few months or maybe even turn off our cell phones but do we sell our survival?  Usually not.  

These days I don't have any way to contact and follow-up with the carabao man and his family.  I wish them success and happiness in life and pray that they achieve all their dreams.  His story and faith proves to me that you can do things you thought you could not do if you just take a leap of faith.  I'm certain his path to a different success will not be easy.  But with that level of faith, he can not fail if he perservers continuously.  I look forward to the day that I am privileged to meet him again and shake his hand.  Perhaps by then I will have learned a few words of his language or he mine.  I would love to thank him for showing me his faith.  Whenever I think of him and his family I feel a tug at my heart strings.  I am truly humbled by him.  God bless you Mr. Carabao Man....May God bless with you the dreams you dreamed and the success you earn.