What dreams are made of?

They say that one's happiness shouldn't depend on other people. Dreams shouldn't be based or involve other people. It should be solely about the dreamer and his dream. However, these things may be true in general but there are still some exceptions.

For instance in the case of Japeth Aguilar who is taking the road less traveled by dreaming of becoming the first Filipino-born to make it to the NBA. Given his height, athleticism and above-average leaping ability, it's not hard to imagine why he would be aiming for such a goal. However, many things are working against Japeth. First of all, he is already 25 years old and has never proven himself in any league has played in, be it in college, amateur, professional and as a national team member. He had flashes of brilliance but was never dominating nor impressive other than when he is dunking the ball. Most people call him a bust and is criticized for his attitude and lack of mental toughness.

Anyway, back to my thesis. Sometimes, dreams are really dependent on other people. Even if Japeth's chances of the NBA are getting dimmer every day, he still has some aces on his sleeve. The biggest of which is the so-called 'marketing angle.' The Philippines is the mecca of basketball and if the Japanese mascot Yuta Tabuse made it to the NBA, then the Philippines market is a hundred times bigger. However, if the NBA honchos deem the Philippines as a poor country with no economic potential, then sad to say that Japeth's outside chance is now dependent on sheer breaks, which in this case means misfortune on other people. I reckoned that if 2-3 players in the forward position will suffer a major injury or will have to leave the NBA for another reason, then maybe just maybe Japeth's number might be called. Don't get me wrong, I know it sounds horrible that his success is at the expense of other people, but hey, it's the same way with Jeremy Lin last year and boy no one remembers who the injured players were whenever Linsanity is mentioned.

So, my point is that I wish all of the long-shot dreams could be accomplished like in the Milo commercial, that if you work hard for something then it's possible. I know it sounds like I am contradicting myself as my blog is called "Impossible is nothing" and here I am injecting a tinge of realism into the picture. I still believe that Impossible is Nothing but it's not just through hard-work, perseverance stuffs. You also need the breaks going your way and the people and circumstances that will bring you closer to your goal.

Dear Japeth

Dear Japeth Aguilar,

To be honest, I found your story extremely amusing and I confess that I regularly tune in to online discussions about your disappointing stint in all levels of basketball you've joined. 

But when I read that you are pursuing your NBA dream despite failing miserably to impress PBA fans, I thought that it is the most inspiring thing in the world. Actually, I can very much relate to "your current journey." You see, my dear husband left me and ran away to one of the remotest places of China. It was deemed a hopeless case as he has repeatedly told me that he doesn't love me anymore and doesn't want to be with me. Except for 1-2 friends, everyone has told me to give-up. They said, I should just forget about reconciliation with my husband and move on with my life. After all, I am not that old (not young as well) and (but) may still find someone else. The thing is I am not really enthused to be with someone else. My eyes are only set for my husband, my heart and soul belong to him and no one else. Words are not enough to explain why, but it's just the way it is. 

So when my husband has given the slightest indication that he was missing me, I have decided to take a leave of absence from my job, pack my things in a suitcase and find him. I came here to pursue my dream, a dream that maybe you will also understand. As Mico Halili wrote in an article about you, he said that "I don't know whether he is dreaming like a grown-up and working on his dream like a child. Or that he is dreaming like a child, and working on his dream like a grown-up." It is my exact predicament. I am now far away from everything, my family, my job, my comfort zone, I am living off my savings, because I am here to chase my dream. 

So, please don't tell me that I deserve someone better, that he is not worth my effort, that I could find someone who will love me better. Because I hope you understand that it is my dream to be with my husband just like the way you are dreaming about the NBA. People laugh at me, they say it's a long shot, maybe even impossible, that because he left me before, it means that he really doesn't love me, it was as simple as that. They told me to wake up and be more realistic with my goals. Some are more compassionate albeit sarcastic by saying "I sincerely wish it happens for you. But at the rate things are going, I doubt it."

Thank you the inspiration Japeth. I also wish you the best and that you never give up on that NBA dream no matter what people say. We both have very tough journeys ahead of us. I hope it happens for both of us. It's not really about proving the critics wrong, but actually to fulfill a lifelong dream.

God Speed!

Impossible Is Nothing