A retirement goal: From Riches to Rags

By Dr. Vanette Colmenares

From New York, to Cebu City to Dumanjug, Cebu - that has been my life these past few months, and it is indeed a rollercoaster hayride of sorts.

Yanking myself out of a swanky New York city life into a whirlwind of Cebu honking cars and swirling dust clouds, not to mention these motorcyclists who ‘pidpid’ themselves an inch to your cars, then plunging into the serene back yard countryside isn’t exactly everyone’s idea of fun.

Vanette in her quaint rural home in Cebu: Although I once aspired to meet society's standards of success, my path led me to value peace and contentment over material gains.  

As I pondered my future retirement plans, it dawned on me: I had to figure out how to juggle my triple citizenships—American, Filipino, and now, Senior. Because, hey, being a senior comes with its own passport to the world of wisdom and discounts!

So here I am, tucked away in the rural charm of Cebu, Dumanjug—the land of governors and the cradle of my maternal ancestors. I'm absolutely loving it! The place is like a treasure chest of new experiences, waiting to be researched and uncovered. It's a historian’s playground and an explorer’s dream.

The political atmosphere back in the US is beginning to level off, but at one point, I was at odds with my husband since we both are of opposite parties, and boy! During those times, the cell lines were heating up as well, until finally, when the winner was declared, hubby glorified in his victory, and I had to stop the political rhetoric lest he be permanently staying abroad by himself. We don’t talk about politics now; instead, we talk about what we will do next, in the remaining chapters of our lives.

One morning in Cebu, as everyone in my daughter’s household was getting ready for the day, me included, on my way to Dumanjug, my grandson, Lian, asked his mother, 'Is Lola poor?' My daughter laughed and explained, 'No, she just loves her adventures! Why do you ask?"

Lian immediately replied, “Because she said that if she writes a book about her life, it will be titled “from riches to rags,” and she now lives in the province.

True richness includes intangible blessings that one can have only by experience.

I sat my grandson down for a quick chat before he would leave for school. I explained that riches aren't just financial—they're a state of being, both tangible and intangible. Tangible wealth is economics, and anyone can achieve it by societal standards. But true richness also includes intangible blessings that one can have only by experience.

The economics of man and the economics of God are different yet they share similarities.

The "economics of man" revolves around the idea that through hard work, determination, and perseverance, individuals can achieve financial success and prosperity. This principle underscores the value of resilience in transforming opportunities into tangible rewards.

The economics of God in a way can be summarized in a Cherokee parable about two wolves: “An old Cherokee tells his grandson about a battle inside all people between two wolves. One wolf represents negative emotions like anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego."

He continued, "The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person, too.

The grandson asks which wolf wins, and the grandfather replies, "The one you feed.”

In Matthew 16:26, the Bible says, 'For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul?'

This profound statement invites deep reflection. Although I once aspired to meet society's standards of success, my path led me to value peace and contentment over material gains.

In my senior years, I find true wealth in the serenity of farm life, the legacy of my ancestors, and the love of family and friends. Life's greatest treasures are often intangible, resonating deeply within our hearts and souls. Indeed, what more could one ask for?

Editor’s Note: Dr. Colmenares has a Doctor of Ministry degree in Peace and Public Leadership from the HJ International Graduate School for Peace & Public Leadership in New York City. This essay first appeared on her Facebook page.