The document outlines the author's vision for their ideal future career and life. It describes establishing a worldwide foundation called "Safe and Sound" to help displaced survivors of war. The author's ultimate goal is to sit on a mountaintop and speak to Jesus, which founding this organization will help achieve. Over years, the foundation would grow to meet with world leaders and the UN to protect and sustain more people. Reaching this destination depends on maintaining faith and commitment to the foundation's core beliefs.

1. The Ideal Life is Within Me
As I reflect on what the ideal life will look like in my future, I have come to terms with the fact that I
shall start living my life with the end game in mind, while understanding that my destiny is within me. In
order for me to get to where I want to go, I needed to picture what it will look like. So here is my vision
of where my career path needs to take me when I've reached the end;
Scanning the red horizon, the dark pines rise up like soldiers along the mountain tops as I stretch my
tired legs atop this quiet rock. I gaze in wonder at the vacant flat rock next to me as a bright shaft of light
descends like a ladder upon it. Eyes closed, I tremble with joy in anticipation of His arrival. High upon
the summit ledge, the air is much cooler here as the eagles soar. I must take off my hat if I am not to
lose it to the swirling winds. My dusty boots have been a companion on many climbs, but this ascent has
been much steeper than the others, with loose gravel on every trail, and boulders blocking every turn.
This climb from the valley has taken my last ounce of strength that I could muster from my reservoir of
hope and faith. Alone in silence, I rewind my life's journey in my mind and smile as I recall the laughter
and love of those I cared for along the way. Now, finished with my life's work of establishing "Safe and
Sound", a world-wide foundation of helping displaced survivors of war, I gently pull a mustard seed from
the torn shirt pocket over my heart and lightly place it on the vacant flat rock, as I have always believed.
If ever asked the question "If you could have anything you wanted, what would it be"? The answer
would still be the same that it was in the year 2000, when I replied; "I would just like to sit on a
mountaintop rock and speak to Jesus". In a broader sense, "Safe and Sound" is my Mission Statement
to the world, and a road map that will lead me to the destination that I have chosen.
Ultimately, following the objectives of this mission statement will lead me to meetings with the leaders
of nations for their counsel and advice. I may even speak to the General Assembly of the United Nations.
But more importantly, as it may take years to build such a strong foundation, my focus must be
unwavering. The volunteers and corporate partners who participate in the foundation must be
committed to its core beliefs. For in the end, the success of this undertaking can only be measured by
the number of people that "Safe and Sound" can protect and sustain. It will depend on how well we
nourish our own mustard seeds of faith.
It's been great having you in class, Mike. I know your contributions inspired other students; thank you
for sharing your experiences on the boards and in papers.
Keep in touch!
College Success 101- Academic Wrtti~ Online Coarse, September 7 - November 24, 2014
Grade: 100/100
Instructor: Kurilko, Mary Beth / Director of Online Programs at Philadelphia University
M.S./Masters in Education degree from Temple University
B.A. from Temple University in Communications
Contact info: mb@mbkurilko.com or 267-281-8932
Training Assistant: Leone.Karen / uterature and Language Arts instructor at Univ. of Penn (VUB)
M.S./Masters in Education degree from the University of Pennsylvania
M.A./Masters in Pastoral Counseling degree from La Salle University
Contact info: Idynlyn@comc;lst.net or 215-746-8242
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