The Gift

My treasure,

Next to life,

A fine gem,

Bound to last.

Steal not,

I will fight!

Bolts, guards,

Save it safe.

Not for trading,

‘Tis a gift.

Countless worth

And forever.

Amid scuffles,

Joy, strength.

Such power,

I’m awed!

Thru sharing,

Unleash life.

By indulgence,

Glory, begone.

Dreams, hopes

A grander gift,

Oh, eternity,

Be mine.

Life Skills

" ...waterless clouds, carried 
hither and thither by the winds, 
autumn trees that bear no fruit, 
doubly dead and rootless,..." *

Bum-steer, they loose direction.
What could be their life mission?

Life skills, they've got to master.
Come, free those minds sooner.

Easy ways? There's no such option.
Poor creatures! Off to destination!

"You're the captain of the ship...
Go, sail through waters in the trip!"

"Be bold, take command. Be a man!
Look, calm shores!" Fears, begone.


* St. Josemaria Escriva, Friends of God, no. 29

Gains

"No ideal becomes a reality without sacrifice." *

If you want something done, be ready to work hard... be ready to wait... and be ready for challenges. There's usually no short routes and you cannot fast forward time.

There's certainly a process...a learning curve before reaching a goal.  This is part of the great adventure called life... albeit sometimes, it could be an uphill climb.

There are also relationships you have to build... which can't be real if no highs and lows are shared. What a waste if projects are done but happy times are missed.

Merits are won through sacrifice, not with lucky charms.  Besides, lessons lead to wisdom if there's learning through reflection.  And, don't forget to attach intentions to every work done.

If you're up for something good - not for yourself but for society as well - it will happen, at the right time, at the right pace.  Just wait with patience and work with persistence.

All these are already counted as gains, if you value not just the output as your success.  In the end, patience and perseverance are virtues you would have gained.



* Ref. The Way, no. 175, St. Josemaria Escriva

Praises and Imperfections

My friends wrote me proclaiming:
     "Thank you for being a blessing..."

Oh, such wonderful consolation...
     From this grand recognition!

I wish I could really be...
     A fine leader to see.

I've got lots of imperfections
     And need major corrections.

They say the medium is the message -
     What a challenging adage!

The leader has her own battles
     Which she fights and tackles.

What, in the end, matters ---
     She reaches out to others.

'Tis the logic of gift to share,
     To know how it means to care.

Everyone has a unique purpose.
     This, no one can oppose.

The goal is not to shine...
     But to be led to the divine.

Praises aren't for me to glee.
     It's for One who loves you and me!


(This poem is dedicated to my colleagues Valerie and Christine.)

Integrality

Integrality has been my life’s advocacy.
Wholeness and completeness will be my legacy.

Look around… there’s lack of authenticity.
Double life and split personality, instead of unity.

Changing masks, brokenness, and fragmentation.
These are the opposites of forging integration.

My main focus is the person and his integrality.
Oh, please don’t use man as means for profitability!

The person’s worth is much more than his produce.
Intrinsic value is what he has, ‘tis what I deduce.

All sides of man’s growth, let us preserve.
For integral progress is what you and I deserve.

Intellect, will, and conscience are great faculties.
Together, they’re honed for better communities.

To be happy and fulfilled, dismiss complexity.
Opt for integrality, the path to real personality.

Truffles and Trifles

Truffles and Trifles.
Both are offered in this splendid life.

Truffles. Oh, I love the fine chocolate bites!
Such sweet experience in every bite.

Trifles. Oh, I feel terrified at times!
But such great lessons every time.

Truffles and Trifles.
Both bring adventure for a happy life.

Fragility

"Fragility is a path to sanctity."
A dear one said to me.

What does it mean?
Where does strength come in?

Not from me, I guess.
It's from up Above who bless.

Let's lean on Him for a sure Win.
For He brings a lasting Grin.

Roses and Thistles

"Where you tend a rose, a thistle cannot grow."

Thistles grow when we allow them to.
Negativities persist if we don't push them out.

Roses bloom when we care for them.
Good things come if we let them in.

Roses and thistles.
Which ones are in?
Which ones are out?

The choice is ours.


Ref. Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden

True Path

http... leads to various paths, both good and bad.
Indeed, it's a world wide web... huge and vast!

The internet has loads of information... and fleeting satisfaction.
How easy 'tis to drown! Oh, these distractions...
And, possibly, one's own destruction.

HTTP ... Try a new definition - Hit The True Path!
Try finding your direction ... and destination...
Amidst life's complications.

Peaks and Troughs

Life's not always easy - like walking in the park.
Neither is it always tough - like going against the tide.

There are times of peaks and troughs!

But remember this though:
Life's not about where it leads you.
It's what you make of it.

Unleashing

I've gone back to the university - for higher education, that is.
You don't have to do what I did - but if you've got the chance, yes, please do.

There are plenty of things to learn... and lots of room for growth.
Be open and contribute to the pool of knowledge by doing so.

Then, live and share what you've learned ...
And cease not to be a learning learner, please!

Take time to study in whatever way you can ...
Because it's a pity if you stop unleashing that greatness you've got.

Good to Great

Personal Humility and Professional Will.
These are what make any entity move from Build Up to Break Through.
It's the so called Fly Wheel Concept.

Talents, achievements, positions - all these you may have.
But for real success, they're not the bottomline...
Although they do matter, of course.

Realize though it's the non-stop effort and struggle...
And acknowledgment to improve that makes it to the top.


(Ref. Good to Great, Jim Collins)

Filth

Bad memories, past humiliations, unresolved frustrations, ...
Rid of them! They're all past anyway.
They're not treasures but filth in your heart.

How? Process them once more ...
Acknowledge your share in them.
And very soon, the emotions would linger no more.

Know that emotions are always valid as they are.
They're neither good nor bad.
It's the thoughts and behavior escorting it that could be judged.

So, take a peep in your heart and recognize where you stand.

Trends

Trends keep changing.
New gadgets, new fashion... new lifestyles.

If we keep riding, we're gonna go nuts!

Choose only those that you need...
'Coz they'll be helpful for you.

The rest are rubbish...don't be enslaved by them!

Sad?

Sad? ... Why?

You're alive! And as long as you are, you can do something good.
You can change, improve, correct things. Isn't that great?

You can be happy ... for as long as you choose to be so.

Some tricks - process, accept, forgive, let go, move on ... stay positive!
You have a hold on all these. Challenge your thoughts.
'Tis the only way so you don't cascade further into your sadness.

Quiet Time

Every one needs time to look at oneself - what's happening inside.

It's not wasted time!

Objective tracking's gotta be done - one has to see oneself from outside.

Sometimes, passions are on the loose.
But you need to have a hold of 'em - before they get hold of you.

For this, spend some quiet time...

Gratitude

Be grateful!
For what?

For everything that's good and not so good.
For having families, friends, relatives...and all the people in your heart.
For your successes and mistakes - you've learned a lot from them, for sure.
For all the years that passed and yet to come.

In a word, for LIFE!

Family

There's no perfect family, I suppose.
There's only the best - and that's the one you've got!

Love them a lot...reach out to all of 'em.
And remember, there's no generic formula for all.
It's a matter of trying... and loving more each time.

You owe them a lot... for who you are and what you've reached so far!

The Heaviest Stone

Most of the time,
It's the will that's so hard to move ...
Like a boulder before you.

But still, try pushing it ...
Slowly and perseveringly ...
Ask for help, if needed.

That big stone?
Keep it out of the way -
Either the boulder or you will get stuck!

Enjoy Reading

Reading leads you to a well of knowledge.

You may not have a chance to travel and be exposed to vast cultures across the globe.
But reading can bring you to wherever you wish to go.

You may not have lived during important times in history.
But reading can turn back the clock and put you in the era you hope you had seen.

Your personal insights on specific aspects of life and sciences may be one-sided.
But reading can widen your horizon and remove your doubts.

Caution: Be careful on what you read! Not everything's gold. Some are rubbish.
Learn to assess which will lead you to grow.

Inner Peace

I just watched Kung Fu Panda 2 and these lines struck me:

"You've got to let go of the past 'coz it doesn't matter anymore.
What's important is to have inner peace now."

Wounds heal; scars fade away...

If you still don't have peace...
then, try at least envisioning you'll have it...
and so, off you've started to your road of peace.

Consistency

Consistency ... Predictability ... Dependability ... Integrity
These are all interconnected.

They make life stable for you and for others.

Of course, there'd be bits of holes ...
But what's important is a firm bigger whole.

Lights

As we acquire the habit to think through,
lights will start to shine - like diamonds that sparkle in the dark.
Catch them and learn to ponder...
they're treasures - great thoughts leading you to a path.
MATURITY - that's how it's defined.

Happy Thoughts

Anger, resentments, hurts, anxieties, doubts, fears ...
These are negative thoughts ... Dismiss them!

Gratitude, peace, love, serenity, service, hope ...
These are happy thoughts ... Choose them!

Sensing

Changes normally do not reveal or announce themselves.
One's got to be "SENSING" to match the rate of change happening around.

That means...
- constantly scanning the environment;
- being open-minded to catch opportunities;
- seeking to understand to get deep insights;
- being critical and conscious of weaknesses;
- seeing what others can't see as basis for innovation.

Sounds like a business feasibility study?
But, it's applicable to other "businesses" as well.

Timeline

My professor said, "An objective without a timeline is just a wish."

Have a schedule. A daily one would be good. If you could do it by the hour, better.

It's not about being scrupulous...it's about time management.

Accounting of time will make you see you can actually gain more time.

You'll also achieve more at a serene pace.

Don't rely on chance or luck... That's kinda "iffy."

Important - make realistic timelines and factor in your capacity. If not, you're gonna go crazy.

Support

There are days when your baggage seems heavier.
Times when you wake up with big boulders before you.

The thunder rules and the house is rattled.
There are lots of fears to be battled.

Seek support. Hang on. Don't let go.
Let someone stronger lift and hold you.

A whisper in the darkness - "Take one step at a time."
'Til you see the sparks at the end of the tunnel.

Thanks to the good guide and the big support!

Meekness

"Impatience, irritation, bad temper, and hatred."
All are displays of weakness.

Mastery of self - part of true meekness - is for the strong.
It avoids answering back too quickly, speaking wounding words...
Moves which we regret afterwards.

Know how to wait for the right moment to express judgments with conviction.
This is meekness.

The lack of it results from pride and produces "loneliness and sterility."
...And provides the reason to be surrounded by "indifference, coldness, resentment, and lack of trust."

Remember: "The meek shall inherit the earth."


Ref. Patience: The Path to Victory (Charles Belmonte)

New Life

New Year. New beginning. New resolutions.

But, why wait for the "next year"?!

One's got the "next day" (better yet, the next hour or even, the next minute!)...

It takes 365 days to count 1 year (too long!)... while it takes only 24 hours to count one day.

Don't delay...

Goodbyes

A poem I wrote way back in high school:

When we had to part and said goodbye,
I thought this feeling would easily die.
I wish there'd be others I'd find,
but still you're always on my mind.
When I remember those days that went so fast,
I feel so sad 'coz now they're just memories of the past.

Time and again, one's brought back to this trail.

The world keeps turning. People are moving.

Life's full of twists and turns!

It's a wonderful life!

Christmas

The central business district is where I live.

It's full of lights in the buildings and in the streets.

There are a lot of people in the malls and a lot of traffic on the road.

It’s so easy to be lost – so much gatherings and gifts in store.

Makes me think... what is this season for?

Stay in focus -- God’s giving us the best gift of all.

So, find some quiet time and pause...

Friendship

A friend of mine recently gave me a poster which says:

“If friends were flowers, I’d pick you.

You are special just because you’re you

Friends forever, you and me.”

It all starts in one meet...followed by another...and another...

Then, a bond is forged. Joys and sorrows are shared.

No man is an island, they say. And indeed, it is so.

Life’s not complete without great friends.

Caring for the Sick

The sick are our treasures.

Time is demanded, yes...
But these are opportunities to give ourselves
...and to grow in charity and love.

We help them... and they help us.
It's a two-way thing!

Passion for Learning

(I just finished a diploma course at the Ateneo de Manila University - hats off to their Graduate School of Business-Center for Continuing Education - and took note of the Jesuit Magis.)

"Be more, so you can achieve more;
learn more, you can serve more."

Things to learn? Lots!

'Til where? Far!

But one's gotta figure out which one and what for ...

That'll keep you whole and in place.

Leadership

Here's a good school...

"Leading is the process of influencing people toward achieving an objective."

Key elements?

1. Motivating - energizing people to overcome major obstacles toward achieving a vision

2. Communicating - providing direction and alignment, generating understanding about the direction

3. Aligning People - getting a relevant group of people to share a common understanding of a vision

...So much different from positional leadership, the old school.

Leading based on rank - 'tis the lowest level of leadership. At best, you get compliance but nothing more!


(Got this from a lecture on Leadership and Managing Change by Jet Magsaysay.)

Ref. A Force for Change (John Kotter)

Control

From Dag Hammarskjöld, Markings:

"For all that has been: Thanks!

For all that shall be: Yes!"

Key assumption: great capacity to adjust ...'coz things don't always go as planned.

Gotta learn to "swing and dance."

Impact

"Tuesdays with Morrie" is one of my favorite books.

It's about a professor who, in his sundown, was able to teach important life lessons to his student, the author Mitch Albom, in their Tuesday meets.

For sure, there's also someone in school or at work, who made such an impact on you.

One who led you to launch, to face challenges, to go beyond what you think you can do.

I've figured out my Morrie and to him, I say, "Thank you."

Try naming your Morrie, too...


Note: This article is dedicated to Dr. Cayetano W. Paderanga who put me as part of the founding team, as Research Director, of the Institute for Development and Econometric Analysis, Inc. (IDEA).

Complains

Number of reasons to complain? Thousands.

Number of reasons to be grateful? Exactly the same as above.

How you face "negatives" will define your answers.

But I've got a suggestion...

Try changing your options. Pick from the following instead:

1. To give up complaining
2. To rise up to the challenge
3. To be cheerful and optimistic

Direction

Mision --- the statement of purpose and uniqueness.

Vision --- the future state, long-term direction, what you want to become.

Objectives --- the statement of goals and what you are commited to achieve (concrete, measurable, time-bound).

Strategy comes next.

What actions will you take NOW to reach your long-term objectives and make your mission-vision real?

All these apply to yourself, your family, your team, your company, etc ...

We all need DIRECTION.


Ref. Strategic Thinking in the Global Environment (Jet Magsaysay, Ateneo GSB-CCE)

Strategic Thinking

Three sets of complementary skills:

1. Thinking systemically. Seeing the "big piture". Having the "vision of the whole."

2. Thinking critically. Being objective. Challenging assumptions and perceiving trends.

3. Thinking strategically. Contributing to the mission-vision.
Positioning and making choices. Thinking with focus on the future.


Ref. Strategic Thinking in the Global Environment, Ateneo GSB CCE (Jet Magsaysay)

Wide Range

You...Family...Community...Society...Nation...

The more you reach the end of this continuum, the more you become a leader, says a facilitator on leadership.

But, of course, you’ve got to start with the nucleus - You.

A good headstart: unleash your potentials, accept your limits, and understand yourself.

Then, do the same in the next level... and the next... and the next...

Patience

"Whatever happens to you, accept it, and in the uncertainties of your humble state,
be patient, since gold is tested with fire." (Sirach 2:4-5)

Struggles? Endure them. They're are always fruitful.

Yes, results may take time in coming...

But keep going ... Nothing's ever lost!

"He who labors in vain says: 'I have lost so much labor' because the results from his labor are disappointing.

...It does not mean that labor remains forever, but that it was not expended in vain."


Ref. Patience: The Path to Victory (Charles Belmonte)

Habits

They say it takes twenty one days to form a habit.

Great! That means we can acquire lots of good habits... of course, you've got to want it.

In some cases, maybe it's more than 21.

But the point is, it's never too late to be better.

So then ...in the next 21 days or so, what habit are you gonna work on?

Try this exercise... believe me, it works.

Proactive

Einstein: "To do nothing and expect change is insanity.”

You've got to take initiatives if you want things to be better.

All of one's might and talents serve this purpose.

You can't just wait for things to happen...expecting change after sleeping it off.

There are times you need to go against the flow... for not everything comes the easy way.

You don't achieve anything by curling up. Be proactive!

Destiny

(Since we just finished Halloween, I find it timely to tackle the topic.)

Travelers, wayfarers... all are we.

Difficulties, trials ... accept, endure, love them.

Carry on until the end of the journey...your eternal destiny.

This life's only temporary...a prelude to the next - that which is forever.

If you're happy here, most probably you'll be happy there as well.

There, happiness is for always. All sufferings will cease to be.

Want to get there? It depends on how you live in this world.

Nobody goes there unprepared.

Be Happy

A cousin of mine sent me a text message which goes:

"Happiness is something you decide ahead of its time...

It's a decision we make every morning when we wake up.

Yes, we have a choice to spend the day fussing over things we cannot control,
be unhappy and look wasted...

or welcome the new day with renewed enthusiasm
and focus on all happy memories still to come in your life..."

That sounds interesting... makes a lot of sense.

Optimism is something we can always choose to have... the same goes for pessimism.

It all happens in the "inside." Work it out!

Sideway Glances

"Whoever thinks of himself first, of his own interests, his own honor and glory, his own satisfaction, the fulfillment of his own egotistical plans and intentions, must keep casting sideways glances all around him; he cannot develop the "single eye." What will other people say? How will the matter end?"

Doing things to please everyone, to catch attention, to be held high by people puts you out of focus.

Right intention - do things because you KNOW it is good to do them and you BELIEVE so.


Ref.: In Silence with God, Benedict Baur

White Flag

Accept peace offerings.

Think: The other party has already acknowledged her faults. She is offering some sweets to remove whatever may seem to have left a bitter aftertaste.

Fix your attention on that, not on the hurt.

Give the other person a second chance.

Time to move ahead... Don't you want to remove those "dark clouds" in your head?

Take a Break

Working hard? Want to work harder?

Then, you need to rest, unwind and relax.

It’s time for some fresh air...

Your body’s asking for a respite – don’t deny it!

Have a little change of activity. A bit of distance from your usual concerns would be fine.

It’s essential – to overhaul the machine so it could work faster and better.

Know and Accept

Each of us has strengths and weaknesses, which, hopefully, we’ll discover and understand with the passage of years.

It’s important to recognize what we can change and what we cannot.

If we realize we’re unhappy with something about ourselves that we can’t alter, we’ll have to accept (but please don’t fall into dejection) and learn to handle it better.

But, for those which we can change, then let’s start working on them today.