Why can't I give?

What does it take to GIVE?

Took my time off on a Friday night and crossed the street in Ayala to the bus station. The exhausting rush hour pack couldn’t get me a ride so I decided to just eat my dinner in the nearest fast food. On my way, I saw two old grannies in the staircase of Mcdonalds near PBCOM. I’m not usually caring on what I see on streets, but seeing these two grannies at passed 8 in the evening, still roaming in Ayala, did caught me alittle off guard. But remembering I was hungry, I went into mcdonalds and ate my dinner. It was Friday night and exhausted from work, I wanted to go out and have fun. But for some reason, my friends (even my sister) are not available to join me in my Friday play. So instead of feeling sorry, I just tried to appreciate the book I was reading and stayed in mcdonalds. I engrossed myself with reading and lose track of time. After two hours and realizing it was already 10pm, I stood up and walk out of the fast food. Just a few steps out, I once again saw the two grannies, this time they were asking me for a penny. I continued my steps forward when I felt something strange that I stepped back towards them. I didn’t give them money at first, to my amazement, what I did was to talk to them. I took time to talk to them, asked questions to know them better and their concerns. It was a good 20minutes of my time knowing these people. People who were passing by were looking and curious with what I was doing with them, and for some reason I felt different again. Realizing it was getting late, I’ve invited them to go home and since they’d take the bus I’m taking, I’ve joined them til I reached my stop. I gave them a few bucks and I’m thinking of returning to them to answer alittle of what they need. I just need to take time in collating and asking from people who are also willing to give.

“Doing such will take a great deal of my time and money”, as I’ve always thought in the past, for I was thinking of my own resources and time. If I’m not different now, they would have been somebody I’ll just passed by; either coz I have no time or money to offer. Such experience made me realized something again, that if only I’ll take my time to notice them, to get to know them and their concerns, I can be a bridge to the fortunate people who can give something to these people who were less fortunate. And as I’ve noticed, a lot still have good hearts that are willing to GIVE.

GIVING will not take so much of your money and time. Just a percentage of your monthly earnings, even just 1%, if combined with the other 1% of others can create a change in the lives of other people who weren’t as fortunate as you are. Giving money is fulfilling enough, but I realized, taking time to spend with these people that you gave your help, sure creates a bigger change, not only in your character but in your whole life as well.

Remember, life is short. Two important things at the end of it is:

1) How happy you were?
2) How happy others were because of you?

Start giving and experience the happiness it gives your life and other people’s lives. :)

Full-time with part-time

Months ago, I was someone living a life of prestige, stability and security only achieved thru a highly-valued employment. Back then, I was a full-time professional accountant working my way up to the ladder of the corporate world. But along the way, little by little my eyes opened up to a different world, a reality that got not only my attention but my whole life in totality.
Now, I’m living in a world of unstable, non-secured and non-prestige life of a free person. I’m currently resigning from my stable and secured job with no assured job to replace it yet. For I have this free mindset that made me choose to let go of the stable and secured life to face the bigger possibility of being successful in where I can do best.

The freedom excites me for I can see great possibilities of my success, but the temporary setbacks and emotional feeling of the unknown is what I’m currently struggling to face. Such includes the feeling of exhaustion on having to get up in the morning and walk towards work. I gave the current company a two months notice of my resignation for I have some paper works that I still need to finish. And right now, I still have 36-days left to drag myself again and again. But for past two days, I’ve been at home on leave trying to find out how to settle the upcoming days of no pay, plus start planning in building my businesses. Unlike others who calculate a lot before taking their jump, in this decision I had, I rationalized for several months convincing myself to be safe and secured in staying until such day comes I can no longer tolerate the weight of dragging myself to work that I decided to finally resign and leave with just my confidence and faith on my baggage. What I did is to decide and take on the circumstances that I’d be facing along the way.

Early circumstance of my choice of freedom is the question, what’s next? After being comfortable in a company for two years, here I am trying to figure out where I want to go next. If I’m not different now, I’d for sure look for another company that can give me much better prestige, stability and security that I can work on full-time. But different as I am, now I’m considering the fact of being full-time in part-time. And how the heck is that?
Being full time with part time just means focusing on looking for work that won’t have prestige and stability but will give me part-time income that I’d be needing to sustain my monetary needs but at the same time can give me my time that I need in producing the things that are important to me, and building the wealth that I dream. :)

This is the journey that I’ve decided to live on starting the day I chose my freedom over prestige. And despite all the circumstances, both good and bad, that’ll come my way, my spirit is uplifting me too much for it excites me to sail my journey, meet the circumstances and lessons along the way until finally, I find my dreams. :)

As Steve Jobs have quoted,

“If u are working on something exciting that u really care about, u don't have to be pushed. The vision pulls u.”

Filipina - A Mother & Leader

Few days ago, the name Cory Aquino didn’t appeal that much to me. She was just a political figure who I’ve been hearing since year 1. I’m EDSA 1 baby myself, born in February of 1986. I really didn’t know how much this person has contributed to our country and to my life ‘til this day.
I knew and have seen that she’s a big contribution in our country just by how much people she have influenced now that she’s dead, but something have kept me thinking with her life and death. I’ve appreciate not her presidency but her life as a mother and as a leader. Her influence awed me so much that started last Monday when I was in Ayala Avenue waiting with thousands of other professionals and non-professionals in Makati, waiting under the sun, just to pay tribute to her when she passes by our area. People waited for two hours for a 5-15 minutes glimpse of her. It was heartfelt and overwhelming to see professionals gathering together for this woman, a non-career and typical-loving-Filipina mother who became a president by calling and fate.

Then today, here in Quirino Avenue Malate, I paid tribute to her once again with the masses of Malate, a mixture of suburbs and urban poor community. Once again, I felt the contribution of this Filipina woman of affection, integrity and faith.

She reminds of my own personal mission statement. To live a life with the end in mind, a life that’s live with values that are important to me and to keep a life of integrity, affection, love and faith and a strong will to keep moving forward in this life. :D

Almost Broke

If not death, one’s most feared situation is getting financially broke, for it does not feel right and fair that after getting a great degree in college, worked in a prestigious company for several years, you’d admit to yourself that you are indeed broke. You take a deep breath and instruct yourself to not panic then positively double check all your bank statements, but reality sinks in, it is glooming you with “zero” balance account. If it can only speak, it would want to scream at your face “You’re doomed to get broke”, then, you allow yourself to panic.

But what does it feel to be broke anyway?
I’m not sure specifically, but for a saver like me, not seeing a load of money in my bank statement and having to pay outstanding loans (without seeing the goods I’ve purchased or travels to brag) already makes me feel dizzy and ready to admit that I am almost broke. So I ask myself why and what had happened?
I’ve been feeling really down and experiencing breakdowns, recently. The idea of getting almost broke does makes the worry freakiness over me. This isn’t surprise situation for me for I knew that the moment a person decides to let go of comfort, uneasiness happens, of which I am facing now. Just a few weeks ago, I’ve finally decided to let go of my current state to face the challenge and uncertainty of a different state (aka dream). Such dream is what most people do not try to live on for as I’ve said, it’s uncertain and unstable. Different mind as I am now, I’m willing to face its uncertainty and start all over again so I can redirect myself to the new path I want to live on. And as someone has said, she thinks I’m in a crossroad that she hopes I wouldn’t regret.

Life I’ve learned will never be regretful if you have the proper mentality to choose a moving forward attitude. As I’ve noticed, our decisions and actions today will greatly affect how we will be tomorrow, be it we decide over it or not, consciously or not. And unlike fairy tales, life isn’t going to give you a perfectly smooth journey in whatever path you’d take, for it’ll surely give you trials to learn lessons on your way, be you accept it or not. So don’t expect things to be perfectly okay in all aspect, for it’ll never be as long as you’re breathing the air of mother earth. If you expect a 100% worry-free journey, you’re doomed to get broken.

So what to do when you’re almost there, reaching that zero balance, and worse, negative brokenness of life?

All you need is your attitude and faith, that moving forward mentality and belief in yourself. It wouldn’t be a smooth journey, but as long as you keep your focus and faith in the end you picture, it will be all worth it.

An Owl's Life

I was once called an Owl, why? ‘coz they say I have big eyes, especially when I’m surprised or trying to intimidate someone. But for two years now, I’ve been living a life of an owl. Well, setting aside the big eyes issue, it’s coz I’m working graveyard or better known as “night shift”.

Here are some of the analyses I’ve compiled while working as an Owl:

1. Night differential. Talk about the money.

2. No traffic. Coz you’d always do the opposite of what the normal human beings do. (You go to work – Normal people go home, vice versa).

3. Happy bank account. Coz you save more. So many reason why:
a) No gimmicks on Friday night.
b) Too tired to go out on Saturday, better sleep.
c) You do not need to buy prepaid credits since you wouldn’t have that much textmates, not unless your sweetheart is a guard, taxi driver or an owl like you.
d) No after-work shopping, coz malls don’t open at 6am and you’d be too tired to wait for the 11am opening.
e) No weekend shopping. Coz you’d rather sleep. In short, the mall will be missing you so badly.
f) No dates/gimmicks. Coz your sweetheart or even friends live a normal life.(Not unless they'll have a midnight lunch date with you or their an owl too).
g) Lastly, lesser medical bills, coz you’d be too scared to visit your doctors. What you don’t know won’t hurt you, not unless it’s hurting you already.

Most pinoys of my generation is living the same life. Either their working in a bpo (business process outsourcing) and/or call centers. And where are all these owls nest came from? It’s none other than jobs from the west that were transferred to developing (aka poor) countries like PI, for lesser salary expense and cut cost.That’s one of the advantages and disadvantages of the information age for it became so easy to communicate and transfer data and information globally, at any time and place. The advantage is yours if you know how to play it for it has a high earning potential.

However, there’s also disadvantage of this global move and I’ll share to you two instances:

* THE VICTIMS
The financial crisis experienced by the west countries 'coz most jobs were outsourced. Such resulted the increase in the unemployment rate that chained effect the problem of normal Joe’s inability to sustain his/her high lifestyle, for his usual JOB SECURITY ceased existence. Like a rubber at night, it left him pennyless 'coz they weren’t prepared. Their most treasured high-paid job can already be done abroad, for a lesser cost that they couldn’t compete at.

* THE BENEFICIARY or is it?
For developing countries, such is seen as an advantage for available jobs increased. BPO firms occupies more than 50% of the job employers today that's why most of my generation who are staying in PI are working in these firms. The only good news I see with this is it helped the economy of PI by providing temporary job to pinoys. When I say temporary is because of the mobility of the job plus for health reasons. Such jobs cannot provide job security for its mobility can cause a BPO to close down anytime and be transferred somewhere else cheaper with same quality. We clearly see it by the number of retrenchments that’s happening nowadays. While for health reason, imagining yourself working at night for 10years, will surely make you think otherwise.

Our beloved country belongs to the group 2, the beneficiary, and I’m one of those. But what will I do about it knowing these things?

As for me, I’m planning my way out by educating myself to learn ways on how to be free. Such financial freedom is what motivates me to move forward in learning as much as I can. But as they say, learning is nothing without action, so I choose to take actions too. And sooner or later, I know I’d be free from this owl’s life, to live a more normal, healthy and financially free life. :)

What about you, are you doing something?

A Journey of an Autistic Accountant

One of the most unforgettable moments in my life is when one quoted me “Autistic”. It was the officemate beside my desk who’ve called me such. Amazed and insulted I’ve asked why, “I’m living in my own world” is what I’ve got. Unsatisfied with her answer, I typed the word autism in google and I found this:

A brain disorder that results in communication, socialization and development problems for the individual that is suffering from it.

I would want to hate my seatmate for calling me such but instead I felt happy for it opened my eyes to see where I was.

I’m not really an autistic type of person but more of a proactive-introvert-superwoman employee (aka certified rat racer). In this environment, requires professional to do more and more work, less and less talk and building relationship.

I was one of those babies who were born with a super-rat racer family. Both my parents are accountant that’s why I pursued Accountancy and strived to get my license to work for a top Accounting firm and eventually end up as a private accountant in a multinational firm. Nice achievement if life is all about titles. And as if this is my resume, I want to add that in a year of service and at 23 I was offered the position of our teams Control Accountant, a leadership position. I am very blessed for I have acquired a great deal of emotional and professional experience in a short time however it also resulted for me to live in a world of Autism.

Reflective as I am, after thorough thinking, I realized why I was living in such world, for with all the paper works in my desk, I did lived in my own world. I was working myself out 16 hours a day sitting and facing my desktop, including Sundays. Why? Will be explained by these two: 1) Ignorance on Leverage, and 2) Self-employed mentality.As such, socializing and building relationship was prejudiced, which resulted for me to lose my true self in the process.

Recognizing where I lacked at, I started searching and learning till I found my answer. I’ve mentioned in my blog, “A piece Called CA2020”, that being part of the core was like a piece of a missing puzzle.

Being a core team showed the real passion and shine of my true self. It guided me out of the autism world thru facing out of my comfort zones. It empowered me to enhance the skills I needed to be effective not only in business but as a person. Such skills included business, people, communication and leadership. These I’ve learned thru exposure to the real world, to people. In here, the more I talk the more I grow while the more I listen the more I learn. The longer I stay the more I realize that the true happiness and fulfillment in life isn’t about titles and how high you climb that ladder. I’ve discovered my happiness and fulfillment in simple things such as talking and listening but creating a big difference in someone else’s life. Such couldn’t be matched by any title or prestige that the corporate can offer me. And the most important lesson I’ve learned in the community is the power of leverage. You are not alone. You don’t have to do everything on your own. And with a team around you, there is a greater abundance you’d achieve.

So why live an autism world? :)

Living life to fullest is like a piece of puzzle that you have to continually searched on to reveal your real shine and passion. It’s not an end but a journey that you have to live along the way. :)

A Simple Life

Oh Philippines!

I duno how many times I’ve said these two words, whether I’m happy saying it or not. And I know a lot have already listed things they’d like and hate about it. Some tag it as “PI”, which I thought then as “P***** Ina”, later on I knew that it means “Philippine Island”. But other than the endless comments I hear about PI, I wonder what more can I say. I’ve already lived in PI long enough to know that it is one of the best paradise in this planet. And honestly, I’ve always believed that it is ‘til I was exposed to the lifestyle of other countries. And what’s with them that PI doesn’t have? “SIMPLE LIFE”

I’ve once watched “Simple Life” starring Paris Hilton. And whenever I watch it, I’m not sure of what I’ll feel. Sometimes I’m mesmerized by Paris classiness, but half of me wants to laugh and cry with what they call, “A Simple Life”. I’ll repeat that word in my head then sigh, “Oh Philippines”. And why? Geez… their simple life, is the life I’ve always dream to have.

What’s that simple life anyways? Just a two-storey house enough for regular family and one to three “regular” cars. Plain and simple. Is it?? Errrr…

For some of the “blessed” pinoys out there, it is simple, but for MAJORITY of “will be blessed” like me (*wink*), it’s something I have to work hard for. And what’s dreadful sometimes is I’m thinking how long before I’d have it? Accountant as I do, I’ve calculated it. And the burden of years, I’ll keep it to myself. Such burden however, is only applicable if I’d rely ONLY thru EMPLOYMENT.

Simple Life is a LIFESTYLE, a way people wants to live. At that day I’ve think of having such “simple life” plus realizing nthe burden of years I have to take, started my quest to BUSINESS and INVESTING.

The more I knew about it, the eager I was to KNOW MORE. For not only the money interests me but the LIFESTYLE, that simple life. Abundant life of money and time.

Then I realized why majority of Pinoy in PI do not live a simple life in our own paradise? That’s cause Pinoys focus too much on EMPLOYMENT. Then who does live abundantly here in PI? Aren’t they mostly CHINESE? Do you still wonder why? What does Chinese focus on? Now, do you see the difference???

My 30th Day Voyage: Into the Core

“You cannot cross an island if you won’t sail the sea”, this runs thru me at decision point.

Thirty days ago, I’ve faced the port and had my choice, to be a WIZARD or a WARRIOR. To differentiate, a wizard is someone who likes to speculate and be skeptical before taking action while a warrior is a fighter that takes on the challenge in the quest of seeing the unseen. And what did I chose? BE A WARRIOR THAT BIDDED BON VOYAGE. :)

Now, thirty days after, I haven’t reached the island yet. As my mentors have said, this sail isn’t an easy quest that will give you an instant result but the journey and long-term result will speak for itself. And chronicler as I am, I wouldn’t want to miss telling my reader the story of what I’ve seen and got on my first thirty days of sailing.

If there’s one word to describe it, that’ll be, CHANGE. Change in itself is broad, so here are some of those that I’ve personally encountered:


*** MINDSET ***

Before I’ve met the community, I was aware of the law that states “thoughts become things”.

Most people aren’t aware of this law or some do knows it but rarely do they apply it. In my first 30 days, exercising the power of my thoughts has been one of the great activities I’m enjoying. Now, I’m not only aware but I am reminded and directing it to think like the rich people does. Day by day, I exercise my millionaire and billionaire mind. :)

Remember, your thought is the most powerful thing for it gives you what you feed it. So what I do is feeding it with positive and richness thoughts.


*** LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE ***I’m a professional accountant and as such, I’m usually surrounded by wizards, those who speculate and are skeptical, most especially, they have an “employee” mindset. I’ve used to be quoted as extra-ordinary and weird for I think differently. I knew I was ‘til I found this community, then I thought I’m not a weirdo, I just have a different mind from the usual CPA.

In here, I am surrounded by those who think the way I do, and what is it? Financially free mindset. A mindset that believes that money should work for me and not vice versa. A mind that believes there are greater things to be done, with our most valuable asset called TIME, than spending it 8 hours or more in a cubicle of your office desk.In here, I’ve learned to disassociate and spend less time to people who may disempower my rich thoughts and have started building relationships and network with different but like-minded individuals. Indeed, like attracts like.

As they say, if you want to be beautiful surround yourself with beautiful people so you can learn to be one instead of surrounding yourself with ugly people to stand out and learn nothing. :)

*** MENTORSHIP ***No man is an island. In life, one way or another you’ll need another person that will serve as your guide post that will inspire and teach you ways they’ve got thru learning and experience.

In this community I’ve learned to differentiate “helping” and “teaching”. As they say, “Feeding the fish to someone won’t solve the problem but teaching how to fish will”.

T.Harv Eker have quoted, “If you want to be rich, learn and spend time with the rich”. In this community, you’d meet a lot of mentors and coaches who are wealthy, that’s rich with both money and time. And these mentors serve as my guide post that teaches me (in lieu of helping me) how to have what they’ve achieved.

Here, I’ve learned to be “coachable”. BE=DO=HAVE. That’s develop and grow myself to BE the right person to do business. DO act upon the task and commitments given to me. And as I diligently follow it thru, I’ll HAVE the personal and financial growth and reward I’m aiming for.

Trust is vital in this community for without it, you wouldn’t last.

TRUSTING your mentors is very crucial. Besides, they’ve made it and you’re here to learn from them. And from there, you can apply it as your own and/or create your own blueprint that works for you. :)

*** UNCOMFORTABILITY = GROWTH ***

TAKE ACTION TO YOUR FINANCES OR TAKE ORDERS ALL YOUR LIFE. – Robert Kiyosaki.


Since day one into the core, the tasks were never ending just like the jobs we have to do at work. But the difference is that these tasks are non-routine and usually hits your comfort zone that results to your uncomfortability and growth. New core team like I am are called “Apprentice” for we are still learning to be “Coaches or Mentors ” ourselves. Being an apprentice means we still need to grow. And to be able to grow, all you have to do is have humility to start as a beginner and learn from the experienced mentors/coaches.

To give you a quick idea, I’ve formulated it as follow:

TASK + ACTION + UNCOMFORTABILTY = GROWTH

In here, each task or “job” will result to your growth, as long as you’re coachable enough TO TAKE ACTION.

And from growth, MONEY will just follow.

I personally believe that personal growth is very crucial to be successful for it helps you move despite the most uncomfortable circumstances and nothing else can beat such courage.

*** COMMITMENT AND INTEGRITY ***

My personal goal is to walk my life with integrity. Integrity means differently to different people. But to define it myself, integrity is more than honesty of your words but more of realness of your values, principles and purpose. Once your integrity is clear, commitment follows for you wouldn’t want to spread dirt to your deepest values and purpose. Most people are confused with their purpose that’s why it’s hard for them to live up to their commitments that prejudice their integrity.

In the community, my integrity have doubled and improved more. For they see the passion and pureness of my purpose. It’s easier for me to act on my commitments for I know and live my purpose. And this purpose is what’s keeping me moving forward regardless. :)

*** A MISSION AND VISSION GREATER THAN MYSELF ***

Another addicting part about this community is its mission and vision.

In the past, I’ve been involved into reading and sharing my life experiences and lesson learned thru blogs. But in this community, I do not only write it to share but I speak and teach it day by day.

Making a difference into someone else’s life is the most rewarding feeling I ever felt. Empowering them thru words and modeling are priceless.

Our community isn’t only spreading financial literacy alone but personal greatness overall. :)

If all Filipino’s can attend to this kind of community and gatherings, FIRST WORLD PHILIPPINES is very possible. And that’s what I love about this community for despite rejection of our invitation, we keep our eye on our commitment and mission to move us forward to our vision. :)

*** PERSISTENCE ***

For me, this is the most important change and value I have learned from this community. In the past, I’m one of the people who are scared of failure and rejection. But as I’ve learned, successful people fall 7 times but stands up 8 times.

In the community, this phrase isn’t purely theoretical for I’ve applied it in my reality during the first weeks. In 30 days span, I’ve encountered a lot of uncomfortabilities that if I didn’t persisted, I’ve perished. As they say, “If it won’t kill you, DO IT. It’s better to do die trying”. :)

*** PROFIT ***

Ofcourse, anyone who engage in business think of the profit. Most of my coaches have said that in this business your profit is in direct proportion to your growth. GROWTH = MONEY. Thus explain why the journey to your growth will determine the time of your profit.

In 30 days, I’ve already earned both personally and financially. Tho I’m still not yet financially free but I know I’m not too far from it. :)

It has only been 30 days but a lot have changed already. And to experience the same, I invite you to assess yourself if you want to embrace these three important characteristic that you need to endure being a core team:

1) Be Coachable (have an open mind and willingness to take action)
2) Be success-driven (set your purpose and goal)
3) Be willing to start as a beginner (have the humility to unlearn and learn)

Three simple characteristic, that if you have them, for sure you’d enjoy THE VOYAGE INTO THE CORE TEAM.

A Piece Called CA2020

In grade school, I’ve been exposed to the mainstream of high rise buildings in Ayala, Makati. My mom has been working all her life as an Accountant and she was a great influence on why I pursued my profession as Certified Public Accountant. At a young age, I was mesmerized by the glamour of the corporate world for the high profiled job and office my mom had back then left a huge difference in me. And like the usual parental advice, I’ve studied hard and diligently reviewed to pass the board exam. Fortunately, I’ve passed it and got jobs on good firms in the country. But as I’m living and working in the corporate world, the glamour I’ve used to believe in did not shine the way it used to.

Three years after college, I’m now at Ayala, Makati working in a multinational oil company with a high profiled job inside a luxurious building with my own desk complete with all the things I need to work well. In such time, I was recognized and promoted to a leadership position. I am grateful with the recognition and trust but deep within I knew something’s missing. I’ve worked hard and reached the positions I’ve aimed for but slowly I started to see and realized that corporate world wasn’t the place I want to grow and live with. I started to realize that this world is taking too much of my time but doesn’t provide me that much financial freedom. As I stay longer, the more I valued my youth and time that I rarely have because I have too much work in my desk. Then I felt something’s not right and I started to look for that missing piece until one day, like a light of bulb, I found the piece that completed my puzzle. That piece of puzzle is called Create Abundance 2020 Business Community (CA2020).

Before I’ve found my piece, I’ve searched my soul by reading a lot of books, attending seminars and a solo road trips to places just to reflect. All the soul searching was beneficial and fulfilling but still I felt the emptiness of that piece until one day a friendster message have solved and changed my growing puzzle.

CA2020 means a lot to me, it’s my school, my battlefield and my family for I own and breathe with it for I’ve found a new form of living that supported my beliefs and desires. In this community I’m learning to be a good player in the game of business and life. Every day I spend is a day of empowerment and positivity. In this place I can be both at my best and not-so-best for it doesn’t criticize and accepts failure as learning ground. It’s a place for me to learn and re-learn by empowering others and be empowered. In here I’m enhancing all the skills of business, people, leadership and personal that I needed to truly succeed in life. And with these powerful people surrounding me, success in all aspect isn’t too far and hard at the same time, I’m enjoying my most valuable asset called TIME. :)

Isn’t it a marvelous piece of puzzle to find a place where you learn and grow as a person, meet and cultivate people, and you’re earning yet you have all the time in your hands. It sounds impossible but it’s existing for a lot of us have already found it. You just have to ask yourself if you have the same missing piece that you need to search on for who knows you’ll find the same piece I’ve had.

Habit 3: Put First Things First

In the past, I always put my focus into one. Whenever something interests me, I’ll strive to be at my best on that something. I always strive for “efficiency” instead of “effectiveness”. Other than being efficient, I also tend to be “do-it-all” type of person. I never say “No”. As I’ve blogged a few weeks ago, never saying “no” isn’t good at all. You should learn to say “no”.

Habit 3 teach about dealing with urgency and importance, putting things first without losing balance. Most people lack balance in life, either their too pre-occupied with work, love, family, school, business etc. Such lackness causes them to feel stressed, haggard and unhappy with life which also at times lead to broken relationships. I used to be one of those who don’t believe there is this real “balance” in life. Now, I’m happy to say that my life never felt this balanced as I started to learn the trick. :D

When I say balanced, it doesn’t mean complete equilibrium in all aspect, mind you, it can’t be perfect equality. Someone have said that life balance is like your four fingers (exclude your thumb). If you’d look at these fingers, they’re not created equal but their close to it. In viewing life’s balance, you can look at your fingers to remind you the “almost equality” in the four aspect of life, that’s mental, spiritual, physical and emotional.

When you start to understand this, you’d see life as easy as ABC. Haha. You’d start to appreciate how wonderful life is and how you can live it to the fullest, day by day. You’d realized that “busy” is the most irrelevant excuse you can ever say for you’d never be busy. You’d start to view the word “busy” to mean lack of control on the most important asset of life which is TIME. For you do have all the time to build relationship and produce outputs, it’s just rest to you on WHAT’s valuable that leads to your happiness. :D

As I started to apply this in my life, a noticeably changed in my aura and outlook started to come out. Now I feel bubblier, younger and happier than I ever felt. :D To start attracting positive vibes in your life, aim for balance, and from there you’d start to attract positive things for you feel positively happy with life. Remember, like attracts like. :D

“Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of the things which matter least”. – GOETHE

A Stain I Want To Erase

Imagine yourself having a relationship that’s too good to be true. LIke a love that’s deeper and sweeter than Romeo and Juliet. A prince in a fairy tale world. Then suddenly, it all stopped. For days, weeks and months, you won’t receive any texts, email nor phone calls.

Furious and confuse, you’d approach that prince. He’d ask you why do you want to see him? And you’d answer, “Coz I wonder how you’ve been” then ask him, “What am I to you?”. And he’d tell you, “You’re a stain i want to erase!. Start worrying about yourself. Take care.” OUCH???!!! OMG!!!!!

Okay, how did I know this? Stop playing that thoghts in your mind for this isn’t my love story, hahaha. I’m currently watching the korean version of “Boys Before Flowers” (a.k.a Hana Yori Dango (Japan) & Meteor Garden (taiwan)).

There’s this scene where the guy said that, “A stain I want to erase”.

I find guys (or even gals, for i heard there are bitch out there) who does this thing a BIG COWARD. Instead of telling the other person directly that they’ve fallen out of love, they keep the other waiting and wondering of ‘WHY THINGS SUDDENLY CHANGED’. They don’t have the nerve to tell directly that they’ve fallen out of love.

Face it, telling them or not will cause the same, you’d break their heart (may even crashed it). So why prolong, and why leave the other person hanging?

Some are scared to say the magic word, “i’ve fallen out of love” because their scared of hurting the other person. But scared or not, not telling the other person that you did, will only worsen the other’s situation. For some, those who tell the girl/guy directly are cruel, but as for me, it’s better to be honest than keep the other waiting. They’d get hurt, that’s for sure, but at least, they can move on.

Pain isn’t scary, what’s more scary is believin’ onto something that isn’t there anymore.

Summer Time

TIME MOVES SOOOO FAST. A few more days and it’ll be summer month again. GOSH.
I’ve been in Baguio over the weekend but the summer capital itself didn’t make me realize that. I’m that slow and stupid, if not most of the time, at times.hahaha.

Everybody is planning their summer getaway that’s for sure, and am I planning? Yeah, just another baguio trip with my college friends. Some people have been inviting me to EK, Galera, Palawan and etc. but I haven’t said “yes” to any of those. And why? I don’t know, I just don’t like to spend for now. Okay, weirdo.hehe. FREE STUFF ARE WAY BETTER, OFCOURSE! :D

Right now, I’m living day by day which some also call as step by step. I plan, sure I do, but more of a long term plans, like a certain end I’m picturing. And at the same time, I’m living to the fullest today. When I say fullest, it does not mean physical and financial full blaster, but more of emotional and relationship wiser.

The past quarter has been a positively blast and crazy. A LOT HAD HAPPENED AGAIN. There’s being a back-up Control Accountant (aka Officer-in-charge), CI workshop, meeting a lot of good and nice like-minded-people from a business community, getting A LITTLE BIT closer to someone who’ve caught my special attention for sometime now (yihee :D), building a lot of good relationship and new friendships :D, year-end bonus/salary increase, getting a good debt, bein’ a core team member, and lastly, a new extrovert, light-hearted and bubbly me. A TOTAL CHANGE I SHOULD SAY for someone who used to be quoted as “autistic”. Okay, that’s exaggerating, just “shy, quiet and snob”. :D

I’m pretty sure summer time will be another blast. Hopefully, by then, I can share to you my chapter 2 in terms of love, a lot of free outings, meeting lots lots of people that I can make a difference to, and lastly a better and financially free me. :D

“Forms follow function”

One More Chance

If you’d be given a chance to go back in time, will you take the chance? Will you give up today so you can go back to yesterday?

I remember a Filipino movie entitled “One More Chance”. A lot of people have been telling me to watch it coz it’s really nice and I can relate to it but I haven’t done so, and I’m betting that I won’t be doing so. Not in the near future tho. Maybe someday I will. You may call it a coincidence but the story was somehow similar to my real love story. Long-term relationship that started in UST that eventually ended after 5 years. OUCH. Haha. I can still remember the pain at times but most of the time, I laugh thru it.

There are times I do want to go back in time especially on heavy days that I really miss those days he’s with me. The first love I had was almost perfect that I couldn’t dare to get mad to the guy which made it harder for me to move on before. But I’m so glad I did and not clinging to pass is what made me do it.

To answer why I never watch the movie? Not because I’ll get hurt but because I don’t want to influence myself and believe in one more chance. As they say, “what’s done is done”.

It’s been 365 days now. The pain is gone, the longing is gone, but the loneliness, is it gone?

At the moment, loneliness is still here. I’m happy, no doubt about it. But “used to be” are really hard to deal with sometimes. There are times I wish I have somebody. Somebody I can share my thoughts with, share my time with and hopefully share my life with.

I’ve used to believe in forever love and I was ready to give that love to someone, wholeheartedly. But sadness, he stepped on it and pushed me away. Ironic as life is, when you’re ready to give everything to someone that’s when they take you for granted. Oh my, I’m word vomiting here.hahaha.

It’s raining outside and it feels like it’s raining inside me, at this very minute, right here, right now.

Trying Times

Nowadays, it’s everyone’s favorite word. From the newspaper, magazines, internet, etc. it’s the main story that’s closely looked at by people from all classes.

Someone has said that “if things are easy then it wouldn’t be worthwhile”. In line to that, someone also said, “Be thankful that things aren’t easy for it only mean it’s not yet the end”. It does make sense coz life, indeed, is really worthwhile and that I still don’t like it to end.

These days I should say have been one of those days I call, CRAZY. My spirit in totality is being tested again. From my own health, work responsibilities/opportunities, family matters, supposed-to-be school matters and my future activity. Trying times is amazing coz it was able to do much in span of almost two weeks, capturing all the areas I’ve just mentioned. Just today, I’ve handled two, both personal and professional. Today I had to stand between an institute versus my own brother which resulted to a bit messing up my professional side. I’m not good in disappointing people and at the same time I’m not good of confrontations and expressing myself verbally, but now I’m trying to look at things in whole picture. I don’t panic and decide the most logical and ethical way. That’s the reason why I always think that you should never let down your guard for you’ll never know once these things hit you. Good thing I’m having the proper mindset that I’m able to handle it all without being stressed out. Although at times, it makes me want to faint, just to exaggerate.

In times like this, I just need to dust myself off and carry on, in addition to thinking through and preparation. I know my priorities now; I’ve already set and decided to stick to them. Good thing I did coz without it probably I’d feel tired and lost again.

As I’ve mentioned a few days ago, I’m about to sail, and I won’t let all these things stop me to where I’m going. AJA! :D

Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind

I’ve once read that the difference between a winner and a loser is the ability of the former to create his/her blueprint. Most of the time people hate contemplating about life and their action, but they always wonder why life’s so hard. And when asked what’s their life’s all about? They’d either make fun of you thinking you’re some kind of retarded or they don’t know the answer.

Recently, I’ve discovered that life isn’t really hard if you know how to play it. When I say play, I don’t mean to make fun of it, but just like any other sport life has its mechanics and tactics that you can learn to for you to result as a winner and happy. Sadly tho, most people aren’t willing to learn how to play it or even avoid the topic.

In the past, I seldom contemplate about life and me. I was one of those people who think reflecting and meditating is boring and weird. But now, different as I am, reflecting and contemplating have been one of my consistent habit. For sure, it’s weird for most but I’m pretty sure some loves it. J The change is still unfathomable for me until now but I love how it is. Coz I feel I’m more in control of myself and my life the day I started to contemplate about it.

During one of the leadership training I’ve attended, we had an activity to create our EULOGY. EULOGY is like a written statement about you that people will talk about during your own funeral. When I’ve looked at the instruction, I had goose bumps because during those times, death is like something I don’t want to talk about. (Ofcourse, that’s another thing that changed too). At that moment, I didn’t know what to write, reason maybe I was too stunned or I really didn’t know what to write, I was lost too. But now, in five minutes I can tell you what I want to hear in my EULOGY. Scary? Nah, it isn’t. :)

Begin with the end in mind is like writing your own Eulogy. It will consist of things that you want people to remember about you. Like what kind of character/attitude you have? What kind of relationships you’ve built? What kind of work/contribution you’ve left? And what kind of advocacy you’ve supported?

It amazed me to discover that life can be your own blueprint, as always, Life’s a choice. Ofcourse, there are things beyond your control but despite those, it all comes down to your OWN choice. Everything in life has 2 creations, 1) the blueprint and 2) the result. With the blue print we see what we want to happen, like how big the house, how many bedrooms and if it has garden or pool. On the other hand, the result is the output. The actual house you were able to build.

The same thing goes to our own life. Most people feel lost with life because they don’t have a guide, a blueprint to look into. That’s why everything they do is based on the current state or other people’s opinion/standards.

Each of us has our own unique blueprint, a unique purpose, a personal mission statement. If you’d contemplate about it, most of things have. Companies, schools, athletes, organizations, etc. Everything has their blueprint, a mission statement that they look into as basis of their way of service and operations. Sadly tho everything has that people follow to, but most people don’t have their own self. And now I understand why people will most likely can’t answer what their purpose is.

Although our mission statement is something we can do but it can’t be done overnight. It’s a continuous process to build but the core value is in there. Such mission statement will guide you in your decision makings with life coz you have a principle and values you can base upon.

Once you begin to have this, you slowly see life as easy as shopping. Hehe. I’m just exaggerating but once you do, slowly you’d be able to see a clearer picture of what your life is really all about. Also, you’d be amazed to see the change you’d have that’s in line to the blueprint you created. Don’t wait for your own funeral before you realize what you really are and what your life is all about. :)

What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Bon Voyage! :D

“You cannot cross an island if you won’t sail the sea.” This saying always runs thru my head whenever I try to reach a decision.

I always hear people say, life isn’t easy, that life is hard. This saying creates two reactions, a negative and positive. Sadly, most of the time, I see people who take the first, that’s being negative and burdened about the hardship. As for me, I’ve always looked at life’s hardship as a challenge that will result to something good. I’m more of a doer before I complain, and I seldom say “No”. The difference with the past is I take myself too seriously which is far from my current state. Now, I still am a doer (pro-active), tho it does stress me alittle at times but I don’t take myself too seriously anymore. I smile through it as I take on the challenge, the hardship. Taking responsibility without taking myself seriously helps me keep my bubbly and worry free self which makes me feel great with my life now. :D

Now, I’m about to sail the ocean to the island of my desire. Naks. Haha. The decision wasn’t easy. I’m a professional accountant/auditor, trained to be skeptical and factual, like to see is to believe. My profession is a bit contradicting to my personality of a doer, the “can” do attitude that nothing is impossible. Ironic as it is, despite the fact I’m a trained accountant, my core value of a dreamer/believer retained in me.

I greatly value respect, the fact that people will believe in different things that I do. Honestly, I don’t see any problem with that coz each of one of us has our own journey and purpose to live in, our own battle field. In the past year, it was a bit struggle for me to find like-minded people, those who see life the way I see it. Gladly, my journey and purpose lead me to meet these people. These people were mostly part of a community but I’m happy to say that I also see a few of them in my current workplace. And these persons keep me to where I am now without losing my focus for they help me be reminded. :D

I’m aware that my voyage will be a struggle but I’m excited coz I know I’ll learn a lot. As I’ve said before, I’m not afraid of failures, for failures are my wisdom to life. So I bid myself, bon voyage! :D

Happiness is found in DOING not merely in POSSESSING. – Napoleon Hill

Krung World

Most people, if not all, have problems to deal with. What differs is on how each of them deals with it.
Some people will battle with it unprepared while most will probably prepare for the solution which I agree to be the best way to deal with it. But there will be cases where you neither do anything of these two, instead, you find yourself escaping, either physically by going aboard or the cheapest way, thru fantasy.hahaha. For me, I usually do the later; I go to the fantasy world which I call the Krung world. :D But there were instances I went aboard which if money will do me, I think I’ll like it better. Going a board gives you wider perspective since you see other things. And I guess being in the krung world does the same effect to me since it gives me the opportunity to know and see the way other culture lives, other than the “kilig” thingy it brings me. Hehe

I’m proud pinay and my desire is to live my whole life in this country, if my fortune will permit me so. I once thought of leaving this country for a great reason that became alittle bit larger than me but last year, after thorough thinking and contemplating, I’ve finally decided to let go of a BIG opportunity and stay in PI. It was not an easy decision, it was one of my defining moments, if you want to call it that way, but right now, I don’t feel any regret doing so because I feel great and happy with the way my life is at the moment.

Despite being proud pinay, there’s one thing I hate to admit but is true and that is I’m not fond watching our own entertainment shows. Instead, I’m fond watching Korean and Japanese dramas. At first, it was more of a past time, nothing much better to do and since I love Chinese-korean-japanese looking guys, I didn’t mind watching until it became a habit… more of an addiction.hahaha. Now, I can even speak a few Korean words, even Japanese. Haha. And so I call it my Krung world. A place I can escape to whenever I feel like it. :D

Before, I really can’t answer why I love watching them, until I realized that other than the kilig it brings me, I’m learning a lot from these dramas. Not only it broadens my point of view on how other culture lives but also by the lessons I learn from it, unconsciously. Hahaha. And yeah, there are lessons from this krung krung dramas, it if not all, well, most of my favorite does.hahaha

To name a few, here’s my top three list of Korean/Japanese Dramas that I can say are one of the best so far (both on the artists, acting, cinematography, directing and the lessons learned, yeah there is.haha)
1. Full House (KD)
2. My Girl (KD)
3. Hanayori Dango (JD) or Boys Over Flower (KD)

I’ve watched these dramas more than 5 times even tho they have 16 episodes which you can watch for 3 days straight (if you’re that addicted and I once am. Haha.) By watching these, somehow I can see the Korean and Japanese culture, scenery, the snow and it gives me this strong desire to visit these two countries sooner or later. Tho I still have to find my courage to eat their food.hahahaha.

To amaze you, there’s one common denominator from these 3 dramas, and that’s where the lesson learned comes in. From these three, all the 3-ladies have the same characteristic that somehow reflects me. That is their all bubbly and friendly, simple and laid-back, humble and respectful, and lastly, their all determined and strong-willed. They smile and are happy despite anxieties and they never give in to fear, including humiliation. Nice character I should say for a woman. :D

Nowadays, for a lady to survive happy in this life, it’s best to maintain a light heart and mind to be happy in every circumstance and at the same time strong-will to fight whenever it is necessary to do so. :D

For a final note, I love to share this quote I’ve recently read, and it’s from the words of wisdom of Donald Trump:

“Give yourself a little freedom to develop into something or someone you’d actually like to be”

Why I want to be a core team?

Nowadays I’ve been attending a community where they empower people, not just by their words but also by their sincere effort to listen to you. In the past, I’m more of a talker, but since last year, I started to become more of a listener because I realized that I’ll expand my horizon more if I’d listen. Student of life as I am, I think listening helps me grow more of a person. And pro-balance as I am, I believe that a person should be a listener and a talker, just like a giver and a receiver. :)

I’m glad I’ve been able to be seeing this community and more, I do hope I’d be a part of it soon. :)
But before I can become one, I have to answer the why? My official list is done separately, but here’s the summary of why:

- I share the same vision of making PI a first world country. Possible? Ofcourse it is, nothing is impossible!:D ;
- I want to be financially literate and FREE;
- I want a fast track life and living my desired lifestyle;
- I’m focused and determined person, when I put my priority, things happens for me, lucky me. :)
- I want to surround myself with like-minded people;
- I want to be a student and meet one of my mentor in life;
- I want to walk the talk;
- I want to ACT;
- I want to BE;
- I’m strong willed and I know I can do it. :)
- And lastly, I want to take part in spreading financial literacy. I want to be a mentor myself, walking and talking the truth of the fruit of my step to be a core team. :)

I’m very much aware that it’ll be hard, I’d risk a lot, will accept a lot of criticism and may bump into failures, but as I always believe in, its better do something than wonder forever with what ifs. But I’m very much positive if not all, there’s still a lot of Filipino’s that are open-minded, they just need the proper information and proper mentor. :)
Just like what my friend said to me yesterday, the mere fact that I’m sharing this here, blogging and talking about it, shows I’m brave enough to face the consequence of what other people will react to this. And I guess I am naturally risk-taker.
I just have one life, and I’ll never know until when it is, I’d rather be free to do things now than secure myself and restrict it just because I’m thinking too much of the consequence. I’d act now, before life just passes me by. :)

Habit 1: Be Proactive

This is a continuation of “It all starts with, Habit”.
Do you feel tired with life? Where everything seems to be out of place and control? Does circumstance makes you feel stressed and worried? Does it give you this great desire to just yell as loud as you can?
Well, my friend, been there done that but I’m happy to tell you that I was able to get out of it, more, I became much better. J

I used to be a pessimist and control freak but luckily I was able to see the light of a different perspective.
It wasn’t like a magic from my fairy god mother but more of a bulb of light that changed the sources of everything, and that’s my thoughts.

I always emphasize this, “Life’s a choice”. Same goes with our thoughts. Almost everything in our life is within our control except for little things call “consequences” that’s beyond or beautifully called, fortuitous. God gave us such freedom though he still controls a part of it.

Habit 1 is about being proactive. For most, proactivity means performers and initiators. But to define more accurately, proactive person is someone who are responsible for their own lives. Their behavior is a function of decisions, not of conditions. They carry their own weather, whether it rains or shines have no difference to them. The opposite of proactive is reactive. Reactive are more concerned of feelings. They feel like a victim of someone else’s behavior which caused their circumstance. They blame everyone and everything for their circumstance except their own self.

During my dark days, it was a struggle. But such struggled changed me a lot. The change was a process that was noticed slowly by those people that surrounds me. But now, I’m amazed coz it seems that this change is part of me. I knew it was but to hear it from someone else, someone I just met, and then I felt that it was real, I’ve changed, I am better. Better is an understatement, coz I feel so great.
Surprisingly, I’ve been recently quoted as person with “high EQ”, and truly, I felt so wonderful hearing it from someone I respect and aim to be. J

Habit 1, talks about proactive people and as I see, people that are proactive are those with high EQ.
And to change a pessimist to a person with a high EQ, how did it happen?

In life, there are circumstances grouped to two, a) Concern b) influence.
Concern is about thing that affects us but we don’t have control while Influence is thing that affects us but we have control. Concern includes annoying people, low pay, and all other bad circumstances while influence is more about our attitude. And to change, we have to be more focus on influence instead of concern. Instead of mourning and complaining, better concentrate on what you can control, that’s yourself and your proper approach to your circumstances. J

”I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by conscious endeavor” – Henry David Thoreau

Almost Over

Cherished past
Stranger present
Looking at your shadow
Brings past vigor
Oomph to move
To letting go

Astounded to know
It was easier than thought
Past will be past
Memries be forever
Today can’t be tomorrow
And today,
I’m closed to the door
Geared to go on