Just One . . .

Monk Cat. Bangkok.

One song can spark a moment.

One flower can wake the dream.

One tree can start a forest.

One bird can herald spring.

Phra Nakhon Khiri Museum. Petchaburi.

One smile can begin a friendship.

One handclasp can lift a soul.

One star can guide a ship at sea.

One word can frame the goal.

Phetburi Salac Muang. Phetburi.

One vote can change a nation.

One sunbeam can light a room.

One candle can wipe out darkness.

One laugh can conquer gloom.

Sukhothai.

One step must start each journey.

One word must start each prayer.

One hope can raise our spirits.

One touch can show you care.

Loi Khratong. Lumphini.

One voice can speak with wisdom.

One heart can know what’s true.

One life can make a difference.

You see, it’s up to you!

- Godvine

The Power That Lies Within You

Your path to self improvement ultimately lies within you. You have to look into your own mind, body, spirit and soul. For people who do not have the support system of a family, one of the many paths they take is self discovery. This could mean that it happened when one day of their lives they are walking in the park for fresh air, or simply strolling along the sea shore, or laying down alone listening to music, or simply they see themselves in front of the mirror and began to ask who they are, what they are about, what they are doing here etc., and from there, they have found their path to improving themselves.

Searching may lead someone to look for it through religion or faith, while others may find it through their friends and counselors. Regardless which path one takes, it is a matter of deeply reaching inside them and finally deciding that they want to become a better person. Self awareness is where self improvement begins. The “self” in you should assume taking control of your life. Understanding yourself is the first step before you can act on any issues. It is through this where you will be able to fully identify your personal strengths and weaknesses, values and beliefs, and needs and desires. Bear in mind that only you has the power to make a difference in your life. Motivation must come from within you.

Little rock towers. I took this shot. Taken in Sukhothai province, Thailand. LMC

Life is a constant 

change, it continuously grow. You are the only one accountable for the changes necessary to bring results to your life, how you respond to various situations, the kinds of experiences you create and how effective you are in making the life you desire. In assessing your life, you are able to identify the areas you would like to improve and then you can start making steps and actions in working towards your goals. This will include the following:

Acceptance. Your ability to accept existing problems will help you put things in perspective allowing you to create a sense of direction.

Making a Plan. Be specific of what you want to do and outline implementation steps.

Seeking help. You need not do everything by yourself. You have to involve your family, mentors and friends. Those you love and who care about you.

Implementing. Setting targets into smaller and realistic goals.

Celebrating. No matter how insignificant, celebrate your small successes.

Re-assessing your plans. Regularly check your plans and targets. Make necessary changes to avoid idleness. Once you have reached your goals, it is time to create and set new ones.

The process of bringing out the best person in one person is self improvement. It is achieved through knowing oneself, creating and achieving specific goals and constantly maintaining a positive attitude. No matter the circumstances are, as long as you have a positive outlook, you will be able to bear all the challenges life will throw at you. This will positively enhance the totality of your being. This will cover your health condition, your finances, your career, your relationships, your emotions, your spiritual life and other areas in your life.

Keep a positive attitude and stay committed. 

The Scroll Marked IV

I am Nature’s Greatest Miracle 
By Og Mandino, Bantam Books, New Yorks, N.Y., 1968

Since the beginning of time never has there been another with my mind, my heart, my eyes, my ears, my hands, my hair, my mouth. None that came before, none that live today, and none that come tomorrow can walk and talk and move and think exactly like me. All men are my brothers yet I am different from each. I am a unique creature.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

Although I am of the animal kingdom, animal rewards alone will not satisfy me. Within me burns a flame, which has been passed from generations uncounted, and its heat is a constant irritation to my spirit to become better than I am, and I will. I will fan this flame of dissatisfaction and proclaim my uniqueness to the world.

None can duplicate my brush strokes, none can duplicate my chisel marks, none can duplicate my handwriting, none can produce my child, and, in truth, none has the ability to sell exactly as I. Henceforth, I will capitalize on this difference for it is an asset to be promoted to the fullest.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

Vain attempts to imitate others no longer will I make. Instead I will place my uniqueness on display in the market place. I will proclaim it, yea, I will sell it. I will begin now to accent my differences; hide my similarities. So too will I apply this principle to the goods I sell. Salesman and goods, different from all others, and proud of the differences.

I am a unique creature of nature.

I am rare, and there is value in all rarity; therefore, I am valuable. I am the end product of thousands of years of evolution; therefore, I am better equipped in both mind and body than all the emperors and wise men who preceded me.

But my skills, my mind, my heart, and my body will stagnate, rot, and die lest I put them to good use. I have unlimited potential. Only a small portion of my brain do I employ; only a paltry amount of muscles do I flex. A hundredfold or more can I increase my accomplishments of yesterday and this I will do, beginning today.

Nevermore will I be satisfied with yesterday’s accomplishments nor will I indulge, anymore, in self-praise for deeds which in reality are too small to even acknowledge. I can accomplish far more than I have, and I will, for why should the miracle which produced me end with my birth? Why can I not extend that miracle to my deeds of today?

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

I am not on this earth by chance. I am here for a purpose and that purpose is to grow into a mountain, not to shrink to a grain of sand. Henceforth will I apply all my efforts to become the highest mountain of all and I will strain my potential until it cries for mercy.

I will increase my knowledge of mankind, myself, and the goods I sell, thus my sales will multiply. I will practice, and improve, and polish the words I utter to sell my goods, for this is the formulation on which I will build my career and never will I forget that many have attained great wealth and success with only one sales talk, delivered with excellence. Also will I seek constantly to improve my manners and graces, for they are the sugar to which all are attracted.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

I will concentrate my energy on the challenge of the moment and my actions will help me forget all else. The problems of my home will be left in my home. I will think naught of my family when I am in the market place for this will cloud my thoughts. So too will the problems of the market place be left in the market place and I will think naught of my profession when I am in my home for this will dampen my love.

There is no room in the market place for my family, nor is there room in my home for the market. Each I will divorce from the other and thus will I remain wedded to both. Separate must they remain or my career will die. This is the paradox of the ages.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

I have been given eyes to see and a mind to think and now I know a great secret of life for I perceive, at last, that all my problems, discouragements, and heartaches are, in truth, great opportunities in disguise. I will no longer be fooled by the garments they wear for mine eyes are open. I will look beyond the cloth and I will not be deceived.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

No beast, no plant, no wind, no rain, no rock, no lake had the same beginning as I, for I was conceived in love and brought forth with a purpose. In the past I have not considered this fact but it will henceforth shape and guide my life.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

And nature knows not defeat. Eventually, she emerges victorious and so will I, and with each victory the next struggle becomes less difficult.

I will win, and I will become a great salesman, for I am unique.

I am nature’s greatest miracle.

Look Within and Find Yourself

Life presents many challenges for you; some are good while others are not. Either way, you learn from it. The past has been very good to you because it has delivered you here. You only have to move forward with greater and stronger faith. Difficult times go in the way when you are in your pursuit to finding your true self. You must not lose hope though, for personal growth is achieved through resolute determination and discipline.

Below are a few tips to help you in achieving your goals in finding yourself:

1.       Consider yourself blessed if you are faced with many challenges. These things make you stronger and better being. The circumstances in your life are great ways to achieve your goals. On the other hand, if you do not find enough challenges, you got to find them yourself. Staying long enough in your comfort zones will only make you idle and you will not improve. Go, look for those challenges that will boost your strengths and achieve your potentials.

2.      Keep a positive mindset at all times. Opportunity to grow lies in every hardship. You will find yourself in a cheerful disposition even when hard times hits.

3.      Create a support system. You are not alone in this world. You will need moral support from families, friends and colleagues. Ask for help should you need it and lend a hand when someone needs you.

4.      Prepare, plan and do not rush. Remind yourself that this something you will master overnight. It takes time, thus the need for you to plan your goals. Set your goals to SMART (Specific, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic and Time bounded). Choose to commit on continuously reaching your potentials and to succeed in life.

You will come to a point where in pursuing your life’s dreams, you realize that in order to reach for them: you must learn to do some changes about yourself, like changing your outlook in life, your attitude, your behavior and others. You improve yourself more and seeing to it that all these are directly proportional to your goals. Your own personal growth lets you recognize the things that hinder you from becoming successful. It will help you work on the improvement of your strengths in order for you to reach your potential.

Let go of old habits, old perceptions and other undesirable personal traits that no longer support your personal development. When you remove the old, the ones that do not yield results, you make room for the new to be born and grow. Look at the same things from different perspectives. You must be willing to redo a few things from your past that did not work. Be bold and be bigger than your dreams, deal with your fears. Take control. It takes a lot of resolute determination but you can make it. Many challenges will come along the way, keep going. Be very persistent and never give up. Be open to changes and be prepared to face the unknown. These are very important ingredients that will lead you in your pursuit to personal growth.

Beautiful Butterfly, Fresh From The Cocoon

Who is your NORTH? What drives you?  What motivates you to keep going? Could be anything, could be anyone: your children, your family, your career, your future etc.  Could even be someone who has hurt you enough and you were so challenged to show them that they have wrongly messed up with you. Dare to dream. The best way to make those dreams come true is to wake up, have the will to start, the enthusiasm to continue and the persistence to complete.

Dreams should be supported by plans. Your personal development plan is your life plan where you list down your set of goals you want to achieve and the ways on how to achieve them. The list may include both short term and long term life plans, the things you want to accomplish, a new career, a new business or whatever you wish to do. These plans should not only be listed, you got to put them to action to get where you wanted to go.

Here are a few steps in defining your plans.

Set realistic and achievable goals.

These are the goals that you honestly wish to experience. Set time frames. A dream should not just remain a dream. Set deadlines for them to actually come true.

Take action and strive to reach these goals. Without action, you will not reach anything different in your life.

Be open to changes and opportunities. Whatever life throws at you is an opportunity to grow and better yourself. Constant changes may lead you to make detours but stay positive and take heart that it will still lead you to your destination.

Celebrate and stay motivated. Acknowledge your successes, big or small.

You have to believe in yourself and your capabilities in pursuing your goals. Create support network to boost your self esteem. Have friends and loved ones sustain and hold you up.

Always envision the outcomes of your goals. Have in mind that you are experiencing them. The more you see yourself accomplishing them, the faster they become to reality.

When you apply these steps, you will not only be able to define your plans, you will also be able to understand how to put these into action and your journey to creating your life’s dreams begins.

Creating a plan relieves you from stress. You will be able to find balance, fulfillment and happiness. Developing your personal development plan lets you learn to honor your time and manage it. You are able to determine the important things in your life, those things that matters most.

Some possible areas in your life where you want to include in your personal development plan are your health and physical condition, family relationships, spiritual journey, saving money, breaking a bad habit, education and any other areas that need improvement. Personally check on why you need to improve on these and why are they important to you. Set deadlines for each. Rejoice when one by one you meet your goals. Regularly review and evaluate your plans, keep them flexible to changes. Properly set goals will facilitate you to successfully achieve your pursuit for development, allowing you to assess your progress in the middle of your plan and lets you make necessary changes.

In your quest for development, remember that there are no short cuts, there are paths, though. When you make a mistake, you take the longer path. When you successfully achieve your plan, you take the straight path. When you give up, you take the dead-end path. Be of good cheer, keep going the right path and stay positive.

Cheers to your success!

Promises to My Dog

Shiela & Ogie with their baby SAM

I love cats and dogs. I can’t remember how many felines and mutts I used to pet since my childhood. However, one special dog stand out above the rest. He was very special because he was different. He was born with only three legs. For that reason and because my father considered it as a runt, he threw the puppy in the sewerage, alive. My mother couldn’t take the puppy crying. As soon as my father was away, my mother rescued the poor fellow, gave it a bath, fed it and gave it to her friend. Despite the puppy’s condition, the new owner loved the dog, made him felt special and he grew up happy and fulfilled. I believe that when we share our life, time and love to others, we also get the same in return.

Below would be your dog’s expectations from you:

1.       My life lasts only up to 15 years human age. Before you buy me, remember that separation from you will make me miss you and is so painful on my part.

2.      Please don’t be short-tempered, irritable or impatient with me. Give me time to know what you want from me.

3.      Respect is earned and not given as some kind of inalienable right. Place your faith in me and I will always trust you back.

4.      Please don’t be angry with me for too long. Don’t lock me up when you punish me. I am incapable of understanding why you locked me up. The only thing I will know is that I’ve been rejected by you. I only have you, while you have your friends, work and other entertainment.

5.      Take time to talk to me. I may not understand your words, but I can clearly understand your tone. Look at my tail and you will know.

6.      I will never forget however you treat me. That treatment may be unjust or bad, I will not let it spoil our special bond together.

7.      Never hit me for I can never hit back. I can bite and scratch but I will never have the need to do that.

8.     Please be considerate of how I feel before you tell me that I am lazy, uncooperative, or stubborn. Something could be wrong with me or perhaps I am not eating the right food, or been out in the sun for too long, or maybe my heart is already getting old and weak.

9.      Don’t leave me when I grow old. Take care of me. You too will grow old and you will also want to be taken cared of and loved.

10.  Be with me on difficult journeys. Everything is easier for me when you are there. Please don’t forget that whatever you do, I will always love you.

Of all the wonderful treasures in this world, there will be nothing more precious to anyone than giving them a piece of your heart. Every time you share the goodness of your heart, you always end up winning because LIFE IS AN ECHO. It bounces back to you when you have given.

An Orange for An Apple

To many students, the transition from high school to college is a stressful time. Well, don’t be stressed because that is one of the most exciting things you will experience in your life. In my case, it was one event that left a great mark in both my mind and heart. It took me many years of preparation but all the efforts had been worth it. Long before I attended college, I already knew what I wanted to become. I was inspired by my parents who I looked up to with great love and respect. My Dad was a branch accountant then for a bank while my Mom was a librarian in a private school.  I saw how sharp they were in their business suits and uniforms.  I picture myself that one day I will be as sharp as them, talking to people about their concerns, managing their accounts and dealing with co-workers inside a handsome corporate office.

I wanted so much to achieve in life and I studied well for that. Back then, my parents always tells me that if I maintain higher general weighted average in my elementary (which by the way, is the standard procedure), I will have a better chance to enter a secondary school as a scholar. The word ‘scholar’ is very important to me and it does ring a bell (the big one).  I finished my elementary being the first in the class. That was one of my first successes in my early life.  With that, I entered a private secondary school as a full time academic scholar! The school was a Christian Catholic school. Throughout my four years in the secondary level, my relationship and knowledge of God was deepened. The competition in the class was stiffer than in my elementary years. I struggled in a way, because I even considered my beautiful best friend as a competition. What was I thinking?!

My vacant time was spent mostly in the library. After that, I spent the rest of my afternoon hour inside the church. I asked God for something that was far beyond my reach, that I wanted to go to college in a distant land, Australia. That was both my prayer and my dream that has never been granted, yet.  I realized that God answers our prayers with “Yes, ok”, “No, I have a better one” and “Wait”. You see, there is no “Never”, only long periods of “Not yet”. Must I give up? You will see in my next posts.  With that dream on hold, I focused mainly on my scholarship. After all my efforts, I ended up being second best in my batch. I didn’t feel bad because I received a college scholarship in one of the best universities in my country. That one university I didn’t bother myself to take its college admission test. I am still touched up to now with the way things happened in my early life. I wanted an apple, but I was given an orange. One lesson I learned at a young age: Success comes to those who work hard for it. Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. Success goes to those who do not slumber but steps forward, working hard for a better them and a better life.