Morning Hush

Going through the day with peace of mind does not mean complete control of things and smooth day; but living through the day with calmness despite uncontrollable situation, with joy from within, and by respecting the events, people, and things around you.

The sun is rising. The alarm clock is ringing. The sound of the city is gradually fading in.

Take time to be SILENT. LISTEN to your body, to the small voice in your head.

When morning comes, we tend to rush on everything. Immediately after opening our eyes, we jump off our bed and zoom our way to the bathroom. We miss to enjoy the beauty of the new day—the comfort of the soft and fluffy bed, the aromatic smell of the coffee, the natural disinfectant of the sunlight, and the fresh thoughts. We want everything in instant.

We rush thinking we could avoid the things we cannot control that could ruin our entire day. There's the traffic, car malfunction, or the silent demanding boss who expects us to be earlier than her 6:30 am lonely time.

It's good and right to start the day early. It gives us ample time to prepare for the day. Remember: failing to prepare is preparing to fail.

However, waking up earlier than the rooster and moving like Flash is not enough.

Wake up rushing results in starting out feeling stressed out early in the day, with a fazed mind and your heart beating fast, that puts you on auto-panic mode. When we rush, we tend to forget something or to push the wrong button or to pour our coffee on the office desk. We commit small errors that have some negative impacts on our mood and productivity level.

Our state of mind when we start our day is important. It is the key to setting the landscape of our day.

Waking up with a serene state of mind, composed mind, and clear vision of the day help us get through the bumps and hurdles of the day gracefully and productively.

Slash the morning rush and start with a morning hush.

Wake up 15 minutes earlier than necessary. Stay lying on your bed, meditate or pray or just simply put things in perspective til the 15 minutes run out.

Smile. Sit on your bed for 5 seconds, still holding your smile. Play feel-good music, then start doing your thing. Whether it is having coffee or breakfast first or taking a bath first, make sure you spend the time pumping happy hormones.

While sitting at the dining table, talk to your loving partner or crack joke with your housemates or share a good story with your kids.

In the bathroom, make mental notes of your today's plans or small goals, or revisit your best feeling yesterday, or shake off all the negative emotions of yesterday and , then start with a clean slate, or just simply think of your dream house.

The quality of your first 15 minutes in the morning is essential in creating the vibe of your day. Then follow it through by living out a positive and driven disposition.

• Wake up early.
• Meditate and set your good mood.
• Have a good breakfast.
• Arrive at work ahead of time.
• Clean your work area and prepare by gathering your thoughts.
• Greet your colleagues good morning or give small positive notes.
• Check your to-do’s and emails.
• Take a deep breath and smile.

Give yourself time to settle after waking up. Listening to the small voice within you or connecting with your Supreme Being early in the morning puts things in perspective. Calibrate your senses by feeling, smelling, hearing, seeing, and tasting the beauty of the new day.

When you go through the day deliberately, you become aware and alert—you see the minute details of the day.

Going through the day with peace of mind does not mean complete control of things and smooth day; but living through the day with calmness despite uncontrollable situation, with joy from within, and by respecting the events, people, and things around you.

Relax. Start early with a me-time contemplating or meditating or praying.

Relieve yourself of self-made anxiety.
You have a choice—to be happy or to be unhappy: to rush or to slow down.

Time gives us the advantage of having "options".
Don't just start early.
Start early with a grateful heart, clear mind, and peaceful state of mind.

Helter-skelter courts disaster; while man of meditation attracts fruition.

Make your 15-minute morning hush a habit and your day will be better than your day with morning rush.

Sure, You Can Make It!

Intelligence and money are not reasons to pull you down or to hinder you from achieving your goals.

 

Sure, learning is a process.

Sure, maturity is a choice.

Sure, life is a constant voyage.

Sure, each of us is given built-in skills that will enable us to be better and to better enjoy this good life.

Sure, we are the captain of our own lives.

We can become whoever we want to be. Truly, we are not given equal amount of talents, skills, and other gifts gifts; but surely, we are all given the same amount of time each day—24 hours. Whether too long or too short for you, we can’t do anything to adjust its length.

Time is equally given to each of us—rich-poor, young-old, girl-boy, literate-illiterate, good-bad. 24 houts a day; 525,600 minutes a year. Period.

Time is fixed. But the good news is, we can diminish or increase its value by how we make choices and how we act upon our choices.

Learning and maturity should be directly proportional to our time alive, our age. But we all know that a big chunk of humanity is not a reflection of it. I’m not discounting myself.

If we look around, we will see many people who have become skilled and empowered in their chosen fields, and  some in the places they found themselves. However, there are more people who are otherwise or who don’t enjoy the lives they are entitled to enjoy.

We sometimes catch ourselves quipping, “She’s brilliant. I wonder why she ended up like that,” or “He’s diligent, but it seems he toils today to feed himself today so he can work tomorrow.”

(Setting aside those people who are able to get what they want because they know how to manipulate people for their own advantage, or see things as “delegation” when in fact they know in themselves that they intentionally make others do things for them, or get to finish a requirement by doing 20% of the work…)

The legit achiever knows four basic things: diligence, focus, responsibility, and sharing. The self-made achiever is like a house built on a rock, strong storm or raging flood comes, it stands firm. Wherever you put him, whatever you ask of him, whenever you need him, he can deliver well.

I. Diligence

Being diligent doesn’t require exceptional IQ. What one needs is only common sense and initiative. Being diligent is being able to discern what an ordinary prudent man would do in a specific situation.  Diligence is also the ability to delay gratification and do some a-little-tightening-here-and-a-loosening-there.

A diligent person would ask himself what shall I do first; what is the most efficient and effective way in doing this; will I bypass or disrespect or hurt someone; what degree of care is appropriate.

More than being industrious, a diligent person thinks of the implications of his actions before he executes his action plan. He eats first the icing before the cake, I mean, he does first the things he doesn’t like most so he can enjoy the rest of the day doing the things he likes.

II. Focus

A purpose driven and dedicated person knows his goal and he presses on it every single day. He knows where he should end up. Whatever the weather is—stormy or sunny; whatever kind of road he is taking—bumpy or smooth—his mind, feelings, words, and actions are all oriented to his goal.

A focused person is not discouraged or demoralized by trials or failures. Instead, he is fueled by his challenges. For him, another trial means another platform for him to stand on so he could see things from a better vantage point. He sees failure just as a delay to his goal or sometimes a detour so he may take a better path towards it.

Being focused is being able to see clearly what you want and seeing it steadily through layers upon layers of distraction.

III. Responsibility

Acceptance of responsibility is being open to challenges, pain, heartbreaks, and other uncomfortable emotions associated with growing up, achieving, and victory. Responsible persons know that trials, challenges, or problems don’t go away unless you yourself work through them, or else they will remain a hindrance to your growth and victory.

Some people deny to themselves the problems they encounter; others acknowledge the problems but do nothing about it hoping the problems will just go away. But the responsible person acknowledges his problems, sits down and studies each problem for a reasonable time, make an action plan, and face the problem properly—right time, approach, and means—based on his evaluation of the situation.

A responsible person knows that when he avoids the legitimate suffering that results from dealing with problems, he also avoids the growth that problems demand from him (Peck).

Learning is the twin of responsibility. As in taking on responsibility for what one feels, for what one ought to do, for whatever situation one finds himself, one will always surely learn whether he fails or succeeds.

A responsible person's mentality is, "Either you win or you learn."

IV. Sharing

An empowered person shares what he learns. An empowered person is someone who becomes who he is because of what he has gone through in his life. He has a personal account to share about his journey from rags to riches, or from being a victim to being the philanthropist, or from being the last to being the first, or being the nothing to being the superstar.

Having a first hand experience of the essential polishing in life—from thinking of a dream to being diligent to pursue his dream and making it a goal; to being focused and dedicated to his goal; to taking on the responsibility for every circumstance that leads him his goal—an empowered person knows the feeling and thoughts of one who is also driven to legitimately achieve their goals, which enables him to empathize and believe in them.

A small mind will tell one that his dream ridiculously difficult and he will not achieve it because of he is poor or he is not intelligent or he is ugly or he because he is who he is. But an empowered person will encourage one to pursue his dream, pray, and work hard and that if others can do it, he too can do it and may even do things better.

Sharing is a mechanism that multiplies and scatters good things in life. Sharing is the system which makes giving away good things come back in better packages, better quality, and sometimes more in quantity. Simply put, sharing makes good things last from generation to generation.

Whatever our statuses in life are or wherever we are and whatever we want to achieve, it is possible to achieve our goals if we are willing to do our part and focus our energy and resources on the goal.

Intelligence and money are not reasons to pull you down or to hinder you from achieving your goals.

Everyday, within 24 hours, do something that contributes to achieving your goals. If you want to be a teachers, entrepreneur, priest, lawyer, doctor, or corporate executive…

Think like one.

Talk like one.

Act like one.

What you think of, speak of, read about, or do in a day will make a difference in the quality and essence of your 24 hours and 525,600 minutes.

Dream. Believe. Feel. Receive. Thank. Share.

…and thank God for the each brand new day He gives you to become better, do better, and become step closer to your goal.

One sure thing, you can make it if you believe and want it.

Never underestimate your capacity and never underestimate God's power.

Pray and work hard! You can make it, I know!

Through the Lens of an Eagle

We don’t have to experience unfortunate events just for us to learn. Like an eagle, let us be vigilant and alert. Like an eagle let us be wise, soar above the storm of dangers and evils, and get a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening to others or what we hear from the news or what we read in the dailies and learn from them. Practice them.

With the recent crime incidents in the place where I spent my undergrad, now I feel like an eagle soaring through the field where the wild animals unexpectedly and bestially attack their preys.

On one hand, I am like an eagle able to ward off the hunters and just now observing the incidents from up above. On the other hand, I am still like any other bird that no matter how high I soar, I am still in danger of being picked on.

In a matter of five months, three grave felonies had been perpetrated upon promising students in my alma mater, to wit: robbery with homicide, wherein the victim had also been raped (Oct.2011); rape, wherein the minor victim had been raped to death by about five men (Feb. 2012); and attempted robbery and homicide, wherein the offenders, who failed to take money from the graduating student, took his life instead (Mar. 2012). Moreover, in the law school I am studying now, a freshman student also died due to hazing (Feb. 2012).

What rubs salt in a wound in my heart is the fact that the minor who had been raped was one of our Sampaguita vendor friends.

It broke my heart after knowing it was Cesil who had been raped and killed. Cecil was not a student at UP. She was a sampaguita vendor in the campus since she was a very young kid. Selling sampaguita sent her to school.


Cesil was the first kid I thought of when I heard the news, and I hoped so badly that it weren't her. Sadly, it was Cesil—the cute, timid, hardworking, sweet little girl selling sampaguita until 11pm just to go to school.


I suddenly remember the times they sang over the phone for my friend when I was asking for an apology, the times when she and Gerry would suddenly sit on my lap and tell me “ate wag maninigarilyo ibili mo na lang ng sampaguita okaya bilhan mo kami ng turon”, and the times when the sleepy Cesil would meet us by the steps of our school building and ask us to buy her sampaguita so she could already go home, and my last Christmas break and birthday when I bought food and shared with the sampaguita kids.

I believe it is important to stress the common knowledge that peril is ubiquitous, so we must really be vigilant, extra careful, and wise enough not to wear or bring things that will catch thug’s attention.

Last September an outlaw was able to open the door of the cab I was in when the traffic light turned red. He tried to grab my phone and threatened me that he would shoot me if I would not give to him my phone. Instinctively, I threw the phone on the side of the cab driver. He kept on threatening me that he would shoot me, we were just a foot or two apart. I prayed as I haggled to him. Saying a short prayer gave me presence of mind. Thank God seconds before the light turned green he left already.

Just last month, a thief got all our phones at home. I reported it to our building manager and to the police right away. Thinking about what happened, I am grateful my brother and I were safe, weren't hurt, and we don't have to resort to stealing just to get through the day. Perhaps, I will be receiving something better as a replacement—phone or something else. The thief may have benefited from his take-away, I don't know his needs at the moment... But I am sure, I will receive something better than what has been taken away!  I thank the Lord I don't have to beg or steal and for making me unworried about the mundane.

Law-breaking now happens inside or outside the house. Make sure you always have someone or something to aid you defend yourself. But it is always best to:

When at home:

         1.      Lock your doors, even just the grills or screen doors

         2.      Never open the door until you positively identify the person outside. Do not let stranger come in, especially if you’re alone. Courteously tell him to wait outside, and call up a guard or a nearby friend.

         3.      Have emergency numbers on your phone and post a list on the visible area in the house
   4.      Make sure everybody is in the house before you go to sleep, especially the minors. If someone of age is out, tell him to call up before going home and when he is near—not when he is standing alone by the doorstep.

         5.      Keep outside well-lit

         6.      Make sure you keep clubs or anything that you can use to defend you

         7.      Keep your composure and don’t show your fear

When outside the house:

         1.      Never wear nor bring things that are “hot” in the eyes of outlaws

         2.      Make sure you just bring enough cash for transpo and a little extra

         3.      As much as possible, have a companion or have a pepperspray (there are those which   look like a keychain, attach it in your bag’s clasp)

         4.      If someone grabs your bag, let go of it. Your safety is more important than your belongings (refer to No.1)

         5.      Regularly change your routes

         6.      If you’re alone, walk in well-lit and visible or busy area and don’t take short cuts

         7.      Make sure you know where you are going and never ask strangers, only true policemen

         8.      Exude confidence—walk tall and project like you know where you are going

         9.      Don’t be sympathetic to suspicious behavior

          10.  Never walk with earphones on your ears

       11.  Hold your bag tightly on your shoulder pointing to the sidewalk

       12.  Carry your bag close to you, with the clasp facing inwards, and pull in front

       13.  Check your things before leaving a place and make sure bags are zipped up

       14.  While walking, look at your shadow and the glasses you pass by

       15.  Always walk on the side opposite the flow of the traffic

       16.  If you think you’re being followed, cross the street. If you think you’re still being followed, confidently walk in a bit brisky manner across the street again. Then go directly to a public place or a crowd or a convenience store.

       17.  Don’t leave important documents and gadgets in your car

       18.  Make sure all doors are of your car are closed before rolling

       19.  Don’t hangout in your car for a long time

Many encounters with crooks are won even before they assault you through psywar. Maintain an eye contact and project that you’re not intimidated. Most likely they will back down since they know you are alert and you already recognize their faces. (Invoking Valid Self-defense)

We don’t have to experience unfortunate events just for us to learn. Like an eagle, let us be vigilant and alert. Like an eagle let us be wise, soar above the storms of dangers and evils, and get a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening to others or what we hear from the news or what we read in the dailies and learn from them. Practice them.

We don’t need to touch the boiling water in order to know it is hot nor dip in the icy water to know it is cold.

Be vigilant. Be prepared. Know the law and your rights. Pray for your safety.

Best Answers Do Not Always Come in a “Yes”

Once we already have those best things in life—whether we prayed for them or not—we just know that there they are. The feeling of joy is unexplainable, the peace of heart and mind is indescribable, your gratitude to God is unfathomable… you just simply know inside your tickling heart that “I know that I know that this is it!” 

When I was a kid, I dreamt a lot of both good and really-that’s-good? kinds of dreams. I prayed for some and daydreamt about the others.

Most of the time we think that best answers are only gotten when God delivers right in front of us what we pray for.

I am sure many of our dreams and prayers when we were in kindergarten changed when we graduated in grade school, then changed again when we graduated in college, and perhaps some also changed before we graduated from college, and thereafter.

Imagine if God immediately gives us what we pray for, especially those that we pray for at the height of our emotions… If they happened, perhaps, many of us are forced to like and accept the lives we once dreamt of or the person we wanted to spend the rest of our lives with or the things and people we wanted to have.

We are so lucky our Father knows what is best for us and He is ever patient waiting for the perfect moment to bless us the best things we deserve. While we, on the other side of the paradise, are impatiently urging God to immediately give us what we want.

I am at peace and secure knowing that my God knows me so well and clearly sees my mind and heart. Now, I confidently and gratefully accept His utter “No” knowing that He has something far better for me; His “Silence” knowing that He has best reasons why He is igniting my passion and thirst as I patiently and persistently wait for what I pray for; and His “Yes” knowing it is already His best time—that I am already ready and deserving to truly enjoy His prime cooking.

It is not only God whom we should ask whenever we pray for what we want… we should also ask ourselves if we are already ready to receive and handle the things we ask for. When we already have the things we so long desired, we must be feeling that bone-tickling, breath-taking joy.

I thank God He doesn’t take seriously all my dreams and prayers when I was a kid—to be a nun, a doctor, laundrywoman, BBQ vendor, tricycle driver, construction worker, farmer, flight attendant, and a supermodel… or else, I wouldn’t be His apprentice in His Ministry of Justice right now.

I am glad I received many of my childhood dreams. Some I prayed for, others arrived by surprise.

Those that I prayed for were to pass my college entrance exam in the prestigious university to make my mom, who is a professor, to be proud not only for her students but also for her own child; to become a broadcast journalist (it was being a disc jockey and news anchor that was on my mind), then God made me experience being a DJ, voice talent, and radio announcer and to write for national dailies; to have an exciting work in a corporate world staying in the office half of the time and in the field the other half, then God faithfully answered my prayer with bonuses of rubbing elbow with both local and international celebs, business tycoons, high ranking officials in the national government, and with unsung and modern heroes, and travelling across the country and staying in swank hotels for free; et cetera.

Others I obtained without even imagining of ever having them in my life. Among my surprise gifts is mom’s grade school graduation gift to me—my first motorcycle! At an early age of 10, it was as if I won the lottery. I also became a chess and tennis varsity of our school, when in fact what I only wanted was to enjoy playing as child and teen, respectively; to establish a service-oriented community-based sustainable project—an activity I enjoy and love doing; among others.

I am so grateful to those who helped me receive and enjoy my blessings, and of course to God for always surprising me with His “Yes”, in the same way as He answers me with His “No”

Surely there is a lasting diamond treasure God is forming inside us as He forms our character while He lets us ask hopefully, pray faithfully, expect joyfully, prepare ourselves excitedly, and receive gratefully.

That diamond is the virtue of prudence and patience. Prudence in knowing what God is telling our hearts—when to keep on and when to let go and let God. Patience in waiting while keeping a good attitude.

Let us not preempt God's design for us. Instead, let us make sure we know what we want, it is in line with God’s words, trust God’s best desires for us, and thank Him for His daily surprises.

Don’t cheat yourselves of God’s best for you. Submit to Him and trust His spring of grace—it is overflowing, undbounded, and limitless.

Once we already have those best things in life—whether we prayed for them or not—we just know that there they are. The feeling of joy is unexplainable, the peace of heart and mind is indescribable, your gratitude to God is unfathomable… you just simply know inside your tickling heart that “I know that I know that this is it!” 

No second bests and second rates… only God’s best!